CHURCH SERVICES:
Sunday Orthros (Matins) 9:00am
Divine Liturgy 10:00am
Sunday School after Holy
                 Communion
Weekday Holy Days:
Orthros and Divine Liturgy 8:00am

COUNCIL OFFICERS:
Kiki Tarasidis
   President    288-2921
Maher (George) Hanna
  Vice-President 547-0058
Carl Colozzi
  Treasurer 644-0615
Theodora Vaporis
  Secretary 584-6020
Board Members:
  Stephen Anton
  Hamp Culler
  Dimitrios Efstathiou 
  Eleni Harrison
  Eddie Merrell
  Matthew Pappas

COMMITTEES:
Ahepa: Dimitrios Efstathiou
Bylaws: Theodora Vaporis
Choir: Kevin Lawrence
Daughters of Penelope: Helen Peterson
Education, Culture & Youth:
Fr. Dionysios
Fellowship: Kiki Tarasidis
Finance: Carl Colozzi
Foundation: Matthew Pappas,
Scott Graham & Theodora Vaporis
GOYA Advisors: Basil Agapion &
Rhonda Thompson
President: Paul Mott
JOY: Koula Remoundos
Greek Festival: Stephen Anton, Eddie Merrell & Matthew Pappas
Greek School: Kiki Tarasidis
Hall Rental: Matthew Pappas
Maintenance: Stephen Anton
Philanthropy, Charity & Community: Eddie Merrell, Kiki Tarasaidis &
Fr. Dionysios
Philoptochos: Catherine Stuman
Sick and Visitation: Elly Kotsionis
Stewardship: Maher Hanna &
Hamp Culler
Sunday School: Polly Anton
Volunteer Coordinator:  Maher Hanna
Welcoming: Theodora Vaporis & Dimitrios Efstathiou

