1. No category

the Official Newsletter Publication of
HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
November 2014
HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
13555 Hillcrest Road · Dallas Texas 75240 Office 972-991-1166 · Fax 972-661-1717
E-Mail: htgoc@holytrinity.info Web Site: www.holytrinity.info
Holy trinity greek orthodox church
13555 Hillcrest Rd. * Dallas, Texas 75240-5412 * 972-991-1166 * www.holytrinity.info
Clergy
Holy Trinity Church
Reverend Protopresbyter
Christopher Constantinides
Clergy
Presiding
Priest
Reverend Protopresbyter
frchristopher@holytrinity.info
is under the Jurisdiction of
The Holy Metropolis of Denver
4550 E. Alameda Ave. * Denver, CO 80246-1208
Tel. (303) 333-7794 Fax (303) 333-7796
www.denver.goarch.org
The Holy Archdiocese of America
8 E. 79th St. * New York, NY 10075
Tel. (212) 570-3500 * Fax (212) 570-3569
www.goarch.org
and the
Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
Christopher Constantinides
Reverend
Presbyter
Presiding
Priest
Peter
Kostakis, Assistant Priest
Frchristopher@Holytrinity.info
frpeter@holytrinity.info
Reverend
Deacon Mark Pakes
Reverend Deacon Mark Pakes
Reverend Deacon Clint Sharpley
Administration
Administration
Priscilla Owens
Tom
Clark,
Administrator
Church
Administrator
tclark@holytrinity.info
powens@holytrinity.info
Maureen Rakow, Financial Assistant
Maureen Rakow
mrakow@holytrinity.info
Financial
Assistant
Vickie Wells, Executive
Assistant
mrakow@holytrinity.info
vwells@holytrinity.info
Ekfonesis
Support
Staff
Vickie Wells
Executive
Administrative
Assistant
Basil Xeros, Neokoros
vwells@holytrinity.info
bxeros@holytrinity.info
November 2014
Torye Morris, Facilities Manager
Support Staff
tmorris@holytrinity.info
Basil Xeros, Neokoros
Parish
Council
Torye0044
Morris,
Facilities
Manager
President
Christopher Canellos
Vice President2011 Parish Council
Tasos Kaiafas
Treasurer
Sam
Paulos
President
Harry Tomisides
Recording
Secretary
Jim
Dolmas
Vice President
Christopher Canellos
Corresponding Secretary Sam Paulos
Matt Naftis
Treasurer
Sunday Bulletin
All information to be included into the Sunday
Bulletin is to be submitted to the office no later than
Wednesday at noon. Please submit each article as an
attachment to:
vwells@holytrinity.info
Recording Secretary
Dimitrios Horiates
Members
Corresponding Secretary
Charles Pappas
Nicholas Cimino
James Chappel
Christina HochleutnerMembersJimmy Horiates
Peter
Hronas
Mary LeBrecht
Max
Adams
George Karahal
Monica
Arroyo
John
Lymberopoulos
Fotis Papanicolaou
Wade
Stephens
NicKerry
Carayannopoulos
Constantine
Tassopoulos
Mary AnnMathas
Trapalis
James
Chappel
Frank
Mihalopoulos
Alin Voicu
Tina Yampanis
James Dolmas
Michael Petridis
Hours
Tasos Kaiafas Church Office
Daniel
Shaheen
Memorial Service, Artoclasia
Service &
40 Day Blessings
Monday—Thursday
All Memorials, Artoclasias, & 40 Day Blessings
may be arranged by contacting
Vickie Wells in the church office at
972-991-1166 or vwells@holytrinity.info
Friday
Sunday Worship Service
9 a.m.—5 p.m.
9 a.m.—4:30 p.m.
Orthros 8:15 a.m.
Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
Summer Bookstore Hours
Weekdays
Sunday after Divine Liturgy until 12:30 p.m.
Wednesdays 1 - 3 p.m.
Orthros 8:30 a.m.
Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
2
Pastoral Reflections
by Fr. Christopher Constantinides
Fasting
November 15th will be a very sad day in the life of many Orthodox Christians. Because for the Orthodox
legalist, it will be the last day we eat meat until Christmas. Sometime before midnight on the 14th I’ll be ducking
in for one final hamburger.
Fasting, or the abstinence from certain kinds of food for spiritual reasons, is one of the most misunderstood
and incorrectly practiced traditions in the Orthodox Church. Ask the question, what is fasting, and the answers
are “you can’t eat meat.” Ask a person why do they fast, and you’ll get many answers: “For Communion,”
“before Easter,” “to suffer,” or just “because.” Ask when do they fast, and you’ll get even more answers: “For a
whole week before Communion,” or “during Holy Week,” or “whenever yiayia tells me to.”
