‘i am the voice of one crying in the wilderness’ – st....

‘I am the VOICE of one crying in the wilderness’ – St. John

October 2014 - January 2015 St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church – Blue Point, NY Vol. XXXX — No. 4

October 2014

Sun. Oct. 5 — 2nd Sunday of Luke —

8:30 am.

Mon. Oct. 6 — Thomas the Apostle —

8:30 am.

Wed. Oct. 8—Bible Study — 7:00 pm.

Sun. Oct. 12 — 7th Ecumenical Coun-

cil — 8:30 am.

Wed. Oct. 15 - Bible Study - 7:00 pm.

Sat. Oct. 18 -- Luke the Evangelist—

8:30 am.

Sun. Oct. 19 - 3rd Sunday of Luke —

8:30 am.

Wed. Oct. 22 - Bible Study - 7:00 pm.

Thurs. Oct. 23 James the Apostle 8:30

am.

Sun. October 26— Demetrios the

Myrrh-Streamer — 8:30 am.

Tue. Oct. 28—OXI DAY.

Wed. Oct. 29 — Bible Study — 7:00

pm.

November 2014

Sat. Nov. 1 — Cosmas & Damianos —

8:30 am.

Sun. Nov. 2 — 5th Sunday of Luke —

8:30 am.

Wed. Nov. 5 — Bible Study — 7:00

pm.

Sat. Nov. 8—Synaxis of the Archan-

gels—8:30 am.

Sun. Nov. 9 — Nektarios the Wonder-

worker — 8:30 am.

Wed. Nov. 12 — Bible Study 7:00 pm.

Fri. Nov. 14 — John Chrysostom &

Philip the Apostle — 8:30 am.

Sat. Nov. 15 — Doo-Wop Dinner

Dance with the ‘Acchords’ 6:30 pm - ?

Sun. Nov. 16 — Matthew the Apostle

— 8:30 am.

Wed. Nov. 19 — Bible Study 7:00 pm.

Fri. Nov. 21 — Entrance of the Theotokos into

the Temple — 8:30 am.

Sun. Nov. 23 — 9th Sunday of Matthew — 8:30

am.

Tue. Nov. 25 — Katherine the Great Martyr —

8:30 am.

Sun. Nov. 30 — Andrew the First Called —

8:30 am.

December 2014

Wed. Dec. 3— Bible Study — 7:00 pm.

Sat. Dec. 6 — Nicholas the Wonderworker —

8:30 am.

Sun. Dec. 7 — 10th Sunday of Luke — 8:30 am.

Wed. Dec. 10—Bible Study—8:30 am.

Fri. Dec. 12 — Spyridon the Wonder-

worker — 8:30 am.

Sun. Dec. 14 — 11th Sunday of Luke

— 8:30 am.

Fri. Dec. 19 — Greek School Christ-

mas Program.

Sun. Dec. 21 — Sunday before the Na-

tivity of Jesus — 8:30 am.

Wed. Dec. 24 — Nativity (Christmas)

Eve — 7:00 pm.

Sun. Dec. 28 — Sunday after the Na-

tivity of Jesus — 8:30 am.

Wed. Dec. 31 — New Year’s Eve Gala

— 9:00 pm.

January 2015

Thur. Jan. 1 — New Year’s Day —

Basil the Great & the Circumcision of

Christ — 10:00 am.

Sun. Jan. 4 — Sunday Before The-

ophany — 8:30 am.

Tue. Jan. 6 — Holy Epiphany — 8:30

am.

Wed. Jan. 7 — Synaxis of the Forerun-

ner - 8:30 am. Bible study - 7:00 pm.

Sun. Jan. 11 — Sunday after The-

ophany — 8:30 am.

Wed. Jan. 14 - Bible Study - 7:00 pm.

Sun. Jan. 18—12th Sunday of Luke —

8:30 am.

Wed. Jan 21 — Bible Study-7:00 pm.

Sun. Jan 25 — 15th Sunday of Luke-

8:30 am.

October 2014 - January 2015 St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church – Blue Point, NY

St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church Blue Point, NY 11715

Office Telephone: (631) 363-6450 Fax: (631) 363-6457 Pastor: Rev. Fr. Andrew D. Cadieux

Administrative Assistant, Bonnie Mina,

Parish Council President: Leo Hadzigeorgiou Vice President: Danny C. Mina Secretary: Mike Boufis Treasurer: Lou Ectoras

Paul Rapess Linda Tsakiris Helen Kohilakis Nick Klopsis Christine Pappas John Kouimanis Nikolaos Mokkas Andrew Kalos Alex Wilson

Ourania Gentile

Choir Master: Marcelle Wheeler

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE VOICE

Do you like our VOICE? Do you have any suggestions?

