May 2018 · piece, and I quote fully: “We must take seriously the preservation of our church. Orthodoxy has faced wars, intolerance, genocide, ... “The kingdom of heaven is within

May 2018

Dear St. Nicholas Parishioners:

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I would like to respond to a misinterpretation of a word that I used in my recent Compass article last month. First of all, thank you for reading the article and giving me feedback. I understand that this is a

change from the past. I use the Compass to communicate with the parish larger issues of purpose, mission and vision. My goal is not to disseminate information on upcoming events, festivals or dances. We have

the parish calendar to do that. Most importantly, the view and content of the article are mine and not the

parish council’s or Father Nick’s or Alex’. It is your council president speaking to you from the heart and mind.

Back to the misunderstanding. Apparently there was confusion as to a single word at the very end of the piece, and I quote fully: “We must take seriously the preservation of our church. Orthodoxy has faced wars,

intolerance, genocide, and most recently the silent assimilation of the “West”.

A few parishioners were offended and thought that by the “West” I meant the United States of America,

and by extension, that America is at war with Orthodoxy. Far from it! This is my home and my birthplace. Let me explain what I meant. I intentionally put the word West in quotes and capitalized it.

By doing this I am referencing the symbolism of the word rather than its literal translation. The literal West refers to not only America, but also, Europe, Israel, Australia, and New Zealand-the entire modern and western world.

Let me explain the “East” vs. “West” symbolic tension. Since the discovery of the Americas by Christopher Columbus, the West has been associated with modernity, scientific advancement and

progress. On the other hand, the “East” refers to the cradle of civilization, our ancestral birth, and the “old” world. Often we speak of the “East” as holding ancient values, cultures, and wisdom.

This geographic or temporal symbolic tension can also take on psychological and spatial overtones. We can look at this as an inner vs. outward or upward vs. downward tension. According to Dr. Carl Jung: "In the East, the inner man has always had such a firm hold on the outer man that the world had no chance of tearing him away from his inner roots; in the West, the outer man gained the ascendency to such an extent that he was alienated from his innermost being.”

So we now have a deeper, dimensional and nuanced symbolism of East vs. West referencing inner/outer,

upward/downward, science/wisdom, new/old and, by extension faith/no-faith, secular/non-secular. It is exactly this metaphorical tension that I am referring to when I speak of “Western” assimilation. And,

like any dichotomy, the ideal goal is to achieve a balance or homeostasis so you are not pulled too much in either direction.

Brothers and Sisters, we live, work, and play in the modern West, but our struggles are with the symbolic “West”. For example, in my profession of Radiology, I use modern science and western medicine to

help diagnose and treat disease. Science and mankind are destined to continuously move “westward” and that they should! To ignore, thwart, or stop science and advancement is a fool’s errand. It would be ignorant and not God-like to stop progress and advancement.

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Our faith, our Icons, and our rituals as Orthodox Christians are not westward and outward facing but, rather, eastward and inner. That does not mean we cannot have both. We live in a modern, western

world whilst at the same time clinging to our eastern past with all its history, values, and mysticism. Moreover, we must constantly reflect inwardly and “eastwardly” and commune with our inner self. As our Bible tells us: “The kingdom of heaven is within you”. Our ancient and delicate faith is static,

incorruptible and not open to major changes. We follow a true apostolic and catholic faith. To ignore the “East”, to ignore our past, would no doubt be a reason to assimilate. The word West is a Germanic word from Indo-European roots, wes-pero, or “evening, night”. This comes from the old Greek hesperos, Latin vespers and refers to the evening setting of the sun.

“Washington is not a place to live in. The rents are high, the food is bad, the dust is disgusting and the morals are deplorable. Go West, young man, go West and grow up with the country.”

— Horace Greeley July 13, 1865 editorial in the New York Tribune

Yours in Christ,

Dr. Michael J. Kasotakis Parish Council President

Hello and sfrom the GOYA! Big news! We will hold our annual GOYA elections at

our meeting on May 20th. If you are interested in being an officer, make sure to attend the meeting and run for the position you want!

