Board Of Trustees - Sts. Constantine & Helen Cathedral

64 Schemerhorn Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718.624.0595
Vol. 3 No. 3
www.stconstantineandhelen.org • [email protected]
“Let Your work appear to Your servants, and Your glory to their children”
Ps. 90:16
t
he Advent Period is the spiritual preparation
for the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ to take place pragmatically in the
manger of a person’s soul. A major theme
behind the event of our Lord’s birth is the
example of servitude. By reflecting on the
servitude of God and the main characters surrounding the birth of Jesus one may respond to
woes of the modern world with a perspective
guided by the example of the Lord
Himself.
During an interaction with His disciples on the issue of prominence,
leadership and authority Jesus teaches
His disciples the following, “Just as
the Son of Man did not come to be
served, but to serve, and to give His
life a ransom for many.” Mt. 20:28
From the very moment of the incarnation (The 2nd Person of the Holy
Trinity taking on flesh) of the Lord
Jesus Christ, the sense of servitude is
prominent. First, just that the Son of
God, the second Person of the Holy
Trinity would self-empty (kenosis)
Himself to become fully and one hundred percent human is in itself and act
of servitude. Second, the whole birth
sequence is one continual act of service. While still in His holy mother’s
womb, the holy fetus endures a journey on a donkey to Bethlehem to
appease the distorted human pride
represented by the Caesar of Rome.
While being born, being rejected by
most of the people in Bethlehem, the Lord and King
of the universe, out of extreme humility, accepts a
manger for His birthplace. Seeing the image of the
Byzantine icon of the Nativity, Jesus is wrapped in a
white swaddling cloth and laying in the cave, already
prefiguring His purpose in life, which is to die for the
sins of the people. Out of servitude, the infant Christ
even tolerates an attempt on His life by the tyrant and
depraved king Herod. At an early age, the Lord Jesus
is forced to travel to Egypt to escape infanticide.
Jesus Christ as a true rabbi, as a true teacher, lives and
exemplifies the virtue of servitude.
It is not only the Lord who serves but also His
faithful. Surrounding the sequences of Jesus’ birth,
the example of service is presented by all the main
characters of the Nativity scene. The Panagia, when
she receives the word from the Archangel Gabriel
that she would bare
a son by the Holy
Spirit, responds
with complete freedom, “Behold the
maidservant of the
Lord! Let it be to
me according to
your word.” Lk
1:38 The angels of
the Lord serve by
offering hymns to
the revelation of
the birth of the Son
of God. “And suddenly there was
with the angel a
multitude of the
heavenly
host
praising God and
saying: “ Glory to
God in the highest,
And on earth
peace, goodwill
toward men!” Lk.
2:13-14
Joseph
accepts his role as the protector of the Virgin Mother
when he was confronted with trying to comprehend
by what means Mary conceived the Holy Child.
“Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the
angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him
his wife, and did not know her till she had brought
forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name
JESUS” Mt.1:24-25 The supporting cast of the birth
of Jesus Christ all respond to the outpouring of God’s
love with the offering of service.
In an age that is described by Nobel literature laureate Mario Vargas Llosa who states, “the entertainment industry [has created] what he calls a culture of
"banalization, frivolization and superficiality." The
beauty and entertainment of service is becoming
more and more difficult to attain. In the examples
given by Christ Himself, the angels and the saints,
this type of service is contrary to the modern world’s
sense of progression and success. Social network
systems are often misconstrued and used for the purpose of self-gratification and for personal gain.
Servitude in Christ is about sacrifice and suffering
which ultimately brings complete joy and satisfaction
into a person’s heart. “Blessed are you when people
insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of
evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad,
because great is your reward in heaven, for in the
same way they persecuted the prophets who were
before you.”Mt.5:11-12
In the life of the church, service takes place daily
within the local parish. Members elected to the
parish council find joy in serving their church with
their God given talents graced upon them.
Philoptochos ladies strive with creativity to help the
lonely, the sick and the deprived. Teachers and youth
leaders serve with gladness countless hours to help
the youth come closer to the knowledge of Jesus
Christ. There are countless activities and ministries
that may take place by the grace of God in the local
church which also reaches throughout the world as an
expression of the Nicene Creed which states, “In
One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.” Ending,
there was a conversation that took place with a
parishioner and the parishioner stated, “I serve the
church with my family for Christ and [His representative in the church] the priest. This is what brings
joy into my life and this is what I want to imbue to
my children.”
