very rev. thomas hopko voice... · action of his holy spirit in the church, through jesus christ,...

The Monthly Newsletter of Holy Trinity–St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

The Voice Volume : 15 Number : 9 Month : September 2015

Committed Orthodox Christians order and measure their lives in this world from communion to communion.

We greet the Lord's Day (Sunday) each week with the eager expectation of entering into Holy Communion with God by the action of His Holy Spirit in the Church, through Jesus Christ, God's Son and Word, who is also the Lamb of God and the Bread of Life. Following each Lord's Day, we live in memory of the blessed experience of Holy Communion, and we begin immedi-ately to anticipate this divine gift in the next Divine Liturgy.

Christians live from Sunday to Sunday, and, throughout the year, from Pascha to Pascha. We also live from liturgy to liturgy, from Eucharist to Eucharist, from Communion to Communion. Our lives are measured and tested by this sacred event. All that we are and do finds its beginning and end, its meaning and fulfillment, in God's gift of Holy Communion through Christ and the Holy Spirit in the Church.

Continual Preparation for Holy Communion: Committed Christians remember what God has done in history and anticipate what God is yet to do. We live in function of Christ's first coming as a slave to be crucified and glorified, and His final coming at the end of the ages to establish God's kingdom.

The Church's Eucharistic worship unites and embraces the Lord's two comings, together with all of God's mighty acts in his-tory. It makes them present for our participation, here and now, for the forgiveness of sins, for the healing of soul and body, and for life everlasting.

Every moment of a Christian's life is a preparation for the encounter with God which is sacramentally realized in Holy Com-munion. Every moment we are making ready to enter God's kingdom which is coming with observation and power at the end of the ages. We live every moment in constant awareness of the Lord's presence in our lives here and now, preparing us in hope for unending communion with Him in the age to come.

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Preparation for Holy Communion Very Rev. Thomas Hopko

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THE VOICETHE VOICE September 2015September 2015

In this perspective, everything that we Christians think, say and do in every moment of our lives is a preparation for holy communion -- in this life in the holy eucharist, and without end in the age to come at the end of the world.

General Preparation for Holy Communion: Because we Christians living in this world are inevitably caught up in earthly ac-tivities, afflictions, trials and temptations, and because we are so easily overcome by sinful passions, God gives us ways by which we are enabled never to forget Him. He provides practices by which we can keep ourselves constantly prepared to meet Him at His coming. He offers rules of spiritual and physical discipline for us to practice so that we can remain constantly alive to His presence and power in our lives and so to be ready to receive Him when He gives Himself to us in holy commun-ion. The general disciplines for preparing for Holy Communion are the disciplines of Christian life itself. They are the practices which keep us alive to God, the actions which open our minds, hearts and bodies to the presence of God’s grace and power in our lives. They basically include:

† regular participation in the Church's liturgical worship † regular practice of a rule of personal prayer † regular practice of… "prayer of the heart," to insure our constant remembrance of God † regular practice of periods of silence † regular practice of fasting and abstinence † regular reading of the Bible and spiritual writings † regular confession of sins (and thoughts, feelings, temptations and dreams) to our pastor, or to someone whom

our pastor authorizes and blesses for this purpose † regular giving and receiving of forgiveness of sins with all the people in our lives † regular donations of money to the Church, and to those in need † regular sharing of our time, energies, and possessions with others † constant effort to do our daily work as well as we can, to God's glory, for the good of people, and † constant striving not to sin in the smallest way in the routine activities of our everyday life and personal relation-

ships. † The words regular and constant are repeated and emphasized because our spiritual practices and activities must

be done according to a rule (regula, kanona, pravilo). They must be done constantly and consistently with con-scious attention and discipline. They cannot be left to whim, caprice or feeling.

What a person does in regard to liturgical worship, personal prayer, fasting, reading, contributing, working and serving will be shaped according to the conditions of his or her life. It will be different for each person according to age, strength, health, available time, and personal capabilities. The saints say that rules of prayer, reading and fasting should be brief but frequent, simple, pure, un-complicated and keepable. They should be determined and established with spiritual advice and counsel in ways which permit them to be easily included within the real possibilities of one's actual life.

Specific Preparation for Holy Communion: In addition to the Christian's general spiritual discipline, each believer must make specific devotional efforts in preparing for Holy Communion. These efforts will also differ from person to person. They will include a set number of specific prayers and read-ings, a specific practice of confession and reconciliation with others, and specific good deeds, such as almsgiving and financial contributions. They will depend on the conditions of one's life.