PHILOPTOCHOS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The Philoptochos Society is pleased to announce the continuation of our two scholarship programs.  The scholarships are for dependant children of Dormition of the Theotokos parishioners who are in good standing. 
The Philoptochos Society Scholarship is based on academic achievement and is awarded to a high school senior who will graduate in May/June 2007 and who has been accepted into a university/college, junior college, or vocational/trade school for fall 2007.  The Pete Harris Scholarship is a financial scholarship that is awarded based on need to a high school graduate who will be a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior at a university/college, junior college, or vocational/trade school next fall.  Students may apply for both scholarships, however, if the student is a finalist for both, the student may accept only one of the two scholarships.  These scholarships will be awarded at The Philoptochos Scholarship Luncheon, honoring all of our graduating seniors, scheduled for Sunday, May 20, 2007.
If you are interested in applying for one or both of these scholarships or would like more information, please contact Thalia Bundros (294-1592), Athena Constantinou (292-0368), Helen Peterson (632-1816), Effie Varitimidis (299-4093), or Gwen Varsamis (852-5655).  The Scholarship Committee MUST receive completed applications along with all the required supplemental letters and transcripts on or before NOON, SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2007.   NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE DEADLINE… NO EXCEPTIONS.
2007 Pledges:
Alexiou, Marina; Amprazis; James & Mary ; Andrews, Ted; Anghelescu, Anton George; Antahades, Cecelia; Anton, Bill and Mary;  Bailey, Sarah; Barteris, Eleni;  Bishara, Essa and Najwah; Blavos, Sylvia; Boukas, Nick and Athena; Bouras, Johnny and Peggy; Brown, Harvey and Nabila; Bundros, Tony and Thalia; Chamis, Nick G.; Chininis, Frank and Toula; Constantinou, Athena; Contogiannis, Elizabeth A.; Cooper, Christine; Corey, Craig & Amanda; Crist, Alex and Pam; Cropper, James and Maria; Culler, Hamp and Lula; Cvijanovich, Thea; Dermatas, Alexis; Efstathiou, Dimitrios and Konstantia; Freeman, Ron and Sondra; Galloway, Ed and Georgette; Gradinaru, Adrian; Graham, Erin; Graham, Scott and Christa; Hanna, Maher; Hanna, Aziz and Violet; Harrison, Eleni; Havraniak, Luba; Hudak, Marie; Karas, Angelo; Katsikas, Mary; Kattan, Nick and Sana; Kattan, Niveen; Kazazes, Anne; Kazazes, Barbara; Kontoulas, Angelo N; Kontoulas, Cleo and Dena; Kontoulas, Dimitrios and Karen; Kontoulas, Mary B; Koronis, Bill and Ava; Kotsionis, Harry and Elly; Lawrence, Kevin and Barbara; Lunberg, David and Vasso;  Macropoulos, Joanne; Mandaleris, Chris and Maria; Matsakides, Vickie; Megremis, Lampros and Theodora; Merrell, Eddie and Maria; Michaels, Michael and Carolyn; Miller, Donald and Brenda; Moraru, Christian and Camelia; Oncea, William and Jennie; Ofanedes, George and Susan;  Palamaris, George and Irene; Pappas, Edna, Pappas, Matthew and Stacy, Pasick, Michael; Patterson, Charles; Patterson, Vasiliki; Poulos, Karen; Pradetto, Tom and Maria; Rueppelll, Matina Kalcounis; Sagos, JoAnne; Sakellaris, Chris and Adele; Seawall, Evading Tracy and Benjamin; Silos, Estelle; Sims, Roger and Celia; Sipsis, James and Linda; Sonntag, Frances; Tarasidis, Kirk and Kiki; Thanos, Alex; Thanos, Bobby and Carol; Thevaos, Jim and Hedy; Touloupas, Zack and Sheila; Triantis, Ted; Tsaros, Lula; Tsintzos, Nafsika; Tzavaras, Aspasia; Tzouvelekas, Nick and Debra; Varitimidis, Ioannis and Effie; Varsamis, Betty; Varsamis, Kimmon and Gwen; Varsamis, Megan; Vaughn, Edger and Vicki; Vavalides, Phillip and Teresa; West, Victoria; White, Wesley Edward and Elizabeth; Woods, Terry; Zaharis, Doris.        

Phanouropita (St. Phanourios Cake)
If you have lost something, try baking a Phanouropita in honor of St. Phanourios the patron saint of lost articles.

1 cup sugar   ¾ cup raisins
1 cup vegetable oil   ¾ cup chopped walnuts
2 cups orange juice   1 teaspoon baking soda
Zest of one orange   1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups of flour

Beat the sugar and oil together until creamy yellow. Dissolve baking soda in the orange juice before pouring slowly into sugar mixture. Add other ingredients and pour into a 9" x 13" greased pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until an inserted toothpick pulls out cleanly. During the baking, say a prayer for St. Phanourios's help and for the soul of his mother. Cut into squares for serving. Share the cake with seven or more people.

Stewardship

    On the first day of the week, let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper." (I Corinthians 16:2)

    St. Paul speaks not only to first century Christians but to twentieth century Christians as well. He encourages us to set aside for the work of the Church some portion of our income in proportion to the blessings God has bestowed upon us. 
    Our church family needs a better understanding of the mechanics of giving and clear understanding of what our church needs.  Christ said,

     ". . . Whoever drinks from the water that I shall give him will never thirst.  But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14) 

    Our Lord and Savior died so that we might receive this living water, but our reward of eternal life is tied to what we do with the blessings God has bestowed upon each of us.  How do we use our time and talents for God's church?  What portion of our financial blessings do we set aside for God's work?
    We can base our financial support on a percentage of our income, or give one hour of our weekly earnings or whatever amount we feel will fulfill our responsibility to God.  Please at least consider giving a little more than you have given in the past.  Remember you cannot give to God what is His already, we can only return it to Him in gratitude and with thanksgiving.  
    We ask you to consider carefully your commitment to our beloved Dormition of the Theotokos.

