The Resurrection

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ST. NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

4967 FOREST PARK AVENUE

ST. LOUIS, MO 63108-1495

Volume 21 - Number 4 April 2017

Proistamenos: Fr. Douglas Papulis (636) 527-7843

(314) 974-4613cell

Parish Priest: Fr. Michael Arbanas (314)909-6999

Office (314)361-6924

(314)395-8704 Fax (314)361-3539

Email: [email protected] Website: www.sngoc.org

ST. NICHOLAS

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

ST. NICHOLAS CHURCH FAMILY LIFE CENTER 12550 SOUTH 40 DRIVE

ST. LOUIS, MO 63141

“He is not here: he is risen as He said” (Matthew 28:5-7). “Jesus, having risen from the grave, as He foretold, has given to us Eternal Life and the Great Mercy.” Be-loved, we celebrate Holy and Great Friday because we stand within the rays of the Resurrection. Christ has given Himself upon the Cross for our Reconciliation, and tri-umphed over evil and death. Jesus’ resurrection is a pre-sent reality and a glorious hope. We celebrate the Resur-rection because Christ has revealed God’s power and His love for us. We celebrate the Resurrection because we are new creatures in Christ who believe passionately in the future. We look forward in hope.

On the Third Day He Rose Just as St. Paul insisted on the central place of the

Cross, in the Christian message, he also insisted on the truth of the Resurrection. “If Christ has not been raised then our preaching is useless, and your believing it is useless…if Christ has not been raised, you are still in your sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:14, 17)

No matter how sublime Jesus’ teaching during His life, no matter how courageously he faced death, if His mission had ended on the Cross, it would have availed us little. Many have taught with wisdom and compassion; many have given up their lives for the sake of worthy causes. But only Jesus of Nazareth rose from the dead, and it is only through the Risen Jesus Christ that we find Salvation. Let us thank God that we have a living Savior – not a mere man who came and lived and died, but a God who could conquer death and the grave.

Confucius lived and died and was buried and stayed in the grave. Buddha lived and died and was buried and stayed in the grave. Mohammed lived and died and was buried and stayed in the grave. But when we go to the grave of Jesus, we hear again the angel’s voice. “He is not here. He is risen.” A dead man cannot save us. He cannot forgive our sins and take us to Heaven. But Jesus can!

The resurrection also was foretold many times by the risen Lord (Matthew 16:21) (Matthew 17:9-22-23) and (John 2:19) (1 Corinthians 15:3-9).

“I expect the Resurrection of the dead.” Jesus Christ with His Resurrection gave us great proof about the fu-

ture life after death. The Resurrection is an example – the true one of our own resurrection. Beloved, with the fall of communism in Russia, many ministers of different de-nomination in the United States went to Russia, an Ortho-dox Christian country, to preach Christianity. Among them was the Rev. Billy Graham, one of greatest preachers of the Gospel in the United States. He was preaching the Word of God in large Orthodox Churches, always accom-panied by a Russian Metropolitan (bishop).

One day, the Rev. Billy Graham asked the Metropoli-tan the following question: “How do you like my ser-mons?” The Metropolitan answered, “I do like your ser-mons, but you stop with the Crucifixion and do not preach about the Resurrection. “The Rev. Graham mentioned the story upon his arrival in the states on television. During the years of communism in Russia, one great communis-tic speaker was invited to a big city to give a speech about communism. When he finished his speech, the per-son who invited the speaker asked if there were any questions. An old man raised his hand holding his cane and went to the podium, looked around and with strength in his voice said, “CHRISTOS VOSKRESE!” (Christ is Risen!). All of the people replied with one voice “VOISTINU VOSKRESE!” (Truly He is Risen!). The speaker then left from the side door.

-Fr. John Androutsopoulos

The Resurrection

GENUINE Resurrection

The Christian perception is that cross and crucifixion, martyrdom and sacrifice are followed by resurrection – a resurrection invisible to many, but an actual and genuine resurrection for those who are able to see things more deeply and more clearly…Christians know that the victor is not the one who has tyrannically imposed his or her views, but the one who has justice on his or her side. Con-sequently, our main concern is not to impose our will on others, but to walk together with justice and not to act unjustly.

-Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

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St. Nicholas Servants

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Monthly Bulletin April 2017

Announcements

St. Nicholas Book Group

The St. Nicholas Book Group will NOT MEET IN APRIL. We will meet Monday, May 1st at 7:00pm to discuss The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom. This novel follows the lives of an indentured servant from Ireland and the slaves with whom she lives in a thriving pre-Civil War plantation in Virginia. We will meet at 7:00pm at the Family Life Center

PLEASE JOIN US!!!

EVERYONE is Welcome

2017 PARISH BOARD Andrew Galakatos,MD, President 314-922-4457 Carol Kamburis, Vice-President Jonathan Hartley, Secretary Peter Takes PhD, Treasurer Nicky Antoniou, Assistant Treasurer Christine Anastas Helen Carey Elizabeth Glynias Stefan Glynias Yemane Habtu Marilynn Jemas Bill Mastorakos, DDS Mary Ann Mastorakos Joseph Palazzola Kon Vellios

AUDIT COMMITTEE Mark Vleisides, Chairperson 314-576-2898 Roxana Couternais Peter Lemakis Janet Papageorge

CEMETARY COMMITTEE William Karides, Chairperson 636-281-0727 Pat Johnson Irene Schildroth

CHURCH SCHOOL Co-Directors Bess Fitzmaurice 636-343-3849 Despina Hartley 618-447-6548

DANCE TROUPE Georgia Johnson 314-832-0061 ELECTION COMMITTEE

Tina Paradowski , Chairperson 314-781-0781 Paul Leara Pat Lekich Demi Nicozisin Mark Vleisides

GREETERS COMMITTEE Roxana Couteranis, Director 314-752-0252

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) DEMETRIOS Tsikalas (Co-chair) 314-323-2838 Jonathan Hartley (Co-chair) 618-520-9569

LIBRARY COMMITTEE James Anno, PhD, Chairperson 405-762-0528 Elaine Coulson Brandon Redmann

MINISTRY, PRISON Clark Porter, Director 314-518-6747

PHILOPTOCHOS Georgia Ferretti, President 636-458-8577

PHYSICAL FACILITIES -CHURCH Dino Pappas, Chairperson 314-701-8118

Bill Coulson Pat Johnson Mike Stamatakis

Tom Thavorides

PHYSICAL FACILITIES –FAMILY LIFE Nick Tharenos, Chairperson 314-576-7011 Mike Kamburis Nick Koskolos Robert Meyer Sam Mezines