We would very much like to hear from you. Please write!

Send us your photos, comments, questions, etc. Also give us your family news, etc.

We would love to know who has received honors or is graduating.

Sign your name and include your phone number. Anonymity, if requested, will be respected.

If you are going to be away during the year, please stop in the Church office and give us your year round address.

MEMORIALS/ARTOKLASIAS/FANOUROPITA & 40 DAY BLESSINGS

Kindly inform the Church office in advance if you are planning a Blessing of the five loaves (Artoklasia),

Memorial Services, or 40 Day Blessings Thank You!

The Memorial Tree has been placed in our vestibule for the purpose of honoring the names of deceased relatives and friends. These names will remain on the tree in perpetuity and will be memorialized twice a year in a special Memorial Ser-vice. Donation per leaf is $1,000. Up to three names may be placed on each leaf by one family. Leaves are also available for the living.

If interested, please call Father Andrew at (631) 363-6450.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SERVE COFFEE IN MEMORY OF YOUR DECEASED LOVED ONE, THE PHILOPTO-CHOS WILL TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING FOR YOU. PLEASE CALL LULA PAPANIKOLATOS IN ADVANCE

AT (631) 758-8007

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE

KOLEVA MADE PLEASE CONTACT: Aristea Moussis – 631-666-5349

Lula Papanikolatos – 631-758-8007 Vicky Spyris — 631-277-9475

INDEX

Cover ………………………………………….1

Index & Church Info………….……………….2

From The Desk Of Father Andrew……………3

House Keeping…………………….………….3

Doo-Wop Dinner Dance..……………………..4

The Feast Day of our Parish..…………………5

Adopt A Bill & Stewards…….…...………….6-7

The Cross Diving……….…….……………....8

Youth Ministry News & Highlights…………..9

The Ladies Philoptochos News………………10

Crazy John……………………………………..11

Food For Thought……………...……….….12-13

St. John’s Annual Greek Festival……..……14-15

Ads…………..............................................16 - 19

New Year’s Eve Dinner Dance………...……..20


From the Desk of Father Andrew What a blessed time of the year it is, one season has ended and another has begun. School has begun as well as many of our

yearly activities. September first is the beginning of the Ecclesiastical New Year. With so many new beginnings, we should

continuously make the effort to live a renewed genuine Christian life — a synergy between our Christian Family and God. We

can accomplish this when we are offering our: Time, Talents and Treasures to not merely the physical Ecclesia, but more im-

portant to one another.

Time - How much of our time can we donate to our Spiritual Family? This is up to each one of us, yet, what is vital to note is

that just as we invest time in our: family, careers, hobbies, finances, etc. and they prosper (by God’s Grace), the more time we

give to our Spiritual family the more that they and we will prosper!

Talents - Whatever talents we have been gifted with, are all gifts from God; from cooking to painting to coaching to being a

jack-of-all. Taking this into account, is there a gift that you have been blessed with that you can donate to your Spiritual Fami-

ly? Only you would truly know.

Treasures - This seems quite simple, if God has blessed you with financial security, please be generous to your Spiritual Family

in return, yet, treasures is actually a combination of the three (and often the most difficult) for God has not only blessed you

with financial security, this was accomplished via your talents as well as your time.

Make no mistake, this is not a nicety, it must be a conviction, a conviction that is immovable, that our life is centered around

God for without this, we truly have nothing. As Jesus tells us in Saint John’s Gospel “I am the bread of life. He who comes to

me shall never hunger, and who believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35) And again, ‘For God so loved the world that He

gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.’ (John 3:16)

Time Talents & Treasures is truly the only way that we can invest, assist and secure our Spir itual Family so that both

we and they can be uplifted from this world to the next!

FYI — Paper Work For Sacraments

Please note that all paper work for sacraments — Bap-

tisms, Weddings and Chrismations must be (without

exception) submitted into the Church office forty-five

— 45 days in advance prior to the event. If you have

any questions or concerns bout tht efollowing, please do

not hesitate to contact the Church office at 631-363-

6450.

Church Worshipping Hours Sunday ands weekday morning Orthros will begin at

8:30 am & Divine Liturgy will begin at 9:45 am. If you

have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to

contact the Church Office.

Hall Rental Our community will be renting out our hall in the cultural center to

not only our parishioners, but also to the general public for: birthday

parties, anniversary parties, engagement parties, etc. If you are inter-

ested please contact the Church office at 631-363-6450 for the partic-

ulars. This will begin in 2015.

