1200 ROBERT E. LEE BOULEVARD – NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA 70122

FIRST GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH IN NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA

Volume 8, Issue 3 March 2018

A TOTAL REDISCOVERY

by Father George Wilson

During the Lenten Season, our Holy Orthodox Church encourages our spiritual growth through prayer, fasting, the study of Scripture (Bible) and other spiritually edifying books, and charitable endeavors. The following text is from the classic Orthodox Christian book: Great Lent, Journey to Pascha, which was written by Father Alexander Schmemann and provides a glimpse into one of these such spiritually edifying books. Father Alexander examines the meaning of Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, the Prayer of Saint Ephraim the Syrian, the Canon of Saint Andrew of Crete, and other neglected or misunderstood treasures of Lenten worship. He draws on the Church's sacramental and liturgical tradition to suggest the meaning of Lent in our life. The Lenten season is meant to kindle a 'bright sadness' within our hearts. Its aim is precisely the remembrance of Christ, a longing for a relationship with God that has been lost. Lent offers the time and place for recovery of this relationship. The darkness of Lent allows the flame of the Holy Spirit to burn within our hearts until we are led to the brilliance of the Resurrection.

Father George

What we need then is, first of all, the real rediscovery in the Church and by her faithful members of the true meaning of the Eucharist as the Sacrament of the Church, as that essential act in which she always becomes what she is: the Body of Christ, the Temple of the Holy Spirit, the gift of the new life, the manifestation of the Kingdom of God, the knowledge of God and communion with Him. The Church becomes all this by the “sacrament of the gathering” - many coming together to constitute the Church, by offering as one body united by one faith, one love, one hope, the Holy Oblation, by offering “with one mouth and one heart” the Eucharist, and by sealing this unity - in Christ with God and in Christ with one another - in the partaking of the Holy Gifts. What we need, furthermore, is the rediscovery of Holy Communion as the essential food uniting us to Christ, making us partakers of His Life, Death, and Resurrection as the very means of our fulfilling ourselves as members of the Church and of our spiritual life and growth. What we need finally is the rediscovery of the true meaning of preparation as the very focus of our spiritual life, as that spiritual effort which always reveals to us our unworthiness and makes us, therefore, desire the Sacrament of healing and forgiveness, and which by revealing to us the unfathomable depth of Christ’s love for us, makes us love Him and desire to be united with Him. And, if we “rediscover” all this, we shall also discover that in fact the entire life of the Church has always been that preparation: that all her rules - liturgical and spiritual, penitential and disciplinary - have indeed no other reason for existence but to help us in making our own life a constant preparation not only for Communion but, ultimately, for that for which Communion itself prepares us - the joy and the Fullness of the “day without evening” of God’s eternal Kingdom.

THE FLAME HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Continued from previous page

We shall thus rediscover the real need for the Sacrament of Penance, for sacramental confession. We shall seek in it not a formal “absolution” or an equally formal “condition” for Communion but a deep spiritual renewal, the true reconciliation with God and a return to His Church from which we are indeed so often excommunicated by the hopeless secularism of our existence. We shall rediscover the spiritual meaning of the penitential seasons of the Church: Great Lent, Pre-Christmas Lent, etc., which are the proper times and the proper seasons for sacramental Penance. We shall rediscover in ourselves the need for real spiritual guidance. And, above everything else we shall - with fear and joy, spiritual trembling and Faith - rediscover the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood as the very source and the constant focus of our life as Christians! All this, to be sure, will not happen overnight. It will take much time, much effort, much patience. Yet, the very act that all these questions - and on a deeper level a thirst and hunger for a fuller participation in the essential, spiritual, and sacramental life of the Church - have appeared in our Church and in her members reassures us that even in the darkness and the spiritual decomposition of our troubled times, the Church “never ages but always rejuvenates herself.” It belongs to those whom God has entrusted with “rightly defining the Word of His Truth” - to the bishops, as the guardians of the Truth - to see to it that this spiritual hunger be satisfied in accordance with the true norms, the true demands of the Church’s Tradition.

Written by Reverend Alexander Schmemann from Great Lent - Journey to Pascha

PASTRY WORKSHOPS ARE WELL UNDERWAY Greek Festival pastry workshops are in full swing. Daytime sessions are EVERY Tuesday and Wednesday, except Holy Week, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, and evening sessions are held SOME Tuesdays from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Check your weekly bulletin for updates.

Many helping hands are needed, and male and female VOLUNTEERS OF ALL AGES are encouraged to assist.