PLANNED GIVING John Koch, Chairperson 636-922-7732 George J. Bude Sam Mezines

SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE Denise Karras, Chairperson 314-368-4205 Barbara Corrigan Yemane Habtu Peter Takes

St. Irenaeus Orthodox Theological Institute Michael G. Tsichlis, PhD 314-361-6924 x330

STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE Stefan Glynias, Chairperson 314-644-1875 Ted Anastas Abrahatzion Habtu Yemane Habtu Marilynn Jemas Mary Ann Mastorakos Steve Ott John Russon

Please submit all articles by the 10th of month

Email: [email protected] Thank You Jennifer English, Editor

St. Nicholas General Scholarship Fund

The St. Nicholas General Scholarship Fund for college students has been depleted due to the multiple scholarships that have been given by the Scholarship Committee over the past several years. There is currently only about $100 in the General Scholarship Fund. While the scholarships designated for certain educational pursuits like the priesthood (e.g. , the Fr. Nicozisin Fund) and nursing are still well funded (e.g., the priesthood scholarship funds total ~$50,000), currently the opportunity to give general scholarships for deserving other academic scholars is in serious jeopardy. To help replenish this fund, please consider a contribution to the General Scholarship Fund when donating to St. Nicholas Church in memorial or in celebration of special occasions. The Scholarship Committee would like to continue our mission of giving up to five scholarships per year to deserving college students based upon academic merit and personal need. Your contributions to the future of our children and grandchildren are much appreciated!

Barbara Corrigan, Yemane Habtu, Denise Karras, Peter Takes

Scholarship Committee

CHURCH FUND In Memory of George Demetrulias

Family of John Souris In Memory of Jack Suda Chris & Tina Paradowski

In Memory of Esther Anne Christophi Colin & Stephanie McPherron

In Memory of Evangelia “Litsa” Athanas The Mastis Family

Robert & Janice Lynch In Memory of Peter A. Ellis

Thimios & Mary Zanetos Tom & Sue Will

FAMILY LIFE CENTER

In Memory of Peter A. Ellis Katherine Ellis & Family

In Memory of Kathryn Souris Gus & Angela Demos

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

In Memory of Evangelia “Litsa” Athanas The Dugan Family

In Memory of Kathryn Souris Janet E. Papageorge

In Memory of Suzanne Leontsinis Kotsopoulos

Mary C. Mastorakos

PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY In Memory of Kathryn Souris

Elaine Tripolitis

MEMORIAL DONATIONS February 10th thru March 10th

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PRESIDENT’S NOTES Andrew E Galakatos MD

PHONE: 314.922.4457 [email protected]

NEWSLETTER TO BE MAILED PLUS THE CHURCH WEBSITE

Effective with this APRIL NEWSLETTER, all Parishioners will be mailed this monthly publication as in the past. In addition, if anyone wishes to view the current and any of the past publications, go to the CHURCH WEBSITE at www.sngoc.org then to PARISH (top of page) , scroll to MONTHLY BULLETINS, and publications back to 2012 will appear. Any problems or comments, please contact DEMETRIOS TSIKALAS, Co-Chair of the Church IT team, @ 314.323.2838.

VOLUNTEER and PARTICIPATE ON COMMITTEES for OUR FALL FESTIVAL and OUR CHURCH’S VARIOUS 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY EVENTS

THROUGHOUT THE YEAR Please view the FLYERS and the monthly NEWSLETTER regarding the numerous committees that you can volunteer to participate and the specific individual(s) heading your committee of interest to contact. In addition, you may call the Church Office with any questions relating to these 2 enormous events @ 314.361.6924

BELIEVE IT OR NOT! The PRESIDENT’S NOTES this month are really short. Nonetheless, the Church Leadership want to wish everyone ... a very HAPPY EASTER / KALO PASCHA.

NEWSLETTER να ταχυδρομηθεί ... συν την ιστοσελίδα της εκκλησίας Αποτελεσματικό με αυτό το ενημερωτικό δελτίο ΑΠΡΙΛΙΟΥ όλοι οι Ενορίτες θα ταχυδρομηθεί αυτή μηνιαία έκδοση, όπως και στο παρελθόν. Επιπλέον, αν κάποιος επιθυμεί να δείτε την τρέχουσα και οποιαδήποτε από τις προηγούμενες εκδόσεις, πηγαίνετε στην εκκλησία ΙΣΤΟΣΕΛΙΔΑ @ www.sngoc.org ... τότε στην ενορία (top of page) ... μεταβείτε σε μηνιαία δελτία ... και δημοσιεύσεις πίσω στο 2012 θα εμφανιστεί. Τυχόν προβλήματα ή σχόλια, παρακαλούμε επικοινωνήστε ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΣ Τσικαλά, συμπρόεδρος της ομάδας Εκκλησίας IT, @ 314.323.2838. ΕΘΕΛΟΝΤΗ & ΣΥΜΜΕΤΟΧΗΣ ΣΤΙΣ ΕΠΙΤΡΟΠΕΣ για ... ΠΤΩΣΗ ΜΑΣ ΦΕΣΤΙΒΑΛ ... και για ... ΔΙΑΦΟΡΑ 100 ΕΚΔΗΛΩΣΕΙΣ επέτειο της Εκκλησίας μας όλο το χρόνο Παρακαλείσθε να δείτε τα φυλλάδια και το μηνιαίο ενημερωτικό δελτίο σχετικά με τις πολυάριθμες επιτροπές που μπορείτε να εθελοντικά να συμμετάσχουν ... και το συγκεκριμένο άτομο (ες) κλάση επιτροπής που σας ενδιαφέρει για να επικοινωνήσετε. Επιπλέον, μπορείτε να καλέσετε το Γραφείο Εκκλησίας με οποιεσδήποτε ερωτήσεις σχετικά με αυτά τα 2 τεράστια γεγονότα ... @ 314.361.6924 ΕΙΤΕ ΤΟ ΠΙΣΤΕΥΕΙΣ ΕΪΤΕ ΟΧΙ! ΣΗΜΕΙΩΣΕΙΣ του Προέδρου αυτό το μήνα είναι πραγματικά μικρό. Παρ 'όλα αυτά, η Εκκλησία ηγεσία θέλει να ευχηθώ σε όλους ... ένα πολύ HAPPY EASTER / ΚΑΛΟ ΠΑΣΧΑ.

Naming the individuals and charities that will receive your assets once you are gone can be a simple process. Most assets can pass to your intended beneficiaries by the terms of your will. Other assets, such as retirement plans, life insurance and insurance annuities, however, are not controlled by the terms of your will. These assets instead require separate beneficiary forms. The beneficiaries of these assets can be easily modified at any time to meet your changing needs:

IRAs and retirement plans Life insurance policies Insurance annuities

This is a good time to make sure that your beneficiary designations are up to date, regardless of whether or not your intend to name the Church as one of your beneficiar-ies.

