Orthros: 9:00am Divine Liturgy: 10:00amSunday Fellowship: following Divine Liturgy
Fellowship Hour today is sponsored by our Philoptochos.
Parish Council Members on Duty: George Potamitis, Panagiotis Meltsakos, Vasilios Piskopanis and George Tgibides.
Christmas Reflection 2025
This Christmas, we are horrified by the ongoing tragedy in Nigeria where countless Christian brethren continue to be slaughtered. We mourn the deaths of our two American soldiers and their interpreter assassinated in Syria. We grieve the loss of two students murdered at Brown University as well as that of a professor at MIT. We lament the violence throughout our own country--- it's cities, it's towns and it's neighborhoods. We see violence within our own families. We ask ourselves where exactly can we find "Peace on earth and goodwill among men"? Indeed, the world is continually threatened by violence in many places and in many different ways. God seems to be so distant.
He is not! He is here with us in the persons of the poor and hungry. He is here for the women and children victims of human trafficking. He comes to open His embrace to those crushed by poverty, economic injustice, loneliness and despair. He comes to affirm the dignity of every human being created in the image and likeness of God.
We believe that Jesus was born to restore humanity to its original beauty, to the Kingdom of God, to full blessedness. With His birth, a new world was born. The divine light which filled the heart of the Virgin Mary and guided the Magi and shepherds shines in the hearts of all believers. This is the message of hope and salvation which we are called to share. It is the message of life, of light, of hope and love.
Christmas comes again this year to embrace us in the midst of unending crisis, of passion and enmity, of hopelessness and despair. Our Savior enters the drama of is bearing flesh, being poor, simple, and unknown. He comes as a humble child to sanctify human nature.
This Christmas, I pray that we grow like a Christmas tree that does not wither, but one which is nourished in our hearts by the presence of our Savior. A tree that spreads its branches everywhere until it unites all humanity in a world of eternal love, goodness, and peacе.
I pray that our infant Savior will chose our hearts as His manger and that He will bless the New Year 2026 with health, joy and peace.
+Metropolitan Methodios
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston
May your Christmas be filled with God's blessing and His divine peace.
Ἡ γέννησίς σου Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ἀνέτειλε τῶ κόσμω, τὸ φῶς τὸ τῆς γνώσεως, ἐν αὐτῇ γὰρ οἱ τοὶς ἄστροις λατρεύοντες, ὑπὸ ἀστέρος ἐδιδάσκοντο, σὲ προσκυνεῖν, τὸν Ἥλιον τῆς δικαιοσύνης, καὶ σὲ γινώσκειν ἐξ ὕψους ἀνατολήν, Κύριε δόξα σοί.
Your birth, O Christ our God, dawned the light of knowledge upon the earth. For by Your birth those who adored stars, were taught by a star, to worship You, the Sun of Justice and to know You, Orient from on High. O Lord, glory to You.
This week:
God bless you and the beginning of a new and promising week.
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." — Colossians 3:23
https://www.goarch.org/news
Holy Trinity NewsChristmas Offerings: Your Christmas offering is a vital gift that will help sustain our parish and its ministries throughout the year. Offering envelopes were sent with the most recent edition of The Communicator. If you prefer to send in your donation online, please click here: Holy Trinity Christmas Offering. Thank you, your generosity is a blessing to our parish. May the Lord's love and peace fill your home this Christmas.Donation from The O’Donnell Funeral Home: A very generous donation from The O’Donnell Funeral Home has been given to theHellenic Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity in memory of the deceased members ofour parish whose families The O’Donnell Funeral Home was privileged and honored toserve from December 15, 2024 to December 13, 2025.It is the hope of Jim O’Donnell and the staff of The O’Donnell Funeral Home that thesupport of family, friends and faith may guide these families through this holy seasonand bring them blessings into the New Year.May their deceased loved ones, whom we name here, rest in the peace of Christ: Richard Mangiavas, Olga C. Laganas, Helen Vovakis and Katrina Rouses.Upcoming Church Services:
SUNDAY SCHOOL News:
Philoptochos News: follow us on Facebook at Holy-Trinity-Ladies-Philoptochos-Lowell The Cutting of the Vasilopita and Collection for St. Basil’s Academy will take place on January 18 after Divine Liturgy. Your Vasilopita donations on that day, along with additional funds from the Holy Trinity Philoptochos, will be sent to St. Basil’s Academy, one of our Philoptochos national commitments. Philoptochos will host the Fellowship Coffee Hour after Divine Liturgy. Please join us to celebrate the beginning of the New Year!