Fr. John K. Lardas
Page 1
Board Of Trustees
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
Board of Trustees
Executive Board
Iraklis Argyriou – President
Constantinos Paravalos – Vice-President
Panagiotis Papadopoulos – 2nd Vice-President
George Papadakos – Treasurer
Zeno Gavales – Asst. Treasurer
Andrew Poulos – Asst. Treasurer
John Anestis – Greek Secretary
Ted Dikeakos – English Secretary
Board Members
Athanasia Apostolakos, John Athanitis, Steve Bacas, Andreas Chrysostomou
George Fanourakis, Anthony Kammas, Matthew Mirones, Angelo Papadakos
George Poulon, Peter Rogakos, Chris Sofronis, Peter Stratigakis
Jim Tampakis, Alex Vanech, Konstatinos Varelis, Peter Yatrakis
Board Committees
Church Order: Peter Vlitas
Maintenance and Security: Dean Paravalos
Real Estate: Jim Tampakis
Church Dance: Dean Paravalos
Church Name Day: Konstantinos Varelis and Dean Paravalos
Technology: Ted Dikeakos
Bonds: 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
School Board Chairlady: Dr. Kathryn Yatrakis
Church Secretary
Effie Katsenis
Philoptochos
Executive Board
President – Georgeann Papadakos
1st Vice-President – Fevronia Soumakis
2nd Vice-President – Lucy Bounas
Treasurer – Stelene Argyriou
Secretary – Katerina(Phyllis) James
Advisors – Evangelia Apostolakos and Betty Xanthos
Page 2
Fr. John K. Lardas
Presiding Priest
Sts. Constantine and Helen Cathedral
64 Schermerhorn St.
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718)624-0595
Board Members
Cleo Athanitis, Pauline Apostolakis, Margie Bacas, Efrosini Ekonomakos,
Popi Gavales, Soula Kastanis, Connie Lambros, Presbytera Eleni Lardas,
Pitsa Tampakis, Catherine Vasilakos, Betty Xanthos, Vaso Xekardakis
A. Fantis Parochial School of
SS. Constantine and Helen
School Board Chairlady: Dr. Kathryn Yatrakis
Principal: Dr. Alice Farkouh
School Board Committee: John Adelaide, John Athanitis, Anna
Chrysostomou, Jeannine Harris, Anthony Kammas, Angela Papadopoulos,
Vincenta Papas, Dean Paravalos, Peter Rogakos , Jim Tampakis, Dr. Kathryn
Yatrakis , Dr. Alice Farkouh
Sunday School Director: Pauline Apostolakis
Choir Director: Paulette Hios
Chanter: Panagiotis Delicaris
Kantelinautis: Panagiotis Masourides
Koliva: Evangelia Masourides
Prosforo: Efrosoni Economakos
Acolytes: Andrew Poulos
News Letter: Fr. John Lardas
Website: Nicholas and Maria (Mao) Soulakis
Affiliates and Organizations of the
Cathedral of SS. Constantine and Helen
Goya Advisors: Taki Papadopoulos and Leya Tropodas
Joy Monthly Meetings: Maria Vlitas
Goya Girl’s Basketball: Calliopi Athanasakos and Agatha Apostolakis
Goya Boy’s Basketball: Jimmy Papaspyrou, Adam Hotzoglou
and John Stathakis
Joy Coaches: Angelo Koutsidis, Angelo Papadakos, Taki Papadopoulos,
John Athanites, Andrew Poulos, Foti Karantonis
Adult Greek Language: Vasiliki Partiglou
Dance Instructor: Despina and Aspasia Hotzoglou
Micro Ellinaki: Sylvia Molibos
Young at Heart: Katerina James
OPA (Orthodox Paidea Association): Fotis Karantonis
Editing Staff
Fr. John Lardas – Editor Theokli Hatzoglou – Greek Editor
Catherine Economakis – Copy Editor Patterson Graham, Taso Gementzopoulos,
Andrew Yannakos – Photography and Alumni
Special Thanks
Mr. Tony Barsamian and the Queen Gazette
for publishing the News Letter
ΕΟΡΤΟΛΟΓΙΟΝ ΤΩΝ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΤΩΝ
ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΩΝ 2010 - 2011
THE FEAST DAY CALENDAR OF CHRISTMAS AND
EPIPHANY 2010-2011
ΔΕΚΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ
DECEMBER
Κυρ. 19
Sun. 19
Δευ. 20
Τετ. 22
Παρ. 24
Σαβ. 25
Κυρ. 26
Δευ. 27
Πρό της Χριστού Γεννήσεως
Όρθρος: 9:30 πμ
Θεία Λειτουργία: 10:30 πμ
Η εορτή του Αγίου Ιγνατίου
Όρθρος: 8:30 πμ
Θεία Λειτουργία: 9:30 πμ
Η εορτή της ‘Αγίας Αναστασίας της Φαρμακολυτρίας
Όρθρος: 8:30 πμ
Θεία Λειτουργία: 9:30 πμ
Η Βασιληκές Ωρες των Χριστουγέννων, 4:30 μμ
ΕΣΠΕΡΙΝΗ ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥ
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΟΥ 6:00 μμ
Η ΚΑΤΑ ΣΑΡΚΑ ΓΕΝΝΗΣΙΣ ΤΟΥ ΚΥΡΙΟΥ ΚΑΙ
ΘΕΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΗΜΩΝ ΙΗΣΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ Θα
χοραστατήσει ο Θεοφιλέστατος Επίσκοπος Μελόης κ.
Φιλόθεος
Όρθρος: 9:30 πμ
Θεία Λειτουργία: 10:30 πμ
Η Σύναξις της Υπεραγίας Θεοτόκου
Όρθρος: 9:30 πμ
Θεία Λειτουργία: 10:30 πμ
Η Εορτή του Αγίου Στέφανου
Όρθρος: 8:30 πμ
Θεία Λειτουργία: 9:30 πμ
ΙΑΝΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ
Σαβ. 1
Κυρ. 2
Τετ. 5
Πεμ. 6
Παρ. 7
Κυρ. 9
Κυρ. 16
Δευ. 17
Τρι. 18
Κυρ. 23
Κυρ. 30
Η ΚΑΤΑ ΣΑΡΚΑ ΠΕΡΙΤΟΜΗ ΤΟΥ ΚΥΡΙΟΥ ΗΜΩΝ
ΙΗΣΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ και μνήμη του εν Αγίοις Πατρός
ημών Βασιλείου του Μεγάλου, Αρχιεπισκόπου
Καισαρείας της Καππαδοκίας
Όρθρος: 9:30 πμ
Θεία Λειτουργία: 10:30 πμ
Προ Των Φώτων
Όρθρος: 9:30 πμ
Θεία Λειτουργία: 10:30 πμ
Προεόρτια των Φώτων
Βασιληκές Ωρες: 4:30 μμ
Ο ΜΕΓΑΣ ΕΣΠΕΡΙΝΟΣ ΤΩΝ ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΩΝ
ΜΕΤΑΤΗΣ ΘΕΙΑΣ ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΙΑΣ ΤΟΥ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΟΥ 6:00μμ
ΤΑ ΑΓΙΑ ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΚΥΡΙΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΘΕΟΥ
ΚΑΙ ΣΩΤΗΡΩΣ ΗΜΩΝ ΙΗΣΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ
Όρθρος: 8:00 πμ
Θεία Λειτουργία: 9:00 πμ
Η Σύναξις του Τιμίου Ενδόξου Προφήτου, Προδρόμου
και Βαπτιστού Ιωάννου
Όρθρος: 8:30 πμ
Θεία Λειτουργία: 9:30 πμ
Μέτα Τα Φώτα
Όρθρος: 9:30 πμ
Θεία Λειτουργία: 10:30 πμ
Η ΙΒ΄ Λουκά (των Δέκα Λεπρών)
Όρθρος: 9:30 πμ
Θεία Λειτουργία: 10:30 πμ
Η εορτή του Αγίου Αντωνίου
Όρθρος: 8:30 πμ
Θεία Λειτουργία: 9:30 πμ
Η εορτή των Αγίων Αθανασίου και Κυρίλλου
Όρθρος: 8:30 πμ
Θεία Λειτουργία: 9:30 πμ
ΙΔ΄ Κυριακή του Λουκά(του Τυφλού)
Όρθρος: 9:30 πμ
Θεία Λειτουργία: 10:30 πμ
Η Εορτή Των Τρίων Ιεράχων
Όρθρος: 9:30πμ
Θεία Λειτουργία: 10:30 πμ
Mon. 20
Wed. 22
Fri. 24
Sat. 25
Sun. 26
Mon. 27
The Sunday Before Christmas
Orthros: 9:30 AM
Divine Liturgy: 10:30 AM
The Feast of St. Ignatios
Orthros: 8:30 AM
Divine Liturgy: 9:30 AM
The Feast of St. Anastasia, the Deliverer of Potions
Orthros: 8:30 AM
Divine Liturgy: 9:30 AM
The Fore feast of Christmas
The Royal Hours of Christmas
4:30 PM
The Vesperal Divine Liturgy of Christmas 6:00 PM
The Birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ celebrated by
His Grace Bishop Philotheos of Meloa
Orthros: 9:30AM
The Divine Liturgy 10:30 AM
The Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos
Orthros: 9:30 AM
Divine Liturgy: 10:30 AM
The Feast of St. Stephen
Orthros: 8:30 AM
Divine Liturgy: 9:30 AM
JANUARY
Sat. 1
Sun. 2
Wed. 5
Thur. 6
Fri. 7
Sun. 9
Sun. 16
Mon. 17
Tue. 18
Sun. 23
Sun. 30
The Feast of the Circumcision of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ, and the Feast of St. Basil the Great, Archbishop of
Caesarea of Cappadocia
Orthros 9:30 AM
Divine Liturgy 10:30AM
The Sunday Before Epiphany
Orthros: 9:30 AM
Divine Liturgy: 10:30 AM
The Fore feast of Epiphany
The Royal Hours 4:30 PM
The Great Vesper of Epiphany and Divine Liturgy of St.
