THE ORTHODOX WAY
March 2015
 Dear St. Nicholas Family,

Let us enter the Fast with joy, O faithful.
Let us not be sad.
Let us cleanse our faces with the waters of dispassion,
blessing and exalting Christ forever.

[from first Friday of Lent matins]
Archdiocese and Metropolis News
Sunday night, an outstanding Orthodox priest died in a tragic car accident on his way home from church. Fr. Matthew Baker leaves behind his wife, Katherine, and six young children: Isaac, 12; Elias, 10; George, 8; Ellie, 6; Cyril, 4; and Matthew Baker Jr, 2.

Please pray for them, and please help them financially in this time of crisis
. For information on providing support: 
Metropolis of Boston Special Fund and GoFundMe account



Family and GOYA Winter Camps

Ioanian Village Registration
For Summer 2015 now open
In This Issue
Quick Links
Parish Council
Contact Info
Sunday Worship
Orthros 8:15am
Divine Liturgy 9:30am
Upcoming Events
Weekend, March 20
Did you know EFT and credit card payments can be made for reservations to the 50th Anniversary Dinner Gala!
 
 
Lives of the Saints

Sunday of Orthodoxy

The Holy Martyrs of Sebastia

Theophanes the Confessor
 March 12

Annunciation of the Theotokos

5th Sat of Lent: Akathist Hymn


Holy Hieromartyr Hypatius
Father Demetri's Message

My Parish Family,

 

During this beautiful time of year in which the Church gives us, we have the opportunity in these 40 days to grow closer to Christ.  We have all seen infomercials about "how we can look better in 30 days" or how we "can change our body to look better in the next few weeks."  Well, the same can be said about or souls and our bodies too!  Great Lent is that chance for us to focus on Christ, His Church, and improving ourselves on a daily basis.  What do you want to look like 40 days from now?  Do you want your spiritual life to be a stronger one?  Here is a reflection on how fasting is a tool of perfection.  Please take the time to read it, reflect on it and PLEASE COME TO AS MANY SERVICES AS POSSIBLE!  Remember these days of Great Lent is for us to improve and to be not just who we want to be but who Christ wants us to be!!!

 

Fasting as a Tool of Perfection

 

God Bless, 


 

Orthodoxy in the News
Children's Word
Written by Presbytera Alexandra Houck
Parish Council President Letter

March 2015

 

Dear St. Nicholas Parish Family:

 

I hope you are making the best of the snowy situation this winter. It truly is a wonder of its own. 

 

As we head into the waning days of winter, we have the journey of Great Lent to look forward to. During this time, please remember to give thanks to our Lord for all his blessings, like the love of our family and friends and for the relative peace we all enjoy in our surroundings. How fortunate we are that we can gladly, publicly, and proudly pronounce and celebrate the resurrection of Christ without trepidation.

 

So let us honor that privilege by endeavoring to serve our Lord in any way we can, not just during this Lenten period but all throughout the year.

 

With love in Christ,

 

Tom Tsaros

617-733-6107

  ttsaros@gmail.com
Ministry News
STEWARDSHIP

 

On Sunday of Orthodoxy, the winter conditions didn't allow the procession of icons to take place outdoors so the Church School teachers and children held their icons up high as they walked around inside the church. Father Demetri then addressed both children and adults on the meaning of the feast day. When Father asked why we had the procession, one four-and-three-quarter-years-old (his words) answered "so we can show everyone how great they are." Another child answered to what if icons didn't exist with, "What am I going to hold when I get a nightmare in the middle of the night?" The feast day celebrates not only the icons in churches and homes but also the ones we live among every day -- every one of us is an icon because everyone is in the image of God. We all must live up to being a living icon, as well as show respect and love to each other as we do when we venerate our favorite saints.

 

Stewardship Report for February 24, 2015


 
2015 Consolidated Operating Budget

 

Thank you,
Maria Decoulos

madecoulos@gmail.com

CHURCH SCHOOL 

The Church School is participating in the 2015 Mission Coin Box Program. We will be collecting coin donations for the mission during Lent.

GREEK SCHOOL

Kalo Mina kai Kali Sarakosti!

 

The Greek School is doing quite well. This month the students will be preparing poems, songs and readings for the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary and Greek Independence Day. The program will take place on Sunday, March 29th after Divine Liturgy.

 

The Parade this year will be April 26th.

 

Our Greek School Glendi on February 7th was a huge success. The food was delicious and the music that DJ Arthur provided us with had people dancing all night. Of course, we are proud of the dancers and their teacher Haralampos who entertained us. We thank you for coming and supporting our Greek School. Special thanks to the parents who donated all the food and beverages. This was truly a memorable evening for all.   

GOYA

Thank you to everyone who supported our cookie fundraiser! We were able to raise and donate $255 to the building of the St. Nicholas shrine in NYC.


If you would like to receive emails about GOYA activities, please email Leto ( letopd@gmail.com)
ST. IRENE'S PHILOPTOCHOS

Kali Sarakosti!   Due to the inclement weather (!), we were unable to hold our February meeting.

 

Our Chapter Challenge Project is ongoing.  There is a large barrel in St. Irene's Hall for your donations to the food pantry, which will go to the Church of Our Redeemer.  Some suggested items are:  Baked Beans, Canned Fruit, Canned Vegetables, Cereal, Macaroni & Cheese, "Meals in a Can", Pasta (Angel Hair ONLY), Peanut Butter, Rice, Soup, Spaghetti Sauce, Tuna Fish, and Chicken Broth (ONLY 15 oz.). They also welcome personal care items, hand and body lotions, and paper products, including TP.   We look forward to your support with this project.

 

As is customary during the Lenten Season, St. Irene's Philoptochos is requesting donations for the purchase of flowers for the Kouvoukion and many icons used during this Holy Season.  Please be as generous as you can.  Thank you.                                                           

 

We will be electing new officers in June.  We'd love to see some "younger" ladies join us.  Please consider offering your talent!

 

Our next meeting will be Tuesday, March 17 at 6:30 p.m. 

TEEN & ADULT CHOIR
Meets Thursday nights at 7:00pm. Join us!
Great and Holy Lent
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES DURING GREAT LENT: Journey Through Great Lent

RESOURCES ON LENT: Readings about Great Lent


Messages
Adult Catechism & Bible Study
Adult Catechism & Bible Study will resume following Great Lent. If you have questions about our Faith (we all do!) or would like to learn something new, join us for the one-hour session.

Alexander the Great and the Macedonian Empire
Lecture series by professor Kenneth Harl, (Classical and Byzantine History, Tulane University) will take place Thursdays at 11a.m. More information

Trivia Night
Save the date: Friday, April 17...and start updating your memory files!!!

Not Receiving Church Material?
If you have not been receiving church material/mailing or emails, please contact the church office at 
781-862-6453 or email st.nicholaslex@verizon.net. Thank you.

Monthly Bulletin Personal or Business Ad
If you are interested in placing  a personal or business,  please contact the church office at 781-862-6453 or email st.nicholaslex@verizon.net.
Announcements
Falling Asleep of
Amantha Samatis


February 16 ~ The funeral of Amantha Samatis was held at St. Agnes Church in Arlington. She was the mother of Amantha Tsaros and monther-in-law of Tom Tsaros. May her memory be eternal.


St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church | (781) 862-6453 | st.nicholas.lex@verizon.net | http://stnicholaslex.org/
17 Meriam Street
Lexington, MA 02420