the philoxenia

Volume 12 Issue 4 APRIL-JUNE 2020

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church30 Race StreetCharleston, SC 29403Phone (843) 577-2063Fax (843) 722-2331

Parish Websitewww.gocharleston.org

[email protected] [email protected]

Sunday ServicesOrthros 8:45 amDivine Liturgy 10:00 amYouth Catechism/Sunday SchoolAfter Holy CommunionAdult CatechismFollowing Divine Liturgy

Weekday Divine LiturgyOrthros 9:00 amDivine Liturgy 9:45 am

ClergyRev. Fr. Aristotle W. Damaskos(843) 577-2063Rev. Deacon George E. Malanos(843) 729-0055

Support StaffCleo Stoucker, Admin./Office ManagerAlvin Richardson, Property ManagerEletherios “Ted” Contos, Grounds

The Parish Council MembersPresident- Susan ZakisVice President- Jimmie GianoukosRecording Secretary- Kelly HammondCorresponding Secretary- Bernard FerraraTreasurer- Dinos LiollioAsst. Treasurer- Michael Wade

John CollinsTed ContosDr. Anthony FirilasChris HitopoulosErica Rouvelis

~ Pastor’s Message ~

Dear faithful of Holy Trinity,

What a journey it has been. To say the least a difficult one, but just when we thought it would not happen, it did. Christ rose from the dead!

Think about when Covid-19 made national headlines, at the beginning of Lent, a time when we began our struggle to become closer to God. Then our church doors were closed.

I really believe that the devil hurled the virus at us to prevent us from worshiping as a church family. Then Holy week came and we were devastated because again our Holy Trinity doors were still closed.

But guess what, satan may have closed our doors, preventing us to come together to worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but he failed miserably.

Yes, the doors were shut at Holy Trinity on Race Street, but throughout the Charleston, Metropolitan area, hundreds of churches sprung up in our homes. Hundreds of little Holy Trinity Home Churches appeared. What a miracle!

However, we cannot let our faith dwindle nor our participation in the Divine Services end, just because Lent, Holy Week and Pascha have been observed and celebrated. No! Our homes must continue to be the church.

We must let our prayers continue to rise like a torch of

The PhiloxeniaThe Hospitality of AbrahamThe Monthly Newsletter of the

† Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity †

Continued on page 3

THE COVID-19 ISSUE

Submitted by Andrea Turner

The Philoxenia 2APRIL-JUNE 2020

AltarCleo Stoucker

Altar CaptainsPhilip Klein – CaptainEvangelos Tsivelekids – Co-CaptainSt. Nicholas – Alex SamiosSt. Philip – William Polites

ProsphoraDiane Ferrara & Dianne Rustin

ChantersDaniel CarabusAmy ChaconasDena PanosAndrew RoweMircea Tricu

Epistle ReadersRev. Deacon George Malanos

Adult ChoirChristina Wynn

Men’s ChorusLeon Melissas

Youth ChoirCali Spyropoulos

Women’s ChoirRoss Magoulas

OrganistDiane Mashead

Adult CatechismMen’s Breakfast GroupWomen’s Study GroupVisitationRev. Deacon George Malanos

Youth Catechism/SundaySchoolBrenda Alvanos

ArchivesGeorgia Tsurutis

Crisis Ministry/Matthew 25Lindsey Demos

FestivalTom Meletis

FinanceDinos Liollio

Friends of Theotokos GardenMary Zervos

Greek Afternoon SchoolCleo Stoucker

Adult Greek SchoolDena Moses

SUNDAY BULLETINInformation due on Wednesdays by 12:00pm

TRISAGION AND MEMORIAL SERVICE

To schedule a Trisagion or Memorial Service foryour departed loved one, please contact the

Church office. Please as a family prepare to receiveHoly Communion at these services. This iswhere we meet our loved ones, the entire

Church, those among us and those that have left us.