Fasting is something that pre-dates Orthodoxy, it even pre-dates Christ. We see fasting throughout the Old
Testament. Moses, before he received the Ten Commandments, fasted. Because he was going to encounter God
and that was how he prepared himself. The people of Israel, after they made the Golden Calf, were afflicted with
disease, and they fasted in repentance. Before Jesus began his earthly ministry, after His baptism, He was in the
wilderness forty days, fasting. So, we fast for two reasons, preparation and repentance, which can really be
condensed into one purpose – focus - we fast because it is supposed to help our spiritual focus.
Think back a hundred years or so, before the time of fast food, microwave ovens, freezers, or TV dinners. Most
of a person’s day was spent getting food for the day—there was hunting, killing, dragging the food back home,
cleaning, preparing, cooking and serving.
Vegetables had to be grown, harvested, collected, cleaned and
prepared. For many, the focus on food became the focus for the entire day. The church, in her wisdom, expanded
on the already developed idea of fasting as a way of putting our focus more on God at certain times of the year.
The forty days before Lent as well as Holy Week became a time of fasting, in preparation for Pascha. The forty
days before Christmas became a time of fasting, in preparation for the feast of the Incarnation. The first fourteen
days of August are a period of fasting, in preparation for the feast of the Dormition or falling asleep of the Virgin
Mary. Each Friday (with the exception of a few weeks during the year) was set aside as a day of fasting in honor
and in thanksgiving for the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. And each Wednesday (again with the exception of a
few weeks during the year) was set aside as a day of fasting in commemoration of the Lord’s betrayal by Judas, as
a way of heightening our focus in remembering all the times we betray the Lord through our sins.
So, this is the Tradition of fasting in the Orthodox Church. This is not a new priest thing, or how they are now
teaching us at the Seminary. This is not the modern view of fasting. This is the Tradition of the Orthodox church
dating back to the early centuries of Christianity. Now, I don’t want to scandalize anyone, but truth be told,
fasting is not connected to Holy Communion per se. One is to fast each Wednesday and Friday of the year (with
certain exceptions) regardless of whether he or she is receiving Communion on Sunday. One is to fast during
Lent, Advent and the Dormition Fast regardless of how many times they will receive Communion during that
period.
(Continued on Page 4)
3
(Continued from Page 3)
Fasting is part of our preparation for Holy Communion. If you are going to receive Holy Communion on
Sunday, it pre-supposes that you fasted the previous Wednesday and Friday. You do not have to fast on Saturday if
you are receiving on Sunday. The day you receive Communion, you are to abstain from all activity when you are
receiving in the morning—which means you abstain from food, or walking the dog, watering the lawn, reading the
paper, getting on ones computer or iphone, etc. You come to church first thing and receive Communion. So,
speaking personally, in preparation for Communion on a Sunday, I fast Wednesday and Friday, and abstain from all
food and other activity on Sunday morning.
From what do we fast? Strictly speaking, all products that come from an animal with blood—so no meat, no fish.
Why oil and wine? Because they used to be kept in the skins of animals. Perhaps if there is a reviewing of our
fasting tradition, oil and wine would be allowed since the reason for their exclusion no longer applies. The reason
for food from animals with blood is very symbolic—Jesus shed His blood for us—therefore we neither shed the
blood of animal or eat he products of an animal having blood in honor of this sacrifice.
So far, I’ve spoken about fasting in very legalistic terms. But fasting, done correctly, is done for spiritual reasons,
not legalistic ones. Why and how we fast go hand in hand. I spoke at the outset about the why—preparation and
repentance, or more simply, focus on God. It doesn’t put any more focus on God if you drive up to the drive thru
window at McDonald’s and order a filet of fish instead of a Big Mac. In the early church, and up until the recent
past, a fast from meat saved people several hours a day it took to hunt down animals for dinner. That time was
spent in prayer—it was spent focused on God. So, now we see that fasting and prayer go hand in hand. When we
are fasting, we are also supposed to be praying more—we are supposed to put more focus on God. If we are just
fasting by abstaining from food, then we are dieting, not fasting. Ideally, each Wednesday and Friday, you prepare
a simple dish for dinner and spend the time you saved in prayer. Throughout the year, when you desire to receive
Holy Communion, spend some time on Wednesday and Friday focusing on God as your prepare. Each day when I
wake up, I thumb through the paper and listen to the news on the radio while driving in to work. On Sundays, I
don’t read the paper or listen to the radio on the way to church, because the news of the world is not important this
morning, the most important thing on a Sunday morning is my focus on the Lord—so no breakfast, no newspaper,
no radio, no distraction from the joy at hand—a total focus on the Lord.
