THE LIGHT MARCH 2014 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 34

The Nativity of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church 12326 Spotswood Furnace Road Fredericksburg, VA 22407 540-548-2665 www.nativity.va.goarch.org Office Email - nativityofthetheotokos@verizon.net

FROM THE DESK OF FATHER JOHN Living As Apostles To America Father Constantine L. Sitaras

A few years ago a very meaningful and pertinent article was written with the title: “The Best Kept Secret in America:

The Greek Orthodox Church”. The author was a fine priest of excellence and stature, the late Fr. Constantine Monios

of blessed memory, who was the Dean of the Annunciation Cathedral in Baltimore, Maryland. Fr. Monios explained

how the Orthodox Church was an unknown entity in this land and how it offered so much to the American milieu. In

the many years that have passed, the premise of the article remains a constant. We need to ask ourselves “Why?” Why is this two thousand year old Christian Faith the “best kept secret in America”? Years ago one could perhaps state

that the Church although two thousand years old, was in its infancy in America. People with tremendous courage,

boldness, and daring traveled across oceans from the known to the unknown. The only thing they brought with them

for security was their faith -- a faith and belief in God and His Church, which they knew had sustained their families

for generations. As a people today, however, we have moved on to become well educated and successful in all areas of

life and very much a part of the fiber of the American cultural scene. The forbearers of Orthodoxy lived as daring

Apostles of the Faith to their own. They protected and sheltered the Church, maintaining it for their children. They

built beautiful churches and complexes for the future generations. How do we live as Apostles to America now? What

needs to happen if we are to be the Apostles to America? Not only do we need to emulate those who established Ortho-

dox Christianity in this land but also by example we must bring the Faith to all. Discipleship Our models are the Apostles of Jesus Christ. In the original Greek of the New Testament the word mathi-TIS is used

which literally means student. The English word disciple is from the Latin word for student. The twelve followers of

Jesus were His students. They were selected by Him to be educated and trained to go into the world to spread His mes-

sage of salvation. As students and trainees, the Disciples spent three years with the Lord. They heard His words, they

experienced His miracles, and they witnessed the parables and all of His teachings. These resources exist today in the

book we know as the Bible. It contains the lessons the Disciples learned; it contains the teachings put forth by the Son

of God/ the Son of Man. Discipleship is the mainstay of how we are to become Apostles. Like the Disciples, each Orthodox Christian is called to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and like the Disciples, each Ortho-

dox Christian is called to be an Apostle. Each Orthodox Christian must come to understand that, like the Disciples, we

need to learn and grow in the Faith. “Practice makes perfect” is a trite saying frequently used. For a Christian practice

means living a Christ-like life, including prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and learning more and more about Orthodoxy.

“Come Receive the Light” we hear the calling at the midnight Resurrection of Pascha. “With the fear of God, faith and

love come forth”, we are called at each Divine Liturgy to unite with Christ through the Holy Eucharist. “Love the Lord

your God, with all your heart and all your mind and your neighbor as yourself”, we are given the greatest mandate of

how we live a Christ-like life. Being a disciple is a life-long process of learning and living the Faith. As we learn about the Faith it becomes a natural consequence to live and practice it. An amazing thing happens. We

become witnesses for the Faith --witnesses to our neighbors, our co-workers and our friends. We grow in Faith and are

secure in it and therefore able to share it, and answer questions. This only happens by learning and living the Christian

truths as found in the Orthodox Church. The way you live as a Christian. The way you raise your children as a Chris-

tian. The way you are with your spouse, your friends and acquaintances as a Christian. All of these become living ex-

amples of what it is to be a Greek Orthodox Christian living in America. See Father, page 5

P a g e 2 T h e L i g h t

Father John C. Katsoulis, Parish Priest 540-645-1427 fr.john_katsoulis@verizon.net FATHER’S OFFICE HOURS—TUESDAY—FRIDAY 9 A.M.—3 P.M. OTHER HOURS BY APPOINTMENT