One of our beloved parishioners provided a gift to St. Nicholas precisely this way, donating the proceeds of one of his IRA accounts. It was simple and effective.

Ονομάζοντας τα πρόσωπα και τα φιλανθρωπικά ιδρύματα που θα

λάβουν τα περιουσιακά στοιχεία σας, αφού έχετε φύγει μπορεί να είναι μια απλή διαδικασία. Τα περισσότερα περιουσιακά στοιχεία μπορούν να περάσουν σε δικαιούχους σας με τους όρους της διαθήκης σας. Λοιπά στοιχεία ενεργητικού, όπως τα σχέδια συνταξιοδότησης, ασφάλισης ζωής και ασφάλισης προσόδων, ωστόσο, δεν ελέγχονται από τους όρους της διαθήκης σας. Αυτά τα περιουσιακά στοιχεία αντί να απαιτούν ξεχωριστή δικαιούχο μορφές.

Οι δικαιούχοι αυτών των περιουσιακών στοιχείων μπορεί εύκολα να τροποποιηθεί ανά πάσα στιγμή να ανταποκριθούν στις μεταβαλλόμενες ανάγκες σας:

• Ήρας και τα σχέδια συνταξιοδότησης • Τα ασφαλιστήρια συμβόλαια ζωής • Ασφάλιση προσόδων

Αυτή είναι μια καλή στιγμή για να βεβαιωθείτε ότι δικαιούχος των ονομασιών σας είναι ενημερωμένα, ανεξάρτητα από το αν ή όχι την πρόθεση να αναφέρουμε την Εκκλησία ως έναν από τους δικαιούχους σας

Ένα από τα αγαπημένα τους ενορίτες μας παρέχεται ένα δώρο για του Αγίου Νικολάου ακριβώς με αυτόν τον τρόπο, δωρίζοντας τα έσοδα από έναν από τους λογαριασμούς του IRA. Ήταν απλή και αποτελεσματική.

April 2017 PLANNED GIVING ARTICLE

Beneficiary Designations Planned Giving Committee of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

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Philoptochos Corner April 2017

First Day of Lent/Clean Monday - February 27 –

Once again Philoptochos hosted this very special annual Lenten Luncheon, immediately following the Compline Service at the Family Life Center. Fellowship was en-joyed by 35+ that attended this very special day. Many thanks to Maria Kamburis for chairing this event. The meal was fantastic! A special thank you to Dianne Zotos for assisting Maria.

Sunday of Orthodoxy - March 5 –

The Assumption was the host church for this year’s Ves-pers and buffet dinner. We thank Marilynn Jemas for providing the salad and representing St. Nicholas.

Pre-Sanctified Dinner – Wednesday, March 15 –

Philoptochos hosted its Annual Pre-Sanctified Dinner after Liturgy in the Philoptochos Room at the Family Life Center. We will report on this more in next month’s is-sue.

Palm Sunday Brunch – April 9 –

Once again Philoptochos will host its Annual Palm Sun-day Brunch. Please join us with your family and friends for a delicious brunch: Sauteed Lemon fish, Gourmet Omelets, Poached Salmon, Assorted Pasties, Mimosas, Bloody Marys and a Children’s Buffet. A special after-noon is planned for the children. Adults $25.00 per per-son. Children $5.00 age 12 and under. Please make your reservations as soon as possible. See enclosed flyer for more details.

Grecian Kitchen Spring Order Form Treat your family and friends to home-made Grecian spe-cialties for the Easter Holiday and summer! We are offer-ing Koulouria, Baklava, Spanakopita, Tiropita, Tsourekia, Pastitso, and much more! Remember we sell our spe-cialties year round. Please fill out the order form in this month’s newsletter and mail to Dianne Zotos, 1213 Hill-

crest Field Drive, Chesterfield, Mo. 63005.

Kendra Gives Back Party – Friday, May 5 –

Join us for a Kendra Gives Back Party and enjoy sips, sweets and jewels. Friday, May 5th from 5pm to 8pm – Kendra Scott at Plaza Frontenac. 20% of the proceeds benefit St. Nicholas Philoptochos Society. Calendar of Events: Sunday 4/09– Palm Sunday Sunday 4/16 – Agape Reception after Divine Liturgy Sunday 4/16 – Easter Lamb Roast hosted by Parish Council Thursday 4/27 – Board Meeting Friday 5/05 – Kendra Gives Back Party/Kendra Scott-Plaza Frontenac

Pascha and the Twelve Great Feasts of the Church Great and Holy Pascha is known as the Feast of Feasts and Festival of Festivals. It is the Day of Resurrection, the feast of complete joy, hoe, and renewal. Twelve other great feast highlight important events in the life of Christ and His Mother, the Theotokos. They are listed in order, according to the Ecclesiastical calendar. Twelve Great Feast The Nativity of the Theotokos September 8 The Elevation of the Holy Cross September 14 The Presentation of the Theotokos November 21 The Nativity of Christ December 25 The Epiphany (Theophany) of Christ January 6 The Presentation of Christ into the Temple February 2 The Annunciation of the Theotokos March 25 Palm Sunday Sunday before Pascha The Ascension of Christ Forty Days after Pascha Pentecost Fifty Days after Pascha The Transfiguration of Christ August 6 The Dormition of the Theotokos August 15

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My beloved brethren, children of the Church, Pascha is today. Pascha is also this year. Our Bright day. The Resurrection. Our Feast Day. The true Pascha, the eternal one. The source of light, and splen-dor during difficult times for all the peoples of the earth and each of us individually as a person. Today we cele-brate the overcoming of evil, of unrighteousness, of hatred, of slavery to death. Today the darkness surren-ders its place to the light and splendor of the human person. Today all the people have the capability to be illumined with the splendor of Pascha. Today’s Paschal feast is an invitation and prompting for us to be illu-mined: the person, our life, the whole world, everyone, all peoples. “It is the day of Resurrection, let us be illu-mined O people, Pascha, the Lord’s Pascha…”

My beloved brethren, Today our Church, with this hymn we referred to, invites all the nations and all of us to be illumined. We should flee from the darkness and the gloom of our times, and we should go, we should enter into the Light of the Resurrection, the glory and splendor of mankind and the world. The Resurrected Christ our Lord shines and illumines everyone. We have no other options, no other margins. Today, we do not have another option, another alternative. How and where can we find today the joy and the splendor of the person, of our life? How can our face be illumined and brightened? Where can we be sustained? Towards where are we to go? There are so many dead ends, dilemmas, and problems of mankind today.

