Repetitio mater studiorum est - Sts. Constantine & Helen Cathedral

SS CONSTANTINE
&
HELEN
GREEK ORTHODOX
CATHEDRAL
64 SCHERMERHORN ST.
BROOKLYN NY, 11201
TEL. 718-624-0595
FAX. 718-624-2228
E-MAIL:
FATHERJOHN@AFANTIS.
ORG—WEB.
WWW.STCONSTANTINEC
ATHEDRAL.ORG
SPECIAL POINTS OF
INTEREST
MESSAGE OF
THE PROISTAMENO
MESSAGE OF
THE PRESIDENT
OF THE BOARD
OF TRUSTEES
A. FANTIS
SCHOOL
CAMP ST. PAUL
LIVES OF THE
SAINTS
100TH ANNIVERSARY
INSIDE THIS
ISSUE:
A. Fantis School
3
Camp St. Paul
4
Lives of the Saints
5
Sacraments
8
Liturgical Calendar
9
Organizations
15
100th Anniversary
16
THE EDICT
V O L U M E
F A L L
V
I S S U E
2 0 1 2
1
P R E S I D I N G
F R .
J O H N
P R I E S T :
K .
L A R D A S
Repetitio mater studiorum est
The title of this
article is the ancient
Latin saying, ―Repetition
is the mother of all learning!‖
Once a person
mentioned to a priest
their belief that there is
no need to come to
church on Sundays because the same thing is
repeated over and over
again.
In
response,
Bishop Velimirovic, the
author of the Prologue of
Ochrid, wrote a contemplation on this very subject. Indeed, does life not
depend on a series of
repetitive events? A person needs their heart to
beat repetitively and their
lungs to breathe rhythmically or life will not be
sustained.
Likewise,
there are countless repeti-
tive events that take place on
this earth: the ebbs and
flows of the ocean tides, the
sowing and harvesting of
fields, the annual cycle of
the four seasons and the rising and setting of the sun to
name just a few.
During the Divine
Liturgy, each small petition
begins with, ―again and
again, let us pray to the
Lord‖. The repetitiveness of
the Liturgy is an integral
component of a Christian’s
salvation. It provides a per-
son pedagogical opportunities like memorizing hymns
and learning the Holy Scriptures by heart. Even more
importantly, the repetition
of
the Divine Liturgy
speaks to the soul of a person.
The repetitiveness
strikes the consciousness of
a person to practice in truth
and sincerity the tenants of
faith; the teachings of the
Lord, Jesus Christ.
The
echo of ―again and again…‖
serves to help counteract one
of the great weaknesses and
spiritual illness of a person - that of forgetfulness.
With so many components
important to life that are
based on the concept of
repetition, the continual act
of prayer and the Divine
Liturgy is truly fundamental
to
a
spiritual
life!
―Repetition is the mother of
all learning‖!
President’s Message
I would like to
welcome everyone back
from their summer vacation and hope that you had
a pleasant and relaxing
summer. I also hope and
pray that our children have
a great start to their school
year.
Over the summer
much work was done on
the church and school
building in preparation for the
100th Anniversary. I thank all
the volunteers who assisted in
these renovations. I invite
you to visit and enjoy all the
beautiful work that has taken
place.
One great and fantastic year awaits us! Beginning
in 2013, we will be celebrating 100th Anniversary of the
Cathedral and the 50th Anni-
versary of our A. Fantis
School. We are waiting for
you to honor us with your
presence and participation for
the very nice events that are
being prepared.
Once again, I welcome you and with much enthusiasm I await to greet you
at our Cathedral.
VOLUME
V
ISSUE
1
PAGE
Repetitio mater studiorum est
Ο ηίηινο απηνύ ηνπ άξζξνπ
είλαη παξκέλνο απν έλα αξραίν
ιαηηληθό ξεηό, «Δπαλάιεςηο εζηί
κήηεξ πάζεο καζήζεσο» Μία
θνξά, έλα πξόζσπν αλέθεξε ζε
έλαλ ηεξέα όηη δελ ππάξρεη θακία
αλάγθε λα έξζεη ζηελ εθθιεζία ηηο
Κπξηαθέο επεηδή ην ίδην πξάγκα
επαλαιακβάλεηαη θάζε θνξά.
Απηό όκσο δελ είλαη πέξα γηα πέξα
ζσζηό επεηδή ππάξρνπλ πξάγκαηα
δηαθνξεηηθά ζηε θάζε Θεία
Λεηηνπξγία.
Δλ ηνύηνηο, έλα
ζεκαληηθό κέξνο ηεο Θείαο
Λεηηνπξγίαο εμαθνινπζεί λα είλαη
ην ίδην ηελ θάζε εβδνκάδα.
Απάληεζε ζε απηό ην
δίιεκκα, δίλεη ν επίζθνπνο Velimirovic, ν εξαληζηήο θαη
ζπγγξαθέαο ηνπ Πξνιόγνπ
Ochrid. Γξάθεη γη’ απηό ην ζέκα:
Ζ ίδηα ε δσή δελ εμαξηάηαη από
κηα ζεηξά επαλαιακβαλόκελσλ
γεγνλόησλ;
Ο άλζξσπνο
ρξεηάδεηαη ε θαξδηά ηνπ λα θηππά
επαλαιακβαλόκελα θαη νη
πλεύκνλέο ηνπ λα αλαπλένπλ
ζπλερώο ξπζκηθά γηα λα ζηεξηρηεί
ζηε δσή. Δπηπιένλ, ππάξρνπλ
πάξα πνιιά επαλαιακβαλόκελα
γεγνλόηα πνπ πξαγκαηνπνηνύληαη
ζε ζεκαληηθέο πηπρέο ηεο δσήο
θαη ηεο θνηλσλίαο: ε ξνή ηνπ
ξεύκαηνο, ε επαλάιεςε ηεο
θύ η επ ζ εο ελό ο αγξ ν ύ, ε
ιεηηνπξγία κηαο κεραλήο
ε
αλαηνιή θαη ε δύζε ηνπ ήιηνπ.
