Artoclasia offered by the Papapanayiotou family for the good health of their family.
Memorials:40 days for Thomas Costas Hayes and memorial for members of the LimperisandPapapanayiotou families May their memory be eternal.
Parish Council members on duty: Betty Themeles, Thomas Themeles, Joan Metropolis and George Tgibides.
Fellowship Hour hosted by Donna Zouzas.
Following Fellowship Hour, please use the elevator exit rather than the main entrance of the church. Thank you for your cooperation. (If you would like to host or sponsor a Fellowship Hour, please call the church office to schedule.)
Weekly Calendar
November 09, Monday:Nektarios the WonderworkerNote:Divine Liturgy will not take place at Holy Trinity. Instead, we invite everyone to join Fr. Nick at Assumption–St. George Church, along with Fr. Demetri Costarakis and the parish community, for the service and the veneration of the holy relics of St. Nektarios. (Orthros 9am, Divine Liturgy 10am)
November 09, Monday:Veterans Day Program at 1:00pm The Hellenic American Academy invites veterans from our school and church community to attend our Veterans Day Program at the Hellenic Cultural Center.This special program is an opportunity to recognize and honor those who have served our country and to express our gratitude for their service and sacrifice.We encourage our veterans & their families to join us as we honor those who have served.
November 11, Wednesday: Chair Yoga in the church hall at 11am
November 12, Thursday: PC meeting
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
Announcements
Holy Trinity News
Annual Holy Trinity Parish Council Elections will be held on Sunday, December 13, 2026 between 9am – 1pm in the Church Hall.
Parish Council & Board of Auditors: Seven (7) members are to be elected for a 2-year term and One (1) Auditor for a 1-year term.
CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION TO PARISH COUNCIL
A candidate for the Parish Council must be a parishioner in good standing of the Parish for at least one (1) year immediately preceding the date of the election and must live his or her life in accordance with the Faith and canons of the Church. The Priest determines whether the Parishioners are in canonical and financial good standing.
All candidates shall attend a seminar conducted by the priest prior to the election at which the Priest shall discuss the Uniform Parish Regulations and explain them to the candidates, particularly the oath of office. At the conclusion of the seminar all candidates will acknowledge by signing a statement that they understand the Uniform Parish Regulations and, if elected, will abide by them and the oath of office. If a candidate for the Parish Council refuses to attend the seminar and sign the declaration, his or her name shall be deleted from the list of candidates.
At the Fall 2019 Archdiocesan Council meeting, it was resolved that all Parish Council memberswould undergo background checks. Ideally, this background check will be handled before candidates are elected as part of theirqualifications to stand for election (this will avoid the situation of having to remove a boardmember because of a failed background check.) But as this program gets underway, it will be bestimplemented by doing a background check for every parish council member now, and then in thefuture, notifying every nominee for a parish council election that a background check is a pre-requisite of running for office, so that every candidate who runs has passed the backgroundcheck.
Filing Deadline is Thursday, November 19 at 12 noon.The names of the candidates will then be posted on the bulletin board in the Church Hall.
Applications may be obtained from the Church Secretary during office hours: Tuesday-Thursday 10am-2pm or on Sunday after Divine Liturgy.The packet can also be emailed to prospective candidates.
November 21, Saturday: Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
November 25, Wednesday:Saint Katherine the Great
December 04, Friday: St. Barbara the Martyr
December 10, Thursday, 10:30am: Divine Liturgy at D'Youville Manor
December 12, Saturday: St. Spyridon the Wondermaker
December 15, Tuesday:St. Eleutherios the Holy Martyr
Sunday School News:
As we head into a busy fall and holiday season, we have several fun opportunities to gather, connect, and celebrate together. Please save the dates and keep an eye out for more details!
Trivia Night – November:Put your knowledge to the test and enjoy a fun evening together. Stay tuned for the date and more information!
Christmas Pageant – December 20:Our Christmas Pageant will take place on December 20.Participants should plan to attend rehearsals on: November 15, November 22, December 6, December 13.More information about the pageant and participation will be shared soon.
Christmas Breakfast and Tree Decoration –December 19:Fun filled morning!! Final Rehearsal for the for Christmas Pageant, Pancakes and Decorating the Sunday School Christmas Tree!!!
Coffee Hour Hosting: Help us continue this special time of fellowship by hosting Coffee Hour! We are looking for signups approximately once a month, including: December 20
Parents: Please be on the lookout for sign-up emails with additional details. We look forward to a wonderful season of fellowship, fun, and celebration together!
Philoptochos News: follow us on Facebook at Holy-Trinity-Ladies-Philoptochos-Lowell
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported our Fall Festival! As always, your generosity, time, and dedication helped make this year’s event a success. We are truly grateful to our volunteers, sponsors, donors, parishioners, and friends for your continued support of Holy Trinity.May God bless you all!