The Greek Festival is right around the corner! Be ready to see the best Greek dancing that you’ve ever seen! We will also be helping with the workload this year. Every GOYAn is expected to work at least

a three hour shift throughout the weekend.

We are continuing our fundraisers about once a month outside the social hall. We will be selling the famous Greek bread along with Mrs. Tammy Chalogianis’ magnificent dip!

Even though this year is coming to a close, we still have a lot to do. Thank you for your support.

Sam Radwanski St. Nicholas AA GOYA Media Director

GOYA

Directors: Katherine A. Phan and Photios G. Ioannou

Website: http://churchschool.stnickaa.org

Χριστός Ανέστη! Christ Has Risen!

CHURCH SCHOOL EVENTS SPRING 2018

April 22, 2018: Take Home Exams distributed to students

May 20, 2018: Take Home Exams due from students

May27, 2018: Memorial Day Weekend Regular Church School Classes

June 17, 2018: Church School Graduation

Our parish level St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival took place on March 4, 2018. Jonah

Radwanski was our Junior Division Finalist and Sam Radwanski was our Senior Division Finalist. Congratulations to Jonah and Sam for an outstanding job in preparing and preparing their speeches.

Jonah and Sam will present their speeches at the upcoming District Level St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival.

On Saturday of Lazarus, as is our custom, our Church School students attended the Divine Liturgy and received Holy Communion. Following the Divine Liturgy, the Church School students were served a hot strict fast brunch in our Social Hall. We would like to recognize and thank Chris Bekiares, David

Mitropoulos-Rundus and Tom Roumanis for preparing the fasting meal.

Following the luncheon, the Church School students participated in our annual Church School Holy

Week Retreat. The theme of this year’s retreat was “Sacrifice”. We extend a special thank you to Dani Nadra, Ioana Nadra and Tony Mihalopoulos for organizing the Holy Week Retreat and the teachers who assisted them. We also extend a special thank you to Fr. Nick and Fr. Alex for their spiritual

guidance and assistance with the teaching.

During Great Lent, the Church School students participated in the coin box collection for the O.C.M.C.

(Orthodox Christian Mission Center). Each student received a box in which to collect coins and they turned in the coin boxes the week following Easter. The funds raised by our Church School students will

assist the O.C.M.C. in its philanthropic mission throughout the world. Thank you to all the students who participated in this important philanthropic project.

The Church School take home exams are available on the Church School website:

http://churchschool.stnickaa.org/academics/exams. Exams are due back on or before Sunday, May

20, 2018. A white box labeled “Church School Exams” is located on the table outside the Church office for students to place their exams. The exams will be graded and commented on by Fr. Nick and returned

to the students.

Church School Graduation will take place, in church, following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, June

17, 2018.

Reminder: The Church School has several families who have registered their children in previous years but have not done so for the 2017-2018 Church School year. If you have not registered your

child/children please do so. Parents can contact the Church School office for verification of their Child’s

registration status. For students to receive a Promotion or Graduation certificate they must be

registered and have attended a minimum of six (6) Church School classes exclusive of attending

services to make up missed Church School classes.

Church School

We look forward to seeing your children at our next meeting: Sunday, May 20th, 12:30 – 2 p.m.

Last meeting, the children learned about the prophet Jonah. Father Vasili took the children into the church to view the icon of the prophet Jonah seen in the upper west part of the church. In the icon is depicted Jonah, initially being thrown off a boat, then being swallowed by a sea creature, and finally

sitting underneath a shade tree outside of the great city of Nineveh.

Father explained to the children that Jonah was a prophet, a person who was sent to proclaim a message from God. Jonah was told to preach to the Ninevites who worshiped false gods. Jonah did not initially follow God’s command. He got on a ship going the opposite direction of Nineveh. That night a huge

storm came and was going to sink the ship. Jonah realized that his disobedience was the cause of the storm, so his shipmates tossed him out into the sea; the storm ceased. A huge sea creature swallowed

Jonah up. Jonah prayed for 3 days in the belly of the fish. The fish vomited (the children loved that one) Jonah out on dry land right outside Nineveh. Father Vasili called it a whale UBER. The children

learned that Jonah’s 3 days in the whale and his expulsion onto dry land prefigures Christ’s 3 days in the tomb and His resurrection. Jonah finally preached in Nineveh where all the people repented and turned toward the true God. Afterwards the children made a beautiful suncatcher portraying Jonah in

the belly of the whale.