Καηά ηε δηάξθεηα ηεο
Θείαο Λεηηνπξγίαο, θάζε κηθξή
αίηεζε αξρίδεη κε, «έηη θαη έηη ηνπ
Κπξίνπ δεεζώκελ».
Ζ
επαλάιεςε ηεο Θείαο Λεηηνπξγίαο
είλαη έλα αθέξαην ζπζηαηηθό
ζηνηρείν ηεο ζσηεξίαο ηνπ
Φξηζηηαλνύ.
Φαξίδεη ζην
ρξηζηηαλν ηελ παηδαγσγηθή
επθαηξία γηα ηελ απνκλεκόλεπζε
ησλ ύκλσλ θαη ηελ εθκάζεζε ηελ
Αγίαο Γξαθήο.
Αθόκε πην
ζεκαληηθό είλαη όηη ε επαλάιεςε
ηεο Θείαο Λεηηνπξγίαο κηιάεη απ’
επζείαο ζηελ ςπρή ηνπ
Φξηζηηαλνύ.
Ζ επαλάιεςε
ζηνρεύεη
ηελ ζπλείδεζε ηνπ
Φξηζηηαλνύ ώζηε απηόο λα κάζεη
λα δεη αιεζηλά, ππαθνύνληαο κε
εηιηθξίλεηα ζηα δηδάγκαηα ηεο
πίζηεο ζηνλ Ηεζνύ Φξηζηό .
Τν άθνπζκα ηνπ «έηη θαη
έηη…» αληηδξά ζηε κεγάιε
αδπλακία θαη πλεπκαηηθή αζζέλεηα
ηνπ αλζξώπνπ, ηελ ακέιεηα Με
ηόζα πνιιά ζεκαληηθά γηα ηε δσή
ηνπ αλζξώπνπ ζηνηρεία, ε
επαλάιεςε θαη ε ζπλερήο πξάμε
ηεο πξνζεπρήο θαη ηεο Θείαο
Λεηηνπξγίαο είλαη απαξαίηεηε ζε
κηα πλεπκαηηθή δσή!
«Ζ
Δπαλάιεςηο εζηί κήηεξ πάζεο
καζήζεσο»!
+Π. Ησάλλεο Κ. Λαξδά
Τν Μήλπκα ηνπ Πξνέδξνπ
Θέισ λα ζαο θαισζνξίζσ
θαη εύρνκαη λα πεξάζαηε έλα
επράξηζην θαη μεθνύξαζην
θαινθαίξη. Οη ζεξκέο κνπ
επρέο ζηα παηδηά καο γηα κηα
θαιή αξρή ζηελ ζρνιηθή
ρξόληα.
Δπραξηζηώ επίζεο ζε όινπο
ηνπο εζεινληέο πνπ
βνήζεζαλ ζηελ αλαλέσζε
ηνπ ζρνιηθνύ θηηξίνπ θαη ηελ
εθθιεζία. Σαο παξαθαιώ λα
καο επηζθεθζείηε λα δείηε ηηο
αλαθαηλίζεηο πνπ έρνπλ
γίλεη.
Μηα πνιύ (ζαπκάζηα)
ρξόληα καο πεξηκέλεη κε ηελ
επέηεην ησλ 100ρξνληα ηεο
εθθιεζίαο καο θαη ησλ 50
ρξόλ η α η νπ ζ ρνι ε ί νπ
καο. Σαο πεξηκέλνπκε λα
καο ηηκήζεηε κε ηελ
παξνπζία ζαο θαη ηελ
ζπκκεηνρή ζαο ζηηο πνιύ
σξαίεο εθδειώζεηο πνπ
έρνπκε εηνηκάζεη.
Καη
πάιη
ζαο
θαισζνξίδσ
θαη
αλππνκνλώ λα ζαο
ππνδερηώ
ζηελ
εθθιεζία.
Ζιίαο Σεξεκέηεο
Πξόεδξνο Γηνηθεηηθνύ
Σπκβνπιίνπ
Elias Seremetis
2
The 8th Grade Class on their 1st Day of School
English Teacher Ms. Alsion Polizzi
The A. Fantis Parochial School of SS Constantine and Helen started it’s first day
of school on Wednesday, September 5th, 2012 with an enrollment of 163 students. This
historical and great parochial school educates students from the age of 3 through the 8th
grade. Along with the core curriculum, the students receive instruction in the Greek
Language, and on a weekly basis, they participate in religious education with Fr. John
Lardas.
With tremendous support from the PTO of A. Fantis, many renovations took
place over the summer. When you walk into the school building, one will notice that the
school office has been expanded. In the gymnasium the students now have changing
rooms for the boys and the girls. There is also a new security gate installed in the entrance of the school building. Many volunteers of the Board of Trustees were instrumental in seeing these projects accomplished.
The A. Fantis School welcomes aboard some new employees. Greeting each person in the school office is the new secretary, Eleni Salony. Instructing the upper grades
in Math is Trisha Notaro, and the new UPK teachers is Kleanthie Lathourakis.
Congratulations is also due to the English teacher Ms. Alison Polizzi along with
the students of English and last year’s editor of The Literary English Magazine, the Calliope. They earned a Silver Medalist Award from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association Competition for the Calliope. Bravo for a job well done!
Mrs. Eleni Solony
Ms. Trisha Notaro
For the first time in eight years, Camp St. Paul expanded to a four week program. In the summer of 2005, with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios and under the directorship of
Fr. Elias Villis, forty seven campers attended for one week, Camp St. Paul. Eight years later, one hundred and thirty campers, each week, for four weeks, is a powerful statement in and of itself of the
wonderful youth ministry taking place through this spectacular camping program.
The setting of Camp St. Paul is on Lake Bantum in Litchfield, Ct. The campers, from ages of
8-17, enjoy a well balanced program of Orthodox worship; water sports such as, tubing, blobbing, jet
skiing, swimming and a water slide; Greek culture; Orthodox Life Sessions; High Ropes Obstacle
Course; sports, evening activities, and great parea!