Mailings If you would like to receive the Voice as well as all future mailings from the Saint John’s Church please fill out the fol-

lowing form and send it back to the Church. This has become imperative due to the fact that our mailing list has changed

a great deal in the pazt few years and our community, cannot be financially taxed as it has been in the past. We thank you

in advance for your support . We would also appreciate your email address & please notify us if you would rather receive

communicates from the church via mail or email. Please note that this information is kept confidentially by the Church.

Name:_____________________________________________ Phone#:_____________________________________

Address:__________________________________________________________________________________________

Email:____________________________________________________________________________________________

Would you prefer to receive communicates from the Church via: mail or email please circle one.

Housekeeping

General Assembly Our communities General Assembly will be taking place on Sunday

November 9, 2014 immediately following Divine Liturgy.

Please note, that with respect to Hospital and Nursing Home visits, due to HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability And Accountability

Act) that was established in 1996 and finalized in 2003, no individual or group can be given the name of someone that is in a care

facility. What this means is that if you know of someone in a Hospital or Nursing Home please contact the Church Office, due to the

fact that we cannot legally do so!!

**Hospital & Nursing Home Visits**

October 2014 - January 2015 St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church – Blue Point

Saturday November 15, 2014 At 6:00 pm

Doo wop Dinner Dance Party

$40.00 pp. Includes: Food, Beer, Wine & Soda

Raffle Prizes Memories & Dancing

77 Montauk Highway Blue Point, NY 11715

R.S.V.P. 631-363-6450 // [email protected]


WE THANK ALL PARISHIONERS FOR THEIR STWARDSHIP OFFERINGS & HELPING PAY OUR BILLS

THANKS TO ALL THOSE FRIENDS AND PARISHIONERS

WHO HAVE HELPED ST. JOHN'S PAY THE BILLS FROM

JANUARY, 2014 TO PRESENT. ANTHONY CARRIS DR. KONSTADINOS SPYRIS ANDREA & ANDREW IOANNOU SOPHIA SPYRIS VICKEY SPYRIS ANDREW & ANDREA IOANNOU THALIA BOUKLAS AND BILL STUBER PETER & PATRICIA PALAMIDIS G.A. PROIOS AGENCY KALIOPE & MICHAEL GONIAS TITSA PELZMAN BILL & MARY BOUKLAS MAJESTIC GARDENS/ OLYMPIA GOUVIS NANCY & ANDREW POULIS BONNIE & DANNY MINA BESSIE VLANTIS JEFFREY BERNSTEIN/ HELENE CARRIS BERNSTEIN ST. JOHN'S PHILOPTOCHOS LOULA PAPANIKOLATOS ANDREW & NANCY POULIS PEGGY FOY BARBARA & ARNOLD DEPIRRO PAULINE & GREG CULLEY KOULA ANGELINAS DESPINA PALAMIDIS NICK & ELENI KOPANOS JOHN & GEORGETTE ZENK STEVE & DAPHNE ARRESTO

2014 STEWARDSHIP

INFORMATION

Thanks to all those who have

made their Stewardship

Pledge and to all those who

have completed their pledge

for 2014. You will help the

parish maintain the record of

your legacy as integral mem-

bers of our Church family.

As of September 30th, 171

families have become stew-

ards of St. John’s, for 2014

pledging a total of $88,813.

*Aiello, Marcello & Ourania

Dittmar, Jan & Joanna

Alevas, George & Dorothy

Douvartzidis, Fotis/Kathy

Petropoulos

Amadio, Darren & Rachel

Drivas, Cynthia

Argyropoulos Ernest

Ectoras, Louis & Evelyn

Arresto, Stephen & Daphne

*Eracleous, Marios &

Andreana

Auffret, Pascale & Kelly

Fr. Andrew & Presbytera

Bacalakis, Theodore

Fandaros, George & Joan

Bagnall, Eugene Jr.