PARISH REGISTRY Celebrations, Milestones, Comfort, and Support

BAPTISMS February 17, 2018 Kalliopi Alexandra Huner Daughter of Maria (Michailakis) and Eldon Huner III Godparents—Georgios Bakamitsos and Kalli Vassilas Grass

February 18, 2018 Olivia Grace Costas Daughter of Cristina Costas and Dumitru Tarus Godparents—Tatiana and Nicu Ciobanu

HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL

1200 Robert E. Lee Boulevard New Orleans, Louisiana 70122

504.282.0259 – Fax 504.283.5586 holytrinitycathedral.org

Liturgical Services Sundays – Orthros 8:45 am Divine Liturgy 10:00 am Weekdays (when scheduled) 9:00 am

Clergy Very Reverend Father George Wilson priest@holytrinitycathedral.org 504-282-0259

Chanter: Demetrios Golfos Choir Director: Alex Tiliakos

2018 PARISH COUNCIL President: Steven E. Psarellis 1

st Vice President: Nicholas S. Bouzon

2nd

Vice President: Ares M. Christakis, MD Treasurer: Nektarios Christakis Secretary: Barbara Stavis Wolf Members: Maria Anastasiou, Angela Fyssas-Lear, Christ Kanellakis, Dennis P. Papadopoulos, Constandinos Vennis, and Efthimios Zissis

The Flame: Editor, Victoria Catsulis

EDUCATION Greek School: Instructor, Fay Kalergi Hymnology: Instructor, Viki Moustoukas Sunday Church School following Holy Communion

Director: Patrick Latour

ORGANIZATIONS Acolytes and Readers

Coordinator: Vladimir Ammons AHEPA: President, Lance von Uhde III Daughters of Penelope

President: Denise Ammons

Education, Culture, and Youth Ministries Chairman: Constandinos Vennis

GOYA Coordinator: Presvytera Harriet Wilson President: Andreas Poulis Advisors: Alex Korominas and Donna

Venturatos Hellenic Dancers Coordinator, Mathoula Bilalis Holy Trinity Soccer: Co-Directors, Angela Fyssas- Lear and Katerina Sutton HOPE: Advisors, Mariellen Craver & Diana Peterson JOY: Advisors, Stephanie Malachias and Marianthe Melancon Junior Neolea Hellenic Dancers Director: Evagelia Vatakis Philoptochos: President, Cathy Vial PTA: President, Katerina Sutton Real Estate Committee Chairperson: Christ Kanellakis St. Markella of Chios President: Maria Anastasiou

Support: Secretary, Victoria Catsulis Maintenance: Dimitri Vatakis

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE MARCH 2018 Greetings.

ÓRAMA sessions began Saturday, February 17, with a great initial participation by our community. At first we examined the nature and status of Orthodox communities in the full spectrum of religious activities throughout the United States. As of 2015 when the Pew Research Center Study was last published, about .5 percent of Christians in America identified themselves as Orthodox. For your reference I attached graphic tables below and on pages 4 and 5, which show participation in religious services in terms of age groups and immigrant status among others. A review of these charts will show that existential challenges are widespread throughout all religious communities and are not unique to us alone.

So, how does this information translate into an action plan for our community? What are the goals we wish to achieve?

An important question was asked during our first meeting: Is our goal to fill the pews? If so, who is our target audience? This brought in mind an effort by a good friend, Elias Tomazos of Connecticut, when he set forth to introduce a Hellenic Studies program at the University of Connecticut. I was a university student at the time, and as president of the Greek Orthodox Club of the University, I had the honor of working with his team in canvassing the state for support. Elias never asked for money; he formulated a vision and went from church to church in the state asking that they too share in the vision by talking to their friends and sharing their excitement over the plan. Years later an Orthodox chapel, a Hellenic Center, and an open amphitheater were built on campus through the enthusiastic financial support of church parishioners throughout the state, all without a single “mega-donor.”

We cannot embarrass people for not coming to church any more than Elias would embarrass people by directly asking for money. What we have to do is look inwardly and determine how we can make the community experience, such as to have people want to come and participate. Borrowing from the “Field of Dreams,” when we build our ministries through common vision, they will come.

At our first meeting I suggested a business-type “SWOT” analysis of our community’s strengths, weaknesses, future opportunities, and future developmental threats. While there was good participation at this exercise, I would like to extend this challenge to those, who were unable to join us that Saturday. Here is your first homework assignment then: What do you think our community’s strengths are, and what are its weaknesses? Email your answers to HTC.orama@gmail.com and join us on Saturday, March 24, at 11:00 am when we continue our journey.

One family, one vision.

Thank you, Steven E. Psarellis Holy Trinity Cathedral Parish Council President

Below and on the next two pages are statistics presented at the February 11, 2018, ÓRAMA meeting detailing participation in religious services within the United States.

IMPORTANCE OF RELIGION IN ONE'S LIFE BY RELIGIOUS ATTENDANCE - % of adults who say religion is...

Attendance at Religious Services Very

Important

Somewhat

Important

Not Too

Important

Not at All

Important

Do Not

Know

At Least Once a Week 89% 9% 1% 1% 1%

Once or Twice a Month/A Few Times a Year 45% 40% 11% 3% <1%

Seldom/Never 20% 26% 22% 31% 1%

Do Not Know 55% 18% 4% 4% 19%

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ΜΗΝΥΜΑ ΤΟΥ ΠΡΟΕΔΡΟΥ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΗΣ ΚΟΙΝΟΤΗΤΑΣ ΝΕΑΣ ΟΡΛΕΑΝΗΣ

Καλημέρα και Καλή Σαρακοστή.