With God's Blessings,

Stewardship Committee

January 2007---   Income  $21,095.18  Expenses  $18,171.08 Difference  + $ 2,924.10

   
President's  Message
My favorite religious period in our church is Great and Holy Lent and Pascha.  We are embarking upon a very important journey and we are doing so as a church as parishioners and as friends.  For me, this journey is one of renewal and transformation.  It is one of searching within to become a better person through fasting and prayer, a time of forgiving and asking for forgiveness.  The true meaning of the Resurrection of our Lord is a new life; the offering of mercy and repentance.  Throughout Great Lent we can break the bonds of our old lives and old habits and ask that our old mistakes be forgiven so that our Lord will grant us a new person.  We as individuals should make the Lenten period personal based on our individual needs and abilities.  I pray that we will all make this journey of Great Lent meaningful.  In closing, I want to share this.  My childhood friend, Soula from Greece recently sent me a box of chocolates to celebrate the birth of her 4th daughter.  As I unwrapped the first piece, I noticed a small piece of paper tucked under the chocolate.  The writing was in five different languages.  In Greek it read:  H agaph einai h epiqumia pou phgazei ap thn kardia.  Translated this means, Love is a desire that rises up from the heart being filled to the fullest with liking.  In other words, fill your heart with many things and people you like and it will turn to love!  I was touched by this thought and I hope you will be as well.  May we have a beautiful Great Lent and Pascha.
Kiki Tarasidis

Fasting is More than Abstaining from Food

Beloved in the Lord,

Beginning on Clean Monday, Orthodox Christians observe the 40-day period of Lent. It is a time of special services, intensified prayer and fasting. The ancients understood the value of fasting. St. Basil the Great wrote, "The body which is burdened with meat is afflicted with diseases. A moderate way of living makes the body healthier and stronger and cuts off the root of evil. The stream of meat meals darkens the light of the spirit. One can hardly have virtue if one enjoys meat meals and feasts."

As difficult as it is to fast, few Christians today realize that there is more to fasting than merely giving up meat and dairy products. For the fast does not only concern the stomach. As St. John Chrysostom wrote, "The honor of fasting consists not in the abstinence from food, but in the withdrawing from sinful practices. In this type of fast, the whole body participates."

The hands fast by being pure from avarice. We should use our hands to perform works of good. Stretch out our hands to help someone in need. The feet fast by ceasing from running to sinful activities. We should use our feet to bring us to church more often. The eyes too must fast, for looking is the food of the eyes. If we see a friend gaining something, perhaps a better position at work or buying a new car, we risk becoming envious. If we see a beautiful person and fix our gaze on that person, such actions can spark the sin of lust. It's better to look away and lower our gaze. The fasting of the ear consists in refusing to listen to talk such as gossip or slander. We might want to also stop listening to music laced with foul words. The mouth must fast too and refrain from disgraceful speeches and railings. For what does it profit us if we abstain from meat and cheese and yet bite and devour our neighbors like wolves.

The giving up of our sinful practice is the most important aspect of the fast. St. John Chrysostom wrote, "It is probable that he who omits fasting may obtain pardon, having infirmity of body to plead, but it is impossible that he can have an excuse who has not amended his faults.

I pray that each of you will be victorious in our individual efforts to have our bodies participate in the fast. Let us all correct our bad habits during Lent and so prepare ourselves to celebrate Easter.

In Christ,

Fr. Dionysios

PARISH NEWS AND NOTES

GUEST VISIT
On Thursday, February 15, 2007 the "Leisure Fellowship" senior group of Jamestown Presbyterian Church met with Father in the church for a discussion about Orthodoxy.  About twenty members were in attendance.
GUEST SPEAKER
On Sunday, March 11th John Stonestreet, the on-campus head of the North Carolina Triangle OCF Ministry will be visiting our parish. John will give the homily as well as give a talk on the work of the Orthodox Campus Fellowship. The OCF promotes fellowship, worship and spiritual growth among Orthodox college students. We are pleased to welcome John to our community and look forward to hearing his words on this important ministry.
GUEST PRIEST
Fr. Dionysios will be away Sunday, March 18 to conduct a Lenten Retreat at the Diakonia Center. Fr. Dragan Zaric of St. Basil of Ostrog has kindly agreed to substitute. The times of the orthros and liturgy will remain the same as normal.