Fastia, Joseph & Nikko

*Barry, Dave & Tina

Felouzis, Manuel

*Bates, Justin

Filou, Mary

*Bernstein-Carris, Helice

Foundotos, George & Georgia

Black, Fred & Anastasia

Fricke, Demetrios & Sharon

Boufis, John & Margaret

Gavriel, Costas & Sophia

Boufis, Michael

Gentile, Anthony & Ronni

Boughey, Ronald & Linda

Georghiou, Andreas &

Christine

Bouklas, Philip & Sophia

Gerolemou, Louis & Adela

Bouklas, Vasilios & Mary

Gerolemou, Nicholas & Valerie

Bouklas/Stuber, Bill & Thalia

Giannakos, Evangelos & Alexa

Boulassikis, Eleni

Gonzalez, John & Aspasia

Boulassikis, George & Tracey

Gouras, James & Estelle

Boutsikos, Chrisovalantis

Gouvis, Demetrios & Elizabeth

Boutsikos, John & Paraskevi

Gouvis, Olympia

Brennan, Katy

Hadzigeorgiou, Leo & Michelle

Brzostek, Eric & Eikaterini

Hadzigeorgiou, Thrasibule &

Victoria

Cambitsis, John & Stavroula

Haloulos, Peter & Marie

Canella, Andrew

Hatzis, Gus & Denise

Cannella, Andrew & Demetra

Hoffman, Stephanie

Canella, Nicholas

Ingraffia, Robert & Pamela

Carovolos, Stephanie

Innes, Robert & Demetra

Carris, Anthony

Ioannou, James

Cherouvis, Anastasia

Ioannou, Michael & Denise

Clark, Michele

Kalis, Eva

Constantinides, Diana

Kalomiris, George & Mary

Culley, Pauline

Kalos, Andrew & Kristin

DeLucca, James & Jean

Kalos, Peter J & Stella

Dimos, Constantinos & Toula

Kalos, Peter & Nicole

Dimou, George

Katsikas, Elaine

Kefalas, Presbytera Anita

Klerides, Andrea

Klerides, Demetrios & Susan

Klopsis, Nicholas & Paula

Kohilakis, Helen

Kostas, Dimitrios & Danielle

Kotsonis, George

Kotsonis, Gus & Jane

Kouimanis, John & Vivian

Koukalenios Anastaseos &

Joan

Kyriakidis, Chris & Linda

Lambrou, Anthony & Beena

*Lignos, James & Kyriakoula

*Lisanti, Alfred & Helen

Lisanti, Michele

Stewardship (Cont’d)