2025 Philoptochos Winter Appeal: The annual initiative, which each year benefits a charity in our local community, will run from January - February. Details will be provided in subsequent Sunday Bulletins. This year’s beneficiary will be Catie’s Closet. They are a non-profit organization that, since 2010, provides clothes and basic essentials to students living in poverty right within our schools. They set up free stores in schools, giving children direct access to everything they need to attend class confidently. Today, they operate closets in more than 140 schools and serve more than 100,000 students daily.
2025-2026 Monthly Meeting Schedule
Hellenic American Academy and HAA PTA News (hellenicaa.org) 
Church Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10:00am - 2:00pm . If you need to visit the office at a different date or time, please call during office hours or send an email to [email protected], to schedule an appointment. Kindly use the Lewis Street side entrance and ring the bell or, call the office to enter through the elevator entrance.
Pastoral VisitsPlease call the Church Office at 978 458-8092 to arrange a hospital, nursing home or shut-in visit by Fr. Nick. Health care facilities are unable to contact us because of HIPAA regulations.
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News & On-Line Ministries www.goarch.org:Communications Department: https://www.goarch.org/departments/communicationsFamily Care: https://www.goarch.org/departments/familyNew Charter for the Second Centennial: https://charter.goarch.org/ The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (GOA) announces the launch of a dedicated website (charter.goarch.org) aimed at providing comprehensive, up-to-date, and accurate information concerning the proposed revision of the Archdiocese’s Charter.
>>>> Greek Festival 2026 <<<<
June 12-13-14
Sunday before Nativity
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:9-10; 32-40
BRETHREN, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundation, whose builder and maker is God.
And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets - who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated - of whom the world was not worthy - wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Sunday before Nativity
Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 11:9-10, 32-40
Ἀδελφοί, πίστει παρῴκησεν Ἀβραὰμ εἰς τὴν γῆν τῆς ἐπαγγελίας ὡς ἀλλοτρίαν, ἐν σκηναῖς κατοικήσας μετὰ ᾿Ισαὰκ καὶ ᾿Ιακὼβ τῶν συγκληρονόμων τῆς ἐπαγγελίας τῆς αὐτῆς· ἐξεδέχετο γὰρ τὴν τοὺς θεμελίους ἔχουσαν πόλιν, ἧς τεχνίτης καὶ δημιουργὸς ὁ Θεός. Καὶ τί ἔτι λέγω; Ἐπιλείψει γάρ με διηγούμενον ὁ χρόνος περὶ Γεδεών, Βαράκ τε καὶ Σαμψὼν καὶ ᾿Ιεφθάε, Δαυΐδ τε καὶ Σαμουὴλ καὶ τῶν προφητῶν, οἳ διὰ πίστεως κατηγωνίσαντο βασιλείας, εἰργάσαντο δικαιοσύνην, ἐπέτυχον ἐπαγγελιῶν, ἔφραξαν στόματα λεόντων, ἔσβεσαν δύναμιν πυρός, ἔφυγον στόματα μαχαίρας, ἐνεδυναμώθησαν ἀπὸ ἀσθενείας, ἐγενήθησαν ἰσχυροὶ ἐν πολέμῳ, παρεμβολὰς ἔκλιναν ἀλλοτρίων· ἔλαβον γυναῖκες ἐξ ἀναστάσεως τοὺς νεκροὺς αὐτῶν· ἄλλοι δὲ ἐτυμπανίσθησαν, οὐ προσδεξάμενοι τὴν ἀπολύτρωσιν, ἵνα κρείττονος ἀναστάσεως τύχωσιν· ἕτεροι δὲ ἐμπαιγμῶν καὶ μαστίγων πεῖραν ἔλαβον, ἔτι δὲ δεσμῶν καὶ φυλακῆς· ἐλιθάσθησαν, ἐπρίσθησαν, ἐπειράσθησαν, ἐν φόνῳ μαχαίρας ἀπέθανον, περιῆλθον ἐν μηλωταῖς, ἐν αἰγείοις δέρμασιν, ὑστερούμενοι, θλιβόμενοι, κακουχούμενοι, ὧν οὐκ ἦν ἄξιος ὁ κόσμος, ἐν ἐρημίαις πλανώμενοι καὶ ὄρεσι καὶ σπηλαίοις καὶ ταῖς ὀπαῖς τῆς γῆς. Καὶ οὗτοι πάντες μαρτυρηθέντες διὰ τῆς πίστεως οὐκ ἐκομίσαντο τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν, τοῦ Θεοῦ περὶ ἡμῶν κρεῖττόν τι προβλεψαμένου, ἵνα μὴ χωρὶς ἡμῶν τελειωθῶσι.
Sunday before Nativity
The Reading is from Matthew 1:1-25
The book of the Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram, and Aram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king.
