Saint George Greek Orthodox Church 70 West Street, P.O. Box 392, Keene, NH 03431-0392

Church: 603-352-6424 Website: www.stgeorgekeene.nh.goarch.org

Rev. Fr. Leo Schefe, Pastor Fr. Leos e-mail: frleo@clearwire.net Fr. Leos cell phone: (617) 435-3057

December 2013 Newsletter

Services Every Sunday / K

Matins (O) 9:00 -10:00 a.m.

Divine Liturgy ( )

10:00-11:30 a.m.

In This Issue

Worship Services ................................................................ 1

Prosforo () Bakers .............................................. 1

Calendar at a Glance (non-liturgical) .................................... 1

Fr. Leos Ledger: A Primer on Our Christmas Services ....... 2

Christmas Services .............................................................. 4

Announcements ................................................................... 5

Newsletter Editorial Staff ..................................................... 5

Prayer List Members of Our Community ........................... 5

Happy 90th Birthday, Ernie! .............................................. 6-7

Stewardship Update ........................................................... 8

Stewardship Sunday ........................................................... 9

Wish List .............................................................................. 9

Church Etiquette Part 3 .................................................. 10

Update on Theotokos Girls Orphanage ............................. 11

St. George Bookstore ......................................................... 11

Greek Language Lessons .................................................. 11

Annual Christmas Bazaar and Pastry Sale ....................... 12

Ladies & Gents Christmas Luncheon ................................ 13

Singing the Greek Kalanda (Carols) .................................. 13

Obituary: Anna G. L. Tasoulas ......................................... 14

Project Share...................................................................... 14

Welcome to the Andonellis Family ..................................... 15

Pumpkin Festival A Record Breaker! ............................... 15

Schedule of Christmas Services........................................ 16

Worship Services in December

Sunday, December 1: Nahum the Prophet Epistle: Ephesians 2:4-10 Gospel: Luke 18:35-43

Friday, December 6: St. Nicholas of Myra Epistle: Hebrews 13:17-21 Gospel: Luke 6:17-23

Sunday, Dec. 8: Forefeast /Conception Theotokos Epistle: Ephesians 2:14-22 Gospel: Luke 13:10-17

Thursday December 12: St. Spyridon Epistle: Ephesians 5:8-19 Gospel: John 10:9-16

Sunday, December 15: St. Eleutherios Epistle: II Timothy 1:8-18 Gospel: Luke 14:16-24

Friday, December 20: St. Ignatios, the Godbearer Epistle: Hebrews 10:32-38 Gospel: Mark 9:33-41

Sunday, December 22: Great Martyr St. Anastasia Epistle: Hebrews 11:9-10; 32-40 Gospel: Matthew 1:1-25

Tuesday, December 24: Royal Hours of Christmas, Vesperal Divine Liturgy of Christmas

Epistle: Galatians 4:4-7 Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

Wednesday, Dec. 25: Orthros of the Holy Nativity Matins Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25

Prosforo () Bakers

December 1: Vicky Balkanikos

December 15: Lambrini Tsitsonis

December 29: Janet Harrison

Friday, December 27: Proto-martyr St. Stephen Epistle: Acts of the Apostles 6:8-15; 7:1-5, 47-60 Gospel: Matthew 21:33-42

Sunday, December 29: Remembrance of the 14,000 Holy Innocents

Epistle: Galatians 1:11-19 Gospel: Matthew 2:13-23

Calendar at a Glance (non-liturgical)

Paraklesis to Mother of God, Tuesdays, 6:00 PM December 5, 12, 19, 26

Paraklesis to St. George, Thursdays, 6:00 PM December 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Reservation Deadline - Ladies & Gents Luncheon, Thursday, December 5, See page 13 for details

Lunch and Lives, Every other Thursday, 12:00 noon December 12 and 26

Christmas Bazaar / Pastry Sale, Sat., December 7 See page 12 for details

Ladies & Gents Luncheon, Thursday, December 12 See page 13 for details

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There are a few feast days during the year that call for a Vesperal Liturgy - a Divine

Liturgy celebrated in the evening. The Feast of our Lord's Holy Nativity is one of

those feast days. When our Lord's Nativity Feast does not fall on a Sunday, we

celebrate Christmas in the church during the day of Christmas Eve beginning with

the Royal Hours (first, third, sixth and ninth hours); and then in the evening, the

Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great. In our local church, these services

conclude later in the evening (9:00 PM or so) after which we celebrate with a light

festive meal that all are invited to attend and contribute toward.

In churches where there is more than one priest, Orthros and the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom are

celebrated on a different altar on Christmas morning, as well as the Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil the Great the

night before.