Loizides, Elizabeth

Loizides, George & Kathleen

Loizides, John & Martha

Luciano, Mary

Mazzarone, Jonathan & Alyssa

Magoulas, Tom & Toni-Marie

Mahoney, Stephanie

Margoras, Pauline

Marneris, Ioannis & Anastasia

Michael, Chris & Maria

Michaels, Mike & Militsa

Miller, Cleo

Mina, Danny & Bonnie

Mina-Franjola, Matthew & JoAnn

Modenos, Aspacia

Mokkas, Konstantinos & Roseann Voutsinas

Mokkas, Nikolaos & Stavroula

Moraitakis, Constantine & Allison

Mouzithras, John & Sandra

Niforas, Konstantinos & Aspasia

Olsen, Daniel & Carol

Palamidis, Despina

*Panagos, Jim & Patricia

Papadopoulos, Anthony & Kristina

Papandon, Bess

Papanikolatos, Lula

*Papayani, John & Athena

Papazocharios, Vasilios

Pappas, Andreas & Christine

Patunas, Joann

Pelzman, Titsa

Petropoulos, William & Joanna

Polizois, John & Joanne

Polizois, Tom

Poulis, Andre & Nancy

Prodromou, Loizos & Eleftheria

Rapess, Paul & Bonnie

Rooney, James & Anna

Rossis, Linda

*SamIII, Joseph & Mary

Sarris, Savva

Semertzidis/Afxendiou, Yannis & Georgia

Semertzides, Dr. James & Dina

Sfakianos, Tomasina

Siolos, Edward & Linda

Sioutopoulos, Ekaterini

Spiliotes, Constance

Spirou, Vasilios & Demetra

Spyris, Dr. Konstadinos

Spyris, Vassiliki

*Stavropoulos, Angelo & Chrissy

Stavrou, Harry & Barbara

Stefanidis, Christopher & Regina

*Stengel, Roger & Izabela

*Stylianou, Sophie

Terzopoulos Alexander

*Terzopoulos, Panagiotis & Helen

Terzopoulos, Stewart & Jenny

Theodore, Anthony

Theori, Soterios

Tsakiris, Ernest & Linda

Tsiokos, Demetrios & Mariana

*Valukis, Anthony

Verios, Jerry & Denise

Veverka, Dave & Fotine

*Vlantis, Maria

*Vlantis, Bessie

Volakis, Xenophon & Kiriaki

Wheeler, Adam & Marcelle

Wilcox, Stephen & Elizabeth

Wilson-Calamas, Angela

*Wilson, Alex

Zaoutis, Elias & Olga

Zaoutis, John & Eileen

Zelinski, Bernard & Mary

Zervos, Michael & Irene

Halioris, Fedra

Argyros, Martha

Hamilton, Ronald & Lambrini

Tsakiris, Karena

Gledhill, Adam & Mary

Kalas, Spyro

Mantzopoulos, John & Hristina

Papandon, Stephen & Laura

Tan-Evans, Miller & Rachel

*Tavantzis, Naoum & Evangelia

Triantafilloupoulos, Konstantinos & Joanne

Glenis, Maria

Damianakis, Theodore & Antonia

Partsinevelos, George & Lisa

Zenk, John & Georgette

Please help sustain

your community,

please donate your

FAIR SHARE/

STEWARDSHIP as

soon as you are able

to. If everyone gives

to their Church,

then their Church

will be here to give

back to them!

Cross Diving At Corey Beach 2014 Sunday September 21st



Youth Ministry News & Highlights Youth Ministries by Joan Fandaros

Wow, where did the summer of 2014 go? The lazy days are behind us and here comes another year of youth ministries at St. John's

Church! St. John's youth ministries include the Little Angels ages 3-6, the JOY ages 7-12 and the GOYA ages 13-17. Each group

provides fun, friendship, socialization, culture, sports and of course Liturgia-Worship, Koinoia-Fellowship, Diakonia-Service and

Martyria-Witness. Advisers and parents plan activities centered around these ideals with meetings usually once a month. There is a

$25.00 reg/dues fee for the older two groups with fundraising to help offset the cost of some of our yearly activities. These include a

Halloween Party and Decorating the Church for Christmas, Lenten Retreat with students from Holy Cross Hellenic College, food

drives all year to benefit the local Salvation Army, winter volleyball through the MGOVL and Inter-Goya groups and of course the

Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan District Olympics or GOADO!! If this is something you think your children can't benefit from, think

again!

All of us make choices everyday for ourselves and our families. We chose what clubs, groups or sports to participate in and many fac-

tors influence these decisions. Consider these tangible benefits; my daughter, Marina recently enjoyed. Marina was a Greek School

student, a member of both JOY and GOYA (including being a Goya President), a member of the Inter-Goya and MGOVL Leagues

and was an active member of our Greek Youth Community. Through commitment and dedication to these efforts , Marina received

over 3,500.00 in scholarship money, just from being an active Greek American student! Consider joining our youth community to see

what we can do for each other! The first meeting for all our youth ministries was held on Tuesday September 30th at 7PM in the Cul-

tural Center, Topics include: Goya Officer Nominations, voting to take place at next meeting, Registration, Calendar, Holidays, Fund-

raisers & Retreats.

Thank you to all the family of our kids for their continued support and for choosing to value what it is we have to offer.

God Bless you and I look forward to another wonderful year at St. John's

St. John's Goya Advisers: Joan Fandaros, Marcelle Wheeler & Leo Hadzigeorgiou

St. John’s Greek School

Another great academic year started on September 12 for the 2014 -2015

school year. We are very excited to use the new books that were created for

the Pre-K class. (We accept children 3 and 4 years old for Pre- K.)

All the teachers will attend a training seminar on how to use the new ma-

terials on Saturday October 4th. I would like to congratulate our students

who passed the 2014 Regents with very high grades. More of our students

will take the Regents examination in Modern Greek at the end of the school

year. I am confident that this year’s students will also achieve high grades.

All our students from grades 3-6 will learn about Greek Mythology and will

take the National Mythology Test, which is administered by the University

of Miami in Ohio. The University of Miami has a department that specializ-

es in the Classic Studies. The material will be taught in culture class.

I encourage all the parents to assist the PTO throughout the year both finan-

cially and with their time.

We are looking forward to another successful year.

Christina Georghiou

St. John’s Sunday Catechism School

Welcome back to Sunday School. Our first day of class is September 23rd.

Classes begin at 9:45 am. This is a change from last year, please have your

children in their classrooms by 9:45 am. You must escort them to their

classrooms, please do not drop them off! You must also remain on the

Church grounds! All children must be picked-up in their classroom follow-

ing services.

Upcoming events for Sunday School: October 26th - Godparent Sunday & cake sale

November - We will be collecting supermarket gift cards for Thanksgiving.

December 21st - Communion Breakfast & Christmas Program

December 28th - Winter recess, no classes.

January 4th - Classes resume.

February & March - Regular Classes

April 4th - Communion Breakfast & Paschal (Easter) Egg Hunt.

