1 MĔēęčđĞ NĊĜĘđĊęęĊė NĔěĊĒćĊė 2014 VĔđ. 18, NĚĒćĊė 11 Published for 62 years by the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church: The Hellenic Highlighter (1950‐53), The Voice of Holy Trinity (1954‐64), The Voice of Trinity (1964‐81), Upli (1981‐96), The Trinitarian (1996‐ ) 4705 FAIRHAVEN AVENUE NW • CANTON, OHIO 44709 Parish Priest: Rev. Protopresbyter Daniel M. Rogich, Ph.D. Home: 330-494-5958 Cell: 330-324-6322 email: rogich3@gmail.com Deacon: Michael El-Bardawil Sub Deacon: Philip Tsaftarides Church Service Hours: Orthros 8:30 AM - Divine Liturgy 9:30 AM Church Office Administrator: Becky Decker Office Phone: 330-494-8770 Office Fax: 330-305-9133 Church email: htgoc@yahoo.com Office Hours: 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM Closed for Lunch: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Church web-site: www.htgoc.net Trinitarian email: Trinitarian_htgoc@yahoo.com SAINT KATHERINE THE GREAT Apolytikion in the Plagal of the First Tone: Let us praise the most auspicious bride of Christ, the divine Katherine, protectress of Sinai, our aid and our help. For, she brilliantly silenced the eloquence of the impious by the sword of the spirit, and now, crowned as a martyr, she asks great mercy for all. Kontakion in the Second Tone: O friends of martyrs, now divinely raise up a renewed chorus, praising the all-wise Katherine. For, she proclaimed Christ in the arena, trampled on the serpent, and spat upon the knowledge of the orators. 2 GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2014 Parish Council Ellen Romeo, President • Nancy Greenbaum, Vice-President Ted Rath, Treasurer • Pete Eliades, Asst Treasurer Michael John, Secretary • Nick Sandru, Asst Secretary Nick Aslanides Gus Athans Gust Callas Larry Georgiades Lisa Georgiades Mike Greenbaum Rena Macrides Pete Pergins Organizations of Holy Trinity Church Altar Boys - Phil Tsaftarides Athletic Director - Dimitrios Pousoulides Care Ministry - John Bellas Choir - Katherine Glaros, Director Dance Troupe - Maria Augoustinos, ages 10 & up Diana Kuty, Maria Minger & Lisa Steed, ages 7-9 Daughters of Penelope - Linda Natale, President GOYA - Parthena Stamatelopoulos, Debbie Stathakaros, & Stacy Lawson Greek School - Vicki Jordanides HOPE - Joyce Spanakis JOY - Robin Bacopoulos Koraes Ladies Society - Sherry Moscariello, President Men’s Club - Phil Tsaftarides, President Order of AHEPA Chapter 59 - Paul Koskovich, President Pontian Dance Troupe - Betty Pierce Senior Citizens Club - Karen Kotanides, President Sunday School - Larry Anastas Youth Director - Jerry Fortune Rick Pitinii Diana Pittman Paul Aslanides (Honorary) 2014 Committee Chairpersons Bookstore - Elaine Kontogianes Bylaws - Ted Rath Catering - Nick Sandru Church Operations - Nancy Greenbaum Endowment - Gust Callas Executive - Ellen B. Romeo Finance - Ted Rath Fine Arts - P. Frances Pantelides Information Technology - Rena Macrides Long Range Planning - Gust Callas Maintenance - Pete Pergins Public Relations - Rena Macrides Social Activities - Gus Athans Stewardship - Michael John Youth & Education - Jerry Fortune & Nancy Greenbaum 3 From the desk of Father Dan My Beloved in Christ, May God bless you and your family during this fall season. We pray that your children are doing well in school, that your health is in good condition, and that your spirit is comforted always by our Lord Jesus Christ. Please remember the words of Saint Seraphim of Sarov: Save your soul and a thousand around you will be saved! Everything