The services called the "Hours" commemorate the arrest (1st Hour), the trial (3rd Hour), the crucifixion (6th

Hour) and the death (9th Hour) of our Lord Jesus Christ. In monasteries, these services are observed on a

daily basis as part of the normal daily cycle of prayer. They (basically) consist of the introductory Trisagion

prayer, three select psalms, Troparion of the day, Trisagion, Kontakion of the day, prayer of the hours,

concluding prayer and the dismissal.

The Royal Hours are used for special feasts. They are basically the same as the regular Hours except there

are some hymns, Old Testament prophecies, an epistle reading and a Gospel reading. In other words, the

Royal Hours offer us a Bible study in reference to the Nativity of the Lord.

The prophecy of the First Royal Hour is taken from the Prophet Micah, "Thus says the Lord: And you;

Bethlehem, house of Ephratha, are not least among the thousands of Judah." In the Third Hour the prophecy

is taken from Jeremiah. The Prophet Isaiah speaks to us in the Sixth Hour, "Therefore the Lord Himself shall

give you a sign; behold, a virgin shall conceive in the womb, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His

name Emmanuel." And Isaiah again in the Ninth Hour, "Unto us a Child is born, and unto us a Son is given,

Whose government is come upon His shoulder; and His Name shall be called: The Angel of Great Counsel,

wonderful Counselor, the mighty God, He that has authority, the Prince of Peace, the Father of the age to

come."

The Divine Liturgy has two main sections: The Liturgy of the Word (also known as the liturgy of the Catechumen)

which is basically a Bible study ending with the sermon, and the Liturgy of the Faithful which is the offering,

partaking and thanks of the Eucharist (Holy Communion). Every Divine Liturgy is comprised this way.

The Christmas Vesperal Divine Liturgy has an expanded Liturgy of the Word or Bible study. Along with

readings from the Bible there are the teaching hymns about the feast at hand.

The following are the teaching and inspiring hymns of Christmas Vespers:

Second Tone. By Germanus

COME, let us rejoice in the Lord as we declare this present mystery. The middle wall of partition is broken

asunder; the flaming sword is turned back, the Cherubim withdraw from the Tree of Life, and I partake of the

Paradise of Delight, whence I was cast out before through disobedience. For the Identical Likeness of the

Father, the Express Image of His eternity, takes the form of a servant, and without undergoing change He

comes forth from a Mother that knew not wedlock. For that which He was, He has remained, even true God;

and that which He was not, He has taken upon Himself, becoming man out of love for man. Unto Him let us

cry: O God, Who are born of a Virgin, have mercy on us.

Father Leos Ledger

A Primer on Our Christmas Services

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Same Tone. By Anatolius

WHEN the Lord Jesus was born of the holy Virgin, all things were enlightened. Yet while the shepherds were

abiding in the field, while the Magi did worship, while the Angels sang praises, Herod was troubled. For God

has appeared in the flesh, the Savior of our souls.

Same Tone

YOUR Kingdom, O Christ God, is the Kingdom of all the ages, and Your sovereignty is in every generation

and generation. Incarnate of the Holy Spirit and become man of the Ever-virgin Mary, You have shined light

upon us by Your coming, O Christ God. O Light of Light, Effulgence of the Father, You have made all creation

radiant. Every breath praises You, the Express Image of the Father's glory. O You Who are, and have ever

been, and have shone forth from a Virgin, O God, have mercy on us.

Same Tone

WHAT shall we offer You, O Christ? for You have appeared on earth as man for our sakes. Of all the

creatures made by You, each offer You thanksgiving. The Angels offer You the hymn; the Heavens, the star;

the Magi, their gifts; the shepherds, their wonder; the earth, her cave; the wilderness, the manger; and we

offer You a Virgin Mother. O God, Who were before the ages, have mercy on us.

Glory... both now... Same Tone. By Cassia

WHEN Augustus reigned alone upon the earth, the many kingdoms of men came to an end; and when You

became man of the pure Virgin, the many gods of idolatry were destroyed. The cities came under one earthly

kingdom; and the nations came to believe in one sovereign Godhead. The nations were enrolled by the

decree of Caesar; and we, the faithful, were enrolled in the Name of the Godhead, when You, our God, were

made man. Great is Your mercy: Glory be to You.

These hymns are followed by eight Old Testament readings. The readings are from Moses, Micah, Jeremiah,

Isaiah, Daniel and Balaam, "He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a lion's whelp; who shall stir him up?

They that bless you are blessed, and they that curse you are cursed. A star shall rise out of Jacob, and a man

shall spring out of Israel." Numbers, chapter 24.