So fasting is neither a punishment nor should it be an empty ritual—fasting should sharpen our focus on the
things of God in preparation for Communion frequently on Sundays, and now for Lent and Christmas. The only
“requirement” if you will, in order to receive Holy Communion (assuming of course that one is an Orthodox
Christian in sacramental good standing), is the disposition of your heart—a heart that is joyful because of its faith
and hope in God; a heart that is sorrowful and repentant over past sins and failings. Fasting is a tool, along with
prayer and confession, that helps to give the heart the proper disposition so that one can approach Holy
Communion with joy, faith and love. So to summarize—if you want to receive Holy Communion, keep the fasts of
the church, specifically each Wednesday and Friday, have a regular prayer life, abstain from food the morning you
are receiving and approach often.
4
Stewardship
Stewardship 2014
‘Give not out of your abundance, but
Miracle of Sharing ‘...and all these things
out of your poverty.’ Mark 12:41-44
shall be added unto you.’ Matthew 6:33
Why Toothpaste Makes Food Taste Funny
By Harry Yianitsas, Stewardship Chairman
Interesting information from Colin Schultz at Smithsonian.com:
All food is made of chemicals - even food that grows on trees or in the ground. (Bananas, eggs and blueberries still have
component parts like glucose, aspartic acid, butraldehyde and phenylalanine.) Some of these chemicals nourish us; others are
connected to taste or color. And like any chemicals, the chemicals in food interact in sometimes curious ways.
Take, for instance, the disgusting taste that comes from putting pretty much any food stuff in your mouth after you've just
brushed your teeth. What's going on there?
The American Chemical Society explains that one toothpaste chemical in particular—sodium lauryl sulfate*—seems to alter
your mouth's ability to detect tastes. What we call "taste" is, actually, chemicals in food binding to specialized receptors on
your tongue—your taste buds. Sodium lauryl sulfate, The American Chemical Society explains, blocks the receptors that sense
“sweet” and ramps up the ones for “bitter.” With your sense of sweet temporarily cooked, it's no wonder everything suddenly
tastes a little weird.
*Also found in shampoo and other cosmetic items. Note to self: Drinking shampoo will also make food taste funny.
So now we know why doing this essential daily task leaves a strange and sometimes bad taste in our mouth grapefruit after toothbrushing anyone? However, most of us older than 8 years old wouldn’t think of ignoring the
care of our teeth, no matter how funny or bad things may taste for a while after brushing. After all, our teeth have
to last us a lifetime. Frequent attention of the teeth rewards the good dental steward with a lifetime of good health.
You know, frequent stewardship to your church is sometimes like toothbrushing. Many times it may leave us with
a funny taste, but it too is essential for our own spiritual health and the health of our church. One difference though
- most of us don’t think about taking care of our church as often as we take care of our own teeth. What difference
could it make if we thought about stewardship every time we brushed our teeth? …. I bet we could all taste that
difference.
5
CATECHETICAL CORNER
The Feast Day
of the Entrance of the
Theotokos into the Temple
November 21
As we enter the Narthex of Holy Trinity, we are surrounded by two beautiful icons on the side walls. One is the
Nativity of the Theotokos (Feast Day September 8) and the other is the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple.
The birth and early life of the Virgin Mary are received in holy Tradition, and are also reflected in a work of Christian
literature from the second century, known as the Book of James or “Protoevangelion.”
Here we see the Theotokos being received by the father of St. John the Baptist,
the priest Zacharias. She was three years old when she was brought to the
temple by her parents.
November Feast Days
Hronia Polla to all who celebrate their name day this month!
November 1
Cosmas & Damianos, the Holy Unmercenaries
November 8
Synaxis of the Archangel Michael & the other Bodiless Powers: Gabriel,
Raphael, Uriel, Salaphiel, Jegudiel & Barachiel
November 9
Nektarios the Wonderworker
November 13
John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople
November 14
Philip the Apostle; Gregory Palamas
November 15
THE CHRISTMAS FAST BEGINS
November 16
Matthew the Apostle & Evangelist
November 17
Gregory the Wonderworker
November 19
Obadiah, the Prophet
November 21
The Presentation of the Theotokos into the Temple
November 27
The Great Martyr St. Catherine
November 30
Andrew the First-Called Apostle
A BLESSED AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!
