Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
Fr. Peter Karloutsos
30 Clapboard Ridge Road ~ Danbury, CT06811 phone: 203.748.2992 fax: 203.748.7747
Website: e-mail:
SEPTEMBER CALENDAR 2014
Mon., Sept. 1ECCLESIASTICAL NEW YEAR - INDICTION - PATRIARCHAL DESIGNATION OF DAY OF THE PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT
Sun., Sept. 7SUNDAY BEFORE THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
9:00 amOrthros
10:00 amDivine Liturgy
Sunday School and GreekSchool Registration.
Mon., Sept. 8NATIVITY OF THE THEOTOKOS
Mon., Sept. 8PHILOPTOCHOS MEETING
7:00 pm First meeting of the year. Join and support this wonderful organization which helps many in need. We also enjoy warm friendship as we work together for the benefit of others. Let us share our blessings by helping and giving of ourselves to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
Sat., Sept. 13VESPERS - CHURCH OF HOLY CROSS, MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. (845.695.1976)
7:00 pm
Sun., Sept. 14EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
9:00 amOrthros
10:00 amDivine Liturgy and procession of Holy Cross. Basil (BASILIKO) is needed for this celebration. Please bring Basil on September 13 to the Church to be used for the service.
Registration for SundayCatechismSchool - Please sign up your children and make sure you support our program. Make learning about God more important and a priority in your life and in your children's lives.
Registration fees - $10.00 per child for books and materials.
GOYA MEETING FOLLOWING DIVINE LITURGY
Sun., Sept. 21SUNDAY AFTER THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
9:00 amOrthros
10:00 amDivine Liturgy
First day of Sunday Catechism School
Tues., Sept. 23GREEK SCHOOL REGISTRATION AND FIRST DAY OF CLASSES. Tuition is $250.00 per student.
TUTION IS $250.00 FOR THE YEAR
4:30 pmLevels 1 through 8
Sun., Sept. 281st SUNDAY OF LUKE
9:00 amOrthros
10:00 amDivine Liturgy
SundayCatechismSchool
Sun., Oct. 52nd SUNDAY OF LUKE – (NATIONAL CHURCH MUSICIAN SUNDAY)
9:00 amOrthros
10:00 amDivine Liturgy
SundayCatechism School
Mon., Oct. 6PHILOPTOCHOS MEETING
7:00 pm
All women of our Parish are encouraged to come and offer service and fellowship as part of our wonderful Ladies Philoptochos Society. Thankfully, we are blessed with many hard working women who are willing to give their TIME, TALENT & TREASURE for the Church and those in need. Our organization truly does a lot of good things for many worthwhile causes. See how our Philoptochos works for the good of our community and Philanthropic purposes. Come, learn and get involved. Be part of our wonderful Church Family.
Sun., Oct. 127th ECUMENICAL COUNCIL
9:00 amOrthros
10:00 amDivine Liturgy
SundayCatechism School
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Sun., Oct. 193rd SUNDAY OF LUKE
9:00 amOrthros
10:00 amDivine Liturgy
SundayCatechism School
Godparent/Godchild Sunday
Special Coffee Fellowship
Sat., Oct. 25GREAT VESPERS – ST. DEMETRIOS CHURCH, BRISTOL, CT (Ph: 860.583.3476)
7:00 pm
Sun., Oct. 266th SUNDAY OF LUKE- ST. DEMETRIOS, THE GREAT MARTYR
9:00 amOrthros
10:00 amDivine Liturgy
SundayCatechismSchool.
Sun., Nov. 25th SUNDAY OF LUKE
9:00 amOrthros
10:00 amDivine Liturgy
SundayCatechism School
Youth Sunday
Fri., Nov. 7GREAT VESPERS – ARCHANGELS CHURCH – STAMFORD, CT (203.348.4216)
7:00 pmLet us visit our Sister Church in Stamford to celebrate their Feast Day. Call the Archangels Church for directions.
Sat., Nov. 8LADIES PHILOPTOCHOS PRESENTS “FESTIVAL OF TABLES”
(Luncheon & Program – Keep date open)
Sun., Nov 97th SUNDAY OF LUKE – NEKTARIOS THE WONDERWORKER
9:00 amOrthros
10:00 amDivine Liturgy
Sunday Catechism School
Sat., Nov. 15NATIVITY FAST BEGINS
Sun., Nov. 16THE HOLY APOSTLE MATTHEW
9:00 amOrthros
10:00 amDivine Liturgy
Sunday Catechism School
Sun., Nov. 239th SUNDAY OF LUKE
9:00 amOrthros
10:00 amDivine Liturgy
Sunday Catechism School
Thurs., Nov. 27HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY!