Basil 6:00 PM
The Feast of Epiphany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
Orthros 8:00 AM
Divine Liturgy 9:00 AM
The Gathering of the honorable and glorious forerunner John
the Baptist
Orthros 8:30 AM
Divine Liturgy 9:30 AM
The Sunday after Epiphany
Orthros: 9:30 AM
Divine Liturgy: 10:30 AM
The 12th Sunday of Luke (Ten Lepers)
Orthros: 9:30 AM
Divine Liturgy: 10:30 AM
The Feast of St. Anthony
Orthros: 8:30 AM
Divine Liturgy: 9:30 AM
The Feast of SS. Athanasios and Cyril
Orthros: 8:30 AM
Divine Liturgy: 9:30 AM
The 14th Sunday of Luke (The Blind Man)
Orthros: 9:30 AM
Divine Liturgy: 10:30 AM
The Feast of the Three Hierarchs
Orthros 9:30 AM
The Divine Liturgy 10:30 AM
Page 3
SACRAMENTS
BAPTISMS
WEDDINGS
June 26
Nora Elizabeth, daughter of John and Maria Maher
Godparents: George and Maria Lambros
Eleni Alexandra, daughter of John and Maria Maher
Godparents: George and Maria Lambros
Christopher Nicholas, son of John and Maria Maher
Godparents: George and Maria Lambros
July 2
Richard Jones and Helen Haritos
Koumbara: Anastasia Paraskevas
June 29
Kirk (Kyriakos), son of Antonio and Gertudis
Ceballos
Godfather: Dimitrios Giannoudis
July 17
Aaron V. Lemons and Lara M. Posner
Koumbare: Jason Harper Lemons and Jennie
DiPietro
July 24
Shawn (Anthony), son of Earl and Yvonne
Stephenson
Godparents: Angelo and Tina Papadakos
July 24
hawn (Antonios) Stephenson and Panagiota Kapanika
Koumbara: Georgeta Teodoresco
Oct. 29
Hector Abel, son of Anastasios and Lorena
Kyriakopoulos
Godparent: Frangisko Kyriakopoulos
Nov. 6
Allison (Irene) Zerbe, daughter of Michael and Leigh
Zerbe
Sponsors: Christina Zanetos and John Zanetos
Nov. 7
Demitri Efthemios, son of Efthemios and Areti
Argiropoulos
Godparent: Christina Poulos
Nov. 14
Angelina Misha, daughter of Ioannis and Tatiana
Tsikis,
July 3
Kirk (Kyriakos) Ceballos and Annette Denise
Stamatelatos
Koumbaro: Dimitrios Giannoudis
Aug. 21
Nicholas Katehis and Holly Bollig
Koumbara: Penelope Iordanidis
Aug. 22
Andreas Tsavaris and Diana Villarreal
Koumbaro: James Tsavaris
Sept. 25
Efthemios Argiropoulos and Areti Andrea Noulas
Koumbara: Christina Poulos
Oct. 10
Matthew Demitri Turner and Emily Hope Grant
Koumbaro: Dr. William Turner
Nov. 6
Jonathan Buba and Allison Zerbe
Koumbaro: Stephan Buba
FUNERALS
June 5
June 29
July 15
Aug. 21
Sept. 9
Nov. 8
+Nicholas Nomikos
+Alice Sakellar
+Theofanis Kaparos
+Catherine Tragas
+Eleftherios Baroudos
+Sparta Nicholoudis
UPCOMING EVENTS
Jan 9:
The Blessings of the Water at Battery Park
Jan. 16:
Joy Ice Skating at Prospect Park
Jan. 21-23:
5 Borough Goya Winter Weekend
Jan. 23:
Annual Litorhoretes Celebration of St. Dionysios
of Olympos
Jan. 30:
Greek Letter Celebration and Philoptochos Vasilopita
Celebration
Feb 4:
Vigil of St. Parthenios
Feb 6:
AHEPA Chapter 41 Super Bowl Party
Feb. 26th:
1st Saturday of the Souls
Page 4
March 5th:
The Apokreatiko Glendi
March 7th:
The Great Lent Begins
March 8th:
The 5 Borough Goya Pre-Sanctified Liturgy at St. Nicholas,
Flushing
March 13th:
The Sunday of Orthodoxy
March 18th:
Joy Salutation Service at The Ronald McDonald House
March 27th:
Godparent Sunday
April 9th:
PTO Auction at Thalassa
April 24th:
Pascha
April 30th:
5 Borough Goya Sports Day
Ιερά Προσκυνήματα
Αγία Γεθσημανή
Περιληπτική παρουσίαση
Τὸ ὄνομα Γεθσημανὴ παράγεται ἀπὸ τὰς Ἐβραϊκὰς λέξεις
Γκάτ-Σέμεν, αἱ ὁποῖαι σημαίνουν ἐλαιοτριβεῖον. Ὁ χείμαρρος, εἰς
βάθος τοῦ ὁποίου τοποθετεῖται ἡ Γεθσημανὴ, ὀνομάζεται «Χείμαρρος
τῶν Κέδρων» ὅπου εἰς τὰς χριστιανικὰς παραδόσεις συνδέεται μὲ τὸν
τόπον, εἰς τὸν ὁποῖον θὰ λάβει χώρα ἡ τελευταία θεϊκὴ κρίσις. Μία
ἄλλη ὀνομασία τοῦ χειμάρρου εἶναι γνωστὴ ὡς «Κοιλάδα τοῦ
Ἰωσσαφάτ». Τὸ ὄνομα Ἰωσσαφὰτ προέρχεται ἀπὸ τὰς ἐβραϊκὰς λέξεις
Γιαχβὲ - Σαφὸτ, αἱ ὁποῖαι σημαίνουν: «ὁ Θεὸς κρίνει», ὡς τοπωνύμιον
ἀπὸ τὸν προφήτην Ἰωὴλ 3,2.
Συμφώνως πρὸς τὴν Καινὴν Διαθήκην ἀπὸ τὴν Γεθσημανὴν
Ο Ναός της Παναγίας στον Τάφο της Γεθσημανής
ἤρχισε ὁ δρόμος τοῦ μαρτυρίου τοῦ Χριστοῦ (Ματθ.26,36,
Μάρκ.14,32, Λουκ.22,39, Ἰωάν.18). Εἰς τὴν Γεθσημανὴν ἐπροσευχήθη
ὁ Χριστὸς πρὶν τὸ πάθος Του, ἐκεῖ ἐδέχθη τὸ φίλημα τῆς προδοσίας
τοῦ Ἰούδα καὶ ἐκεῖ συνελήφθη ὑπὸ τῶν στρατιωτῶν τοῦ Πιλάτου, τοῦ
ὄχλου καὶ τῶν ὑπηρετῶν τῶν Φαρισσαίων. Ἤδη ἀπὸ τὸν 4ον μ.Χ.