6
Service is Joy
by Christianna Konstans
"The will of God will never take you to a place where the grace of God cannot keep you." This past August, I was
blessed with the incredible opportunity to represent the Metropolis of Denver in a youth leadership conference in
Minneapolis, Minnesota, sponsored by IOCC called Serve-X-treme. This pan-Orthodox conference consisted of
about 25 high school juniors and seniors. We had the opportunity to participate in several service projects through
ministries such as FOCUS, the Salvation Army, and Catholic Charities. I made long-lasting friendships with each of
the students there through this encouraging form of fellowship. However, I would really like to share what I learned
in the sessions throughout the week that tremendously deepened and increased my joy and appreciation of service
and fellowship.
During the week, we spent time reflecting upon this idea of trusting in the will of God to guide us in our service
of others. We should always be willing to take that step outside of our comfort zones to serve the will of the Father,
and in doing so, build a community that is pleasing to Him. Our keynote speaker was Fr. Anthony Coniaris of
Minneapolis, MN. Famous for his 'one-liners,' Fr. Anthony spoke with us about celebrating "the liturgy after the
liturgy." If the liturgy is the work of the people, then we should never cease to be living it out especially in the form
of serving another. We talked about learning to be a true representation of Christ and his everlasting love for each
and every one of us.
"Be careful how you live your life, you might be the only Bible some people read." This is an inspiring yet
somewhat concerning statement, which we pondered during our sessions after our service. On the second day of the
conference, we went to serve at an afterschool program for inner-city children through Catholic Charities. We went
into the project thinking that we would be helping with the kids whether it be through reading to them or just
playing with them. However, when we arrived the director of the center gave us a list of chores that needed to be
done around and in the facility. A little bit disappointed that we would not get to spend time with the children, we
each went off to complete our tasks. As I was pulling weeds outside in the heat for several hours, I experienced a
complete change of attitude. I thought about how my expectations for the day had been selfish, and that the real
reason I had come was to take care of the needs of another. A lot of times service means doing the jobs that no one
else wants to do.
Later on in the week, we had a similar experience at the Salvation Army. Expecting to be serving food and
interacting with the people there, we walked in to find a different activity on the agenda. We were instructed by the
director not to speak with the homeless people, and were told that we would be cleaning about 200 mattresses that
are slept on every night and had not been cleaned in a long while: not exactly the "pretty" kind of service that you
post about on your Facebook page. I will not get into detail as to the sorts of things that we found in and on these
mattresses, but this time I had a completely different attitude. I cleaned them enthusiastically, and spent time
reflecting on how each person deserves at least a clean place to sleep at night. If I could help to provide that, then I
would happily do so. What was different about this time was that instead of thinking about the messiness of the job
I was doing, I instead thought of the person for whom I was doing it. As Christians, we are called to die to self and
be alive in Christ, but that means that daily we must be holding each other accountable in always staying in tune
with the Lord. We should seek to serve others rather than be served.
7
What is interesting is that in reality, sharing the Gospel with those around us usually does not require words at
all. This idea invokes the questions: Am I living in such a way that my actions demonstrate Christ's love to all,
including the worst of sinners? Am I humble enough to know that the worst of sinners is me? And do I live out the
truth that I can only lead others to Christ through first being a servant just as He was? We are the instruments on
earth that form a symphony, playing the song of the love of Christ: a song so beautiful, that people crave to know
who the conductor is. If God the Father is the composer, and Christ is the conductor, then the Holy Spirit is the
music that moves, lives in, and penetrates our hearts. We are each a part of a community, something greater than
ourselves. Each person made in the image of God is a part of the body of Christ. "So in Christ we, though many,
form one body, and each member belongs to all the others" (Romans 12:5). Each is equally important to carrying out
the service of Christ so that none can claim superiority to another.
We learned to serve however we can, with what we have, but also that a key part of serving is empathetic
listening. It is just as important to listen to those you serve as it is to actually serve them. We must be intentional in
our actions so that what we do really is beneficial to those around us. We must remember always that we are living
examples of Christ; that we are called to a higher purpose of leading through service just as He did. We should
never feel inadequate in our giving, but instead should contribute according to the gifts and purposes that God has
blessed us with. I encourage you to get involved in any way that you can. IOCC is a great ministry that embodies
this selfless service to others. This experience through IOCC was such a blessing to my life, and I will never forget
the lessons that it taught me. At the end of the conference, one participant shared an inspirational message with us:
"I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted, and behold service was joy."
