The Voice of Saint George - St. George Greek Orthodox Church

March/April 2012
Greek Orthodox Church
The Voice of Saint George
of Saint George
ΔΙΜΗΝΙΑΙΟ ΔΕΛΤΙΟ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗΣ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΗΣ ΚΟΙΝΟΤΗΤΑΣ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΥ
Volume 10 Issue 2
A publication of the
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the LORD.” (Matt.3:3)
«Φωνὴ βοῶντος ἐν τῇ ἐρήµῳ, Ἑτοιµάσατε τὴν ὁδὸν Κυρίου» (Ματθ. Γ:3)
A Message From Our Pastor
THE UNSINKABLE SHIP
Let’s all pull together!
Dear Faithful,
In This Issue
General Assembly Notice
Greek School/Day of
Letters
Stewardship/Members
St. George Memorial Fund
39th Annual Festival
In Every Issue  Pastor’s Message
 President’s Message
 Church Calendar
 PTO News
 Sunday School News
 G.O.Y.A. News
 Philoptochos News
 Voice of St. George
Submission Dates
I am sure that most of us have heard about the ship Titanic and its futile maiden voyage. The
owners and the builders of this ship declared it Unsinkable. There were many movies made
about the Titanic and its very prestigious, very wealthy and well known passengers.
Thousands upon thousands of movie fans flocked to the theaters to watch “TITANIC”, the
latest epic of that ship, and see this great story for themselves. As the story unfolds, we hear
the morbid echoes of the proud, confirming the ever popular motto of the ship “unsinkable”.
Unfortunately, all of us are aware of the terrible tragedy which took place. On her maiden
voyage across the North Atlantic the Titanic hit an iceberg and sank, killing over 1,500
passengers and leaving only 700 survivors.
For those who saw the movie, I’m sure they felt sorrow and sadness, as well as terror and
fright for all those passengers on board. Speculations lead us to believe that this great ship,
built by man, was ultimately brought down by his arrogance and ignorance. If the captain
and those aboard listened to that which they knew to be true, the tragedy could have been
avoided. To add insult to injury, mankind has not learned from its mistakes. Just like the
captain who knew that going full speed into the dangerous waters would endanger the lives
of all those on board the Titanic, nevertheless, he allowed the pressures and allure of glory to
blind his thoughts and vision.
So too we, who are Orthodox Christians living in this world, have been entrusted with a
specific map which will lead us to Paradise. The map is the faith and teachings of the
Orthodox Church. We, who are Orthodox, know that the teachings of the Church and the
faith are true, because these teachings have been consecrated by the blood of the martyrs who
have protected the authentic teachings of Jesus Christ Himself.
Having accepted and understood this reality, how then can we live a life which is in direct
contradiction to our Faith? How can we hold a map which gives us direction, and shows us
the eternal treasure, and willingly walk the wrong way? Indeed, our vision has been altered
with the same sins of arrogance and ignorance. The worst part about this situation is that
ultimately lives and souls are lost. We go through our time on earth, never really paying
attention to that which we know to be true. Christ himself reminds us, “When the Son of
Man comes in His glory, He will separate the sheep from the goats… (the goats) will go
away into everlasting punishment, but the sheep into eternal life” (Matthew 25:31-46).
Going back to the Titanic, we are reminded that if the captain had made the right decision
sooner, lives would have been saved. Unfortunately, the way we live gives a clear message
that we are leaving salvation for tomorrow. One thing is certain, after death there is no
repentance. The time to prove our eternal worth is now. The hours, days and years we live
on earth are the only time we have to turn our ship around.
Continued on pg. 4
Page 2
March/April 2012
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAINT GEORGE
Parish Ministries
Reverend Father Nicholas Pastrikos, Pastor
Parish Council
Church Organizations
President
Philoptochos Society - “St. Barbara”
Vassilis Keramidas
Vice President / Administration
John Lyssikatos
Vice President / Operations
George Zalokostas
Secretary
Kathy Catanzaro
Treasurer
Katerina Leftheris
Comptroller
Katerina Leftheris
Members
George Athanasopoulos
John Blazakis
Lampros Bourodimos
James Exarchakis
Anthony Kalogridis Jr.
Tom Kouridakis
George Petrantonakis
Perry Petsanas
Peter Sirimis
Special Thanks
to the “Voice of St. George”
Volunteers
Rev. Fr. Nicholas Pastrikos
Board of Trustees
Alexandra Avgitidis
Arete Bouhlas
Katina Kehayas
Eftihia Karayiannidis
Georgia Peterson
Polly Ploussiou
Effie Bouziotis, President
Cantors and Choir
Dimitrios Fousteris, Director
Church Committees
GET INVOLVED
We need your help!
Sign Up, Make a Difference, Have Fun!
Call the Church Office
(732) 463-1642
Bookmobile
Sunday School
Annual St. George Dinner Dance
Lemonia Malahias Miko,
Paul Stevens, Maggie Stavrianidis
Capital Improvements
Greek School
Panos Georgopoulos, Superintendent
Toula Karamarkos, Principal
Sofia Amaxopoulos, Katerina Kourti,
Angeliki Papasavas, Chrisoula Plias,
Iro Mavrianos, Teachers
Parent Teacher Organization
Eftychia Mattas, President
Helen Sirimis, Vice President
Aliki Doninger, Secretary
Kathy Catanzaro, Treasurer
Elections
Events/Fund Raising
Greek Festival
Greek Independence Day Parade
Greek School
Historic Committee
House & Grounds
Insurance
Library
Memorial Fund
Parking – Rutgers
New Parking Lot
Public Steward Relations
GOYA
Religious Artifacts
Yanni Frangos, President
Technology Services
Advisors
Fotini Mangafas, Head Advisor
John DeLaurentis
George Demos
Sophia Exarchakis
Evie Georgopoulos
Rita Polos
Roseanne Rexines
Mike Sirimis
Annie Sullivan
JOY/HOPE
Helen Sirimis
Love & Faith
Dimitra Kambitsis
Senior Citizens
Anna Stevens, President
Voice of St. George
Help Also Needed –
Join an Organization
Choir – Ladies Philoptochos Society
PTO - Sunday School
GOYA
JOY/HOPE – Love & Faith
To Our St. George Parishioners:
The above ministries are the
lifeblood of our parish and
perform many activities to
promote the growth of our
church. Your participation
in these organizations makes
our community more
spiritually complete.
The Voice of St. George
Page 3
ECCLESIASTICAL
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
Matins 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10:15 a.m.
Weekday Services 9:00 a.m.
ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣΤΙΚΟ
ΕΟΡΤΟΛΟΓΙΟ
Όρθρος 9:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10:15 π.μ.
Καθημερινές 9:00 π.μ.
MARCH
ΜΑΡΤΙΟΣ
Friday 2: 1st Salutations 7 p.m.
Saturday 3: 3rd Saturday of Souls
Saint Theodore
Sunday 4: Sunday of Orthodoxy
Monday 5: Great Compline 7 p.m.
Wednesday 7: Presanctified Liturgy 9a.m.
Friday 9: 2nd Salutations
Sunday 11: 2nd Sunday of Lent
Monday 12: Great Compline 7 p.m.
Wednesday 14: Presanctified Liturgy 7 p.m.
Friday 16: 3rd Salutations 7p.m.
Sunday 18: Veneration of the Holy Cross
Monday19: Great Compline 7 p.m.
Wednesday 21: Presanctified Liturgy 9 a.m.
Friday 23: 4th Salutations 7 p.m.
Sunday 25: Annunciation of the Theotokos
Monday 26: Great Compline 7 p.m.
Wednesday 28: Presanctified Liturgy 7 p.m.
Friday 30: The Akathist Hymn 7 p.m.
Παρασκευή 2: Α΄ Χαιρετισμοί της Θεοτόκου 7μ.μ.
Σάββατο 3: Γ΄ Ψυχοσάββατο
Αγίου Θεοδώρου
Κυριακή 4: Κυριακή της Ορθοδοξίας
Δευτέρα 5: Μέγα Απόδειπνο 7μ.μ.
Τετάρτη 7: Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 9 π.μ.
Παρασκευή 9: B΄ Χαιρετισμοί της Θεοτόκου 7μ.μ.
Κυριακή 11: Β΄ Κυριακή Νηστειών
Δευτέρα 12: Μέγα Απόδειπνο 7μ.μ.
Τετάρτη 14: Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 7 μ.μ.
Παρασκευή 16: Γ΄ Χαιρετισμοί της Θεοτόκου 7 μ.μ
Κυριακή 18: Σταυροπροσκυνήσεως
Δευτέρα 19: Μέγα Απόδειπνο 7 μ.μ.