PROSPHORAIf you would like to provide Prosphora for the

Service of Preparation at the Divine Liturgy, pleasecontact Diane Ferrara 843.884.6778 or Dianne

Rustin 843.849.0421. When providing theProsphora, it is important to give the priest thenames of your family’s living and departed onesand to receive Holy Communion on that day.

DIVINE LITURGY PRAYERSEvery Sunday and Feast Day, your priest praysfor your living and departed loved ones during

the Service of Preparation before the Divine Liturgy.(Proskomidi). Father Ari will keep the names inthe Altar for 40 days. Please contact the Church

office or ask your parish council member on Sundayfor an “Orthros Commemoration Form.”

COFFEE FELLOWSHIP HOURIf you or your group would like to host or cohost

a Coffee Fellowship on Sunday following`Divine Liturgy, please contact the Church office.

FLOWERSTo donate flowers in honor of a family member’s

feast day, in memory of a loved one, on theoccasion of a holiday or simply as a gift to theHoly Trinity community, please contact CleoStoucker 843-323-9477 or the Church office.

GOYA PresidentAthena Gaspar

GOYA AdvisorTina Klein

HOPE AdvisorMagda Skerma

JOY AdvisorMagda Skerma

Hellenic DanceEleni HopesTina KleinChrysoula Malogianni

Hospitality & Sunday CoffeeKatie BohrenMina DupreeCleo Stoucker

EndowmentIordanis Karagiannidis

Library & BookstoreHope Grayson

New Building CommitteeJimmie Gianoukos

Papou SquadJohn Misoyianis

Philoptochos PresidentAlexandra Pittas

Prayer MinistryCathy Cline

PreservationTim Latto

StewardshipMichael Wade

Vacation Church SchoolBrenda Alvanos

VelonakiAnna Melissas

Wedding CoordinatorAngela Kordonis

Welcome MinistryErica Rouvalis

Young Adult LeagueAmy ChiconasLukia KliossisMichael Wade

AHEPADoug Wells

Philoxenia NewsletterMary Zervos, CoordinatorM. Lisa Schultze, Design

MONTHLY NEWSLETTERAny information, articles or pictures to bepublished in the Philoxenia are due by the15th of each month at 5:00pm. Please kindly

email information to Mary Zervos at:[email protected].

PARISH MINISTRIES SUNDAYS AT HOLY TRINITY PARISH MINISTRIES


fire towards heaven; let the incense fragrance all the neighborhoods; may the candle and the vigil lamp always be lit.

Let us continue to attend the services live streaming praying reading the scriptures together… Because God will continue to hold us. He has and will trample upon the devil and his lie that corona virus will keep us from worship our Lord Jesus Christ.

In time, He will cast away this evil plague and give us the freedom to gather again on Race Street along with our little home churches and our Holy Trinity, to live many years, working for Him.

Yes, our church may be empty, but guess what the tomb is empty. The risen Christ will be in our midst. This all will be a joyful beginning.

Holy Trinity Thanks Everyone Who Made this Difficult Lent, Holy Week and Pascha Extra Special and Beautiful!

While we kept each service under eight people we were able to make it work with people taking double duty at times. We thank our mini choir Christina Wynn, Diane Mashead, Callie Spyropoulos and Dena Panos who doubled as a chanter. Daniel Carabus who doubled as chanter and Altar Boy. Our revolving IT team who took turns making the sure the service were live. Amy Chiconas who doubled as a reader, Michael Wade, Bill Turner, Dr. Harry Demos and Pete Jonas who doubled as an Altar Boy and behind the scenes Andrew Rowe. Thank you to our Deacon Fr. George for his valuable assistance.

Our mini kouvouklion was made by Dinos Liollio and decorated by Cleo Stoucker and Georgia Darby. Brenda Alvanos decorated the Church with Cleo for Palm Sunday. Sandra Veronie made the wreath for the Cross of Christ. To all the ladies who

made prosfora’s for the services. To Ted Contos with Cynthia Chapman, Lorna Hattler and Cleo who kept the Church clean and sanitized and John Giannatos volunteered as our security for the Resurrection Service.

To Susan Zakis and the parish council members who made sure the daily operations of the Church continued

to run smoothly.

