T N S . N HE EWS FROM T EKTARIOS Volume 20, Issue 2 February 21 , 2016 The Abolition of Man Fr. John Wallace I n 1944, Christian apologist and writer C.S. are three who need to be awakened from the more than we can create "a new primary Lewis wrote “The Abolition of Man” in slumber of cold vulgarity." (p. 13) Taken far colour." (p. 44) Authority to modify the Tao response to a textbook he had been given to enough, Lewis foresees men without hearts, or comes only from within the Tao itself by those review. He proceeded to identify the underlying chests as he puts it; men who have devolved who accept and value it. Those outside of it have premises of the book and elaborate on where into either mere intellect or mere animal appetite no understanding. We either accept values like they could take us as a society. He felt that the and in either event, without a heart to collect love and honesty as good in and of authors were probably unaware of the potential and guide them outside of themselves to higher themselves without justification or we do not. consequences of the techniques they used, things. "We make men without chests and Chapter two concludes with a forecasted perhaps being somewhat naïve and idealistic. expect of them virtue and enterprise. We laugh response on the part of the Innovator who might Nevertheless, he was strongly critical of their at honour and are shocked to find traitors in our well be willing to try life without the Tao wishing mindset that viewed ideals like patriotism, faith, midst. We castrate and bid the geldings be to be totally free to do as he wishes. "Having and love as nothing more than sappy fruitful." (p. 26) mastered our environment, let us now master emotionalism. He warned that without a heart to ourselves and choose our own destiny." (p. 51) perceive higher ideals, we would lose our . . . “We laugh at honour direction and become less than human beings; and are shocked to find In chapter three, Lewis concludes that mastery hence the title of his work, “The Abolition of of the environment really means the mastery of Man.” I strongly recommend the book. It is traitors in our midst” . . . some men over others using nature as their short, but dense. What follows is my humble instrument. (p. 55) He notes that each new attempt to summarize it. power or technology that man develops to Lewis opens chapter two by stating that the control the environment is also a power to In chapter one, Gaius and Titius imply that "all society which rejects objective truth disconnects control men. The final stage will involve the use values are subjective and trivial" (p. 5) deeming itself from reality and awaits inevitable of "prenatal conditioning" (p. 59) to exercise full them to be sentimental and irrational. Emotion, destruction. Not that this is the goal of Gaius control; to remake mankind in the image of man, for them, was to be inoculated against with cool and Titius, but it may well be the result. They if you will, instead of the image of God. However, rationality (especially in light of the heightened claim to offer freedom from tradition and religion instead of maximizing their potential, those who emotions of 1944). Lewis disagreed and argued in order to find "real" values. He then goes into, step outside the Tao forfeit their humanity and that "for every one pupil who needs to be what seemed to me, a fairly complicated become not men at all. Refusing to be children guarded from a weak excess of sensibility there philosophical discourse about whether or not of God, they will become as brute beasts subject another basis for the Tao (or Truth) could be only to their passing desires. Thinking this the IN THIS ISSUE found in the intellect or instinct. Ultimately he way to fulfillment, they will nevertheless feel the asserts that the basis for objective truth or void and envy those who accept the Tao "as values cannot be found in either one. "The truth Thank you from the Heracklis family 2 eunuchs envy men." (p. 66) Ironically, "Man's finally becomes apparent that neither in any conquest of Nature turns out, in the moment of Focus on our Community 2 operation with factual propositions nor in any its consummation, to be Nature's conquest of appeal to instinct can the Innovator find the Saints of our Faith 2 Man." (p. 68) basis for a system of values." (p. 39) Making Lent Great 3 The Truth or Tao of reality, how are we to Accordingly, those who wish to deny the Tao respond to it? The ancients decided Some Enchanted Evenings 3 are forced to pick and choose from among its mankind had to conform to reality. The moderns Goyans Gone Gray Fundraiser 4-5 own elements those which are thought to are attempting to conform reality to mankind. be most suitable for their innovative The former saw solutions in knowledge, self- Young at Heart 6 purposes. Divorced from the context of the Tao, discipline, and virtue. For the latter, solutions are Financial Matters 7 however, the elements become arbitrary and to be found in