Many say, they propose and prefer to turn to mon-ey, wealth, gain, business ventures, the stock market and prosperity. They have undertaken them. This is the status quo today. The capital, money, is running, it is galloping. It goes everywhere with multinational Com-panies of contemporary “marketing.”

Notwithstanding, today’s world economic crisis af-fects everyone. It troubles, threatens and frightens eve-ryone, even the wealthy, who live themselves with un-certainty and insecurity. And like the poor and unem-ployed of the world, who are threatened and suffer even more; they are brought to despair and find them-selves in a difficult situation. Others propose the easy-going life, comforts and fun times. The easy way. The easy life. All of us know that many people today travel along this path. Temporarily and for a period they are themselves content and see themselves as lucky. How-ever the boredom, the inactivity, the loneliness, the emptiness of life, the monotony, the illnesses, the daily monotony, the routine without creativity and effective-ness for life, it is an unbearable burden and weight; downright unfortunate.

There is also, besides the other things, contempo-rary technology. An important gift and valuable. Small and great are under the spell of the machine, the elec-tronic medium, everything of a technological and me-chanical nature. We have today a deification of ma-chines. Dependence and enslavement are dangerous

phenomena, a waste of humanity, and a change and an annulment of personal gifts and talents belonging to mankind. These contemporary ways of life and trends of people today, they do not seem to be human ways. They are contemporary mediums of our own age, the features and characteristics of it. We revere them, but today’s man cannot expect illumination and personal joy from all these things.

My beloved brethren, Our Church, which is not against our age and today’s achievements of mankind, invites us to other ways, another life. To the life of the illumination of the Resurrection, of blessed Resurrected life. The living out of the Resurrection in our daily lives. A life of brilliant quality and humanity. A life without economic crisis’, insecurities and uncertainties. A true life, everlasting!

Together with our Church, I personally invite you today to this brilliant, resurrection life of our Resurrect-ed Christ. The invitation of the Church and my own, is primarily aimed at our children, the smallest and the greatest. To all their families. To our schools, our teachers, to the spiritual people of our Land. To the people of the countryside and the city. To the healthy and strong, as well as to the sick and weak, everyone. Let us be illumined, let us move forward, and let us become enlightened with the light and splendor of the Resurrection.

-by Archbishop Irenaios of Crete

The Feast of Pascha is an Invitation to Illumination

BAPTISMS “All you who have been baptized in Christ”

SHEA PEARL Daughter of Jacob & Rachael Ehenbeck Godparent: Justin Hays NOAH FRANK Son of Nicholas & Tania Scarpino Godparent: Patricia Appel

FUNERALS “Where the Righteous Rest”

March 7th Catherine Dokos March 9th Pete Davis in Dayton, Ohio March 13th Christopher Dafnides

MEMORIALS April 2nd 1 Year Michael G. Fandos April 20th 20 Year Mary Rupi

PARISH LIFE

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The hymnology through Great Lent is replete with theologi-cal images concerning weeping and tears. From the initial start of the Triodion, tears are the gift for which we, the penitent chil-dren of God, request. “Great is the power of tears,” insists one of the hymns of the Vespers of the Publican and Pharisee. “Let us emulate the weeping Publican,” invites yet another canticle, “that we might too receive forgiveness.” Likewise, during the Vespers offered in honor of the Prodigal Son, the faithful are encouraged to “cry out with tears” and like the Prodigal “thus return to our Father.” Let us, however, not “weep in vain” cau-tions an important hymn heard during the Sunday of Judge-ment, “with those who shall in the final day stand before the Lord’s judgement seat.” Rather, let us engender a daily remem-brance “of that terrible day of judgement.” Only in this way will we cultivate a spiritual disposition of “weeping and lamentation” that will grant us the possibility” to be pure in that hour of name-ly the Sunday of Forgiveness, by our “tears, contrition and almsgiving.” Only in this fashion will our Lenten fasting be of eternal benefit when we approach it primarily as a means of shedding tears of genuine repentance. In this way, insists yet another hymn, it is possible that our tears may be a “Siloam” – miraculous waters – by which the eyes of our hearts are cleansed” and “our minds behold the pre-eternal light.” Herein lies the essence of true Lenten fasting when we begin to seri-ously reflect upon the areas of our prodigal life wherein we have departed from the presence of the Eternal Bridegroom. As we have seen, the hymns sung during the inspiring forty—day liturgical period of Great Lent assist us to reflect upon our sin-fulness. Holy Week intensifies this Lenten introspection by cre-ating the necessary mood wherein we may actually mourn the absence of the Bridegroom from our personal and interpersonal lives. “Serve God with tears,” exhorts St. John Chrysostom, “that we might be able to wash away our sins.”

Holy Tuesday evening is dedicated to the memory of Mary, the sinful woman, who washed our Lord’s feet with her tears (John 12:17-50). No other evening, with perhaps the exception of Holy Friday, receives as much popular attention as Holy Tuesday during whose worship service the famous hymn of Kassiani is sung. How many of us are able to hear the words of this most powerful hymn and not shed tears of repentance? Indeed, we too, if we are truthful, are as sinful as Mary. Unlike her, however, several of the evening’s hymn and not shed tears of repentance? Indeed, we too, if we are truthful, are as sinful as Mary. Unlike her, however, several of the evening’s hymns attest to the unfortunate reality that many of us approach Christ without following the example of this most penitent woman. “Never has it been heard.” Insists St. Symeon the New Theolo-gian, “that without tears a soul that has sinned after baptism has been cleansed.” Holy Tuesday should, therefore, alert us to our own spiritual harlotry wherein we have forsaken our Eternal Bridegroom. Indeed there is a need for us to spiritually wash our Lord’s feet with our tears and to once again betroth our-selves to Him.

The next individual included within our examination of Holy Week’s melody of tears is the Apostle Peter. Apart from liturgi-cally commemorating our Lord’s betrayal and Crucifixion, Holy Thursday recalls the three-fold denial of Christ by this most passionate man. Although Peter had vowed allegiance unto death merely a few hours previous to Christ’s arrest, he none-theless denied Him three times in one evening (Matt. 26:33-75). Having been warned by Jesus of these denials, peter nonethe-less capitulates to his fears and tragically realizes Christ’s three-fold prophecy.