To Cleo who made everyone who called the Church, reassuring them that they have a friend in Christ and the Church. To our Sunday School teachers who sent out weekly lessons and the parents at home who taught them. Someone made a comment “prayer and spanking have been returned to the schools!”

To our GOYANs who created a virtual Good Friday Retreat for Hope, Joy and our Sunday School students. Lukas Hoffman, Elizabeth Maltezos, Eleni Gaspar, Brandon Denev, Phillip Klein, Paulo Hitopoulos and Keira Firilis.

To the entire parish for your love and support through your generous

donations. I am grateful to all of you and am proud and humbled to be your parish priest.

Finally, and most importantly, to Almighty God for giving us the faithful, and giving us the fortitude. Here Were the Ways Our Faithful Celebrated Holy Week:

Pastor’s Message Continued from page 1

Continued on page 4


ORDER OF AHEPA SCHOLARSHIPS

Each year scholarships are awarded by the Order of AHEPA Plato Chapter No. 4, with applications to be received at the end of each school year, on or before July 1st. Applications may be obtained from Dino Moskos by calling (843) 763-5297 or emailing at [email protected].

Scholarships are awarded to deserving students for undergraduate and graduate school based on academic achievement and financial need.

2020 GRADUATES

Please contact the Church office & inform Cleo of your upcoming graduations, and future plans, so we may list your accomplishments in an upcoming Philoxenia.

BEWARE OF CORONA SCAMS VIA TELEPHONE AND

INTERNET

LIBRARY AND BOOKSTORE

Bookstore Highlight- KEEPING THE LIGHT BURNING – Daily Reflections from Pascha to Pentecostby Fr. Ari Damaskos. These reflections keep the spiritual momentum going from Pascha to the Feast of Pentecost. Fr. Ari has been sharing excerpts from his beautiful book every day in E-Bulletins. If you would like a copy of his book ($17.00) it is available in our off-site Bookstore. All proceeds go to the bookstore.

Contact Hope Grayson at 843-224-6141 or [email protected] or Fr. Ari will be happy to personalize your copy. LibraryWebsite: gocharleston.follettdestiny.com

THE ANNUAL STAMO LATTO SCHOLARSHIP

I am happy to announce the annual Stamo Latto Scholarship in honor of my grandmother Stamo Latto, who lived in Charleston SC and Memphis TN. It is for young Orthodox women who are high school seniors in good standing at canonical Orthodox parishes of the metropolitan areas of Charleston and Memphis.

This is an academic award, but due to the disruptions of the pandemic, attestation to the student’s strength will be communicated through recommendations, rather than through possibly inaccessible or costly official documents.

Awards average $1,000, but range from $500-1500, depending on qualifications, competition, and funds available in any year. The minimum funds available for all awards is $3,000 per year and may include unused funds from previous years. The purpose is to encourage a high level of excellence and purpose, as achieved by previous winners in both metropolitan areas. The deadline has been extended to August 1 to give applicants more time. Application forms and instructions may be found by clicking this link: https://www.stjohnmemphis.org/news/stamo-latto-scholarship. Everything, including recommendations, should be received by the deadline of August 1. Applicants are, therefore, urged to request recommendations as soon as possible.

Please note that the priest’s e-mail is primarily a confirmation of the applicant’s regular attendance of Orthodox church services and participation in Orthodox sacraments, including Holy Communion and Confession.

Non-Orthodox candidates from historically Orthodox nationalities. ethnicities, or families are ineligible. The award is for practicing Orthodox.

(Dr.) Asimoula Julia Alissandratos

ANNOUNCEMENTS

PHILOPTOCHOS COVID-19 BENEVOLENT FUND

AVAILABLE:

To anyone who has been affected by the Corona Virus. Please contact Fr. Ari or Phyllis Gates at [email protected].

All requests are confidential.

PHILOPTOCHOS COSTA PAPPAS SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship is offered to worthy high school graduates and currently enrolled college students who demonstrate exemplary church and community service and meet the following criteria: • Applicant or applicant’s parents must

be current stewards of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity Charleston, SC.