Τετάρτη 21: Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 9 π.μ.
Παρασκευή 23: Δ΄ Χαιρετισμοί της Θεοτόκου 7 μ.μ
Κυριακή 25: Ευαγγελισμός της Θεοτόκου
Δευτέρα 26: Μέγα Απόδειπνο 7μ.μ.
Τετάρτη 28: Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 7 μ.μ.
Παρασκευή 30: Ακάθιστος Ύμνος 7 μ.μ.
APRIL
ΑΠΡΙΛΙΟΣ
Sunday 1: 5th Sunday of Lent
Monday 2: Great Compline 7 p.m.
Wednesday 4: Presanctified Liturgy 9 a.m.
Saturday 7: Saturday of Lazarus
Communion Breakfast for the youth
Sunday 8: Palm Sunday
Bridegroom Service 7:00 p.m.
Monday 9: Holy Monday
Tuesday 10: Holy Tuesday
Wednesday 11: Holy Wednesday
Thursday12: Holy Thursday
Friday 13: Holy Friday
Saturday 14: Holy Saturday
Sunday 15: Holy Pascha-The Resurrection
Friday 20: Life Giving Fountain
Sunday 22: Sunday of Thomas
St. George Vespers 7 p.m.
Monday 23: St. George
Sunday 29: The Myrrh Bearers
Κυριακή 1: Ε΄ Κυριακή Νηστειών
Δευτέρα 2: Μέγα Απόδειπνο 7 μ.μ.
Τετάρτη 4: Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 9 π.μ.
Σάββατο 7: Σάββατο του Λαζάρου
Πρόγευμα μετά την Θεία Κοινωνία
Κυριακή 8: Κυριακή των Βαΐων
Ακολουθία Νυμφίου 7: 00 μ.μ.
Δευτέρα 9: Μεγάλη Δευτέρα
Τρίτη 10: Μεγάλη Τρίτη
Τετάρτη 11: Μεγάλη Τετάρτη
Πέμπτη 12: Μεγάλη Πέμπτη
Παρασκευή 13: Μεγάλη Παρασκευή
Σάββατο 14: Μεγάλο Σάββατο
Κυριακή 15: Άγιον Πάσχα
Παρασκευή 20: Της Ζωοδόχου Πηγής
Κυριακή 22: Κυριακή του Θωμά
Εσπερινός Αγίου Γεωργίου 7 μ..μ.
Δευτέρα 23: Αγίου Γεωργίου
Κυριακή 29: Κυριακή τον Μυροφόρων
The Easter Program will be mailed separately
Το Πασχαλινό Πρόγραμμα θα ταχυδρομηθεί ξεχωριστά
Page 4
March/April 2012
Continued from pg. 1
If we leave it for tomorrow, we may be caught off guard. “No one knows the hour, nor the day, of their death.” (Matthew 25:31)
Use this Lenten Season which is upon us to embrace the repentant joy taught by our Orthodox Church. However, what good is
knowledge if we ignore it? What good is a map if we refuse to read and follow it? Through proper and appropriate prayer and
fasting, with the Sacrament of Holy Confession, and the guidance of a Spiritual Father, willingly accept the challenges of the
renewal period. The Church is a great ship which travels on faith, calling everyone to enter. She cannot force anyone to come
aboard. Nor can she keep anyone on board who does not want to be there. But two things are certain. The Orthodox Church is
bringing her faithful passengers to Paradise, and the Church, the Orthodox Church, is Unsinkable!!!
Rev. Fr. Nicholas Pastrikos
Μήνυμα του Ιερατικώς Προϊσταμένου
ΤΟ ΑΒΥΘΙΣΤΟ ΠΛΟΙΟ
Ας συνεργαστούμε όλοι μαζί!
Αγαπητοί Ενορίτες,
Είμαι βέβαιος πως όλοι μας γνωρίζουμε την ιστορία του Τιτανικού πλοίου και το τραγικό του παρθενικό ταξίδι. Οι
κατασκευαστές του πλοίου όπως και οι ιδιοκτήτες του το διακήρυξαν «Αβύθιστο». Πολλές ταινίες έχουν γυριστεί για το μοιραίο
αυτό πλοίο και τους διάσημους επιβάτες του. Όλοι έχουμε δει την τελευταία ταινία με το όνομα «ΤΙΤΑΝΙΚΟΣ». Ακούμε τις
ζητωκραυγές όλων που αποκαλούν το πλοίο αβύθιστο. Δυστυχώς, όμως όλοι μας είμαστε γνώστες της τραγωδίας που πρόκειται
να εξελιχθεί: Βρισκόμενο αντιμέτωπο με το πελώριο παγόβουνο βυθίζεται παίρνοντας μαζί του 1500 ζωές.
Όσοι έχουν δει την ταινία, είμαι βέβαιος πως έχουν αισθανθεί λύπη και τρόμο για τους επιβάτες και την τύχη που τους βρήκε. Η
κοινή λογική μας λέει πως αυτό το υπέροχο πλοίο, κατασκευασμένο από ανθρώπινα χέρια έχει βυθιστεί λόγω της ανθρώπινης
υπερηφάνειας και αλαζονείας. Αν ο πλοίαρχος και όλοι οι υπεύθυνοι ακολούθησαν την απλή λογική, η τραγωδία θα
αποφεύγοταν. Ο άνθρωπος όμως, δυστυχώς δεν έχει μάθει από τα λάθη του. Ακριβώς όπως ο πλοίαρχος ενώ γνώριζε πως έπρεπε
να αποφύγει τα επικίνδυνα νερά του Βορείου Ατλαντικού, θέλησε να διακινδυνεύσει τις ζωές όλων των επιβατών. Η αγάπη του
για την δόξα τύφλωσαν την κρίση και την όρασή του.
Έτσι και σε μας τους Ορθοδόξους Χριστιανούς που ζούμε σ’αυτή την κοινωνία, μας έχει εμπιστευθεί ο Κύριος με το χάρτη που
οδηγεί στον Παράδεισο. Ο χάρτης αυτός είναι η Πίστη και τα διδάγματα της Ορθοδόξου εκκλησίας. Σαν Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί,
γνωρίζουμε πως τα διδάγματα της εκκλησίας και η Πίστη είναι αληθή, γιατί αυτά τα διδάγματα έχουν καθαγιαστεί από το αίμα
των μαρτύρων εκείνων που θυσιάστηκαν για την διατήρηση των διδαγμάτων του Ιησού Χριστού.
Γνωρίζοντας και παραδεχόμενοι την πραγματικότητα αυτή, γιατί εξακολουθούμε να ζούμε μια ζωή που βρίσκεται σε αντίθεση με
την Πίστη μας; Πως μπορούμε να κρατάμε ένα χάρτη που μας δίνει την κατεύθυνση και μας υποδεικνύει τον αιώνιο θησαυρό και
εντούτοις παίρνουμε τον αντίθετο δρόμο; Πραγματικά, η κρίση μας και η όρασή μας έχουν αλλοιωθεί από την άγνοια και την
αλαζονεία μας. Το χειρότερο είναι ότι ζωές και ψυχές χάνονται. Ζούμε πάνω στη γη χωρίς να δίνουμε προσοχή σ’ αυτό που
γνωρίζουμε ότι είναι αληθινό. Ο ίδιος ο Χριστός μας υπενθυμίζει, «Όταν ο Υιός του Ανθρώπου έλθει με Δόξα...θα χωρίσει τα
πρόβατα από τις γίδες...οι γίδες θα οδηγηθούν στον τόπο της αιωνίας κολάσεως, ενώ τα πρόβατα προς την αιώνιο
ζωή.» (Ματθαίου 25:31-46)
Γυρίζοντας πίσω στον Τιτανικό, αν ο πλοίαρχος έπαιρνε την ορθή απόφαση νωρίτερα, οι ζωές των επιβατών θα σώζονταν.
Δυστυχώς όμως, όλοι αφήνουμε την σωτηρία μας για την επαύριο. Ένα πράγμα είναι σίγουρο το ότι μετά τον θάνατο δεν υπάρχει
σωτηρία. Ο καιρός να απαλλαγούμε από τα αμαρτήματα μας είναι τώρα. Οι στιγμές, οι ημέρες και τα χρόνια που ζούμε εδώ
στη γη είναι ο μόνος χρόνος που έχουμε για να οδηγήσουμε το πλοίο μας προς την ορθή κατεύθυνση. Αν το αφήσουμε για αύριο,
ίσως να είναι πολύ αργά. «Κανείς δεν γνωρίζει την ώρα ή την ημέρα του θανάτου του.» (Ματθαίου 25:31)
Συνέχεια στη σελίδα 5
The Voice of St. George
Page 5
Ας εκμεταλλευτούμε αυτήν την περίοδο της Νηστείας για να νοιώσουμε την χαρά της μετάνοιας. Αλλά, ποιο το όφελος της
γνώσεως αν δεν την κάνουμε πράξη; Ποιο το όφελος του χάρτη εάν αρνούμαστε να τον διαβάσουμε και να τον ακολουθήσουμε;
Μέσω της σωστής προσευχής και νηστείας και με την Εξομολόγηση, όπως και την Καθοδήγηση, ας δεχθούμε την πρόσκληση
για πνευματική ανανέωση. Η Εκκλησία είναι ένα αγέρωχο πλοίο που ταξιδεύει με πίστη, καλώντας όλους να το επιβιβαστούμε.