(As an aside, Archbishop Apostolos of Kilkis, of blessed memory, who was my hierarch when I served in

Greece, would always quote the above verse whenever he saw me saying, "

" He seemed to get a "kick" out of the fact that my name, in Greek, is

, meaning "lion.")

To be sure, that if Vespers has many teachings on the birth of Christ, Orthros also overflows with them. I will

give as an example the hymns that are inserted between the Psalms of Praise, " " found

toward the end of Orthros:

Fourth Tone. By Andrew of Jerusalem

BE glad, O you righteous; you heavens, rejoice exceedingly; you mountains, skip for joy, as Christ is born.

Imitating the Cherubim, the Virgin becomes a throne, carrying in her bosom God the Word incarnate.

Shepherds glorify Him that is born; Magi offer gifts unto the Master; and Angels sing praises, saying: O

incomprehensible Lord, glory be to You.

THE Father was well pleased: the Word is become flesh, and the Virgin has given birth unto God become

man. A star is the herald; Magi worship; shepherds marvel; and creation doth rejoice.

O VIRGIN Theotokos, who has given birth unto the Savior, you have overturned the ancient curse of Eve. For

you are become the Mother of Him that is the Good Will of the Father, and have carried in your bosom God

the Word incarnate. This mystery cannot be searched out; we all glorify it with faith alone, crying with you and

saying: O Lord, Who are past interpretation, glory be to You.

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COME, let us sing hymns unto the Mother of the Savior, who after childbirth still remained a virgin. Rejoice,

you Living City of our King and God, wherein Christ has dwelt and has wrought salvation. Together with

Gabriel we praise you; with the shepherds we glorify you, crying: O Theotokos, intercede with Him that was

incarnate of you, that we be saved.

Glory... Plagal of Second Tone

By Germanus

WHEN it was time for Your coming upon earth, the world was enrolled to be taxed for the first time; then were

you minded to enroll the names of them that believed in Your Birth. For this cause was such a decree

pronounced by Caesar, since Your timeless and everlasting Kingdom was inaugurated. Wherefore we also, in

the stead of tribute money, offer the wealth of our Orthodox theology unto You, the God and Savior of our

souls.

Both now... Second Tone

By John the Monk

TODAY Christ is born of the Virgin in Bethlehem. Today the Beginningless begins, and the Word is made

flesh. The powers of the Heavens rejoice, and the earth together with men is glad. The Magi offer their gifts,

the shepherds proclaim the marvel, and we ceaselessly cry out Glory to God in the highest, and on earth

peace, good will towards men.

As Christians, let's keep in mind that the main focus of this season is Christ's coming to earth for the Salvation

of the human race of all ages. Let's be edified and built up in faith on these holy days. The first day of

Christmas and the entire twelve days of Christmas are those of great joy and celebration. Please come and

declare your faith by your presence and prayers at these uplifting and inspiring services. Let's take the light of

Christ within and fan it into a holy flame this season by worshiping together in faith and love.

Christmas Services

Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24th

Royal hours, 9:00 AM

Christmas caroling, 6:00 PM

Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil, 7:00 PM

Holy Communion for the Christmas Feast is served at the conclusion of

the Vesperal Divine Liturgy. It is not served at the 10:00 AM service on

Christmas Day.

Followed by traditional reception (approximately 9:00 PM).

If you can, please bring a plate of festive food to share following the Vesperal Liturgy.

Thank you.

Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25th

Orthros of Christmas and Typica prayers 10:00 AM

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Two Paraklesis services each week

Paraklesis to Panagia: Tuesdays, 6:00 PM

Paraklesis to St. George: Thursdays, 6:00 PM

Bring a list of names of the living, including your own name (and for these services, you can give names of anyone among the living) for Fr. Leo to remember during the service.

Lunch and Lives

This noon-time meeting is open to both men and women who would like to know more about the lives of Orthodox Christian Saints. We meet every other Thursday from noon until 1:00 PM.

Bring your own lunch. Dessert and beverages are provided.

For details, contact Presbytera Candace at

857-210-7945.

Announcements

Newsletter Editorial Staff

Executive Directors:

Susan Karalekas, Editor-in-Chief

Fr. Leo Schefe, Pastor

Desktop Publishing: Susan Karalekas

Contributing Writers: Presbytera Candace Schefe,

Nick Lupinin, and Vasiliki Moore

Photography: Kevin Warren

Copy Editors: Irene Cheek and Elaine Ellis

Sponsorship: Merope (Popey) Pitsas

Distribution: Margaret Ioannou and Nickolas Lupinin Parish Council Liaisons:

Susan Karalekas and Vasiliki Moore

Bulletin submissions and questions can be sent to church, attention: Susan Karalekas; e-mailed to susan@bridgesinn.net; or call Susan at (603) 358-6958

Sponsorship submissions and questions can be sent to church, attention: Popey Pitsas; e-mailed to panospit33@myfairpoint.net or call Popey at (603) 827-3775

Community Prayer List

Please use this list to pray for members of our community who are sick or in need of Gods care.