• Each applicant must be of the Orthodox Faith and a participating member of Holy Trinity at least one (1) year prior to April 1 of the current year.

• The scholarship applicant must enroll in an academic program in a college, university, or technical school.

• The student must have a minimum 2.5 GPA.

• A parent must be a paid steward of Philoptochos or Applicant is a paid member of Philoptochos.

• One high school senior and one college student will each be awarded $500. Applications are available at the Church office or contact Phyllis Gates ([email protected]) for an emailed copy.

Applications must be hand-stamped by Cleo Stoucker or received by mail, no later than 5pm June 26. Awards will be announced by July 31.


50th FESTIVAL IS ON

The Spring Festival has been moved to October 23, 24, & 25. Please tell your friends. By then hopefully everyone will be healthy and ready to socialize. We will keep you updated.

PLEASE KEEP CURRENT WITH YOUR STEWARDSHIP THE

BEST WAY YOU CAN!

Thank you to all of our faithful who have been generously keeping up with their stewardship as well and making donations! To donate go to our website: https://www.gocharleston.org/donate

1. Click “Give” in the top right- hand corner

2. Click “Donate” to be redirected to PayPal website

3. Fill in the amount4. OPTIONAL: you may choose

what the donation goes towards (stewardship, building pledge, candles, etc.)

ST. STEPHEN’S CAMP

is cancelled this year because of Covid-19.

THANK YOU TO THE PARISH HOUSE CLEAN UP CREW

The Parish House is cleaned out thank you to: Kelly Hammond, Erica Rouvelis and Dan Dugan, Ted Contos, Cleo Stoucker and Brenda Alvanos. For moving the costumes: Eleni Hopes, Lori Clekis, Kim Firilas, Mary Tsivelekis, Cleo Stoucker and Kelly Ferderigos

“LOAD THE TRUNK” FOOD DONATIONS TO THE

LOW COUNTRY FOOD BANK

In honor of the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman, on Sunday, May 17th, from 5-7 p.m., Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church collected food donations for the Lowcountry Food Bank, serving children and families in need.

Needed items: peanut butter, canned chicken and canned tuna, rice, beans, pasta, cereal, canned fruits and vegetables, and baby food.

Thank you to Jackie Morfesis, parishioner, who collected and dropped off the donations.

THANK YOUfor being the feet and hands of the Lord.

CHRIST IS RISEN! Cristoς Anesth! from the members of the New Building Committee. Even through COVID-19 restrictions, our construction of the new Holy Trinity Hellenic Center and Social Hall continues. The NBC website has been updated with gallery pictures and the Home Page is the new pledge brochure.

For construction updates, please go to www.helleniccentercharleston.com. God bless our parish and our Holy Trinity Church.


PARISH PRESIDENT REPORTby Susan Zakis

There are many moments in our lives that stand out above all others. Some very personal and some that effect others, including family and friends. For me, the day President Kennedy died and of course 9/11 which we shared with the entire country.

In this day and age none of us could imagine a day, and now months of changes that have effected not only us individually but the entire world. These changes to our lives are somewhat drastic, touching everything we do on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. Not being able to spend time with family & friends, grocery shopping, eating out and most importantly attending church. It has taken time for all of us to adjust to these changes. Hopefully we will soon be able to get back to normal, OR to what will be our “new norm”, “new pace” with a “new awareness”. It is everyone’s

hope that the “virus” has made all of us stop and think about what is important and precious in our lives. I know it has for me.

The Parish has continued to function thanks to Father Ari, Cleo and all of our dedicated Parishioners. We are now “zooming” (virtual computer meetings)- - - who would have guessed we could hold meetings without eating!!! We also now attend Liturgy virtually, which will now become a new Ministry for those that can’t attend in person.

When we reopen the Church, which will be determined by Atlanta and the City of Charleston, we will need to be patient and understanding with the “new guidelines” that we will need to live with. This may not look like a “pre-corona” world for a period of time. May we all remember what we just went through, learn from it and continue to hold dearly the blessings of family, friends and our

Holy Trinity Community.