The Camp St. Paul Committee is now under the spiritual directorship of His Grace Bishop
Andonios, the Chancellor of the Archdiocese and the Camp Director is Fr. Elias Villis. Each week
two to three priest from churches of the Archdiocesan District also attend to work at the camp. The
campers are under the loving and faithful care of trained counselors, whom along with the campers,
make up the heart and soul of Camp St. Paul.
Many of the youth from Brooklyn attended the 2nd week session with a few attending the 3rd
session. From the Cathedral, Evie Vlitas with some cousins from Greece, along with Ari and Evi Paloumbis attended session two. Maria and Kemon Lardas along with Fr. John and Pr. Eleni attend session three. Camp St. Paul is truly a blessing for our youth during the weeks of summer!
Saint Gregory the Wonderworker,
Bishop of Neocaesarea
Ο Άγηνο Γξεγόξηνο γελλήζεθε πεξίπνπ ην 210
κε 215 κ.Φ. Αξρηθά νλνκαδόηαλ Θεόδσξνο θαη νη
γνλείο ηνπ ήηαλ Έιιελεο εηδσινιάηξεο θαη είραλ
κεγάιε θνηλσληθή ζέζε ζηε Νενθαηζάξεηα ηνπ Πόληνπ
(γλσζηή ζηελ αξραηόηεηα θαη σο Καβεξία, Γηάζπνιηο
θαη Σεβαζηή, ην ζεκεξηλό Νηθζάξ) .
Μεηά ηε ζηνηρεηώδε εθπαίδεπζε ηνπ, ν Άγηνο
Γξεγόξηνο καδί κε ηνλ αδειθό ηνπ Γξεγόξην ή
Αζελόδσξν, πήγαλ ζηε Βεξπηό γηα λα ζπνπδάζνπλ
λνκηθά. Ο Θεόο όκσο είρε άιια ζρέδηα γηα ην Γξεγόξην.
Όηαλ πεξλνύζε από ηελ Καηζαξεία, άθνπζε ην δεηλό
εξκελεπηή ησλ Γξαθώλ, Ψξηγέλε. Ο Γξεγόξηνο ηόζν
πνιύ ελζνπζηάζηεθε καδί ηνπ, ώζηε άθεζε ηα λνκηθά
θαη δηεηέιεζε επί ρξόληα καζεηήο ηνπ. Ολνκαζηόο είλαη
ν απνραηξεηηζηήξηνο ιόγνο ηνπ κεηά ην πέξαο ησλ
ζπνπδώλ ηνπ. Δθεί θαίλεηαη ε κεγάιε αμία ηνπ
Ψξηγέλε, ζαλ δηδαζθάινπ θαη ε βαζεηά επγλσκνζύλε
ηνπ Γξεγνξίνπ, ζαλ καζεηνύ. «Άπαζαλ πξνζήγε ηελ
παξ' απηνύ ηέρλελ θαη επηκέιεηαλ θαη θαηεηξγάζαην
εκάο», γξάθεη γηα ην δηδάζθαιό ηνπ.
Καηόπηλ πήγε ζηελ Αιεμάλδξεηα, θαη από εθεί
επέζηξεςε ζηε Νενθαηζάξεηα κε πιήξε ζενινγηθή
κόξθσζε θαη άγην δήιν. Τόηε ν Μεηξνπνιίηεο
Ακαζείαο Φαίδεκνο δηέθξηλε ηα ραξίζκαηα ηνπ θαη ηνλ
έθαλε επίζθνπν Νενθαηζαξείαο ε νπνία είρε κόλν 17
ρξηζηηαλνύο! Ο Γξεγόξηνο, όκσο, δελ ην ζεώξεζε
ππνηηκεηηθό. Βαζηδόηαλ πνιύ ζηε δύλακε ηεο ζείαο
ράξηηνο θαη πάληα είρε ζην κπαιό ηνπ ηα ελζαξξπληηθά
ιόγηα ηνπ ζείνπ Παύινπ: «Ἐλδπλακνῦ ἐλ ηῇ ράξηηη ηῇ
ἐλ Φξηζηῷ Ἰεζνῦ» (Β' πξόο Τηκόζενλ, β' 1), δειαδή λα
ελδπλακώλεζαη κε ηε ράξε πνπ καο δίλεηαη από ηε
ζρέζε θαη ηελ έλσζε καο κε ηνλ Ηεζνύ Φξηζηό.
Πξάγκαηη, κε ηε ράξε ηνπ Θενύ, ν Γξεγόξηνο έθαλε
θαηαπιεθηηθό αγώλα θαη εθρξηζηηάληζε ζρεδόλ όιε ηελ
πόιε. Καη ελώ είρε παξαιάβεη 17 ρξηζηηαλνύο, όηαλ
πέζαλε εηξεληθά ζηα ηέιε ηνπ 270 κ.Φ. είραλ απνκείλεη
Σπλέρηα ζηελ επόκελε ζειίδα...
Saint Gregory the Wonderworker, Bishop of Neocaesarea, was born in the city of Neocaesarea (northern Asia
Minor) into a pagan family. Having received a fine education, from his youth he strived for Truth, but the thinkers of
antiquity were not able to quench his thirst for knowledge.
Truth was revealed to him only in the Holy Gospel, and the
youth became a Christian.
For the continuation of his studies St Gregory went
to Alexandria, known then as a center for pagan and Christian learning. The youth, eager for knowledge, went to the
Alexandrian Catechetical School, where the presbyter Origen taught. Origen was a famous teacher, possessing a great
strength of mind and profound knowledge. St Gregory became a student of Origen. Afterwards, the saint wrote about
his mentor: "This man received from God a sublime gift, to
be an interpreter of the Word of God for people, to apprehend the Word of God, as God Himself did use it, and to
explain it to people, insofar as they were able to understand
it." St Gregory studied for eight years with Origen, and was
baptized by him.
