Triodion Begins February 09
Pastoral Perspective
hope this Vision finds you in good health and spirits. I want to express my thoughts on the profound role of our Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in sanctifying our lives through its sacraments, and how this sacred practice brings us peace and love, not only to Christ our God, but also to one another.
The sacraments of the Church serve as vital channels of divine grace, bridging the gap between the sacred and the ordinary. Through baptism, we are reborn into the family of Christ, shedding our old selves and emerging as new creations. This transformative act not only sanctifies us but also marks the beginning of our journey toward spiritual maturity, guided by the love of God.
The sacrament of Holy Communion, perhaps one of the most intimate experiences of our faith, invites us to partake in the Body and Blood of Christ. This sacred meal nourishes our souls, fostering a deeper connection with our Savior and with our fellow believers. It is in this unity that we find true peace, as we are reminded that we are all part of the one Body of Christ.
Furthermore, the sacrament of Confession allows us to confront our shortcomings and seek forgiveness. This act of repentance is
essential for spiritual healing, restoring our relationship with God and with each other. Through confession, we acknowledge our imperfections and open our hearts to the love and mercy that flows abundantly from Christ.
In the sacrament of Marriage, we witness the sanctification of love between two individuals, blessed by God to embark on a shared journey of faith. This union reflects the love of Christ for His Church, teaching us the importance of commitment, patience, and understanding within our relationships.
Lastly, the sacrament of Holy Orders empowers individuals to lead and serve the Church community. Those who are called to this sacred vocation are given the grace to guide us on our spiritual journeys, fostering an environment of love and support.
As we participate in these sacraments, we are continually reminded of our call to love one another as Christ loves us. The peace that stems from this love transcends our differences, fostering unity within our Church and the broader community. In a world often marked by division and strife, our Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church stands as a beacon of hope, inviting all to experience the transformative power of God’s love.
In conclusion, I am grateful for the richness of our faith and the sacraments that sanctify us, restoring us to harmony with Christ and with each other. May we continue to embrace these holy mysteries, allowing them to shape our lives and guide our actions in love and peace.
Thank you for your dedication to our faith and for nurturing our community. With love and blessings, +Fr. Georgios Livaditis
Some of the most wonderful memories that I’ve carried into adulthood belong to the times I spent in GOYA. What I didn’t know then was that every moment was a memory in the making that would eventually become my most cherished, as are the people I made them with.
Aside from our service and projects, the simple joy and freedom of self that comes from spending time with those who share your faith, your experiences, and background are immeasurable, as is the basic tenet of GOYA: share the Holy Orthodox faith through your words and through your deeds.
To our GOYAns I say, be mindful and grateful for these moments you share. They will help to shape who you are, who you become, and will forever be a part of your fondest memories!
Vicky Andriotis, Editor
The following text has been taken from A Century of Faith: The First 100 Years of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Bridgeport:
1946, after World War II , the Greek American Youth League was formed by the E Mirofori Society, the same group who, in 1931, formed the first choir at Holy Trinity. The first president elected was John Coshonis. The age requirement at the time was young
As the servicemen came home, great interest in the group was stimulated, and membership grew to include close to 100 young adults. At that time, the Greek American Youth League sponsored the Athletic Program, under William Trifiatis as the Director,
According to the Archdiocese, G.O.Y.A.'s roots on a national level stem from the early 40s, when many Parishes in the United States, including Holy Trinity, formed their own youth groups. Many of these groups banded together to form Greek Orthodox Youth Federations. When Archbishop Michael assumed leadership of the Greek Orthodox Church in North and South America, he helped these federations of youth groups unite on a national level in an organization named the Greek Orthodox Youth of America, or G.O.Y.A.. In 1951, Holy Trinity's Youth organization changed its name to G.O.Y.A. , and became a part of the national organization founded by His Eminence Archbishop Michael.
In 1956, a Junior G.O.Y.A. Chapter was created and would complement the existing and very fruitful G.O.Y.A. This group embraced all who are within the age of twelve through seventeen. It was subdivided into two divisions: twelve to fifteen; fifteen through seventeen. Its program was fourfold : Religious, educational,
social, and athletic.
In April 1958, the initial Pledge Drive to purchase the 4.1 acre site on Park Ave was instituted with the first major donation given by the Senior G.O.Y.A. G.O.Y.A. recognized the need of expanded facilities, and voted to contribute 50% of its net profit from all functions into a Building Fund Treasury for future use. It had a twelve member Building Fund Committee of which eight were presently serving on the Church Building Fund. G.O.Y.A. made the largest cash donation to the Building Fund Project of Holy Trinity; as of 1959, G.O.Y.A. had donated $4,242.50, with additional donations made afterward.