Sun., Nov. 30THE HOLY APOSTLE ANDREW, THE FIRST CALLED
9:00 amOrthros
10:00 amDivine Liturgy
Sunday Catechism School
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CHOIR
Our Choir continues to lead the congregation in singing Glory to God during Divine Liturgy. The Choir uses their talents to offer the entire congregation the opportunity to sing with them the hymns and responses during the Church services. You are supposed to sing with the Choir. Use the Liturgy books and teach your children to sing and offer glory to God during the Holy services.
Anne Ktorides, our Choir Director, encourages you to join the Choir. We truly would like to have more voices in the Choir. We want young people from 7th grade and up and anyone who would like to be part of a wonderful group of people serving the Church. Please contact Anne Ktorides (203-746-9927) and offer your time and talents to the Choir. You do make a difference.
YOUTH CHOIR
Our Youth Choir will continue to inspire us and make our hearts sing. To be part of this special group of young people, please contact Therese Papadopoulos (203.438.4775). We welcome our young Church Members to offer their time and talents to God and His Church. You will also have a great time doing something really meaningful and special. Children must be seven years or older to join. We would like to see some new members (boys and girls) in addition to our present loyal members. You can e-mail Therese @
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ACOLYTES (ALTAR SERVERS) READERS
Serving in the Holy Altar is a privilege that we should not take for granted. To serve in the Altar as an Acolyte and/or Reader, you must be attending CatechismSchool. Make sure you are on the registration list. Service in the Altar begins at 9 years of age. Remember, it is an honor to serve in God's Holy Altar with the Angels and Saints who surround the Throne of God. Parents, please make sure your Acolyte is in Church at the beginning of Divine Liturgy.
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PANAGIAS - AUGUST 15, 2014- GREAT VESPERS
We would like to say thank you to our Ladies Philoptochos for hosting the Fellowship following the Great Vespers Service for the Feast of Koimisis (Dormition - Assumption) of the Theotokos. Also, we thank those families who sponsored the Artoklasia (5 loaves of bread). Our Feast day celebration was honored to have many clergy and parishioners from Connecticut and New York parishes. We thank them for celebrating with us this special occasion. Also, all our parishioners who remembered our Church with their prayers and donations. It was wonderful to see so many in Church for Vespers and Divine Liturgy. Our children receive the Blessings of the Virgin Mary when they come to Her Feast day.
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SUNDAY CATECHISM SCHOOL
Our CatechismSchool exists to teach the Orthodox Christian Faith, Teachings and Traditions to our children. Our children will learn their Orthodox Christian Faith from people who are willing to give their Time and Talent as Sunday School Teachers. WE NEED YOU! Please contact Fr. Peter or Valerie Rountos to offer the most important ministry in our Church. We have over 200 young people registered in our CatechismSchool. All of us teach by example. Parents, make an extra effort this year to learn more about your faith in order to teach it to your children. We are all examples that our young people learn from. PLEASE CALL!
Sunday Catechism School Registration - September 7 & 14, 2014
Classes Begin and Registration - September 21, 2014
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AFTERNOONGREEKLANGUAGESCHOOL
The afternoon GreeklanguageSchool will continue its program teaching reading, writing and speaking the Greek Language and also, Greek Folk Dancing and Culture. Classes are held one day a week for each of the eight class levels. TUTION IS $250.00 FOR THE YEAR - All classes will take place on Tuesday. Time for each level: (To be announced)
Parents, we have tried to make the schedule as convenient as possible. We are competing with sports, ballet, karate, music and so many other activities. These are difficult choices and we cannot please everyone. You must choose what is really important for your children. God give you wisdom.
Classes and final registration for 2014-2015 year begin on Tuesday, September 23, 2014. Please contact Fr. Peter for any questions (203.748.2992).
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FESTIVAL OF TABLES
November 8, 2014 - Keep this date open for a wonderful dinner presented by our Ladies Philoptochos. It was a great success last year and reservations are a must. Look for details and keep this date open!
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G.O.Y.A.