techniques and technologies ineffective. "What purport to be new systems or divorced from ethical concerns. Which will we Greek School Sunday 7 as they now call them 'ideologies', all consist of choose? Philoptochos 8 fragments from the Tao itself, arbitrarily wrenched from their context in the whole and All in all, I find the book one of striking Scout Sunday 9 then swollen to madness in their isolation, yet perception and warning. That so much of what Youth Basketball News 9 still owing to the Tao and to it alone such vitality he describes has come and is coming to pass as they possess." (p. 44) There is only one Tao only certifies what he has to say. Youth Ministries 10-11 which we may understand better and move Saints of our Faith 12 forward in, but which we cannot replace any Theophanes the Focus on our community Confessor Celebrations, Milestones, Comfort & Support March 12 In our prayers S aint Pat Baker Ethan Barnard Sylvia Belk Jodie Boyce Sandy Brewer Marie Callahan Nikki Chomakos Theophanes, Kathy Clewell Dee Cockinos Barbara Cook Bessie Demas Cleo Demopoulos Shannon Elliott Ted Gillis Bill Griggs Nancy Guthery Catherine Kalivas Nick Kefalas Helen Keramidas Dan Kiser who was born in Dean Kondilis Peter Mannering Catherine Manthos Casey Martinez Iris Medvid Calliope Milios 760, was the son Christina Nixon Kay Owens Barry Dale Price Jr. Irene Rodriguez Mary Roupas Teziah Stalling of illustrious James Tekin Mary Thayer Ernest Tsitouris Steve Tsitouris Marion Zablotsky parents. Assenting And the persecuted Christians in the Middle East and the non-Christian World to their demand, AND FOR THOSE IN SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY he married and became a Helene Carras Buddy Craft Jordan James Dunn Krassimire Ivanov member of the Emperor's Michael Mentavlos Zack Millsaps Matthew Millsaps Amanda Moril ceremonial bodyguard. Elias Nickolopoulos Anton Savin Danielle Zervakos Later, with the consent of Congratulations his wife, he forsook the world. Indeed, both of them To Alexandria and Derek Guy on the baptism of Leighton & Lainey’s sister, Landon embraced the monastic life, To Dr. Dimitrios Stefanidis, MD, PhD on receiving the 2016 Presidential Citations Award for his significant struggling in the monastic contributions to “simulation center research initiatives targeting quality and safety for surgeons and surgical houses they themselves teams” at the International meeting on Simulation in Healthcare in January had established. He died on Sympathy March 12, 815, on the island of Samothrace, To the Constantinides family on the passing of Presbytera Kathryn Constantinides whereto, because of his To the Neary family on the passing of Ritsa’s nouna and second mother, Athena Anagnoustou in Greece To the Khuri family on the passing of Emile’s mother, Frizeh Khuri in Jerusalem confession of the Orthodox To the Economides family on the passing of Patricia’s husband, Chris Economides Faith, he had been exiled In Appreciation by Leo the Armenian, the Iconoclast Emperor. Thanks to Diane Gilbert and Copycat for printing the Church Bulletin and Newsletter. http//www.goarch.org Please contact the church office with information we may share with the community "Copyright © Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, used by or to add someone to the prayer list. permission. All rights reserved." Also please contact the office when someone is in need of a clergy visit. Image: Copyrighted free use, https:// commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php? curid=3484312 To our St. Nektarios Church Family and Philoptochos, Thank you so much for your donation and support of the Tim Tebow Foundation’s Night to Shine prom at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Gastonia. The prom was held on Friday, February 12, 2016 for people with disabilities. This was a worldwide movement in which over 200 churches participated. The prom in Gastonia had over 100 guests and over 200 volunteers. We are thankful for the many prom dresses that we received from our St. Nektarios parish family. We also truly appreciate our volunteers from the community and the generous donation from Philoptochos. With much love and gratefulness, Omer, Tina, Tommy, and Marlena Heracklis 2 Making Lent Great for your family G reat Lent is like . . . this incredible strengthened . . . [D]ecide as a Lenten Worship: in front of the icon of Christ. This banquet feast for our souls to learn, family what your church Not Just for Dummies is the same prostration the Priest indulge, and devour. We have a tremendous service schedule will be . . . Fr. Seraphim will offer a 2-part does at the beginning of services. spread of services, traditions, rituals, prayers, Planning in advance that you presentation on Tues. Mar. 1 Nothing shifts a family prayer hymns, and guidelines for preparing for will go to [Monday Compline], and Wed. Mar.9 at 7 p.m. on time like doing prostrations Christ's resurrection. How can we make Lent Wednesday night Pre- our