The most famous of Peter’s denials took place just prior to the morning cockcrow (Matt. 75-75). Whereas numerous

hymns of Holy Thursday concern themselves with this event, a word of clarification is needed. There is a regulation in Jewish Law that prohibits the presence of cocks and hens in the Holy City of Jerusalem, because they are “unclean” and therefore defile Holy things. It may well be, therefore, that the famous “cock-crow” associated with Peter’s third denial was not in fact the voice of an actual bird. Rather, it is more likely that what Peter heard was the sound of a Roman trumpet. The phrase “cock-crow” is a literal translation of the Roman military term “gallicinium” which refers to a trumpet call which signals the changing of the guard at 3:00am. As it was impossible to see, not to mention hear, a cock crow in the Holy City, Peter might have initially laughed at Jesus’ absurd prediction of his denial. However, after hearing the “gallicinium,” Peter must have only then understood the true nature of His Lord’s prophecy and thereupon went away to weep and reflect upon his arrogance (Matt. 26:75).

Whenever we prepare to participate in the worship service of Holy Thursday, it might be beneficial for us to likewise reflect upon our own “galliciniums” – the moments wherein we, like Peter, deny our sloganeered soap-box commitments to Christ and to His Church. Although we too might consider ourselves ever loyal to Christ, let us walk humbly lest we fall! “If while we fast we are proud,” cautions St. John Chrysostom, “we have not only profited nothing but even been injured.” The time has come for us to deepen our understanding of the Lenten fast as much more than a childish ride upon a dietary merry-go-round. Let us heed the warnings of our Church Fathers and utilize the spiritual exercise of fasting for that which it was intended – as an opportunity to humbly confess, like the Apostle Peter, our arrogant personal assessments. If we too can weep over our “galliciniums,” our Lord will indeed honor our tears of repent-ance and grant us a vision of His Glorious Resurrection!

Holy Week is the liturgical overture of Great Lent. If we listen attentively, we cannot but hear its melody of tears swell-ing from within the rich hymnology dedicated to the lives of Pe-ter, Paul and Mary. As we encounter these hymns, let us reflect upon our own lives, open the wells of our sinful hearts and al-low them to overflow with tears of repentance, not with tears shed while preparing onions for our Paschal meals, nor with the sentimentality of viewing our Lord’s Passion as a theatrical dra-ma, but tears that contain the toxic waste of our souls, tears shed in honest confession of our sinfulness and arrogance, our denials and spiritual harlotries, our persecutions and spiritual blindness. May our loving Lord accept our contemporary tears as He accepted the ancient repentance of Peter, Paul, and Mary. May we join them within the eternal melody of tears which concludes as we chant before the empty Tomb of Christ – “the season of lamentation has come to an end … weep not … but announce the Resurrection!”

-Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos

Weeping and Tears

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DAILY BIBLE READING GUIDE April 2017

*Palm Sunday +Holy Week **Pascha

Human tears have recently become the fo-cus of intense scientific research. While tears are shed for a number of reasons – sorrow, joy, pain – experimentation has discovered that their chemical makeup is not identical! Tears shed while peeling onions are, for example, almost totally made up of H2O. Tears of sorrow, on the other hand, contain bodily toxic waste and are considered by most physicians as a necessary vehicle for psychosomat-ic catharsis. Perhaps this is why Holy Scripture has always insisted that those who mourn are “blessed” and “shall be comforted” (Matt. 5:4) and those that sow in tears will reap in joy (Psalm 126:5).

The Holy Fathers of the Church often refer to the water of tears as a second baptism. Through the tears of confession and repentance the penitent is washed clean. Shed in association with the ac-knowledgment of past sins, the water of tears re-affirms the grace of redemption. Tears are, therefore, the visual manifes-tation (epiphenomenon) of the Holy Sac-rament of Holy Baptism! Understood in this fashion, tears are indeed the sacra-mental of continued regeneration. Tears are the physical evidence of spiritual grace. Tears are the Gift of the Holy Spirit continually working to convict, humble and prepare the temple of our bodies to receive the resurrected Christ! Like the sinful woman who broke her ala-baster jar to wash the feet of Jesus, our tears are the oil that flows from our re-spective vessels of brokenness!

-Rev. Frank Marangos

What Tears are Made Of?

“He who shows kindness toward the poor has God as his guardian, and he who becomes poor for the sake of God will acquire abundant treasurers. God is pleased when He sees people showing concern for others for His sake.”

-St. Isaac the Syrian

1 S Heb 9:1-7 Lk 1:39-49,56

Sun 2 Heb 9:11-14 Mk 10:32-45

3 M Is 48;17-49:4;Gen 31:3-16 Prov 19:16-25

4 T Is 49:6-10;Gen 31:3-16 Prov 21:3-21

5 W Is 58:1-11;Gen 43:26-31 Prov 21:23-22;4

6 T Is 65:8-16;Gen 46:1-7 Prov 23:15-24;5

7 F Is 66:10-24 Prov 31:15-24:5

8 S Heb 12:28-29;13:1-8 Jn 11:1-45

*+ Sun 9 Phil 4:4-9 Jn12;1-18

10 M Mt 21:18-43 Mt 24:3-35

11 T Mt 22:15-23:39 Mt 24:36-26:2

12 W Jn 12:!7-50 Mt 26:6-16

13 T Mt 26:1-39;Jn 13:3-17 Lk 22:43-45; Mt 26:40-27:2

14 F 1 Cor 5:6-8 Mt 27:62-66

15 S Rom 6:3-11 Mt 28:1-20

** Sun 16 Acts 1:1-18 Jn 1:1-17

17 M Acts 1:12-17,21-26 Jn 1:18-28

18 T Acts 2:14-21 Lk 24:12-35

19 W Acts 2:22-38 Jn 1:35-52

20 T Acts 2:38-43 Jn 3:1-15

21 F Acts 3:1-8 Jn 2:12-22

22 S Acts 3:11-16 Jn 3:22-33

Sun 23 Acts 12;1-11 Jn 15:17-16:2

24 M Acts 3:19-26 Jn 2:1-11

25 T 1 Pet 5:6-14 Lk 10:16-21

26 W Acts 4:13-22 Jn 5:17-24

27 T Acts 4:23-31 Jn 5:24-30

28 F Acts 5:1-11 Jn 5:30-6:2

29 S Acts 5:21-32 Jn 6:14-27

Sun 30 Acts 6:1-7 Mk 15:43-16:8

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Orthodox Christian mission Center (OCMC) Corner: "The Orthodox Mission Team of St. Louis works to nurture an awareness within our local churches of the need to evangelize, catechize, and support missionary efforts and

programs globally."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As always, please feel free to contact Rosie Hartley, 618-447-9688, if you have any questions, would like to be part of the Mission Team St. Louis, or if you would like to help our missionaries. Thank you for your continued support!