8
9
10
11
Dear Parishioner,
The recent Festival was a great success! Thank you for all of your hard work and
dedication. Believe it or not the planning for our 59th Festival will begin shortly. The
Festival is a yearlong project for the Festival Steering Committee. The committee
continues to make great strides in improving the festival. We are looking for new committee members to
help to keep this positive momentum going.
The Greek Food Festival Steering Committee has four open positions. We are looking for people who
can bring ideas, a good work ethic and enjoy being part of our faith, food and culture. We ask those
applying to be comfortable making a 3 year commitment. That includes time commitment early in the year
for monthly meetings and as the festival approaches the meetings increase. Committee members are
expected to attend all meetings whenever possible.
Please see the application on Page 13. The application must be submitted no later than December 31st.
You may drop it off in the Church Office deposit box in an envelope marked “Greek Food Festival of
Dallas Committee Nomination.”
We will review all applicants and will provide responses by January 15th.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact any one of our members.
In His Service,
Your Greek Food Festival Steering Committee
Fr. Christopher Constantinides
Jason Ortgies Maria Ortgies Terry Moros Stamati Arakas
Bernie Everson Ari Rigopoulos Harry Yianitsas Mary Carter
Mary LeBrecht Yvonne Schifelbein Lisa LaTray Billy Karant
12
Greek Food Festival Steering Committee
Candidate Information
Name: _____________________________________________________________________
Date:
___________________________
Personal Information: Career/Business, years as a member of Holy Trinity, etc.
Qualities/Traits: that would make you a productive member of the Greek Food Festival
Committee including past leadership positions in the Church.
Have you chaired an area at the GFF? If so please list:
Areas of Improvement or enhancements for the Greek Food Festival (in your opinion):
13
January 16-18, 2015
We are excited to announce early registration is now open for the 2015 Metropolis
of Denver Basketball Tournament.
Early Registration is now until Oct 31st Cost is $190.00
Late Registration is from Nov 1st - Nov 30th Cost will be $230.00
Please click on the link below for registration
http://youth.denver.goarch.org/events/2015-events/2015-basketball-event-weekend/
We will provide additional information and details
in the weeks to come.
This is a great event where all of our GOYANS across our Metropolis
come together for Fun and Faith.
Any questions regarding the Tournament please contact
Fr. Peter at Frpeter@holytrinity.info
14
15
13555 Hillcrest Road
Dallas, TX 75240
Ph: 972-490-7060
Fax: 972-991-3424
School Office Hours
8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
www.holytrinityacademy.com
Email:
htaprincipal@holytrinityacademy.com
HTA:
Nationally Accredited
Lower School
Pre-School 2
to Kindergarten
Accepting applications for
2014—2015 school year
Class Schedule:
Pre-School (2/3-Year-Olds) PS2/3
T-Th 8:30 a.m.—3:30 p.m.
M-W-F 8:30 a.m.—3:30 p.m.
M-F 8:30 a.m.—3:30 p.m.
Pre-School (3/4-Year-Olds) PS3/4
M-W-F 8:30 a.m.—3:30 p.m.
M-F 8:30 a.m.—3:30 p.m.
Pre-Kindergarten through
Kindergarten
M-F 8:30 a.m.—3:30 p.m.
Before School/After School
Before school care begins
at 7:30 a.m.
After school care ends at 6 p.m.
16
17
General Interest
November Sunday Coffees
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Philoptochos
AHEPA Coffee Brunch
Available
DOP Founders Day Coffee & Bake Sale
Available
If your organization would like to sponsor a Sunday Coffee, please contact
Presv. Alexandra Poulos at presvy@holytrinityacademy.com
Caregivers Support Group
YOUTH
CHOIR
Our next meeting is on
Saturday, November 8, at approximately
10:30 a.m. following the Divine Liturgy
The Caregivers Support Group
meets the second Saturday of the
month. If there is a Divine Liturgy on a
particular Saturday, the meeting takes
place after the Liturgy.
Caregivers include parents of
special needs children, spouses or
children caring for adult family
members. Our purpose is to provide an
opportunity to address caregiving issues with
those who have had or are having similar
experiences. Confidentiality is a key component
of our sessions.
For more information, contact Steve Pakes,
Bill Lane or Presv. Alexandra Poulos
We sing with the Adult Choir on
Nov. 2nd and Dec. 7th
Rehearsals on November 2nd &
December 14th in the Greek School Room of
the Community Center 9:30 to 10:00 a.m.
