NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 25

FITCHBURG, MA 01420

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church1319 Main Street, Fitchburg, MA. 01420 “Address service requested”

Καλό Καλοκαίρι! - Have a Great & Safe Summer!

Our thanks to Larry Brandon from “Brandon Funeral Home” for his generous and continuous sponsorship of our monthly “Messenger”

The Mission of Holy Trinity is to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ through the Orthodox Christian Faith.

THE MESSENGER Sunday Church Services:Orthros, 9:00 amDivine Liturgy, 9:30 am

HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH1319 MAIN STREET, FITCHBURG, MA. 01420

FATHER PAUL C. BEBIS, PASTOR

Church phone: (978) 342-1216 Father Paul’s Cell: (978) 868-6637

Web site: www.holytrinity.ma.goarch.org E-Mail: holytrinityfitchburg@gmail.com

JUNE 2018Lets become saints!!!On one Sunday every year, the church honors all the saints, both known and unknown. In our church, we are very familiar with many of the well known saints, but our church also recognizes other saints who weren’t so well known, for they gave their lives for Christ as well. These "not so familiar saints" have not received any recognition in the past. They were men and women who throughout the centuries have dedicated their lives to God. They were prophets, martyrs, confessors, Bishops, teachers, and Ascetics. The saints are in God’s Hall of Fame.  Many of them were heroes for what they have done and continue to do for our church.  In the early church, it was not the hierarchy, priests, or councils that initiated the veneration of the saints.  It was the practice that the people themselves began and they viewed these men and women as something very special.  Many of these people sacrificed their time, talents and lives (martyrs) to the church so we can attend our services on Sundays. When we celebrate Divine Liturgy, the saints are very much a part of our services.  They may not be physically here, but they are here spiritually.  When we kiss an icon of a saint, we ask that holy person to pray for us. The Lord said, “everyone who has left houses, brothers, or sisters or father or mother or wife, or children or lands for My Name’s sake, receive hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.” We remember and honor all saints as fine examples of imitation, inspiration, and guidance in our lives.  They went above and beyond the call of duty!  Some were able to write prophecies. Some of them became miraculous. Some became teachers and taught the Word of God despite disbelief of those around them.  They were incredible!!!  We can never be like Christ, because He was born sinless. However, we can emulate the lives of the saints, because they were human beings like us and they understood our struggles, because they were like us.  For us to be modern day saints, all we have to do is be willing to sacrifice our whole lives for God, and be willing to remain faithful at all costs! As it was centuries ago, it is not easy to be a saint.  We can be modern day saints by following the true teachings of the Gospel.  We can be modern day saints by showing love and respect to others.  We can be modern day saints by being a good listener, and by being a Christian role model to our children.  We also have to go all out for our church, something for which the saints were recognized.  They died and were murdered to keep our Orthodox Christian faith pure and true, especially during the times of Christian persecution.Being a modern day saint requires effort. Are we making an effort to be in church on Sundays, or to be involved in other facets of the church?  How about helping and volunteering your time and efforts to our Greek festival, our major fundraiser in September?   All this requires dedication, love and sacrifice, everything the saints had done in the past.  Remember when Christ healed ten lepers and only one came back to thank Him.  Are we not appreciative to the saints of the past for what they have done for us? Let us honor their memories by allowing your church to be first and foremost in your life.

St. Paul once said to let your love be genuine, hate everything that is evil, hold fast to what is good, bless those who persecute you, live in harmony with one another, and repay no one evil for evil.  Although it is difficult to be modern day saints today, we could come close. It would be a great step in your life, and you

will find true peace.  Miracles do not have to be giant and miraculous, but small.  Leading someone to church, helping others in need, visiting the sick, loving your neighbor and your children, this constitutes being a modern day saint.

The Greek Word saint is “Agios” (Hagios) and it means “not like anything else, or different.” Remember we are in this world, but not of it.  Being a saint is not being a follower, but a leader.  We need to lead others back to church and lead others back to God. Let's stand out in the world and allow God’s grace and love to permeate your hearts forever and ever!!! Father Paul

OFFICE HOURS: Kiki Karamanos: Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 10:00 am- 1:00pm.