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: nativityofthetheotokos@verizon.net OFFICE HOURS: TUES. & THURS. 9 A.M.—3 P.M. TREASURER: pctreasure@verizon.net WEBSITE: www.nativity.va.goarch.org FACEBOOK: NTGOC Friends

PARISH COUNCIL PHILOPTOCHOS AHEPA Carl Fulmore, President Maria Yiasemides, President John Manolis, President Dr. Bill Kaltsounis, Vice President Dr. Paul Fallon, Secretary SUNDAY SCHOOL GOYA Jim Malamas, Treasurer Yvonne Rigopoulos, Director Christine Fulmore, Advisor Maxine Calamos, Assistant Treasurer Anthony Hatzis FUND RAISING COMMITTEE DANCE Dennis Makrinos Judy Marrs, Chair Danny Kartoudi, Judy Marrs Kiki Georges STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE BUILDING/MAINTENANCE CHOIR Michael Euripides, Chair Harry Yiasemides, Chair Mary Moody

SACRAMENTS IN FEBRUARY

MEMORIALS Father Peter Makris, beloved father of Christine Fulmore

Christina Kakava, beloved of Paul & Yanni Fallon

PASTORAL GUIDELINES

WEDDING Marriages are not performed on fast days, during fasting seasons, or on the feasts of the church,

specifically September 14 (Exaltation of the Holy Cross), December 13-25 (Nativity), January 5 & 6

(Theophany), Great Lent and Holy Week, Pascha (Easter), Pentecost, August 1-15 (Dormition Fast and Feast),

and August 29 (Beheading of St. John the Baptist) Exceptions can only be made with the permission of the re-

spective hierarch.

BAPTISM A person who wishes to sponsor a candidate for Baptism or Christmation must be an Orthodox

Christian in good standing and a supporting member of an Orthodox parish. A person may not serve as a

godparent if the Church has not blessed his or her marriage, or, if civilly divorced, he or she has not been granted

an ecclesiastical divorce, or for any other reason he or she is not in communion with the Orthodox Church.

Baptisms may not be performed from Christmas Day through the Feast of Theophany (December 25-January 6),

during Holy Week, or any of the great feast days of the Lord.

FUNERAL Funeral services are permitted on any day of the year, except for Sundays, and Holy Friday, unless

permission is granted by the Archbishop or Metropolitan.

MEMORIAL Memorial services may not be chanted from the Saturday of Lazarus through the Sunday of

Thomas, or any Feast days of the Lord or the Theotokos.

Please contact Father if you wish to schedule a sacrament, or know of a parishioner who is sick or in the hospital.

THE LIGHT PAGE 3

In case of inclement weather announcements will be posted on the website, email, NTGOC Facebook page, the church phone, & B101.5.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

9 A.M. Liturgy

10 A.M.

AGORA

Spartan Dance

Field Trip

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A.M. Orthos

10 A.M.

Liturgy

Philoptochos

Mtg.

5 P.M. Vespers

Clean

Monday

Beginning of

Lent

6 P.M.

Pre-

sanctified

Divine

Liturgy

7 P.M.

Salutations

to the

Theotokos

9 A.M. Liturgy

11 A.M. –

1 P.M.

DANCE

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 9 A.M. Orthos

10 A.M.

Liturgy

GOYA mtg.

Philoptochos

Luncheon

7 P.M.

SPIRITUAL

DISCUSSION

GROUP

6 P.M.

Pre-

sanctified

Divine

Liturgy

7 P.M.

Salutations

to the

Theotokos

9 A.M.

WHOLE

SHEBANG

VENDOR

EVENT

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

9 A.M.

Orthos

10 A.M.

Liturgy

AHEPA Mtg.

Dance

Luncheon

7:30 P.M.

PC MTG

6 P.M.

Pre-

sanctified

Divine

Liturgy

7 P.M.

Salutations

to the

Theotokos

Oratorical

Festival

11 A.M. –

1 P.M.

DANCE

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

9 A.M.

Orthos

10 A.M.

Liturgy

7 P.M.

SPIRITUAL

DISCUSSION

GROUP

9 A.M. Liturgy 6 P.M.

Pre-

sanctified

Divine

Liturgy

7 P.M.

Salutations

to the

Theotokos

11 A.M. –

1 P.M.

DANCE

30 31 9 A.M.

