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NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 25

FITCHBURG, MA 01420

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church1319 Main Street, Fitchburg, MA. 01420 “Address service requested”

A most blessed and safe “GREAT LENT” to all our fellow Christians!

Our thanks to Larry Brandon from “Brandon Funeral Home” for his generous and continuous sponsorship of our monthly

“Messenger”

The Mission of Holy Trinity is to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ through the Orthodox Christian Faith.

THE MESSENGER Sunday Church Services:Orthros, 9:00 amDivine Liturgy, 10:00 am

HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH1319 MAIN STREET, FITCHBURG, MA. 01420

FATHER PAUL C. BEBIS, PASTOR

Church phone: (978) 342-1216 Father Paul’s Cell: (978) 868-6637

Web site: www.holytrinity.ma.goarch.org E-Mail: holytrinityfitchburg@gmail.com

MARCH 2020Holy Lent is upon us! We have entered the sacred period of Holy Lent, a period of fasting, penitence, and prayer.  It is also a period of spiritual uplifting and reflection.  I believe that fasting is a very important facet of Lent and probably the most difficult.  Strict fasting in Orthodoxy can be so demanding that only a small number of believers actually follow it to the letter.  If we cannot follow it to the letter, even some minor restriction can be done.  Growing up in the faith, I knew a few families who would just fast on Saturdays, restricting their diet to just vegetables and fruit while eating nothing on Sunday Mornings before receiving Holy Communion.  This is fine too!  Whatever works for you.  Remember, our focus on fasting is not the regulations themselves, but the purpose.  You are doing it for God!

Remember, you should not fast and brag about it. “And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men.  But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face that your fasting may not be seen by men, but by your Father who is in secret.” (Matthew 6:16-28).   In our church today, we have different levels of fasting, severe, strict, and moderate.  Usually, the severe fasting is followed by many of the Orthodox monasteries around the world today.  Their fasting prohibits meat, fish, animal products, cheese, milk, butter, olive oil, and alcohol.  They could eat shellfish, fruit, vegetables, and bread.  Today, many of us may follow a strict fast.  This fast usually entails the First Week of Holy Lent, Holy Week, January 5th, the Day before Epiphany, (Christ’s Baptism), and the fifteen days of August before the Dormition of the Theotokos.  Realistically, most Orthodox today do moderate fasting in which they may give up “some foods,” especially meats on many important Fast Days.  It is also good to observe Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the year because Jesus was betrayed by Judas Iscariot on Wednesday and Christ was placed on the Cross on Friday.  We have four major fasting periods, Great Lent (49 days), the Holy Apostles Lent (length of fast varies), the Dormition and death of the Theotokos (14 days), and Christmas Lent (40 days).

Personally, fasting is a great way to come closer to God.  When you leave your supper table, you may feel a little lighter and it makes you remember that you’re doing it for God, which in turn may help you feel more spiritual and prayerful.  Also, it’s great for our bodies.  We feel lighter and we may feel better physically.  So, it is a win-win situation for many of us.  However, our church is very flexible in today’s world.  Many of us may be unable to fast for multiple days due to a variety of reasons.  Our work schedule may prohibit it or a medical condition may require us to eat certain foods at specific times.  There is a Holy Canon in our church that states, “Holy men who do not fast for Lent or on Wednesdays and Fridays be deposed and that laymen should be excommunicated.”  We do not follow this canon today and many of the church fathers of the past have questioned this.  Even St. John Chrysostom once said “consider Christ Himself, who gave Holy Communion to the Apostles right after supper.” He even said “more attention should be paid to things that come out of one’s mouth rather than the things that go in.”

What I am saying is to try your best.  Even a little bit helps.  We are not monks or nuns.  Everything counts and it’s great for your spiritual being and your physicality.  When you fast with reflection and prayer while reading the scriptures, it’s a great way to come closer to God.  However, because you do fast, that is not to say that it makes you better and more spiritual than someone else.  Do it quietly.  It will help you to purify your soul and your body, because you’re doing it for God.  It is not science.  It is all about faith.  And remember, when you receive Holy Communion on Sundays, or before any Divine Liturgy, fasting is recommended, if possible.  You should approach the chalice with integrity, with love, and with a committed soul.  For example, if you ate a Fillet

Minion with mashed potatoes just prior to receiving Holy Communion, it might show your commitment level to God and His Eucharist.  It might show that you are taking God’s Body and Blood with a nonchalant and uncaring attitude.  If you had fasted even just a little, you can come to the Eucharist with a stricter and clearer conscious along with the fear of God…………

…..Father Paul

OFFICE HOURS: Kiki Karamanos: Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 10:00 am- 1:00pm.