And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa, and Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.
And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Salathiel, and Salathiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.
So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.
Sunday before Nativity
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 1:1-25
Βίβλος γενέσεως ᾿Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ, υἱοῦ Δαυῒδ υἱοῦ ᾿Αβραάμ. ᾿Αβραὰμ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ισαάκ, ᾿Ισαὰκ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιακώβ, ᾿Ιακὼβ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιούδαν καὶ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ, ᾿Ιούδας δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Φαρὲς καὶ τὸν Ζαρὰ ἐκ τῆς Θάμαρ, Φαρὲς δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Εσρώμ, ᾿Εσρὼμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Αράμ, ᾿Αρὰμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Αμιναδάβ, ᾿Αμιναδὰβ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ναασσών, Ναασσὼν δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Σαλμών, Σαλμὼν δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Βοὸζ ἐκ τῆς ῾Ραχάβ, Βοὸζ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ωβὴδ ἐκ τῆς ῾Ρούθ, ᾿Ωβὴδ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιεσσαί, ᾿Ιεσσαὶ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Δαυῒδ τὸν βασιλέα. Δαυῒδ δὲ ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐγέννησε τὸν Σολομῶνα ἐκ τῆς τοῦ Οὐρίου, Σολομὼν δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ῾Ροβοάμ, ῾Ροβοὰμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Αβιά, ᾿Αβιὰ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ασά, ᾿Ασὰ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιωσαφάτ, ᾿Ιωσαφὰτ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιωράμ, ᾿Ιωρὰμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Οζίαν, ᾿Οζίας δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιωάθαμ, ᾿Ιωάθαμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ῎Αχαζ, ῎Αχαζ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Εζεκίαν, ᾿Εζεκίας δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Μανασσῆ, Μανασσῆς δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Αμών, ᾿Αμὼν δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιωσίαν, ᾿Ιωσίας δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιεχονίαν καὶ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τῆς μετοικεσίας Βαβυλῶνος.
Μετὰ δὲ τὴν μετοικεσίαν Βαβυλῶνος ᾿Ιεχονίας ἐγέννησε τὸν Σαλαθιήλ, Σαλαθιὴλ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ζοροβάβελ, Ζοροβάβελ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Αβιούδ, ᾿Αβιοὺδ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ελιακείμ, ᾿Ελιακεὶμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Αζώρ, ᾿Αζὼρ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Σαδώκ, Σαδὼκ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Αχείμ, ᾿Αχεὶμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ελιούδ, ᾿Ελιοὺδ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ελεάζαρ, ᾿Ελεάζαρ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ματθάν, Ματθὰν δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιακώβ, ᾿Ιακὼβ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιωσὴφ τὸν ἄνδρα Μαρίας, ἐξ ἧς ἐγεννήθη ᾿Ιησοῦς ὁ λεγόμενος Χριστός. Πᾶσαι οὖν αἱ γενεαὶ ἀπὸ ᾿Αβραὰμ ἕως Δαυῒδ γενεαὶ δεκατέσσαρες, καὶ ἀπὸ Δαυῒδ ἕως τῆς μετοικεσίας Βαβυλῶνος γενεαὶ δεκατέσσαρες, καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς μετοικεσίας Βαβυλῶνος ἕως τοῦ Χριστοῦ γενεαὶ δεκατέσσαρες.
Τοῦ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἡ γέννησις οὕτως ἦν. μνηστευθείσης γὰρ τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ Μαρίας τῷ ᾿Ιωσήφ, πρὶν ἢ συνελθεῖν αὐτοὺς εὑρέθη ἐν γαστρὶ ἔχουσα ἐκ Πνεύματος ῾Αγίου. ᾿Ιωσὴφ δὲ ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς, δίκαιος ὢν καὶ μὴ θέλων αὐτὴν παραδειγματίσαι, ἐβουλήθη λάθρα ἀπολῦσαι αὐτήν. ταῦτα δὲ αὐτοῦ ἐνθυμηθέντος ἰδοὺ ἄγγελος Κυρίου κατ᾿ ὄναρ ἐφάνη αὐτῷ λέγων· ᾿Ιωσὴφ υἱὸς Δαυΐδ, μὴ φοβηθῇς παραλαβεῖν Μαριὰμ τὴν γυναῖκά σου· τὸ γὰρ ἐν αὐτῇ γεννηθὲν ἐκ Πνεύματός ἐστιν ῾Αγίου. τέξεται δὲ υἱὸν καὶ καλέσεις τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ᾿Ιησοῦν· αὐτὸς γὰρ σώσει τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτῶν. Τοῦτο δὲ ὅλον γέγονεν ἵνα πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν ὑπὸ τοῦ Κυρίου διὰ τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος· ἰδοὺ ἡ παρθένος ἐν γαστρὶ ἕξει καὶ τέξεται υἱόν, καὶ καλέσουσι τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ᾿Εμμανουήλ, ὅ ἐστι μεθερμηνευόμενον μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν ὁ Θεός. Διεγερθεὶς δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιωσὴφ ἀπὸ τοῦ ὕπνου ἐποίησεν ὡς προσέταξεν αὐτῷ ὁ ἄγγελος Κυρίου καὶ παρέλαβε τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἐγίνωσκεν αὐτὴν ἕως οὗ ἔτεκε τὸν υἱὸν αὐτῆς τὸν πρωτότοκον, καὶ ἐκάλεσε τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ᾿Ιησοῦν.