Δεν μπορεί να μας εξαναγκάσει να επιβιβαστούμε. Ούτε και μπορεί να μας κρατήσει εάν δεν θέλουμε να παραμείνουμε
επιβιβασμένοι σ’ αυτό. Αλλά δύο πράγματα είναι βέβαια: Η Ορθόδοξος Εκκλησία οδηγεί τους πιστούς ταξιδιώτες της στον
Παράδεισο και η Ορθόδοξος Εκκλησία είναι ΑΒΥΘΙΣΤΗ!!!
Πατήρ Νικόλαος Παστρικός
Parent Teacher Organization — P. T. O.
“Pulling Together for Our Kids”
We would like to thank all for organizing and coordinating our very special tribute to the teachers of our Greek School and
Religious Education School on January 29th, 2012, in celebration of the Three Hierarchs. We would also like to thank the ladies
and gentlemen who helped make this event a success. It is with your continued support and contributions that we are able to
celebrate our culture and heritage which in turn gives our children a solid future.
On Sunday February 12th the P.T.O celebrated Godparents Day. We would like to thank everyone who helped decorate the
lampathes and corsages. Thank you to everyone who purchased and celebrated the day with their godchildren as well.
On Sunday February 19th, the P.T.O. celebrated the annual Apokreatiko Glendi. We wholeheartedly want to thank everyone for
making the event a success.
On Saturday March 24th, at 11:00 am, the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth grade Greek School students will celebrate Greek Independence
Day by reciting poetry in memory of this very important day in our history. Please join them and their families at the AHEPA
Hall.
On Saturday April 7th, the Day of Lazarus, the P.T.O. will host the Lenten Communion Breakfast after church services.
Everyone in our community is welcome to join us. The children will color their Easter eggs right after the breakfast.
On Easter Morning, April 15th, following the “Agapi” service, the children and their families will enjoy an Easter Egg Hunt.
Send an email to [email protected] if you can help with the Egg Hunt set-up that morning.
We would like to thank all families who supported and sold for the chocolate sale making it a great success.
Through your generous donations and support over the years, the P.T.O. has been bringing wonderful programs to our church.
Our Community events have doubled in attendance each year as we continue to bring new and exciting programs for all families
and the community.
It is important that the work we are doing for the community and the Greek and Sunday Schools continue. We need your help to
move forward with all current and future programs!
We need your support!!
The Saint George PTO Board Officers
Page 6
March/April 2012
President’s Message
Dear Parishioners,
In the first meeting of the New Year, the newly elected Board for 2012, held elections for the Executive Committee. I was
re-elected President and I want to thank my fellow Board members for their vote of confidence to lead the Board and the
St. George Church and Community for another year. John Lyssikatos was re-elected Vice President of Administration,
George Zalokostas takes over as Vice President of Operations (many thanks are due to George Athanasopoulos for his
many years of service in that role), Kathy Catanzaro is our new Secretary (with assistance from Peter Sirimis, who will
take the meetings’ minutes; gratitude to Jim Exarchakis for doing such an excellent job during the past year), Katerina
Leftheris is our new Treasurer and Vassilis (Bill) Fotis is the new Comptroller. We are all dedicated and ready to serve
you. However, the affairs of the Church are too demanding to be handled by the Board members alone.
As before, I urge you again: Get involved and join us in the service of St George.
Another important change is the arrival of Dimitri Fousteris, who will be our Protopsalti and Choir Director and his wife
Helena who will be his assistant. I want to thank George Bilalis for his years of service and wish him the very best. Dimitri
and Helena are professionals, who are being charged with strengthening and improving our existing choir, so that we
continue to hear the hymns that uplift us and enhance our liturgical experience.
More importantly, they are charged with starting a Youth and Children’s Choir.
This daunting challenge cannot be accomplished by Dimitri and Helena alone. The children of today are a very busy lot.
Musical activities and participating in the choir may not be high on their “things to do” list. All of us, and especially the
parents and youth advisers, must make the commitment to help accomplish this lofty goal.
Speaking of commitment to help, preparations for our annual festival, our strongest revenue generating venue, co-chaired
again by John Lyssikatos and Mike Dimitrakis, are already under way. Come to the Festival meetings, help John and
Mike, volunteer to head, or simply join a Committee. They need your help.
By the time you read this, it will be time for our March General Assembly. As we approach our 100th anniversary, thanks
to the hard work of our predecessors, our Community is now united and stable. We have steadily increasing revenues and
very active youth programs. And so, it is time, as I mentioned in my three previous Messages, to start discussions for
establishing a vision for our Church’s future. It is time, especially for the younger members, who are the future, to come
and offer their ideas. Usually, the attendance at General Assembly meetings is disappointingly low. Let’s change that.
Please plan to attend the March General Assembly Meeting, on March 18, 2012
We have a lot to talk about: how to grow our Stewardship program, the status of our rental, revenue generating properties,
ways of paying back the loan we took for purchasing 7 Kroger Lane, what should we plan to do with our real estate
holdings, and much more...
See you all on March 18th and Kali Sarakosti.
Vassilis G. Keramidas, President
The Voice of St. George
Page 7
Μήνυμα του Προέδρου
Αγαπητοί Πάροικοι,
Στην πρώτη συνεδρίαση του Νέου Έτους, το νεοεκλεγμένο Διοικητικό Συμβούλιο, διεξήγαγε τις εκλογές για την Εξελεγκτική
Επιτροπή του 2012. Επανεκλέγην Πρόεδρος και θα ήθελα να ευχαριστήσω τους συνάδελφούς μου για την ψήφο τους και την
εμπιστοσύνη τους να ηγηθώ της Εκκλησίας και της Κοινότητας του Αγίου Γεωργίου για ένα ακόμα έτος. Ο Γιάννης Λυσικάτος
επανεκλέγει Αντιπρόεδρος για τα Διοικητικά και ο Γιώργος Ζαλοκώστας αναλαμβάνει καθήκοντα Αντιπροέδρου για τα
Επιχειρησιακά. Πολλά ευχαριστώ στον Γιώργο Αθανασόπουλο για τα πολλά χρόνια υπηρεσίας του σε αυτόν τον ρόλο. Η
Κατερίνα Catanzaro είναι η νέα μας Γραμματέας με βοηθό τον Παναγιώτη Συρίμη ο οποίος θα καταγράφει τα πρακτικά των
συνεδριάσεων. Τις ευχαριστίες μας στον Δημήτρη Εξαρχάκη για την εξαιρετική δουλειά σε αυτόν τον τομέα στην χρονιά που
πέρασε. Η Κατερίνα Λευθέρη είναι η νέα μας Ταμίας και ο Βασίλης Φώτης ο νέος μας Ελεγκτής. Είμαστε όλοι αφοσιωμένοι και
έτοιμοι να σας εξυπηρετήσουμε. Παρ’ όλα αυτά, οι υποθέσεις της κοινότητας μας είναι πολύ απαιτητικές για να τις χειρίζονται
μόνο τα μέλη του Διοικητικού Συμβουλίου.
Όπως και πριν, σας παροτρύνω: Λάβετε όλοι μέρος και ενωθείτε μαζί μας στην υπηρεσία του Αγίου Γεωργίου.
Μια άλλη σπουδαία αλλαγή είναι η επιστροφή του Δημήτρη Φουστέρη ο οποίος θα είναι ο Πρωτοψάλτης μας και Διευθυντής
της Χορωδίας μας μαζί με την σύζυγο και βοηθό του Έλενα. Θέλω να ευχαριστήσω τον Γιώργο Μπιλάλη για τα χρόνια της
υπηρεσίας του και να του ευχηθώ ότι καλύτερο. Ο Δημήτρης και η Έλενα είναι επαγγελματίες και αναλαμβάνουν να
δυναμώσουν και να καλυτερεύσουν την Χορωδία μας, έτσι ώστε να συνεχίσουμε να ακούμε ύμνους που θα μας ανυψώνουν και
θα εμπλουτίζουν την εκκλησιαστική μας γνώση.
