Koinonia Spring 2019

KOINONIA Volume XIV, Issue II Spring 2019

Holy Trinity GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH Fr. Luke Melackrinos, Parish Priest 900 6th Street Sioux City, Iowa 51101 Telephone: 712-255-5559

Www.holytrinity.ia.goarch.org

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 900 6th Street Sioux City, Iowa 51101 Www.holytrinity.ia.goarch.org

Church Office

Rev. Fr. Luke Melackrinos, Proistamenos

Telephone: 712-255-5559

frlukem@gmail.com

Office Fax: 712-255-1836

Parish Council President: Dr. Kosta Antonopoulos

Worship Hours: Sundays:

Orthros 8:30 a.m.

Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.

Weekdays:

Divine Liturgy 9:00 a.m.

Year Long Ministries Sunday School: (During School Year) Following Holy Communion Greek Dance: (During School Year) Wednesdays from 5:00—6:00 p.m.

Healthy Body/Healthy Soul Wednesdays from 4:30—5:00 p.m.

Orthodoxy on Tap Check Calendar Philoptochos Check Calendar Youth Ministries JOY— GOYA-

1st Wednesday 6:00 p.m.

2nd Wednesday 6:00 pm

ABRAHAM’S PANTRY: Please donate! Foods from Abraham’s Pantry are distributed to the local Food Pantries to feed the poor.

Check the expiration Date!!! Abraham served the best he had. If we would not eat it, why should we expect someone else to risk getting sick?

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Table of Contents Father’s Message

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President’s Message

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Stewardship

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Philoptochos

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Calendar

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Church Staff

Parish Priest/ Editor: Parish Council President: Office Director Philoptochos President: Book Store: Sunday School Director: Greek Dance Director: Youth Director: Stewardship: Orthodoxy on Tap

Fr. Luke Melackrinos Dr. Kosta Antonopoulos Mary Sharp Dr. Fotene Karantinos Kiki Karras & Dr. Fotene Karantinos Andrea Kjos Leah Brockway Dean Karras Mary Baryo Leah Brockway

Mission of the Parish: To build our Church Family through bountiful religious services, educational classes, fellowship opportunities and outreach. The pillars of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving will feature prominently in the ministries of the Parish.

Vision for the Parish: A Dynamic Church, equally strong at home as at the Parish, fortified by Ministries that bring the faithful closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, His Holy Mother, and all the Saints.

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Our Journey Back to the Father Fr. Luke Melackrinos

tion.

Once again our Lenten journey has begun. It is quite appropriate that as we start the process of Triodion and Lent that one of the Parables the Church shares is the Prodigal Son. This is certainly quite famous and many theologians argue that if we were to lose the entirety of Scripture save this one Parable, we would still understand our salva-

It’s easy for us to identify with the younger son in the parable because we can certainly recount points of our live where we have turned our back on our Heavenly Father just as he did. We can see ourselves clearly in his feeling alone in the pig pen far from our home with nothing but emptiness.

But the beauty of this story is how quickly the Father embraces and welcomes back the younger son. We see the Father running to receive back His son and showering him with affection, forgetting everything that would normally be held as a grudge in most of our minds.

So, how do we begin this journey back to the Father? The Church in Her wisdom provides us guidance in this monumental and daunting task. Thankfully, a rich Liturgical Schedule and study can help us grow closer and aid in our journey. Certainly, fasting is a beneficial tool as well. Through fasting we shift our focus away from our earthly desires and put our full focus on God. This year, consider attending some of the Lenten Services and discussions. We pray the Compline Service each Monday night during Lent and there is Bible Study after the service.

The somber tone and beauty of the hymns in Compline Service is one that will touch your soul.

And as we cannot live by bread alone, the heavenly bread of Scripture will feed you spiritually as well.

On Wednesdays during Lent, we celebrate the Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts. This ancient Liturgy is stirring and powerful with readings that help us keep our Lenten struggles in perspective. Immediately after the Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts, Fr. Lucas Rice offers reflections on the Sundays of Great and Holy Lent.

Each Friday of Lent we pray the Salutations to the Theotokos. This is actually a beautiful poem from antiquity about the many miraculous and saving works of the Virgin Mary in our lives and a plea for her aid again. I am glad to share a short class after each of the Salutations Services that will outline each of the days of Holy Week, so that when we reach Holy Week, we better understand the meaning of each day and the beauty of the readings and hymns therein.

