President's Messages

August-September 2006

Dear Fellow Stewards,
As we approach the end of the summer and head into the second half of the year, I sit and reflect on what our community has accomplished. One of the most important events was our 16th Grecian Festival. It was a great success, in spite of the weather, once again bringing both our community and Worcester together. Deep gratitude and many thanks to Michael Dionis as Chairman and Dino Charalambides as this year’s Co-Chairman. Also, want to extend sincere thanks to all the Committee Chair People as well as to all the wonderful and selfless volunteers. Once again, this year’s Grecian Festival exemplified its theme, “A 30-Year Family Tradition” and it was a fitting tribute to our honorees, Reverend Father George Stephanides, of Blessed Memory, and our first Chair People, Elpida and Manny Milias. We were also honored with the attendance of many local and state government officials a function of the Massachusetts Democratic Convention taking place at the same time a few miles away at the DCU center. It was wonderful to know that St. Spyridon served as a bi-partisan host to everyone who attended our festival.

I am also proud to relay that our community has proven to be wonderful and supportive Stewards of our Cathedral. The 2006 Stewardship Campaign has been very exciting and many parishioners are continuing to make their pledge. We are hoping to continue to convey to each community member how critical our role is in sustaining our Cathedral through our Stewardship Contributions. Without each and everyone’s equitable Stewardship Contribution, the community will not be able to support its ministries and religious activities. As you start thinking about the fall and begin your back to school and work activities, I am hoping that those who have not yet made their Stewardship Contributions plan to do so soon.

A first for the Parish Council was having our monthly meeting take place at Holy Trinity Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility. We are proud to extend congratulations to Karen Langanelli, Executive Director, and her team for the “Deficiency Free” results of their recent review. In addition, we as a community should support Holy Trinity’s annual gift giving campaign, Treasured Generations 500 (TG500). TG500 guarantees our elders will have an Orthodox home when they need it most. Jim Christo serves as the Chairman of Holy Trinity’s Board. Please don’t hesitate to contact him for more information.

An experience that I will always cherish was my recent trip to the Clergy-Laity Congress held in Tennessee. Clergy and Parish delegates from throughout the United States attend. It was empowering to be in the presence of so many energetic and compassionate people that are Christ-focused and striving to make their Churches stronger. Their Love and Commitment should serve as a model for our parish.

I am also pleased to announce that this fall Father Gregory Christakos will launch an Orthodox Life Series. In addition to Bible
Study, he will review the Liturgies of St John and St Basil with the goal of explaining the significance of each segment of the liturgy and its meaning. He will also invite guest speakers who will speak on Orthodox Theology and relevant themes facing Orthodox Christians. Please be on the lookout for dates and times.

Lastly, please mark your calendars for Saturday, October 28th. On this day we will honor Elpida Milias and her over 4 decades tenure as Choir Director of St. Spyridon Cathedral. Elpida recently retired and a as grateful community we will show our appreciation with a banquet in her honor to be held at the Cotsidas Auditorium. May the remainder of your summer be fun-filled.

On behalf of the Parish Council,
Dean Stamoulis
President