We will keep you updated with changes and also pictures and updates on the new building.

Special thanks to the “crew” that worked on the new virtual Church Services!!!!

Thank you Father Ari, Father George, Andrew Rowe, Michael Wade, Daniel Carabus, Amy Chiconas, Dr. Harry Demos, Bill Turner, Diane Mashead, Christina Wynn, Dena Panos and Cali Spyropoulos.

This team has managed to bring not only Liturgy but every Holy Week Service to our homes.

Also, thank you to everyone that has helped keep us up and running in any way!!!

Please stay safe and we all look forward to seeing each other soon.


HOLY TRINITY MINISTRIESPHILOPTOCHOS NEWS REV. NICHOLAS C. TRIVELAS

LIBRARY & BOOKSTOREA Religious Education Ministry Dedicated to the Glory of God

LIBRARYWe gratefully acknowledge the following donations to our Library:

MEMORYPETER C. GAZES, MD

APOSTLES’ CREED gift of Athena Gazes LIFE OF MOSES gift of Michael & Hope Grayson Ty & Cathy Cline Blount & Joanne Ellison

FLETCHER CARL DERRICK JR., MD DONATION gift of Athena Gazes DONATION gift of Michael & Hope Grayson DONATION gift of Ty & Cathy Cline DONATION gift of Blount & Joanne Ellison

PATRICIA S. ROWE VICTORY OF THE CROSS gift of Ty & Cathy Cline MORE OF GOD gift of Michael & Hope Grayson

Our Church Library is home to over 4,100 volumes which so many of our parishioners have enjoyed checking out. Every book, video and DVD in our beautiful Library collection has been donated by you, our parishioners. We have a circulating library because of your generosity and love of this Ministry of our Church.

HOW TO DONATE BOOKS AND DVDs TO THE LIBRARY DURING CONSTRUCTION:

1. Contact Hope Grayson at [email protected] and she will send you a list of donor books and DVDs, including prices, that are currently available for donation. If you prefer, you may call Hope at 843-224-6141 to discuss your donation.

2. Tell Hope that your donation is in Honor or Memory of a loved one, or to the Glory of God.

3. An acknowledgement card will be sent to the honoree or to the family of the person being memorialized.

4. A book plate will be placed in the book or DVD acknowledging the donor, as well as the honoree or the person memorialized, and will include the date.

5. Once the new Library is open after construction, your donated book or DVD will be placed on the Library shelves for our parishioners to check out and enjoy.

THE FOLLOWING BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE FOR DONATION TO THE LIBRARY:

Truth Matters, Life Matters - $27.00Creed - $20.00

Grown-Up Faith - $20.00The Least of These - $24.00

Jesus in Me - $24.00Simon Peter - $20.00

Psalm 91 - $20.00Three Views of Israel and the Church - $22.00

BOOKSTOREOUR CHURCH BOOKSTORE IS STILL OPERATING DURING

CONSTRUCTION.Please contact Hope Grayson at 843-224-6141 for information.

Library website: gocharleston.follettdestiny.com Email: [email protected]

Hope Grayson, Director Athena Gazes, Founder & Director Emeritus

“Faith will see great things” JOHN 1:43-51

We pray all is well with you and your families. During this COVAID-19 Crises Philoptochos has donated to local charities. Low Country Food Bank was given two donations of $150.We will donate another $150 to the Food Bank May 15th. Pay it Forward/Feed the Fight Charleston was given $150. Mitchell Elementary has been given FOOD LION Gift cards. Windwood Farms has been given $100 of items of their Amazon Wish List.

On May 5, #GivingTuesdayNow , we donated $150 to the National Philoptochos’ Department of Social Services which will provide resources, support and agape to Orthodox Christians suffering from many human service challenges affected by the COVID-19 Crises. The Department of Social Services is unique as it is guided by our religion, culture and spirituality.If you are interested in donating to The Department of Social Services their webiste is www.philoptochos.org/donation.