coming from God is peaceful, healthy, and leads a person to humility. May we be thankful this Thanksgiving for having a wonderful Greek Orthodox parish, and ask the prayers of Saint Katherine the Great to give us strength and courage from our Lord, and may the upcoming Nativity Fast lead us to humility, peace and joy. God bless you! Your pastor, +Fr Dan ___________________________________________________________ Αγαπητοί μου εν τω Χριστώ, Ο Θεός να σας ευλογήσει και την οικογένειά σας κατά τη διάρκεια αυτής της εποχής πτώσης. Προσευχόμαστε ότι τα παιδιά σας κάνουν καλά στο σχολείο, ότι η υγεία σας είναι σε καλή κατάσταση, και ότι το πνεύμα σας ανακουφίζεται πάντα από το Κύριο μας Ιησού Χριστό. Παρακαλώ, θυμηθείτε τις λέξεις Αγίου Σεράφιμου του Σαροβ: Σώζε την ψυχή σας και χίλια γύρω από σας θα σωθεί! Όλα αυτά που προέρχονται από το Θεό είναι ειρηνικά, υγιή, και μας οδηγεί στην ταπεινότητα. Είθε να είμαστε ευγνώμονες αυτή η Ημέρα των Ευχαριστιών επειδή έχουμε μια θαυμάσια Ελληνική Ορθόδοξη Κοινότητα, και ζητήστε από την Άγια Εικατερίνα τις προσευχές της για να μας δώσει τη δύναμη και το θάρρος από το Κυριό μας, και είθε η επερχόμενα νηστεία να μας οδηγήσει στην ταπεινότητα, την ειρήνη και τη χαρά. Να ο Θεός σας ευλογήσει! +Π. ∆ανηίλ 4 Thank You Thank you to Fr. Dan and the Koraes Ladies for helping out with our parent’s 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration. We would like to thank Parthena Giamourides, Sherry Moscariello, Betty Pierce, Mary Helmick-Papadopoulos, and Anastasia Grammenidis. Many thanks also to Frances Pantelides who helped us coordinate the celebration and so much more. Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us to make it such an enjoyable and memorable occasion for our parents Angelo and Sophia. ~Gus, Nick and George Semertsidis It was heartwarming and we’re appreciative that seven-day vigil lights were lit for our family’s Trisagion. May our Lord’s light always shine brightly in your lives and His healing touch be with you in times of need. Thank you and also Fr. Dan. ~The Kellamis, Kotanides & Mottas Families A warm heartfelt thank you to the Koraes Ladies Society for all their assistance and support for my husband’s funeral and 40-day memorial service. Special thanks to Fr. Dan, Mary Helmick-Papadopoulos and Sherry Moscariello for their support and kindness. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our family and friends for their visits, cards, flowers, food and monetary donations to the church. My family and I greatly appreciate the love and support you have shown us; and we love and cherish you all. ~Ann Simionides CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to Kelly Sklavounos, the daughter of Pete and Christina Sklavounos, was engaged to Matt Baker, on Saturday, September 6 in Columbus, OH. Kala Stefana! Congratulations to the 2014-2015 GOYA Officers: President - Anna Grunder Vice-President - Kaitlyn Kaye Secretary - Emily Fricker Treasurer - Alexandra O’Connor Sargent of Arms - Frankie Kaye Congratulations to John Tarzan! He finished first in his age group at the Portage Lakes Triathlon on September 14th and first at the Matt McGowan 5k in Columbus on August 17th. After running for 36 years, finally breaking through, to get a first place. Congratulations to George and Marissa Kalantzis on the birth of their baby boy, Anastasios George Kalantzis, born on Sunday, October 5. Na Sas Zisi! 5 November Birthdays CONDOLENCES Stavroula Fronimopoulos, mother of George Fronimopoulos, fell asleep