In addition to Sunday School graduation, the parish recognized Mrs. Cleo Canelos for dedication to the Young At Heart program, serving as its director for 11 years. Fr. Nick also recognized Georgeann Mavrovitis for her untiring dedication to our Junior Choir. Following the Divine Liturgy, our AHEPA sponsored breakfast in the Social Hall for our high school and college graduates.
"A Light in Shadow"
Sunday June 11, Fr. Nick welcome Kaitlyn Brianna Guttridge, author of "A Light in the Shadow" - a children's book on the St. Nicholas Church at Ground Zero. A book signing was held in the Social Hall at the end of the Divine Liturgy. Kaitlyn also addressed our high school and college graduates at the annual AHEPA Scholarship Breakfast.
Monday of the Holy Spirit 2017
Keeping the festive spirit of Pentecost, we celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Monday June 5, Monday of the Holy Spirit. Joining our own Fr. Nick and Fr. Patrick were: Fr. Sylvester Berberis from Zoodohos Peghe in the Bronx, Fr. Nicholas Dassouras from St. George in Norwalk, Fr. Elias Villis (who chanted beautifully) from the Church of Our Saviour in Rye, and Fr. Evan Evangelidis from Annunciation, Stamford. Breakfast was offered afterward to all the faithful in attendance.
Parish Panygiri 2017
After the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy and the Kneeling Service on Pentecost Sunday, our parish community celebrated with a wonderful meal donated by the Beehive Restaurant in Armonk, music provided by Michael Zoulis & Orchestra, Sunny the Clown donated her time and talents entertaining the children. Columbia Florists donated the table decorations. Ron and Andrea NIcholas donated our celebratory Mythos beer.
During the Panygiri, we recognized all our District Olympics athletes, as well as our GOYA basketball teams.
Χρόνια πολλά και του χρόνου!
Pentecost 2017
Holy Trinity was honored to welcome His Grace Bishop Andonios of Phasiane on our patronal feast day, Pentecost. Pentecost is considered by many to be the "birthday" of the Church and is the ultimate expression of the presence of God (i.e. the Holy Trinity) in the life of the Church, when the Holy Spirit came down upon the Disciples (students) and they became Apostles (those who are sent out) and the Good News of salvation in Christ was spread. The Feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit - as the day is also called - reminds us that the Kingdom of God is here and now, in the Church - whose members are all bearers of the Spirit, and the light.
"Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast shown forth the fishermen as supremely wise by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit, and through them didst draw the world into Thy net. O Befriender of man, glory be to Thee." - Dismissal Hymn of Pentecost
Altar Servers and Junior Choir Appreciation Lunch
Fr. Nick hosted dinner for the altar boys and junior choir members at Niko's Taverna on Sunday evening, April 30th. He congratulated all of the boys and girls on their excellent assistance during Holy Week and Easter services. Joining them were students from St. Vladimir's Seminary.
Sunday Highlights: Χριστός Ανέστη
Significance of this Service
Source: Goarch.org
"Peace be unto you..."
Easter Sunday afternoon, the faithful gather once more for prayer with lighted candles. All sing the hymn, "Christ is Risen from the Dead." The people greet one another joyously, saying: "Christ is Risen," the Easter salutation which is answered, "Truly He is Risen." They sing, "The dark shadows of the Law have passed away by the coming of grace," and standing in exaltation, they exclaim, "Who is so great a God as our God?"
The Gospel according to John (20:19-25) is read in various languages, proclaiming the Good News of Resurrection all over the universe without discrimination. The fruit of faith in the Resurrection of the Lord is love in His Name; therefore, this day is called "Sunday of Agape" (love feast), a day dedicated to Christian principles, especially to forgiveness and charity. At this time, Christians seek to end misunderstanding and arguments among those with whom they may be at odds. Apostle Paul firmly interprets the Resurrection of Christ, saying: "If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain." (1 Cor. 15:14) The Church also states in its Creed, "The Third day He rose again."
A Living Faith
Remembrance of the events of the last week in the life of Jesus Christ has a practical appeal to the heart of the Christian believer. One's beliefs constitute his being; the more our beliefs are true and firm, the more purposeful meaning life has. The Resurrection of Christ strengthens and illuminates our beliefs; this is our being. It is not only a belief in a historical fact which took place in a certain place and time, but it is marvelous in its nature. The Resurrection of Christ in relation to His Crucifixion and Mystic Supper continue to be present in the mind of the believer as a fact, as well as the source of "the power from above," for which the believer prays. Assurance of a personal participation in the enactment of the same events in the life of Christ becomes an unfaded happiness for the Christian.