Το νόημα της Σαρακοστής μας το παρουσίασε στην εκκλησία ο Πατήρ Γεώργιος την Κυριακή που μας πέρασε. Παράλληλα, η Φιλὀπττωχος της κοινότητάς μας έκανε ένα ωραίο γεύμα, Αποκριάτικο βέβαια κατά την παράδοσή μας. Τα άτομα βέβαια λίγα, και πολύ από το υπέροχο φαγητό έμεινε. Και το ερώτημα είναι, αφού είχαμε πάνω απο 135 άτομα στην εκκλησία, γιατί μείνανε μόνο κάτω απο 80 για την Φιλόπτωχο. Φυσικά, και τα δύο παραπάνω νούμερα είναι ανησυχητικά χαμηλά.

Το Σάββατο που μας πέρασε, κάναμε το πρώτο αναγνωριστικό βήμα για την μελλοντική εξέλιξη της κοινότητάς μας. Κατ’αρχάς, μοίρασα τα εσώκλειστα διαγράμματα που δείχνουν ότι τα προβλήματα προσελεύσεως σε θρησκευτικές λειτουργίες και κοινοτικές παραστάσεις (όταν η κοινότητα είναι στην ουσία η εκκλησία, συναγωγή, τέμενος, κλπ), είναι ευρέως διαδεδομένα. Δηλαδή, όλες οι θρησκείες έχουν παρόμοια προβλήματα – πόσον μάλλον εμείς οι Ελληνορθόδοξοι που είμαστε κάτι πιο λίγο από 0.5% απ’όλες τις Χριστιανικές θρησκείες στην Αμερική.

Το θέμα μας δεν είναι το πώς θα κυνηγήσουμε έναν προς έναν τους Ελληνορθόδοξους που είναι στην ευρύτερη περιοχή για να ἐρθουν στην εκκλησία και να συμμετάσχουνε στα έργα της κοινότητας. Το θέμα μας δεν είναι το πως θα “φιλοτιμίσουμε” τον κόσμο να έρθει να προσευχηθεί. Το να ποιάσει κάποιος δέκα άτομα να έρθουν την άλλη βδομάδα στην εκκλησία δεν σημαίνει ότι θα ξανάρθουνε. Ούτε το να φωνάζουμε στον κόσμο να έρχεται στη λειτουργία νωρίς έχει θετικά αποτελέσματα. Άρα, θα πρέπει να πείσουμε τον κόσμο να θέλει να έρθει, με έργα και όχι λόγια.

Ποιά είναι αυτά τα έργα λοιπόν. Ο κόσμος πού είναι ενεργά μέλη της κοινότητας δουλεύουν σκληρά για το ετήσιό μας πανηγύρι (Festival). Προσφέρουν τον πολύτιμό τους χρόνο για το καλό της κοινότητας, είται σαν δάσκαλοι στο κατηχητικό, είται στην Φιλόπτωχο, είται σε άλλους οργανισμούς. Ε, λοιπόν, θα ζητήσω λίγο απο τον χρόνο σας ακόμα. Αυτό που ζητώ ειναι να σταματήσετε 10-15 λεπτά και να σκεφτείτε τι δουλεύει και τι δεν δουλεύει στην κοινότητάμας. Με άλλα λόγια, που είμαστε δυνατοί, και πού είναι οι αδυναμίες μας. Η αυτογνωσία είνα το πρώτο βήμα για να βαδίσουμε μπροστά σαν κοινότητα. Μετά από αυτη την άσκηση, θα προχωρήσουμε παρακάτω στα επόμενα βήματα.

Αυτά ακριβώς συζητήσαμε το Σάββατο, χωρίς βέβαια να ολοκληρώσουμε το έργο μέσα σε μία ώρα. Η σειρά σας λοιπόν, για όσους δεν κατάφεραν να παραβρεθούν το Σάββατο, να μου στείλετε τις σκέψεις σας μέσω του διαδικτύου στο HTC.orama@gmail.com.

Θα ξαναβρεθούμε το Σάββατο, 24 Μαρτίου στις 11 το πρωί να συνεχίσουμε την συζήτηση. Ελπίζω να σας δούμε εκεί.

Μιά οικογένεια, ένα Όραμα.

Σταύρος Η. Ψαρέλλης Πρόεδρος Συμβουλίου Ελληνορθόδοξης Κοινότητας Νέας Ορλεάνης

IMMIGRANT STATUS BY RELIGIOUS ATTENDANCE - % of adults who are...

Attendance at Religious Services Immigrants 2nd

Generation

3rd Generation

or Higher

At Least Once a Week 16% 9% 75%

Once or Twice a Month/A Few Times a Year 15% 11% 74%

Seldom/Never 12% 11% 77%

Do Not Know 16% 7% 77%

5

PEW RESEARCH CENTER STATISTICS ON RELIGIOUS GROUPS AND ATTENDANCE

IMMIGRANT STATUS BY RELIGIOUS GROUP - % of Adults who are...

ATTENDANCE AT RELIGIOUS SERVICES BY RELIGIOUS GROUP - % of adults who attend religious services...

GENERATIONAL COHORT BY RELIGIOUS ATTENDANCE - % of adults who are...

