Philoptochos Comedy Night ft. Ellen Karis

Ellen Karis is the “Greek Goddess of Comedy,” and has had a successful career performing in North America alongside such notable comics as Drew Carey, Jimmy “JJ” Walker and Sebastian Maniscalco. The entertainment industry has hailed her as the “little dynamo,” given her petite stature, strong improv skills and her ability to build a quick rapport with any audience. Born and raised in NYC in a traditional strict Greek home, her brand of sarcastic, observational humor has been described along the same lines as comedy legends Joan Rivers and Richard Lewis.

Her energy and passion to bring laughs to any crowd is a must see as she jokes about her marriage and family, trying to make it in show business against all odds, addiction to sweets and the absurdities of the ever changing pop culture, youth obsessed world we live in. Available for purchase, her hour comedy special “By the Way, I’m Ellen Karis” filmed in New York City, has received rave reviews. Ellen enjoys acclaim and popularity in the Greek-American community, as she is one of the few Greek female stand-up comedians performing today with her hit show “Greek Chicks Rule” also available on DVD.

Starting her career as a CPA with an MBA in Finance, she parlayed her quick wit and job experience on Wall Street to become a political humorist on many of the Fox News Channel and Current TV shows, as well as a frequent guest on talk radio and Sirius XM. After co-hosting an internet radio show for several years, she now has two weekly radio shows “Karis Comedy Corner” on BBOXRadio.com and a “Being Reasonable with Ellen Karis” on the “Toughen Up America” Network. Ellen’s tell it like it is, common sense views about current events combined with her personal anecdotes and interesting array of guests, has caught quite the buzz as a different and intelligent voice to hit the airwaves.

Ellen is passionate about healthy living and wellness and actively participates in several philanthropic causes such as raising funds for Ovarian Cancer Research and Transcendental Meditation to Veterans with PTSD.

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A Bittersweet Farewell

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Pauline and George Marinos were presented with an icon of the Virgin Mary by Fr. Nick at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy this morning as they bid farewell to our parish after serving the church in many capacities over the last 40 years. The Marinos' will reside in Florida.

 
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Happy Birthday Fr. Nick

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Wishing Fr. Nicholas all of God's blessings on the occasion of his birthday today. A birthday cake was shared with the community during the Agape hour. Χρόνια Πολλα!

 
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Vespers for the Dormition in Danbury

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Fr. Nick and Fr. Patrick participated in Vesper Services on Monday evening, August 14th on the eve of the Falling Asleep of the Virgin Mary at the Church of the Assumption in Danbury, CT.

 

Memory Eternal: Linda (Kyriakos) Faustini

Dear Fellow Parishioners,

It is with deep sadness that I share with you the passing of Linda (Kyriakos) Faustini, the daughter of Fr Peter and Presvytera Kay Kyriakos.

The wake will be on Tuesday, August 1st from 4pm to 8pm at Holy Trinity Church. The Funeral Service will be chanted on Wednesday, August 2nd at 10am, followed by the burial at Greenwood Cemetery.

May God rest her soul and grant strength to her family.

We will move the Paraklysis Service scheduled for Tuesday, August 1st from 6pm to 10am.

Father Nicholas

Call for Volunteers - Festival Baking

Good afternoon fellow parishioners.

I hope you're having an enjoyable summer.  I'm writing today with an important request from our 2017 Festival Committee. As you know, the Festival is coming up September 7th and we are in full preparation to make this year's festival the best one ever!  For that reason I am asking everyone who is available beginning this Monday, July 31st at 10am to come to the church to beginbaking the delicious food and desserts that everyone enjoys for our Festival. So, beginning Monday, please join us for baking!   We will be baking for much of the month, so please set aside as much time as you can to help. No experience need....we do on the job training!   Also, don't forget to bring in your items now for the Flea Market.  The storage truck is in the parking lot ready to be filled!

God bless you all.
Father Nick
 

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Soup Run - July 2017

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A large group was lined up and waiting for us at last night's soup run in Manhattan. We couldn't get to our usual spot because of an event at Madison Square Garden preventing access to the street so we relocated to our alternative spot a block away. The word was already out and by the time we arrived, our guests were waiting patiently. Some helped us set up tables and serve. Two tourists from North Carolina saw what we were doing and helped distribute socks. We served 125 sandwiches, fruit, granola bars, coffee and water with - - received with much appreciation.

We gave the special request items to those who had asked for sneakers and clothes and they were overwhelmed with gratitude. I saw more hugs between our volunteers and guests last night than ever before. 

At one point, we were reminded of the decency of those we serve and how they expect (and deserve) to be treated. We were taking a photo of a group talking with one of our volunteers, careful not to photograph their faces for privacy reasons. One of the homeless men stepped aside and quietly suggested that the next time we take pictures, we not take them of any of their faces. We showed him the photo that did not capture any faces, other than those of our own group, and assured him that we are always respectful of their privacy. The calmness and consideration he displayed during this exchange was a lesson, on several levels, for all.

Survival is what the homeless do on the streets of NY. They find ways to keep things together - whether it's creatively securing the belt they are wearing by inserting a pen through holes (Fr. Patrick bought the man a new belt!), or carrying around a folder of important personal papers including a social security card, or asking for extra granola bars and sandwiches for a meal the next day. We met the working homeless as well. One man, who delivers packages for Amazon, is happy to have a full time job but does not yet have enough money to open a checking account in order to rent an apartment so he sleeps on a friend's couch while he saves money. 

Thank you to all who gave of their time, talent and treasures yesterday as the sandwiches were prepared by Manny, Zachary, Kelly, Voula, Despina and her sons. Our loyal group of cheerful volunteers distributed toiletries, socks, men's and women's underwear, pants, shorts, shoes and flip flops - all donated or made possible through the monetary donations of individuals including Minos Samoladas. Thank you to Harry Wilson and family for sponsoring last night's soup run. Please join us on the last Thursday of the month - August 31 - when our guests will be expecting us. Share this with your friends #lastnightssouprun.