Sunday Catechism School (Cont’d)

April 5th - Palm Sunday - no classes.

April 12th - Pascha (Easter Sunday) - no classes.

May 24th - Memorial Day Weekend - no classes.

May 31st - Pentecost

June 7th - All Saints Day - Graduation &

Promotions

Leah Zenk, Nicholas Fandaros, Lauren Hadzigeorgiou

Philoptochos by Georgia Foundotos

Philoptochos Mission: “To aid the poor , the hungry, the aged, the sick….. anyone who may need the help of the Church

through fund raising efforts. To promote charity and philanthropy through instructional programs, presentations, educational

resources”; “To preserve and perpetuate Orthodox Christian concepts and the Orthodox Christian Family, and through them, to

promote the Greek Orthodox Faith and traditions, in accordance with its doctrines…divine worship, usages and customs”;

“To promote participation in the activities of the Greek Orthodox community, with the cooperation of the Parish Priest and the

Parish Council”. “The charitable work of the Society shall be performed with discretion, courtesy and kindness”.

Our goal this year will be to increase our membership and to embrace as many women in our community as possible. We, the

current members of St. John’s Philoptochos, invite you to join us in our efforts to meet the elements of our mission. We thank

all the community members who have supported our efforts in the past and will continue to do so as our ecclesiastical year is in

progress. Come, join us. We are a very diverse group of women ranging from the Greek speaking immigrant, the English

speaking American born, the bilingual, the professional, the homemaker, the young mother with a baby or young children, the

grandmother, etc. We all come from diverse and interesting backgrounds; we meet and have fun while we serve our church and

community, and want to make our surroundings a better place for our children and grandchildren.

We celebrated our St. John’s Name day on August 29th. During the Vesper Service on the 28th, we were blessed by the visit of

his Grace, Bishop Sevastianos of Zela. After the Vesper Services, his Grace and the visiting priests enjoyed a light supper with

the rest of our parishioners who enjoyed the refreshments that were prepared, donated, and served in our beautifully decorated

cultural center by many of our Philoptochos members. THANK YOU ALL ladies for supporting your Philoptochos.

This month we will begin to sponsor the fellowship hour after Sunday Church Service by serving coffee and refreshments. This

is a wonderful way for our parishioners to get together, meet new members, strengthen their friendships and make new ones.

Currently, we are planning a fun fundraising activity: A FASHION SHOW. Reserve the date: April 23, 2015, at the

Watermill in Smithtown, Fashions by Chico’s of Smithhaven. We’ll need the support of the entire community. If any

ladies want to get involved in this, please see me or any of our Board members on Sunday after Church. We can use your help.

Further information will be published as plans are under way.

During the year we’ll continue our regular activities: Bake sales, Luncheons, Loukoumades, Holiday Icon Decorations, Christ-

mas and Easter Sunday School gifts, etc. We also have the opportunity to meet District and National Philoptochos members by

participating in their activities. On November 22 the Archdiocesan District Philoptochos invites all to the AGAPE Luncheon to

benefit The Expansion Fund of St. Michael’s Home at the Long Island Marriott in Uniondale. Guest speaker will be

Yvette Manessis Corporon, an Emmy Award winning Writer and Producer, Internationally published author of the book,

“When the Cypress Whispers”. For more information, please see me.

Thank you and God Bless you all. Looking forward to seeing you at our meetings.


October 2014—January 2015 St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church – Blue Point

--"I left for home as though flying on wings. As soon as

my mother saw me, she asked me why I was late, and I

told her that "I was at the fool's house, to tell him not to

leave any more chocolates on the doorstep, because I will

get fat. Ma, give me 30 drachmas to give to mister Apos-

toly the baker, because I bought something but didn't have

enough money on me to pay for it."

She gave me the money, and I went running to the bakery

and handed it to mister Apostoly. He was surprised when

I told him that I had taken a chocolate bar along with the

bread, but had forgotten to pay for it.

--"Well, I was indeed surprised, because I knew you to be

a mischievous brat, dear Dimitri. But, as soon as you

made that move, I told myself I shouldn't condemn any-

one, because you never know what kind of heart is inside

each person. From that moment on, I became very fond of

you", the baker explained.

The fool's last letter...

He then pulled young Dimitri towards him and gave him a

kiss, while patting him on the head. His mother Polyxeni

and her husband Panagiotis who were witnessing the sce-

ne were obviously emotionally charged. Mrs Polyxeni

then decided to say her part.

--"To us, Crazy John was the support of our family. He

was the one who contributed towards us making the about

-face towards Christ. Our life changed, and he made us

partakers of the miracle of salvation. He brought blessings

into our home...