AGE DISTRUBUTION BY RELIGIOUS ATTENDANCE - % of adults who are ages...

Religious Tradition Immigrants 2nd

Generation

3rd or Higher

Generation

Buddhist 26% 22% 52%

Catholic 28% 15% 58%

Evangelical Protestant 9% 7% 84%

Hindu 87% 9% 4%

Historically Black Protestant 7% 3% 90%

Jehovah's Witness 25% 8% 67%

Jewish 12% 22% 67%

Mainline Protestant 7% 7% 87%

Mormon 7% 7% 86%

Muslim 64% 17% 18%

Orthodox Christian 40% 23% 36%

Unaffiliated—Religious" Nones" 13% 12% 75%

Religious Tradition At Least Once

a Week

Once or Twice/Month

Few Times a Year

Seldom/

Never

Do Not

Know

Buddhist 18% 50% 31% <1%

Catholic 39% 40% 20% 1%

Evangelical Protestant 58% 30% 12% 1%

Hindu 18% 60% 21% 1%

Historically Black Protestant 53% 36% 10% 1%

Jehovah's Witness 85% 11% 3% 1%

Jewish 19% 49% 31% <1%

Mainline Protestant 33% 43% 24% 1%

Mormon 77% 14% 9% 1%

Muslim 45% 31% 22% 1%

Orthodox Christian 31% 54% 15% <1%

Unaffiliated—Religious" Nones" 4% 24% 72% <1%

Attendance at Religious Services Younger

Millennial Older

Millennial Generation X

Baby Boomer

Silent Greatest

At Least Once a Week 11% 11% 27% 34% 17% 2%

Once or Twice a Month/A Few Times a Year 16% 16% 29% 31% 8% 1%

Seldom/Never 15% 18% 28% 29% 9% 1%

Do Not Know 9% 15% 17% 36% 21% 2%

Attendance at Religious Services 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+

At Least Once a Week 17% 32% 28% 24%

Once or Twice a Month/A Few Times a Year 25% 36% 26% 13%

Seldom/Never 26% 35% 24% 15%

Do Not Know 17% 24% 28% 31%

6

HH OO LL YY TT RR II NN II TT YY AA RR CC HH II VV EE SS CC OO MM MM II TT TT EE EE NN EE WW SS LL EE TT TT EE RR

CCOONNSSEERRVVAATTIIOONN

Part of the conservation duties of the Archives Committee is the identification of the artifacts and documents that are in the collection. Recently, organizing the 19th century books in archival boxes, the Committee discovered more academic and religious books in Slavic languages. Thanks are extended to Anna Sher for her translations of the titles of these books. An interesting aspect of her translations is the need to read Slavonic dates. For example, after some research Anna could translate as 1886 for a Slavonic service book.

HHIISSTTOORRYY

It was an amazing coincidence and a very special day when two noted historians of the Greek American experience met at Holy Trinity on Tuesday, February 20. Both were here to conduct research on the New Orleans church and the community. Pictured here are Steve Frangos (left), a published writer and free-lance journalist, who provides the history article for the National Herald and enriches the understanding of Greek immigration to America with his academic journal articles. Steve recently created the museum exhibition, Greek Music in America, in Tarpon Springs, Florida, with Tina Bucuvalas, Curator of Arts and Historical Resources for the City of Tarpon Springs. William Samonides, PhD (right), one of the foremost Greek Orthodoxy historians in America, publishes his work in the Orthodox Observer, the Archdiocesan newspaper. William recently created the exhibition, Pioneering Priests: Establishing the Greek Orthodox Faith in America for the St. Photios Shrine.

Below is a continuation of the series of letters translated by Gregory Kontos. This letter was written March 11, 1868.

To His Excellency, Mr. A. Rangaves, envoy of his Majesty, King of Greece, to the President of the USA Washington.

Mr. Ambassador, I received the document, Number 179 of February 14/26th, of your Excellency in time, together with the enclosed encyclical of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece, which I forwarded on the same day to the priest of the local Eastern Orthodox Church, Archimandrite Mr. Stefanos Andreadis, who wishes to comply totally with its content. This priest arrived here last November, but he only managed to serve in this with-much-exertion-founded temple for the first time on December 25, that is the day of Christmas, using the antimension, with no typical dedication preceding. We were obliged to postpone it indefinitely due to the incomplete interior decorations of the temple and the total absence of the most crucial ecclesiastical items. Not only was it very hard and costly for us to procure such items here but also, although we were promised their free shipment from Russia, thanks to the goodhearted and higher than any praise actions of the Ambassador of Russia in Washington, Mister Destaeunte, unexpectedly these have not arrived so far. We do not know the reason, and we totally lack in any news about them. However, we did not stop worshipping since, holding services every Sunday with the antimension of Father Stefanos, to the great glee of the whole Orthodox flock residing here and in the outer communities, since we had previously temporarily acquired with our own means the very necessary ecclesiastical items, according to the rules of our church, hoping that with patience we would carry through this holy mission for the glory and honor of the one and great Eastern Orthodox church of Christ. Accept, Mister Ambassador, the confirmation of my high respect to you, with which I remain,

Willing, Nikol. M. Benakis

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2018 HTC EPIPHANY CELEBRATION

The Holy Trinity Cathedral family celebrated Epiphany on January 7, 2018, with its annual dove release and cross retrieval along the banks of Bayou St. John. This year the honors of dove bearer were bestowed upon Eleni Tsaoussidis, and among the three swimmers that braved the winter temperatures Nicholas Jimenez emerged from the waters with the coveted cross. He was joined by fellow swimmers Nicholas Stathopoulos and Matthew Vaveris.