αἰῶνα, τὰ γεγονότα αὐτὰ τῆς Καινῆς Διαθήκης ἐταυτίσθησαν
τοπογραφικῶς καὶ οἱ χῶροι τους ἀνεδείχθησαν ὡς ἱερὰ καὶ
λατρευτικὰ Χριστιανικὰ Προσκυνήματα.
Ἡ Γεθσημανὴ δὲν συνδέεται μόνον μὲ τὴν ἀγωνίαν καὶ τὸ
πάθος τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἀλλὰ καὶ μὲ τὴν Ταφὴν τῆς Παρθένου Μαρίας. Ὁ
καθορισμὸς τοῦ Τάφου τῆς Παναγίας ἀνάγεται εἰς τὸ μέσον τοῦ 1ου
αἰῶνος. Τὴν ἰδὶαν σχεδὸν ἐποχὴν ἐκτίσθη ἡ πρώτη Ἐκκλησία τῆς
Κοιμήσεως τῆς Θεοτόκου, πιθανῶς εἰς τοὺς χρόνους τοῦ
αὐτοκράτορος Μαρκιανοῦ, τὸ 450-457 μ.Χ. καὶ τοῦ πρώτου
Πατριάρχου τῆς Ἱερουσαλὴμ Ἰουβεναλίου.
Τὸ πάνσεπτον καὶ Θεομητορικὸν μνῆμα ἐν Γεθσημανῇ
Εἰς τὰς καρδίας τῶν πιστῶν τέκνων τῆς Ὀρθοδοξίας πάλλει ὁ
σεβασμὸς καὶ ἡ ευλάβεια ἡ ὀφειλoμένη πρὸς τὴν πάναγνον Μητέρα
τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ Σωτῆρος ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. Διὸ καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς
ἀρχαιοτάτης ἐποχῆς ἡ ὀρθόδοξος τοῦ Χριστοῦ Ἐκκλησία ἐτίμησε τὴν
Θεομήτορα καὶ τιμᾶ δεόντως, ἡ δὲ μήτηρ τῶν Ἐκκλησιῶν κατέχει ὡς
πολυτιμότατον μαργαρίτη εἰς τοὺς κόλπους αὐτῆς τὸν θειότατον καὶ
ἁγιώτατον Τάφον αὐτῆς μετὰ τῶν ἄλλων πανσέπτων καὶ θεοτιμήτων
Τόπων τῆς Χριστιανοσύνης καὶ ὡς ἀτίμητον θησαύρισμα διακρατεῖ
ὡς κόρην ὀφθαλμοῦ αὐτὸν καὶ διαφυλάττει. Ἐπ’ αὐτοῦ δὲ ἀπὸ
ἀρχαιοτάτων ἐτῶν ἀνηγέρθη σταυροειδὴς ναὸς ἐν τῷ μέσῳ τοῦ
ὁποίου ὑψοῦται σεμνὸν
καὶ ἀπέριττον κουβούκλιον τοῦ
θεομητορικοῦ καὶ πανσέπτου Μνήματος ἐν ᾧ οἱ Ἱεροὶ Ἀπόστολοι ἐκ
τῶν περάτων τῆς γῆς μετρίως φερόμενοι καὶ κηδεύσαντες πιστῶς ἐκ
τῆς Ἁγίας Σιὼν ἐνεταφίασαν τὸ πανάχραντον τῆς Θεοτόκου καὶ
Ἀειπαρθένου Μαρίας σῶμα ἐν Γεθσημανῇ τῷ χωρίῳ.
Ὁ πάνσεπτος οὗτος Ναὸς τῆς Θεοτόκου εὑρίσκεται ἐν
Γεθσημανῇ καὶ ἐν τῇ κοιλάδι τοῦ Ἰωσαφὰτ ἢ χειμάρρῳ τῶν Κέδρων,
μεταξὺ τοῦ λόφου Μωρία καὶ τοῦ Ὄρους τῶν Ἐλαιῶν, ἐγγὺς τοῦ
τόπου τοῦ λιθοβολισμοῦ τοῦ Πρωτομάρτυρος καὶ Ἀρχιδιακόνου
Στεφάνου καὶ τοῦ τόπου τῆς προσευχῆς τοῦ Κυρίου, ἐν ᾧ συνελήφθη
καὶ ἐπροδόθη ὑπὸ τοῦ Ἰούδα. Κατερχόμενος τὶς διὰ κλίμακος
τεσσαράκοντα καὶ ὀκτὼ βαθμίδων εὑρίσκεται ἐν ὑπογείῳ Ναῷ
σταυροειδεῖ καὶ ὑπενθυμίζοντι ἀρχαίαν κατακόμβην, ἐν τῷ μέσῳ τοῦ
ὁποίου ὀρθοῦται ὁ Θεομητορικὸς Τάφος λελαξευμένος ἐντὸς
μονολίθου βράχου καὶ περιβαλλόμενος ὑπὸ κουβουκλίου ἔχοντος δυὸ
εἰσόδους, ἐκ δυσμῶν καὶ βορρᾶ, ὁδηγούσας πρὸς τὸ ἐσωτερικὸν
αὐτοῦ τὸν εὐλαβῆ προσκυνητήν. Τὸ σεμνὸν τοῦτο καὶ σεβάσμιον ἱερὸν
προσκύνημα, ἀνεγερθὲν κατὰ τοὺς χρόνους τῆς παλαιᾶς ἀρχαιότητος,
ἐφ οὗ θέματος καὶ θὰ ἀσχοληθῶμεν κατωτέρω, ὑπενθυμίζει τὰς
κατακόμβας τῆς διωκομένης Ἐκκλησίας τῶν μαρτύρων τῆς πίστεως
καὶ διὰ μέσου τῶν αἰώνων μᾶλλον διετηρήθη ἀνέπαφον, ἐκτὸς τῶν
ἐλαχίστων ἀνακαινίσεων καὶ μεταβολῶν, ἃς ὑπέστη ὑπὸ τῶν
Σταυροφόρων τῷ 1130. Τὸ Ἱερὸν αὐτὸ προσκύνημα εὑρίσκεται ὑπὸ
τὴν κυριότητα τῶν ὀρθοδόξων Ἑλλήνων Ἁγιοταφιτῶν, ἐν αὐτῷ δὲ
καθημερινῶς τελεῖται ἡ θεία Λειτουργία ἐντὸς τοῦ Ἱεροῦ
Κουβουκλίου τοῦ Τάφου τῆς Θεομήτορος, κατὰ δὲ τὴν παραμονὴν
τῆς θεομητορικῆς ἑορτῆς (14 Αὐγούστου) πρωτοστατοῦντος τοῦ
Ἑλληνορθοδόξου ἡμῶν Πατριάρχου τελεῖται ἡ ἀκολουθία τοῦ
ἐπιταφίου τῆς Θεοτόκου, ψαλλομένων καὶ τῶν ἐγκωμίων Αὐτῆς, εἰς
ἀνάμνησιν τῆς ὑπὸ τῶν ἁγίων Ἀποστόλων κηδεύσεως τοῦ
παναχράντου Θεομητορικοῦ σώματος…... Λίαν ἐνδιαφέρουσαι ὅμως
τυγχάνουσιν αἱ διιστάμεναι γνῶμαι περὶ τοῦ κτήτορος τῆς ἐπὶ τοῦ
πανσέπτου καὶ θεομητορικοῦ Τάφου ἱδρυθείσης περικαλλοῦς
ἐκκλησίας καθ’ ὅτι ἀνάγονται αὖται εἰς ἐκκλησιαστικοὺς ἱστορικοὺς
συγγραφεῖς τῆς ἀρχαιότητος. Καὶ ἐπὶ τῇ βάσει αὐτῶν αἱ γνῶμαι τῶν
τὲ συγχρόνων ἀρχαιολόγων καὶ τῶν παλαιοτέρων, περὶ τῆς ἀρχικῆς
προελεύσεως τῆς ἐν λόγῳ ἐκκλησίας, διχάζονται ἄχρι τῆς σήμερον.