Lenten Worship Services together. Christ is present as we great for our kids and our families? Well, it is Sanctified service, or Friday gather, and through the icons. as simple, and as challenging, as learning to night Salutations service, . . . is Bowing down to Him makes it real and indulge ourselves in the Lenten buffet that a commitment towards heavenly rewards of requires a step in faith. Paradoxically, it God offers to nourish our souls. peace and healing. Planning ahead what strengthens our faith, which is what we need services you will commit to is a way of setting as we try to turn our lives towards Him. Lent is a time that we are invited to change our family's Lenten journey within the life of our lifestyle in preparation for Easter. Like the parish; right where it belongs. So the Lenten buffet is laid out before us to anything else in life, the more we understand nourish our souls and prepare us to receive what is happening, the more we indulge in the MAKE A COMMITMENT TO FAMILY PRAYER Christ at Easter. We can partake of fasting, banquet, the more we will experience God's AT HOME DURING LENT. church services, and prayer in the home. I healing presence in our lives . . . I will Kids are more likely to feel at home at church have not mentioned many of the other 'dishes' highlight three of the dishes that families can if their home feels more like a church . . . Lent available like confession, forgiveness, partake in, as a way of connecting to the is a great time to build your family icon almsgiving, reading the scriptures, banquet ourselves and teaching our children corner, or come together before your icon pilgrimages, reading the lives of the to partake. Notice the first connection though. corner in prayer. Lent is a time to consider Saints, or memorizing scripture or prayers. The most effective way to teach our children coming together as a family before the icons The banquet is set for us to partake as much the joy of the liturgical life of the Church is to instead of before the television . . . Consider as we desire. embrace it in our own lives. specifically incorporating the Lenten Prayer of Saint Ephraim as a family. [Daily] . . . when The goal or purpose of Lent is not to fast or MAKE A COMMITMENT ON HOW YOU WILL everyone is together, gather at the family icon pray. The goal of Lent is to experience God FAST DURING LENT. corner and say the prayer all together. directly. Helping our kids 'get more out of As Orthodox we fast from food to be able to O Lord and Master of my life, give me Church' means helping them experience God fast from sin. And it is our sin that keeps us not the spirit of sloth, directly. Lent is a time for families to reorient from experiencing God fully. This connection faintheartedness, lust for power, or idle ourselves towards God, but it takes a between how we eat and how we sin is what talk. (prostration) commitment to open our families to the life in the Fathers of the Church are clear on. This But grant me, your servant, the spirit of Christ and open our homes to God's saving connection is also something that is lost in moderation, humility, patience, and Grace. The feast is there for us to partake. . . contemporary society . . . Essentially the love. (prostration) [and] God promises those who partake, that more we indulge ourselves in whatever we Yes, O Lord and King, grant me to see "Blessed our those who hunger and thirst want, the more we become enslaved to our my own faults and not to judge my after righteousness, for they shall be filled." desires . . . Fasting is not magic, but . . . brothers and sisters. For you are through fasting we see God transforming our blessed to the ages of ages. Amen Philip Mamalakis, PhD worldly desires towards His Kingdom. (prostration) Excerpts from GOARCH.COM http://www.goarch.org/ Opening up . . . to fasting opens up our hearts After each verse, do a full prostration, or bow, ourfaith/making-lent-great/ to be filled with the Grace of God and be truly free. Some Enchanted Evenings… Fasting rules for families are a personal thing. To My St. Nektarios Family… Each family will do it differently. In consultation with your Priest, or Spiritual Please allow me to share my thoughts and feelings about our Father, consider following the fasting weekday Lenten services. guidelines of the Church. Consider what you did last year, and take a step further this Let me first say that although I was brought up as Greek Orthodox, year . . . Fasting is not just about food, but until coming to St. Nektarios I had not always attended church during Lent. When my family did also about healing our souls. It is a challenge attend church, the services were in Greek . . . I didn’t understand anything. for us today, but like any sacrifices we make Perhaps it’s the acoustics, or the setting sunlight, which catches the smoke from the incense, in faith, God's blessings that come from it are drawing your eyes to the dome, or the deeply moving melodies of the hymns . . . but