Hristianna Lanoue

Donald Doubleday

John Bardis

Mark Raheb

Dean Eleftheriou

Presbytera Evelyn Bacopulos

Katherine Koutras

Pat Blastos

Jennie Canwell

Chris Tasoulas

Margaret Ioannou

Lena Pappas

Janet Harrison

From time to time, we may remove names that have been on the list for a while. If you feel a name should remain on the list, or if you would like a new name placed on the list, please contact Fr. Leo.

Volunteers needed for Fellowship Hour

We now organize fellowship hour on a month-to-month basis. A volunteer coordinates fellowship hour for one month and finds volunteers to host each Sundays fellowship hour.

Please contact Maria Bradshaw or see her at church if you are willing to coordinate fellowship hour or if you can help in any way. Also, for items needed for fellowship hour, please see our wish list on page 9.

Maria can be reached at 603-357-2143.

mailto:susan@bridgesinn.netmailto:panospit33@myfairpoint.net

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Photo credits:

Shown above, guarding St.

George during Sunday services.

Shown at right with Presbytera

Candace and Fr. Leo Schefe,

receiving an icon at his 90th

celebration, with Peter Bradshaw

in the background.

Photos by Avye Andonellis

Happy 90th Birthday, Ernie! By Vasiliki Moore

On Sunday, October 6, 2013, the St. George community along with numerous friends and relatives of Ernie Conides helped him celebrate his 90th birthday. While Ernie knew that the St. George community would be acknowledging his 90th birthday, he was pleasantly surprised to see family and friends from all over celebrate his milestone birthday with him. We thank Rachel Conides and family for hosting fellowship hour and for the delicious and abundant food provided.

Ernie was born in Manchester, NH and later moved to Keene. In partnership with James Ballas, he ran Jim's Diner on Main Street where TD Banknorth is now located. Later, next to St. George Church, together with a business partner, he operated the Turner Inn, providing rooms and meals to the residents of Keene and its visitors.

Married and devoted to Rachel, his wife of over 50 years, Ernie enjoys vigorous walks up and down Main Street and around downtown Keene. He is an avid NY Yankees fan and also a fan of the Patriots. He is a member of the Senior Swingers and also enjoys yardwork--keeping his yard immaculate and pristine.

Active on the parish council, he cheerfully keeps our community faithful to its traditions but with a forward view to what is best for our growth. He cares for all of us at St. George as well as the facility which he helps to maintain. He exemplifies a spirit of cheerful welcoming to all those he comes in contact with. Ernie is a man who is ready to offer a hand to help others. He is cheerful and upbeat, yet speaks his mind and likes to have things done right.

Ernie is a stalwart guardian and protector of St. George. Like its patron, Ernie is our protector. He is always found on Sundays at the door. His voice raised in song, cheerful, strong, and beautiful he keeps us all together under his protection. We are thankful to his great contributions to our Church. We wish him many years - !

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Photo credits: Photos on this page by Bob Johnson, The Photography Loft