The ascetic life of St Gregory, his continence, purity and lack of covetousness aroused envy among his conceited and sin-loving peers, pagans that they were, and they
decided to slander St Gregory. Once, when he was conversing with philosophers and teachers in the city square, a notorious harlot came up to him and demanded payment for the
sin he had supposedly committed with her. At first St Gregory gently remonstrated with her, saying that she perhaps
mistook him for someone else. But the profligate woman
would not be quieted. He then asked a friend to give her the
money. Just as the woman took the unjust payment, she immediately fell to the ground in a demonic fit, and the fraud
became evident. St Gregory said a prayer over her, and the
devil left her. This was the beginning of St Gregory's miracles.
Having returned to Neocaesarea, the saint fled from
the worldly affairs into which influential townsmen persistently sought to push him. He went into the desert, where by
fasting and prayer he attained to high spiritual accomplishment and the gifts of clairvoyance and prophecy. St Gregory
loved life in the wilderness and wanted to remain in solitude
until the end of his days, but the Lord willed otherwise.
The bishop of the Cappadocian city of Amasea,
Thedimos, having learned of St Gregory's ascetic life, decided to have him made Bishop of Neocaesarea. But having
foreseen in spirit the intent of Bishop Thedimos, the saint
hid himself from the messengers of the bishop who wereContinued on the following page…
ζηελ επηζθνπηθή ηνπ πεξηθέξεηα κόλν 17
εηδσινιάηξεο! Υπήξμε δε ηόζν εγθξαηήο ζηε γιώζζα
ηνπ, ώζηε δελ βγήθε απ' απηή θαλέλαο θαθόο,
πεξηηηόο ή αξγόο ιόγνο. Γη' απηό θαη ν Θεόο ηνλ
θόζκεζε θαη κε ην ράξηζκα ηεο ζαπκαηνπξγίαο.
Σηνλ Γξεγόξην απνδίδεηαη ε θαζηέξσζε
ενξηαζκώλ πξνο ηηκήλ ησλ καξηύξσλ, ησλ
δηδαζθαιηώλ ζρεηηθά κε ηνπο αγίνπο θαη ε ηήξεζε
ενξηώλ γηα ηνπο αγίνπο, πνπ απνηέιεζε επίζεο κέζν
γηα λα πξνζειθύζεη εηδσινιάηξεο ζηελ εθθιεζία.
Τνλ βίν ηνπ Αγίνπ Γξεγνξίνπ ηνπ
ζαπκαηνπξγνύ ζπλέγξαςε ν Άγηνο Γξεγόξηνο ν
Δπίζθνπνο Νύζζεο, αδειθόο ηνπ Μεγάινπ
Βαζηιείνπ, ν νπνίνο απνηειεί ηελ πην αμηόπηζηε
βηνγξαθηθή πεγή ελ κέζσ αζαθεηώλ θαη ζξύισλ.
Σηνλ εγθσκηαζηηθό ηνπ ιόγν πξνο ηνλ Άγην, ηνλ
νλνκάδεη Μέγα θαη ζεσξείηαη όηη ήηαλ ην πξώην
άηνκν πνπ είλαη γλσζηό όηη έιαβε όξακα ηεο
Παλαγίαο (καδί κε ηνλ Ησάλλε ηνλ Βαπηηζηή), βάζεη
ηνπ νπνίνπ θαηέγξαςε κηα νκνινγία ζρεηηθά κε ην
δόγκα ηεο Αγίαο Τξηάδαο. Δπίζεο, ν Άγηνο Γξεγόξηνο
Δπίζθνπνο Νύζζεο αλαθέξεη όηη ν ίδηνο κεγάισζε
αθνύνληαο δηεγήζεηο θαη πεξηγξαθέο πεξηζηαηηθώλ
ηεο δσήο ηνπ Αγίνπ Γξεγνξίνπ ηνπ Θαπκαηνπξγνύ,
θαζώο θαη ηνπο ζενπλεύζηνπο ιόγνπο ηνπ, από ηελ
γηαγηά ηνπ Αγία Μαθξίλα ε νπνία ήηαλ καζήηξηα θαη
πλεπκαηηθό
παηδί
ηνπ
Αγίνπ
Γξεγνξίνπ
Νενθαηζαξείαο.
Αιιά θαη ν Μέγαο Βαζίιεηνο ζ' έλα ηνπ ιόγν
ιέεη γηα ηνλ Γξεγόξην ηνλ ζαπκαηνπξγό, όηη γηα ηα
πλεπκαηηθά ηνπ ραξίζκαηα θαη ηελ ράξε ησλ
ζαπκάησλ «δεύηεξνο Μσϋζῆο παξ΄ αὐηῶλ ηῶλ
ἐρζξῶλ ηῆο Ἐθθιεζίαο ἀλεγνξεύεην».