listening to uncountable. our choir sing and chant and read is so spiritual. I can’t help but feel that the Holy Spirit is present. MAKE A COMMITMENT TO A CHURCH It is a special feeling, quite enchanting and very poignant. Our weekday services are not very well SCHEDULE DURING LENT. attended and each evening as I head home after one I think, “Folks can experience the magic, During Lent, the Church offers more peace, and fulfillment of being one with our Lord on these evenings.” opportunities for us to come together in If you are able to attend, I hope you will do so ... experience for yourself, the quiet, peaceful and prayer. When we make any efforts to re-orient spiritual gift our Lord is offering us. our lives towards God, we will be challenged. The Church knows this and provides Wishing everyone a blessed Lent, opportunities for us to strengthen ourselves Carol Jelush for this effort through prayer. The church services are for us to be encouraged and 3 GOYANS GONE GRAY Fundraiser 1-30-16 T he parishioners of St. Nektarios and the Goyans Gone Gray came together to support fellow member, Dean Kondilis, and to raise money for his extensive medical bills. Dean is 24 years old and the son of Dena & Steve Kondilis and brother of Katina Kondilis. Dean has been undergoing treatment for three types of cancer since mid-November. The community came together the week before the Super Bowl. The theme was “Keep Pounding” in honor of Dean and the Carolina Panthers. The night was complete with food and fellowship and watching our families compete in a humorous game of Greek Family Feud, created by Dennis Kokenes and hosted by John Miller. It was a lot of fun for all. Special thanks go to Ana Sistare and her team for all their hard work organizing this special fundraiser and to Chad Howard's band, Nojo Slim, who played “gratis”. We are still accepting donations to this medical fund. Please note Kondilis Medical Fund on the memo line of your check. You may call or email Madalina Lowen in the church office for more information. 4 Greek Family feud 5 Y ou n g at H ea r t F o r o u r 5 5 a n d o l d e r members T hursday, January 14th was a bright, sunny day. The weather matched the mood of the St. Nektarios senior citizens who gathered in the social hall for a luncheon meeting. The host committee served a delicious meal of salad, pork chops, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, various cake desserts and fresh fruit. Raffle tickets were sold and the grand prize winners were Peter Kanelos and Don Belk. Remaining funds from the raffle proceeds were divided between the church and Matthews Help Center. Gus Stamas announced a special Young at Heart” outing that will take place on Saturday, March 12th. On that day, interested “Young at Heart” members will gather at the Church at 11:00 a.m. to go to the Narroway Theater in Fort Mill SC for a luncheon and Easter play. The cost of $32.00 includes transportation, the ticket for the play and the luncheon. Reservations are required! The deadline for reservations is Sunday, January 31st. After the luncheon, raffle and special announcements, Ellie Kontos, Rula Poulos and Mary Gallis led the group in spirited Greek dancing. (A good time was had by all.) John Bellios 6 Cultural Ministry—greek school Sunday O n the 31st of January, the students of St. Nektarios Greek Language Afternoon School honored the Three Hierarchs, patrons of the Greek Letters in Hellenic Education. The Three Hierarchs were responsible for uniting the Hellenic Christian faith and Greek Literacy. This day is a celebration, commemorating all those who dedicated their lives to education. A big thank you to these Holy Enlightened Men that devoted their lives to spread Ecumenical Values that allow us today to be free from the shackles of ignorance and fear of the unknown. This day is not only for commemorating, but also for supporting the future of education and literacy in modern society. Last but not least, we want to thank the families of our wonderful students, the administration, teachers, and clergy of St. Nektarios for their support and encouragement. “Without Greek there is No Education.” - Leo Tolstoy “The Greek Language and Heritage belongs to humanity and not just to Greeks.” - Socrates Sophia Shinas Director, St. Nektarios Greek Language School Financial Matters — Do Your Best “Let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ, our God” “ ‘Do Your Best’ a traditional American proverb says, God makes this request of His children: Do the best you can –where you are, with what you have, now. The story of Jesus Christ feeding the 5,000 illustrates this through the boy’s offerings of all he had—five loaves and two fish. This boy did his best with what he had, and Jesus used it to perform an incredible miracle.