Το πιο σπουδαίο βέβαια θα είναι το ξεκίνημα της παιδικής χορωδίας και της χορωδίας των νέων.
Αυτό δεν μπορεί να γίνει μόνο από τον Δημήτρη και την Έλενα. Τα σημερινά παιδιά είναι πολυάσχολα. Η μουσική τους παιδεία
και η συμμετοχή τους στην χορωδία ίσως να μην είναι στην κορυφή των προτεραιοτήτων τους. Όλοι μας, και ειδικά οι γονείς
και οι σύμβουλοι της νεολαίας πρέπει να δεσμευτούμε ότι θα βοηθήσουμε να επιτευχθεί αυτός ο ιερός σκοπός.
Μιλώντας για υποχρεώσεις και δεσμεύσεις για βοήθεια, σας υπενθυμίζω ότι οι προετοιμασίες για το ετήσιο Φεστιβάλ έχουν
ξεκινήσει. Το Φεστιβάλ του Αγίου Γεωργίου είναι αυτό που μας φέρνει το μεγαλύτερο εισόδημα και το έχουν αναλάβει και
πάλι ο Γιάννης Λυσικάτος και ο Μανώλης Δημητράκης. Ελάτε στις συνεδριάσεις του Φεστιβάλ και βοηθήστε τον Γιάννη και
τον Μανώλη με το να αναλάβετε μια επιτροπή ή απλά να συμμετέχετε σε αυτή. Χρειαζόμαστε την βοήθεια όλων.
Μέχρι να διαβάσετε αυτό το τεύχος, θα έχει έρθει η μέρα της Γενικής Συνέλευσης. Βαδίζουμε προς την 100η επέτειο μας και
χάρη στην σκληρή δουλειά των προκάτοχων μας, η κοινότητα μας είναι τώρα ενωμένη και δυνατή. Έχουμε σταθερά ανερχόμενο
εισόδημα και πολύ ενεργό πρόγραμμα για την νεολαία μας. Έτσι, ήρθε ο καιρός, όπως έχω πει και στα προηγούμενα τρία
μηνύματα μου, να αρχίσουμε να συζητούμε την εδραίωση ενός οράματος για το μέλλον της κοινότητας μας. Είναι πλέον καιρός,
ιδιαίτερα για τους νέους μας που είναι και το μέλλον μας, να έρθουν και να προβάλουν τις ιδέες τους. Συνήθως η παρουσία των
μελών στις Γενικές Συνελεύσεις είναι απογοητευτικά χαμηλή. Ας το αλλάξουμε αυτό.
Σας παρακαλώ σχεδιάστε να παρευρεθείτε στην Γενική Συνέλευση, στις 18 Μαρτίου 2012.
Έχουμε πολλά να συζητήσουμε: πώς να μεγαλώσουμε το πρόγραμμα της εκούσιας εισφοράς και άλλους τρόπους εισοδήματος,
τι θα κάνουμε με τις ιδιοκτησίες μας και άλλα πολλά.
Ευελπιστώ να σας δω όλους στις 18 Μαρτίου, Καλή Σαρακοστή.
Βασίλης Γ. Κεραμιδάς, Πρόεδρος
Page 8
March/April 2012
Ladies Philoptochos Society “St. Barbara”
The annual Vasilopita Celebration
benefiting St. Basil Academy,
sponsored
by
the
Ladies
Philoptochos Society, took place
on January 15, 2012 in the Ahepa
Hall and was very well attended.
Fr. Nicholas began the celebration
with a prayer and his comments
regarding the support which St.
Basil Academy needs, not just
from our community, but from all
communities throughout our
nation. President Effie Bouziotis
thanked everyone for attending
and reminded the gathering that their donations will benefit the
children at St. Basil Academy. She also reminded everyone
that two members of our community serve on the St. Basil
Board of Trustees: Mrs. Evellyn Tsiadis, President of the St.
Basil Board of Trustees, and Mr. Charles Theokas. Because of
the generosity of our parishioners who attended this activity,
the Philoptochos will be sending $1,200 to St. Basil
Academy. Fr. Nicholas presided over the cutting and
distribution of the delicious pites, which the ladies had baked
and donated for the activity. We thank these ladies as well as
all those who made such generous donations for this occasion.
Pres. Bouziotis thanked chairladies Anna Kalogridis and
Christine Petrantonakis, and all those who worked so hard to
make this event such a success.
On Sunday, March 4, a Memorial Service for our deceased
members will be held. Following the memorial and Divine
Liturgy, our annual Lenten Luncheon for the entire
community will take place in the AHEPA Hall. A delicious
lenten luncheon is planned for this occasion and all our
parishioners are encouraged to attend.
Once again, the Philoptochos Needy Cases Fund Committee
extends its heartfelt thanks and deepest appreciation to the
parishioners and organizations of the St. George Community
for their generous donations to the Needy Cases Fund through
their participation in the 2011 community Christmas Card.
Also, special thanks to those parishioners for their continued
support through their participation in the United Way and
Matching Programs at their place of employment. We wish to
acknowledge the following names that did not appear on the
2011 Christmas Card:
Milton and Anastasia Ballas,
Harry and Evelyn Mataras,
Mr. & Mrs. P. Stavrianidis and Family,
and In Memory of Olga Schadas
On February 4, 2012, the Metropolis of New Jersey
Philoptochos held its AGAPE Luncheon at the Pines Manor.
The honorees at this luncheon were Philoptochos 50 year
members from throughout the Metropolis. Representing our
Philoptochos were our 50 year members Mary Blazakis,
Nancy Liverakos, Evelyn Mataras, and Mary Kuklakis.
We are very proud of our ladies and thank them for their
continued dedication to the Philoptochos. To all four of our
ladies we extend our congratulations and best wishes for this
most deserving honor.
Our next meetings are scheduled for February 25, March 31,
and April 28 at 11:00 a.m. in the Memorial Room. To all our
members and to the entire St. George Community, we extend
our best wishes for a very Happy Easter!
**Remember to direct your
UNITED WAY donation to the
St. George Needy Cases Fund
United Way Reference
Number 032224.**
***************************
Easter Tsourekia Sale
April 7 and 8, 2012
Order your tsourekia early!
****************************
You are invited to attend the
LENTEN LUNCHEON
Sunday, March 4, 2012
After the Divine Liturgy in the AHEPA Hall
Sponsored by The Ladies Philoptochos
Society ‘St. Barbara’
Donations Will Benefit
Hellenic College/Holy Cross Seminary
The
Voice of 2008
St. George
September
Page 9
St. George Memorial Fund
The wall covering for the Memorial Room has been
completed. The sconces in front of the church will
soon be reinstalled. The painting of the interior of the
church including the ceiling is being scheduled. As
we all know, we have a beautiful Memorial Tree
located in the Memorial Room of the Community
Center. Anyone wishing to purchase a leaf ($350); a
dove ($2,000) or a stone ($1,500) in memory of a
loved one “May their memory by eternal,” please
contact either John Stroumtsos and/or Fr. Nick
Pastrikos by calling the church office.
General Assembly Meeting - Sunday, March 18, 2012
We ask that everyone attends this meeting.
Many important issues will be discussed concerning the progress of our community.
This is where your voice will be heard!
First call: March 11, 2012
ALTAR BOYS’ SCHEDULE - MARCH/APRIL 2012
(The Altar Boy Schedule for 2012 will be published in The Voice on a bimonthly basis)
Altar Boys: Please make sure that you follow the schedule accordingly.
If any Altar Boy cannot make the schedule please contact Mr. John Makropoulos at 732-329-6254.
March 2nd
March 3rd
March 4th
March 9th
March 11th
March 16th
March 18th
March 23rd
March 25th
March 30th
Groups A (Evening)
April 1st
Group B (Saturday)
th
Group C (Saturday)
th
Group D (Palm Sunday)
Group C & D
Group A (Evening)
Group B
Group C (Evening)
Group D & A
Group B (Evening)
Group C
Group D & A (Evening)
Group B
April 7
April 8
th
April 9
Group A (Holy Monday)
April 10
th
Group B (Holy Tuesday)
April 11
th
Group C (Holy Wednesday Afternoon)
April 11
th
Group D & A (Holy Wednesday Evening)
April 12
th
Group B & C (Holy Thursday Evening)
April 13
th
Group D (Holy Friday Afternoon)
th
Group A & B (Holy Friday Evening)
th
Group C (Holy Saturday Morning)
th
Group D & A (Resurrection Service)
Group B (Easter Service 11:00 am)
April 13
April 14
April 14
April 15th
Page 10
March/April 2012
Greek Orthodox Youth Association — G. O. Y. A.