To me, Panagiotis and my children, he was a friend and a

brother. As his brothers therefore, we decided earlier on to

suggest to you all that we get together next Saturday at

our parish to perform the 3rd day memorial service and

then you all come to our place to eat with us, to honour

his memory."

Mrs Polyxeni's suggestion was welcomed by all of us.

Mister Anastasy in fact spoke up again, to add that it

would be good to continue the impromptu discussion that

had begun in the Memorial Service Hall of the Cemetery,

so he proposed to all the people who were present to write

down their own experiences with Crazy John during their

contacts with him.

Father Dimitri who happened to find himself among the

mourners, addressed Mrs Polyxeni and said:

--"I never got to meet the departed brother John - that fool

for Christ - however, I would like to ask you, if possible

and if you have no objections, if I could come to your

house and listen to this blessed expose of miraculous

events."

--"It would be a pleasure, Father; it would in fact be an

honour if you could come", Panagiotis replied.

So, everyone was looking eagerly forward to the follow-

ing Saturday. Mister Apostoly the baker had arranged for

the ceremonial Goliva offering and all the other necessi-

ties for the memorial service. He had even notified the

priests of the Sacred Temple that after the Divine Liturgy,

there would be a memorial Trisaghion for Crazy John.

More than anyone else, it was Mister Apostoly who was

looking forward to that day.

Besides, he had every reason to look forward to this gath-

ering, because on the day after Crazy John's departure, he

had received a registered letter. He was very surprised to

see that the sender was Crazy John himself, who had ar-

range to send the letter on the eve of his death.

The ever-curious grocer, Mister Pandelis, was begging

Anastasy in vain to tell him what the contents of the letter

were. He kept the contents a doubly-locked secret and

wouldn't divulge anything.

--"Ha! Anastasy, I know why don't want to tell me what

the letter says. The poor deceased fool has probably writ-

ten all sorts of silly things in there and you are too embar-

rassed to read them" he said slyly, in the hope of forcing

him to speak.

Who was the fool finally? Him, or us? --"Pandeli, I will tell you one thing: After I read the letter,

I asked myself who was crazy - him, or all of us? We'll

talk about the rest in due course, don't you worry", Mister

Anastasy said. But the news of the letter spread from

mouth to mouth, throughout the neighborhood. And as

was to be expected, it had stirred up everyone's curiosity.

Thus, on Saturday morning the sacred temple of the par-

ish filled up with such a large congregation that the priest

was puzzled. "This is the first time that I've seen so many

people at a memorial service" he whispered to the sacris-

tan. But he replied:

--"The fool - Crazy John - mustered them father"

--"But I can see strangers in the crowd also. They must

have been his relatives" he muttered to himself, as he

walked towards the Holy Altar.

Father Vassily had been serving at that parish for 28 years

and he knew most of the parishioners very well. Young

Dimitri who was assisting in the Holy Sanctum together

with his brother Paul, said to father Vassily that Mister

Anastasy was asking for his permission (albeit permissi-

ble) to say a few words after the Trisaghion.

--"Gladly, gladly, my little Dimitri. Let Mister Anastasy

speak" he said and nodded affirmatively, looking towards

the podium where mister Anastasy was standing. As he

himself admitted later to Mister Anastasy, he too was cu-

rious to learn the reason that the Church filled up as

though it were a Sunday.

CRAZY JOHN CONTINUED — PART 5


Saved by the Bell?

In 18th England they started running out of places to bury

people. Consequently, people would dig up coffins and take

the bones to a 'bone-house' and reuse the grave. When reo-

pening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have

scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been

burying people alive. So they clergy decreed that they

should tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through

the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell.

Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night

(the 'graveyard shift') to listen for the bell.

Thus, someone could be 'saved by the bell'. Also they could

be considered a 'dead ringer.'

The Atheist and the Bear

An atheist was taking a walk through the woods. 'What majes-

tic trees! What powerful rivers! What beautiful animals!', he

said to himself.

As he continued walking alongside the river he heard a rustling

in the bushes. Turning to look, he saw a 7 foot grizzly charging

towards him.

He ran as fast as he could up the path. Looking over his shoul-

der he saw that the bear was closing in on him. His heart was

pumping frantically and he tried to run even faster.

He tripped and fell on the ground. He rolled over to pick him-

self up but saw the bear raising his paw to take a swipe at him.

At that instant the atheist cried out: 'Oh my God!...'

Time stopped. The bear froze. The forest was silent.