Monthly Meetings Calendar
WED 12/02 at 5:30pm
WED 02/03 at 5:30pm
WED 03/03 at 5:30pm
WED 04/07 at 6:00pm
WED 05/05 at 6:00pm
WED 06/02 at 6:00pm
Chair Yoga in the Church Hall, Wednesdays 11am-12pm:Come enjoy fellowship, friendship and a wonderful opportunity to gather together each week. To register or for more information, please contact Donna Zouzas at 508-423-6270 or [email protected].
Annual Hunger & Homeless Food Drive (Oct 4-Nov 22) A collection bin is located in the Narthex.
Suggested donations:
Peanut Butter
Canned Soups, Beans, Vegetables, Fruits & Tuna
Macaroni & Cheese
Snacks
Cereal & Oatmeal
Juice Boxes, Bottled Juice
Pasta & Rice
Baby Food, Diapers
Personal Care Items
Supermarket Gift Cards
Hellenic American Academy and HAA PTA News(hellenicaa.org)
11/09: Veterans Day Program at 1:00pm The Hellenic American Academy invites veterans from our school and church community to attend our Veterans Day Program at the Hellenic Cultural Center.This special program is an opportunity to recognize and honor those who have served our country and to express our gratitude for their service and sacrifice.We encourage our veterans & their families to join us as we honor those who have served.
Church Office Hours:(978) 458-8092 / [email protected]) Tu–Wed-Th 10am-2pm: 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 Visits:Please 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:
Synaxis of the Archangel Michael & the other Bodiless Powers: Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salaphiel, Jegudiel, & Barachiel
All the Angels, according to the Apostle Paul, are ministering spirits, - sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation - (Heb. 1:14). God set them as overseers of every nation and people, and guides to that which is profitable (Deut. 32:8); and while one Angel is appointed to oversee each nation as a whole, one is also appointed to protect each Christian individually. He commands them to guard them that hope on Him, that nothing should harm them, neither should any evil draw nigh to their dwelling (Ps. 90:10-12). In the Heavens they always behold the face of God, sending up to Him the thrice-holy hymn and interceding with Him in our behalf, seeing they rejoice over one sinner that repents (Esaias 6:2-3; Matt. 18:10; Luke 15:7). In a word, they have served God in so many ways for our benefit, that the pages of Holy Scripture are filled with the histories thereof. It is for these reasons that the Orthodox Catholic Church, wisely honouring these divine ministers, our protectors and guardians, celebrates today the present Synaxis that is, our coming together in assembly for their common feast to chant their praises, especially for the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, who are mentioned in the Scriptures by name. The name Michael means "Who is like God?" and Gabriel means "God is mighty." The number of Angels is not defined in the divine Scriptures, where Daniel says that thousands of thousands ministered before Him, and ten thousands of ten thousands attended upon Him -(Dan. 7:10). But all of them are divided into nine orders which are called Thrones, Cherubim, Seraphim, Dominions, Powers, Authorities, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels.
November 09
Nektarius the Wonderworker, Metropolitan of Pentapolis
Saint Nektarius was born in Selyvria of Thrace on October 1, 1846. After putting himself through school in Constantinople with much hard labour, he became a monk on Chios in 1876, receiving the monastic name of Lazarus; because of his virtue, a year later he was ordained deacon, receiving the new name of Nektarius. Under the patronage of Patriarch Sophronius of Alexandria, Nektarius went to Athens to study in 1882; completing his theological studies in 1885, he went to Alexandria, where Patriarch Sophronius ordained him priest on March 23, 1886 in the Cathedral of Saint Sabbas, and in August of the same year, in the Church of Saint Nicholas in Cairo, made him Archimandrite. Archimandrite Nektarius showed much zeal both for preaching the word of God, and for the beauty of God's house. He greatly beautified the Church of Saint Nicholas in Cairo, and years later, when Nektarius was in Athens, Saint Nicholas appeared to him in a dream, embracing him and telling him he was going to exalt him very high.
On January 15, 1889, in the same Church of Saint Nicholas, Nektarius was consecrated Metropolitan of the Pentapolis in eastern Libya, which was under the jurisdiction of Alexandria. Although Nektarius' swift ascent through the degrees of ecclesiastical office did not affect his modesty and childlike innocence, it aroused the envy of lesser men, who convinced the elderly Sophronius that Nektarius had it in his heart to become Patriarch. Since the people loved Nektarius, the Patriarch was troubled by the slanders. On May 3, 1890, Sophronius relieved Metropolitan Nektarius of his duties; in July of the same year, he commanded Nektarius to leave Egypt.