in the Lord recently in Greece. Ruby Karipides, age 91, fell asleep in the Lord on October 15, 2014. May their memory be eternal! VACATION OFFICE HOURS Becky will be on vacation Tuesday, November 11 thru Friday, November 14, Stacy Lawson will be covering the office from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. CRAFT SHOW Hand blown Glass by Hannah Greenbaum will be featured at the St. George Romanian Orthodox Craft Show. Saturday, November 22, 2014 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM 144 - 30th Street NW • 330-492-4592 SCHOLARSHIP St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine 2014 Essay Contest Open to high school students. Information is available at the information desk outside of the Church Office. Deadline is Friday, November 21, 2014 PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation Applications are available on-line at panhellenicscholarships.org. Applications must be postmarked by January 31, 2015. 6 Parish Council Elections Date: Sunday, November 16, 2014 Time: 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM Vote: For Eight (8) New Parish Council Members to Serve A Term of Two (2) Years ~ 2015 and 2016 GOYA Congratulations to Anna Grunder!! OHSAA Foundation Student Leadership Conference Largest in the Nation Oct. 7, 2014 Ohio Union – The Ohio State University Anna Grunder, Senior at GlenOak High School, was pr oudly chosen to represent her school as the first Female and one of the first four students to ever attend and represent GlenOak High School at The OHSAA (Ohio High School Athletic Association) Foundation Student Leadership Conference on Oct. 7, 2014 at The Ohio Union at The Ohio State University. This student leadership conference is the largest conference of its kind in the country with almost 1500 students attending. The 2014 conference theme was “Building A Better You” and showcased presentations focused on improvement in many areas of student-athletes lives. Dr. Dan Ross, OHSAA Commissioner, said, “Bringing together young people to talk about these very important issues is a vital part of the role that sports play in our member schools,….These Students are the leaders in their schools and set an example for their peers.” The goal of the conference is to strengthen and expand programs within the schools to make a greater impact on helping student-athletes achieve the goals of overcoming adversity, achieve academic success and develop character. Among the speakers were Olympic Athletes, Athletic Hall of Famers and sports psychologists to name a few. GOYA FUN FALL DANCE FEST Saturday, November 8, 2014 7:00 PM American / Greek Music “Blackout” Refreshments / Coneys / Popcorn Admission $5.00 All are welcome! 7 SENIORS Sunday, November 9th is Veteran’s Day and Senior Citizens Memorial and Coffee Hour. All Seniors need to bring 2 to 3 dozen pastries or baked goods. Thank you. Our November 11th luncheon is a covered dish. EVERYONE IS TO BRING A COVERED DISH. Our club will provide the turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, rolls and drinks. Here is the breakdown of what to bring: Last Name Beginning with letter Please make enough for 8-10 people A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-J Hot or Cold Vegetables or Salad K-L-M-N-O-P-Q Sweet Potatoes, Desserts or Pies R-S-T-V-W-Y-Z Fruit, Jell-O, or Cranberry Sauce Welcome New Member Keith Mottas of Midlothian, Virginia. Our Christmas project is providing Gibbs School students with gift cards. PLEASE WRITE THE