Καὶ τινὲς μὲν ἐξ αὐτῶν ἐπιδέχονται τὰς ἐν τῷ καταλόγῳ τοῦ
Βατικανοῦ πληροφορίας, ὡς καὶ τὰς τοῦ νικηφόρου Καλλίστου, καθ’
ἃς καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ Τάφου τῆς Ὑπεραγίας Θεοτόκου ἐκκλησία ἀνάγεται εἰς
τοὺς χρόνους τοῦ Μεγάλου Κωνσταντίνου, ἕτεροι δὲ ἀνάγουσιν
ταύτην εἰς τοὺς μετὰ αὐτῶν χρόνους, ἄχρι τοῦ αὐτοκράτορος
Μαρκιανοῦ (450-457). Ἐφεξῆς δ’ ἐκθέτομεν τὰ ἐπὶ τοῦ θέματος
τούτου ἱστορικὰ δεδομένα, ἐξ ὧν καὶ θὰ ἐξάγομεν τὰ συμπεράσματα
ἡμῶν.
Ἐκ τῶν ὑπὸ τοῦ ἐκκλησιαστικοῦ ἱστορικοῦ συγγραφέως τοῦ
ΙΔ΄ αἰῶνος Νικηφόρου Καλλίστου - Ξανθοπούλου συμφραζομένων
διαπιστοῦται ἀπόλυτος συμφωνία αὐτοῦ μετὰ τοῦ ἐν τῷ Βατικανῷ
Βυζαντινοῦ χειρογράφου τοῦ ΙΑ΄ αἰῶνος, καθ’ ὃ ὁ κτήτωρ καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ
θεομητορικοῦ Τάφου ναοῦ τυγχάνει ὁ μέγας Κωνσταντῖνος, περὶ
τούτου δὲ λέγει τὰ ἑξῆς «Ὑπερφυῆ δὲ τίνα ἕτερον ἐν τῷ χωρίῳ
Γεθσημανὴ ναῶν τῇ Θεοτόκῳ ἐγείρει, ἔωδον θυσιαστηρίου τὸν
ζωηφόρον ἐκείνης τάφον ἀσφαλῶς περιστείλασα. Κατωφεροῦς δ’
ὄντος τοῦ τόπου ἀναβαθμοὺς ἐκ μαρμάρων ποιησαμένη τὸν
βουλόμενον ἐκ τῆς ἁγίας πόλεως πρὸς ἀνατολάς κατάγει». Καὶ
ἀλλαχοῦ λέγει «Πολλὰς δὲ καὶ ἄλλας ἐκκλησίας τοῖς ἁγίοις ἐκείνοις
τόποις κατασκευάσασα οὔσας ὑπὲρ τριάκοντα, ἡ θεοφιλὴς βασιλὶς
Ἑλένη, πρὸς τὸν φίλον ταύτης υἱὸν ἐπανέστρεψε, τοῖς ἐσπερίοις μετὰ
τὴν Σύνοδον διάγοντα μέρεσιν».
Ἄξιον ἰδιαιτέρας ἐξάρσεως τυγχάνει τὸ γεγονός, ὅτι τόσον αἱ
ἄνω εἰδήσεις τοῦ Νικηφόρου Καλλίστου, ὅσο καὶ αἱ τοῦ Βατικάνειου
καταλόγου, περὶ Γεθσημανῆς, ὅτι ἡ περὶ τοῦ Τάφου τῆς Θεοτόκου
ἐκκλησία τυγχάνει ἔργον τοῦ Μεγάλου Κωνσταντίνου, ἐλέγχονται
ἀνακριβεῖς ὑπὸ πλείστων νεωτέρων Παλαιστινολόγων, ὡς προείρηται,
καθ’ὅτι οἱ ἀρχαῖοι ἐκκλησιαστικοὶ ἱστορικοὶ συγγραφεῖς τοῦ Δ΄
αἰῶνος, Εὐσέβιος, Σωκράτης καὶ Σωζόμενος, οὐδεμίαν μνείαν
ποιοῦνται περὶ ἀνεγερθείσης ἐν Γεθσημανῇ, ἐκκλησίας ἐπὶ τοῦ Τάφου
τῆς Θεοτόκου, ὅπερ καθ’ ἡμᾶς εὐσταθεῖ. Κατὰ ταῦτα, τὸν χρόνον τῆς
ἱδρύσεως τῆς ἐπὶ τοῦ Τάφου τῆς Θεομήτορος περικαλλοῦς ἐκκλησίας
θὰ πρέπει νὰ ἀναζητήσωμεν οὐχὶ πρὸ τοῦ 339, ὅτε καὶ ἀπέθανε ὁ
μηδεμίαν μνείαν ποιούμενος ἱστορικὸς Εὐσέβιος, ἡ εἴδησις τοῦ ὁποίου
πολὺ θὰ ἐβάρυνεν λόγῳ τῆς ἀρχαιότητος, αὐτοῦ, εἰς πιστοποίησιν καὶ
βεβαίωσιν ἑνὸς τοιούτου γεγονότος, σχέσιν ἄμεσον ἔχοντος μὲ τὴν
ἐποχὴν καὶ τὰ ἔργα
τοῦ μεγάλου Κωνσταντίνου, διὰ τοὺς
μεταγενεστέρους αὐτοῦ. Ἐξ ἄλλου ἡ ἐπὶ τοῦ θέματος τούτου
παρατηρουμένη σιωπὴ τοῦ Εὐσεβίου οὐδέποτε θὰ ἠδύνατο νὰ
ἐκληφθῇ ὡς ἀδιαφορία καθ’ ὅσον οὗτος ὁμιλεῖ καὶ δι’ ἄλλα ἔργα τῆς
βασιλομήτορος ἁγίας Ἑλένης συντελεσθέντα ἐν Παλαιστίνῃ, ἐκτὸς
τῆς ἐπὶ τοῦ Ἁγίου τάφου βασιλικῆς, ἐν Ἱεροσολύμοις, καὶ τῆς ἐπὶ τοῦ
Page 5
Ιερά Προσκυνήματα
Ἁγίου Σπηλαίου, ἐν Βηθλεέμ. Ἀποκλείεται Εὐσεβίου, ὡς προελέχθη καὶ πρὸ τοῦ ὑπόλοιπον εἶναι κτιστόν.
ὅθεν, ὁ Μέγας Κωνσταντῖνος, ὡς ἱδρυτὴς Μαρκιανοῦ (450-457).