Without seeking to avenge or even to defend himself, the innocent Metropolitan left for Athens, where he found that accusations of immorality had arrived before him. Because his good name had been soiled, he was unable to find a position worthy of a bishop, and in February of 1891 accepted the position of provincial preacher in Euboia; then, in 1894, he was appointed dean of the Rizarios Ecclesiastical School in Athens. Through his eloquent sermons his unwearying labours to educate fitting men for the priesthood, his generous alms deeds despite his own poverty, and the holiness, meekness, and fatherly love that were manifest in him, he became a shining light and a spiritual guide to many. At the request of certain pious women, in 1904 he began the building of his convent of the Holy Trinity on the island of Aegina while yet dean of the Rizarios School; finding later that his presence there was needed, he took up his residence on Aegina in 1908, where he spent the last years of his life, devoting himself to the direction of his convent and to very intense prayer; he was sometimes seen lifted above the ground while rapt in prayer. He became the protector of all Aegina, through his prayers delivering the island from drought, healing the sick, and casting out demons. Here also he endured wicked slanders with singular patience, forgiving his false accusers and not seeking to avenge himself. Although he had already worked wonders in life, an innumerable multitude of miracles have been wrought after his repose in 1920 through his holy relics, which for many years remained incorrupt. There is hardly a malady that has not been cured through his prayers; but Saint Nektarius is especially renowned for his healings of cancer for sufferers in all parts of the world.
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Epistle Reading
Synaxis of the Archangel Michael & the other Bodiless Powers: Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salaphiel, Jegudiel, & Barachiel
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 2:2-10
Brethren, if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his own will. For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. It has been testified somewhere, "What is man that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man, that thou carest for him? Thou didst make him for a little while lower than the angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet." Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. But we see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for every one. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering.
Synaxis of the Archangel Michael & the other Bodiless Powers: Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salaphiel, Jegudiel, & Barachiel
Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 2:2-10
7th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 8:41-56
At that time, there came to Jesus a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue; and falling at Jesus' feet he besought him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As he went, the people pressed round him. And a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years and had spent all her living upon physicians and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment; and immediately her flow of blood ceased. And Jesus said, "Who was it that touched me?" When all denied it, Peter and those who were with him said, "Master, the multitudes surround you and press upon you!" But Jesus said, "Some one touched me; for I perceive that power has gone forth from me." And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace." While he was still speaking, a man from the ruler's house came and said, "Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more." But Jesus on hearing this answered him, "Do not fear; only believe, and she shall be well." And when he came to the house, he permitted no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. And all were weeping and bewailing her; but he said, "Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But taking her by the hand he called, saying, "Child, arise." And her spirit returned, and she got up at once; and he directed that something should be given her to eat. And her parents were amazed; but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.
AHEPA’s bond with Greece is stronger than ever, says Supreme President
11/01/2026
“Greece is part of AHEPA. Its founders came from Greece, so this bond will always exist. And today it is stronger than ever.”
This was the message from AHEPA Supreme President Chris Kaitson, who spoke about the organization’s enduring ties to Greece in exclusive on-camera remarks to the Orthodox Observer during the AHEPA Awards 2026.
The annual awards ceremony was held Saturday night, Oct. 31, at the Athenaeum InterContinental hotel in Athens. Hellenic Parliament Speaker Nikitas Kaklamanis attended, along with about 500 members of the AHEPA family, chapter presidents, officers and guests. The evening joined the recognition of excellence with charity, launching a philanthropic campaign to support Agia Sofia Children’s Hospital.
“It is an honor for me to be in District 25,” Kaitson told the Observer, referring to AHEPA Hellas, the organization’s district in Greece. “We have a common history,” he added, pointing to AHEPA’s Greek roots and the importance of preserving that bond.
Greece and the United States: A bond with a past and a future
In his address to the gathering, Kaitson spoke of AHEPA’s founding in the United States by immigrants from Greece and said Hellenism has been the foundation of the organization’s path ever since. The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association was established in Atlanta in 1922.
“The bond between the United States and Greece will continue to grow stronger, because that is what we must continue to support,” he said.
He placed particular emphasis on historical memory and on the hardships faced by the first generations of Greek immigrants. He recalled AHEPA’s fight against discrimination and against the Ku Klux Klan, connecting the organization’s origins with its continuing mission of solidarity and service to society.
“It is very important for our members in the United States to remember the past, to remember where we come from and what difficulties we faced,” he said.
He also congratulated the district’s current and past officers, and its chapters, on what they have accomplished, and looked ahead to the work they will do together.
Pictured at the 2026 AHEPA Awards in Athens, from second left: AHEPA Hellas District Governor Argyris Tsounakis; AHEPA Supreme President E. Chris Kaitson; Nadia Lambriniadis, mother of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America; His Grace Bishop Theologos of Talantion, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Athens, representing His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece; Harry Theoharis, Greece’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs responsible for Economic Diplomacy and Extroversion; and the Vice President of AHEPA Hellas. Photo courtesy of AHEPA/Fotis Grivas
“The future is in this room”
The heart of his speech was the younger generation and the need to give young people a real role in how the organization operates and makes decisions.