For more information contact:
Mary LeBrecht at
Mary.lebrecht@gmail.com
or 972-464-7445
If you play any instrument i.e. Clarinet, Flute, French Horn, Trumpet, Guitar, Violin, Viola, etc. and
would like to play during the Christmas season, please call Maria Carayannopoulos at 972-931-7943.
We also need soloists for the Christmas Recital,
Tree Lighting Ceremony and Caroling
on Saturday, the 6th of December.
18
General Interest
Parish Council Schedule
Nov. 2
Nov. 9
Nov. 16
Nov. 23
Nov. 30
Jim Dolmas, Nicholas Cimino, Kerry Tassopoulos, Jimmy Horiates, Tina Yampanis
Chris Canellos, Christina Hochleutner, Jim Chappel, Sam Paulos, Peter Hronas, Mary LeBrecht
Tasos Kaiafas, Wade Stephens, Matt Naftis, Alin Voicu, Mary Ann Trapalis, Fotis Papanicolaou
Jim Dolmas, Nicholas Cimino, Kerry Tassopoulos, Jimmy Horiates, Tina Yampanis
Chris Canellos, Christina Hochleutner, Jim Chappel, Sam Paulos, Peter Hronas, Mary LeBrecht
Parish Registry
Weddings
Sam Nikolopoulos & Jennifer Arnold, Nicolas Mavrikos & Ashley DeSouza,
Adam Carranza & Ourania Alexandria
Baptisms
Elias Tijios, Ford Halbardier, Dominic Aramoonie, Nikolas Michael
Funerals
Peggy Michael Pasayan, William Donzell
Please note our practice for submitting names for prayers for health! Please email us at htgoc@holytrinity.info or call the Church
Office at (972-991-1166) before the 5th of the month. Each entry will be for a month duration and must be renewed each month.
The Holy Trinity Bookstore Welcomes You!
We welcome you to drop by to see the books that we are highlighting in November:
SILOUAN THE ATHONITE by Archim and rite So phro ny, THE FAITH, Understanding Orthodox
Christianity by Clark Carlton, THE WAY, by Clark Carlton, THE LIFE, the Orthodox Doctrine of Salvation by Clark Carlton,
and THE PLANNER – 2014-2015. We have more books for children and adults too numerous to mention.
For your Christmas Tree we have The Nativity Porcelain Collection by artist Bob Munro. The Collection features
photographic art images of our own church’s most sacred and treasured icons, stained glass windows and other details. The
perfect gift for any occasion and a great way to take a piece of our church home with you to enjoy every day.
For those special Christmas gifts we have a new collection of Orthodox key rings, diptychs, porcelain and brass
incense burners, wedding crown holders, authentic hand-made Byzantine Jewelry, icons, new books for your children and
teens, the Orthod ox Stud y Bible and much, much more. Our icons are especially lovely, and most of them have been blessed
by the Priests at Holy Transfiguration Monastery. Gift Certificates are available. In addition, we have ribbon crosses made
and donated to the Bookstore by our own Ms. Katina Politz.
Our Bookstore Library is filled with books our parishioners so generously donated for you to check out and return. We
would love to see you, so come in and browse around for awhile! Yasou!!
Your Bookstore Team: Mary Zotos, Betty Boyd & Alin Voicu
Open Sundays after Divine Liturgy until 12:30 p.m. & Wednesdays, 1 - 3 p. m.
Parish Christmas Program
December 14, 2014
Immediately following the Divine Liturgy in the Sanctuary
This is a Parish Event and all are invited!
19
LET’S GET READY FOR THE BIG
1915-2015
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
HOLY TRINITY
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
Archives Committee
John Faxon
Bill Karahal
Charles Pappas
Dna. Mary Sharpley
214-363-0647
972-931-3230
214-207-7795
214-770-3726
Volunteers are needed! If you can help the Archive Committee
gather photos, take interviews, and assist in organizing and
scanning documents and photographs, please call Mary Sharpley
at 214-770-3726 or email her at marydsharpley@gmail.com.
If you prefer you may call the Church office (972-991-1166) and
leave your name, telephone number, and best times to call you.
Mr. & Mrs.
Leon Fox (Foukas)
1933
Mr. & Mrs.
Nick Chotas
Circa 1930s
20
All of the items requested are essential for the Commemorative Album and Gala Weekend Slideshow. And
we need everyone’s input, we are not only focusing on the founders.
The Archives Committee Is:
GATHERING and PRESERVING our parish’s heritage by collecting and cataloguing photographs, snapshots, slides, movies, videos,
albums, documents, letters, reports, journals, souvenir programs, scrap books, newspaper articles, flyers, immigration and
citizenship papers, and other historical material.