DOLLAR AMOUNT OF THE CARD WITH MAGIC MARKER OR PEN ON THE BACK. Walmar t and Fisher Foods are a few places to purchase cards. Please bring cards starting this month. Thank you. Our Senior Christmas Party is on Tuesday, December 2, 2014 at AA Executive Catering. Senior Citizens Christmas Party Tuesday, December 2, 2014 at 12:00 Noon AA Executive Catering • 5211 W Tuscarawas St NW • Canton, OH 44708 Please select your choice of entrée □ □ □ Sirloin Medallions w/Chasseur Sauce Lemon Broiled Scrod Pasta Fresca (vegetarian) Your meal will include ...Salad, Red Skin Potatoes, Vegetable Medley, Dessert, Coffee or Tea Senior Club Member - FREE • Guest $18.00 Name:__________________________________________ Phone: _____________________________ Please return this form and your payment to Karen Kotanides by Sunday, November 23, 2014 Gobble! Gobble! Karen Kotanides President, Senior Citizens 8 9 10 Η ΑΓΙΑ ΑΙΚΑΤΕΡΙΗΝ Η Αγία Αικατερίνη καταγόταν από οικογένεια ευγενών της Αλεξάνδρειας και μαρτύρησε στις αρχές του 4ου αιώνα μ.Χ. Ήταν ευφυέστατη και φιλομαθής. Ήδη σε ηλικία δέκα οκτώ χρονών κατείχε τις γνώσεις της ελληνικής φιλολογίας και φιλοσοφίας, αλλά και ήταν άρτια καταρτισμένη και στα δόγματα της χριστιανικής πίστης. Όταν επί Μαξεντίου διεξαγόταν διωγμός εναντίον των χριστιανών, η Αικατερίνη δε φοβήθηκε, αλλά με παρρησία διέδιδε πώς ο Ιησούς Χριστός είναι ο μόνος Αληθινός Θεός. για το λόγο αυτό συνελήφθη από τον έπαρχο της περιοχής, ο οποίος προσπάθησε με συζητήσεις να την πείσει να αρνηθεί την πίστη της. Όταν ο έπαρχος διαπίστωσε την ανωτερότητά των λόγων της Αικατερίνης, συγκάλεσε δημόσια συζήτηση με τους πιο άξιους ρήτορες της Αλεξάνδρειας, τους οποίους όμως η Αικατερίνη αποστόμωσε. Κι όχι μόνο αυτό, αλλά κάποιοι από τους συνομιλητές της Αικατερίνης πείσθηκαν για τους λόγους της και ασπάστηκαν την Χριστιανική Πίστη. Μπροστά σε αυτή την κατάληξη, ο έπαρχος διέταξε να τη βασανίσουν σκληρά με την ελπίδα πώς η αγία θα λύγιζε και θα αρνιόταν τον Χριστό. όμως η Αικατερίνη έμεινε ακλόνητη στην πίστη της. Πέθανε στον τροχό, ύστερα από διαταγή του έπαρχου. Απολυτίκιο. Ήχος πλ. α’. Τον συνάναρχον Λόγον. Την πανεύφημον νύμφην Χριστού υμνήσωμεν, Αικατερίναν την θείαν και πολιούχον Σινά, την βοήθειαν ημών και αντίληψιν ότι εφίμωσε λαμπρώς, τους κομψούς των ασέβων, του Πνεύματος τη δυνάμει, και νυν ως Μάρτυς στεφθείσα, αιτείται πάσι το μέγα έλεος. Kοντάκιoν. Ήχος β’. Τα άνω ζητών. Χορείαν σεπτήν, ενθέως φιλομάρτυρες, εγείρατε νυν, γεραίροντες την πάνσοφον, Αικατερίναν, αύτη γάρ, εν σταδίω τον Χριστόν εκήρυξε, και τον όφιν επάτησε, Ρητόρων την γνώσιν καταπτύσασα. Η αγάπη του Θεού είναι παράδεισος Παράδεισος είναι η αγάπη του Θεού. Μέσα σ’ αυτήν υπάρχει η τρυφή όλων των μακαρισμών. Σ’ αυτόν τον παράδεισο ο μακάριος Παύλος τράφηκε με υπερφυσική τροφή. Και αφού γεύθηκε εκεί το ξύλο της ζωής, έκραξε λέγοντας: «αυτά που μάτι δεν τα είδε, ούτε αυτί τα άκουσε, κι ούτε που τα’ βαλε ο λογισμός του ανθρώπου, όσα ετοίμασε ο Θεός για κείνους που τον αγαπούν»(1 Κορ. 2, 9). Από αυτό το ξύλο της ζωής εμποδίστηκαν ο Αδάμ με τη συμβουλή του διαβόλου. Το ξύλο της ζωής είναι η αγάπη του Θεού, από την οποία εξέπεσε ο Αδάμ και δεν μπόρεσε πια να χαρεί, παρά δούλευε και έχυνε τον ιδρώτα του στη γη των αγκαθιών. Όσοι στερήθηκαν την αγάπη του Θεού, δηλ. τον παράδεισο, τρώνε με την εργασία τους, μέσα στ’ αγκάθια, το ψωμί του ιδρώτα, και αν ακόμη βαδίζουν στον ίσιο δρόμο των αρετών. Είναι το ψωμί που επέτρεψε ο Θεός στον πρωτόπλαστο να φάει μετά την έκπτωσή του. Μέχρι να βρούμε λοιπόν την αγάπη, η εργασία μας είναι στη γη των αγκαθιών και μέσα σ’ αυτά σπέρνουμε και θερίζουμε, κι ας είναι ο σπόρος μας σπόρος δικαιοσύνης. Συνέχεια, λοιπόν, μας κεντάνε τα αγκάθια και, όσο και να δικαιωθούμε, ζούμε μέσα σ’ αυτά με τον ιδρώτα του προσώπου μας.