        
Congratulations
     Eddie and Susie Hanna, on the birth of their son Eddie Aziz Hanna Jr., who was born on January 26, 2007  --  7lb 11oz -- 21inches.  This is the first grandchild for Aziz and Violet Hanna.
     George & Irene Palamaris and daughter Sophia; Sophia was baptized on February 3, 2007.
     Georgios Tarasidis for making the Academic Honor Roll at Canterbury School, where he is a seventh grader.
     Anastasia Remoundos and Zoe Vaughan who donated their hair to the Locks Of Love program which provides natural hair wigs to children who undergo cancer treatment.  Girls, your new haircuts are beautiful.  What an act of pure love!
     Victoria Galloway turned 14 on Saturday the 17th of February.  We celebrated her birthday with cake and dancing at the Apokreatiko Glendi.  Na ta ekatostisis Victoria!
     Demetra Schermerhorn has again been named to the Headmaster's List at Greensboro Day School and was inducted in the National Honor Society and the National Spanish Honor Society.
     Sophia Schermerhorn came in Third Place in the individual competition of the Math Counts Competition between twenty-two Guilford County middle schools. She will proceed to the State competition. Also, for any children that want to attend, Sophia has a part in Greensboro Day School's musical, "High School Musical" the first weekend in March.
     Amid great joy Barbara Lawrence was received into the Holy Orthodox Faith through the Sacrament of Chrismation on Sunday, February 4. Her sponsor was Mary Katsikas. We are delighted for Barbara and the entire Lawrence Family.
THANK YOU
      Stephen Anton, Eddie Merrell and Matthew Pappas for agreeing to co-chair the 2007 Greek Food Festival on Sept. 14-16. This festival provides funding for many of our parish ministries and functions.  Your leadership is greatly appreciated.
      The Ladies Philoptochos Society for their generous donation of $1,500 for the Altar robes.
      The 2007 Apokreatiko Glendi was so much fun.  The night was filled with music, food and fun surprises.  We came together as a community to laugh, eat and show off our dance style.  We wore masks, great costumes and enjoyed an evening with our friends. 
      I want thank everyone who attended this event.  Thank you to our chefs who prepared a delicious shrimp creole, David Valvanis and Theodoros Triantis. Thank you to Basili Agapion for the awesome MC ing the entire evening and for the music mixing; thank you to Georgio Remoundos for his great music; thank you to Eula Mott, Soteria Dascalakis, Sotiria Tripp, Barbara Vaughn, Stacy Bartis Lane, Polly Anton, Anjie Samaras, Minerva and Larry Ross, Doris Zaharias, Kirk Tarasidis and  Koula & Georgio Remoundos for their help in setting up and cleaning up; to Theodora Vaporis Schermerhorn, Eleni Harrison, Carl Colozzi and Maher Hanna for help in serving the food. 
     Thank you to Brenda Miller, Minerva Ross, Vasso Lundberg, Sotiria Tripp and Eula Mott for selling the tickets; to Paul Mott and to Christopher Corey for help with the drink tickets; to Kirk Tarasidis, Maher Hanna and Jim Mott for bar tending; to Dena Kontoulas, Soteria Dascalakis, Efrosene Samaras, Anjie Samaras, Koula Remoundos & Vasso Lundberg for providing the appetizers, desserts and fruit trays; to the Colozzi family for providing all those bags of balloons.  Also, we thank our friends from the Winston-Salem church who join us every year, we appreciate their support.
     Thank you to everyone who donated items for our auction, because of your generosity we were able to raise $510 for our Dance Troupe Costumes.  How wonderful it is to say these two simple words, "thank you" to so many people who help make our church the best it can be!  Can't wait until the next event.
 Kiki Tarasidis