Greek Orthodox Youth of America - G.O.Y.A.. We welcome all young people of our Church in Grades 7-12 to join G.O.Y.A. Let's get together to serve our Church, help others in need and get to know each other. Outings, picnics, skiing, sports events and much more make our G.O.Y.A. enjoyable and meaningful. We want youto share with us the life of G.O.Y.A. and the Church. We need parents to volunteer as advisors to our G.O.Y.A. Please call Fr. Peter.
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ORTHODOX YOUTH
J.O.Y. (Grades 2-6)
Parents! Bring your children to our J.O.Y. program for children in grades 2-6. We envision outings, bowling, ice skating, as well as pizza parties, arts and crafts and movie nights in our community hall. (All ideas are welcome.) We need parents to volunteer as advisors and to help with events.
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EMAIL---JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST
Please send us your email address in order to receive timely announcements and information concerning our programs and events. Many times Fr Peter will send announcements, articles of interest about our Faith, information about programs and much more. It seems email is a way to communicate. See our web site for more info. We look forward to your comments and suggestions.
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HOSPITAL MINISTRY
Please make sure to contact Fr Peter when you or a loved one is in the hospital. Because of HIPPA rules it is difficult to get information from the hospital. When you register with the hospital, they ask you your religion and the name of your Church. They also ask if you wish to have your priest informed in order to visit. If you do not say yes they will not list you on the Greek Orthodox Listing. Please make sure to give them this information. Thank you and I pray for everyone to be healthy and well. But, thankfully we have the gift and knowledge of medicine to help when that is needed. However, prayer and faith are important factors in healing. God Bless you……
**************************************************************************** REMEMBER YOUR CHURCH IN YOUR WILL
We have truly been Blessed by our Lord. We have a wonderful Church Family and a beautiful Church to worship and receive God’s loving Grace and Sacraments. We have classrooms and meeting rooms to instruct our Youth and a Community Hall to gather in Fellowship. We thank all those who have offered their TIME, TALENT AND TREASURE for the past 75 years. We pray that the work of our Lord will continue to provide His Ministry of love, teaching, preaching and giving in our Church for many years, into eternity.
We should remember our Church in our Last Will and Testament……Consider instructing your beneficiaries to offer a special gift to your Church that will be a lasting Testament to your Faith and Love for God and your Church. Consider making a gift of 10 percent of your estate to the Church. Designate it for a specific Ministry… Education, Youth, Music Ministry, Charitable giving, Philoptochos, or for whatever purpose you wish. Speak with Fr Peter for any guidance to help you select a lasting legacy for our Church. May our Lord continue to Bless you and our Church Family.
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COFFEE SPONSORSHIP
If you would like to sponsor a Coffee Fellowship; for recognizing a name day, memorial, special event or any reason, please contact Rose Koulouris(860-350-4338). The Ladies Philoptochos will guide you with the various choices that exist and cost factors, if you wish the Coffee Hosts to purchase, set up, serve and clean. Rose will explain what the process is and which dates are available. We welcome all of our parishioners to become Hosts as well.
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PSALTI (CHANTER) AND READER MINISTRY
We are looking for people to learn to chant and read at the various services of our Church – Orthros (matins), Vespers, Paraklisis, etc. Anne Ktorides has done a wonderful job with the choir and learning the various hymns and tones (melodies) of our Church music. She is willing to share this knowledge and help develop Chanters and Readers for our Church. All you need is a willingness to learn and some musical background. For Readers, all that is needed is the willingness to read in a prayerful manner. Please contact Fr. Peter or Anne Ktorides (203.746.9927) for more information and to offer your Time and Talents to this very important Ministry. High School and College age students are encouraged to participate.
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SPECIAL SERVICES HELP NEEDED
Father Peter wishes to establish a list of people he can call to help whenever a Mysterion (Sacrament) is held at our Church. Whenever Father Peter celebrates a wedding or baptism, it would be very helpful to have a person stationed at the Pangari (candle stand) to make sure the candles do not become dangerous or a mess. Also, to be available to greet guests and visitors who may have questions or need help in finding restrooms, etc. Other responsibilities would be to help straighten out the Church, help with set-up and clean-up after services. Most sacraments take place on weekends. Help may also be needed for funeral services, as well. Please contact Father Peter to offer your help or for more information, please call 203.748.2992. Thank you.