The Holy Metropolis of Sweden and All Scandinavia includes the nations of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and Located in the remote Guatemalan town of Aguacate is the Fr. Andres Giron Clinic. The clinic was completed in 2015 under the Omophorion of His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras of Mexico, and it was inspired by the vision of Fr. Andres Giron of blessed memory. It is now managed by local leadership under guidance from the project director, Bob Kirschner, and OCMC long-term missionary Fr. John Chakos. The clinic provides basic healthcare to people in the surrounding Mayan villages. The people of Aguacate have little to no access to healthcare and are unable to find relief from various serious health issues and even some basic health issues. The clinic has given the people of Aguacate improved access to healthcare and has had a big impact on helping to ease the suffering in that region. The hope for the clinic is that eventually a local Guatemalan doctor will provide full-time medical care. During 2016, the clinic was staffed by one young woman named Juana. She grew up in Aguacate and is among those who have embraced Orthodox Christianity. She has basic medical training which allows her to meet many of the healthcare needs of the people. However, she is seeking to expand her medical education by attending medical school to become a doctor and plans to work at the clinic after completing her studies. Juana has already been accepted to medical school, but she needs your help to make this dream a reality. Because of the immense need for permanent healthcare workers at the Fr. Andres Clinic, OCMC has set up a fund for medical education in Guatemala. Young students like Juana from rural Guatemala come from extreme poverty and cannot afford tuition. Money donated to this fund will go directly to supporting those who want to pursue medical education, including Juana. This will allow for native Guatemalans to pursue opportunities in medicine that they would not be able to afford otherwise. It will promote the self-sustainability of the clinic as promising candidates from the local region would receive funding to pursue a degree in medicine. If you would like to donate to medical education in Guatemala, you can mail donations to “OCMC” earmarked for “Medical Education in Guatemala.” Make the check out to “OCMC” and write “Medical Education in Guatemala” in the memo line. Mail the checks to: OCMC, 220 Mason Manatee Way, St. Augustine, FL 32086. Please continue to keep the growing Orthodox Church in Guatemala in your prayers!

Medical Education in Guatemala by Sara Staff

Medical student in Guatemala, Juana, second from the left. Photo credit: Jesse Brandow

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To reunite children with their fathers and to mend the broken ties between them due to the father’s incarceration, the St. Nicholas Prison Ministry will facilitate a visit for 20 children to visit their fathers at the Federal Prison in Leavenworth Kansas. The children and their chaperones will travel by bus and will participate with their fathers in a program that will help build parenting skills. The seminar topics are the following:

We are asking you to support the St. Nicholas Prison Ministry with a donation to help underwrite the expenses of the trip to the prison and the children’s and their chaperones’ overnight motel stay. Sponsorship for the trip and its related expenses are below: One child: $66.50 One child and chaperone: $133

You can make a donation to help underwrite trip expenses after church at the table set up in the church auditorium.

Thank you in advance for helping to support this

important Prison Ministry event!

v Preparing to parent v Child development and the

parental role v Being a better role model to your

child v The process of family reunification v Strengthening family bonds v Honoring the role of the fathers

Leavenworth Family Day LENT AND HOLY WEEK DONATIONS 2017

We extend to you, the beloved Faithful of St. Nicholas, the opportunity to share in making our Great Lent a Holy and most beautiful and inspiring event by decoration our Church. Below are items needed during the Holy Season:

Mid-Lent Veneration of the Cross - Jonquils for Sunday of the Cross – donated by Mary Varvares Organ rental for Easter Service Palms for Palm Sunday Palm Sunday Crosses – donated by Matina Cassimatis Palm Sunday Icon Flower Arrangement – Jasmine Plants – 24 Azalea Plants Hertisme (Friday night) Candles – donated by Nota Chronopoulosi In memory of husband, Christos Levane (incense) – donated by Katherine Ellis in memory of loved ones Altar Candles for Holy Week Services Palm Sunday – donated by Sophia Chronopoulos and Family Monday – donated by Sophia Chronopoulos and Family Tuesday – donated by Sophia Chronopoulos and Family Wednesday – donated by Sophia Chronopoulos and Family Thursday – donated by Sophia Chronopoulos and Family Friday – donated by Sophia Chronopoulos and Family Saturday – donated by Stephanie Glioumas In memory of George Peterson Flowers for the Icon of the Bridegroom (Nymphios) Holy Wednesday Service Holy Unction (Q-tips, baggies, cotton balls and olive oil) – Kamburis Family In memory of Tharinos and Kyriaki Patakas Holy Thursday Icon Flower Arrangement for Divine Liturgy – Holy Thursday Icon Flower Arrangement Service for 12 Passion Gospels – Holy Thursday 12 Gospel Candles – donated by Katherine Siromas Rutter Holy Thursday Service Wreath – Holy Thursday Service Candles for Cross– donated by Katherine Siromas Rutter Good Friday Sheet for Body of Christ – donated by the family of Mary Rupi in her memory Good Friday Icon Flower Arrangement for Royal Hours – Good Friday Icon Flower Arrangement The Descent from the Cross – Good Friday Icon Flower Arrangement The Lamentations (Epitahion) – Good Friday Epitahion Candles – donated by Loretta Wacker donated by Scott & Vicky Morris In memory of parents, Harry and Litsa Athanas Good Friday Anthonero (Rosewater) – donated by Rosie Hartley Good Friday Crucifixion Arrangement— donated by Cathy Cline & Georgia Doumouras in memory of Loved Ones Holy Saturday Icon Flower Arrangement for 1st Divine Liturgy Holy Saturday Resurrection Candles for Priests One Candle – Two Candle – donated by Anna P. Siromas In memory of parents, Efthalia and Pashalis Holy Saturday Resurrection Icons – Holy Saturday Floral Cross for Resurrection Service – Holy Saturday Resurrection Banner – donated by Mary Jane Thomas Agape Service Icon Flower Arrangement – Easter Eggs – donated by Dino Benos Olive Oil (for votive lights) – donated by the Kamburis Family 14 Palm Tree Plants Resurrection Lite Meal Donations

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GOYA (9th-12th Grade)

Deb Palazzola [email protected] 314-591-7519 c

Mimi Davis [email protected]

Junior GOYA (6th-8th)

Caroline Arbanas [email protected] 314-445-4127 c

Stavra Ketchmark [email protected] 314-792-8402 c

JOY (3rd-5th)

Rebecca Christophi [email protected]

Georgiana Grant [email protected] 314-420-9159 c

HOPE (K-2nd)

Steph McPherron [email protected] 636-778-0061 h 314-640-0989 c

Cherubs (Pre-K)

Kimberly Anno [email protected] 713-540-5947 c

Family Ministry

Sophia Pierroutsakos [email protected] 314-596-1506 c

Renee Vleisides [email protected] 314-265-8192 c

Youth Choir

Diana Ott [email protected] 314-550-1573 c

Handmaidens

Rosie Hartley [email protected] 618-447-9688 c

Altar Boys

Father Michael [email protected] 314-425-9641 c

Church School

Bess Fitmaurice [email protected] 314-602-5406 c

Spring is here and we’re into the full swing of Lent. Each year during Lent, we distribute mission boxes to help our Orthodox missionaries who devote their lives to spreading the good news of Christ’s love and our Ortho-dox faith to people, often indigenous people, in faraway places. The money collected in these boxes help sup-port these mission families in places like Mongolia and Guatemala. So please remember them this month.