I pray that you have a blessed remainder of Lent and that share in that great joy of Pascha and our own triumphant return to our God and Father through the saving work of his Beloved Son, our Lord, God, and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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President’s Message Greetings, We have embarked on one of the busiest, gratifying and spiritual times of the year. On March 11, we began Holy Lent which will be culminated with Pascha on April 28th.

Throughout Lent there are numerous liturgical services available. All services and events will continue to be listed in the Koinonia and weekly bulletin. I understand that many of us are busy with work, school, kids and other activities, but please make every effort to participate in these wonderful and enriching services.

Preparations for the spring dinner and festival are under way. Costa Tsiobanos has graciously accepted the role as chair of the Events Committee, while also mentoring Leah Brockway. These events provide financial support and stability for our church and all of them take a lot of time and effort to plan and run. When you are called upon, please find time to help in the planning, prepping or execution of these events.

Last month we had a very successful Vasilopita auction with donations going to numerous well deserving groups. Thank you to all those that donated, attended the event and prepared the vasilopita. One of our parishioners approached the Parish council with an idea to provide outreach to those in need within the property of Holy Trinity.

Philoptochos, which is led by Dr. Fotene Karantinos, has agreed to take on the project which will be an extension of Abraham’s pantry. A structure will be built in the near future and placed outside of Holy Trinity. This structure will allow for individuals to donate food/clothing/other items that can help those that are less fortunate while also increasing our involvement and service in the community.

The restoration committee has begun their next step in securing our church for future generations. They will be obtaining designs for a ramp to be placed in the front of the church. This ramp will allow for all individuals to easily maneuver in and out of Holy Trinity. Please consider a donation towards the restoration committee.

The Stewardship committee, that is led by Mary Baryo (Apprentice: Stella Daskilakis), continues to be hard at work. If you have not filled out a Stewardship card please do so at your earliest convenience. Keep in mind that a Stewardship involves ones Time, Talent and Treasures and is necessary for the viability of our church.

I wish all of you a very blessed and spiritually enriched Lent and Holy Pascha. If you have any questions, concerns or ideas do not hesitate to contact me at any time (712-301 -4146 or Kosta.Antonopoulos@gmail.com).

Kosta Antonopoulos Parish Council President 2019 Spring 2019

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A PASCHA PARISH CELEBRATION AND LUNCHEON EASTER SUNDAY April 28th FOLLOWING AGAPE SERVICE

SERVING A TRADITIONAL GREEK EASTER FEAST! APPETIZERS ROASTED LAMB BAKED HAM OVEN POTATOES SPANAKOPITA TYROPITA SALAD *DESSERTS & BEVERAGES ADULTS $25.00 18 AND UNDER $10.00 5 AND UNDER NO CHARGE Contact Mary Baryo for reservations 712- 258-0439 *Bring your favorite dessert to share!

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Holy Trinity Stewardship Dear Parishioners and friends of Holy Trinity, Spring is finally near! May this Lenten season fill you with hope and joy of the Lord's Resurrection.

As I was thinking of what to write in this issue of the Koinonia regarding Stewardship, low and behold, the most recent issue of the Orthodox Observer arrived in the mail. And wouldn't you know it, on page 23, a great article about supporting our church! It was really well written and hit all the important points of stewardship. Should you have missed it, I'll paraphrase a few of the lines below.

It stated how fast things have changed in the past 40 years. Especially cost of living, wages and inflation. It went on to show comparisons from the 1960's and 1970's to today. For example, when a cup of coffee was 35 cents and today is around $2.00. How a Honda Accord was $6,000 and today is $28,000. How a state university tuition has gone from $500 per year to $15,000 and so on…. Of course, wages are triple what they were in the 60's as well. Those same costs relate to our church as well. The cost of keeping the church up and running have also gone up along with everything else and thusly so should our annual contribution to the expenses.

As we work to maintain our beautiful church which has reached 100 years strong, we need to each consider what we can realistically give for our pledge/stewardship this year. We need to firstly secure our families expenses, our children's educations and save towards our retirement, God-willing. THEN…we need to give serious consideration to what we can give to our church. Make a weekly, monthly or quarterly pledge by filling out the annual Stewardship brochure. You can even give a onetime donation if that is what works best for you. But everyone needs to participate in the process so we can budget, prepare and plan for the year-long expenses required to maintain and grow our church from one year to the next.