GOYA has been extremely busy in the new year. January and
February were full of events.
Congratulations!
Starting in January we began our Sights and Sounds practices.
Our dancers are looking great, the play is very entertaining, and
our choral speaking and singing groups sound great. We even
have a band this year. We are very proud and excited for our
groups. Advisors and parents have volunteered their time in
making this event successful.
Also in January we had a Lock-In at Toms River along with the
Trenton GOYA where we had lots of fun as well as discussions
about Liturgy. On January 22nd we had our GOYA Gyro Sale
and we would like to thank everyone who supported our
fundraiser.
Lastly we had volleyball and basketball Play-Offs. All teams
played well and exhibited great sportsmanship. We all had a
fun time at Toms River and would like to thank everyone who
came out to support us.
1st Place Girls Volleyball Team
CONGRATULATIONS to our Girls Volleyball Team for
winning 1st Place and to our Sr. Boys Basketball team for
winning 3rd Place! Great Job Everyone!
February is going to be a month we all can say is stressful, but
yet extremely exciting! All volleyball and basketball practices
have ended and Sights & Sounds is getting closer! Practices
will be getting more intense. All the groups will perform for
our Church on February 26th, in the AHEPA Hall after church,
so please come out and support the GOYA! Then finally,
Sights & Sounds is on Saturday, March 3rd, at Westfield. Wish
us luck!
Respectfully submitted,
Ekaterini Robles
Goya Historian
3rd Place Sr. Boys Basketball Team
Our Parish Chanter Dimitrios Fousteris would like to form a Byzantine Choir. This group is
open to everyone who is interested in learning this enriching tradition of our church. If you are
interested please contact Father Nicholas at 732-463-1642 as soon as possible. As yet a date has
not been set, it will depend on the interest shown.
The Voice of St. George
Page 11
Greek School / Ελληνικό Σχολείο
The Feast of the Three Hierarchs, which is celebrated on
January 30, has also been established as a celebration of
Greek Letters. On January 29, our Greek school celebrated
the Feast of the Three Hierarchs with poems that were recited
by students of the fourth, fifth and sixth grade, and with a
short speech about the life and work of the Three Hierarchs
read by Phivos Christodoulides, a 6th grade student.
That same evening, at the Clifton church, the Metropolis of
New Jersey held an event in honor of the day of the Letters,
and our school children recited poems. We are very proud of
our children for successfully reciting their poems.
For the great Feast of the Annunciation, which is also Greek
Independence Day, our school will celebrate with poems and
skits. We invite the whole community to honor us with its
presence on Saturday, March 24, as we admire our children.
We would like to thank the ladies of the PTO who work so
hard and offer their valuable time for the needs of our school.
We would also like to wish all parents of our school and our
community a Happy Easter, and may our Lord grant health
and joy to all.
The school will be closed throughout Holy Week from April
9 until April 15.
Sincerely,
Την εορτή των Τριών Ιεραρχών που είναι στις 30 Ιανουαρίου
και καθιερώθηκε ως εορτή των Ελληνικών γραμμάτων το
Ελληνικό σχολείο μας γιόρτασε με ποιήματα που είπαν
μαθητές της 4ης, 5ης και 6ης τάξης και με μια σύντομη ομιλία
από τον μαθητή της 6ης Φοίβο Χριστοδουλίδη για τη ζωή και
το έργο των Τριών Ιεραρχών.
Την ίδια ημέρα στις 6 η ώρα το βράδυ, στην εκκλησία του
Clifton, η Μητρόπολη της Νέας Ιερσέης για να τιμήσει την
ημέρα των γραμμάτων είχε μια εκδήλωση και τα παιδιά του
σχολείου μας απήγγειλαν ποιήματα. Είμαστε πολύ
υπερήφανοι για τα παιδιά μας που με τόση επιτυχία είπαν τα
ποιήματά τους.
Στην μεγάλη εορτή του Ευαγγελισμού της Θεοτόκου που
είναι και η εθνική μας εορτή, το σχολείο μας θα γιορτάσει με
ποιήματα και σκετς και προσκαλούμε όλη την κοινότητα στις
24 Μαρτίου να μας τιμήσει με την παρουσία της και να
καμαρώσει τα παιδιά μας.
Θα θέλαμε να ευχαριστήσουμε τις αξιότιμες κυρίες του PTO
που εργάζονται τόσο σκληρά και προσφέρουν την πολύτιμη
ώρα τους για τις ανάγκες του σχολείου μας. Επίσης θα
θέλαμε να ευχηθούμε σε όλους τους γονείς του σχολείου μας
και σε όλη την κοινότητα Καλό Πάσχα και ο Αναστάς κύριος
να χαρίζει σε όλους υγεία και χαρά.
Το σχολείο θα είναι κλειστό όλη την Μεγάλη Εβδομάδα από
τις 9 μέχρι τις 15 Απριλίου.
The teachers of the Greek School
Με εκτίμηση,
Οι δασκάλες του Ελληνικού Σχολείου
Page 12
March/April 2012
Stewardship/ΠΡΟΣΦΟΡΑ (Εκούσια Εισφορά της Εκκλησίας)
Stewardship Report through December 31, 2011
Summary as of:
Number of Pledges
Amount
Pledged
Average
600
232,630
387
624
250,785
371
652
246,765
378
(24)
845
16
(52)
(14,135)
9
December 31, 2011
December 31, 2010
December 31, 2009
Variance - 2011 vs.
2010 >>
Variance - 2011 vs.
2009 >>
Above is the Stewardship Report as of December 31, 2011. In summary, as of December 31, 2011, we
received 600 pledges totaling $232,630 for an average pledge of $387. The $232,630 pledged as
of December 31, 2011 compares favorably to the $231,785 pledged as of the same time last year. The 600
pledges for calendar year 2011 compare unfavorably to the 624 pledges received for 2010. Of the total
pledges, $228,360 has been collected. The average pledge of $387 for 2011 compares favorably to the $371
average pledge for 2010. As a reminder, please submit your Stewardship pledge for 2012.
2011 Members as of January 31, 2012
George & Barbara Abadiotakis
George & Elizabeth Abadiotakis Jr
John & Sofia Abadiotakis
Mrs Kathryn Achaves
Mr Alexander Adamides
Thanasis & Anastasia Agoras
Peter & Stella E Agrapides
Carmine & Sophia Albanese
Mrs Evangelia Alexander
John & Maxine Alexis
John & Emilia Alexopoulos
Mrs Aspasia Alfaro
Ms Liberty Alfieris
Mrs Demetria Alfieris
Mrs Helen Allinder
Larry & Stacey Alphas
Emanuel & Frances Alvarez
Manuel & Ann Alvarez
Miss Savoula Amanatidis
Dimos & Sofia Amaxopoulos
John & Vanessa Amaxopoulos
Vasilios & Constance Amaxopoulos
Demetrios & Kanella Anastasatos
Panayiotis & Peggy Anastasiou
Mrs Virginia Andrews
Elias & Leina Atallah
Mr Andreas Athanasopoulos
George & Kyriakoula Athanasopoulos
Anestis & Alexandra Avgitidis
Mr Antonios Ballas
Evan & Tina Andricopoulos
Milton C & Anastasia Ballas
Demetris & Eleni Andronikou
Joseph & Dana Balsamo
M John & Rose Angelakos
Nektarios & Eleni Banis
Emanuel & Irene Antonakakis
John & Linda Barbagiannis
Andreas & Panagiota Antoniou
Mrs Mary Barre'
Constantine & Eleni Apostolakis
Paul & Rose Batsarika
Frank & Camille Araps
Daniel Baurkot & Peggy Baurkot Raptis
Miguel & Nikolitsa Araujo
