Father's Challenge

Beloved in the Lord,

     The word Vasilopita is a compound Greek word. It means the 'bread of Basil'. It is a sweet bread prepared on January 1st (the Feastday of St. Basil the Great). According to tradition, St. Basil, who was a bishop in Cappadocia, wanted to distribute money to the poor. He arranged to have some women bake sweetened bread, in which he secretly placed gold coins. Families who received this bread were thus pleasantly surprised to cut the bread and discover the hidden coins.
    
Today we continue this tradition of preparing the Vasilopita. In homes and parishes, many Faithful will prepare these breads with coins baked inside. The breads should be sweet to symbolize the sweetness and joy of life everlasting. It also indicates the hope that the New Year which has dawned will be likewise filled with the sweetness of life, health and happiness. Generally a cross (formed with dough or nuts) is baked on the top of the vasilopita.
    
Are you aware that there is a protocol when cutting the slices of the Vasilopita? Yes indeed! The head of the family has the honor of cutting the bread. If held in the church, it is the priest, while at home, it is usually the father. The first piece is dedicated to Our Lord Jesus Christ. The second is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The third is dedicated to St. Basil the Great. Pieces are next cut for a visitor or guest and the poor. The poor are always honored, as St. Basil loved poor people and wanted to alleviate their hunger and suffering. The head of the family then slices pieces of bread that are distributed to members of the family according to "presvia" or seniority. If a person receives a piece with the coin, that person receives a special blessing.
    
Our parish Vasilopita celebration will be held Sunday, January 7th. People, as they go up to receive a slice of bread, will be given the opportunity to donate money. The proceeds will go to St. Basil's Academy, an institution of our Archdiocese that cares for needy and abused children. This is a wonderful tribute to the good work of St. Basil the Great.
     
Yet this parish observance should not negate the home celebration. It is my hope and prayer that in each of your homes, you too will continue this beautiful tradition of baking and cutting the Vasilopita. It is a wonderful way to begin the New Year. There are many recipes. It is a thoughtful tribute to St. Basil and a testimony of our love for God and all his people, rich and poor alike.
    
May the New Year bring you all peace, love and health!
    
In Christ,
     
Fr. Dionysios

Congratulations

To Stephen Anton, Carl Colozzi, Dimitrios Efstathiou, Eddie Merrell and Theodora Vaporis, who were elected to the 2007 Parish Council.

Blessing of Homes

There will be sign-up sheets for Father Dionysios to come Bless your home
after Epiphany in the Fellowship Hall.

AHEPA
 By Dimitrios Efstathiou

Our best wishes to our entire church family for a healthy and prosperous New Year.
 
The first meeting of The Order of AHEPA, General Greene Chapter #257 will be held on Tuesday January 9th, 2007 at 7:00pm in our Church Fellowship Hall.  A steak supper will be served after the meeting.  After supper we will
cut a Vasilopita.  We hope to see you at the next meeting!

Daughters of Penelope
The Daughters will meet on Monday, January 15, at 6:30pm.
  
GOYA
By Paul Mott

GOYA had our lock-in on Friday December 8, and it was a success.
GOYA will meet on Sunday, January 14, from 6-8pm.

PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS
    By Sheila Touloupas

We hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Christmas.  A special thank you to all who gave of their time during the hectic holiday to assist with our many projects. 

Thank you to all who volunteered with our Annual Craft Show and Bake Sale; especially Sophie Rodete and Doris Zaharias.  A special thank you to Brier Gay, Steven Gay, Kimmon Varsamis, and Frank Chininis for their assistance with set-up and clean-up.

We would also like to thank Georgette Galloway for coordinating our Christmas Children In Need Project and also to her special Elves:  Victoria Galloway, Toula Chininis, and Minerva Ross for all their assistance.  Thank you to all who donated gifts and money to make this Christmas a special one for our families.

Thank you to Titsa Dermatas who was the chairperson for our lovely Christmas Eve Reception.

The Vasilopita Luncheon will be January 7th immediately following the
Divine Liturgy.  Cost for the luncheon is $5 per person or $20 for a family of four or more. Contact Celia Sims or Sheila Touloupas to volunteer to assist or bake a Vasilopita that will be either cut in church or auctioned. 

Our next General Meeting will be Monday, January 8th.  Refreshments will be served at 6:45pm and the meeting will begin promptly at 7pm.  The Board will meet at 6pm.

Philoptochos Christmas Project
By Georgette Galloway

Many thanks to those of you who provided gifts for our adopted families this season.  Your generosity was very much appreciated.  A very special thank you goes to Toula Chininis, Minerva Ross, and Victoria Galloway.  Happy New Year! 
  
SUNDAY SCHOOL

God bless all of the students and volunteers who helped to make this year's Christmas program one of the most special and beautiful ever!  Our rehearsals were well attended, and it showed. 

Thank you to the teachers who helped with rehearsals--Mary Ann Contogiannis, Elaine Gay, Hedy Thevaos, Barbara Vaughan and Doris Zaharias.  Also, to the following parents who also gave of their time and talents--Georgette Galloway, Koula Remoundos, Minerva Ross, Kiki Tarasidis, Sotiria Tripp and Sheila Touloupas.  Kevin and Barbara Lawrence, as always, guided the musical aspects of the program with grace.

During the month of January, our children will learn more about Saint Basil (Agios Vasilis), who taught us to take care of the poor.  In keeping with the Greek tradition of Saint Basil's visits to children on New Year's Eve, we will engage our children in a special project. 

Happy New Year!
 

TREASURER'S NOTE
         By Carl Colozzi

Please indicate in the memo portion of your check where payment should be applied: pledge, candles, tray, memorials, etc.  If you are using a business check, please make sure that your name is printed somewhere on the check.  The Budget is based on these incomes.  Thank you.

If you have not signed a 2007 pledge card yet, please pick one up in the Narthex, or call the office and we will mail you one. Thank you.

Christmas Poinsettias Donations
Agapion, Bill & Sophia & family; Alimpich, Mrs. Nadejda Andrews, Ted & Marina; Anton, Bill & Mary; Bartis, Nick & Willowdeen; Benson, Bob, Kathy & Zack; Bilous, Walter & family; Brown, Mr. & Mrs. Harvey; Colozzi, Carl & Maria; Contogiannis, Ellen; Contogiannis, Mary Ann & Ralph Huey; Culler, Hamp & Lula; Dascalakis, Minas & Soteria; Dermatas, Alex & Titsa; Dolianitis, Steve & Mary; Dolianitis, Mike, Jessica & Alex; Efstathiou, Dimitrios & Konstantia; Gay, Brier & Elaine; Hedrick, Nina (in memory of Antogone Triantis); Hoffler, Mary (in memory of her parents Theophilos & Chrissoula Colones and brother John); Hognoj, Greg & Angela; Kattan, Nahad & Sana; Kepreades, Charles; Kontoulas, Mary; Lundberg, David & Vasso; Macropoulos, Joanne; Matsakides; Miller, Don & Brenda; Palamaris, George & Irene Agapion-Palamaris; Peterson, Helen;  Rodete, John & Sophie; Ross, Larry, Minerva, Maria & Martin; Sakellaris, Chris & Ardele;  Sitaras, The late Rev. Nicholas & Presbytera; Soufia. Mikhail & Ginah; Thanos, Danny & Maria; Touloupas, John & Kaki; Touloupas, Zack & Sheila & family; Tzouvelekas, Nick & Debra; Varsamis, Betty & family; Varsamis, Kimmon & Gwen; Terry Woods.

Christmas Card Donations
We apologize to Mrs. Nadejda Alimpich whose name was left off the Christmas card.