Τα έξγα ηνπ Γξεγόξηνπ έρνπλ δηαζσζεί ζε
ηδηαίηεξα απνζπαζκαηηθή θαηάζηαζε. Ολνκαζηόο
παξακέλεη ν απνραηξεηηζηήξηνο ιόγνο ηνπ Δηο
Ψξηγέλελ Πξνζθσλεηηθόο κεηά ην πέξαο ησλ
ζπνπδώλ ηνπ, όπνπ εμπκλείηαη ε δηδαθηηθή δεηλόηεηα
ηνπ Ψξηγέλε. Άιια έξγα ηνπ πνπ ζώδνληαη είλαη ε
Δπηζηνιή Καλνληθή Πεξί ησλ ελ ηε Καηαδξνκή ησλ
Βαξβάξσλ Δηδσιόζπηα Φαγόλησλ ή θαη Έηεξα ηηλά
Πιεκκειεζάλησλ, Πξνο Ταηηαλόλ Πεξί Χπρήο Λόγνο
Κεθαιαηώδεο, Λόγνη Δηο ηνλ Δπαγγειηζκόλ ηεο
Παλαγίαο Θενηόθνπ θαη Αεί Παξζέλνπ ηεο Μαξίαο,
Λόγνο εηο ηνπο Αγίνπο Πάληαο, Οκηιία Δηο ηνλ
Δθθιεζηαζηήλ, απνζπάζκαηα από ζρνιηνιόγηα ζην
Christmas Vigil
November 16, 2012
@
8:00PM
In honor of St. Gregory the Wonderworker
A great way to begin the Christmas Fast
To be inspired by a great saint who did tremendous works
of faith
An opportunity to contrast the wisdom of the world vs. the
Wisdom of God and His Gospel
Great Vespers, Artoclasia, Orthros, Divine Liturgy
Chanted by a Byzantine Choir
entrusted to find him. Then Bishop Thedimos ordained the absent saint as Bishop of Neocaesarea, beseeching the Lord that He
Himself would sanctify the unusual ordination. St Gregory perceived the extraordinary event as a manifestation of the will of
God and he did not dare to protest. This episode in the life of St
Gregory was recorded by St Gregory of Nyssa (January 10). He
relates that St Gregory of Neocaesarea received the episcopal
dignity only after Bishop Thedimos of Amasea performed all the
canonical rites over him.
During this time, the heresy of Sabellius and Paul of
Samosata began to spread. They taught falsely concerning the
Holy Trinity. St Gregory prayed fervently and diligently imploring God and His most pure Mother to reveal to him the true
faith. The All-Holy Virgin Mary appeared to him, radiant like
the sun, and with Her was the Apostle John the Theologian
dressed in archepiscopal vestments.
By the command of the Mother of God, the Apostle
John taught the saint how to correctly and properly confess the
Mystery of the Most Holy Trinity. St Gregory wrote down everything that St John the Theologian revealed to him. The Mystery of the Symbol of the Faith, written down by St Gregory of
Neocaesarea, is a great divine revelation in the history of the
Church. The teaching about the Holy Trinity in Orthodox Theology is based on it. Subsequently it was used by the holy Fathers
of the Church: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and
Gregory of Nyssa. The Symbol of St Gregory of Neocaesarea
was later examined and affirmed in the year 325 by the First
Ecumenical Council, showing his enduring significance for Orthodoxy.
Having become a bishop, St Gregory set off to Neocaesarea. Along the way from Amasea he expelled devils from a
pagan temple, the priest of which he converted to Christ. The
convert was witness to still another miracle of the saint, at his
word a large stone shifted from its place.
The preaching of the saint was direct, lively and fruitful. He taught and worked miracles in the name of Christ: he
healed the sick, he helped the needy, he settled quarrels and
complaints. Two brothers sharing an inheritance were not able to
agree over the property of their dead father. There was a large
lake over which they argued, for each of the brothers wanted the
lake for himself. They both gathered their friends together, and
were ready to come to blows. St Gregory persuaded them to delay their fight until the following day, and he himself prayed all
night long at the shore of the lake which sparked the quarrel.
When dawn broke, everyone saw that the lake had dried up or
gone underground. Through the intense prayer of the saint, now
there was only a stream, and its course defined the boundary
line. Another time, during the construction of a church, he commanded a hill to move and make room at the place of the foundation.
When a persecution against Christians began under the
emperor Decius (249-251), St Gregory led his flock to a faraway
mountain. A certain pagan, knowing about the hiding place of
the Christians, informed the persecutors. Soldiers surrounded the
mountain. The saint went out into an open place, raised up his
hands to heaven and ordered to his deacon to do the same. The
soldiers searched the whole mountain, and they went several
times right past those praying, but not seeing them, they gave up
and went away. In the city they reported that there was nowhere
Continued on the following page...
to hide on the mountain: no one was there, and only two trees stood beside each other. The informer was struck with amazement, he
repented of his ways and became a fervent Christian. St Gregory returned to Neocaesarea after the end of the persecution. By his
blessing church Feasts were established in honor of the martyrs who had suffered for Christ.
By his saintly life, his effective preaching, working of miracles and graced guiding of his flock, the saint steadily increased
the number of converts to Christ. When St Gregory first ascended his cathedra, there were only seventeen Christians in Neocaesarea.
At his death, only seventeen pagans remained in the city.