We all have our specific capabilities to help financially and each family's decisions are private and respected within the treasurers program. If you haven’t yet filled out your pledge sheet, stop in the office and request one.

With love & respect, Mary Baryo

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Baptism: The Servant of God, Evangelina, the daughter of Gregory and Rita Boucher was baptized on February 16, 2016.

Her Godmother is Stella Daskalakis.

Funerals: The Servant of God, Kay (Katherine) Byrne was laid to pious rest on March 1, 2019.

The Servant of God, Polyxeni Pliakou was laid to pious rest on March 8, 2019.

May God grant them rest and comfort to their beloved family and friends mourning their losss.

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Holy Trinity Sunday School Sunday School Greetings: Yes, Spring really is on the way. God in all of his glory sends rain, sleet, snow and wind to prepare the Earth for planting season - for us - to enjoy the beauty of flowers and growth of food that feeds everyone around the world.

Sunday school has also shown growth this past year through the grace of God through avenues of our first ever Sunday School Kick-off complete with kid-friendly food - where we all can be a kid for a day, parental support, assistance, everyone pitching in along with their friends and contacts as to the raising funds via Hy Vee receipts to sustain Sunday school and it’s curriculum, weekly projects, awards, Christmas program, Fr. Luke’s inclusive invitations to remain with parents to take part in a learning event - such as Forgiveness - March 10, Sunday, Sunday of Orthodoxy - March 17, Sunday of the Holy Cross - March 31.

Every avenue of church is a learning experience for all.

I extend my sincere gratitude to everyone - Fr. Luke, Parish Council, parents, families, teachers- Cassie, Mary Baryo, help-mate Kim Hensley, seamstress Cheryl Kounas, Organist Mary Bikakis and the Choir for everything you do and have done to assist the Sunday school this year. **Hy Vee Receipts - KEEP THEM COMING!!! You may either continue to place them in the container located on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall or give them to me. I will continue to collect through the month of May - It’s NOT over yet...!! Thank you for your continued support.

I will announce the grand total raised when Hy Vee is ready to remit the check to the church. Please know that while we are waiting they are working in that they are dealing with transactions from many schools and affiliations. It takes time. Meanwhile - keep on collecting!!! $$ It’s my hope that in rounding out the year we get some memorization on board. Please work with your children at home in learning the Lord’s prayer and Bible verses. For the older children take a look at the Creed. These are a part of the core of Orthodox religion. Most of all, read your Bible each night.

God feeds the soul.

Lent is upon us - I encourage the children to participate in coming to services, read, chant, alter work, clean-up. The Pascha Challenge is on!!! Prizes - 1st , 2nd and 3rd will be offered. Fr. Luke will provide the signature page for you to have available for him to sign each time you attend services/help.

Prizes will distributed Pascha - Day during the Agape service as we did last year. If we all work together, we make a stronger church. Each day we study, builds upon it’s self. In addition, the children are more than welcome to join the choir in singing - any time - no pre-requisites and no try outs - God loves a cheerful heart.

Thank you again for affording me the opportunity to be Sunday school director. I consider it a privilege.

Blessings. Have a blessed Lent.

In Christ, Andrea Kjos, Sunday School Director +++ Spring 2019

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SATURDAY GYRO FEST & Bake Sale

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

Join us on our new date

SATURDAY, MAY 11 11:30 am — 6:30 pm For our New Menu, Featuring: Delicious Gyros & Sides ALSO AMAZING Homemade Pastries and Breads Formerly our Spring Grecian Dinner A fundraiser that All of Siouxland is invited to attend!

Watch for your tickets in the mail!

900 6th Street, Sioux City IA

Annual Community Pascha Card For Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church To have your family name listed in the Community Pascha Card, Please fill in this form and send your donation to: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 900 6th Street Sioux City, IA 51101 Name:_________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ (As you want it to appear in the card. Examples: The Pappas Family, Or Mr. & Mrs. Haralambos Pappas, or Harry, Sophie, Jimmy and Rebecca Pappas) Donation:

$10

$25

$50

$75

$100 Other

Please return this form no later than April 1, 2019

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Vasilopita Auction for Charity

Volunteering at the Soup Kitchen

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Winter has curtailed any further activity on our Restoration Project. Apparently it also curtailed fund raising too. We were however, very fortunate to receive $ 2500 from the Vasilopita Auction.