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STEWARDSHIP 2014
Our parish is blessed with many Faithful and Generous STEWARDS who pledge each and every year to support the Ministries and Programs of our Assumption Church. We are doubly blessed with many men, women, young adults, teens and young people who volunteer their TIME AND TALENTS to build on the foundations established by Christ and the Apostles. Our parents, grandparents and generations before us, sacrificed from the little they had to buy property, build Churches, schools and community centers in order to pass on to the next generation their Orthodox Christian Faith and Hellenic Traditions. It is our responsibility and duty to continue this Sacred Mission.
Attached please find the Stewardship Commitment Form. It is a reminder for all our Faithful Parishioners-- families, individuals, young adults, young and not so young, that we have the sacred task and responsibility to build on the Holy Foundations of Faith and Church entrusted to each of us.
Parents, we must educate our children to respond to the calling of our Lord, Jesus Christ, “pick up our Cross and follow Him”. All of us must teach by example and our dedication to our Assumption Church Family. GUIDE OUR WORKING YOUNG ADULTS TO BE CHEERFUL GIVERS AND SUPPORT THEIR CHURCH, FINANCIALLY AND WITH THEIR TIME AND TALENT.
Thank you to all our Faithful who have already fulfilled their Stewardship Commitment. Thank you to our many Faithful Christians who dedicate their life to Christ and His Church.
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CHURCH LIFE
HOLY BAPTISM
July 27Dimitri Thomas, son of Sofia and John Dupi of Carmel, NY. Godparents are Bill and Michelle Chimos.
NA MAS ZISOUN – LONG LIFE AND HEALTH
MEMORIAL SERVICE
August 10Konstantinos Kletsidis40 day
Kalliope Kletsidis6 month
EONIA I MNIMI – ETERNAL THEIR MEMORY
ARTOKLASIA – BLESSING OF FIVE LOAVES
August 24In honor of Panagia Prousiotissa, the Church of the Theotokos Virgin Mary, in her mother’s village in Greece, by Effie Aroni.
COFFEE FELLOWSHIP
August 3In loving memory of Albert Gabriel Santarelli by his daughter, Anne Vlattas.
August 10In loving memory of Kalliope and Konstantinos Kletsidis by their daughters, Athena Hatzis and Presbytera Maria.
August 24In honor of Panagia Prousiotissa, the Church of the Theotokos Virgin Mary by Effie Aroni.
EFHARISTO – THANK YOU
IN RECOGNITION
Well done to Emmanuella Aspras on passing the New York Comprehensive Regents Exam in Modern Greek and receiving a Certificate of Achievement from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and State of New York – June 2014.
CONGRATULATIONS
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Parents and prayer:
Prayer is an essential component of parenting. So it could be said: on the one hand, one must not spare the rod (Prov 13:24) i.e., discipline and instruct, but on the other, one must get down on the hands and knees in prayer.
Parents should talk to their children about God, but also need to talk to God about their children. The balance between these two is up to each parent, as each parent and each child is unique. But one should not neglect fervent, consistent prayer. Unlock its power.
While healing does not always depend on the faith of oneself or others, but also on the mysterious will and purpose of God, nevertheless, our prayer is an indispensable component in working with God. God acts when we persistently pray (Lk 18:7-8).
A PRAYER FOR PARENTS
O Lord, Heavenly Father, You have blessed us with the gift of family and have entrusted us with their spiritual upbringing. You commanded that we should teach our children about You in our lives: when we sit in our house, when we walk by the way, when we lie down and when we rise.
Guide us O Lord every moment of the day as we work toward this awesome task. Let the words of Christ dwell in us, so that we may teach and guide our family, through our words and deeds, to the saving knowledge of Your everlasting kingdom.
Help us, O Lord, be compassionate, kind, and patient throughout our days. If one of us has a complaint against another, help us to forgive each other; as You have forgiven us. Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts.
Above all, help us remember to put on love which binds everything together in perfect harmony. We thank You, Lord for the many blessings and mercies You continually bestow on us.
In everything we do, in word or deed, may we always do so in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through His Holy Spirit. Amen.
SUNDAY CATECHISM SCHOOL – 2014– 2015 REGISTRATION FORM
Final registration for Catechism School will be held on Sunday, September 7 and 14. The registrationfee is $10 for each child to cover books and materials. Catechism School begins Sunday, September 21. Please contact Fr. Peter or Valerie Rountos to offer your services; we need your commitment and support. Your child's salvation depends on you! Please use your God-given talents for the children of our Parish. You do make a difference in their lives when you make a commitment.