Όταν όμως μέσα στον έμπονο και δίκαιο αγώνα μας, βρούμε την αγάπη του Θεού, τρεφόμαστε με ουράνιο άρτο και δυναμώνουμε, χωρίς να εργαζόμαστε με αγωνία και χωρίς να κουραζόμαστε, όπως οι χωρίς αγάπη άνθρωποι. Ο ουράνιος άρτος είναι ο Χριστός, που ήρθε κάτω σε μας από τον ουρανό και δίνει στον κόσμο την αιώνια ζωή. Και αυτή η ζωή είναι η τροφή των αγγέλων. Όποιος βρήκε των αγάπη, κάθε μέρα και ώρα τρώγει το Χριστό κι από αυτό γίνεται αθάνατος (Ιω. 6, 58). Διότι «ο τρώγων – λέει - από τον άρτο που εγώ θα του δώσω, ποτέ (“εις τον αιώνα”) δε θα πεθάνει». Μακάριος λοιπόν είναι εκείνος που τρώγει από τον άρτο της αγάπης, που είναι ο Ιησούς. Ότι βέβαια, αυτός που τρώγει από την αγάπη, τρώγει το Χριστό, το Θεό των πάντων, το μαρτυρεί ο απόστολος Ιωάννης, όταν λέει ότι «ο Θεός είναι αγάπη» (1 Ιω. 4, 8). Λοιπόν όποιος ζει στην αγάπη, λαμβάνει από το Θεό ως καρπό τη ζωή, και σ’ αυτό τον κόσμο οσφραίνεται από τώρα εκείνο τον αέρα της ανάστασης, στον οποίο εντρυφούν οι κοιμηθέντες δίκαιοι. ΑΒΒΑ ΙΣΑΑΚ ΣΥΡΟΥ Κύριε Ιησού Χριστέ, Ύιε του Θεού, ελέησόν με τον αμαρτωλόν. 11 COMPASSION CORNER 12 Coats for Christmas It’s time for the “Coats for Christmas” campaign sponsored by A Community Christmas. Each year the request for coats increases and with our help, A Community Christmas is able to supply individuals and families with warm coats. The collection box is located in the church hallway under the coat rack. The program runs from October 13 through December 5, 2014. 13 Be sure to check the weekly bulletin for any changes to these dates and times or the online calendar at www.htgoc.net, click on “Calendar of Events”. 14 November 2014 15 ADVERTISEMENT PAGE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID CANTON, OHIO PERMIT #965 HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 4705 FAIRHAVEN AVENUE NW CANTON, OHIO 44709 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED QUESTION: WHY COME BACK TO CHURCH? ANSWER: Because we want meaning in life. There is a familiar problem in each of our lives. Throughout history, individuals have found themselves gripped by an overwhelming sense of sadness and pointlessness. This can be caused by many things—by an event in our lives such as bereavement or betrayal, illness or disappointment—but quite frequently it seems to lack an obvious cause: one is simply overcome by a sense of dark emptiness. In the hustle of today's busy lifestyles, many of us suddenly realize that our lives have lost a sense of meaning or purpose. We begin to ask ourselves, “What is my life all about? Why do I do what I do?” Just as mysteriously, these feelings can lift or change. Many of those who have left records of their struggle with such feelings did so because they were able to cry out to God, which enabled them to embrace and reframe this melancholy, to cast it in a new light. In coming back to Church, one can gain new insights, make life meaningful again, and find God deep within them once again in order to make sense of life and to feel a sense that belonging to God can renew our spirit and give us a sense of guidance in our life. There is widespread confusion in our culture with regard to morality and truth. The Church offers a beacon of light that gives meaning to our existence and leads to eternal life if we persevere.