Father Paul may be seen by appointment. Please call the office or the Parish Council President to schedule an appointment or for emergencies.

NOTICE: Please advise the Church office with regards to any hospitalization of Parish members. Due to the confidentiality laws, hospitals will not notify the Church.

Parish Council Officers:President: Mrs. Joanne AndersonVice-President: Mr. James IdarisTreasurer: Mr. James ClearySecretary: Mrs. Elizabeth StathisCouncil Members Mrs. Nikki ConneryMr. John GevrekakisMs. Joanna KaramanouMrs. Christine MaxantMrs. Irene MichaelidesMr. John RoumasMr. Angelo RoumbakisMrs. Kim SchusterMs. Lea Tzimoulis

Organizational Heads:Chanters: Jim WoovisChoir Director: Johna GagneJoy Director: Dee Gevrekakis GOYA Director: Angelo RoumbakisPhiloptochos President: Effie KosmidisStewardship Comm. Chairman: Phil Stathas. Church Secretary: Kiki Karamanos

Church web page:http://www.holytrinity.ma.goarch.org

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/holytrinityfitchburg

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY” to all our parishioners that celebrate their birthdays in February!

Σε όσους γιορτάζουν τα γενέθλια τους τον Μάρτιο, ΝΑ ΤΑ ΕΚΑΤΟΣΤΗΣΕΤΕ με υγεία και χαρές!

Message from the Parish Council President

My fellow parishioners I’d like to welcome are newly sworn in members James Cleary and Lea Tzimoulis. A large thank you to our exiting members Jossy Brock, Greg Belleza, and Star Regopoulos.

During this lentin season join us for the presanctified litergies on Wednesday evenings. They will be held at different churches, so please see the list in the church hall.

Thank you to all those who attended are "Mardi Gras Glendi"! Fun time had by all!

We will be having our Greek Independence Day dinner March 29 after services, please mark your calendars. "The Greek Parade" in Boston will be held on Sunday April 26. If you plan on going please sign up so we know what size bus we need. We want our community represented well!

"Happy Spring" to all!

Thank you,Joanne Anderson

P.S. To those who ask why we don't do dances and more fund raisers, we had one on February 29! The ones who always ask didn't have the courtesy to come out and support us. I'm saying shame on you!!! "THANK YOU" to those who attended and had a great time!

A Blessed LENT to all!

Καλή Σαρακοστή!

Sunday of Orthodoxy, March 8

The icon of the Sunday of Orthodoxy commemorates the “restoration” of icons in the churches and to their use in Orthodox worship. The focal point of the icon is an icon itself, the Virgin Hodegetria, a popular depiction of the Theotokos as “Directress,” or literally “She who shows the way to God.” The icon is carried by two angels.

To the left of the icon is the Empress Theodora and her son Michael III. To the right of the icon are the Patriarchs Methodios and Tarasios. The icon is surrounded by numerous saints who struggled against the Iconoclastic heresy.

The icon also represents the triumphant procession that was made on Sunday, March 11, 843, from the Church of the Theotokos in Blachernai to Hagia Sophia, where a Liturgy was celebrated to mark the restoration of icons.

The Sunday of Orthodoxy is commemorated with the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great, which is preceded by the Matins service. A Great Vespers is conducted on Saturday evening. The hymns of the Triodion for this day are added to the usual prayers and hymns of the weekly commemoration of the Resurrection of Christ.

Scripture readings for the Sunday of Orthodoxy are: At the Orthros (Matins): The prescribed weekly Gospel reading. At the Divine Liturgy: Hebrews 11:24-26,32-40; John 1:43-51.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a service is conducted in commemoration of the affirmations of the Seventh Ecumenical Council in 787 and the restoration of the use of icons in 843. Orthodox faithful carry icons in a procession, while the clergy offer petitions for the people, civil authorities, and those who have reposed in the faith. Following is a reading of excerpts from the Affirmation of Faith of the Seventh Ecumenical Council and the singing of the Great Prokeimenon.