“But where is the future? The future is in this room,” he said, speaking of the young men and women of the Sons of Pericles and the Maids of Athena, the youth organizations of the AHEPA family.
“They are our future, but they are also our present,” he said, and called on AHEPA and the Daughters of Penelope to include young people in their activities and in decision-making.
“They are smart young people who have a lot to offer,” he said. They need to be given an active role, he explained, so that they know how much their participation is wanted and needed.
Describing his meetings with members of the Sons of Pericles, he said: “They are very capable young professionals. They are not kids; they are adults.”
His appeal was also directed at the young. He urged them to learn AHEPA’s history and to draw on the experience of older members who have worked for decades “with blood, sweat and tears.”
“That is our goal: to hand over an AHEPA that is better and stronger than the one we received,” he said, comparing that aim to every family’s wish to grow stronger and withstand life’s hardships.
He ended his speech with a blessing: “God bless AHEPA. God bless Hellenism. God bless Greece and the United States.”
Kaklamanis brings a national message
In his greeting, Secretary General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy at the Greek Foreign Ministry spoke in moving terms about the special contribution of AHEPA and of Hellenism in the diaspora.
His remarks also carried a national message. He invoked the historic “OXI,” Greece’s “No” to Fascist Italy’s ultimatum on Oct. 28, 1940, and spoke of the lasting importance of defending freedom and national sovereignty. In that context, he referred to Greece’s armed forces and their readiness to confront any hostile threat, linking historical memory with today’s responsibility to the homeland.
His presence and remarks highlighted the importance of the Greek state’s relationship with the organized Greek diaspora, and the contribution of Greeks abroad in supporting Greece.
A warm welcome from Tsounakis
AHEPA Hellas Governor Anargyros Tsounakis welcomed the Supreme President and the organization’s officers to Greece for the annual event with particular joy and warmth.
Among those attending were a representative of His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece; Nick Karacostas, chairman of the AHEPA Board of Trustees and a past Supreme President; and Basil Mossaidis, AHEPA’s Executive Director in the United States.
Awards Committee Chairman John Chrysoulakis, a professor emeritus, longtime AHEPA officer, and former Secretary General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy at the Greek Foreign Ministry, was especially moved as he spoke about the committee’s choices and the paths the honorees have taken.
AHEPA Hellas District Governor Argyris Tsounakis and Professor Ioannis Chrysoulakis, an AHEPA Hellas official and Chairman of the Awards Committee, join award recipients and representatives accepting awards on their behalf for a group photograph at the 2026 AHEPA Awards in Athens. Photo courtesy of AHEPA/Fotis Grivas
The 13 honorees of the AHEPA Awards 2026
This year’s ceremony recognized people and institutions whose work spans science, education, culture, business, sports and social solidarity.
The honorees were:
Dr. Magdalena Simonis: Award for Medical Excellence and Public Health
Stella Kokolis: Award for Greek Education and the Preservation of National Identity
Christoforos Charalambakis: Award for Academic Excellence and the Greek Language
Danai Bezantakou: Award for Maritime Leadership and Youth Empowerment
David Nachmias: Award for Cultural Heritage and Musical Tradition
Byron Nicolaides: Award for International Entrepreneurship and Lifelong Learning
George Tsarouchas: Award for Innovation, Technology and New Entrepreneurship
Alexandra Gravas: Award for Cultural Diplomacy and Musical Excellence
Stavros Nicolaou: Award for Leadership in Public Health and the Greek Diaspora
Antonia Moropoulou: Award for Scientific Excellence and the Preservation of World Cultural Heritage
Dr. Thomas Bisbas: Award for Frontier Research and Astrophysics
Viohalco Group: Award for Industrial Leadership and Social Contribution
ELPIDA Association of Friends of Children with Cancer: Award for Humanitarian Service and Social Solidarity
For the children of Agia Sofia
The charity gala was the opening event of a broader AHEPA Hellas campaign to support Agia Sofia Children’s Hospital in Athens, the largest pediatric hospital in Greece.
The initiative aims to mobilize businesses, foundations, organizations, private donors and Greek diaspora groups. The needs it will cover are to be identified together with the hospital’s administration, so that the assistance answers specific priorities.
The evening in Athens thus marked the start of a continuing effort to turn the collective strength of AHEPA and Hellenism into real support for the hospital’s work, for the benefit of the children and their families.
“Greece is part of AHEPA. Its founders came from Greece, so this bond will always exist. And today it is stronger than ever.” This was the message from AHEPA Supreme President Chris Kaitson, who spoke […]