Mrs Bertha Bekiaris
Demetrios & Anastasia Arhontoulis
Theodore & Mary Belcheff
Elpidoforos D & Stephanie Arhontoulis Athanasios & Foteini Bizekis
Miss Maria Arhontoulis
Mike & Athinoulla Bizos
Stamatis & Pauline Arkoulakis
Mrs Mary Blazakis
Dr Lia S Arvanitidou
Mr John Blazakis
Miss Andrea Asimoglou
Mrs Vasiliki Bliziotis
Elias & Olga Asimoglou
Nick & Voula Bonis
The Voice of St. George
Konstantine & Carrie Bonis
John Botzolakis &
Dionyssia Petropoulou
Dimitri N & Maria D Bouhlas
George & Mary Boulegeris
Mrs Eleni Bourodimos
Lampros E & Naomi Bourodimos
Sotirios & Christy Bouziotis
Stavros & Effie Bouziotis
Mrs Helen Bouzos
Joseph & Maria Boyadjis
Arthur & Niki Brachowski
Mrs Helen Breznak
Michael Bordieri & Alexis Bordier
Salvatore & Demetra Buono
Carlyle G & Mary J Caldwell
Peter & Debra Camamis
Michael & Ellen Cambilis
George & Mary Captain
Ralph & Maria Caputo
Francis J & Katherine Catanzaro
John & Tammy Lynne Chafos
John & Catherine Chick
Andrew M & Kelly Chiotis
Miss Dana Christianis
Christos & Maria Christodoulatos
Savvas & Maria Christodoulides
Theodoros & Thomai Chronis
James & Christine Colitsas
Anthony & Mary Colletto
Mr Dennis Columbis
Mr Peter Combates
Mihai & Maria Constantin
Mrs Anastasia Copachiarys
Thomas P & Areti Copeland
Mrs Ariadne Coules
Joseph & Ellie D'Elia
Panagiotis & Heather Dafnos
Stefanos & Kathy Damianakis
Mrs Despina Danas
Mr Dimitris Danas
Nikolaos & Patricia Dazos
Jon & Kathryn Dean
Perikles & Dina Dedopoulos
Mrs Melanie McDermott Hughes
John & Chrisoula DeLaurentis
Page 13
Lawrence & Athanasia DelGuercio
Mrs Stamatiki Demelis
Mr George Demetriou
George Demos Jr & Maria Demos
Mr James Demules
Mr Lee Dervech
Gerasimos & Kristen Diagelakis
Ioannis & Gerasimoula Diamantis
Christos & Helen Giannios
Evangelos & Mitza Giannos
Nicholas & Vasiliki Gianoukakis
Miss Christina Ginter
Kostas S & Argie Glynos
Edward T & Evagelia Gomolka
Mr Nicholas Gonedes
Mrs Mary Diamantis
Dimetrios & Michele Greberis
Evangelos & Matilde Dimitrakopoulos
Arthur & Jennie Gussis
George & Carol Ann Gussis
Mrs Christine H Gussis
Dimitri & Maria Hadjiapostoli
George & Lefkothea Hadjiloucas
Mrs Vasiliki Hadzimichalis
Emanuel & Amalia Halkiadakis
Nickos & Evmorfia Halkias
Dimitrios & Evangelia Hantsoulis
Mr Peter Happas
Eric Hargreaves & Konstantina Matsoukas
Mrs Martha Harris
Nikolaos & Koula Hatzis
Efthimios & Nora Hionis
Evangelos & Stamatoula Hionis
Mr Gerasimos Hionis
Joseph & Kathryn Hirschman
Panagis & Lynn Hionis
Spiros & Angeliki Hionis
Mr Spiros Hionis
John & Victoria H Horvath
Niels & Louise Hoyvald
Pericles & Daphne Ioulianou
Dimitrios & Katholiki Dimitrakis
Mike & Mary Dimitrakis
Stilianos & Hrisoula Dimitrakis
Bogdan & Sanda Donose
Brian & Nancy Dougherty
Jon & Debbie Drake
Michael & Evangeline Emanuel
Nicholas & Helen Englezos
Mrs Anne Erbacher
Mrs Georgia Exarchakis
James G & Sophia Exarchakis
Mrs Afroditi Farag
Conrad F & Joanna Feist
Themis & Niki Fiotakis
Mrs Bessie Forakis
Mr Basil Fottis
Nicholas & Renee Michelle Fottis
Andreas & Eve Fragioudakis
Ms Irene Frangos
George & Kyriaki Dyer
George & Nicole D Gagis
Serafim & Sotiria Galatas
Phillip P & Maria Gaito
Nicholas & Helen Gargalidis
Robert & Katina Garthe
Dimitrios Gavalas & Katherine Kourti
Anthony & Helen Gegelys
Mrs Lynne Gementgis
Ned K & Elizabeth George
Mrs Widad George
Constantine & Nancy Georgiades
George & Panagiota Georgiou
Panagiotis & Evie Georgopoulos
Stanley & Nickie Gerondelis
Nikolaos Giannikouris &
Irene Papasavvas
Michael & Diane Gianakos
John & Peggy Gonis
George & Alexandra Janow
Thomas & Susan Joannou
Mrs Grammatiki N Kagdis
Lazaros & Constantina Kakalis
Damianos & Kathy Kalabratzidis
Evan & Calli Kalambakas
Mr Thomas Kalanekos
Gregory & Roseanne Kaldes
John & Evelyn Kallas
Nicolas & Maria Kallas
Mrs Anastasia Kallias
Emmanuel & Anna Kalogridakis
Page 14
March/April 2012
Anthony & Anna Kalogridis
Mr Antonios Jr Kalogridis
Miss Chrisoula Kalogridis
Eftihios & Anastasia Kalogridis
Ioannis N & Sandy Kalogridis
Mr Michael Kalogridis
Anthony & Maria Kamarinopoulos
Mr Demetrius Kambitsis
Mrs Dimitra Kambitsis
Mr Nicholas Kambitsis
Mrs Leonila Kambitsis
John & Maria Kanaras
Stylianos & Katerina Kanellos
Mrs Anastasia Kangos
Mr Anthony Kanterakis
Mrs Chrysanthe Kanterakis
Emmanuel & Irene Kanterakis
Markos & Maria Kantilierakis
Stamatis & Anastasia Kantilierakis
Hristos & Argyro Kapasakis
Mrs Aspasia Karagiozis
John & Angela Karakoglou
Mr James Karamanos
Mrs Toula Karamarkos
Athanasios & Virginia Karandrikas
Spiro & Sofia Karas
Demetrios & Eftihia Karayiannidis
James & Tasoula Kartatos
Mrs Alice Kartikis
Mr David Horowitz & Family
Kosmas & Dimitra Kasimatis
Basil S & Katherine B Kasimis
John & Efstathia Katsiaficas
Mr Christos Katsifis
Thomas & Maria Kavouras
John & Marietta Kazan
Thomas M Keeney III & Lauren Keeney
Mr John Kehayas
Mrs Katina Kehayas
Mr Nicholas T Kehayas
Tim & Jody Kehayas
James & Marigoula Keller
Vassilis & Elaine Keramidas
Dimitri & Tatiana Kika
Robert R & Christina Kincel
Christos & Joanna Kokkinakos
George & Georgia Kolias
Constantine & Athina Komandis
Georgios & Eve Kontos
Petros & Diane Kontos
Mrs Nickie Kopanakis
George & Athena Kostis
Dr John B Kostis
Kyriakos & Kathy Kostis
John & Sophia Kastanis
Apostolos & Asimina Koufis
Christos & Jennifer Koukourdelis
Georgios & Raquel Koukourdelis
Telemahos & Maria Koukourdelis
Nicholas & Christine Koumarianos
Simon & Elizabeth Koumis
Pantelis & Despina Kounelias
John & Linda Kourakos
Thomas & Georgia Kouridakis
Nick & Irene Kousoulis
George & Dorothy Koutsoras
George & Lisa Koutsoubis
John & Virginia Koutsoupias
Mrs Mary Kuklakis
Andrew & Andrea Lagermasini
Robert & Myrsine Lambides
Timothy & Despina Laverick Sr
Mr Nicholas Lazos
Stephen & Catherine Leach
Dr Katerina Leftheris
James F & Evangelia Lemberis
Mrs Irene Leontarakis
Richard & Akaterina Lewis
Mr Chris Liakakos
Mrs Nancy Liverakos
Ms Casandra Lorincz
Anthony & Anna Lorino
Efstratios & Assimina Loukidis
George & Athena Lyristis
Mrs Thomais Lyssikatos
Constantinos & Helen Lyssikatos
John & Evanthia Lyssikatos
Ms Stacy Remantas
Emmanuel & Kalliope Mahlis
Constantine & Nicki Makrelis
Evangelos & Olga Makropoulos
John & Maria Makropoulos
Mr Christopher Malekkides
Michalis & Fotini Mangafas
Mrs Evangelia Manikopoulos
Mr Nick Manikopoulos
Mrs Anna Manioudakis
Emanuel & Anna Manioudakis
Mr Elias J Manolakis
Kostas & Evangelia Manolakis
Mrs Maria Marinov
Ken & Allison Markakis
James & Niki Marketos
Mrs Elpida Marolis
Matthew & Meropi Martini
Robert & Myrianthe Marton
Jack & Felicia Mascarenhas
Mr Chris P Master
Harry & Evelyn Mataras
Elias & Eftychia Mattas
Ioannis & Iro Mavrianos
T John & Nickie Mehl
John & Helen Mellos
Nicholas & Sylvia Menedis
Steven & Stacy Merkler