It is becoming a common practice that the Procession of the Icons is conducted as part of a Pan-Orthodox Vespers service on the evening of the Sunday of Orthodoxy. This is a service when Orthodox Christians of the various jurisdictions in America come together for worship and in a united affirmation of the Truth of the Orthodox Faith.

On the Saturday before this Sunday, the third of three Saturdays of the Souls are held. This is a special commemoration when the Church offers a Divine Liturgy and Memorial Service for the departed faithful. This is considered a universal commemoration of the dead. Through the memorial services, the Church is commending to God all who have departed and who are now awaiting the Last Judgment.

This specific Saturday is a special commemoration of the Great Martyr Theodore of Tyre and the miracle of the kolyva. In 361, Julian the Apostate was doing his utmost to restore pagan customs. Knowing that the Christians were accustomed to sanctify the first week of Lent by

fasting and prayer, the wily tyrant told the Prefect of Constantinople to have all of the food set out for sale in the markets sprinkled with the blood of animals sacrificed to the gods, so that no one in the city would escape the contagion of idolatry. However, the Lord did not abandon His chosen people, but sent His servant Theodore to outwit the tyrant. Appearing in a vision to Patriarch Eudoxius (360-364), the holy Martyr informed him of what was happening and told him to instruct the Christians not to buy food from the markets but instead to eat kolyva made from grains of boiled wheat. Thus, thanks to the intervention of the holy Martyr Theodore, the Christian people were preserved from the stain of idolatry. The Church has commemorated this miracle ever since on the first Saturday of Great Lent, in order to remind the faithful that fasting and temperance have the power to cleanse all the stains of sin.

SUNDAY OF HOLY CROSS, March 22

STEWARDS AS OF 2/28/2020

Andrellos, Mr. JohnAwad, Mr. & Mrs. BassemBebis, Fr. & Mrs. PaulBebis, Mr. & Mrs. GeorgeBottos, ChristosChristy, Mrs. KatherineCleary, James and ConstanceCleary, Mary KateConnery, Michael and NikkiDiamantis, Mrs. EleniDonnelly, Mr. & Mrs.Thomas

Eleftherio, Ms. BessieFanos, Mrs. JennieFotakis, Mr. & Mrs. EliasGaetz, Mrs. Katherine LambropoulosGallo, III, Mr FrankGlimenakis, Mr. & Mrs. HarryGlimenakis, Mr. & Mrs. WilliamGrammenos, Ms. SophiaHaithis, Ms. TinaHurtubise, Ms. VirginiaKaramanos, Mrs. KikiKaramanou, Ms. IoannaKepentzis, Mr. & Mrs. ChristopherKopley, Mr. & Mrs. CharlesKotoch, Mr. & Mrs. ElieLambropoulos, Mrs. BarbaraLanides, Mrs. VictoriaLekaditis, Miss AthenaLekaditis, Mr. & Mrs. ChristosLekaditis, Mr. & Mrs. WilliamLekaditis, Mr. PeterLiatsis, Mr CraigMoorshead, John and NicoleMoorshead, PeterMoorshead, ThomasNelson, Mr. & Mrs. MichaelPickering, Earl and AnnPratt, LindaQuarella, Mr. & Mrs. MichaelRigopoulos, Mr. & Mrs. GeorgeRigopoulos, Mr. & Mrs. PeterRobideau, Robert and GeorgiaRoumbakis, Mr EvangelosRoumbakis, Mrs. LoulaSalouvardos, Mr. & Mrs. KostasSawyer, Charles and EstelleSchuster, Todd and KimStamatelopulos, Pereklis & KathyStathas, Mr. & Mrs. PhillipStathis, Mr. & Mrs. ErnestStathis, Ms. PamelaStefanakos, Mr. & Mrs. TheofanisTheodorakakos, Mr. & Mrs.Theoharis, Mr. GeorgeThomaidis, AliceThomas, Mr. GeorgeThomas, Ms Katherine

Tzimoulis, Lea S.Witzgall, James and TaraWoovis, Mr. & Mrs. JamesYiannos, Mr. & Mrs. Cosmas

Altar Boys Schedule for March

Sunday, March 1st: “The Ephesians,” Joshua Bebis and Dimitrios Fowler, Christos Gevrekakis, Alex Nelson and Daniel Nelson.. 