Next meeting, we will be having our joint picnic meeting with JOY. We will be learning about the prophet Daniel. Remember, increasing exposure to the Church early in your child’s life is an important

step in the building and strengthening of their Orthodox Faith.

For more information contact: Sophia Grias-Radwanski [email protected] Margarita Bekiares [email protected] or Jeannie Price [email protected]

HOPE

Please place your order for Easter Bread by April 6.

The price is $10 per one pound loaf and it is plain, without the red egg.

The order forms are in the hallway near the church office.

Pickup date is April 13.

For questions, please call Perry at (734) 995-4766. Thank you!

JOY

JOY met on Sunday, April 22 after being postponed

for a week due to the weather and power outage. Fr. Vasilios brought the children into the church to show

them the icon of Jonah. He discussed the similarities between the life of Jesus and that of Jonah. For example, Jesus was in the tomb for three days before

being resurrected.

Similarly, Jonah was in the whale’s mouth for three

days. Jonah was sent by God to Nineveh to ask the Ninevites for repentance where he spent 40 days. Of

course, this is paralleled many times in the life of Jesus when he preaches to those who are disobeying

God. The story of Jonah is even mentioned during the vesperal divine Liturgy on Holy Saturday.

A delicious lunch was provided by Alexia Andoni. Our next meeting will be on Sunday, May 20th where

we will discuss Daniel.

If you have any questions, please contact: Shaza Asad Bitar ([email protected]) or Pres. Sandra Kotsis ([email protected])

Your commitment to the Stewardship Program is critical to our continued operation and ministries.

We appreciate your care and concern.

You can find the 2018 Stewardship card at: http://www.stnickaa.org/donate/stewardship/stewardship-2018

and pay online at: http://www.stnickaa.org/donate/online-pledge

2018 Target 2018 Actual 2017 Actual 2016 Actual

Pledged Amount $ 504,408 $ 322,721 $ 382,181 $ 321,123

Number of pledges 330 231 312 304

Average pledge amount $ 1,529 $ 1,397 $ 1,225 $ 1,056

Median $ 1,000 $ 900 $ 750

Mode (pledge amt given the most) $ 1,000 $ 1,000 $ 1,000

Total Paid $ 154,551 $ 373,636 $ 312,793

Number of pledges (full payment) $ 91 $ 285 $ 285

Number of pledges (partial payment) $ 143 $ 27 $ 19

Pledge Balance due $ 168,170 $ 8,545 $ 8,330

2018 Stewardship Report

April 8, 2018

St. Nicholas Church: Stewardship

Greetings to All!

The Stewardship Committee is committed to communicate to all of our members, stewards, and

parishioners in an open forum, and to ensure we evolve our ways of effective communication. In order to server our parish best, we need to hear from you as to how to best encourage pledges, time and talent

investments, and to simply fill out Stewardship and membership cards! Our church uses membership cards as proper reference for your most current address and contact information. Stewardship cards help our church plan our budget. We also cherish Time and Talent cards so that we can use your valuable time

and talent, a much needed resource!

Currently our church has 208 member families committed to our church. We know that our parish has more families than that, and we are hoping for 350 member families to fill out their cards this year. It is

important for you to fill out these cards, even if you feel they are redundant. We are striving to have a correct database of our member families, and we cannot do that with incomplete information.

For your reference, below is a graph outlining our current membership and pledge information. This graph shows the concern area gaps in member and pledge expectations.

The Stewardship committee invites you to join us the first Wednesday of each month, at 7:00 PM, to participate and share in the continued growth and passion of our St. Nicholas community.

Erica Foster on behalf of the St. Nicholas Stewardship Committee

My dear readers of this column, I wish you all a BLESSED XRISTOS ANESTI!