A monastic person or clergyman, for example, will normally have a longer rule of specific preparation for Holy Communion than a lay person. A person with fewer duties will also be freer to spend more time and effort in concentrated preparation for Eucharistic communion than someone who has more tasks to perform (for instance, a mother of small children). People with disciplined spiritual lives who partake regularly and frequently of the sacraments will have less specific prepara-tion for Holy Communion than those with undisciplined spiritual lives who seldom partake of the holy mysteries. The latter will surely have to make extraordinary efforts to read special prayers, keep special fasts, do special good deeds, give special contributions, and make special acts of sacramental confession when these practices are not a regular, constant and consis-tent part of their lives.

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Prayers Before and After Holy Communion: The usual psalms and prayers for Ortho-dox Christians before and after partaking of Holy Communion are contained in Ortho-dox prayer books of various editions. Literate believers must decide with spiritual coun-sel how they will, as a rule, use these prayers of preparation and thanksgiving. When this decision is made, every effort must be made to keep one's rule until it must be ad-justed or altered, again with spiritual counsel and advice, because of the changing con-ditions of one's life.

When we believers fail to keep our rules, we must find the reasons for our failures, and take appropriate action, once again with the assistance of our pastors and spiritual guides. In this way our participation in the Lord's Mystical Supper will be done in a wor-thy manner. It will be for the forgiveness of our sins, for the healing of our souls and bodies, and for our eternal salvation, and not for our condemnation and judgment.

May the Lord convince us of our unworthiness to partake of Holy Communion. May He teach us that nothing we can say or do makes us worthy of this divine gift. May He con-vince us that only the heartfelt confession of our unworthiness to partake permits us to participate in a worthy manner. And may He empower us to obey His Word and receive His Body and Blood in godly fear, with faith and love, so that we may really see the true light, find the true faith, receive the heavenly Spirit, and worship the Undivided Trinity Who has saved us through Holy Communion with Himself.

Inside this Issue:

Preparation for Holy Communion.... 1

President’s Message......................... 3

Car Raffle.......................................... 4

Church Organizations ...................... 5

Stewardship Message....................... 6

Stewardship List .............................. 6

Youth Ministries............................... 9

Transitions........................................ 9

Parish Calendar ............................... 10

Outreach Ministries.......................... 10

Church Information ......................... 11

Annual Church Picnic........................ 12

For the electronic version of THE VOICE visit our website at:

www.holytrinity.oh.goarch.org/

A new ecclesiastical year has begun this month. We see the familiar activities that signal the start of new endeavors. Classes have

resumed in the schools and colleges. Sunday Church School and Greek School have commenced registration. Summer vacations

have concluded, and parishioners have returned. Meanwhile, university students have departed to their respective institutions –

some for the first time. For the Church and our Parish, the autumn season announces a time for new beginnings and for renewal.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new”. (2 Corin-

thians 5:17)

Other parish organizations and ministries such as the Food Pantry, Ladies Philoptochos, AHEPA, Daughters of Penelope, Mothers

Club and Over Fifty Club have also commenced their planned activities. Their social outreach, philanthropic, and educational ef-

forts serve not only our parishioners; but also those in need locally, regionally, and nationally.

Fundraising Campaigns: In order to sustain our pastoral ministries, educational programs and philanthropic outreach, we must all

participate in sharing our resources. Fundraising is one way to accomplish that goal. The 2015 Panegyri has passed, but planning

for the next year has begun. The sale of Car Raffle tickets is underway for the big event on September 20th. The start of the ecclesi-

astical year is also the beginning of the annual Stewardship campaign, which has become the most important source of funding for

our operations. All of these initiatives will require your continuing support, but this year we also have a special request to fund a

renovation of our Parish facilities.

Completion of our tasks: By working together and mutually sharing our time, talents, and treasure, we can complete the task of

upgrading our Community Center and Bishop’s Walk, which have served this parish for so many years. The 2015 Spring General

Assembly authorized the Parish Council to borrow a limited amount through a seven-year mortgage to fund this renovation. My

goal has been and still is to raise most if not all of the funds, prior to signing a mortgage next year. Work is scheduled to begin in

October 2015 with completion before Easter 2016. Now is the time to support this effort. Many of us have already made this addi-

tional commitment. As the Apostle Paul explained, “but now you also must complete the doing of it…” (2 Corinthians 8:11)

Renew your commitment: The start of a new ecclesiastical year is an opportunity to reexamine priorities and take the steps that

will lead to spiritual renewal. Let’s begin and complete the tasks at hand so that all things can become new.

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Parish Council President's Message by Jim Gelis

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CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS OVER FIFTY CLUB…Ann Jonson

We had a nice crowd of 30 at Mitchell’s at Union Centre for the July 18th luncheon. Everyone enjoyed it.

Thank you to my good friend, Evridiki Vidas, for bringing the cake in honor of Alex and my 50th wedding anniversary, which we celebrated on the day of the luncheon. The cake was delicious. Thank you to all of you who gave us or sent us cards.