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Harry & Angeline Ackerman

Panayiotis & Avye Andonellis

Peter Antonopoulos & Ellen Spielberg

John & Sandra Apostoles

Vasilios and Abigail Athanasopoulos

Presbytera Evelyn Bacopulos

Nick & Chrysoula Bairaktaris

Bob & Vicki Balkanikos

Aspasia Ballas

James Bardis

John D. Bardis

Edward & Tina Beloyianis

Mike & Carolyn Blastos

Chris Booras

Julia Booras

Mary Booras

Heather Eleni Bosworth

Peter & Maria Bradshaw

Sarah Bradshaw

Thomas and Ellen Cakouros

Wayne & Jennie Canwell

John and Rita Chakalos

Stephanie Chakalos

Timoleon & Kiki Chakalos

Don & Irene Cheek

Christos & Angeliki Christakis

Ernie & Rachel Conides

Georgios & Konstantina Dramalis

Heather Eakin

Dean Eliopoulos

Bill & Elaine Ellis

Peter Espiefs

Louis & Lisa Giannakakos

Anthony and Maria Glimenakis

Charles Glimenakis

Christopher & Fotini Glimenakis

Sue Davis-Glimenakis

Maria Goodman

Michael & Stephanie Guitard

Peter Gundelfinger & Suzanne Smiley

Janet Harrison

Evelyn Hubal

George & Maria Ioannou

Margaret Ioannou

George & Sigrid Karabakakis

Stella Kiritsy

Alexandra Kolivas

Anastasia Kolivas

Louis & Sue-Ellan Kolivas

Nicholas Kolivas

Marya Koskoris

Paul & Barbara Koutras

Christopher and Athanasi Lakin

Mark & Apostolia Lanoue

Evangelia Leristis

Spyridon & Ekaterini Leristis

Stavroula Leristis

Christene Libbares

Claudio Lopez & Elizabeth Schuster

Nickolas Lupinin & Susan Karalekas

Sophia MacKinnon

David Maydwell

Susan Maydwell

Peter & Estelle Merzi

George & Mary Michaelides

Kevin Miller & Christina Eliopoulos

Bill & Flo Nestor

George & Cindy Nikiforakis

Paul & Kathy Nikiforakis

Angelo & Tasia Pananas

Alexandra Papadimitriou

Lena Pappas

Maria Pappas

Stephen & Joan Pappas

Eugenia Petrou-Karabakakis

Roger & Connie Phelps

Mitch & Danielle Piper

Panos and Popey Pitsas

Diane Golfin Raheb

Alan & Heather Riley

Fr. Leo and Pres. Candace Schefe

George & Youla Skipitaris

Chris and Anna Tasoulas

Georgia Tasoulas

John and Roe-Ann Tasoulas

Joseph & Elizabeth Truman

Douglas Walker & Andrea Polizos

Kevin & Lisa Warren

Lazarus & Ryanne Xanthopoulos

Morfia Zahos

Stewardship Update

22001133 Stewards of St. George Greek Orthodox Church

THANK YOU () for your stewardship!

Stewardship Update as of November 13, 2013 Total Pledges: $42,472.00

Total Pledges Paid: $37,196.00

Balance Due: $5,276.00

Total number of stewards: 89

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Stewardship Sunday!

Submitted by Nick Lupinin, Stewardship Chairman

Stewardship Sunday helps us to commence the New Year, not only in terms of the calendar but

also as a commitment to our church and parish as well as to our friends and fellow parishioners. This

will take place, as usual, in early January. This will be our initial opportunity to commit to help our

church and parish with all its needs, outreach, and spiritual services.

Notifications and announcements of the date will be forthcoming and your new stewardship

mailing, based strongly on the excellent Boston Metropolis model, will be in your mailboxes in early to

mid-December. Please remember: no financial contribution is required or requested at this stage. We

welcome your commitment and pledge. The parish is ever grateful for that.

Wish List

Periodically our parish notifies the community of items that the church needs. Our needs vary as the short list below indicates. Would you give our church a boost by donating some necessary consumable items?

office supplies (postage stamps are particularly welcome); Post-its, little note pads, scotch tape, and inexpensive pens are appreciated, too

plastic forks and spoons for fellowship hour (we have enough plastic knives for now)

napkins, paper towels, paper plates

packets of sugar and coffee creamers (we have sugar substitutes for now)

ground coffee (regular and decaf)

bottled apple juice, juice boxes, and packets of hot chocolate

OR monetary donations for fellowship hour supplies (please write Fellowship Hour in the memo line).

More substantial items at the moment are twofold:

Sponsor an acolyte robe. Dont our altar boys look wonderful in their new robes? Were looking for funding to cover costs of the recently acquired new robes. Each robe costs $299. If you would like to contribute to the beauty of Gods house by the outfitting of His servers, please, please fund a robe. Or ask someone you know to fund one along with youconsider a joint donation of a robe. When you make your contribution, please put acolyte robe in the memo line.

A New Multi-purpose Printer/Copier. A modern church office needs a proper printer/copierthats us! New machines are not as expensive as they once

were and if we didnt really need one, we wouldnt ask. However, it is much more cost-effective to replace the existing (hardly functioning) printer unit with a new one; parts and costs of labor/maintenance far outweigh the cost of buying a new one. The cost is $650. Would you gift the Church with a needed office machine this season? Please see Joe Truman regarding the actual purchase of the machine.

Thank you and the Lord bless both the givers and the gifts!

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Church Etiquette Part 3

By Fr. Dimitri Tsakas

Taken from "Voice in the Wilderness", Vol. 8, No. 3, July-Sept. 2000 Published by the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

http://www.orthodoxresearchinstitute.org/articles/misc/tsakas_church_etiquette.htm

Editors note: This is part 3 of a three part reprint of Church Etiquette by Fr. Dimitri Tsakas.

Part 1, in the October Newsletter covered Parts of the Church Building and Services.

Part 2, in the November Newsletter focused on making the sign of the cross and when to stand, sit or kneel during the Liturgy.