On the Sunday that occurs on or immediately after the eighteenth of this month, we celebrate all those who from ages past have been well-pleasing to God, beginning from Adam even unto Joseph the Betrothed of the Most Holy Theotokos, according to genealogy, as the Evangelist Luke hath recorded historically (Luke 3:23-38); we also commemorate the Prophets and Prophetesses, and especially the Prophet Daniel and the Holy Three Children.
The incomprehensible and inexplicable Nativity of Christ came to pass when Herod the Great was reigning in Judea; the latter was an Ascalonite on his fathers's side and an Idumean on his mother's. He was in every way foreign to the royal line of David; rather, he had received his authority from the Roman emperors, and had ruled tyrannically over the Jewish people for some thirty-three years. The tribe of Judah, which had reigned of old, was deprived of its rights and stripped of all rule and authority. Such was the condition of the Jews when the awaited Messiah was born, and truly thus was fulfilled the prophecy which the Patriarch Jacob had spoken 1,807 years before: "A ruler shall not fail from Judah, nor a prince from his loins, until there come the things stored up for him; and he is the expectation of the nations" (Gen.49:10).
Thus, our Saviour was born in Bethlehem, a city of Judea, whither Joseph had come from Nazareth of Galilee, taking Mary his betrothed, who was great with child, that, according to the decree issued in those days by the Emperor Augustus, they might be registered in the census of those subject to Rome. Therefore, when the time came for the Virgin to give birth, and since because of the great multitude there was no place in the inn, the Virgin's circumstance constrained them to enter a cave which was near Bethlehem. Having as shelter a stable of irrational beasts, she gave birth there, and swaddled the Infant and laid Him in the manger (Luke 2:1-7). From this, the tradition has come down to us that when Christ was born He lay between two animals, an ox and an ass, that the words of the Prophets might be fulfilled: "Between two living creatures shalt Thou be known" (Abbacum 3:2), and "The ox knoweth his owner and the ass his master's crib" (Esaias 1: 3).
But while the earth gave the new-born Saviour such a humble reception, Heaven on high celebrated majestically His world-saving coming. A wondrous star, shining with uncommon brightness and following a strange course, led Magi from the East to Bethlehem to worship the new-born King. Certain shepherds who were in the area of Bethlehem, who kept watch while tending their sheep, were suddenly surrounded by an extraordinary light, and they saw before them an Angel who proclaimed to them the good tidings of the Lord's joyous Nativity. And straightway, together with this Angel, they beheld and heard a whole host of the Heavenly Powers praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men" (Luke 2:8-14).
This has been a historic week for the Roman Catholic Church in New York. On Thursday, December 18, 2025, the Vatican announced a major leadership transition that marks the end of an era and a significant shift in the church’s direction. Pope Leo XIV officially accepted the resignation of Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who has served as the Archbishop of New York since 2009. Cardinal Dolan turned 75 in February 2025, the mandatory age for Catholic bishops to submit their retirement letter. Despite his “larger-than-life” personality and a legacy spanning 16 years of influential leadership in both national politics and New York civic life, the rule of church law prevailed. In his place, the Pope named Bishop Ronald A. Hicks—a 58-year-old leader who brings a youthful, pastoral focus on the moral and ethical issues confronting society today.
This transition should serve as more than just a headline for Greek Orthodox Christians; it should be a catalyst for long-overdue reform. As the Psalmist has declared: “As for the days of our years, in their span they are seventy, and if we have strength perhaps eighty; and what is more than these is toil and travail” (Psalm 89: 10,11 LXX). Currently, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America does not possess a standard for the retirement of its clergy and lay leadership. This lack of a formal, and merciful, mechanism often leaves the faithful in a state of “toil and travail,” watching as aging leaders deal with the administrative demands of a modern, complex Archdiocese. Our practice stands in stark contrast to our sister churches:
The Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate): All bishops must submit their retirement to the Holy Synod at age 75 (Statute of the Russian Orthodox Church, Article XV.1.25).