Holy Saturday night, the Resurrection Service: the lights went out. Some toddlers and young children gasped, and then with excitement, they looked to

the altar and saw a candle being lit. Then the priest’s moved forward towards the parishioners, to the sound and the beauty of the Resurrection Hymn, passing the light to the acolytes who brought it to us all.

What an experience it must be for them to see the Church engulfed in the light

of hundreds of candles. They may not understand the symbolism of the candle light, in that it is the light

shown forth by our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet, it is an event that will stay with them all their lives. What a beautiful Faith we have and its ability to excite all of our senses; from sight, sound, feel, and smell to lead us on our pathway to worship

and communion with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Many activities have taken place this past month and I wish to start first with the

news as posted by Nick Chapekis, Jr. on Facebook about his daughter Athena. “Congratulations to our daughter Athena, who has accepted an offer from Stanford University to participate in their School of Humanities and Sciences summer

research program. She will subsequently work at a research conference in Connecticut. Signed, Proud Parents.” I may also add that her maternal

grandparents Nicholas & Anna Chapekis are looking down from Heaven with great joy.

A few days before the celebration of our Holy Week I asked a smilingly

Georgia Porikos, the mother of University of Michigan Hockey player Nicholas Porikos, if she was coming to church this week. I knew that Niko

was to be in the Frozen Four National Hockey Tournament in Minneapolis, MN, but anxiously awaited her answer. She had no response in words, but did have an explicit meaning in the smile on her face. If the smile could

speak it would say Minneapolis! The U of M loss did hurt, but it brought out

the magnificent great character of the young men on that team. Niko, a

former Acolyte of St. Nicholas, is the son of proud parents and parishioners Perry and Georgia Porikos.

I welcome input to this column and my link of [email protected] is open to any news contribution you may wish to share.

Yours in Christ

Nicholas S. Stamos

Milestones by Nicholas S. Stamos

2018 Registry

Births 2-22-18 Miranda, daughter of Rob Ashley and Andrea Rendziperis 2-27-18 Brendan, son of J.P. and Nicole (Raphael) Courtney

3-21-18 Argo Maximus, son of Yanni and Penelope Paulus

Baptisms 2-4-18 Ron Evangelos Betzig: Koumbaroi: David and Demetra Mitropoulos-Rundus 3-18-18 Joy (Baoxin Zhang): Koumbara: Eleni Panagoulia

4-15-18 James Ostrander: Koumbaros: Athanasios Teknos

Fallen Asleep in the Lord 2-25-18 Patricia Vangelatos: (Funeral: 3-1-18: Bethlehem Cemetery)

3-2-18 Tom (Athanasios) Letsos: (Funeral: 3-8-18: Elmhurst, Illinois) 3-5-18 George Voulelis: (Funeral: 3-8-18: Bethlehem Cemetery)

(If there are any mistakes or omissions, we apologize. Please contact the office so that we may correct it. Thank you.)

PASCHA 2018

Thank you to the following who contributed so generously to St. Nicholas for Pascha and/or to the

Epitaphion: o Artemis Alex

o Pete and Pat Apostolou

o James Baldwin

o John Ballios

o Olga Bekiares

o Penelope Bekiares

o George and Carol-Anne Bokas

o Nickolas and Margaret Booras

o Helen Botchen

o Michael and Natalie Challis

o Theo and Tammy Chalogianis

o Michael and Melisa Chrissos-Oca

o John and Juanita Clufetos

o George and Ellene Contis

o Faye Cotitsas

o James Curtis

o John Curtis

o Marion Curtis

o Tony and Anna Cleve Daniels

o Helen Evangelides

o Angela Evangelinos

o Gus and Mary Fernimos

o Jack Fry

o Medina Fugate

o Helen Garris

o Jacalen Garris

o Steven and Stamatia Garris

o Diane & Michael Geczi

o Lucia Greenawalt

o Nellie Guibert

o Jarnis Gutierrez

o Donnelly and Helen Hadden

o Michael J and Demaris Kasotakis

o Christos and Panorea Katsikas

o Vicki Kiningham

o Christos and Gehan (Gigi)