Tary Paskal, wife of Peter Paskal, passed away on July 25. Our sincere sympathy to Mr. Paskal, her children and families and her sister-in-law, Bess Christopoulos. May her memory be eternal. We lit a candle in her memory.

Our sympathy to the family of Bill Stergiopoulos, his wife, Jan and his children. He passed away on July 30. May his mem-ory be eternal. We lit a candle in his memory as he and Jan were members of the Over 50’s.

The first meeting of Philoptochos will take place following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, September 13, 2015. For this first meeting, the Board will be providing lunch for the mem-bers. We also invite those of you interested in finding out more about Philoptochos and our mission to join us for lunch and conversation. There will also be a presentation on the St. Nicholas Shrine at Ground Zero.

After the Divine Liturgy on September 13, the Philoptochos Board Members will be passing a tray for Holy Cross & Hel-lenic College.

The Walk to End Alzheimers will take place Saturday, October 3. The Walk begins at 10am at Sawyer Point. Beginning Sun-day, September 6, through Sunday September 27, Melanie McNulty will be signing up walkers for the Greek Team, hand-ing out information on Alzheimers as well as taking dona-tions. It is always great fun and raises funds for the research and cure of this devastating disease.

We have an enjoyable year ahead of us and hope you all will join us and participate. Please make a note that the October meeting is not at the regularly scheduled date, but will take place on Sunday October 18, after the Divine Liturgy, and the topics will be Breast Cancer Awareness as well as the 2015/2016 Chapter Budget.

PHILOPTOCHOS…Georgianne Gaz

This past summer we were able to enjoy a few outings in and around the city. On September 1, we began our new meet-ing year. We welcomed back everyone with a dinner pre-pared by the officers and board. It was good to see all the sisters again.

After taking a hiatus last year, we are once again busily pre-paring for our Wine Tasting on October 10. This year's event will be different in several ways from the past. There will be a wine expert who will speak about the wines we will be serving and matching the wines to our appetizers. We will also have a surprise "wine connoisseur" from the past. In addition, there will be an auction with various items of inter-est to all. We will again offer many of the favorite appetiz-ers that we had in the past along with some new and unusual ones.

Our chairman for the event is Irene Zigoris. You may call her for reservations at 513-683-7337 or email her at [email protected]. You may also make your reservation with any Daughter. Our goal is to have pre reservations so that we can adequately prepare. Your donation will be help-ing worthy causes, such as truncus arteriosus, a rare congeni-tal heart defect. Our own Cincinnati Children's Hospital is a leader in this type of surgery.

We are also beginning our planning for our biggest fund raiser of the year, our annual baklava sale. Our chairman for this is Tina Kasidonis. We will again be taking orders for our small, medium and large pans of our delicious baklava for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is not too early to begin plac-ing your orders with Tina or any of the Daughters. More information will follow next month.

Have a safe Labor Day everyone.

DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE…Vera Manolakas

Tuesday night, August 11, several Philoptochos members as well as two of their spouses (thank you, Dave Dargis and Mi-lan Snyder) went down to the City Gospel Mission. We had the "preparation" crew down there in the afternoon cooking up spaghetti, meatballs, and salad. Later the "serving staff" arrived and served 120 meals. This month, brownies were added to our menu and enjoyed by children and adults alike. Speak with Diane Kevin about participating in the next City Gospel Mission dinner on Tuesday, October 13. Thanks to all of the shoppers, cooks and servers for taking part in this worthwhile event.

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Aamodt, Peter & Karen Adinamis, George & Robyn Alex, James L. & Koula Allgeier, Brian & Ellen Anastasiou, Demetra Andreadis, Paul Andreadis, Sophie S. Andrews, Evan & Terry Antoniades, Anthony & Tracey Apalodimas, Maria Apostol, Katherine Apostolides, Vasso A. Argeros, Aristea Arvanetes, Gregory & Sandra Assaley, Lewis & Patricia Bakiri, Keti & Andrew Murray Balli, James & Virginia Basile, Courtney Batsakes, George P. Batsakis, Chris & Lydia Beish, Andrew Beish, Karen Beltsos, Chris & Melissa Beltsos, Paul & Jeanna Beltsos, Sam & Esmine Beltsos, Steven & Kanda Benard, Matthew & Sophia Bender, Robert & Kathy Bertok, Christina Betas, Dimitrios Betas, George Betas, Maria Bikas, Michael & Anna Bikas, Nicholas Bilionis, Charles† & Angela Binzer, Brian & Chrisanthi Borcoman, Tate & Nicole Borod, Gregory & Gloria Bottomley, Stephen & Stephanie Boulmetis, Samuel N. & Anita Boumis, Peter & Kimberly Brausch, Robert & Julie