Dimitrios & Eugenia Metaxas
Mr Luke Metaxas
Trian & Eleni Mihelis
Mr James L Mihopulos
Mr Louis Mihopulos
Peter Miko & Lemonia Malahias Miko
Mr John Millas
Geoffrey & Kathryn Miller
Gregg & Nicole Miller
Minas & Mary Rose Mina
Mr Larry Minguet
George & Vasso Mitchels
Stilianos & Dimitra Mitossis
Jerry G & Soula Moschonas
Thomas & Maria Moutafis
Emanuel & Amelia Nafpliotis
Stavros & Carla Natsopoulos
Miss Penelope Nicolas
Stratton & Toula A Nicolas
Konstantinos & Efstathia Nikolaou
Ricardo & Christina Orozco
Anthony & Sophie Ousouljoglou
Tony & Susan Ousouljoglou
John M & Linda Ann Paitakes
Mrs Catherine Paitakis
Demetrios & Eudoxia Palavros
Bill & Irene Paliouras
Mrs Erifili Panaretos
Stephen N & Effie Pantagis
The Voice of St. George
John & Argie Panzarino
Andreas & Happy Papadakis
Mrs Chrysoula Papadakis
George & Frangitsa Papadakis
Nikolaos & Antonia Papadakis
Mr Louis A Papadakos
Kosmas & Eftihia Papadelias
Sam & Mary Papadelias
Andrew & Demetra Papadopoulos
John & Georgia Papanastasiou
Michael & Angelica Papasavas
John & Agorasti Papoutsakis
Mrs Artemis Pappas
Mr Christ S Pappas
Mrs Evanthia Pappas
Mrs Helene A Pappas
Paul Pappas Jr & Aubrey Pappas
Emanuel & Diane Parais
George & Helen Paraskevopoulos
George & Allison Parlapanides
Mr Thomas Parlapanides Jr
Demetrios & Mistilee Pasigos
George & Maria Pasigos
Rev & Mrs Nicholas Pastrikos
Karl & Dimitra Paulus
Efstratios & Elpida Pavlounis
Jordan D & Anastasia Perel
Mrs Georgia C Peterson
Demitre & Sonia Petinatos
Michael & Deborah Petkovski
Konstantinos & Varvara Petrakis
George & Christina Petrantonakis
Chris & Georgette Petromelis
George & Maria Petrou
Rousos & Argyro Petroulakis
Perry & Leah Petsanas
Harry V & Mallene Pilitsis
Dr John V Pilitsis
Mrs Jean Plaganis
Lazaros & Chrisoula Plias
Socrates & Polly Ploussiou
H James & Rita Polos
Mrs Mary G Ponticas
Thomas J & MaryAnn Prenderville
Mrs Diana Protopapadakis
John & Connie Protopapadakis
Panagiotis & Esther Psarakis
Triffin & Nancy J Psyhojos
Page 15
Ryan & Maria Rapp
Steven W & Angela Remantas
Stephen & Macy Remolina
Dimitris & Roseann Rexines
Charalambos & Calliope Rissiotis
Peter & Grace Robas
Evangelos & Maria Roditis
Mr Emmanuel Rodoussakis
George & Irene Rodoussakis
Mrs Irene Rodoussakis
Miss Vicky Rodoussakis
Roland & Karen Rodriguez
Mr George Rompos
Robert & Debra Rooyakkers
Matthew & Katie Roussos
Joseph & Agnes Sagliocco
John & Irene Saia
Steve & Stella Sakoutis
Dino & Mona Sarafoglu
George & Anthoula Sarigeorgiou
Abdo & Gladys Sauma
Bassam & Bonnie Sauma
Sami & Roula Sauma
Suhayl & Regina Sauma
Samir & Michele Sauma
Andreas & Ekaterini Savva
Iacovos & Florentia Savva
Mrs Helen Scalia
Mr Kostas Schadas
Douglas & Harriet Schneider
Mrs Liberty Schwalje
Adam Scicchitano Jr & Aphrodite
Angelo & Margaret A Scopelianos
Stan & Mia Sedwick
Mr Steven Sgourakis
William & Sotiria Shibley
Mehael & Kelly Siacavelas
Nicholaos & Yiannoulla Sideris
Dionyssios & Eleni Siliverdis
Nicholas & Regina Siliverdis
Constantine & Jennifer Simos
Michael & Helen Sirimis
Peter & Maria Sirimis
Kyriakos & Meropi Sirimis
Chris & Maria Sirimis
Emmanuel & Sofia Siskopoulos
Mrs Emily Skaltsiotis
Dimitrios & Debra Skandalos
Konstantinos N & Maria Skandalos
Mr Gerasimos Skontrianos
Haralabos & Eleni Skontrianos
Thomas & Angela Skourlis
James & Elizabeth Solomos
Mr Dean V Solomos
Mrs Katina Spanos
Peter & Matina Speronza
Albert Spry & Nellie Spry Tsipoura
John & Vasilia Statis
Thomas & Maria Stavrakis
Mrs Elena Stavrianidis
Panos & Maggie Stavrianidis
Mrs Anna Stevens
Victor P & Teresa Stevens Jr
Robert Stieglitz & Katerina Stieglitz-Ts
Stylianos & Stacy Stoupas
John & Bella Sturges
Manuel & June Sturges
Thomas & Viveca Sulich
Lawrence & Anna S Sullivan
Walter F & Mary Sullivan
Douglas J & Jamie D Susan
Kypros & Andrea Tamanas
Marios & Georgia Tamanas
Nick A & Irene Tantaros
Titus & Gertude Tarnovetchi
Georgios & Maria Thanos
Paul & Elsie Theodorou
Constantinos & Virginia Theokas
Mr Andreas Theophanous
Steve & Stamatia Timbinaris
John & Adriana Tolis
Kenneth & Paige Topolewski
Liberty Toto & Richard Krembecki
Konstantinos & Stavroula Trastelis
Mr Louis Troulis
Mr Komninos Tsakon
Ioannis & Brigitte Tsampalis
Constantinos & Maria Tsatsos
Steve & Evellyn Tsiadis
Michael & Darby Tsilimidos
John & Stella Tsinetakes
Salvatore & Nicoletta Urciuoli
Kostantinos & Tammy Varelis
Theodoros & Xia Vaskopulos
Thomas & Barbara Vastardis
Mrs Penelope S Vekiaris
March/April 2012
Vasilios & Panayiota Velmahos
Chris & Marianthi Viazis
Kevin & Andrianni Viscariello
Mrs Eleni Vlachos
Demetrios & Aphrodite Vlahos
Mrs Artemis Vlastaras
Filippos & Denise Vokolos
Christos & Effie Voloudakis
Apostolos & Sophia Voudouris
Dr William Wadsworth
Hany & Eleni Wahba
Edward & Malvina Wilkens
Alan Wyatt & Eleni Giannakou
Mr Peter Zaboglou
Angelos & Kaliope Zafirelis
Mr Nikos Zafirelis
George & Kathryn Zahos
John & Pegi Zajac
Dimitrios & Anthy Zalokostas
George & Anastasia Zalokostas
Tasos & Sharon Zambas
John & Vasiliki Zimnis
Georgios & Nathalie Ziras
Mrs Polixeni Zotos
Nicholas & Karen Zubulake
Page 16
GREEK
INDEPENDENCE DAY
PARADE
5th Avenue, New York City
Sunday
March 25, 2012
Busses leave from the church
parking lot 11:30 a.m. sharp.
Please be at the bus by 11:15 a.m.
The cost is $25 for adults, college students $10 with ID. All GOYA
members, Sunday & Greek school students are free of charge.
**A complimentary lunch will be provided on the bus**
Church attire is mandatory.
No sneakers or jeans will be allowed if you are marching with
the church and representing our community. Children that have
Greek costumes should proudly wear them.
For reservations contact:
George Rodoussakis: 732.745.9015
Jim Exarchakis: 732.723.9088; [email protected]
Seating is limited and will be provided on a first come-first serve basis.
Thank You
For Your Support!
Η Ελληνορθόδοξη Κοινότητα του Αγίου Γεωργίου προσκαλεί όλα τα
μέλη της στην ετήσια Παρέλαση για την Ημέρα της Εθνικής μας
Ανεξαρτησίας, 25ης Μαρτίου 1821. Η Παρέλαση θα γίνει στην 5η
Λεωφόρο της Νέας Υόρκης την Κυριακή 25 Μαρτίου 2012. Θα
υπάρχουν λεωφορεία που θα φύγουν από τον χώρο στάθμευσης του Αγίου Γεωργίου το πρωΐ της ημέρας της παρέλασης, στης 11:15. Το
κόστος των εισιτηρίων είναι $25 για τους ενήλικες (δωρεάν για τα
παιδιά). Αν ενδιαφέρεστε να παρελλάσσετε με το άρμα της κοινότητας,
πρέπει να είστε ντυμένοι κατάλληλα. Για περισσότερες πληροφορίες και
λεπτομέρειες αποταθείτε στον υπεύθυνο της παρέλασης:
Γιώργο Ροδουσάκη 732.745.9015
Δημήτρη Εξαρχάκη 732.723.9088
The Voice of St. George
Page 17
Sunday School
Dear Parents and Members of our St. George Community,
We hope you are anxiously awaiting the arrival of spring and with the Lenten period upon us, we wish everyone Kali Sarakosti.