Father Paul may be seen by appointment. Please call the office or the Parish Council President to schedule an appointment or for emergencies.

NOTICE: Please advise the Church office with regards to any hospitalization of Parish members. Due to the confidentiality laws, hospitals will not notify the Church.

Parish Council Officers:President: Mr. Mike NelsonVice-President: Mr. Phil StathasTreasurer: Ms. Star RegopoulosAsst. Treasurer: Mrs. Joanne AndertsonSecretary: Ms. Jossy BrackCouncil MembersMr. Greg BellezaMr. John GevrekakisMr. James IdarisMrs. Nikki MoorsheadMr. John RoumasMrs. Loula Roumbakis

Organizational HeadsChanters: Jim WoovisChoir Director: Johna GagneJoy Director: Dee Gevrekakis GOYA Director: Samir ElmasriPhiloptochos President: Effie KosmidisStewardship Comm. Chairman: Phil Stathas. Church Secretary: Kiki Karamanos

Message from the Parish Council President 

Message from the Parish Council PresidentFellow Parishioners,

As I write this message to you, we are all trying to recover from a great loss. Through the normal ebbs and flows of life we lose family and friends and even members of our small community. On May 11, we all suffered the tragic loss of a dear friend, Greg Bourekas. Greg was a special man, someone who cared deeply about Holy Trinity and more importantly a man who cared deeply about each and every one of us. Most of you were blessed to share many more years with Greg than what I was privileged to have, but the few years I was blessed with were special. As a new member to our Church and to the Parish Council, Greg welcomed my family and I with open arms and showed me the ropes as I got my feet wet. His council was sound and always with Holy Trinity’s best interests at heart.I am sure that I am not alone when I say that I will miss Greg. I’ll miss his wit and charm, but most of all I’ll miss his kind heart. I’m sure I can speak for all parishioners when I say that we will be here to support Matthew and Alex, Greg’s two dear sons and his father Spiros in any way that we can.

Book Store

Our book store cabinet at the foot of the stairs is filled with items you may like to give as gifts for birthdays, Christmas or to get for yourself. Please check out the icons, crosses, books, vigil lamps, tapes and other items we have on

Thanks to Greg and his willingness to step up, our 2018 festival is off to a start. The road thus far has been bumpy but we hope and pray that the volunteers we have will be enough to deliver an event that will lead to profits to help us pay our bills for the next 12 months. If you have not been contacted already, you will soon be to volunteer a few hours during the days of Friday 9/14 and Saturday 9/15. Please join the rest of the volunteers to spend this day working to sustain our church, and choose to visit another local event to relax. There is much work to be done, so please reach out to me or another member of the Parish Council who can help you volunteer. Do not assume that you aren’t needed, because I am telling you now that you are. You don't need to be physically strong to help us make phone calls, to help us find donors or to help with a myriad of other activities. Please channel the love that our dear friend Greg had for the festival and step up to lend a helping hand.

You will continue to receive communication from the festival committee on our progress. Within the weekly bulletins you will find a calendar of the committee’s meetings of which every parishioner is asked to attend.

Thank you and may God Bless you. May Greg’s memory be eternal, and may our friend rest in peace.

Michael Nelson

Fellow parishioners,

You might think that this Stewardship letter is to ask for financial support yet again. After all, this is what many believe Stewardship is all about… money. The truth is that I am asking for each of you to help me restore my faith in our community, in our Church and my belief that we can be better and do better.

Some time ago, Father Paul had asked that I chair the important position of the Stewardship Committee. I took this role seriously and had visions of making a

significant difference.  I freely admit today, nearly 2 years later, that I’ve done a lack-luster job in energizing our community and having each of us fulfill our role as Stewards of Christ.  We all have legitimate reasons for our lack of involvement or our inability to contribute financially to our Church. We can justify to our selves why it is that we don’t chair a Festival booth, come to Church on a Sunday, help to repair and beautify our Church when needed, attend a religious training class or meet the goal of a-dollar-a-day for our Stewardship. We’ve become complacent. I’ve become complacent.  When you look at the pews during the Resurrection service, the most Holy of all services, and see empty seats, it seems obvious to me that we’ve got our priorities misaligned.  What will it take to get our batteries charged again? What will it take to fill our halls with Sunday School students again? What can each of us do to make that “significant difference”? Our Church is not alone in this malady of complacency and apathy but we have the power to avoid Holy Trinity becoming another statistic. We are at a major crossroad in our Church’s future. We all need to motivate each other to become better Christians and to fulfill our responsibilities as Stewards. I hope and pray that each of us find a way to reinvigorate ourselves to become that thriving community we once were. Yours in Christ,