Bouras, Anna Brown, Bryan & Nickie Brown, William & George-Ann Bugitzedes, Marian Caddell, Chris & Eleni Callos, Harry† & Angie† Callos, Thomas & Patricia Caneris, Adonis & Ana Maria Caneris, Anthony & Antoinette Caneris, Dr. Onassis A. Cantrell, Daniel & Katerina Cardullias, Dr. Peter & Elaine Carey, Lee & Tula Carras, Evan & Betsy Carumpalos, Constantine Cassis, Constantine & Carrie Cassis, Eli Cassis, Fr. William & Presvytera Anastasia Chachoff, Nada Chantilas, George Chantilas, James & Dr. Lydia Chapas, Lefty Charnas, Terry & Koula Christman, Carl & Becky Christofield, Angeliki Christon, Angelos & Deanna Christopher, Spiro & Olga Christopoulos, Vassiliki Christos, Mary J. Chryssovergis, Chris & Cara Claffie, Sean & Angela Colak, Tony & Joan Colyer, Jeff & Laura Colyer, Keith & Diane Condorodis, Anestis J. & Janeen D. Condorodis, Dr. Constandinos J. & Carolyn Cook, Barbara Cook, Frank† & Karen Coures, George Cranley, John & Dena Dargis, Melody & David David, Mossa & Caroline

Demetrion, Jim J. & Carole Denas, George & Eugenia Denas, Haralambos & Athoniseea Diaz, Chris & Stephanie Drew, Dr. William & Katherine Economacos, Demetrios & Christine Economacos, Tom & Jennifer Economakis, Tina Edgington, Paul & Mary Lou Elias, Nicholas Elias, Tom & Tina Eliopoulos-Rosenbloom, Connie Ernst, James H. & Sue Evangelou, Sofia Fawcett, Tracy & Jessica Fekkos, Haralambos & Loella Ann Fielden, Brad & Tricia Fillios, Elias & Mary Firman, Nancy & Jerry Francis, Dean & Kathy Frangowlakis, Thomas Frankenstein, George & Christine Franklin, Gari Frantzis, Kosta & Tammy Freeman, Maria Freudenberg, Grey & Eleni Fritz, Christine Furkas, Lisa Gaier, Dean Gaier, Jeffrey & Chris Anne Galanes, George Gallagher, Sean & Marina Gaskins, Mark & Kristin Gaz, Georgianne Gelis, James & Kathy Gelis, Maria Georgeton, Chris P. & Barbara Georgeton, John C. & Ann Georgeton, John P. & Kimberly Georgeton, Peter C. Georgeton, Peter T. & Nancy

2015 STEWARDSHIP LIST THROUGH 8-20-15

I hope everyone is settling in well to the start of new beginnings, a new Ecclesiastical year and, of course, the start of school!

This is the time we are preparing for a new church year and each of us examines their role in our Church. Everyone is a part of

the body of Christ and should feel welcome to offer his/her time, talent, or attendance. There are many organizations that

will be starting to meet: Mothers Club, Philoptochos, GOYA, HOPE/JOY, Daughters of Penelope, AHEPA, Good Shepherd Food

Pantry, the Orthodox Reading Group, and others. This is the time for our community to renew itself. As the summer months

have passed we may have neglected our stewardship offerings, which can be easy with summer vacations and time spent

away from Church. Let us remember as said in James 1: 7, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes

down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning”. God’s love is constant in our lives, let

us come together, serve together and make this a fulfilling year of fellowship and worship together.

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Georgiou, Dean Georgiou, George & Maria Georgiton, Nick & Kristy Georgiton, Peter J. & Betsy Georgostathis, Gus & Connie Georgostathis, Gus & Eleni Georgostathis, James & Lillian Georgostathis, Maria Georgoulakis, Athanasios & Sofia Geromes, Alexander Gerros, Mary Ghiz, Leslie Ghizas, John & Helen Gilbert, Bob & Faith Gionnette, Lena & Mike Giovis, Chris A. & Jean M. Giovis, Helen Giovis, Jenny & Michael Goodpaster Giovis, Thomas M. Glaser, Brian & Stella Gormas, Pete Grammas, George & Pam Greene, David & Maria Gregory, Dean & Hedy Gregory, Matula Gregory, Thomas & Pamela Gregory, Victoria Haddad, Saba & Elise Haralamos, George & Eleni Haralamos, Mike G. & Akrivi Hayden, Jason & Rebecca Herrmann, Dennis & Stacy Hill, Ann “Tasha” Himonidis, Chris & Ruth Hodges, Nick & Millie Humbert, Randy & DeDe Hudson, Christine Iatrides, Panawiota Iatrides, Steve & Christina Kutsubu Ioannides, Tasos & Anna Ioannou, Maria & John Ioannou, Michael & Meagan Johnson, John & Antigone Jones, Carolyn Jones, Demus J. & Betty Jones, James A. & Jo Ann Jonson, Alexander & Ann Jonson, Chris C. & Loy Jonson, George N. & Sophia Jonson, James G. & Thelma Jonson, Luke & Lauren Jonson, Patricia J. Kahle, John & Nickie Kalemanis, Gary & Maria Kalemanis, George & Nikki