Συμφώνως πρὸς τὰ εὑρήματα αὐτὰ
τῆς ἐν Γεθσημανῇ ἐκκλησίας τῆς Θεοτόκου,
Οὕτω, σπουδαίως συμβάλλει εἰς τὸν
τὸ
Σπήλαιον,
ὅπου ἐγεννήθη ὁ Χριστὸς ἦτο
κατὰ τὴν σιωπὴν τοῦ Εὐσεβίου.
ἀκριβέστερον καθορισμὸν τῆς ζητουμένης
ἐσκεπασμένον
μὲ ὀκταγωνικὸν κτίσμα καὶ οἱ
Μετὰ τὰ ἀνωτέρω, ἀνάγκη, ὅπως χρονολογίας τὸ ἐξαγόμενον ἱστορικὸν
προσκυνηταί
ἠδύναντο
νὰ δοῦν μέσα ἀπὸ ἕν
ἀλλαχοῦ ἀναζητήσωμεν τὰ ἱστορικὰ δεδομένον ἐκ τοῦ Λόγου τοῦ ἁγίου
ἄνοιγμα,
τό
ὁποῖον
ὑπῆρχε
εἰς τὸ κέντρον.
δεδομένα, ἅτινα θὰ ρίψωσιν ἄπλετον φῶς Ἱερωνύμου εἰς τὴν Κοίμησιν τῆς Θεοτόκου
Τὰ
δάπεδα
τῆς
Βασιλικῆς
καὶ τοῦ
ἐπὶ τοῦ θέματος τούτου καὶ θὰ δώσωσιν κατὰ τοῦτον τὸν Λόγον, λεχθέντα κατὰ τὸ
ὀκταγώνου
ἦσαν
ἐστρωμένα
μὲ
πολύχρωμα
θετικὴν ἀπάντησιν εἰς τὸ ἐρώτημα, πότε καὶ ἔτος 386, ἐπὶ παρουσίᾳ καὶ τῆς ἁγίας
ὑπὸ τίνος ἱδρύθη ὁ Ναὸς τῆς Θεοτόκου ἐν Παύλας, μέχρι τῶν καθ’ ἡμᾶς χρόνων μωσαϊκά. Τὸ ὀκτάγωνον διεδέχθη τρίκογχον
Γεθσημανῇ. Οὕτω ἡ πρώτη καὶ ἀρχαιοτέρα δείκνυται ὁ τάφος αὐτῆς (τῆς Θεομήτορος) Ἱερὸν βῆμα ὑπὸ τοῦ ὁποίου εὑρίσκεται τὸ
πληροφορία περὶ τούτου εὑρίσκεται ἐν τῷ ἐν μέσῳ τῆς κοιλάδος τοῦ Ἰωσαφάτ, Σπήλαιον. Εἰς τὸν δυτικὸν τοῖχον τοῦ
Β΄ Ἐγκωμιαστικῷ Λόγῳ τοῦ ἱεροῦ κειμένης μεταξὺ Σιὼν καὶ ὄρους τῶν Νάρθηκος ὁ ὁποῖος ἔβλεπε πρὸς τὴν αὐλήν,
Δαμασκηνοῦ
πρὸς
τὴν
Ὑπεραγίαν Ἐλαιῶν. «Σὺ δέ, ὦ Παύλα, εἶδες τὸν τόπον, ὑπῆρξε ψηφιδωτὸν μὲ τὴν παράστασιν τῆς
τοῦ
Χριστοῦ
καὶ
τῆς
Θεοτόκον ἐν τῇ Κοιμήσει Αὐτῆς, ἐξ οὗ θὰ ἐν ᾧ πρὸς τιμὴν αὐτῆς ἔκτισαν Ἐκκλησίαν Γεννήσεως
Προσκυνήσεως
τῶν
Μάγων.
προσδιορισθῇ, κατὰ προσέγγισιν, τὸ δι’ ὡραίων λίθων. Πάντες κηρύττουσιν (ἐν
χρονικὸν διάστημα, ἐντὸς τοῦ ὁποίου Ἱερουσαλήμ), ὅτι ἡ Μαρία ἐτάφη ἐν αὐτῇ,
Συμφώνως πρὸς τὴν παράδοσιν οἱ
ἀνηγέρθη τὸ πρῶτον ἡ ἐκκλησία τῆς ἀλλὰ τὸ μαυσωλεῖον αὐτῆς εἶναι κενόν».
Θεοτόκου ἐν Γεθσημανῇ, ὡς καὶ ὁ κτήτωρ
αὐτῆς. Ἐν τῷ εἰρημένῳ Ἐγκωμιαστικῷ
Λόγῳ αὐτοῦ, ὁ ἱερὸς Δαμασκηνὸς ἀντλεῖ
ἐκ τῆς λεγομένης «Εὐθυμιακῆς ἱστορίας»,
ἵνα πιστοποιήσῃ καὶ βεβαιώσῃ τὰ περὶ τῆς
ταφῆς καὶ μεταστάσεως τῆς Θεοτόκου,
περὶ ὧν λέγει τὰ ἑξῆς: Μετακαλεσάμενοι
(δηλ. ὁ αὐτοκράτωρ Μαρκιανὸς καὶ ἡ
Πουλχερία)
Ἰουβενάλιον
τὸν
Ἱεροσολύμων Ἐπίσκοπον, καὶ τοὺς ἀπὸ
Παλαιστίνης ἐπισκόπους τότε ἐν τῇ
βασιλευούσῃ ἐνδημοῦντας πόλει διὰ τὴν ἐν
Χαλκηδόνι γενομένην σύνοδον, λέγουσιν
αὐτοῖς: «Ἀκούομεν εἶναι ἐν Ἱεροσολύμοις
τὴν πρώτην καὶ ἐξαίρετον τῆς Παναγίας
Θεοτόκου καὶ ἀειπαρθένου Μαρίας
Ἐκκλησίαν
ἐν
χωρίῳ
καλουμένῳ
Γεθσημανὴ ἔνθα τὸ ζωηρὸν αὐτῆς σῶμα
κατετέθη ἐν σορῷ. Βουλόμεθα τοίνυν
τοῦτο τὸ λείψανον ἀναγαγεῖν ἐνταῦθα εἰς
φυλακτήριον τῆς βασιλευούσης ταύτης
πόλεως». Ὑπολαβὼν δὲ Ἰουβενάλιος
ἀπεκρίθη: «Τῇ μὲν ἁγίᾳ καὶ θεοπνεύστῳ
Γενικὴ ἄποψη τῆς αὐλῆς τῆς Βασιλικῆς τῆς Γεννήσεως στὴν
Γραφῇ οὐκ ἐμφέρεται τὰ κατὰ τὴν
Βηθλεὲμ
τελευτὴν τῆς ἁγίας Θεοτόκου Μαρίας, ἐξ
Πέρσαι
ὅταν
ἀρχαίας δὲ καὶ ἀληθεστάτης παραδόσεως Η Αγία Βηθλεέμ
ἐπέδραμαν
τὸ
614
εἰς
τὴν
Παλαιστίνην
μὲ
παρειλήφαμεν, ὅτι ἐν τῷ καιρῷ τῆς ἐνδόξου
Βηθλεὲμ
τῆς
Ἰουδαίας.