Phil StathasStewardship Chairperson

Our Philoptochos visit to:

Book Store

Our book store cabinet at the foot of the stairs is filled with items you may like to give as gifts for birthdays, Christmas or to get for yourself. Please check out the icons, crosses, books, vigil lamps, tapes and other items we have on

Fellowship Coffee Hour If you would like to sponsor a coffee hour without the work, please donate $75.00 for goodies and clean up. Contact the office before Sunday to make arrangements. The Parish Council will do the rest . Thank you.

We thank the following for sponsoring Coffee Hours in May. Joanne Donnelly and members of the Pappas & Xarras families, the men of the Parish Council, Star Regopoulos and Philoptochos Ladies.

Our apologies if we forget to post an announcement, an event or mention someone. Please contact us and we’ll be happy do so in the next issue of the Messenger.

If you want something to be included in the monthly MESSENGER please send it to us by email no later than the 20th of each month!

Church Email:holytrinityfitchburg@gmail.com

Web site: www.holytrinity.ma.goarch.org

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/holytrinityfitchburg

Philoptochos News

During our last meeting it was decided to send a delegate to the Philoptochos National bi-annual Convention that is being held in Boston from July 1 to July 5. Our delegate is Nikki Connery and she will be able to cast a vote in any new resolutions brought to the floor.

“HAPPY FATHERS’S DAY” to all the dads of our community!

We will notify everyone when we will begin preparing for our commitment towards the FESTIVAL.

From all of us a safe and wonderful summer to all!

Announcements:Cameron Trodello, son of Joseph and Ann Trodello, received the degree of Doctor of Medicine with Distinction in Research from the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. He will serve his residency in dermatology at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, followed by the University of Illinois in Chicago. Congratulations Cameron!

STEWARDS AS OF May 31, 2018

Anderson, Mr. GregoryAnderson, Mrs. JoanneAndrellos, Mr. JohnArsenault, Dennis and PatriciaArsenault, MatthewArsenault, Ms. Kimberly

Awad, Mr. & Mrs. BassemBebis, Fr. & Mrs. PaulBezas, Mr. & Mrs. HristosBezas, Mr. Athanasios & MelissaBicoules, Ms. VoulaBierfeldt, Michael & AthenaBogdasarian, Dr. & Mrs. JohnBottos, Mr. MichaelBouras, Mary J.Bourekas, GregoryBourekas, Mr. SpirosColby, Sean and MariaConnery, Michael and NikkiDonnelly, AlexisDonnelly, Mr. & Mrs. CoreyDonnelly, Mr. & Mrs.ThomasDonnelly, ShaneEleftherio, Ms. BessieFanos, Mrs. JennieFiffy, Ms. MariaFotakis, Mr. & Mrs. EliasGeorge, Mrs PamelaGervais, Jeffrey and SoulaGevrekakis, Mr. & Mrs. JohnGevrekakis, Mrs. EfthaliaGlimenakis, Mr. & Mrs. HarryGlimenakis, Mr. & Mrs. WilliamGrammenos, Mr. & Mrs. WilliamGrippo, Mrs BessieHaidousis, JohnHaidousis, Mrs LitsaHenault, StephanieHerr, Shawn and KaterinaHerrick, Mr. & Mrs. JamesHurtubise, Ms. VirginiaKakavitsas, Mr. & Mrs. NickKaramanos, Mrs. KikiKaros, Dr. DariaKazogles, Mr. & Mrs. StanleyKiosses, Mr John T.Konomi, Mr. & Mrs. ThanasiKopley, Mr NicholasKopley, Mr. & Mrs. CharlesKotoch, Mr. & Mrs. ElieLambropoulos, Mrs. BarbaraLamkin, DeniseLanides, Mrs. VictoriaLekaditis, Miss AthenaLekaditis, Mr. & Mrs. Christos