Kalomeres, Carol Kambelos, John P. & Erato Kambelos, Dr. Peter J. Kanaris, Christos Kanaris, Kostantinos & Katy Kanelos, Dino & Julie Kanelos, Eleni Kaniaris, John & Idalia Kapourales, Harry & Vivian Kapourales, Louis Kappas, James P. Karageorge, Dimitri & Athena Karakatsani, Marianthi Karampas, George & Diane Karas, Bill J. & Lynn Karas, Ted & Dixie Karras, Giorgio & Erene Kasidonis, John & Tina Kasprzycki, Peter & Edyta Katsanis, Claire C. Katsanis, James & Diane Katsaounis, Nick & Fay Kavouras, George & Fran Kehayes, Peggy Kehayes, William & Melissa Kellaris, Dr. James & Janice Kelley, Michael & Pauline Kelso, Greg & Kelly Kereiakes, James & Helen Kessis, Nick Kessis, Paul Kevin, Patrick & Diane Kezios, Bessie Kissopoulos, Nick & Effy Kladakis, John & Teddi Kontonickas, Mary Kontopos, Pete & Katerina Kontopos, Vagelis & Amanda Kontsis, George & Melissa Koros, Kostas & Dina Korvessis, Anthony & Georgia Lydia Kostopoulos, Dina Kostopoulos, Nikolaos & Dana Kotsovos, Christos & Victoria Koutas, Peter & Barbara Kranias, George & Litsa Kranias, Stratos & Amanda Kunkemoeller, Thomas & Janice Kurlas, Gus Kyrios, Eleni Kyrios, Irini Kyrios, Lillian Kyrios, Tassos & Maria Lambrinides, Ted & Kimberly Lambrinides, Thomas J. & Mary Ann

Landando, James & Yvonne Landers, Lauren Lazares, Gus J. Lazares, John K. & Patricia Leon, Gus A. & Kathryn LesChander, Scott L. & Alexandra Leslie, Wayne & Peggy Levenderis, Bill & Jill Liaros, Vasilios & Evangelia Liston, Robert & Eleni Loukoumidis, George & Stacey Lysko, Bob & Stacy Makris, Thomas & Ellen Maleas, Pete C. & Pearl Mamaligas, Mike & Joann Manolakas, Alexander & Vera Marinakis, Bill D. & Evonne Marinakis, George D. & Eleni Marinakis, George S. Marinakis, Panagiota Marinakis, Ted D. & Katie Maris, George & Tricia Marrone, John J. & Jeri Marrone, John & Tai Masella, Ron & Christine Mathes, Robert & Dena Mavridoglou, George & Penny Mavridoglou, Konstantinos Mavridoglou, Michael & Laura Mavridoglou, Nicholas & Jessica McKay, Betty Jo McKay, Phil & Chris McLeish, David & Kiki McNulty, Robin & Melanie Megois, Lee S. & Stephanie Menkhaus, David & Natalie Merianos, Ted Meyer, Andy & Maria Mikesell, Marco & Aphrodite Minor, Eleni Mintsoulis, Maria & Jack O’Banion Mirkopoulos, Nicholas Mirkos, Marilyn Mirkos, Steve & Edyta Misali, A. J. "Ike" Misali, John P. & Deborah Misali, Mary Jean Misali, Paul J. Mitropoulos, Pete & Konstantina Mohler, David & Angel Mokas, Mary Monroe, Angeliki Morgan, Paul & Mary Morris, John & Christine

The rich man is not the one who has much, but the one who gives much. For what he gives away remains his forever.

St. John Chrysostom

The parishioners listed here have made a commitment and/or contribution towards 2015 Stewardship. If you have not made your Stewardship

Pledge for 2015, we encourage you to do so today. Pledge Cards are available through the Church Office or can be obtained by contacting any

member of the Parish Council or the Clergy.