The Roman Catholic Church: All bishops must submit their resignation to the Pope at age 75 (Code of Canon Law, Canon 401 §1), and parish clergy are required to do the same to their diocesan bishop (Canon 538 §3).
While both traditions allow for “arch pastoral discretion”—allowing a leader to stay briefly if the situation demands—the principle remains firm. In the Roman Catholic Church, for instance, a delay is rarely extended beyond two years.
Transparency and Governance
Transparency is the foundation of any soundly governed organization. In 2025, as our parishes navigate financial liabilities and the need for revitalized ministry, we cannot afford the stagnation that comes with indefinite tenure. Term limits and retirement ages are not insults to a leader’s service; they are safeguards for the institution’s health.
The current lack of a requirement for officers, directors, trustees, and committee members to serve limited terms creates a culture of “interlocking directorships” that can stifle new voices and hide inefficiency. To foster true transparency, we must embrace a cycle of renewal that allows for a “bridge-builder” like Bishop Hicks to step forward while a seasoned veteran like Cardinal Dolan transitions into a role of honored elder and mentor.
The post A Season of Renewal: Why the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Should Embrace Mandatory Retirement appeared first on Orthodox Observer.
This has been a historic week for the Roman Catholic Church in New York. On Thursday, December 18, 2025, the Vatican announced a major leadership transition that marks the end of an era and a […]
The post A Season of Renewal: Why the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Should Embrace Mandatory Retirement appeared first on Orthodox Observer.
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is pleased to announce the launch of its Archdiocese-sponsored, parish-implemented 403(b) Retirement Plan, designed to strengthen retirement readiness for clergy and lay employees, including our school educators and administrators, across our parishes. This initiative reflects the Archdiocese’s ongoing commitment to the financial well-being of all those who serve our communities and affords them the opportunity to save for retirement. The establishment of this retirement program is in direct response to the call to provide benefits to those who previously were not eligible for retirement benefits while also providing clergy an additional retirement vehicle.
Plan Overview and Availability
Beginning January 1, 2026, eligible parish clergy and lay employees will have access to a 403(b) retirement savings program. It is a supplemental retirement plan to The Pension Plan for Clergymen and Lay Employees of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (“Clergy Pension Plan”) and does not diminish the Archdiocese’s commitment to funding the Clergy Pension Plan. To assist our parishes with the cost of implementing and maintaining the 403(b) Plan, the Archdiocese will fund the set-up cost in the first year and the first three years of administrative fees. Parishes will also have the option of contributing towards the retirement of its clergy and lay employees by making matching contributions.
Learn More
Parishes interested in learning more about the 403(b) Plan should reference the materials provided by their respective Metropolis for detailed information on adoption and implementation. Employee participation in the 403(b) Plan is dependent on their parish adopting the plan.
The post GOARCH announces new 403(b) retirement plan for parish employees appeared first on Orthodox Observer.
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is pleased to announce the launch of its Archdiocese-sponsored, parish-implemented 403(b) Retirement Plan, designed to strengthen retirement readiness for clergy and lay employees, including our school educators and administrators, […]
The post GOARCH announces new 403(b) retirement plan for parish employees appeared first on Orthodox Observer.
This week, the Maliotis Cultural Center announced a new international collaboration with the University of Ioannina and the Department of Greek Education of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
Together, the three institutions proudly present the Greek Language Training Program, an innovative educational initiative designed to support and equip volunteer teachers of the Greek language within the Greek diaspora, particularly those without formal pedagogical training.
The program will run from January 17 to April 4, 2026, and will be offered online, through two-hour synchronous lectures, led by expert instructorsfrom Greece and the United States. Participation is free and open to the public, with a limited number of available places.
At the conclusion of the program, certificates of attendance will be awarded by the University of Ioannina, including specific instructional credit units, recognizing participants’ commitment to the teaching and promotion of the Greek language.
This initiative reflects the shared vision of the Maliotis Cultural Center, the University of Ioannina, and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to strengthen Greek education worldwide, foster professional development within the diaspora, and build meaningful bridges between academic institutions and Greek communities abroad.
The Maliotis Cultural Center warmly invites interested participants to apply today and join this significant effort to nurture and sustain Greek language education for future generations.
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This week, the Maliotis Cultural Center announced a new international collaboration with the University of Ioannina and the Department of Greek Education of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Together, the three institutions proudly present […]
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