With the Holy Trinity Cathedral community, the event was sponsored by Kostas Gus Hazifotis; Michael Kleamenakis, OD; Jayden Holden; Sheraton Hotel New Orleans; Braedon Strain; Martha and James Strain, Jr.; Koula and Constandinos Vennis; and Barbara Stavis Wolf. Thanks are extended to the sponsors, as well as the committee members, who organized and executed the successful celebration. The committee included Reverend Father George Wilson; Frank Aymami; Victoria Catsulis; Diane and Nicholas Chronis; Angeliki Frezoulis; Pandeli Frezoulis; Kalliope and Matthew Grass; John Kleamenakis; Mike Kleamenakis, OD; Mike Kleamenakis, Jr.; Eleni Korominas; Angie Kringas; Faith Kyame; Lawrence Labatut; Nikolaos Liaptsios; Gracie Malachias; Sophia Marathonitis; Terry Marathonitis; Panagiotis Michailakis; Petros Michailakis; Amanda Munch; Dennis Papadopoulos; Panagiotis Patselikos; Maria Anna Stavrakakis; George Tzavellas; Dimitri Vatakis; Koula and Constandinos Vennis; Cathy Vial; Barbara Stavis Wolf; and Laila Morcos Zissis.

Each year the special Epiphany t-shirts that are obtained for the swimmers are also made available as event souvenirs. (See image at right.) A few 2018 long-sleeved blue t-shirts remain and are $20 each. If you are interested in buying one, please contact the Cathedral office or Barbara Stavis Wolf.

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PHILOPTOCHOS SENIOR CITIZENS MARDI GRAS LUNCHEON HELD IN JANUARY

Debbie and Vasili Funti graciously hosted a Mardi Gras themed Senior Citizens Luncheon on Thursday, January 25, in honor of Sophie Hadjes and Ruth Ann and Jimmy Menutis. The festivities included a delicious lunch prepared by George Tzavellas and his assistants, as well as a surprise second line parade and musical interlude performed by talented George Psilos. This added attraction was followed by exciting bingo games, making the entire event a most enjoyable time for all that attended!

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PHILOPOTOCHOS FEBRUARY SENIOR CITIZENS LUNCHEON

The February Seniors Citizens Luncheon was sponsored by Eleftheria Demarinis in memory of her husband, Petros Demarinis. Once again “Chef” George Tzavellas and his entourage prepared a feast for the guests, who came. Everyone enthusiastically participated in the bingo games that followed and thanked Eleftheria for a fun day, great food, and most enjoyable company!

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS SATURDAY, MARCH 3—Membership Meeting

10:30 am at the Hellenic Cultural Center

MEMBERSHIP DUES ARE DUE—$35 Please send your membership renewal to

Dr. Cornelia Koniditsiotis 1200 Robert E. Lee Boulevard

New Orleans, LA 70122 New members are welcome! Join Philoptochos and help make a difference.

To sponsor a Senior Citizens Luncheon, contact Cathy Vial at 504-456-2331.

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The oath of office was administered in the Cathedral to the 2018 Board of Trustees on Sunday, January 7, 2018. Front row from left to right are Efthimios Zissis; Constandinos Vennis; Christ Kanellakis; Barbara Stavis Wolf, Secretary; Nektarios Christakis, Treasurer; and Angela Fyssas-Lear. Back row from left to right are Nicholas Bouzon, 1st Vice President; Steven E. Psarellis, President; Father George Wilson; and Ares Christakis, MD, 2nd Vice President. Not pictured are Maria Anastasiou and Dennis Papadopoulos.

AHEPA - ANDREW JACKSON CHAPTER - UPCOMING EVENTS

CRAWFISH BOIL

All AHEPA members, as well as those interested in joining, are invited to attend the AHEPA annual Crawfish Boil on Sunday, March 11, beginning at 4:00 pm on the Cathedral grounds overlooking Bayou St. John. Also, young men over 14, who may be interested in joining a reactivated Sons of Pericles chapter, are also welcomed to attend.

AHEPA FAMILY PALM SUNDAY LUNCHEON The entire HTC community is asked to support the annual Palm Sunday Luncheon,

which the Order of AHEPA - Andrew Jackson Chapter 133 and the Daughters of Penelope - Nestor Chapter 55 will host on Sunday, April 1, 2018. The menu will

include fish, potatoes, green beans, salad, and bread, along with bottled water or soft drink for the very reasonable price of $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12.

Everyone should consider breaking bread together before entering Holy Week.