CREATING A MASTER PHOTOGRAPH FILE of Church events, community activities, and parishioners in order to preserve our
visual history.
LOCATING COPIES OF MISSING Board/Council meeting minutes, reports, records, newsletters, and material destroyed or
lost during moves from the prior Churches on Riggs to Swiss Avenue to Hillcrest.
DEVELOPING ORAL AND WRITTEN individual family histories of the oldest and Church -founder Greek Orthodox residents of
Dallas and nearby Holy Trinity counties.
MILITARY SERVICE: Pictures of family members who are currently serving in the military or who have served in the past
whether for the U.S., Greece, Canada, Britain, etc. in any capacity.
TELEGRAMS, HONORS OR MEDALS regarding a family member’s military service.
We Are Also Looking For:
Certificates of marriage or baptism issued by the Church prior to 1950.
Obituaries, newspaper articles, advertisements for businesses.
Old ticket stubs, programs, or flyers from plays or dances by parishioners.
Newspaper articles about the Greek Festival, Pascha (Easter) or other parish events covered in the newspaper.
Birth and death certificates contain very useful information for historical purposes.
If you aren’t sure that a picture or other item would be desirable for the archives and the history to be written for our Centennial,
please call us.Bring your items/photos to the Coffee after Sunday Liturgy and wem for you!
In addition to Father Chris, parishioners who have helped gather material so far include: Diamond Pantaze, Constantine
Xeros, Basil Xeros, James Christon, Demetra Michalopulos, Charles Pappas, Joanne Canellos, Peter Vastures, Nick Carayannopoulos,
Bill Karahal, Nick Dixie, Helen Trapalis, Mary Ann Trapalis, George Zarafonetis, Basil Shropulos, Georgia Zikos, Andreas Poulakidas
(Phoenix), Madaline Spirros Maag, (New Orleans), Katharine P. Papathanassiou (Athens), Harriett Vatsures Semander (Houston),
Eugenia Barunes (Houston), Jimmy Tassos, Mary Chotas Zotas, and others.
We Desperately Need . . .
Copies of minutes of Board/Parish Council and other meetings from 1915 to 1950. (These may exist in the form of old
ledgers or journals and are likely in Greek.)
Copies of EKFONESIS from its earliest days into 1970.
Any documents, photographs, files, documents or other items from the Church on Riggs Street (at Sanger) (1915-1950.)
Turn in by January 30, 2015.
Final Deadline for items to be considered
for the history is April 1, 2015.
21
22
November 2014
Strict Fast
7,19,26,28
Date Day
Event
Days Wine/Oil Allowed
12
Fish Allowed
14-18,20,21,23,24,25,27,29,30
1
Saturday
Saints Kosmas & Damianos Orthros 8:30 am Divine Liturgy 9:30 am (C); GREAT VESPERS (C) 5:00 pm
2
Sunday
Orthros 8:15 am Div. Lit. 9:30 am (S); Catechetical School & Adult Catechetical Class (C) following HC; Coffee hosted by
Philoptochos following D. L. (A,D) 11:30 am; HTHD Practice 12:15 - 1:30 pm; GOYA Basketball 4 - 6 pm
3
Monday
Choir Practice (downstairs) 7 pm
4
Tuesday
Pickleball ((Gym) 1:30-3:30pm; Austin St. Cooking (K) 2:30pm HT Greek School (GS Rooms) 5-8:30 pm; Austin St. Volunteers
leave Church 5:30pm;
5
Wednesday
HT Greek School (GS Rooms) 5-8:30 pm; PARAKLESIS (C) 6 pm; Faith Enrichment (BR) 7pm; JOY (A) 7 pm
6
Thursday
Adult Bible Study (BR) 10:45-11:45 am; HT Greek School (GS Rooms) 5-6:30 pm; Philoptochos Board Mtg. (BR) 6:30 pm
7
Friday
No Activities
8
Saturday
Synaxis of the Holy Archangels Orthros 8:30 am Divine Liturgy 9:30 am; Caregivers Support Group (BR) 9:30am;
GREAT VESPERS (C) 5:00 pm
9
Sunday
Saint Nektarios the Wonderworker Orthros 8:15 am Div. Lit. 9:30 am (S); Catechetical School & Adult Catechetical Class (C)