On behalf of Father Nicholas, our teachers and staff, we would like to thank our community for your support with our Religious
Education Program which provides an Orthodox Christian foundation of faith and values to our children.
On behalf of Father Nicholas, the teachers and staff, we would like to thank everyone for the support and trust you have placed
with us in providing an Orthodox Christian foundation of faith and values to your children. We are very proud of our religious
education program and of the many committed volunteers.
We would like to share with you the news of our program. We participated in the ‘Three Holy Hierarchs’ festivities with
speeches from the two children who advanced to the ‘Metropolis of New Jersey level’ in the 2011 Saint John Chrysostom
Oratorical festival (George Stavrianidis and Zoe Makropoulos).
We would like to tell you that we are very excited about the upcoming St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival that will be held
on Sunday, April 1, 2012, following the Divine Liturgy. Students from Grades 7th, 8th, 9th and Teen Rap are currently preparing
for our parish’s St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival. The purpose of this festival is to give our youth an opportunity to
research, learn, write and speak about their Orthodox Faith, Church and Heritage. It is our hope that this experience will
strengthen their understanding and appreciation of our faith and cultivate spiritual growth.
With Holy Week upon us, we ask parents with daughters of 8 to 13 years-old to discuss with them about volunteering to be Myrrh
bearing Women. The Myrrhbearers or Μυροφόραι were women who followed Jesus during His ministry, were with him during
His Passion, came to his tomb each day following His Crucifixion, and were the first to witness His Resurrection. What an honor
to participate in this humbling experience! If your daughter(s) is(are) interested in volunteering or for additional information,
please visit our Administration desk, which is located on the second floor.
In each issue of the Voice of Saint George we present a summary of the curricula that is followed by several grades. In this issue,
we present the curriculum of Grades K, 1 and 2.
Grade K: ‘What We See and Do in Church’: An introduction to basic Church teachings, events in the liturgical calendar,
Bible stories and hymns. Each lesson has a brief text and an illustration for coloring.
Grade 1: ‘Prayer in Daily Life’ - Discussions address when and how we pray. Each student is creating a personal prayer
journal which includes the ‘Lord’s Prayer’, bedtime, mealtime, and other short prayers. PARENTS: if you have not
already done so, please send in (1) 4x6 picture of your child, and (1) 4x6 picture of your family. Class pictures will be
taken on Palm Sunday!
Grade 2: ‘Loving God’ – Love at home, in church, serving others and obeying rules are the emphasis of this grade. We reemphasize the Lord’s Prayer and we learn the ‘Jesus Prayer’. We also begin to ‘take a walk through the Orthodox
Church’ by learning the parts of the Church building, the meaning of icons, candles, the altar table, etc.
The students of all three grades learn of the feast days being celebrated at that time and of Great Lent and Holy Pascha. Our
Religious Education Program for all grades consists of a set curriculum developed by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Department of Religious Education, liturgical hymnology and participation in the Divine Liturgy, and of many projects carried out
throughout the year. We are pleased to inform you that a Junior Choir was recently formed, as part of our program, which meets
once a month on Sunday mornings.
We pray that we continue to have a successful year. For your valuable feedback, please contact me at [email protected].
Respectfully in Christ,
St. George Religious Education Staff
March/April 2012
Page 18
SAINT GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
39th ANNUAL FESTIVAL
1101 RIVER ROAD 1973
2012
PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY 08854 PHONE: 732.463.1642 FAX: 732.699.9309 www.stgeorgepiscataway.org * greek.fesƟ[email protected]
PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY
39th Annual Greek Festival
Our 39th Annual Festival will be held on May 18th, 19th and 20th. As always, this is the weekend directly following
Mother’s Day. The Festival Committee will be meeting on Tuesdays (schedule below) during the months of January,
February, March, April and May. Meetings will be held from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, with the exception of Holy Week. We
welcome all parishioners who are interested in supporting this year’s festival to attend the meetings.
As with prior years, we are always in the need for help prior, during, and after the festival. One new position which
needs to be filled is Public Relations. Our goal is to reach out to the local community to solicit advertising of
businesses who wish to sell their services. Examples would be banks, mortgage, insurance, and realtors. We have the
ability to raise an additional $20,000 to $25,000. If you are interested, please do not hesitate to contact the
chairperson, John Lyssikatos (908-359-2955). As always, no help will ever be turned away. We are always open to
suggestions and ideas. Please do not hesitate to share them with the Festival Committee.
We have a calendar outlining all the cooking dates for the kitchen and the bakery. We will be baking and cooking in
March, April and May. As always, we again are seeking out everyone’s help. The more people who get involved, the
easier the activities and the more fun we will have. We cannot depend upon the same people year-in and year-out.
The Festival is a vital fundraiser for our church. Please show your stewardship by helping at this year’s Festival. It
only takes a few hours a day of everyone’s time in order to make a difference. This is a great event in which to get
involved, gather with your fellow church members and show our Greek hospitality. We will have Festival sign-ups
after church on Sundays in March and April.
We look forward to seeing everyone at this year’s Festival.
John Lyssikatos, Co-Chairman
Mike Dimitrakis, Co-Chairman
Festival Meeting Calendar
March 6, 13, 20 and 27
April 3, 17 and 24
May 1 and 8
2012 ANNUAL FESTIVAL PREPARATION SCHEDULE Tyropites March 6 10 am Baklava March 13 9 am Galaktroboureko March 20 10 am Koulourakia March 27 10 am Melomakarona April 3 10:30 am Kourambiedes April 17 10:30 am Ke edes May 1 10 am Diples May 7 10 am
Advertisements
TRACK SIDE LIMO & TAXI
Serving all of Somerset &
Middlesex Counties, NJ
Van Service for Large Groups
Special Rates for Airports
Low Rates - 24 hr Service
We Go Anywhere
GEORGE ATHANASOPOULOS
&
ANDREAS ATHANASOPOULOS
Call:
732-433-0661
732-459-8787
Toll Free 1-877-469-8787
All major Credit Cards Accepted
THANK YOU TO OUR VOICE OF ST. GEORGE PATRONS
FOR THEIR SUPPORT! ANYONE CAN BE A SPONSOR
FOR THE VOICE FOR A YEAR OR A MONTH. PLEASE
CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE FOR MORE INFORMATION
732-463-1642
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE
SAINT GEORGE
GREEK ORTHODOX
CHURCH
Paid
New Brunswick, N.J.
Permit No. 379
1101 River Road
Piscataway, NJ 08854
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Phone: 732.463.1642
Email: [email protected]
WE’RE ON THE WEB!
STGEORGEPISCATAWAY.ORG
IMPORTANT NOTICE
The “Voice of St. George” is published on a
bi-monthly basis. We are asking all
organizations wishing to place articles in the
“Voice” to please submit their articles to
[email protected] by the
following deadlines. If you would like to
submit an image with your article, it must be
a jpg file. Articles/images will not be
accepted after deadline dates. There will
be no exceptions. Thank you.
BI-MONTHLY ISSUE SUBMISSION
DEADLINE DATES
 September/October:
 November/December:
 January/February:
 March/April:
 May/June:
 Summer (Calendar):
August 1
October 1
December 1
February 1
April 1
June 1
ADVERTISE WITH
THE VOICE OF ST. GEORGE
[email protected] - FAX 732-699-9309
PRICE LIST 2012
BUSINESS CARD:
6 ISSUES CONTRACT:
12 ISSUES CONTRACT:
$30.00
$150.00
$300.00
1/4 OF A PAGE:
6 ISSUES CONTRACT:
12 ISSUES CONTRACT:
$60.00
$300.00
$600.00
1/2 OF A PAGE:
6 ISSUES CONTRACT:
12 ISSUES CONTRACT:
$100.00
$500.00
$900.00
FULL PAGE:
6 ISSUES CONTRACT:
12 ISSUES CONTRACT:
$150.00
$650.00
$1,350.00
OUR NEWSLETTER REACHES OVER 1000
FAMILIES OF OUR ST. GEORGE COMMUNITY
For more information call: 732-463-1642