ICON RAFFLE - In the weeks leading up to Palm Sunday, AHEPA will sell tickets for its second

annual Icon Raffle. This year a beautiful icon of the Baptism of Christ, featuring a silver border and enclosed in a wooden and glass frame, is offered. The icon was created by the Kellion of Saint John the Baptist on Mount Athos. Tickets are $5 each or $20 for 5. Proceeds will be used to support various charitable and philanthropic causes. The drawing will take place at the Palm Sunday Luncheon; winner need not be present.

2018 HOLY TRINITY CATHEDRAL STEWARDSHIP

All Orthodox Christians are now in the midst of Great Lent. This is an excellent opportunity for those that have not yet returned their completed 2018 Stewardship forms to do so. Lent is a time to rededicate our lives to Christ and to focus our attention to what is really important, our salvation. It is also a time to reflect that our only road to salvation is through the Church. Therefore, it is imperative that each person support the Church with the gifts that God has blessed him or her. The Stewardship Committee, along with Father George and the Parish Council members, hopes to see all of you in Church during this Lenten period, especially if you have been away for a while.

ΚΚΑΑΛΛΗΗ ΣΣΑΑΡΡΑΑΚΚΟΟΣΣΤΤΗΗ!!

Please remember that stewards in good standing are those eighteen years of age and older, who submit a stewardship form, committing a portion of their time, talent, and treasure to the Church. If you did not receive a 2018 Stewardship packet in the mail, contact the Cathedral office or pick one up in the Narthex. Please be generous.

The Cathedral office received 109 commitments totaling $53,295.00. Of this $30,920.00 was paid with an average pledge of $498.58. Thank you for your generous support of the 2018 Stewardship Ministry.

Reverend George and Presvytera Harriet Wilson

PLEDGES RECEIVED BY FEBRUARY 22, 2018

Stewards with outstanding balances are kindly reminded to complete their 2017 pledges as soon as possible or to contact the Cathedral office, if they cannot. 11

Demarinis, Eleftheria Doussa, Sandra Engel, Mary and Allen Frezoulis, Angeliki & Konstantinos Funti, Deborah Ann and Vasili Fyssas, Despina and George Gambos, Fortunate and Andrew Gattuso, Ioana and Roy Grass, Kalliope and Matthew Herta, Svetlana Pirlog and Damian Huner, Maria and Eldon Inculet, Cristina and Vitalii Johnson, Helen Maskas and Ben Karmoukos, Stephanie and John Karras, Gloria Karras, Maria Karras-Graver, Ioanna Kleamenakis, Angela Kleamenakis, Nickolas G. Kleamenakis, Sue and Michael Kloumassis, Niki Koniditsiotis, Cornelia and John Koniditsiotis, Jenny and Harry Konos, Marcella and Pete Kontaxis, Athena Kouloubis, Mary and John Kouloubis, Frank

Ammons, Denise and Vladimir Anastasiou, Maria and Kosta Andersson, Billie and W. Paul Andres, Christine P. Andrews, Bethlehem K. Angelico, Robert and Kathy Conklin Angelus, Maria and George Arakelian, Olga and Alexei Bakamitsos, Marion and Georgios Baril, Martha Bouton, Bella and Raymond Bouzon, Nicholas Bozinis, Ena and Theodoros Brownlee, Suzie Yousif and Matthew Burland, Panay and James Catinis, Ana and George Catsulis, Victoria Caus, Violetta and Vitalie Chancy, Sophia and James Charalampidis, Dimitrios Christakis, Joann S. Christakis, Maria T. Christidis, Stylianos Chronis, Diane and Nicholas Ciobanu, Tatiana and Ion Cochran, Jerry Dabbs, Stella

Kringas, Connie Kyame, Faith Kyriakides, Maria and Aris Latour, Patrick Levidis, Ermioni and Theodosios Maag, Magdalene and Richard Madonia, Arlene and Jason Mailhes, Konstantina Mantis, Rosy and Thomas McCrary, Mona and Douglas Miaoulis, Anita and Chris Michailakis, Kalliopi and Petros Michailakis, Petroula and Pete Morcos, Ann Moustoukas, Despina Moustoukas, Viki and Nick Mullins, Kalliope and Mark Nevels, Anastassia and John Max Nicoladis, Kristen and Michael F. Nicopoulos, Sue and Constandinos Owen, Adrienne Dabbs and Greg Panciuc, Angela Tutuc & Dumitru Papamichael, Lori and Chris Pappas, Despina K. Pappas, John E. Payavla, Callie Pelias, Magda

Pepps, Mary Petikas, Mary and Dimitrios Psarellis, Steven E. Psilos, Gail and Tony Psilos, Nicolle and Christopher Putnam, Andrea and John Qamar, Mary Ramirez, Anna and Jesus Ricciardi, Chrysanthy Richards, Charlotte E. Russu, Tatiana and Mihail Sher, Anna Skoufalos, Ofeliamanda & Dimos Stokes, Maria and Brian Stratikis, Suzanne and George Tarus, Cristina Costas & Dumitru Ticu, Svetlana and Iulian Tiliakos, Connie and Alexander Tzavellas, Fotini and George Vaida, Mary and Razvan Venturatos, Stephanie Voulgarakis, Claudia & Vassilios Webb, Mary and James Whitehead, Martha and Joel Wolf, Barbara Stavis Xiros, Nick and Fay Kalergi Zervoudis, Georgia and George

S P E C I A L P O I N T S O F I N T E R E S T

GREEK FESTIVAL CHAIRPERSONS MEETING WITH NANCY MOORE—All 2018 Greek Festival booth chairpersons are asked to contact Stacy Rico and schedule an appointment to meet with Nancy Moore in the boardroom on Saturday, March 24, between 10:30 am to 4:30 pm. Please make every effort to spend time with Nancy, who is vital to the operations and success of each booth, as well as the entire Festival.