“ As an icon of this miracle, the parish of St. Nektarios is committed to offering your stewardship gifts to God who multiplies them so we, and His ministries, can flourish. Like the young boy, each of us brings our best and trusts in God’s grace, love and communion so we may prosper. And we have. Our parish life is rich and vibrant; the foundation grows stronger each day as we commit and re-commit ourselves to worship, ser- vice, fellowship, and witness. Through good governance and financial responsibility, year end 2015 finished in the positive—for the first time in many years. And it is because we continuously strive to do our best with the gifts that have been given to us. “Saint Gregory the Theologian writes, ‘You will never overcome God’s generosity, even if you give away all that you have…. And however much you bring to Him, always more remains. Nor will you give anything that is your own; for all things flow from God (Or 14:22).‘ “ “The Lord does not expect any more from us than what we have to offer. But He does expect us to be faithful and that we do our very best for Him.” “We do our best and leave the rest to Him.” Thank you Good and Faithful Stewards Theodora Sexstone, Treasurer & Stewardship Chair + excerpts taken from www. Goarch.org stewardship resources 7 — Philoptochos A Legacy of Philanthropy T his year’s annual National Commitments Philoptochos Membership Tea was and to offer assistance to anyone who may Vasilopita - St. Basil Academy - January tray held on January 31st at the home of Madalina need the help of the Church through special Social Services, Cancer Fund, St. Photios Shrine Lowen and was well attended. The ladies funds or solicitations on the local level; and Autism Assistance Fund gathered for fellowship, food and to learn - To promote participation in the activities of Archdiocese Missions Program (OCMC) about Philoptochos’ plans for 2016. Several the Greek Orthodox community with the Support a Mission Priest new members joined us as well ~ Maria cooperation of the Parish Priest and the Parish Sisterhood St. Basil Academy Swanson, Charlotte Overlock, Niki Kleto and Council. Karen Guzelian. Ladies Philoptochos Society of St. Int'l Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) Nektarios 75th Anniversary Founders Fund Philoptochos, established in 1931 by the late In 1999, the Ladies Philoptochos Society of St. Orthodox Christian Fellowship Patriarch Athenagoras I, means “friend of the Nektarios was formed with great excitement. Holy Cross School of Theology poor.” It is a volunteer organization that From the chapter’s inception until April 2002, Retired Clergy & Widow Presbyteres Benevolent Fund initiates and/or supports many church members met at each other’s homes, libraries, Emergency Fund, UNICEF activities and projects. schools, community rooms, and restaurants to Ecumenical Patriarchate-St. Cosmas/Damion - Philoptochos Mission: organize and create the fundraising and National Sisterhood of Presbyteres - To preserve the sacredness of the outreach calendar we have today. Our active General Medical Fund Orthodox family through family concern, schedule of events reflects the commitment of service, unity of action; to perpetuate the our members and parish—your loving support Metropolis Commitments Christian concept of marriage and upbringing is critical to our philanthropic successes. Agape Fund, Clergy Education Fund, Discretionary Fund of children and through it perpetuate and With the completion of the St. Nektarios Philanthropy, Website, Youth/Camp, Fanouropita promote the Greek Orthodox Faith and Spiritual Life Center, our chapter now has a Local Donations traditions in conformity with its doctrines, home for meetings, activities and events. The Altar Fund, Holy Angels canons, discipline, divine worship, usages, annual Membership Tea is still held in Daughters of Penelope (Holy Trinity) and customs; parishioners’ homes. FOCUS -- North America, OCF— NC - To promote the charitable, benevolent, Membership IOCC — donation for dinner philanthropic, and eleemosynary of the Ladies over age 18 who are members of our Nairobi Tuition Greek Orthodox Archdiocese by instructional parish are invited to become members of the programming, presentations, lectures, Philoptochos. Our annual membership drive OCN -- Web Broadcast / Radio seminars, and other educational resources; begins in January with our Membership Tea. Project Mexico & St. Innocence - To formulate plans and methods to Current and new members are requested to St. Barbara's Medical Ministry voluntarily aid the poor, the destitute, the submit membership by end of March. St. Vladimir Orthodox Seminary hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, However, we encourage membership National Special Requests the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, renewals and gladly welcome new members Metropolis Special Requests the handicapped, the victims of disasters; to throughout the year. Our goal is to have 115 Local Philanthropies/Special Projects and Request undertake the burial of impoverished persons members in 2016. Emergency Fund/Special Needs Fund Organizations Supported by Philoptochos Donations to charities at end of year We support our National and Metropolis Beneficiary of the — Christmas brunch Philoptochos obligations and charities St. Nektarios Medical Fund plus local charities and philanthropic Southminster Presbyterian Church - Shine the Night activities. Our 2016 goal is to raise Safe Alliance, Zoe for Life enough funds to distribute about $18,000 St. Nicholas Shrine -- NY to these projects. See list of beneficiaries St. Nicholas Philoptochos Agape Luncheon - Wilmington to how your generosity makes a Hazel's Helping Hands (supplies) difference.  