Lekaditis, Mr. & Mrs. WilliamLekaditis, Mr. PeterLewis, Michael and ChristinaLiatsis, Mr CraigLiatsis, Mr. & Mrs. FredMackie, George and AngelaMandilas, Mr. & Mrs. NicholasMaxant, Mrs. ChristineMichaelides, Mr. & Mrs. ParaskevasMichaels, Mr. & Mrs. PeterMichaels, Mr. StephenMichaels, Mrs KatherineMoilanen, Mr. RonaldMountzuris, Mrs. LisaNelson, Mr. & Mrs. MichaelNicholaou, George & NoraNousis, Mrs. KatherinePantazis, Costa & SarahPappas, Mr. & Mrs. JamesPappas, Ms JoyPickering, Earl and AnnPinault, Paul and MarciaQuarella, Mr. & Mrs. MichaelRegopoulos, Mrs. PriscillaRegopoulos, Ms. AngelRegopoulos, Ms. StarRigopoulos, Mr. & Mrs. PeterRobideau, Robert and GeorgiaRodriguez, Alexis & RodRoumbakis, Mr. & Mrs. MichaelRoumbakis, Mrs. LoulaSalouvardos, Mr. & Mrs. KostasSardelis, Mrs ElizabethSarpakis, Mrs. EugeniaSawyer, Charles and EstelleSimeonidis, Mr. & Mrs. PeterStagios, Mr ThomasStathas, AdamStathas, AlexandraStathas, MelissaStathas, Mr. & Mrs. PhillipStathis, Mr. & Mrs. ErnestStathis, Ms. PamelaStefanakos, Mr. & Mrs. TheofanisTheoharis, Mr. GeorgeTherrien, Mr. RobertThomaidis, Mr. & Mrs. George

Thomas, Mr. & Mrs. GeorgeThomas, Ms KatherineTolos, Mr. & Mrs. BasilTolos, Mr. & Mrs. GregoryWernick, Mr. AaronWernick, Mr. AdamWitzgall, James and TaraWoovis, Mr. & Mrs. JamesXarras, AlexanderXarras, AlyssaXarras, Michael J.Xarras, Mr. & Mrs. Michael F.Xarras, Mr. & Mrs. StephenYiannos, Mr. & Mrs. CosmasYiannos, Peter

EASTER DONATIONS AS OF MAY 31, 2018

Anderson, Mrs. JoanneAndrellos, Mr. JohnBezas, Mr. & Mrs. HristosBicoules, Ms. VoulaBogdasarian, Dr. & Mrs. JohnBriggs, MariaCleary, James and ConstanceConnery, Michael and NikkiCosta, Joseph and AthenaEleftherio, Ms. BessieFanos, Mrs. JennieFotakis, Mr. & Mrs. EliasGagne, Mrs JohnaGevrekakis, Mrs. EfthaliaHaidousis, Mrs LitsaHenault, StephanieHerrick, Mr. & Mrs. JamesHurtubise, Ms. VirginiaKakavitsas, Mr. & Mrs. NickKandianis, Mr. TimothyKandianis, WilliamKaramanos, Mrs. KikiKaris, Mr. & Mrs. HarrisKiosses, Mr John T.Kosmidis, Mrs. AnastasiaKotoch, Mr. & Mrs. ElieKoules, Mr. & Mrs. SteveKoutrakos, Ms KarenLambropoulos, Mrs. BarbaraLanza, Angeliki & DarrenLaskarides, Mr. Van

Maxant, Mrs. ChristineMichaelides, Mrs IreneMichaels, Mr. & Mrs. PeterMoilanen, Mr. RonaldNikitas, Mr. & Mrs. TheodoreNousis, Mrs. KatherinePanagiotes, Mrs ChristinePantazis, Costa & SarahPickering, Earl and AnnPinault, Paul and MarciaReppas, Mr. & Mrs. SpiroRigopoulos, Mr. & Mrs. Peter G.Rigopoulos, Mr. & Mrs. Peter R.Robideau, Robert and GeorgiaRoumbakis, LoulaSalouvardos, Mr. & Mrs. KostasStagios, Mr ThomasStathas, Mr. & Mrs. PhillipStathis, Mr. & Mrs. ErnestStathis, Ms. PamelaSvolis, Mr. & Mrs. StephenThomas, Mr. & Mrs. GeorgeTrodello, Joseph and AnnTsiakalos, Mr. & Mrs. MihailWoovis, Mr. & Mrs. JamesYiannos, Mr. & Mrs. Cosmas