Sacraments
2012
Baptisms
Jan
28
Feb
4
18
19
26
Nicholas Constantine, son of Frank and Danae
Piskopanis, Godmother: Olga Perakis
Tracy Lynn (Christina), daughter of Al and
Debra Johnson, Godmother: Sophia Nikolaou
Eva Lynn, daughter of Wilson and Christine
Velasquez, Godmother: Carol Anagnostos
Angela, daughter of Nicholas Vayos and Betsy
Mendez, Godfather: Thomas George Vayos
Elisavet, daughter of Diamantis and Alexandra
Kakatsos, Godmother: Kathy Karadimos
March
17
George, son of Matthew and Sophia Nikolaou,
Godparents: Vasilios and Tracy Aidiniou
April
28
Michael Anthony, son of Michael and Nicole
Camellite, Godmother: Christina Sithiakakis
May
12
Emmanuel, son of John and Kathleen Diaman
takis, Godparent: Litsa Diamantakis
June
2
Christina, daughter of Constandion and Eleny
Sirakis, Godparent: Savina Romanos
17
Vasilios Elias, son of Armando Chiang and
Eurdice Eleftheriou, Godparents: Stella
Stenas, Maria Eleftheriou and Leah Grill
18
Sofia Eugenia, daughter of Eftermios and
Areti Argiropoulos, Godparents: Paul and
Antonia Bregianos
30
Luke Kirakos, son of Gregory and Kiriaki
Daitsis, Godparent: Emmanuel Kazanas
July
1
Alexandra Hope, daughter of Peter and Elpida
Getschmann, Godparent: Eleni Ekonomakos
Confirmations
February
26
Kathryn Messina, Sponsor: Maria Limberakis
August
9
Ambrosia Correa, Sponsor: Nicholas Glantzis
Weddings
May
25
Matthew Blaine Anarde & Vanessa Beth
Hobson, Koumbaros: Alexander Hobson
June
2
George Katehis & Maria Fletouris,
Koumbaroi: Spyridon Fletouris &
Spryidon Katehis
24
Vassilios Aidinou & Tracy Lynn Johnson,
Koumbara: Sophia Nikolaou
25
George E. Melissinos & Emily Jennifer Rich,
Koumbaros: Demetri Spanos
July
7
Leonidas Chrisomalis & Joanna Katsaros,
Koumbara: Athina Psaras
8
Soteres K. Kazoleas & Alisia Kovalensky,
Koumbaros: George J. Legakis
Funerals
January
22
+Paulette Hios
27
+John E. Baroudos
March
3
+Demetra Sklitsis
April
15
+Aphrodite Lekacos
25
+Metaxoula Ioannou
June
5
+Jerry Raftopoulos
July
10
+Dimitrios Manguravdos
21
+Helen Johnson
EORTOLOGION
Κσρ. 7
Κσρ. 14
Πεμ. 18
Κσρ. 21
Τρι. 23
Παρ. 26
Κσρ. 28
Πεμ. 1
Κσρ. 4
Πεμ. 8
Παρ. 9
Κσρ.11
+Τρι. 13
Τετ. 14
Πεμ.15
Παρ. 16
Κσρ. 18
Τετ. 21
Κσρ. 25
Παρ. 30
Κσρ. 2
Τρι. 4
+Πεμ. 6
Κσρ. 9
Τετ. 12
Πεμ. 13
Παρ. 14
Σαβ. 15
Κσρ. 16
Δεσ. 17
Τρι. 18
Τετ. 19
Οκτώβριος
Γ΄ Κπξηαθή ηνπ Λνπθά
Γ΄ Κπξηαθή ηνπ Λνπθά
Ζ Δνξηή Τνπ Αγίνπ Απνζηόινπ Λνπθά
(Σρνιηθή Λεηηνπξγία)
ΣΤ΄ Κπξηαθή ηνπ Λνπθά
Ζ Δνξηή ηνπ Αγίνπ Ηαθώβνπ
Ζ Δνξηή ηνπ Αγίνπ Γεκεηξίνπ
Ε΄ Λνπθα θαη ηεο Δνξηήο ηεο Αγίαο
Σθέπεο
Νοέμβριος
Δνξηή ησλ Αγίσλ Αλαξγύξσλ θαη
Μηξθόο Αγηαζκόο
Δ΄ Κπξηαθή ηνπ Λνπθά
Ζ Σύλαμηο ησλ Αξραγγέισλ
Ζ Δνξηή ηνπ Αγίνπ Νεθηαξίνπ
Ζ΄ Κπξηαθή ηνπ Λνπθά
Ζ Δνξηή ηνπ Αγίνπ Ησάλλνπ ηνπ
Φξπζνζηόκνπ (Σρνιηθή Λεηηνπξγία)
Ζ Δνξηή ηνπ Αγίνπ Απνζηόινπ
Φηιίππνπ
Αξρή ηεο Νεζηείο ησλ Φξηζηνπγέλλσλ
Ζ Αγξππλία ηεο ενξηήο ηνπ Αγίνπ
Γξεγνξίνπ 8:00κκ (Γηα ηελ θαιή αξρή
ηεο Φξηζηνπγελάηηθεο Νεζηείαο)
Θ΄ Κπξηαθή ηνπ Λνπθά
Τα Δηζόδηα ηεο Θενηόθνπ
Ζ Απόδνζηο ηεο Δνξηήο ησλ Δηζνδίσλ
θαη Ζ Δνξηή ηεο Αγίαο Αηθαηεξίλεο
Ζ Δνξηή ηνπ Αγίνπ Αλδξένπ
Δεκέμβριος
Ζ ΗΓ΄ Κπξηαθή ηνπ Λνπθά
Ζ Δνξηή ηεο Αγίαο Βαξβάξαο
Δνξηή ηνπ Αγίνπ Νηθνιάνπ
Ζ Η΄ Κπξηαθή ηνπ Λνπθά θαη Ζ
Σύιιεςηο ηεο Αγίαο Αλλεο
Ζ Δνξηή ηνπ Αγίνπ Σππξίδσλνο
Τνπ Αγίνπ Δπζηξαηίνπ
Τνπ Αγίνπ Θύξζνπ
Ζ Δνξηή ηνπ Αγίνπ Διεπζεξίνπ
Ζ ΗΑ΄ Κπξηαθή ηνπ Λνπθά
Τνπ Αγίνπ Γαληήι
Ζ Δνξηή ηνπ Αγίνπ Σεβαζηηαλνύ
Τνπ Αγίνπ Βνληθαηίνπ
Καθημερινές Θείες Λειτοσργίες
Οξζξνο 8:30πκ
Θεία Λεηηνπξγία 9:30πκ
Κσριακάτηκες Θείες Λειτοσργίες
Οξζξνο 9:15πκ
Θεία Λεηηνπξγία 10:30 πκ
ἐγὼ δὲ καὶ ἡ οἰκία μοσ λαηρεύζομεν
Κσρίῳ, ὅηι ἅγιός ἐζηι. ΙΣ.24:15
The Feast Day Calendar
Sun. 7
Sun. 14
Thur. 18
Sun. 21
Tue. 23
Fri. 26
Sun. 28
Thurs. 1
Sun. 4
Thur. 8
Fri. 9
Sun. 11
+Tue. 13
Wed. 14
Thur. 15
Fri. 16
Sun. 18
Tue. 21
Sun. 25
Fri. 30
Sun. 2
Tue. 4
+Thur. 6
Sun. 9
+Wed. 12
Thur. 13
Fri. 14
Sat. 15
Sun. 16
Mon. 17
Tue. 18
Wed. 19
October
The 3rd Sunday of Luke
The 4th Sunday of Luke
The Feast of St. Luke the Apostle
The 6th Sunday of Luke (School Liturgy)
The Feast of St. James
The Feast of St. Demetrios
The 7th Sunday of Luke and The Feast
of The Holy Protection
November
The Feast of the Sts. Cosmas and
Damianos and The Small Blessing of
Water
The 5th Sunday of Luke
The Synaxis of the Archangels
The Feast of St. Nektarios
The 8th Sunday of Luke
The Feast of St. John Chrysostom
(School Divine Liturgy)
The Feast of St. Philipp
The Beginning of the Christmas Fast
The Vigil for the Feast of St. Gregory
8:00pm (For the good start of the
Christmas Fast)
The 9th Sunday of Luke
The Entrance of the Theotokos
The Leaving of the Feast of The Entrance and The Feast of St. Katherine