Sunday, March 8th: “The Thessalonians,” Tyler Witzgall, and Frank Gallo, Maximos Pappas, Nickolas Tolos, and Matthew Tolos. 

Sunday, March 15th: “The Ephesians,” Joshua Bebis and Dimitrios Fowler, Christos Gevrekakis, Alex Nelson and Daniel Nelson.

Sunday, March 22nd: “The Thessalonians,” Tyler Witzgall, and Frank Gallo, Maximos Pappas, Nickolas Tolos, and Matthew Tolos.

Sunday, March 29th: “The Ephesians,” Joshua Bebis and Dimitrios Fowler, Christos Gevrekakis, Alex Nelson and Daniel Nelson. 

Parish Council on duty for March

Sunday, March 1st: Joanna Karamanou, Elizabeth Stathis, John Roumas, Lea Tzimoulis.

Sunday, March 8th: Joanne Anderson, Christine Maxant, Angelo Roumbakis, Kim Schuster.

Sunday, March 15th John Gevrekakis, James Idaris, Irene Michaelides, James Cleary.

Sunday, March 22nd: : Joanna Karamanou, Elizabeth Stathis, John Roumas, Lea Tzimoulis.

Sunday, March 29th: Joanne Anderson, Christine Maxant, Angelo Roumbakis, Kim Schuster.

Parish Council NewsParish Council Minutes on file in the Church office.

Parish Council Meeting: Will be notified by email when the next meeting will be.

Liturgical Schedule for March

Sunday, March 1 st :  “Forgiveness Sunday,” (Cheesefare), Orthros, 9:00AM and Divine Liturgy, 10:00AM.

Monday, March 2 nd : “First Day of Holy Lent,” Church Services begin at 6:00PM.

Wednesday, March 4 th : “The First Pre-Sanctified Divine Liturgy,” at the Sts. Anargyroi Greek Orthodox Church in Marlboro, followed by a “cooking class” with celebrity chef Andreas Apostolopoulos, 6:00PM.

Friday, March 6 th :  “The First Stanza of the Salutations to the Virgin Mary,” 6:00PM.

Saturday, March 7 th :  “The Third Saturday of the Souls,” Divine Liturgy and the Blessing of the Kollyva, 10:00AM.

Sunday, March 8 th : “The Sunday of Orthodoxy,” ( Attention all children: Please bring an icon to church with you so we may circle the church while carrying your icons), Orthros, 9:00AM and Divine Liturgy, 10:00AM.

Wednesday, March 11 th :  “The Pre-Sanctified Liturgy,” at Holy Trinity in Fitchburg, 6:00PM.

Friday, March 13 th :  “The Second Stanza of the Salutations to the Theotokos,” 6:00PM.

Sunday, March 15 th : “The Second Sunday of Holy Lent,” Orthros, 9:00AM and Divine Liturgy, 10:00AM.

Wednesday, March 18 th :  “The Pre-Sanctified Liturgy will take place at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Clinton,” followed by a Lenten Supper. 6:00PM.

Thursday, March 19 th :  “The Third Stanza of the Salutations to the Theotokos,” 6:00PM. (Father Paul will be out of town on Friday, March 20 th).

Sunday, March 22 nd :  “The Veneration of the Holy Cross,” Orthros, 9:00AM and Divine Liturgy, 10:00AM.

Wednesday, March 25 th :  “The Annunciation of the Theotokos,” Divine Liturgy, 10:00AM.

Friday, March 27 th :  “The Fourth Stanza of the Salutations to the Theotokos,” 6:00PM.

Sunday, March 29 th :  “The Fourth Sunday of Holy Lent,” Orthros, 9:00AM and Divine Liturgy, 10:00AM.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Saturday, March 28th: HOPE LUNCHEON from NOON until 1:00PM. Sponsors and volunteers are always needed so we can continue to offer this outreach to our community!