Kitromelides

o Costas and Sylvia Kleanthous

o Helen Kokinakes

o John and Helen Kolias

o Father Nick & Presvytera Sandra Kotsis

o Harry & Katherine Kotsis

o George and Lula Koutoulas

o Nakos and Pat Kovanis

o Peter and Zorene Kussurelis

o Nicholas and Betty Lardas

o Betty Manolakis

o John Marakis

o Maria Marcu

o Andrea McRae

o Stevan and Joy Melzian

o Peter and Pat Metsovas

o Oleg and Emilie Michajlenko

o Eleni Michos

o George and Jenifer Michos

o Theodore & Kathy Mitchell

o Elizabeth Mitropoulos

o Gina and Joshua Ney

o George & Anriikka Nickolaou

o Vious and Susan Pagalos

o Lillian Pantos

o George and Maria Papadoulis

o John G.and Persephone Pappas

o Christopher and Jennifer Patselas

o Evanthia Patzias

o Presvytera Eva Paul

o John Peppes

o George and Dena Petropoulos

o Demetrios Politis

o Perry and Georgia Porikos

o David and Mary Price

o Joan M. Raphael

o Peter Roopas

o John P. and Katerina Roumanis

o Tom and Sophia Roumanis

o Nicholas Roumel and Gail Altenburg

o Pauline Skinner

o Nicholas S. and Helen Stamos

o Gordon and Thelma Steers

o Craig and Hongyun Theros

o George and Martha Theros

o Paula Tselios

o Dimitris and Pauline Tzavaras

o Tom and Doreen Tziahanas

o Tommy and Maria Vaughan

o John and Cheryl Venious

o Becky Vlisides

o William Vlisides

o Zakhour and Androulla Youssef

o Bill and Connie Ziegler

We apologize if we have omitted any names and ask if you can please call the office. Thank you.

May 2018 Calendar

and Vicki Kiningham family

Parish Ministries

PARISH COUNCIL

President Dr. Michael Kasotakis Vice-President Christina Vlahopoulos Secretary Brendan Huag Controller Elizabeth Mitropoulos Treasurer Christos Philippou Asst. Treasurer Christos Kitromelides Corresponding Secretary Eva Mikhail Members: Robert J. Ashley Jr., Christopher A. Bekiares, Tony Daniels, Chris Kerry, Lambrini Lagos, David Price, Nick Roopas, Nicholas Stamos PSALTES: Zannis Res (Protopsaltis) ALTAR BOYS: Dani Nadra MUSIC MINISTRY: Dr. Jon Wardner, Teresa Stokes PHILOPTOCHOS: Vangie Kolokithas ST. NICHOLAS SENIORS: Lambrini Lagos CHURCH SCHOOL: Katherine Phan, Dr. Photios Ioannou GOYA: Alex Chalogianis OUTREACH & EVANGELISM: Robert J. Ashley Jr.

JOY: Pres. Sandra Kotsis

HOPE: Dr. Sophia Grias-Radwanski, Margarita Bekiares GREEK SCHOOL: Ioanna Ioannou, Principal/Teacher AHEPA: Costas Boutsikakis DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE: Christina Vlahopoulos OCF (UM Campus Ministry): Mark Sultani YOUTH ENRICHMENT COMMITTEE: Sam Roumanis, Dr. Anthony Kales BOOKSTORE: Aggeliki Evangelinos, Dr. Artemis Leontis, Joy Melzian, Dr. Sophia Roumanis, Gail Sinwell, Katerina Karagiannis COMPASS EDITOR: Panagiota Stamoulis COMPASS COMMUNICATION: [email protected] CHURCH SECRETARY: Demetra Mitropoulos-Rundus Email: [email protected] PARISH PRIEST FR. NICOLAOS KOTSIS Email: [email protected] For emergencies: (734) 604-3214 If you would like to contribute to the content of The Compass please forward all communication to our email

at: [email protected] by the 17th of each month. St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church reserves the right to edit, change or omit content as deemed appropriate.

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