We currently have in the neighborhood of $23,000 in our Restoration Fund account. Preliminary estimates to build the handicap ramp range from $40,000 to $45,000. We are between $17,000 and $22,000 short based on the estimates.

These are estimates only. Actual bids, which I hope might be lower, will be obtained when we have the money for construction.

We need the ramp so let’s all participate in this effort. Please donate some tax refund money and or pledge to yourself to give something each month.

John Bostinelos, Restoration Committee Spring 2019

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Please Join us following the Proti-Anastasi Liturgy CALLING ALL YOUNG LADIES

April 27th

We need our darling myrofores (myrrh bearing women) for Holy Friday Night

Please wear a white dress and see Michelle Bostinelos if you are interested in your child participating!

CALLING ALL STRONG ARMS

Holy Saturday Morning

to wrap the Easter Eggs for the Paschal Service!

We need volunteers to carry the Kouvouklion around the Church Holy Friday Night. Please participate in the honor of carrying the bier of our Lord Jesus Christ.

AGAPE VESPERS—SUNDAY APRIL 28 Please contact Fr. Luke to read the Gospel in a Foreign Language!

Looking for:

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Spanish

Italian

Chinese

Tigrinia

Latin

Russian

Romanian

Swahili

German

Arabic

Oromo

English

French

Japanese

Amharic

ETC.

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Fr. Luke & Presbytera Marusia Melackrinos Mr. & Mrs. Perry Antonopoulos Dr. & Dr. Kosta Antonopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Athanasios Bariatakis Mr. & Mrs. John Baryo Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel Bikakis Mrs. Chris BikakisMiller Mr. & Mrs. Dimitri Bostinelos Mr. & Mrs. John Bostinelos Ms. Stella Daskalakis Mr. & Mrs. George Demetroulis Mrs. Georgia Diavastes Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel Eliades Mr. Vaios Gennatos Mr. & Mrs. James Giasafakis Mr. & Mrs. Craig Golden Mr. Christos Iordanou Mr. Chris Jones

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Mr. & Mrs. Rick Jones  Mr. & Mrs. Ray McAvoy Dr. Fotene Karantinos Mr. & Mrs. Alex Karras  Mr. & Mrs. Mike Michelakakis Mr. Dean Karras Mr. & Mrs. Alex Kazos  Mr. & Mrs. Ted Mihelakakis Mr. & Mrs. Thomas  Mr. & Mrs. Dale Ketchelos Milbrodt Mr. & Mrs. Dave Kjos  Mr. & Mrs. George Mrs. Bessie Klimiades Paradise Mr. & Mrs. George  Mr. & Mrs. George Klimiades Poulos Mr. & Mrs. Tim  Ms. Annette Prewitt Konidas  Mrs. Maria Rigas Ms. Anna Kounas  Mr. Jordan Schultz Mrs. Cheryl Kounas  Mr. & Mrs. Roger Mr. & Mrs. John Schultz Kounas  Mrs. Mary Sharp Mr. & Mrs. Harry  Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Kouris Stabile Mr. & Mrs. Robert  Mrs. Anna Theros Ladeas-Conyers  Mr. & Mrs. George Mr. John Lazaris Tsiobanos Mr. & Mrs. Lyle  Mr. & Mrs. Costa Listamann Tsiobanos Mr. & Mrs. Christopher  Mrs. Joan Vlahoulis Margeas Mrs. Daisy Margeas 54 Stewardship Families Mr. & Mrs. Tim as of 3/1/2019 Margellos Page 16

Holy Trinity Philoptochos Before I discuss the Philoptochos events and projects for the remainder of the Lenten season and into Spring, I will touch on the happenings with our chapter from the last couple of months. To start the year off, our Vasilopita auction this year was a huge success raising $4,250! The following amounts were dispersed to ministries of Holy Trinity and outreach opportunities: $200 to St. Basil’s Academy, $350 to the Sunday School, $250 to the GOYA, $450 to the Dance Troupe, $2,500 to the Holy Trinity ramp project, $400 to the Human Trafficking Sioux City Initiative, and $200 for the Philoxenia House.