This is the divine inheritance that the Church of Christ keeps as its treasure and solid foundation. The goal of a member of the Church is to keep his faith living and working in his everyday life and relations with others. The Christian will be recognized and identified as the friend and disciple of Jesus Christ. His beliefs will be like the flag which flies from the top of the centermost of his own ship, sailing to its divine destiny. The flag's inscription bears the assurance that "Christ is Risen, Indeed."
Easter Sermon
"If any be pious and a lover of God, let him take part in this fair and radiant festival. If any be an honest servant, let him come in and rejoice in the joy of his Lord. If any have wearied himself with fasting, let him take part now in the recompense. If any have worked from the first hour, let him receive today his just dues. If any have arrived at the sixth, in no wise feast with thankfulness. If any have arrived at the sixth, in no wise let him be in doubt; in no way shall he suffer loss. If any arrive only at the eleventh, let him not be fearful for his slowness.
For the Master is munificent, and receives the last even as the first. He giveth rest to him of the eleventh, even as to him who has wrought from the first hour. And He is merciful to the last, and provides for the first. And to this one He gives, and to that one He shows kindness. And He receives their labours, and acknowledges the purpose. And he honours the action and praises the intention.
Wherefore enter ye all into the joy of our Lord, and let the first and the second take part in the reward. Ye rich and ye poor, join hands together. Ye strong and ye heedless, do honor to this day. Ye who fast and ye who fast not, be glad today. The table is full: do ye all fare sumptuously. The calf is ample: let no one go forth unsatisfied.
Let all take part in the banquet of Faith. Let all take part in the wealth of Righteousness. Let no one lament for poverty, for the Kingdom is made manifest for all. Let no one bewail transgressions, for forgiveness has dawned from the tomb. Let no one be fearful of Death, for the death of the Savior has set us free. He has quenched it by being subdued by it.
He Who came down into Hades despoiled Hades; and Hades was embittered when it tasted of His Flesh. Isaiah, anticipating this, cried and said: Hades was embittered when below it met Thee face to face. It was embittered for it was rendered void. It was embittered for it was mocked. It was embittered for it was slain. It was embittered for it was despoiled. It was embittered for it was fettered. It received a Body, and encountered God. It received mortal dust, and met Heaven face to face. It received what it saw, and fell whither it saw not.
O Death, where is thy sting? O Hades, where is thy victory? Christ is risen and thou are overthrown. Christ is risen and the demons have fallen. Christ is risen and the Angels rejoice. Christ is risen and there is none dead in the tomb. For Christ is raised from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept. To Him be glory and power from all Ages to all ages. Amen."
St. John Chrysostom
Holy Week Highlights: Holy Saturday Evening
Holy Saturday Evening
Minutes prior to the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, William DeKnatel was confirmed into the Greek Orthodox Faith by Frs. Nick and Patrick. His sponsors are Stavros and Toulouse Maravegias. AXIOS!
Significance of this Service
Source: Goarch.org
(The service is Matins and Divine Liturgy of Sunday morning sung Saturday midnight. With this service, the Pentecostarion starts (50 days services).
On Easter Sunday (Saturday midnight), the life-giving Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated. Before midnight, the Odes of Lamentation of the previous day are repeated. The Orthros of the Resurrection begins in complete darkness. The priest takes light from the vigil light and gives it to the faithful, who are holding candles. The priest sings: "Come ye and receive light from the unwaning life, and glorify Christ, who arose from the dead," and all the people join him in singing this hymn again and again. From this moment, every Christian holds the Easter candle as a symbol of his vivid, deep faith in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ as Savior. In many churches, the priest leads the people outside the church, where he reads the Gospel which refers to the Angel's statement: "He is Risen; He is not here." (Mark 16:1-8)
Then comes the breathless moment as the people wait for the priest to start the hymn of Resurrection, which they join him in singing, repeatedly: "Christ has Risen from the dead, by death trampling upon Death, and has bestowed life upon those in the tombs." From this moment, the entire service takes on a joyous Easter atmosphere. The hymns of the Odes and Praises of Resurrection which follow are of superb meaning and expression. The people confess, "It is the Day of Resurrection, let us be glorious, let us embrace one another and speak to those that hate us; let us forgive all things and so let us cry, Christ has arisen from the dead." By this hymn, they admit that love of one's fellowman is the solid foundation of the faith in the Resurrection of Christ.
The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is then officiated. At the end of the Liturgy, a part of the marvelous festival sermon of St. Chrysostom is read, which calls upon the people to "Take part in this fair and radiant festival. Let no one be fearful of death, for the death of the Savior has set us free...O Death, where is thy sting? O Hades, where is Thy victory? Christ is Risen and Thou art overthrown. To Him be glory and power from all ages to all ages."
The readings are Acts 1:1-8 and John 1: 1-17.