The Priesthood in the Orthodox Church

The Clergy in the Orthodox Church are the ordained leaders of the Community. St. Paul says in the Bible that they will answer before God for the people in their care. Their responsibility is very great and they are heavily involved with the people of their community. During their ordination, the people must give their approval by calling out Worthy during the Sacrament of Ordination. The community has high expectations of the clergy and generally has much love for it as well.

There are three orders within the ordained ministry of the Orthodox Church. A Deacon is the first step in ordination. The Deacon helps at services, in parishes, or may be attached as an assistant to a Bishop. He is not given authority to lead services on his own and thus he cannot officiate at the Eucharist or other Sacraments on his own

A Priest (also known as a Presbyter; editors note: also known as a Pastor) is the second level in the ministry. He is vested with the authority to lead worship and officiate at all Sacraments except that of Ordination, which only a Bishop can effect. The Priest is usually assigned a parish in which he ministers both the Word of God and the Sacraments. Like the Deacon he is allowed to marry so long as he does so before ordination. His wife, because of her special role as Mother in the community is called Presbytera. Presbytera is the feminine form of the word Presbyter, which literally translated from Greek means Elder. The Deacon's wife is called Diaconisa. The highest level of Ordination is that of the Bishop. Ultimately he carries most responsibility before God for the community. In Greek he is called Episkopo which literally translated means Overseer. All Bishops are equal in the Orthodox Church, and there is nothing like the Pope as Supreme Pontiff. For administrative reasons there are Bishops who have a title that equates to extra responsibilities, such as Archbishop or Metropolitan. Since the 7th century, Orthodox Canon Law has not allowed married men into the Episcopacy.

All clergy in the Orthodox Church can trace their ordination through the laying on of hands to the Apostles. This is called Apostolic Succession and is very important from an Orthodox point of view in safeguarding our apostolic inheritance. It is a strong Orthodox custom to show respect toward the Priest as one responsible before God for leading the community. One physical expression of this is to kiss his hand. This is an ancient custom signifying respect and love. The Church believes there is a blessing for the person who does this.

Forms of address for clergy:

Bishops: Archbishop Your Eminence Bishop Your Grace

Priests: All Father Priest's Wife Presbytera (Editors note: also spelled Presvytera) Deacons: All Deacon Deacon's Wife Deaconess

Fr. Tsakas suggests that when in doubt just ask!!!

Editors note: Our own Fr. Leo is always happy to answer questions or discuss any aspects of Orthodox Christianity.

http://www.orthodoxresearchinstitute.org/articles/misc/tsakas_church_etiquette.htm

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Update on Theotokos Girls Orphanage

On Sunday, November 10th, there was great interest expressed in helping Sister Nektaria Paradisi and the orphaned girls of the Theotokos Girls Orphanage in Bakeswar, India. In addition to caring parishioners of our church, we were blessed to have several attending from the Ladies Auxiliary of Agios Vasilios in Newport with us. Some people took a fund-raising catalog to order from and share with others while others expressed a desire to make a cash donation. If you make a donation, please put Theotokos Orphanage in the memo line.

Thank you for your generosity and for your prayersSister Nektaria is sincerely thankful to know of your loving interest!

St. George Bookstore

Visit our temporary shop in the room just behind

the altar area (formerly the priests office),

accessed via the hallway leading from the

church to Hellenic Hall. Were easy to find and

we have new stock that is expanding. Come in

today and see our full rack of gorgeous

childrens books in both Greek and English from

Potamitis Publishing in Athens. There are hard-

cover books on the lives of Saints in both Greek

and English. Youll also find soft cover

activity/coloring books which are bi-lingual.

There are beautiful icon ornaments for your

holiday tree and lovely Orthodox Christmas

cards, and portable icons!

Greek Language Lessons

Greek language lessons will start, God willing, in

January 2014. We have interest from all ages and

levels of proficiency in Greek, so all parishioners

who are interested should contact Avye (Dawn)

Andonellis with the following information:

Name Age/Grade Level in School (or Adult)

Level of Knowledge in Greek

Contact Information

Good Day and Time for Lessons

More information on this ministry of the Philanthropic Society of the Orthodox Church can be found at www.thepsoc.org/meet-the-children-2/theotokos-girls-orphanage

More stock is on its waywere gearing up for

Christmas givingplease think of us when you are

shopping for gifts this season

Lessons will be held downstairs at St. George once a

week and will last one hour.

Avye will collect the information

from those interested and will

discuss the needs of the

students soon.