The Feast of St. Andrew
December
th
The 14 Sunday of Luke
The Feast of St. Barbara
The Feast of St. Nicholas
The 10th Sunday of Luke and
The Conception of the Theotokos by
St. Anna
The Feast of St. Spyridon
St. Eustratios
St. Thyrsos
The Feast of St. Eleftherios
The 11th Sunday of Luke
St. Daniel
St. Sebastianos
St. Bonifacε
Weekday Liturgies
Orthros 8:30 am
Divine Liturgy 9:30 am
Sunday Divine Liturgies
Orthros 9:15 am
Divine Liturgy 10:30 am
“but as for me and my household, we
will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
Membership and Pledge Program
The art of supporting a church is always a discussion held by many
with many different opinions and beliefs. Theologically and scripturally,
from the beginning of time, the human person was gifted by God to have a
proper stewardship of creation. God blessed Adam and Eve and said, ―Be
fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it‖ Gen 1:28 It is innate in the
person to be responsible for creation and to have an accountability to God
who graced the person with such a gift.
Throughout the Old and New Testament, the person that made God
his or her first priority became blessed. Abel’s gifts to the Lord were not after thoughts or re-gifts. Abel always offered the first of his best to God. His
brother Cain was the opposite. Chapter 4 of Genesis describes the reaction of
God to their gifts. ―And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He
did not respect Cain and his offering.‖ In the incredible stories of the prophet Elias (Elijah) found in 1Kings,
during a famine, the prophet knocks on the door of a poor widow with one son, who was preparing her last
meal before they would starve to death. Elijah asks the woman for a morsel of bread, which she had not. He
told her not to fear. She prepared a cake of bread for the prophet and then the miracle took place according to
the word of God, ―The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day
the Lord sends rain on the earth.’‖ 1Kings17:14. In the Gospel of Luke and the Gospel of Mark, Jesus uplifts
a woman in poverty who gave two mites to the temple, teaching the disciples the following, ―Truly I say to
you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings
for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.‖ Luke21:3-4 All these people of the
Holy Scriptures have one common denominator, God is the first priority in their lives.
Theologically, scripturally, and patristically the stewardship of worship and the offering of creation
back to the Creator is an innate characteristic of a person. There is much care and concern that the believer
should have for his or her church. Specifically for the Cathedral of SS Constantine and Helen, the following
is some statistical information that acts as a measurement for the good stewardship of the church.
As of mid-October, there are 220 families or individuals that fulfilled their membership with a mailing list
of about 400 people
34 families or individual voluntarily participate in the pledge program
The Cathedral operates at a deficit of about $160,000
On average, as one instrument of measurement, it takes $1,200/family to meet the operating budget of the
Cathedral
The membership of the church is not sufficient to cover the operating budget
Participating in the stewardship or pledge program of the church is the best way to support the church because it is a free will offering, and all donations go directly to the church instead of paying overhead on
events.
For the majority of parishioners giving a large amount of money at once is very difficult. For this reason, the Cathedral also offers a voluntary pledge program, which allows a family to set aside on a weekly,
monthly or yearly basis, a heartfelt offering, based on a freewill decision of love. As an example, setting aside
$20/week, and placing this amount in the offering envelope is equivalent to
an offering $1,040 for the year. $10/week equals $520 for the year and $30/
week equals $1,560 for the year.
As the Cathedral quickly approaches a milestone in the year 2013 of
a 100 year history, may each faithful member take the time to reflect and see
about their membership and stewardship to SS Constantine and Helen Greek
Orthodox Cathedral.
Why the name The Edict for the newsletter?
The Edict of Milan was signed by St. Constantine in the year 313 AD. This
law tolerated the Freedom of Religion, which aloud the Christians to worship
with freedom for the first time since the events of the Lord, Jesus. 2013 will be
the 1700th Anniversary of the signing of the Edict of Milan.