CONDOLENCES
To the family of Peter Kachikis, who fell asleep in the Lord on February 1, 2007.
To the family of Marie Vurnakes who passed away at Evergreen's on February 21, 2007.  The funeral was held in Fayetteville on February 24, 2007 at Sts. Constantine & Helen Church.
Our deepest condolences go out to Ed Galloway and Jennifer Cororan. Ed's father recently fell asleep in the Lord while Jennifer's sister passed away suddenly. May God grant them and their families comfort at this sad time and may their loved ones memory be eternal.

PARISH ORATORICAL
On Sunday, March 4th, the parish will hold its St. John Chyrsostom Oratorical Festival. Our youth will give short speeches on various topics in the church hall. The youth have been working hard preparing for this event. Be sure to stay for these exciting and enriching presentations.
YOUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED
     On Sunday, February 18th, the Ladies Philoptochos kindly donated $1,500 to the church for altar boy robes. This generous gift covers only half of the cost of replacing the existing altar boy robes. The current robes are over 30 years old and donations are still needed so that additional robes in various sizes may be ordered. Please consider giving a monetary gift toward this project. It will enhance the dignity and beauty of the holy services.
    Also, if you are interested in being an Auditor or on the Nomination Committee, please call the office.
Parish Philanthropy
    Here is a list of the various groups the parish was able to assist as part of our philanthropic outreach in 2006: Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Buenos Aires
Right to Play; St. Barbara Medical Ministry of North Carolina; NCMA Foundation Friends of Greek Art; Untied Jewish Communities: A Mother's Smile; Penelope House; Orthodox Christian Mission Center; Health Serve Ministries.
     In addition the parish was able to provide direct philanthropy to local individuals.The members of the parish should be pleased that we were able to help provide love and support to brothers and sisters in need.
Prosphora
Did you know that only a handful of women prepare the prosphora (the holy bread used in the divine liturgy)? Our community is very grateful to Nafsika Tsintzos, Betty Varsamis and Evangelia Kalogiros who have kindly baked and donated the prosphora. It's our prayer that more parishioners will emulate this wonderful example and prepare prosphora themselves. When you do so, please include names for the living and dead so that they may be commemorated.  
AHEPA
    Our next regular meeting will be on Tuesday, March 13, 7pm at Cap't Bill's on West Market St. Please RSVP to Jerome or Matthew Pappas at 292-5130. 
    On Wednesday, March 7, the AHEPA will sponsor the Lenten Supper after services.  Also, on Sunday, March 25, we will sponsor the Greek Independence Day Luncheon.
Daughters of Penelope
     The Daughters are pleased to announce that Vasiliki Patterson and Doris Zaharias were initiated as members on Sunday, February 4.  After the initiation, the Daughters adjourned for lunch to Luck 32. 
    The next regularly scheduled meeting is on Monday, March 19, at 6:30pm at Mykonos Grille.
     Pat Christie of Burlington was re-instated into the Daughters on Feb. 19th. 
PARISH COUNCIL NEWS
The Parish Council met for their monthly meeting on February 19th. Items on the agenda included:
1.     New requirements imposed by our insurance company with regard to the
Church Sexual Misconduct Policy, requirements for our youth volunteers, and the handling of funds daily and during the festival. This will be further explained at the General Assembly. 
 2.     A vote by the Council to accept the generous donation by Jimmy Sipsis of a flag pole in front of our church that will fly the American Flag daily and the Greek flag during the festival days.
 3.     Discussion of the very productive report of the Elections Committee striving to continuously improve the process that we use.
 4.     Financial, Stewardship and other committee Reports.
 5.     The Festival and our search for a Chairperson(s).
6.      An extensive Report from Fr. Dionysios regarding the Education, Culture and Youth Diakonia Committee.