Orthos

10 A.M.

Liturgy

Page 4 the light

Attention High School Seniors! Student applica-

tions are now available for the Washington Metropolitan

Area 44th AHEPA Scholarship program. Students eligible

for an award will be honored at this year's Awards Program

on May 18, 2014 held at the Hilton Washington, DC/

Rockville Hotel in Rockville, MD. This program has hon-

ored 1,508 students and awarded $804,975 in scholar-

ships. Applications are available in the church office and

website. Completed applications and materials must be

submitted by April 4, 2014. For more information, contact

Janis Anderson at iLoveMyDogs59@gmail.com or 703-778

-0883.

NATIONAL HELLENIC SOCIETY

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR

HERITAGE GREECE 2014

The National Hellenic Society, in cooperation with the

American College of Greece, are now accepting applica-

tions for Heritage Greece 2014, a dynamic, cultural summer

abroad program geared to undergraduate students of Greek

descent. This program enables 50 selected students to learn

about their Greek roots by immersing them in the culture

and language, and is shared with Greek students from the

NHS's partner and host, American College of Greece

(ACG), in Athens.

The Heritage Greece program is open to undergraduate

students of Greek descent, who are between the ages 18-26,

who have seldom or never have been to Greece, and have a

3.0 GPA or above. Deadline to apply for Heritage Greece

2014 is March 7, 2014.

Destinations include the Acropolis, Delphi and the Tem-

ple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion. Modern campus housing,

tuition, classroom materials, meals and transportation will

be provided.

Selected students must be able to travel to Greece from

June 12-29, 2014. Upon completion of the program, Herit-

age Greece alumni will receive one credit hour in a lan-

guage and culture course, and also have the opportunity to

participate in professional development and networking

opportunities through the National Hellenic Society.

For more information or to apply online, please vis-

it www.acg.edu/admissions/study-abroad/heritage-greece,

email heritagegreece@acg.edu or call Mara Nisdeo at 617-

935-5148.

CAMP GOOD SHEPHERD As the cold months of winter pass by, we are again getting

closer to the warm days of summer and the amazing Camp

Good Shepherd. We are excited to officially announce the

2014 dates for the three sessions of camp:

JOY – Sunday, July 13th – Saturday, July 19th,

GOYA Week I – Sunday, July 20th – Saturday, July 26th,

GOYA Week II – Sunday, July 27th – Sat., August 2nd.

Be certain to mark your calendars and spread the word so

that everyone can be a part of this fantastic ministry.

ATTENTION!!!!

Camp Good Shepherd informational session during the

March GOYA meeting—all parents and GOYANS are

encouraged to attend.

I O N I A N V I L L A G E Session One: June 23 - July 12, 2014

Session Two: July 20 - August 8, 2014 *Both Sessions include the same program and are open to

campers who have completed grades 8 through 12. Registration Opens February 1, 2014!

2014-2015 Undergraduate and

Graduate Scholarships Available

Applications and instructions for three scholarships

administered by the Department of Philanthropy of the

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America are now

available for awards to be made for the 2014-2015

academic year. The George & Naouma (Gioule) Gi-

oles Scholarship and the Katina John Malta Schol-

arship are for undergraduate studies, and the Pale-

ologos Scholarship is awarded for graduate work of a

non-theological nature. Each of these scholarships was

established through generous gifts from dedicated

Greek Orthodox Christians who wanted to provide

financial assistance towards the education of young

people from our Orthodox Christian community.

Applications can be downloaded from the website of

the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America at

www.goarch.org. For more information, please email

scholarships@goarch.org or call 212-774-0283. The

deadline for submitting an application for any of these

scholarships is April 25, 2014.

Page 5

From Father, page 1

Apostleship

Knowledge of the Faith translates into living the Faith. Learning more and more about Orthodoxy by reading the Bible, partici-

pating in the Divine Liturgy and the services of the Church as disciples translates into being witnesses and models of Orthodoxy

and Apostles to America. Discipleship is the process of living as Apostles. The word Apostle comes from the Greek verb

apo-STEL-no, which means I send or I dispatch. Apostolos means the one who is the dispatcher or the carrier of the Good News.