Then in February, we observed Go Red Sunday for women’s heart health awareness by wearing red and hosting a coffee hour at church. Then, KTIV news anchor, Stella Daskalakis, gave us a motivating talk linking daily exercise to heart health. To conclude, a group has been helping prepare and serve food at the Soup Kitchen. In February 41 meals were served and in March 72 meals. We have signed up for more dates to prepare and serve throughout the remainder of this year. Anyone who is interested please reach out to Mary Sharp as some new helpers are always appreciated! As we have entered Lent this month of March, Philoptochos is also busy planning some luncheon fundraisers. Even though we have several of these throughout Lent, these are the events that allow us to raise funds to help those in need throughout the year.

For instance, our chapter approved this month to sponsor a $1,000 grant for the Children’s Medical Fund.

We contribute to this national Philoptochos’ fund every year on a smaller scale; but this year our Metropolis will host a lunch for Philoptochos chapters across the country in Chicago! At the lunch, these grants will be given out and go back to our Metropolis. I know several organizations in Sioux City have been approached to apply for the grants!

Philoptochos Events Calendar

Sunday March 31st: Holy Cross Luncheon and SECOND TRAY TO BE PASSED for Hellenic College/Holy Cross Saturday April 6th: Philoptochos Meeting at Church 11AM. Potluck Brunch will be served.

Saturday April 20th: Cleaning of the church for Pascha after Saturday of Lazarus services.

Sunday April 21st: Palm Sunday Luncheon Friday May 3rd: Soup Kitchen serving 5pm Sunday May 5th: End of year Philoptochos meeting and Philoptochos Elections Sunday May 12th: SECOND TRAY TO BE PASSED for our Philoptochos chapter (Myrofores Sunday) Saturday June 8th: Outreach at the Ronald McDonald. Meeting at 9:30 am at 2500 Nebraska Street to fill the freezer!

Saturday November 16th: National Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon in Chicago. Mark your calendars!

Downtown Chicago… We already have some people from our chapter committed to attending; but I hope for Sioux City to fill a whole table at the luncheon! Please see Fotene K. if you are interested so we can start planning travel. From past Chicago trips, the trip is quick but we do have a lot of fun and fellowship along the way.

Fotene Karantinos, chapter President

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Holy Week & Pascha Donations Incense for Services $30 Two Boxes of Charcoal $30 Paraffin Oil $30 4 Bottles of Rose Water $15 each Palms for Palm Sunday $250 total Flowers for Kouvouklion $800 total Flowers for Bridegroom Icon $50 Flowers for Mystical Supper Icon $50 Flowers for Crucifixion Icon $50 Flowers for Resurrection Icon $50 12 Lily or Season Plants $25 each 3 Candles for Crucified Christ $30 each Flour, candles and Cottonballs $30 Wreath for Holy Thursday $50 Please Contact Janet Antonopoulos 712-253-6177 to donate any of the above.

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Holy Week Liturgical Schedule Saturday, April 20 Saturday of Lazarus Orthros 9:00 a.m.

Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m.

Sunday, April 21 Palm Sunday Orthros 8:30 a.m.

Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.

Holy Monday Orthros Orthros 6:00 p.m.

Monday, April 22 Holy Tuesday Orthros Orthros 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 23 Holy Wednesday Orthros Orthros 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, April 24 Unction Ευχέλαιον Service Unction 3:00 p.m.

Holy Thursday Orthros Orthros 6:00 p.m.

(With Unction)

Palm Sunday Fish Luncheon Adults $10.00 Children $5.00 (Children’s Menu Available) A special thank you to the Kounas and Milbrodt families for their donation towards the dinner in memory of their parents, sister and brothers.

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Thursday, April 25 Vesperal Divine Liturgy Vesperal Liturgy 9:00 a.m.

The Passion Service Orthros 6:00 p.m.

Friday, April 26 The Hours Hours 9:00 a.m.

The Apokatheilosis Vespers 3:00 p.m.

(The Removal from the Cross)

The Lamentations Lamentations 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 27 The Protianastasi (Little Resurrection) Vesperal Liturgy 9:00 a.m.

The Orthros of the Resurrection Orthros 11:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 28 The Resurrection Come Receive the Light 12:00 a.m.

Divine Liturgy 12:30 a.m.

Light Meal Following

The Agape Vespers Vespers 12:00 p.m.

Easter Egg Hunt for the Children

AGAPE Luncheon 1:00 p.m.

Adults Youth 6-18

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$25 $10

Children ≤ 5 yrs. no Charge

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