The Junior G.O.Y.A. followed in the footsteps of their elders, showing their gratitude for a "brighter tomorrow" by having contributed, through the sale of Christmas cards, $455 to the Community's Building Fund Program.
In 1988, Senior G.O.Y.A. became YAL (Young Adult League), and Junior G.O.Y.A. (kids under 18) became the G.O.Y.A. that we know today. The G.O.Y.A. at Holy Trinity has always been very involved in the Parish, as well as the Community in the Greater Bridge-
port area. The group has served meals at local homeless shelters, served underprivileged children during Christmastime, and has helped raise funds for cancer foundations, victims of natural disasters, and other charities and causes. G.O.Y.A.ns participate in various activities which strengthen the characteristics of the G.O.Y.A. ministry, which are Worship (Liturgia), Fellowship (Koinonia), Service (Diakonia), and Witness (Martyria). G.O.Y.A. also unites youth and encourages fun, fellowship, and interaction not only with its own members, but with other G.O.Y.A. communities as well. This is accomplished through various activities which include dances, retreats, and scavenger hunts . The goal of the G.O.Y.A. of Holy Trinity is to lay a foundation of faith and fellowship which will help guide the youth of our future.
“As modern Americans of Greek descent you will accomplish much; but in attaining worldly destinies, never forget that as members of G.O.Y.A., you who are our pride and hope belong to an essentially religious organization, and whatever you attain on this earth is, in the last analysis, of little value without a deep and firm belief in the tried and tested religion of your forefathers. Adhere firmly to this faith, observe strictly its tenets, and in so doing you will in fact realize the motto of G.O.Y.A. and truly live your Orthodox faith, thus becoming better Christians and better American citizens worthy of your noble Greek descent. With all my blessings for the future, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” His Eminence Archbishop Michael, Founder of the Greek Orthodox Youth of America, 1957
successful program/project and why?
Our most successful program is Greek dancing because it brings people together in a fun and meaningful way. It creates a sense of community, helps preserve our culture, and allows everyone to connect through music and movement. The joy and energy of dancing together make it something people look forward to, and it's a reminder of how powerful shared experiences can be.
How do you fund your missions and projects?
We fund our projects through a variety of fundraisers held throughout the year. These events not only help us raise money, but also bring our community together to support our shared goals. It’s a great way to combine fun, engagement, and giving back to make our work possible.
What do you want people to know the most about your organization?
We want people to know that we are a welcoming and inclusive group. Our doors are
connect with others their age and share similar interests. It's a place where everyone can feel comfortable, make new friends, and be part of a supportive community.
What would make the greatest difference in helping your organization?
The greatest difference in helping our organization would come from support from the adults in our community. Their involvement can inspire and guide us while also helping us expand our efforts to give back and make a positive impact in the community. We’d love to work alongside them to create meaningful change
What are your organizations goals for this (Ecclesiastical) year?
Our goal for this Ecclesiastical year is to host a successful fundraiser that will fully cover the costs of Greek dance for next year. By doing this, we hope to make it easier for more kids to join and experience the joy of learning Greek dancing while building connections within the group
(at least I am ) which is not far from us!
On January 12th, we celebrated Vasilopita Day. Philoptochos provided the vasilopitas and hosted a small luncheon after church services for the whole community. There were many “lucky coin winners, and we wish them all best of luck! Thank you to all the ladies who helped baking the vasilopitas and all who supported the event. With your generous donations, we were able to raise
see the flyer in this issue for more information. Make your reservations early, as tables fill up quickly. Join us for a fun night celebrating with family and friends as we approach the end of the Triodion, and before we enter Holy Lent.
Psychosavata
–
The first Psychosavato is on February 22nd, the second is on March 1st, and the third is on March 3rd. If
MARIA COOK , PHILOPTOCHOS PRESIDENT
of the Holy Altar.
Philoptochos Services
Kolyva tray for a memorial service
$125
Memorial Kolyva with coffee -- $175 (includes 2 tables for the family), $25 per additional table
Artoklasia --5 breads, $100
Psychosavata
koliva -- $10 per
Funeral luncheon (makaria) -- $30 per person. Meal includes: Paximadia, wine, Greek salad, filet of sole, Greek style string beans, rice pilaf, bread rolls, coffee, tea, koulourakia and pound cake.
During the year if anyone needs baked goods or cooked food for their house or office party, christening or wedding receptions, please let me know. We will do
Gcious time spent with family and friends. We would be remiss if we didn’t mention how beautiful the program presented by the Greek and Sunday Schools of our church was! We are so proud of all of the young people who participated, and we love that we have a Youth Choir that participated once again this year.