ÓRAMA MEETING—Come participate in a monthly open discussion that seeks a definitive VISON for the future of HTC. The next ÓRAMA meeting will be Saturday, March 24, 2018, at 11:00 am in the Coffee Room.

PASTRY ORDER FORM ENCLOSED—For your convenience the Greek Festival Pastry Committee has provided an order form in this issue of The Flame and asks that you return the completed form to the Cathedral office or to one of the Committee chairpersons.

SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM ORATORICAL FESTIVAL—Plan to stay after Divine Liturgy on Sunday, March 4, for the 2018 Sunday Church School Saint John Chrysostom Parish Festival. All students from each grade will present individual writings, drawings, and/or poems regarding the Orthodox faith. A Progressive Coffee will take place that day with both the Sunday Church School staff and families hosting the fellowship. Following the coffee social everyone is invited back into the Cathedral to listen to the junior and senior orations. Two participants from each division will move on to the district level to represent the parish. That event will take place in Mobile, Alabama, on Saturday, April 21. Please plan to stay and support these young people.

YOUTH SOCCER—The HTC Youth Soccer program continues its spring sessions each Friday at 6:00 pm through Friday, March 30. If you have any questions regarding this ministry, please contact Angela Fyssas-Lear or Katerina Sutton.

Don't forget to register for the HTC Spring Family Lenten RETREAT

slated for Saturday, March 17. A registration table is set up in the Hellenic Cultural Center foyer.

What is Family Camp? The Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos is excited to offer our fourth family camp for special needs focusing on Autism. We are providing a faith based camp helping children with Autism grow in their relationship with God. We will have a 1:1 ratio of trained counselors for each special needs child. Families will stay in cabins and experience all that our beautiful retreat center has to offer: recreation, art programs, special parent seminars, bonding opportunities with other families, and spiritual nourishment.

This is our fourth Special Needs Camp and we are limiting the session to 10 families to accommodate the physical, social/emotional, spiritual and dietary needs of all.

Check out our video! https://www.facebook.com/atlantametropolisphiloptochos/videos/videos/ 960770307297751/video_source=pages_ finch_main_video

contact Despina Koulianos: dkoulianos1@gmail.com 251-454-5657

Schedule includes:

‣ Inclusion church services ‣ Breakfast ‣ Engaging camp activities ‣ Lunch ‣ Free time ‣ Recreational activities outside/family session ‣ Dinner & evening activities

When: June 1-3, 2018

Where: Diakonia Retreat Center Salem, South Carolina

Who: Families with children on the Autism Spectrum (ages 9-15). Siblings /parents included. Additional special Parent Seminars

Cost: $100 donation/family Remainder of cost is a gift to our families with special needs

Created for families with children on the Autism Spectrum

Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos

presents

Christ the Good Shepherd

PRE-GREEK FESTIVAL PASTRY ORDER FORM — SPRING 2018

NAME:________________________________________________________

PHONE:_______________________________________________________

Tsourekia $10.00 x _____________ = $_________________

Items Sold by the Dozen

Almond Rolls $12.00 x _____________ = $_________________

Galaktoboureka $12.00 x _____________ = $_________________

Koulourakia $ 6.00 x _____________ = $_________________

Tiropites $12.00 x _____________ = $_________________

PAID: Yes No TOTAL: $________________

M A R C H 2 0 1 8

THURSDAY, MARCH 1 10:00 am Cathedral Cleaning Committee Workshop 3:00 pm Sugarplum Ball Set Up until 7:00 pm FRIDAY, MARCH 2 8:00 am Cathedral Montessori School Golf Tournament 8:15 am Cathedral Montessori School Read Across America Day 6:00 pm Holy Trinity Youth Soccer Practice and Dinner 7:00 pm Second Salutations to the Theotokos GOYA Aspile Readers for the Salutations 8:00 pm Sugarplum Ball Set Up until 10:00 pm SATURDAY, MARCH 3 8:00 am Hall Rental— SUGARPLUM BALL until 1:00 am 10:30 am Philoptochos General Meeting 12:00 pm Beginner Youth Greek School 1:30 pm Advanced Youth Greek School SUNDAY, MARCH 4 8:45 am Orthros 10:00 am Divine Liturgy—SUNDAY OF ST. GREGORY PALAMAS

Youth Hymnology and Sunday Church School after Holy Communion

St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival and Reception 12:00 pm Kids' Cafe