following HC; Coffee/Brunch hosted by AHEPA immediately following Divine Liturgy (A,D,O) 11:30am; General Assembly
(Gym) after Divine Liturgy; HTHD Practice (GSRoom) 12:15 - 1:30 pm; GOYA Basketball 4 - 6 pm;
10
Monday
Yarn Guild (BR) 10 am - 2 pm; Choir Practice (downstairs) 7 pm
11
Tuesday
Sr. Fellowship Committee (BR) 1-3pm; HT Greek School (GS Rooms) 5-8:30 pm; Night With Norm (Community Center)
6-9:30 pm
12
Wednesday
HT Greek School (GS Rooms) 5-8:30 pm; PARAKLESIS (C) 6 pm; Faith Enrichment (BR) 7pm; GOYA (Gym) 7pm; HOPE (A) 7pm
13
Thursday
St. John Chrysostom Orthros 8:30 am Divine Liturgy 9:30 am; Adult Bible Study (BR) 10:45-11:45 am; HT Greek School (GS
14
Friday
DOP Baking for Bake Sale 9 am; GOYA Advent Retreat (Off-site)
15
Saturday
DOP baking for Bake Sale (K) 9 am; GREAT VESPERS (C) 5:00 pm; GOYA Advent Retreat (Off-site)
16
Sunday
Orthros 8:15 am Div. Lit. 9:30 am (S); Catechetical School & Adult Catechetical Class (C) following HC; Coffee hosted immediately following Divine Liturgy (A,D,O) 11:30am; Tom Thumb Flu Shot Clinic (Gym) 11:35am; GOYA Basketball 4 - 6 pm; GOYA
Advent Retreat (Off-site)
17
Monday
Choir Practice (downstairs) 7 pm
18
Tuesday
Sr. Fellowship Trip to Kimball Museum 9 am; HT Greek School (GS Rooms) 5-8:30 pm; Parish Council Mtg. (A) 6:30 pm
19
Wednesday
Philoptochos in Kitchen (bake sale baking) 9am - 3pm; HT Greek School (GS Rooms) 5-8:30 pm; PARAKLESIS (C) 6 pm; Faith
Enrichment (BR) 7pm; Philoptochos General Mtg. Potluck Dinner (A) 7pm
20
Thursday
Philoptochos in Kitchen (bake sale baking) 9am - 3pm; Adult Bible Study (BR) 10:45-11:45 am; HT Greek School (GS Rooms)
21
Friday
Presentation of the Theotokos into the Temple Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am; Philoptochos Baking (K) 10:30am - 3 pm
22
Saturday
Philoptochos Baking (K) 9am - 3 pm; JOY & GOYA bowling/AMF Richardson 2-4pm; GREAT VESPERS (C) 5:00 pm
23
Sunday
Orthros 8:15 am Div. Lit. 9:30 am (S); Catechetical School & Adult Catechetical Class (C) following HC; DOP Founders Day
Coffee & Bake Sale immediately following Divine Liturgy (A,D,O) 11:30am; HTHD Practice 12:30-1:30 pm; GOYA Basketball
24
Monday
Yarn Guild (BR) 10 am - 2 pm; Choir Practice (downstairs) 7 pm
25
Tuesday
St. Katherine Orthros 8:30 am Divine Liturgy 9:30 am (C)
26
Wednesday
HT Greek School (GS Rooms) 5-8:30 pm; PARAKLESIS (C) 6 pm; Adult Faith Enrichment (BR) 7pm; GOYA (Gym) 7pm; HOPE (A)
7pm
27
Thursday
OFFICE CLOSED for Thanksgiving Holiday
28
Friday
OFFICE CLOSED for Thanksgiving Holiday
29
Saturday
GREAT VESPERS (C) 5:00 pm
30
Sunday
Orthros 8:15 am Div. Lit. 9:30 am (S); Catechetical School & Adult Catechetical Class (C) following HC; Coffee hosted
23
immediately following Divine Liturgy (A,D,O) 11:30am
EKFONESIS
NOVEMBER 2014
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
13555 Hillcrest Road
Dallas, TX. 75240
HOLY TRINITY CEMETERY LOTS AVAILABLE
Cemetery plots are still available in the Orthodox Christian Garden at Restland.
Prices in the funeral industry continue to rise, so please don't miss this opportunity to
secure your family’s burial needs.
Please contact:
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Office 972-991-1166
Pre-Purchase: $2,250.00
At Need: $2,750.00
EKFONESIS INFORMATION DEADLINE
Please be reminded that all information to be included in the next Ekfonesis must be in the
Church office no later than the 5th of the month.
Please submit each article as an email attachment to:
vwells@holytrinity.info
Editor-in-Chief: Father Christopher Constantinides
Layout Editor:
24
Vickie Wells