As disciples of the teachings of Jesus Christ we must become Apostles of the great message of salvation. “Be ye doers of the

Word and not hearers only…” We are told that by being Orthodox Christians we witness to the world. On the day of Pentecost

the Holy Spirit came with power upon the disciples as promised by the Master. They received that power and were empowered to

go out into the world with the most powerful message of all time: Death is vanquished – eternal life is a reality – the ultimate re-

ality of the essential message of LOVE.

From the time of one’s baptism and chrismation, a Christian is on a life-long spiritual journey. That path can be one of passivity,

being on the sideline, a passerby with no inclination towards exploring the value and meaning of an Orthodox Christian lifestyle.

The road can also be one of searching for greater meaning in life, experiencing the glory of the Resurrection, the depth of Ortho-

dox teaching, and yes, the fellowship of being in communion with the Church and her members, living as a steward of the Faith

and sharing yourself and your time, talent and treasures with others. The calling comes to each and every one of us. The Holy

Spirit consistently knocks at the door of our heart. It is up to each individual to unlock those doors and to allow the Holy Spirit to

work within us so that as we learn more, we may live more fully as witnesses and models and Apostles to America.

We need to let the “Best Kept Secret in America” out of the box by living as Apostles to America.

Fr. Constantine Sitaras serves the Archdiocese as Executive Director of Saint Basil Academy, and Director of Family Ministry. A 1971

graduate of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Fr. Costa has served the Archdiocese in many capacities, including Executive

Director of Ionian Village, Director of the National Youth Office, and Director of Stewardship Ministries. He has served as pastor of Holy

Apostles Church in Duluth, MN, and the Church of Our Saviour in Rye, NY. A native of Baltimore, Father Costa and his wife Presvytera

Georgia reside in New York.

Fr. John & Pres. Stacy Katsoulis

Ladies Philoptochos Society

Kyriacos & Yiannoulla Adamou

Danie l & Yvonne Athana saw

Danie l & Stephanie Athanasaw

Paul & Helen B ardi s

Michae l & Ornela B izhy t i

Nancy Costas Breckinridge

Maxine N. Calamos

Costas & Sophia Constantine

A m y C o r r i v e a u

Lucretia Edreos

David & Angela Ellis

Michael & Evanthia Euripides

Paul & Hannah Fallon

Eric & M aria Ga re c ht

Kiki Georges

J.D. & Martha Harrison

Anthony & Kai Hatzis

Phillip & Monica Hicks

Bill & Stella Kaltsounis

George Kapataidakis

Kosta & Chryse Kartoudi

D a nny K a rt o ud i

L o ui K a rt o ud i

Helen Katsarelis

George & Chrissy Katsourakis

P h o t i o s K a t s o u r a k i s

E n k e K o k o n e s h i

Angela & Joseph LaRubbio

Constantin & Nicole Langa

Dennis & Anthoula Makrinos

James & Koula Malamas

Gino & Marika Marchica

Judy Marrs

Cynthia & Daniel Miller

Bob & Barbara Morrison

B i l l & D o r o t hy N o s a l

E l e n a O ’ D o n a g h u e

C hr i s t o s & E l l y

P a p a n a s t a s i o u

A s l a n i s P a p p a s

A i ke a t r i n a P a s s a

G e o r g i a P o ur n a r a s

Chris & Yvonne Rigopoulos

Nicholas & Melissa Roman

Halina Schreckinger J . V . S k i n n e r

Wayne & Liz Skinner

J i m & C h r i s t i n a S m i t h

Alin & Andrea Son

Carrie K. Swann

Stefan & Niki Theodore

Georgia L. Tidler

John & Ellen Xydias

Vicki Yiasemides

Paul & Martha Ziegenfuss

Alexander Zotos

As of March 18, 2014—

We would like to thank the

above for responding to the

needs of our parish. If your

name does not appear, and

you have filled out a steward-

ship card, please see Maxine

Calamos or Jim Malamas.