Fellowship Coffee Hour

We would like to thank the following for sponsoring Sunday Coffee Hours for February: Father Paul & Presvytera Terry, Sharlene & Elie Kotoch, Robert Therrien, the families of Bill Tolos, Connie Cleary, Nikki Connery and Valerie Koutrakos and the numerous anonymous ladies that continue to contribute so that all of us can enjoy this very important fellowship in our church. Also, thanks to Priscilla Regopoulos for making the coffee every Sunday and Star Regopoulos for setting up! It would be greatly appreciated if more parishioners participate in sponsoring a COFFEE HOUR!

If you would like to sponsor a coffee hour without the work, please donate $75.00 for goodies and clean up. Contact the office before Sunday to make arrangements. The Parish Council will do the rest. Thank you.

Our apologies if we forget to post an announcement, an event or mention someone. Please contact us and we’ll be happy to do so in the next issue of the Messenger.

If you want something to be included in the monthly MESSENGER please send it to us by email no later than the 20 th of each month! We also would like photos from different church activities emailed to us so that we can include some in the MESSENGER.

Church Email:

holytrinityfitchburg@gmail.com

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/holytrinityfitchburg

Adult Greek Dance Fitness

Our next 5 sessions will be on Tuesdays March 3, 10, 24, 31 and April 5 at 5:00 PM. Instructor is Maria Roumbakis Colby and Angela Lanza assisting.

Philoptochos News

MISSION STATEMENT: “To promote charitable, benevolent and philanthropic outreach, to preserve the sanctity of life and family and to perpetuate and promote our Orthodox faith and traditions."

The ladies of the Philoptochos will be celebrating "International Woman's Day" on Sunday, March 8, 2 o'clock, at the Atlantic Seafood Grill in Acton.  Anyone wishing to join us for mezedes, wine, and ouzo can contact Kiki Karamanos or Effie Kosmidis.

On April 26th, we are planning to attend the Greek parade in Boston.  Additional information will follow in the next month's MESSENGER.

Our February National Ministry obligations were the Autism Assistance Fund and the Saint Photios Shrine.

The ladies will be holding our monthly meeting on Sunday, March 1st, after church services.  We hope to see everyone.

Effie Kosmidis, Chapter President

KALI SARAKOSTI!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Monday, March 2nd: “Great Lent Begins”.

Saturday, March 7 th : 3rd Saturday of Souls. Kiki will be making small bowls of “Koliva” /

Memorial Wheat. If you would like one it’s $10.00 each and all proceeds will be donated to the church. Please call her by March 5 (978-342-1216 or 978-235-6874) so she can plan on how much to make.

Saturday, March 7 th : “The Triumph of Orthodoxy,” Saint George Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Anna Street, Worcester, MA.  Bishop John of Worcester will preach. Don’t miss this Lenten event. All the Assembly of Bishops and Clergy are invited to serve. The service begins at 6:00PM.

Sunday, March 8th: Philoptochos celebration of "International Women's Day" at Atlantic Sea Grill in Acton, MA at 2:00. All women from our community are welcomed to attend for a few hours of fun, excellent meze and women chit-chat! Please let us know by March 4th if you are going to join us.

Sunday, March 29th: Greek Independence / Evagelismou Dinner! Please see flyer for details.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

International Women’s Day events are held worldwide on March 8. Various women, including political, community, and business leaders, as well as leading educators, inventors, entrepreneurs, and television personalities, are usually invited to speak at various events on the day. Such events may include seminars, conferences, luncheons, dinners or breakfasts. The messages given at these events often focus on various themes such as innovation, the portrayal of women in the media, or the importance of education and career opportunities.

Many students in schools and other educational settings participate in special lessons, debates or presentations about the importance of women in society, their influence, and issues that affect them. In some countries school children bring gifts to their female teachers and women receive small presents from friends or family members. Many workplaces make a special

mention about International Women’s Day through internal newsletters or notices, or by handing out promotional material focusing on the day.

ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS

Holy Trinity has SCHOLARSHIPS available! Applications are available in the office and are due back by May 1st!

FESTIVAL 2020Our first Festival meeting will be held on Wednesday March 4 at 6:00pm. Please attend this very important meeting as we start concrete steps to have a most needed successful event! We need people to commit their time and resources from now! New ideas and suggestions are welcomed as we have planed two events!