Please contact Avye at

(603) 354-0181 or e-mail at

avyeandonellis@gmail.com

http://www.thepsoc.org/meet-the-children-2/theotokos-girls-orphanagehttp://www.thepsoc.org/meet-the-children-2/theotokos-girls-orphanage

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Annual Christmas Bazaar and Pastry Sale

Saturday, December 7th

9:00 A.M. 3:00 P.M.

St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Hellenic Hall

70 West Street, Keene, NH

Greek Pastries

Arts & Crafts

Yiayias Attic Treasures

Lunch served from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M..

Greek Chicken Soup

Greek Salad

Spanakopita

This is our largest annual fund raising activity to benefit the

church and we need everyones help to make this a major

success. If you can volunteer in any way before, during, or after

the Christmas Bazaar, please contact

New this year: Media presentation, Who is the Real St. Nicholas?

Evelyn Hubal at (603) 357-0128

or Sue Kolivas at (603) 357-8951

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Ladies and Gents Christmas Luncheon Thursday, December 12th, 2013

1:00 p.m.

Papagallos Restaurant

Our Christmas Luncheon for this year is on Thursday, December 12th at 1:00 p.m. Its such a special time to gather together and celebrate the Holiday Season. I hope you will take this opportunity to mark it on your calendar and come and join us on this special day. As in years past, our gifts have been donated to the Head Start Program that services six towns in Cheshire County. This years requests are as follows:

Sneakers -- size toddlers 8 to kid 3

Clothing -- size 3T to 8

These gifts are geared for children ages 3 through 5 years old.

Please wrap your gift and label it designating whether it is for a boy or girl and also state the size. If, for some reason, you cannot attend our luncheon and would like to donate a gift, it would be very much appreciated. If you will be attending the Luncheon, please call me at (603) 827-3775 by December 5th. I hope you can come and enjoy a wonderful afternoon.

Many thanks,

Merope (Popey) Pitsas

Singing the Greek Kalanda (Christmas and New Years Carols)

Traditionally children in Greece sing The kalanda on Christmas Day, New Year's Day and on January 6th. We'd like to adopt this tradition in our community as well. God willing, we will sing the kalanda at church during the Twelve Holy Days of Christmas. And we will also sing them at the homes of our parishioners on St. Basils Feast, January 1st. If youd like a visit from our singers, you can sign up during fellowship hour for a visit.

Along with learning the kalanda, the children will decorate coin boxes. Were accepting donations of shoe boxes, ribbons, shiny paper, etc., that you may have at home that can make our boxes especially festive. Were also looking for a loan of triangles in particular or small drums. Please let Avye Andonellis know if your child will participate in this special activity. This is a joyful and fun opportunity to spread holiday cheer! Kalanda box decoration will begin the first Sunday in December during the fellowship hour. Avye will host the decorating table for the children. Please help her out by bringing some festive adornments from home that can be shared. Thanks!

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Obituary: Anna G. L. Tasoulas

Anna George (Libbares) Tasoulas passed away on Wednesday, October 23, 2013.

She was born April 18, 1928 in Keene. Anna was the daughter of Georgia Pantelis Giannakopoulos and George Louis Libbares. She graduated from Keene High School in 1946.

Anna grew up in the Saint George Greek Orthodox Church community and remained devoted in her faith throughout the duration of her life. The Greek community, and Saint George especially, were members of her extended family. She participated fully in the life of the Church, attending Greek school, singing in the choir, and serving as a member of the Elpis Ladies Aid Society.

On July 29, 1956, she married the love of her life, Chris John Tasoulas, a boy she had known since childhood. Anna was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend. She encouraged and supported her family in every way possible, ever reminding them that they are strong Spartans! Her kind and generous spirit touched the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to have known her.

She is forever remembered by her loving husband of 57 years, Chris; her children and their spouses, Maria E. T. and Peter D. Bradshaw, Georgia A. L. Tasoulas, John C. and Roe-Ann Tasoulas; her

grandchildren, Sarah E. and Anna P. Bradshaw, Piper R. A. and Mack C. Tasoulas; sister and brother-in-law, Helen and Peter Gochis; sisters-in-law, Christene Libbares and Patricia T. Blastos; many nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.

Our beloved matriarch of St. George will be remembered by our parish for her beautiful voice and life of prayerful faith. Anna was extremely hospitable, and she set the tone at St. George, modeling for all of us what it means to "welcome one another as Christ has welcomed us."

She gave so much of herself to keep St George strong. She spoke directly, sincerely and humbly, of her ideas and advice on what needed doing, without ever being critical or harsh.

She personified our Lord's injunction to "work while you have the light," and she cheerfully, in a matter of fact way, was always at work, right up to that morning she was called home to be with the Lord.