PAGE 6 THE LIGHT

SKRATCHERS FUND RAISING INFORMATION Contest dates are February 9 – March 9

The children of our parish are raising money for the operating fund. You, as donor will scratch 2 or more dots to reveal your donation (.50 to $3.00) In return, you will receive one FREE coupon sheet with up to $50 in value. When all dots are scratched off, each card will have raised a total of $80 profit! BIGGEST SELLER Contest is based on the total money turned-in by March 9 deadline

BIGGEST SELLER wins $75 2nd place seller wins $50 3rd place seller wins $25

PLEASE HELP OUR CHILDREN BE A PART OF ………….

Time, Talent, Treasure = My Stewardship

PAGE 7 THE LIGHT

Kaitlyn Fulmore Represents Gayle Middle School at the MATHCOUNTS Competition

By Carl Fulmore

On Feb. 8, 2014, Kailtyn Fulmore, along with 5 other students from T. Benton Gayle Middle School in Stafford, VA,

met in Richmond to compete in the 2014 MATHCOUNTS competition at Tuckahoe Middle School. A lot of hard work,

studying, and extra hours after school had to be put in for students to make the team and participate in Richmond at the

Regional MATHCOUNTS Competition.

At Gayle Middle School, about 30 kids consisting of 6th, 7th and 8th graders, met once a week since October, for an

hour, preparing and leaning about MATHCOUNTS. Their instructor and math teacher, Mr. Jordan Moellendick, helped

the children prepare for some very complex and challenging math problems. Of the 30 students in the MATHCOUNTS

club at Gayle MS, only six were selected to represent their school. According to Kaitlyn’s dad, Carl Fulmore, “Kaitlyn

was so excited when I told her that I just got off the phone with Mr. Moellendick and he said she made the team. Kaitlyn

immediately started jumping up and down in excitement with a huge smile on her face from her accomplishments.” Nor-

mally the team is comprised of mostly 8th graders, with a couple of 7th graders, in the mix. Kaitlyn was extremely proud

to be one of two 6th graders who made the team this year.

Kaitlyn’s team performed well at the competition. There were a total of 12 schools participating from the region. Kait-

lyn’s teammate, Richard Yu, placed 2nd overall, and will be representing Gayle MS at the state competition next month.

GO GAYLE PANTHERS!

About MATHCOUNTS:

The MATHCOUNTS Competition Series is the only competition pro-

gram of its kind, with live, in-person events in all 50 states, as well as

U.S. territories and schools worldwide through the U.S. Department of

Defense and State Department. The Competition Series is ideal for stu-

dents who have a talent and passion for math who need to be challenged.

Students will engage in exciting, "bee-style" contests in which they will

compete against and alongside other bright, motivated students. At the

local, state and national level, students win hundreds of thousands of dol-

lars in scholarships and prizes every year. Students enrolled in the sixth,

seventh or eighth grade are eligible to participate in the MATHCOUNTS

Competition Series. Students taking middle school mathematics classes

who are not full-time sixth, seventh or eighth graders are not eligible. Participation in MATHCOUNTS competitions is

limited to three years for each student though there is no limit to the number of years a student may participate in the

school-based coaching phase.

Accolades:

MATHCOUNTS has been recognized in White House ceremonies by President Barack Obama, as well as former

Presidents George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Ronald W. Reagan.

The MATHCOUNTS Foundation has received two White House citations as an outstanding private sector initiative.

MATHCOUNTS has been recognized on the National Association of Secondary School Principals National Advisory

List of Student Contests and Activities for 2013-2014.

MATHCOUNTS has received the Independent Charities of America Seal of Excellence. Charity Navigator has rec-

ognized MATHCOUNTS as a four-star charity two years in a row, placing it in the top 16% of all U.S. charities.

PLEASE SUBMIT ARTICLES AND/OR PICTURES FOR THIS SECTION TO

nativityofthetheotokos@verizon.net

BY THE 15th OF EACH MONTH!

Page 8 THE LIGHT

GUESS WHO MET

BRENDA LEE????

OUR OWN, ZACK!