Πόλις
ἡ
ὁποία
τὸν
Χοσρόην,
ἐσεβάσθησαν
τὸν
Ναὸν
τῆς
Κοιμήσεως αὐτῆς, οἱ μὲν ἄλλοι σύμπαντες
ἀναγνωρίζοντες
εἰς
τὸ
ἀπόστολοι … ἐν καιροῦ ροπῇ μετάρσιοι ἐχάραξε ἀνεξιτήλως τὴν πορείαν τῆς Γεννήσεως
ἀνθρωπότητος.
Τὸ
ὄνομά
της,
εἰς
τὴν
ψηφιδωτόν
του
Νάρθηκος
τοὺς
Τρεῖς
συνήχθησαν εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα …τὸ δὲ
θεοδόχον αὐτῆς σῶμα μετ’ ἀγγελικῆς καὶ ἑβραϊκὴν Bethlehem, σημαίνει οἶκος τοῦ Πέρσας Μάγους νὰ προσφέρουν τὰ δῶρα
ἀποστολικῆς
ὑμνωδίας
παυσαμένης ἄρτου, τοῦ Ἄρτου τῆς ζωῆς. Ὅπως τους εἰς τὸ Θεῖον Βρέφος. Μετὰ τὴν
παρόντες οἱ ἀπόστολοι ἑνὸς αὐτοῖς ἀναφέρεται εἰς τὸ Εὐαγγέλιον τοῦ κατάκτησιν τῆς χώρας ὑπὸ τῶν Ἀράβων τὸ
ἀπολειφθέντος Θωμᾶ, καὶ μετὰ τὴν Τρίτη Ματθαίου (κεφ.Β,1) καὶ τοῦ Λουκᾶ (κεφ Β 638 καὶ τὴν συνθήκην τοῦ Ὀμάρ, Χριστιανοὶ
ἡμέραν ἐλθόντες, καὶ τὸ θεοδόχον σῶμα 1-15) εἶναι ὁ τόπος τῆς γεννήσεως τοῦ καὶ Μουσουλμάνοι ἔζησαν ἁρμονικῶς εἰς
προσκυνῆσαι βουληθέντος, ἤνοιξαν τὴν Ἰησοῦ. Ἡ Βηθλεὲμ ἔχει ἐπίσης καὶ τὴν τὴν Βηθλεέμ, καθὼς οἱ τελευταῖοι ἐτίμων τὸν
σωρόν. Καὶ τὸ σῶμα αὐτῆς τὸ πανύμνητον ὀνομασίαν Ἐφραθά, καθὼς καὶ Βηθλεὲμ- Χριστὸν ὡς προφήτην καὶ ἐσέβοντο τὴν
οὐδαμῶς εὐρεῖν ἠδυνήθησαν, μόνα δὲ αὐτῆς πόλις Δαυΐδ διὰ νὰ διακρίνεται ἀπὸ τὴν Παναγίαν. Τὸ 1250 τὴν δυναστείαν τῶν
τὰ ἐντάφια κείμενα εὑρόντες... ἠσφαλίσαντο ὁμώνυμον πόλιν Βηθλεὲμ νοτίως τῆς Ἁγιουβιδῶν εἰς τὴν Αἴγυπτον διαδέχονται οἱ
τὴν σωρόν». Ἐκ τῶν ἀνωτέρω συνάγεται, Γαλιλαίας. Ἀλλάζει ριζικῶς τὸν 4ον αἰῶνα Μαμελοῦκοι. Ἐπακολουθεῖ πλῆθος διωγμῶν
ταλαιπωριῶν
τοῦ
χριστιανικοῦ
καὶ ὅπερ εἶναι ἡλίου φαεινότερον, ὅτι ἕτερος ὅταν ἡ Ἁγία Ἑλένη, ἔκτισε τὸ 327-333 ἐπάνω καὶ
εἰς
τὸ
Σπήλαιον
τῆς
Γεννήσεως
τοῦ
Χριστοῦ
πληθυσμοῦ
τῆς
πόλεως,
ἐνῶ
κατὰ τὴν
τὶς θὰ πρέπει νὰ εἶναι ὁ κτήτωρ τῆς ἐν
μεγαλοπρεπῆ
Βασιλικήν,
συντελοῦσα
εἰς
τὴν
διάρκειαν
τῆς
ὀθωμανικῆς
κατοχῆς
ξεκινάει
Γεθσημανῇ ἐκκλησίας τῆς Θεομήτορος,
μετατροπήν
τοῦ
μικροῦ
αὐτοῦ
καὶ
σφοδρὸς
ἀγὼν
Λατίνων
καὶ
ὅστις ἀμφιβόλως, θὰ ἤκμασε πρὸ τῶν
ἀσημάντου
χωριοῦ
εἰς
σπουδαῖον
Ἑλληνορθοδόξων
διὰ
τὴν
κυριότητα
τοῦ
αὐτοκρατόρων Μαρκιανοῦ καὶ Πουλχερίας,
διότι ἐὰν οὗτοι ἦσαν οἱ κτήτορες, δὲν θὰ προσκυνηματικὸν κέντρον. Τὸ ἐσωτερικόν Ναοῦ τῆς Γεννήσεως καὶ τοῦ Ἁγίου
ἔλεγον: «Ἀκούομεν εἶναι ἐν Ἱεροσολύμοις», τῆς Βασιλικῆς σώζεται εἰς τὴν ἀρχικήν του Σπηλαίου. Τὸ 1757 μὲ διάταγμα τοῦ
ὅπερ καὶ προδίδει αὐτοῦ ὡς μὴ γενομένους μορφήν. Εἶναι πεντάκλιτος βασιλικὴ καὶ τὰ σουλτάνου Ὀσμᾶν Γ΄ τὸ Ἑλληνορθόδοξον
κτήτορας αὐτῆς. Κατὰ ταῦτα, τὸν κτήτορα κλίτη χωρίζονται διά τεσσαράκοντα Πατριαρχεῖον Ἱεροσολύμων ἀνακτᾶ πλήρως
καὶ ἱδρυτὴν τῆς ἐν λόγῳ ἐκκλησίας ἐν μονολίθους κίονας κορινθιακοῦ ρυθμοῦ. Οἱ τὸν Ναὸν καὶ τὸ Σπήλαιον τῆς Γεννήσεως
Γεθσημανῇ θὰ πρέπει νὰ ἀναζητήσωμεν εἰς κίονες ἀπεικονίζουν διαφόρους Ἁγίους τῆς καὶ προσπαθεῖ νὰ τὰ διατηρήσῃ εἰς τὴν
τὸ μεταξὺ τῶν ἐτῶν 339 καὶ 450 χρονικὸν ἀνατολικῆς Ἐκκλησίας. Τὸ μεγαλύτερον δικαιοδοσίαν του μέσα ἀπὸ ἀντιξόους
διάστημα, ἤτοι μετὰ τὸν θάνατον τοῦ μέρος τοῦ Σπηλαίου τῆς Γεννήσεως εἶναι συνθῆκας.