During lent, our 3rd, 4th and 5th graders learn about the holy sacrament of confession and prepare for this sacrament. On Sunday, April 2nd, Father Michael will visit with these students to talk to them about confes-sion. Then on April 8th, Saturday of Lazarus, our youth will participate in this Holy Sacrament (often for the first time). This is also the morning that the children help prepare the church with palms for Palm Sunday. After-wards, the children are treated to a pancake breakfast in the Philoptochos Room. Then on Palm Sunday, April 9th, students up through 4th grade will participate in a procession with Palm Crosses during Divine Liturgy (at the Great Entrance). So, students should be present at the beginning of Divine Liturgy to participate in this beautiful tradition. After Divine Liturgy, a lovely brunch will be served but remember to make advance reserva-tions.

This month, we ask that parents sign up as volun-teers for our annual Church School Picnic. It’s easy to do, just call or text me or Tom Whaley. This year, the picnic will be on May 21st at the Family Life Center. If you were able to come last year, you know what a terrif-ic event this was. It will once again be hosted by our

Parish Council with games, prizes, good food and great company. But we need parents to help prepare, serve, clean up and facilitate the games and prizes and activi-ties. We will have a picnic meeting after Sunday school on April 2nd. Just email me ([email protected]) or call me at 314-602-5406 to let me know you can vol-unteer and will attend the meeting. If you didn’t get a chance to volunteer this year, this is your opportunity to help our Sunday school.

We also need volunteers and donations for our annu-al Sunday School Teacher’s luncheon scheduled for May 7th. This is an opportunity to show our teachers how much we appreciate them by providing a delicious lunch and a small gift. Please let me know if you can help out or can make a donation towards the cost of the luncheon and teachers gifts.

Finally, I hope you were able to witness our Oratori-cal Festival on March 5th. Each class up to 5th grade presented class projects. We also had one individual speaker, 8th grader Kosmas Maximos Souris, who pre-sented an outstanding speech to our congregation. We are very proud of all our students. You can see most of these projects in the Sunday school halls. I’ve included a copy of Maximos’ speech and a photo. I also want to thank our Oratorical Festival Committee Chairperson, Stavra Ketchmark and all our teachers and clergy and our judges, Diana Ott and Presbytera Yiana Kara-thanos.

Despina and I wish you a happy spring and Kali Ana-stasi (a blessed Resurrection) and look forward to see-ing you and your children in church.

In His Service, Bess Fitzmaurice Despina Hartley

Co-Sunday School Directors

Sunday School

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Save the Date

Hellenic Culture Camp 2017 The 23rd annual Hellenic Culture Camp will be held from July 17 to July 21. From Monday, July 17 through Thursday, July 20 the camp will be held at the St. Nicholas Family Life Center from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. On Friday, camp will be held at the Vetta Sports Center in Manchester from 9:00 a.m. until noon. The camp is open to children entering grades 2 through 8. The cost is $100 for the first child, $90 for the second child, and $80 for the third child. Financial assistance will be available. Anyone wishing to make a donation to help with the cost of our Thursday Greek Luncheon or general expenses would be appreciated. Registration forms will be mailed to children enrolled in Sunday School classes in April. Forms will also be available in the church offices. For any questions, please contact Barbara Corrigan at [email protected] or call 314.960.6258.

FAMILY NIGHT

Youth Sports and

Family Life

“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)

WHAT (for parents): Honest, informed discussions of the role that athletics play in our children’s develop-ment and ways we can maintain a balance with other aspects of life — especially their spiritual growth.

WHAT (for kids): Youth activities that create com-munity and support spiritual development.

WHERE: The Family Life Center

WHEN: Sunday, April 2 · 4:30 p.m. Doors open · 5:00 p.m. (promptly) Parental Discussion and youth activities begin · 6:00 p.m. Dinner; Closing prayer @ 6:30 p.m.

This is not a potluck—no cooking required! Donation of $5 per person requested (or $20 per family) to cover the costs of dinner. No registration required, but kindly RSVP to Fr. Michael, if possible, so we can have enough food. Questions? 314-425-9641 or [email protected].

Praying in Peace

by Kosmas Maximos Souris

When I started writing this essay I was not aware that I was going to read it in front of the whole church; but here I am.

I will talk about peace in our prayers and faith. I am growing up in a very religious based family. My

parents were and still are very strict about my week-ends. They do not allow me to spend Saturday nights at friends’ houses because of church service the next day. This really did not go well with my friends, or myself and has brought up some not so peaceful conversations in our household. However, I could not have thanked my parents enough, since without going to church every Sunday I would not be the young man that is standing in front of you right now.

For all those time that I thought I was being pun-ished, they were really helping me be a better person, while being a better Christian. I have made peace with my life as an Orthodox Christian and a 14-year-old boy, so I am not bothered by the fact of not attending sleepover on Saturday nights.

Furthermore, as an altar boy, I have noticed that at the Divine Liturgy during the opening petition, we hear “In peace let us pray to the Lord.” We hear this many times during the liturgy and many of us don’t even know and understand what is this peace, or why we begin many of our prayers with this saying.

Well, if we look up the textbook definition of the word peace, it defines it as “freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility”.

I believe that if we find peace around and within us, then we will be more spiritual and closer to God. I once read a book called “Touching Spirit Bear.” The main character's name was Brian and he had anger issues, but only when he found peace with himself and others, is when he found the meaning of life and peace.

People usually find peace after the word “quiet”, but peace does not have to associate with quietness. In-deed, peace doesn’t mean you have to exclude yourself from the world, it means cleansing yourself for the bet-ter. It means let the stress, the anger, the worries, the jealousy, and the rage aside. Let your soul, mind and body move away from life’s problems to allow God to take control.

When we pray in peace then we are clear and relax to communicate better with God.

So next time you hear “In peace let us pray to the Lord” think of yourself and if you are in peace. Let this phrase be a reminder of the proper state of mind to connect with Lord.