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Mortensen, Danny Moulas, Dean & Catherine Moyer, Gabe & Maria Muennich, Sam & Melissa Murray-Nikias, Stella P. Naser, Jacoub & Dina Nathan, Jaimie & Amy Neuendorf, David & Patricia Nicholas, Eugene & Cindy Nicholas, George & Eugenia Nicholas, Nick & Helen Nichols, Ron & Philanthy Niehoff, Barbara Nikias, Charles P. & Vicki Nikias, Vasilia Nitsis, Dimitrius & Leisa Nourtsis, Sam & Alexandra Nyktas, George W. O'Neill, Brian & Stephanie Orphanos, Peter & Angela Pagdadis, Sotiris & Stephanie Palassis, Nick & Maria Paliobagis, Vasiliki Panagiotidis, Pantelis & Anastasia Panagis, Nick & Maria Papakirk, James & Maria Panos, Aphrodite Pantel, Nicholas J. Paolucci, Anthony & Angie Papaioannou, Thomas & Mary Paparodis, Bess Papasavvas, Nektarios & Sally Papathanas, Harry & Joyce Papathanas, Katherine Papathanas, Mary Kay Pappas, Martha H. Pappas, Steven & Jolene Parsenios, Lewis G. Parthenakis, Nicholas & Angie Pascal, Betsy Pascal, James Pastroumas, Evgenia Pavlakis, George & Suzanne Payiatis, Paul & Patricia Perdikakis, Constance Perdikakis, Gus G. & Jo Ann Perdikakis, Lynn Perdikakis, Maria Peters, Claire Petkos, Joannis & Christina Petropoulos, Kosta & Tina Petrou, Evey Petrou, James & Carrie Phillips, Joshua & Katherine Pilipovich, George & Cynthia Plomaritis, Peter & Elsa Politis, Michael & Carmen Polychroniou, Constantine & Christina Poneris, Constantino & Tara Poneris, Kosta & Christine Ponticos, George D. Ponticos, Koula Prasinos, Jim & Nicki

Prasinos, Zoe Priest, Daniel & Christina Psihountakis, Manouso & Anastasia Psihountas, Mary Quill, Kevin & Mary Ramstetter, Robert & Lisa Raptis, James & Maria Raptis, James & Olga Redmon, Fr. William & Presvytera Elizabeth Riber, Sam & Filio Richardson, Josh & Nicole Riemann, Christopher & Blanca Rodish, Peter & Suzanne Romanos, Michael & Carla Rombes, Tom & Angie Rombis, Petros & Sofia Romero, Evangelia & Eric Peck Rose, Marvin & Chrysoula Saba, Youhana Sajkich, Steven Sakellariou, Maria B. Sakelos, Irene Sakelos, James Sakelos, John & Kathleen Sampson, Angeline Sampson, Michael G. & Roxanne Sampson, Nick & Becky Sampson, Tony & Mary Ann Sansalone, Anthony & Angeleke Sarakatsannis, George & Marie Sarakatsannis, Nicholas J. & Vicki Sarakatsannis, Nicholas L. & Carla Sarakatsannis, Panny Sarlis, Nikolaos & Vaseleke Sarros, George H. & Alexandra Sarros, Harry J. Sarros, John H Schmalz, Mary Ann Schmidberger, Gary & Elizabeth Schmitz, Thomas & Cathy Schneider, Elizabeth R. Schoemaker, Henry & Georgia Schooley, Barbara Schuler, Bill & Julie Schulte, Nick & Ianthe Schultz, James & Sarah Schutter, Michael & Lynne Sciortino, Mark & Jenny Semertzides, Manos & Elizabeth Seremetis, Afrodite K. Seremetis, Gregory G. Seremetis, Stratin & Marjory Sherlock, Michael & Chrysanne Siambekos, Steve T. & Laura Sias, Georgios N. & Kathy Sideris, Danny & Amy Sideris, Mina Sideris, Nick & Jane Siegel, August C. Simos, Marianthi Snider, Luke & Dacia Snyder, Milan & Elaine Spanorigas, Nicholas & Becky

Spanos, Van & Litsa Sparks, Ryan & Sophia Spirtoff, John & Vicki Stacey, Christine Stamatakos, Anthony Stamatakos, Dino & Diamanto Stamatakos, Gus & Vivi Stamatakos, Tom & Becky Stanifer, Randy & Eleni Stathis, Angelos & Aspasia Stathis, Lee & Evie Stavros, Cathy Stefanopoulos, Andrew & Carol Stenger, Doug & Lauren Stephan, Charles M. Stephan, George Stephan, Kara Stephan, Melinda Stephan, Michael Stephan, Nicholas & Alyssa Steppe, Greg & Ellene Stergiopoulos, James & Dilys Stergiopoulos, William M.† & Janis Stergiopulos, Anna Storch, Mark & Angela Storgion, James & Terry Strain, Richard & Katherine Strike, Louis Stringas, Emanuel Stroplos, Gus Suhar, Sylvia Sweiss, Riyad Sylvester, Debi Tassopoulos, Michael & Ritsa Thomakos, Artemis Thomas, Bill Tipis, Constantine & Lisa Tipis, Eleni Trennepohl, Mike & Tina Trester, Ron & Maria Triantafillou, Nicholas Triantafillou, Tilemahos Triantafilou, Alex & Jennifer Triantafilou, George & Eleni Triantafilou, Nicholas P. & Lenna Triantafilou, Peter J. Triantafilou, Rita Trivett, Michael & Matina Truta, Traian & Alina Campan Tsolometes, James & Maria Valcarcel, John & JoAnne Vardaka, Marianna Varnell, Charles & Krista Vasilakis, Theologos & Mary Vasiliou, Angelo & Maria Vasiliou, Demetrios & Gloria Vassiliou, Alex & Soula Vassiliou, Helen Vessey, Lenie Vidas, Cynthia Vidas, Ethel Vidas, Evangelia P.