Now that the Christmas and New Year holiday season is behind us, we will be turning our attention to Easter and the special and most beautiful hymns that we sing leading up to the Resurrection/Anastasi service. It’s hard to believe but the Triodion starts on February 9th!
That said, we still work on our special hymns each week and in particular, the various Apolytikia which change for each Liturgy. This beautiful Apolytikion will be sung on February 2nd for the Presentation of Christ to the Temple:
Hail to you who are full of Grace, O Virgin
righteous elder, shall also rejoice for in your arms, you receive him, who is the Liberator of our souls, who also grants us resurrection.”
Our Youth Choir has started back up on Sundays after services. Please feel free to contact/text our Director, Joanna, at 203-6504204 for info or to have your child join.
As a reminder, we practice on Monday evenings at 6:00 pm and no experience singing in a choir is needed. If you’d like to join us, please contact Joanna at 203-650-4204 first, to make sure there hasn’t been a change in our schedule. Also feel free to stop by the Choir loft on Sundays if you’re interested in joining us.
Finally, would like to thank our Psaltis who work together with us for the beautiful execution of our Liturgy. We appreciate your efforts and your voices!
We would also like to thank Vicky Andriotis who has done an AMAZING job on the Vision for our community each month. It’s a beautiful snapshot of what wonderful things are happening all around us. She has also managed to capture the beautiful history of our organizations, which is something we should never forget. We thank her from the bottoms of our hearts!
Written by: HELEN YEOTSAS
Our purpose is to make connections within our Holy Trinity Church through our bi-monthly meetings, which occur on the second and last Wednesdays of the month. As we age, our lives can become more isolating or limited and we encourage any and all senior members who are in our faithful community to join us for our activities.
We had our first meeting for the New Year on January 8, 2025. Our Senior group had such good luck during our Church service on Sunday, January 12 as we were given a slice of Vasilopita from Father George and it contained the lucky coin. We are hoping all our Seniors will have a good 2025 year ahead. As February comes upon us, we still want to say Happy New Year, καλή χρονιά to one another and to all our Parishioners as
well. We also are looking towards the feast day for the Presentation of our Lord at the Temple which renews our hope for the coming year.
We continue to pray for a successful healing to Dr. Nikos Demos who is recovering from a hip injury. We have been told that he is doing better. We say, once again, Καλή Ανάρρωση, Nikos.
We wish to extend Happy Birthday wishes (Χρόνια Πολλά!) to any of our Seniors who have a Birthday celebration in February. We look forward to the coming month of our upcoming meetings. Please consider our group if you are a Senior and would like to join us. You may contact Linda Bellas at 203-7311382 to let us know you are interested in joining our group.
Written by: LINDA BELLAS
ELF
Written by: THEODORA FATIBENE DOP PRESIDENT
Hello everyone and happy new year once again. Daughters of Penelope continues to work at making a positive impact on those in need.
Love Army. They distributed to the needy in our area, especially to the Bridgeport Rescue Mission.
The beautiful food gift bags we put together were handed out before Christmas by Father George and Sylvia. Another incredible job by you and our group! Thank you Father, Sylvia and everyone who contributed to this cause.
Life, our neighbors next door, for the residents and we gave knitted hats to the Smilow Cancer Center.
We delivered our knitted baby blankets to Binky Patrol. They provide children who are ill or need comfort with these blankets.
Knitted items were also brought to CT
Every year, DOP participates in the St. Basil’s Vasilopita Sunday, sponsored by our Philoptochos. Making a donation to St. s Academy is a wonderful way to make s lives.
Our knitting group will resume Wednesday, January 22 at 6:45. It is truly a beautiful moment to see families who are receiving a forty day blessing, be handed a blue bag with a knitted blanket inside that was made by our group!
We are also involved in a DOP national
knitting project, Water by Women. Thanks, especially to Eleni Spyrou, for her knitting talents for this cause. Yarn donations are welcomed and so appreciated as our group depends on these donations to continue the work we do. Anyone is welcome; no experience required. Knitting will resume Wednesday, January 22 at 6:45.
More fundraisers to help us with our philanthropy will be announced. Our annual Mother’s Day Raffle will soon be here. Another of our delicious coffee hours is on the horizon. Of course, we are always discussing new ideas to bring to the community.
Looking forward to a productive new year ahead, which is possible only with everyone’s participation and help. We are a strong, dedicated group that works well together, and many thanks for that. Thank you to all for your support and your kind expressions of gratitude. It means a lot to us to hear them.
Our next DOP meeting will be Wednesday, February 19th, 7 pm. Please join us and bring
Submitted by Vicky
The black
One day, a professor entered his classroom and asked his students to prepare for a surprise test. They all waited anxiously at their desks for the exam to begin.