Thank you. Have a great week,

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

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St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church is celebra!ng a historic and meaningful

milestone this year - the 100th Anniversary of the establishment of our

parish. For the last 100 years, we have gathered humbly before God in prayer,

to prac!ce and teach the Greek Orthodox faith to genera!ons, while ini!a!ng

works of love, philanthropy, and culture that touches the broader St. Louis

community.

There will be several opportuni!es for you and your family to be a part of our

yearlong centennial celebra!on. Please mark your calendars and look for

more details coming soon....

March 26th Greek Independence Day Celebra!on (Mayor's Office Proclama!on presenta!on)

April 9th Palm Sunday Brunch & Founders' Day Celebra!on

April 16th Easter Lamb Roast

May 21st Sunday School Picnic

July 29th-30th Taste of the Greek Fes!val

August 20th Panagyri/Old Fashioned Greek Picnic

Sept 1st-4th Greek Fes!val

November 4th Grecian Kitchen Holiday Open House

November 5th Philoptochos Sunday

December 9th Grand Banquet

On Palm Sunday – April 15, 1917, the first mee!ng was held to discuss the organiza!on of a new (yet unnamed) Greek Orthodox

Church. Please join us on Palm Sunday – April 9, 2017 to celebrate the Founders of our Parish.

George and Mary Abatgis Panagiotis Anagnos Harry and Lefthera Anastas Naoum and Ida Anastas Theodore and Meropi Anastas Haralambos Anastasiou Michael Andreadakis Daniel Apostolou Nicholas and Mary Avouris George Blatsaras Dimitrios Bouyoukoglou Mike and Marigoula Brelias Frank and Maritsa Bude James and Pitsa Bude James Caron Antonios and Maria Cassimatis Constantinos Cassimatis Gus and Aphrodite (Furla) Catsavis Gus and Lena Chiapel John and Frieda Chiapel Pete and Angela Chiapelas Marco Christo Joseph Constantourakis George Coukoulides George Cumbarelis Photios and Angeliki Cutsoukos Nicholas Degerinis Jerry and Anna Demetis George Demetriou Mantheos and Evanthia Demmas George and Alexandra Demmas Kimon & Perssefone Demopoulos Alexander Dendrinelis James and Katherine Dillas Athanasios and Vasiliki Dimitrades

Evangelos Dimitriades Lyber Doumouras William Doumouras George Drakopoulos Harilaos Economos Christos and Olga Efthim Pandeli and Maria Efthim George and Stasia Fandos William Fotinos James and Grace Fotinos Andrew Franges Vasilios Franges James and Esther Frangoulis John and Praxithea Frangoulis George Furla John and Pitsa Furla Konstantinos Galanis George Geraris Dimitrula Georgopoulos Kosmas Geormas Christos Gitchou Apostolos Glastris Konstantinos Hadjicostas Nicholas Haralambopoulos Thomas James William James John Kalemaris Louis and Marigoula Kallas Perry and Ethel Kaly John Kaperonis Achilles and Malamati Karakas Gus Karakas Photios Karakaseliotis Naoum Stamatis Karandzas Gust and Christina Kastanas Athanasios Katsimanglis John Katsinos John and Penelope Kekeris Nicholas Kekeris

John and Kalliopi Kiortsy Dionysios Kitsos George Konstan Dimitrios Lambropoulos Constantine Lazanas Theodore and Despina Lazanas Peter and Athena Lemakis Panagiotis Lenatsos John and Lula Leontsinis Theodore and Olga Leontsinis Anastasios Litsos Lazaros Litsos NIoannis Longos Nick Lorandos William and Athanasia Marangos John Mavrakos John Meletio Antonios Melissaropoulos Jim Mertikas George and Catherine Mertis George and Stamatia Michalas Peter Mirras Prokopis Nepkas Demetrios Nicozisin Tom and Marika Pachiva Constantine Pailas Alexandros Papanidricos Vasilios Papantoniou Gus Pape Anastasios and Zaharo Pappas George and Theodora Pappas George Pappas John Pappas Konstantinos Paraskevopoulos Christos Pashos Michael Pashos Paul Pavlou James and Katherine Pelican

Angelo and Cleopatra Pitleangas George and Panagiota Pliakos George and Georgia Poulakidas George and Vasso Poulos Andrew Rally Nicholas Saganis Stavros Salambasis George Skouras Spyros Skouras Anastasios Souris Demetrios Souris Alexandros Spanos Nicholas Tanurchis Vasilios Tanurchis Nicholas Thavorides Konstantinos Theodorou Theodosios Theodosiades Stavroula Theofanelis Athanasios Theophanelis William and Chrysoula Trakas Ioannis and Katina Trapshanis Nick Trillia Panagiotis and Margarita Tsichlis Alexander Tsimines George and Aspacia Vellios Athanasios Velonis John Vlahopoulos Demosthenes Xylaras George Zagrilis Constantine & Virginia (Andrews) Zinis Andrew and Eleftheria Zotos Christos and Anastasia Zotos

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St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church 4967 Forest Park Avenue St. Louis, MO 63108 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

NON-PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

ST. LOUIS, MO

PERMIT NO. 1029

Please visit us at www.sngoc.org

Philoptochos Philanthropy

FOOD BAGS for the HUNGRY

April 2017

Hormel Chop Ham

Sweet Potatoes

Kidney Beans

Pineapple rings

Powdered Milk

Bathroom Tissue (op!onal)

May 2017

Spam or Treet

Irish Potatoes

Spinach

Jello or Pears

Baby / Children’s Shampoo

Hand Sani!zer / Liquid Soap (op!onal)

Mary Mezines,

Food Bag Chairperson

PHILANTHROPY REPORT April 2017

He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, But whoever is kind to the needy honors God” Proverbs 14:31

As we prepare for this beautiful journey to Pascha… we wish the Blessings

and joys of the Easter Season to all of our wonderful parishioners for their sup-port and donations to our Philanthropy Committee so that we can carry out our mission of helping the needy.

We wish to thank those parishioners who have continually donated Food Bags . Our Food banks and our outreach charities have benefited greatly. Please note the suggested menu to the left of this report for the next two months.

We continue to need a motorized chair, and for a family in great need we need a refrigerator and electric stove . We continue to need twin beds – twin mattresses & box springs and small bedroom furniture for some of our out-reach charities… Please send email to: [email protected] or call us – phone numbers are provided below.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Johanna Spanos (314) 966

-5176 or Jeanne Tompras (314)994-7667, or Kim Tarlas (314)740-0955 If you can-

not reach us, please contact Kathy Ellis at church who will put you in touch with a per-

son who will handle your donation. We are grateful for your support. Thank you.

Documents

The Resurrection