Our love and sincere sympathy goes out to the Bradshaw and Tasoulas families.

Calling hours were on Friday evening, October 25th with a prayer vigil held throughout the night; a funeral service was held on Saturday at Saint George Church followed by burial at Monadnock View Cemetery in West Keene. Fletcher Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Annas memory to Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, 70 West Street, P. O. Box 392, Keene, NH 03431.

Project Share One of our traditions during the Christmas season is to participate in the Project Share drive to help area children who are in need. The window of time between availability of names and the deadline for providing the gifts is very short, so keep your eyes open for information.

Watch for flyers in Hellenic Hall with the names of the children who need our help this year.

Please direct any questions to George Karabakakis at (603) 352-2936 or any Parish Council member.

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Stewardship 2011 The stewardship committee is actively working on Stewardship for 2011. Stewardship

Sunday will be held January 9, 2011, which is the same Sunday as Epiphany. Stewardship packets of information and pledge cards will be available December 19, 2010. We will distribute the information at church and with mailings. We want to take

this opportunity to say THANK YOU () for your stewardship!

Stewardship Sunday, January 9, 2011

Welcome to the Andonellis Family

On October 26, 2013, Avye (Dawn) Andonellis was chrismated into the Greek Orthodox Church. Carolyn Blastos was the Godmother (N /sponsor). Avye was born to American parents in Columbus, Ohio. Her Greek journey began when she met her husband, Panayiotis, at Ohio State University. She moved to Greece in 1992 and married Panayiotis at The Panayia Chrysomalousa Church in Mytilene in 1993.

Avye and her husband have two daughters: Milto Eva (Milteva) and Iosefina Lea (Josephine).

In Mytilene, Panayiotis and Avye founded a company that made organic and conventional extra virgin olive oil and feta cheese, which they exported all over the world. The family moved to Keene in 2012. Panayiotis works for Commonwealth Dairy in Brattleboro, Ver-mont making Greek-style yogurt. Avye is a writer and homemaker. Milteva is a freshman at the University of New Hampshire and Josephine is in kindergarten.

Pumpkin Festival A Record Breaker!

By Joe Truman

Pumpkin Festival 2013 will be known by many for breaking the Guinness Book of World Records with 30,581 carved and lit pumpkins. I, however, will remember it for the way our St. George Community came together and rolled up their sleeves, working to break our own fundraising mark for this event. We SOLD OUT of everything! St. George was able to sell 420 gyros, 82 Greek salad wraps, 272 pieces of baklava, 212 pieces of spanakopita, while serving almost 500 beverages.

After expenses, including our usual donation to the Let It Shine organization, which runs the Festival, our total was $4,150! A few new twists this year helped us get over the hump in sales. These additions included accepting credit cards and a tent out front to capture foot traffic sales and to direct people inside. Oh, and did we direct traffic inside! We had a great group of folks, many of whom lost their voices doing just that.

Another bright spot this year was the outpouring of your donations. Thank you to everyone who donated beverages and cash.

The family is very happy to be in such a warm and close-knit Greek community. And the St. George community extends a heartfelt welcome to the Andonellis family!

Thank you, too, to Papagallos and Athens Pizza for assisting us in procuring the food and to Cheshire Village Pizza for coming through in a pinch when we ran out of meat for the gyros.

And many thanks to everyone who volunteered that day and I hope that I do not forget anyone:

Father Leo and Presbytera Candace Schefe, Nina Schefe, Taylor Panek (Truman), Maria Glimenakis, Anna Tasoulas, Michael and Christa Athanasopoulos, Panayiotis and Avye Andonellis, Dean Eleftheriou, Bob Balkanikos, David Anderson, Heather Riley, Nick Lupinin, Carolyn Blastos, Peter Bradshaw, Ernie Conides, Don and Irene Cheek, George and Vasiliki Moore, Georgia Tasoulas, Evelyn Hubal, Spencer Fromm, Sarah Bradshaw, George and Michelle Stylianopoulos, and Sue Maydwell.

Thank you all!

From left to right: Carolyn, Father Leo, and Avye

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Saint George Greek Orthodox Church

70 West Street, PO Box 392

Keene, NH 03431-0392

Return Service Requested

Nonprofit Org.

U.S. Postage

Paid

Keene, NH 03431

Permit No. 149

December 2013 Newsletter St. George Greek Orthodox Church

Schedule of Christmas Services Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24th

Royal hours, 9:00 AM Christmas caroling, 6:00 PM

Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil, 7:00 PM

Followed by traditional reception (around 9:00 PM)

Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25th

Orthros of Christmas and Typica prayers 10:00 AM

See page 4 for details

Christmas Blessings

Merry Christmas