MONDAY, MARCH 5 8:00 am Sugarplum Ball Final Break Down until 12:00 pm

6:00 pm Great Compline

TUESDAY, MARCH 6 10:00 am Greek Festival Pastry Workshop 6:00 pm Greek Festival Evening Pastry Workshop 7:00 pm Beginner Adult Greek School 7:00 pm Cathedral Montessori School Board Meeting WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7 9:00 am Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts 10:30 am Greek Festival Pastry Workshop

7:30 pm Advanced Adult Geek School

FRIDAY, MARCH 9 9:45 am Cathedral Montessori School Chapel 6:00 pm Holy Trinity Youth Soccer Practice and Dinner 7:00 pm Third Salutations to the Theotokos GOYA Aspile Readers for the Salutations SATURDAY, MARCH 10 Overnight Road Trip to St. Paraskevi Monastery in Texas 12:00 pm Beginner Youth Greek School 1:30 pm Advanced Youth Greek School SUNDAY, MARCH 11 8:45 am Orthros 10:00 am Divine Liturgy—SUNDAY OF THE HOLY CROSS DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME BEGINS

Youth Hymnology and Sunday Church School after Holy Communion

Philoptochos Special Tray for Hellenic College-Holy Cross Seminary

12:00 pm Kids' Cafe 12:00 pm Safety and Security Committee Meeting 4:00 pm AHEPA Annual Crawfish Boil

MONDAY, MARCH 12 6:00 pm Great Compline

7:00 pm Education, Cultural, and Youth Ministries (ECYM) Meeting

TUESDAY, MARCH 13 10:00 am Greek Festival Pastry Workshop 7:00 pm Beginner Adult Greek School 7:00 pm Parish Council Meeting WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14 10:00 am Greek Festival Pastry Workshop

6:00 pm Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

7:15 pm Potluck Dinner and Video Presentation

7:30 pm Advanced Adult Geek School

M A R C H 2 0 1 8 — C O N T I N U E D

FRIDAY, MARCH 16 9:45 am Cathedral Montessori School Chapel 6:00 pm Holy Trinity Youth Soccer Practice and Dinner 7:00 pm Fourth Salutations to the Theotokos GOYA Aspile Readers for the Salutations SATURDAY, MARCH 17 9:30 am Cathedral Montessori School Spring Fair 9:30 am HTC Spring Family Lenten Retreat with Father Elias Stevens 12:00 pm Beginner Youth Greek School 1:30 pm Advanced Youth Greek School SUNDAY, MARCH 18 8:45 am Orthros 10:00 am Divine Liturgy—SUNDAY OF ST. JOHN CLIMACUS

Youth Hymnology and Sunday Church School after Holy Communion

12:00 pm Daughters of Penelope Meeting 12:00 pm Kids' Cafe MONDAY, MARCH 19 6:00 pm Great Compline with the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete TUESDAY, MARCH 20 10:00 am Greek Festival Pastry Workshop 6:00 pm Greek Festival Evening Pastry Workshop 7:00 pm Beginner Adult Greek School WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21 9:00 am Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts 10:30 am Greek Festival Pastry Workshop

7:30 pm Advanced Adult Geek School

THURSDAY, MARCH 22 10:00 am Cathedral Monthly Book Club Meeting 10:00 am HTC Archives Committee Meeting FRIDAY, MARCH 23 9:45 am Cathedral Montessori School Chapel 6:00 pm Holy Trinity Youth Soccer Practice and Dinner 7:00 pm Akathist Hymn GOYA Aspile Readers for the Salutations 8:30 pm Philoptochos Coffee Reception SATURDAY, MARCH 24 Greek Festival Booth Chairpersons Meetings with Nancy Moore 11:00 am ÓRAMA Meeting 12:00 pm Beginner Youth Greek School 1:30 pm Advanced Youth Greek School 2:00 pm Philoptochos Ozanam Inn SUNDAY, MARCH 25 8:45 am Orthros 10:00 am Divine Liturgy—ANNUNCIATION OF THE THEOTOKOS 11:30 am Doxology for Greek Independence SUNDAY SCHOOL GROUP LESSON 12:00 pm Greek School March 25th Program 12:30 pm Holy Trinity PTA Greek Independence Day Luncheon MONDAY, MARCH 26 6:00 pm Great Compline TUESDAY, MARCH 27 10:00 am Greek Festival Pastry Workshop 6:00 pm Greek Festival Evening Pastry Workshop 7:00 pm Beginner Adult Greek School WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28 10:00 am Greek Festival Pastry Workshop 6:00 pm Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts 7:15 pm Lenten Pot Luck Dinner and Video Presentation

7:30 pm Advanced Adult Geek School

FRIDAY, MARCH 30 9:45 am Cathedral Montessori School Chapel 6:00 pm Holy Trinity Youth Soccer Practice and Dinner—LAST SPRING SESSION SATURDAY, MARCH 31 9:00 am Divine Liturgy—LAZARUS SATURDAY

10:30 am PTA Communion Breakfast

11:00 am GOYA Palm Crosses Workshop and Cathedral Decorating