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Vidas, Michael & Sofia Vidas, Olga Vlahakis, Tom & Carol Watson, Douglas & Akrivi Weis, Daniel & Anastasia Weisenborn, Cary & Maria Weitfle, Christopher & Maria Williams, Jacinta

Wilson, Beth & Martin Wilson, Wallace & Michelle Witt, Alan J. & Bessie Wright, Duane M. & Stacy Xanthakos, Stavra & Helmut Roehrig Zaferes, Eleni Zaferes, Katherine (Tina) Zaferes, Patricia J.

Zaferes, Patricia P. Zaferes, Toula Zagorianos, Kristos & Kathy Zaharopoulos, Antonios & Dimitra Zigoris, Mark & Irene Zolotas, Pete & Papy

Transitions

WEDDING:

The Newlyweds: Miranda Watzek and Peter Triantafilou Sponsor: Alexander Triantafilou

Date: July 25, 2015

BAPTISM:

The New Christian: Alexa Eleni Parents: Corey and Stacy (Koskinaris) Campbell

Sponsors: Athan Mathes and Effie Goetz Date: August 16, 2015

FUNERALS:

Trajani Paskal, age 82, on July 21, 2015. William Stergiopoulos, age 71, on August 3, 2015.

YOUTH MINISTRIES By: Father William Redmon

Greetings in Christ!

Our September GOYA meeting will be held on Sunday, September 13th, following Divine Liturgy. Our September HOPE/JOY meeting will be held on Thursday, September 3rd, at 6:30 p.m.

In September, we are seeking GOYA volunteers to serve at the Car Raffle on September 20th, at 6:00 p.m. Lew Parsenios will explain the responsibilities at the September GOYA meeting. It is requested that those who are interested in volunteering contact Fr. William.

This summer has been an eventful one. In June, our GOYA helped to sponsor and serve at the Panegyri. In early July, I was at the St. Nicholas Metropolis camp in Tennessee for a wonderful week of reflection and fellowship with youth from parishes across the Metropolis of Detroit. Later in July, we held Vacation Church School, where our theme, “A Journey through our Orthodox Church,” gave us the opportunity for a variety of exciting crafts and activities. Many thanks to our instructors, par-ents, and GOYA volunteers who helped to make VCS a week of worship, learning, and fellowship!

As we prepare to hold our first youth meetings of the 2015-2016 Ecclesiastical Year, let us pray to Christ that he might guide us into fellowship together and service to one another. And let us remember to make rearing our youth in Christ the first priority in our lives. Sports, activities, and Christ’s Church are all valuable parts of our lives; only one of them leaves our lives transformed.

If you have been involved in youth ministry in the past, either as a parent or as a volunteer, I encourage you to continue in that ministry. And if you are interested in ministering to youth for the first time, you have but to ask.

-Fr. William

September 2015 For the most updated Calendar, visit www.holytrinity.oh.goarch.org

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

Ecclesiastical New Year

9:30 a.m. Agiasmos

7:00 p.m. DOP Mtg.

2

7:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsal

3

6:30 p.m. HOPE & JOY Meeting

4

5

6

8:15 a.m. Matins 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy

2:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Church Picnic @ Strickers Grove

7

Labor Day

Church Office Closed

No Orthodox Reading Group

8

Nativity of the Theotokos 8:30 a.m. Matins and Divine Liturgy

6:30 p.m. AHEPA Mtg.

9


10

11

12

13


SCS Begins

Greek School Begins

GOYA Mtg.

Philoptochos Mtg.

14

Exaltation of the Holy Cross 8:30 a.m. Matins and Divine Liturgy

6:30 p.m. Orthodox Reading Group

15

16

6:30 p.m. Orthodoxy 101


17

6:00 p.m. Parish Council Dinner & Mtg.