Philoptochos Costa Pappas Service ScholarshipThis scholarship is offered to worthy high school graduates and currently enrolled college students who demonstrate exemplary church and community service and meet the following criteria: Applicant or applicant’s parents must be current stewards of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity Charleston, SC. Each applicant must be of the Orthodox Faith and a participating member of Holy Trinity at least one (1) year prior to April 1 of the current year. The scholarship applicant must enroll in an academic program in a college, university, or technical school. The student must have a minimum 2.5 GPA. A parent must be a paid steward of Philoptochos or Applicant is a paid member of Philoptochos. One high school senior and one college student will each be awarded $500. Applications are available at the Church office or contact Phyllis Gates ([email protected]) for an emailed copy.

Applications must be hand-stamped by Cleo Stoucker or received by mail, no later than 5pm June 26. Awards will be announced by July 31, 2020.

Thank you alos to those who donated new shoes to the Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls. We collected 45 pairs of shoes and 8 pairs of socks! They were sent to their headquarters in Texas where they will be distributed to orphans in the U.S., Peru, Kenya and Dominican Republic.


“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfareand not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11

Jimmie Gianoukos, Chair843-214-1700jimmieg@atsinc.netwww.helleniccentercharleston.com

If you pledged or donated to the New Building Fund and your name is not listed above, please call or email Cleo Stoucker at 843-577-2063 or [email protected].

CAPITAL FUNDRAISING PROJECT UPDATESMore than Bricks & Mortar - A Foundation of Faith for Our Future

by Cherie Liollio, AIA, LEED AP

April 2020Demolition is now complete and the general contractor, THS Constructors, has mobilized and set up an office on-site. The design team and church leadership have been working diligently to achieve all agency reviews with the City of Charleston and the SC Dept. of Health and Environmental Control.

The Great News: We have a Building permit…The land disturbance permit has now been secured and THS is preparing to move forward with site layout and foundation work. Many of the technical submittals and other construction ‘paperwork’ continue to progress.

The NBC Committee and Festival directors have been collaborating on planning the site for the Greek Fest in consideration of on-going construction. We anticipate that the Festival will continue to operate as close to normal as possible.

Other efforts for the design team and the church leadership have involved

the building’s mechanical & ventilation systems. Further deliberations continue with the design of the computer/ internet, phone, security, and sound systems. Many of these components will be open for competitive pricing.

Design refinements continue on the Social Hall, Pre-function space, administration and other areas. This work involves color selections, finishes and lighting selections. The kitchen committee has completed their efforts resulting in a modern, highly functional “Greek” kitchen.


CAPITAL FUNDRAISING PROJECT UPDATESMay 2020

In spite of the Covid 19 shut down, construction is progressing at a great pace. Foundations continue to be poured. It was reported that soft soils were discovered at the elevator pit and in the pre-function area and will require remediation. Rebar is being placed in the foundations and both the Hellenic Center and Trinity Hall, and form work for the poured in place elevator pit walls are being constructed.

The chiller has now been relocated and should be in full service by the week of May 18, 2020. And with mixed emotions, the Parish House has now been demolished. And as Cleo has said, the building may be gone, but the memories will last forever. The removal of the parish house will provide the contractor much needed space for operation, including staging of construction and lay down space.

Members of the parish also participated in site clearing and land prep for our new storage building. Many thanks to Alvin, Andrew Rowe, John Collins, and crew chief Ted Contos.

Considering the progress of construction, the general contractor has set a completion target date of April 1, 2021.

Sa

Page 1 ............ Pastor’s Message

Page 6 ............ News & Announcements

Page 8 ............ Parish Council Pres Rpt

Page 9 ............ Philoptochos

............ Library/Bookstore

Page 10 ............ Capital Fundraising Proj

In This Issue...

We’re On the Web!www.gocharleston.org

Do you know of a young person from Holy Trinity whose hard work has been recognized? We would love to feature them in the Philoxenia.

Please email [email protected] with the details.

Submitted by Father George

the philoxenia

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