St. Nektarios Yearly Admin Donation St. Nektarios Facilities usage Donation 8 S t. N e k ta r i o s C u b S c o u t Pac k 4 9 0 “Doing a Good Turn” T he Boy Scouts of Troop 490 and the Cub Scouts of Pack 490 were busy this month celebrating the “birthday” of Scouting in the United States and participating in the Mecklenburg BSA Council’s annual big “good turn” for the community. The Boy Scouts of America was chartered by Congress on February 8, 1910, so Boy Scouts across the nation celebrate the movement’s birthday on “Scout Sunday” every year on the Sunday before February 8. St. Nektarios recognized its Scouts and Cubs at the close of Divine Liturgy on Sunday, February 7th. After the liturgy on Scout Sunday, Troop 490 and Pack 490 delivered 111 grocery bags of donated canned goods to the Loaves & Fishes community food pantry. The Scouts collected the canned goods in the annual “Scouting For Food” food drive with the help of the parish and the church’s neighbors in Providence Plantation. “Well done, Scouts!” Matt Joyner St. Nektarios Basketball….Believe!!! T he St. Nektarios Spa rtan girls and boys 7th grade basketball teams both enjoyed a wonderful season. The girls, in only their second year in the league and playing in an older age level, were able to perform at an outstanding pace and win the season championship only losing one game. The girls earned the top seed in the end of season tournament but lost in the game to go to the championship. The boys, in their fourth season, took advantage of the time to grow together. They made Spartan history being the first team to ever go undefeated and win the season championship and then earn top seed in the end of season tournament and win the tournament championship to remain undefeated. Congratulations to both our girls and boys teams! With God all things are possible!!! We pray and ask God to give us WISDOM to play the game with respect, FAITH to believe we can do anything, STRENGTH to not be afraid and to overcome anything, and PROTECT and take care of us. We Believe!!! Our kids represented themselves well, their families and their Church! They did it with God!!! Faith is a game-changer!! Theo Karavokiros “Coach Theo” 9 With 4 teams playing this season, there were many opportunities for our kids to learn lessons which helped them grow in their Orthodox faith. Here are a few from the coaches and the players:  “Our team’s verse for the season was Philippians 4:13: ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,’ and our guys learned about the meaning of this verse through both our wins and losses.” Coach Greg Oliven; 9th grade boys  “It was a true example of young men bonding together, helping one another and accepting every situation, no matter how difficult, as an opportunity to excel, to grow.” Gerry Clonaris; Senior boys  “Playing basketball brought me closer to God and my teammates ! It also made me stronger physically and mentally! “ Catherine Kalariotes; 7th grade girls team  “The basketball ministry has produced countless God centered friendships and life lessons that will last a lifetime. I love players and coaches sharing with each other about how to TRUST & BELIEVE while growing in understanding our Faith through this ministry called basketball.” Coach Dean Kalariotes; 7th grade girls  “We won this game for Dean [Kondilis], one of our former players [20 years old now] who was diagnosed with cancer, and when he played on the court he always game 100% to the team.”[posted on Instagram] Saba Vashakidze; 7th grade boys  “At that final last second loss for the Seniors, I watched the two young men who had been my ringbearers as little boys console each other and that warmed my heart.” Maria Boukidis, fan  “I learned how to play in really difficult circumstances and how to lose [with grace].” Elias Gianakopoulos; Senior team Our fabulous Catechism Teachers have many wonderful lessons prepared every Sunday for our students. Some of them are very special events, like this recent one in the First Grade class, led by Christie Asimos and Nino Vashakidze. Christie tells us about that Sunday: “Each year the first grade class has fun participating in a mock baptism. Everyone has a role. From the priest to the photographer! All smiles during this lesson!” This lesson has been a favorite of many classes of First Graders. From this year,s class to the First Graders from 2010 who are now all in 7th Grade, everyone loves the BAPTISM SUNDAY!! 10