18

19

12:00 p.m. Over Fifty Lunch

20


Mothers Club Bake Sale Annual Car Raffle

21


22

23



24

25

26

27


28


29

30



OUTREACH MINISTRIES - THE GOOD SHEPHERD FOOD PANTRY - ‘BY THE NUMBERS’

Since our food pantry ministry began in 2010, a total of 706 families have come through our doors! There were 189 visits between January

1 and July 21, 2015. It seems that families do not return when their situations improve, but we continue to add new families each month.

In an average month, approximately 40 – 60 families are served. We are repeatedly thanked, hugged, blessed, and see tears of joy when

someone receives a bag of groceries.

Our rules are that someone can take one bag of groceries, and visit the pantry once a month. The estimated cost of a bag of our groceries

is $18, a small portion of any family’s monthly bill. Even though this is small, each person carefully considers what to put in their bag, taking

only what they will use. The majority of those who come are elderly and/or have medical issues.

The heartfelt appreciations of those who visit our pantry are extended to all of you who make this ministry possible. Please continue to

help those in need by your prayers and by bringing in non-perishable food items or by making a monetary donation to the Good Shepherd

Food Pantry.

11 | Page


Clergy Presiding Priest: Very Rev. Father William Cassis

Assistant Priest: Rev. Father William Redmon

Staff Parish Administrator: Eugene Nicholas

Facilities Manager: Chris Jonson

Parish Council Members

Organizations and Ministries

Philoptochos Society: Georgianne Gaz, President

Parish Choir: Janice Kellaris, Director

Cantors: Louis Kapourales, Tasos Ioannides, James Raptis, Philanthy Nichols

Altar Boys: Gus Siegel, Father William Cassis, Father William Redmon

Sunday Church School: Religious Education Team, Peter Aamodt, Chairman

Greek School: Alexandros Laftsidis, Director

GOYA: Father William Redmon, GOYA Ministry Team

HOPE and JOY Groups: Father William Redmon, Ministry Team

Mothers Club: Catherine Stavros, President

AHEPA: Peter Rodish, President

Daughters of Penelope: Vera Manolakas, President

Over 50s Club: Ann Jonson, President

Parish Bible Study and Orthodoxy 101: Father William Cassis

Orthodox Reading Group: Father William Redmon

Outreach/Samaritan Fund: Father William Cassis,

Father William Redmon, Eugene Nicholas

The Good Shepherd Food Pantry: Stephanie Diaz, Maria Freeman,

Mary Morgan, Matina Trivett Agios Demetrios Society: Jim Grammas, Maria Panagis

PANEGYRI: Eugene Nicholas, Chris Chryssovergis

Parish Bookstore: Christina Polychroniou

Office Hours: Weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Worship Schedule: Matins, 8:15 a.m.; Divine Liturgy, 9:30 a.m.

Other Services as scheduled.

Our Mission

THE VOICE is the official monthly

newsletter of Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas

Greek Orthodox Church in Cincinnati,

Ohio. Our Parish was founded in 1907

and serves Orthodox Christians

throughout the tri-state area. Our mis-

sion is to reach out to all members of

the Community by providing relevant

information on the religious, spiritual

and cultural life of the Parish; news on

the accomplishments of Parish mem-

bers and organizations, and editorial

points of view.

The next deadline for submitting

news to the "Voice" is

September 6, 2015

Submissions can be dropped off or

mailed to the Church Office or

e-mailed to

[email protected] or

[email protected]

Our Church website can be found

at

www.holytrinity.oh.goarch.org

THANK YOU

Officers Members

James Gelis, President Chris Chryssovergis

Nicholas L. Sarakatsannis, Vice-President David Greene

Peter Rodish, Treasurer Stacey Loukoumidis

Justin Bates, Asst. Treasurer Christine Masella

Karen Aamodt, Secretary Jessica Mavridoglou

Matthew Neuendorf, Asst. Secretary Michael Mavridoglou

Nektarios Papasavvas

Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church 7000 Winton Road Cincinnati, OH 45224 Tel: (513) 591-0030 Fax: (513) 591-0043 www.holytrinity.oh.goarch.org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID CINCINNATI, OH

PERMIT NO. 2118

The Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

Annual Church Community Picnic

Sunday, September 6, 2015 - 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

At Stricker’s Grove

Bring Your Picnic Baskets, Family and Friends for a Day of Fun,

Food and Fellowship. Hamburgers and Hot Dogs will be served FREE!

All amusement rides are FREE!

(Note: Alcohol/Liquor is not permitted to be carried into the Park. Beer will be available for purchase.)

DIRECTIONS: From I-275, go North on US 27 (Exit 33) to the Ross/Hamilton Exit (Route 128), go

South toward Ross, Ohio (approximately 3 miles on left) From I-74, go North on Route 128 to Exit 7

(approximately 6 miles on right)

very rev. thomas hopko voice... · action of his holy spirit in the church, through jesus christ,...

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