ἐσκαλισμένον εἰς τὸν φυσικὸν βράχον ἐνῶ τὸ
Page 6
My Hero is…..
by Paulina Noufrios
My hero is Anna Chrysostomou. She is my hero
because she is a very strong woman in my eyes. Anna
is also warm hearted. I am very good friends with her
children. They are wonderful children.
Anna Chrysostomou has a child with autism. He is
a very bright boy. She, too, is a very smart woman.
She cares for and loves her family. The main reason
she is my hero is because she fought breast cancer and
now she looks as good as new.
I idolize her because she proves that women can do
anything. She is a great teacher, a wonderful mother,
and a perfect friend. She is a special person and we
are lucky to be close to her. When I grow up to
become a woman, I would like to like her.
My Hero is…..
by Eva Fexy
My hero is my sister, Hope, even though I only
knew her for less than five seconds. Hope was supposed to be a stillborn baby, but she fought like no one
has fought before, for her last and only breath.
This part I will never forget: she looked at me,
then my mom; she did not cry. Then, she closed her
eyes forever. Hope has taught me more than any one
else has. She taught me to try, no matter what. She
taught me that sometimes life does not go the way we
would like. She taught me that your best is always
good enough, and that when you are sad, you always
have your family to lean on.
She taught me all these things in less than five
seconds. May she rest in peace….
OXI Day at A. Fantis
By Tasos Papadopoulos
In the Greek language the word “οχι” (ohi)
means “no.” On October 28, 1940, the Greek prime
minister, Ioannis Metaxas, received a message from
the Italians. The message asked if the Italian army
could march through Greece. Metaxas instantly
answered ΟΧΙ (ΟΗΙ).
On
October 28, 2010 grades 5-8 of A. Fantis put on a
play. It was modeled after the 1940s movie “The
Germans Strike Again.” The play was practiced for
weeks prior to the day of the show. The play was
about a man named Theodore Ginopoulos who has a
dream about the Germans striking again. The characters were Theodore Ginopoulos- played by Tasos
Papadopoulos, The Crazy Guy- played by Spiro
Haliotis Ourania
Ginopoulos- played by Lia Fanourakis, Keti
Ginopoulos- played by Evie Vlitas, Lefteris- played
by Philipp Steimann, Zisi- played by Mark Plimakis,
Marigo- played by Joanna Zoulis, Prodoti (traitor)played by Lefteris Gementzopoulos, German soldiers- played by George Rogakos and Peter
Steimann, News Paper boys- played by Hunter
Arbeeny and Christopher Birney, Person A and
Person B- played by Hunter Arbeeny and Jasper
Johnson, Doctor- played by Paulina Noufrios,
Doctor A and Doctor B- played by Constantine
Athanitis and Adam Chrysostomou, Woman
Doctor- played by Athena Styron, Patrioti (patriot)- played by George
Manguravdos, Sotiri- played by Nicholas
Paravalos, civilians- played by Tatiana Welka, Julia
Trifan, and Emily Rassmann, and the person that
sells fruit, played by Brikena Prendaj. We thank the
cast for this great production.
A Fantis School Pre-School Program
The Time Has Come to Say
Farewell and Good Luck.
INTERVIEW WITH MS. ERIN
By Tasos Papadopoulos
Q: What year did you first start working at A. Fantis?
A: The 2006-2007 year.
Q: What was your first job at this school?
A: A UPK Teacher.
Q: How did you find working at this school?
A: I loved every second of it. I loved working with Mrs.
Patty, Ms. Jenny, and Ms. Evelyn.
Q: How did you go from being a UPK teacher
to becoming the Assistant Principal?
A: Dr. Farkouh gave me an amazing opportunity to work
under her guidance so I looked into School
Administration programs and got started right away.
Q: What did you accomplish at this school?
A: Going from teacher to Assistant Principal, creating
great working relationships, and overall positive relationships with teachers, students and families.
Q: What was your favorite part of working at A. Fantis?
A: All the great people I have met and worked with
through the years.
Q: Why are you leaving?
How do you feel about leaving?
A: I was offered a position as Assistant Principal at a
public school in Long Island, close to my home. I will
miss everyone at A. Fantis very much and plan on
staying in touch and at least celebrating with everyone
at the Greek Festival.
Page 7
The Ring Day Ceremony
Every year the class of the eighth grade has a Ring
Day Ceremony. This delightful ceremony is to honor
the eighth graders for coming this far. They are almost
at the finish line. They worked hard throughout the
years to reach the position they are in. This year the
Ring Day Ceremony was dedicated to a really funny
and smart class. The class has only one beautiful,
young girl named Dominique Thorne and eight handsome young men named Demetrios Koutsidis, Mark
Plimakis, Phillipp Stienmann, Gregory Poulon,
Elefterios Gementzopoulos, Spiro Haliotis, and
Anastasios Papadopopulos. At the ceremony two 7th
graders named Nicholas Paravalos and Evangelia
Fanourakis were giving out the programs. After the
blessing and the presentation of the rings, Anastatios
Papadopoulos said a touching Greek speech about the
day they have always been dreaming of. Then, Spiro
Haliotis, said a really excellent English speech. When
the two intelligent men finished their wonderful
speeches, happy tears came out of their parents eyes
when they placed the ring on their child’s finger.
“When did the children grow up? ” some parents
announced at the brunch the church hosted for the
eighth graders. Many people pitched in to help with the
delicious brunch. They served pancakes with a variety
of fruit and muffins. When everybody finished eating
it was time for cake. The cake was made and well
designed from Mrs. Tampakis. It was delicious. Many
of you might of even seen her on the cooking channel.
As you have noticed your children grow up really fast,
so enjoy them when they are young!
Evangelia Fanourakis – 7th grade
Interview with Mrs. Fatema Hossain
By Elefterios Gementzopoulos
1- What do you like about this school?
There are wonderful and creative children in this school.
2- Have you always taught 3rd graders?
This is my first time teaching third graders. Last year I had taught second grade.
3- What school did you teach before this one?
I taught in a public elementary school.
4- When did you finish college?
I finished college last year, December 2009.
5- Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Brooklyn.
6- Why did you become a teacher?
I love to work with children and help them grow academically.
7- Is this 3rd grade the best class in your teaching career?
Yes, they are a class of hardworking students.
8- What is your favorite subject teaching?
I like teaching all the subjects especially Math because you can relate it to real life experiences.
The New School Activity –
FENCING
By Christopher Birney and Vageli Vasilakos
The new school activity is fencing. Fencing
is a great activity to learn. There are only two
instructors buth they make sure that all the students understand the techniques from early
America to modern times. One of the instructors
was in the Olympics and is very well trained.
They teach everything from the stands to all the
great fencing things you will need to know to be
an amazing fencer.
The fencing program is divided into tow
groups. One group goes with one instructor and
the other group goes with the other instructor.
Page 8
You would fist start with the warm ups. After
that you would play fun fencing games like a
fencing version of Simon Says. Finally, your
group would have fencing matches.
Some people think that fencing is dangerous,
but it is very safe. The instructors bring armor,
masks and other equipment. The instructors also
make sure you are not hurt everytime you have a
match. The instructors make sure no one hurts
anyone. Everyone is nice and respectful to their
friends. The program is the best program the
school ever had!

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