It was then that a bright light shone upon the man and a voice

came out of the sky saying: 'You deny my existence for all of

these years, teach others I don't exist and even credit creation

to a cosmic accident. Do you expect me to help you out of this

predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?'

The atheist looked directly into the light. 'It would be hypocrit-

ical of me to suddenly ask you to treat me as a Christian now,

but perhaps, could you make the BEAR a Christian?'

'Very well, 'said the voice. The light went out, and the And

then the bear lowered his paw, bowed his head and spoke:

'Lord, bless this food which I am about to receive and for

which I am truly thankful, Amen.'

THEOLOGY AS EXPLAINED BY CHILDREN

The first book of the Bible is Guinessis, in which Adam &

Eve were created from an apple tree.

Noah's wife was called Joan of Ark.

Lot's wife was a pillar of salt by day and a ball of fire by

night.

Samson slayed the Philistines with the axe of the Apostles.

Unleavened bread is bread made without ingredients.

Moses went to the top of Mt. Cyanide to get the 10 command-

ments.

The 7th commandment is 'Thou shalt not admit adultery.'

Joshua let the Hebrew in the battle of Geritol.

David fought the Finkelsteins, a race of people who lived in

Biblical times.

Solomon has 300 wives and 700 porcupines.

Jesus was born because Mary had an immaculate contraption.

The people who followed Jesus were called the 13 decibels.

The Epistles were the wives of the Apostles.

One of the opossums was St. Matthew.

Paul preached holy acrimony, which is another name for

marriage.

A Godly person should have only one wife. This is called

monotony.

BIBLE TRIVIA

Q. What kind of man was Boaz before he married?

A. Ruthless.

Q. What do they call pastors in Germany?

A. German Shepherds.

Q. Who was the greatest financier in the Bible?

A. Noah. He was floating his stock while everyone

else was in liquidation.

Q. Who was the greatest female financier in the Bible?

A. Pharaoh's daughter. She went down to the bank of

the Nile and drew out a little prophet.

Q. What kind of motor vehicles are in the Bible?

A. Jehovah drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden in

a Fury. David's Triumph was heard throughout the

land. Also, probably a Honda, because the apostles

were all in one Accord.

Q. Who was the greatest comedian in the Bible?

A. Samson. He brought the house down.

Q. What excuse did Adam give to his children as to

why he no longer lived in Eden?

A. Your mother ate us out of house and home.

Q. Which servant of God was the most flagrant law

Breaker in the Bible?

A. Moses. He broke all 10 commandments at once.

Q. Which area of Palestine was especially wealthy?

A. The area around Jordan. The banks were always

over flowing.

Q. Who is the greatest baby sitter mentioned in the

Bible?

A. David. He rocked Goliath to a very deep sleep.

Q. Which Bible character had no parents?

A. Joshua, son of Nun.

A CORRECT ASSUMPTION A man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a

busy boulevard. Suddenly, the light turned yellow, just in front of

him. He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even

though he could have beaten The red light by accelerating

through the intersection.

The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn,

screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to get

through the intersection, dropping her cell phone and makeup.

As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window

and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The

officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He took her to

the police station where she was searched, finger printed, photo-

graphed, and placed in a hold ing cell. After a couple of hours, a

policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was es-

corted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was

waiting with her personal effects.

He said, "I'm very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up be-

hind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the

guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the

'What Would Jesus Do' bumper sticker, the 'Choose Life' license

plate holder, the 'Follow Me to Sunday-School' bumper sticker, and

the chrome-plated Chris tian fish emblem on the trunk, Naturally...

I assumed you had stolen the car."

CHURCH BULLETIN BLOOPERS (The following have been taken from actual church bulletins — enjoy!)

The Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items

to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.

Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8 pm

in the recreation hall. Come out and watch us kill Christ the

King.

The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been can-

celed due to a conflict.

Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community.

Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say "Hell" to someone

who doesn't care much about you.

Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need

all the help they can get.

At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be

"What Is Hell?" Come early and listen to our choir practice.

CHURCH BULLETIN BLOOPERS CONT’D

This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from

the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.

Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church.

Please use large double door at the side entrance.

The Fasting and Prayer Conference includes meals.

The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.' The sermon to-

night: 'Searching for Jesus.'

Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those

things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.

Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.

Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again,' giving obvious

pleasure to the congregation.

Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several

new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.

The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and

gracious hostility. Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medica-

tion to follow.

Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use

the back door.

The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church

basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this trage-

dy.

Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church..

Please use large double door at the side entrance.


GREEK FESTIVAL 2014


‘i am the voice of one crying in the wilderness’ – st....

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