The Feast Day of our Parish - a magnificent day, highlighted with a pastoral visitation by Bishop Andonios, the Vesper service of Pentecost and our annual Panygiri Picnic for all of our parishioners. Music was provided by Michael Zoulis and his Orchestra. Many, many thanks to the Modroukas family for cooking and donating the delicious food enjoyed by all!
Five Parish Council members will represent Holy Trinity at the Enthronement ceremony of Archbishop Elpidophoros of America on June 22nd at the Archdiocesan Cathedral in NYC.
They were chosen to serve as Ushers together with members from several parishes from our District. Attending the strategy meeting at the Cathedral on June 10th were: Dino Yotides, Despina Kartson, George Kourakos, Ron Nicholas, and George Kondos. Fr. Nick is also part of the Enthronement Committee.
Our Ladies Philoptochos board said thank you to outgoing President Marina Sirras and warmly welcomed Elizabeth Zoulis, as the newly elected president of our chapter.
Deacon Simon Menya addressed our community this morning at outlined his future ministry within the Orthodox Church of Uganda, including his own ordination to the priesthood next month. He was presented with checks on behalf of our Ladies Philoptochos Society, Ahepa chapter 405 and a personal donation from Presbytera Kay Kyriakos to help him with is task to help grow the Orthodox faith in Africa.
Also, the Oath of Office was administered today by Fr. Nick to the 2019-20 Ladies Philoptochos Board of Directors of our parish. He congratulated outgoing President Marina Sirras for her years of dedicated service to the chapter.
Additionally, Sunday School graduation and recognition to all of the students and teachers of the program was held this morning at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. In addition, members of the Junior Choir and graduating senior altar boys were thanked by Fr. Nick for their participation over the years. Finally, Georgeann Mavrovitis presented a check to the Parish Council for over $5,000, representing final payment for new robes for the Senior Choir. The check was accepted on behalf of the Parish Council by Vice President George Kourakos.
Finally, this extremely beautiful and busy Sunday at church ended with the annual spring concert by the Westchester County Greek Youth Orchestra directed by Thanos Kokkalas.
Our Greek Afternoon School held its graduation program this afternoon with student participation including songs, dance and Greek language presentations. Καλό καλοκαίρι to our students, teachers and director, Mrs. Irene Pantelaros.
The Apodosis of Pascha at our sister parish - the Church of Our Saviour in Rye on the eve of the Feast of the Ascension of Christ.
Holy Trinity, the AHEPA and our Ladies Philoptochos honored our high school, college and grad school graduates this morning following the Divine Liturgy. The annual event was hosted by our own AHEPA chapter. Congratulations to all of our graduates.
by Despina Kartson
The torrential rain didn't stop us from venturing out to serve our guests during last night's soup run. By the time we arrived at our spot in Manhattan, the skies cleared, the downpour subsided to a drizzle and we served more than 125 meals to the large group who were waiting for us. No matter what the weather, those who are hungry or homeless still need to eat.
Our guests were exceptionally grateful - thanking us for "coming out in this weather", saying "God bless you for what you do", and expressing appreciation for the delicious meal. A couple of our guests helped us set up and serve. One man told us that he remembered we provided food an extra day last month, on Orthodox Good Friday, and remarked about how kind he thought it was that we wouldn't miss one of our regular evenings.
We talked with a homeless Vietnam veteran who stays in various shelters because he cannot afford rent and food - it's one or the other. He showed us the ID card he carries which identifies him as a 9/11 survivor. He was working on the 86th floor in one of the World Trade Center towers when he heard an explosion. The noise reminded him of his time in Vietnam and he knew something was terribly wrong. He said he immediately started making his way down the building, assisting others along the way and noted how "everyone was the same color" when he made it outside to the rubble and ash covered streets. After 9/11, his life turned into a downward spiral as he struggled with addiction and homelessness. Today, he said he is clean, volunteers helping teens with addiction and talking with them about survival - even as he survives every day without a home and wondering about his next meal.
We received an extraordinary financial donation from a close friend of one of our volunteers. The friend owns a restaurant in Florida, knows about our monthly Soup Run and donated money that was inadvertently left by a customer on the counter of the restaurant. When the money was not claimed for quite some time, the restauranteur gave the money to our volunteer so that she could provide clothing for the homeless. The restaurant owner wishes that the customer who left the cash behind knows that the money has been put to very good use. What an amazing gesture!
Every month we are grateful to all who so generously support, through their actions and their offerings, the mission of the Soup Run. This month's outreach was made possible by supporters and volunteers from Westchester County, NY; New York City; Norwalk, CT; New Jersey; Washington, DC; and Clearwater Beach, FL:
Kathy Tzortzides for her sponsorship
Manny Louros and Zachary Karounos for preparing the meals
Minos Samoladas and Paulette Poulos for their generous donations which enabled us to purchase much-needed socks and underwear
Maria Altikatis (Clearwater Beach, FL) for her generous donation which provided many new clothing items
Emmy Kalmanides for baking koulourakia
The New Jersey Philoptochos Metropolis for donating back to our Soup Run money raised from the sale of
Last Night's Soup Run
Ruth and Kevin Walter from Dobbs & Bishop Fine Cheese (www.dobbsandbishop.com) for a box of new backpacks
Nathan Darling of Beveridge & Diamond PC for a box of hats and hand sanitizer
Deborah Farone for toiletries and clothing
Irene Drivas for the bags of clothing, shoes and special request items
May Vlachos (St. George NYC) for preparing the Mental Health Clinic guide and including the Soup Run dates
Constance and Georgeann Mavrovitis and Cynthia Herzegovitch for organizing the clothing and toiletries
Please join us on June 27th.