The professor handed out the exams with the text facing down, as usual. Once he handed them all out, he asked the students to turn over the papers.
To everyone’s surprise, there were no questions–just a black dot in the center of the paper. The professor, seeing the expression on everyone’s faces, told them the following: “I want you to write about what you see there.” The students, confused, got started on the inexplicable task.
At the end of the class, the professor took all the exams, and started reading each one of them out loud in front of all the students.
All of them, with no exception, defined the black dot, trying to explain its position in
the center of the sheet. After all had been read, the classroom silent, the professor started to explain:
“I’m not going to grade you on this, I just wanted to give you something to think about. No one wrote about the white part of the paper. Everyone focused on the black dot – and the same thing happens in our lives. However, we insist on focusing only on the black dot – the health issues that bother us, the lack of money, the complicated relationship with a family member, the disappointment with a friend. The dark spots are very small when compared to everything we have in our lives, but they are the ones that pollute our minds. Take your the eyes away from the black dots in your lives. Enjoy each one of your blessings, each moment that life gives you. Be happy and live a life filled with love!”
Kids’ Corner Color Me
Presentation of Christ at the Temple
February 2nd
Mary and Joseph were faithful Jews and observed their religious customs. An important custom was for the couple to take their first-born son to the Temple. The baby was taken to the Temple forty days after his birth and was dedicated to God. In the Orthodox Church, both baby boys and baby girls are taken to the Church on the fortieth day after their birth. This is done in remembrance of the Theotokos and Joseph taking the infant Jesus to the Temple from goarch.org
Fast Foods
Fast Day Recipes
Vegan Spanakopita
Homemade phyllo and spinach filling
Course: Appetizer
Servings: 20 pieces
Prep Time 1 hr
Cook Time 1 hr 15 mins
Resting time 15 mins
Total Time 2 hrs 30 mins
For the spinach filling
1/2 cup long grain rice
820 grams spinach
1/2 head curly, or romaine, lettuce
3/4 cup fresh green onions, chopped
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup dill, chopped
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/3 cup plain bread crumbs
For the phyllo
6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour plus 1 1/2 cups, if needed
55 ml olive oil
40 ml vegetable oil
2 cups water
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp red wine vinegar
2 tsp olive oil
To make the spinach filling
Place your rice in a bowl and add 3 cups of cold water. Set aside.
Prepare your spinach by removing any hard stems and cutting any large spinach leaves in half. Place your spinach in a large bowl and wash several times using cool water.
Wash your lettuce and cut it into bite sized pieces. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and once the water has boiled, add the spinach, lettuce and spring onions. Allow the vegetables to sit in the water for approximately 30 seconds and then drain. Allow your spinach mixture to drain in the colander for as long as you can. Then, transfer the spinach to another clean bowl, squeezing out the excess water with your hands. Alternatively you can use a cheesecloth or clean piece of tuile to squeeze out the excess water.
Drain the rice and rinse it.
To the spinach add the olive oil, dill, salt, pepper, bread crumbs and the rice. Mix well until combined and set aside.
To make the phyllo
In a large bowl sift the flour and then add the rest of the phyllo ingredients. Mix by hand and knead well for approximately 5 - 7 minutes. If the dough is too sticky, you
will need to add more flour, up to an addition 1 1/2 cups. Add additional flour 1/4 cup at a time. Watch video here, to see consistency of dough.
Make a large ball with your dough and divide it in half.
Take one half of the dough and rub the surface with 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough as thinly as you can to cover your baking pan. We use a 12 x 17 pan which is 1 inch high. Your bottom layer of phyllo needs to come up the sides of your pan, and hang over a little bit. This is needed in order to attach the bottom and top phyllo layers.
Assemble your spanakopita
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
Grease your pan lightly with olive oil and then add the bottom layer of phyllo. Place
the spinach filling on the dough and use a fork to spread it evenly across phyllo.
Repeat the procedure used to roll out your first half of phyllo to now roll out the second half of your phyllo dough.
Place this phyllo on top of the spinach filling. Crimp the bottom and top layers of phyllo together.
Using a sharp knife, score the top layer of phyllo, marking the dough in the way that you would like to cut your pieces.
If desired, you can brush a thin layer of olive oil on the top layer of phyllo.
Bake your spanakopita in the middle rack of your oven for about 1 hour to an 1 hour 15 minutes. When done, remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before cutting it.
Enjoy!
Thought for the Day “Acceptance means: For now, this is what this situation, this moment, requires me to do, and so I do it willingly.”
Greek School
Celebration 3 Hierarchs
Marigo
Stilianos 6 months
Christina Tsocanos 40 days
Peter Pavlou 40 days
Tsiknopempti by Philoptochos
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
4070 Park Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06604
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