Submitted by Theodora Vaporis
PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS
     Philoptochos' Third Northeast Conference Agape Luncheon Celebration will take place Saturday, March 17th at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Charlotte.  His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios will celebrate a 10am Liturgy.  Lunch will follow from 11:30am-2:30pm and feature guest speaker writer and novelist Harry Mark Petrekas.  Proceeds from the sale of $5 raffle tickets, $40 Luncheon tickets, and/or $50-$500 donations will all benefit the Youth Programs of the
Metropolis of Atlanta.  All ticket
and donations must be PREPAID by Sunday, March 11th.  Please see
Catherine Stuman or Celia Sims for more details or to purchase tickets.
   On Sunday, March 11th, Philoptochos
will pass a tray to benefit Holy Cross.
    Please make note of the following dates set aside for baking. 
Baklava: 
Tues.-March 6th from 5pm-9pm
 Wednesday-March 7th from 9am-1pm Tuesday-March 20th from 5pm-9pm
Wednesday-March 21st from 9am-1pm
     ***If you are available and there is enough interest in baking Saturday, March 3rd PLEASE CONTACT Christa Graham or Lula Culler regarding your interest.
    ***PLEASE SAVE YOUR GLASS GALLON JARS FOR BAKLAVA SYRUP.  You may leave them in the Fellowship Hall Kitchen. Spanakopita:  April 16th and 17th-times to be announced.  Please continue to check the Sunday bulletin for further updates.
    Our next General Meeting is scheduled for March 12th in the church hall.  Refreshments will be served at 6:45pm and the meeting will begin promptly at 7pm.
    On Tuesday, March 20th at 7pm, Philoptochos will host an Estate Planning Seminar.  Theodora Vaporis will spend an hour answering questions about wills, living trust and living wills, power of attorney, guardianships, and the probate process in North Carolina. All parish members are welcome to attend.  On Wednesday, March 28th, Philoptochos will host the Lenten Meal immediately following the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy.  Interested volunteers should contact Toula Chininis, Edna Pappas, or Joanne Macropoulos.
    Plans for our annual Scholarship Luncheon are underway.  All 2007 high school and college graduates will be recognized.  The following students will be graduating:  High School-Pete Graham, Christina Mandaleris, Erin
Sipsis, Katherine Galloway, Christina Perrou, Eleni Boukas, Irene Lawrence, and Alex Valvalides.  College-Christina
Mott, Katie Touloupas, Megan Varsamis, and Stephen Lundberg.  Graduate School-Julie Stuman and Jennifer Stuman. If you know of any graduates not already listed, please contact Catherine Stuman or Sheila Touloupas as soon as possible.
 
Sunday School
March 4  --Parish Oratorical Festival

March 11--NO Sunday School (Veneration of the Cross)

March 21--Presanctified Liturgy--Sunday School prepares Lenten Dinner                      
                                                    
March 24--District Oratorical Festival (Greensboro)

March 25--NO Sunday School (Greek Independence Day)

March 31--Lazarus Saturday ("Pancakes & Palms" after Service)

Lenten Prayer Of

St. Ephraim The Syrian

O Lord and Master of my life!

Take from me the spirit of sloth,
faint-heartedness, lust of power, and idle talk.

But give rather the spirit of chastity,
humility, patience, and love to Thy servant.

Yea, Lord and King! Grant me to see my own errors
and not to judge my brother,
for Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen

Deadline: The Dormition of the Theotokos Monthly Newsletter deadline is the 20th of the previous month. Please submit your materials on time.

Content: Articles, notes and other information of interest for our parish can be sent by mail. 

Church Attendance: A regular attendance of the church's services reflects how seriously you approach your salvation.

Parents with Sunday School children: Children must sit with their families in the front pews, so they will be served Communion first. During the school year, after Communion, children will proceed directly to their classrooms. Please remember that coming to the church late teaches our children bad habits. Make it a point to bring them on time.