Youth News:

The Metropolis of Boston Presents OLYMPIACOS SOCCER CAMP

Summer 2018 - Session 2July 16 - 22, 2018

What is MBC Olympiacos Soccer Camp?

A unique opportunity for campers to participate in a week-long, full-day soccer clinic, led by the Olympiacos organization - the most successful and popular Soccer Club in Greece! 

Soccer Campers can expect to be immersed in Soccer Clinics by day, as well as the MBC Summer Camp experience by night - including, cabin life, chapel, meals and evening activities.

Ice Cream Day on Thursday June 14

Carol’s Dairy Bar on Summer Street

from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

All are welcomed to join us!

Altar Boys Schedule for June

Sunday, June 3 rd : “The Ephesians,” -Joshua Bebis, Matthew Bourekas, Dimitrios Fowler, Christos Gevrekakis, and Alex Nelson.  

Sunday, June 10 th : The Thessalonians,” – Brayden Schuster, Andreas Stefanakos, Tyler Witzgall, Maximos Pappas, Frank Gallo, Nickolas Tolos, and Matthew Tolos.

Sunday, June 17 th : “The Ephesians,” -Joshua Bebis, Matthew Bourekas, Dimitrios Fowler, Christos Gevrekakis, and Alex Nelson.

Sunday, June 24 th : “The Thessalonians,” – Brayden Schuster, Andreas Stefanakos, Tyler Witzgall, Maximos Pappas, Frank Gallo, Nickolas Tolos, and Matthew Tolos.

Sunday, July 1 st : “The Ephesians,” -Joshua Bebis, Matthew Bourekas, Dimitrios Fowler, Christos Gevrekakis, and Alex Nelson.

Parish Council on duty for June

Sunday, June 3 rd : John Gevrekakis, James Idaris, Nikki Moorshead, Star Regopoulos.

Sunday, June 10 th : Phil Stathas, Michael Nelson, Greg Belleza, Jossy Brack.

Sunday, June 17 th : Joanne Anderson, Loula Roumbakis, John Roumas.

Sunday, June24th: John Gevrekakis, James Idaris, Nikki Moorshead, Star Regopoulos

Sunday, July 1 st: Phil Stathas, Michael Nelson, Greg Belleza, Jossy Brack.

Parish Council NewsParish Council Minutes on file in the Church office.

Next Parish Council meeting will be on Tuesday June 5th, in the church hall at 6:00PM.Liturgical Schedule for June:

Sunday, June 3 rd , 2018: “Sunday of All Saints,” Orthros, 9:00AM, and Divine Liturgy, 9:30AM.

Sunday, June 10 th , 2018: Othros, 9:00AM and Divine Liturgy, 9:30AM.

Monday, June 11 th , 2018: “The Feast of St. Bartholomew,” Divine Liturgy, 9:00AM.

Sunday, June 17 th , 2018: Orthros, 9:00AM, and Divine Liturgy, 9:30AM.

Sunday, June 24 th , 2018: “Nativity of St. John the Baptist,” Orthros, 9:00AM and Divine Liturgy, 9:30AM.

Friday, June 29 th , 2018: “The Holy Apostles Peter and Paul,” Divine Liturgy, 9:00AM.

Saturday, June 30 th , 2018: “The Twelve Apostles, Divine Liturgy, 9:00AM.

DATES TO REMEMBER

Sunday, June 10 th : Ministry Awards

Banquet at Lombardo’s in Randolph, MA at 5:30PM.

Thursday, June 14 th ; “ICE CREAM DAY” at “Carol’s Dairy Bar”, Summer St.- Fitchburg, from 6:00PM to 8:00PM.

Saturday, June 30 th : HOPE LUNCHEON from NOON until 1:00PM. Sponsors and volunteers needed!