Icon of Cain and Abel
Mon. 5th:
Tue. 6th:
Sun.4th:
Sat. 10th :
Sun. 11th:
Mon. 12th:
Thurs. 15th:
Sat. 15th:
Sun. 16th
Mon. 17th:
Tues. 25th:
Jan. 1
Jan. 5
Jan. 6
Jan. 8 –19
Jan. 20
Jan. 27
Breakfast with Santa
Sunday School Christmas Pageant & Philoptochos Christmas Party
Bible Study
Christmas
January
New Year & The Feast of St. Basil
Goya Event—Brooklyn Nets vs Sacramento
Kings
The Feast of Epiphany & The Blessing of the
Waters at Battery Park
Pilgrimage to the Holy Lands
Vasilopita
Midnight Run
Litohorian Celebration of St. Dionysios &
Greek Letters Celebration
Sat. 17th :
Sun 18th:
Mon. 19th:
Thurs. 22:
Sun. 25th
Sat. 1st:
Mon. 3rd:
Tues. 4th:
Fri. 14th
Mon. 10th:
November
Bible Study
Board of Trustees Meeting
Marathon Sunday
Church Dance
Veterans Day—Honoring James Poulos
Bible Study
Beginning of the Christmas Fast
The Emmaus Lecture Series at
SS Constantine
and Helen
Thanksgiving Food Drive
PTO Thanksgiving Breakfast
Elections of Candidates to the Board of TrusTees
Bible Study
Thanksgiving
The Federations of Associated Laconian
Sνcities
December
Parish Council Seminar
Bible Study
Board of Trustees Meeting
Youth Christmas Party for the AABR
Bible Study
The Cathedral of SS Constantine and Helen
His All Holiness Bartholomew
Archbishop of Constantinople,
New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch
Rum Patrikhanesi 342 20 Fener-Halic
Istanbul, Turkey
Tel. +011-90-212.531.9670, 531-9676
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios
Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in
America
10 East 79th St
New York, NY 10021
(212)570-3500
Fr. John K. Lardas, Presiding Priest
Board of Trustees
Executive Board: Elias Seremetis – President; Jim Tampakis – 1st Vice-President; Dean Paravalos – 2nd Vice-President; Andrew
Poulos – Treasurer; George Papadakos – Asst. Treasurer; Ted Dikeakos – English Secretary; Panagiotis Papadapoulos—Greek Secretary
Board Members
Athanasia Apostolakos
Irakis Argyriou
John Athanitis
Steve Bacas
Andreas Chrysostomou
George Fanourakis
Angelo Koutsidis
Matthew Mirones
Angelo Papadakos
George Poulon
Chris Sofronis
Peter Stratigakis
Steve Soumakis
Alex Vanech
Peter Vlitas
Peter Yatrakis
Board Committees
Church Order: Steve Bacas; Maintenance and Security: Dean Paravalos; Real Estate: Jim Tampakis; Church Dance: Dean
Paravalos; Church Name Day: Konstantinos Varelis and Dean Paravalos; Technology: Ted Dikeakos; Youth: Taki Papadopoulos; Church Journal: Hercules Argyriou; 100th Anniversary: Peter Vlitas and Jim Tampakis; Festival Chairperson: Michelle
Tampakis; Human Resources: George Poulon; Membership and Pledge: Ted Dikeakos and Deano Vasilakos
Philoptochos
Executive Board: Presidents – Marjorie Bacas; 1st Vice-President – Lucy Bounas;2nd Vice-President – Betty Xanthos; Treasurer –
Stelene Argyriou; Assistant Treasurer – Peggy Panagopoulous; Corresponding Secretary Evangelia Apostolakos; Recording Secretary – Katerina(Phyllis) James; Advisors – Georgeann Papadakos
Board Members
Presbytera Eleni Lardas, Connie Lambros, Cleo Athanitis, Efrosini Ekonomakos, Pitsa Tampakis, Catherine Vasilakos, Pauline
Apostolakis
A. Fantis Parochial School of SS. Constantine and Helen
School Board Chairperson: Peter Vlitas
Principal: Dr. Alice Farkouh
School Board Committee: John Athanitis, Angela Papadopoulos, Dean Paravalos, Jim Tampakis, Lauren Cramer, Danielle Makris,
Kathy Tsamatsiros, Nia Soumakis, Maria Vlitas
Church Secretary: Effie Katsenis; Sunday School Director: Pauline Apostolakis; Acolytes: Nicholas Paros; Choir Director:
Dia. Vasilea Garinis; Chanter: Nicholas Paros; Kantelinautis: Panagiotis Masourides; Koliva: Evangelia Masourides; Prosforo:
Efrosoni Economakos; News Letter: Fr. John Lardas
Affiliates and Organizations of the Cathedral of SS. Constantine and Helen
Goya Advisors: Harry Paloumbis & Ismene Speliotis; Joy: Angela Papadopoulos and Anna Chrysostomou
Joy & Goya Soccer: John Athanitis,, Dean Paravalos. Adult Greek Language: Vasiliki Partiglou; Dance Instructor: Despina
and Aspasia Hotzoglou , Michelle Tsigaridas Weller; OPA (Orthodox Paidea Association): Nicholas Paros
We are approaching the 100th year anniversary of our historic community next year.
To think of how many thousands of Hellenes decided to leave their country in search of a better
life, when things looked dismal at home. How our grandparents said farewell to their families and boarded
a ship for four weeks, usually under dreadful conditions, to land in Ellis Island, and to have their names
changed and then be discharged onto the streets of New York City. Some had a contact, an address or a
society that would sponsor their arrival. Many did not. They then scattered though out the country, but
some eventually situated themselves on the outskirts of Manhattan, only a short walk over the Brooklyn
Bridge. They worked hard, long hours in difficult trades, but still needed to maintain their religion, ethnicity, and language. Their longing for their homeland drew them together, and they started meeting in a
building on Lawrence Street in downtown Brooklyn. In August of1913 this band of immigrants received
their charter from the Church of Greece to be allowed to build the first Greek Orthodox Church in all of
Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island.
They chose a Byzantine Architectural design and selected to honor Saint Constantine. This lovely
church was elevated to the status of a cathedral in 1966.
We are celebrating these pioneers along with all the parishioners who have passed through our
community, whose sacrifices, helped to maintain and give the opportunity to the following generations to
continue the Hellenic Orthodox legacy and enjoy the fruits of their hard work.
We have had Kings, Princes, Prime Ministers, Archbishops, Mayors, and Judges, just to name a
few of our guests, over the years.
We have scheduled many wonderful events over the next year, to honor the struggle of our forefathers and continue our traditions.
April 14
May 21
November 9
Some Dates to remember (more will come)
2013 – 100th Anniversary
Church Luncheon with the Archdiocese, past Priests, and dignitaries
Name Day Celebration
Annual Dance Steiner Studios "Brooklyn Navy Yard"
Article by Jim Tampakis
Picture on Left: The Groundbreaking for the building of the
A. Fantis School, 1959
Picture Above: Divine Liturgy celebrated by the Late
Archbishop Iakovos, assisted by Dn. Andonios Poulos, now
Bishop Andonios and Chancellor of the Archdiocese.

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