March 30th, 2025
Always a Spiritual Focus, First
Dearest Parish Families,
As of this writing (today, Thursday, March 27th), I can share that we had a great evening, last night, with our fourth Lenten Lecture in our Church Nave, as well as our Zoom link to the discussion and presentation. It ended up that, even when we closed the Zoom link, we ended up staying in the church for another hour, continuing the spiritual conversation. What we were sharing was how we can help to understand ourselves better in the event of fasting for Great Lent, and in participating in our faith’s practices, to grow closer to God. It just really touched me that we were able to participate in such a deep and meaningful conversation.
So, we do encourage everybody to connect in and/or show up in person (if possible) for our final Lenten Lecture next Wednesday at 7 pm. I personally was overwhelmed toward the end of our presentation when one of our parishioners was joined in to our presentation while he was in a Monastery on the Holy Mountain, Mount Athos. That just really overpowered me: I had no idea web connections actually existed in that area of Mount Athos. I imagine somebody with a smart phone would be able to access an internet link from the nearby towns of Ouranopolis or close by. Just amazing. I am doubly-grateful now for the connectivity of our world. For all good things.
Speaking of which, I remind everyone that on this Sunday, after our worship services, we do have the opportunity to participate in our annual Greek Independence Day parade on Fifth Avenue, beginning at 2:30 pm, I believe. We are all going to meet at our Church and then be able to troup together over to our place in line on Fifth Avenue. Please meet with us to help coordinate travel and attendance.
And coming up on April 5th, Saturday, there will be held the Direct Archdiocesan District’s annual Clergy-Laity Conference. If you are interested in seeing how Church procedures and information and established and held, you are welcome to join us at the Rye, NY parish, at 9:30 am. It’s always been a helpful education for me, and a great opportunity to see how other parishes are doing. It’s a great occasion for us to be all united.
In the meantime, I so hope you all may be able to strengthen us in worship with your presence and your prayers combined with ours. As Jesus also said, “Where two or more are gathered, there am I also. Let’s keep going on our Great Lenten journey and pilgrimage together in strength.
Faithfully, Father Samaras
7th Morning Orthros Gospel
On March 30th, we commemorate our devout father John, the author of the Ladder; the holy Prophet Joad (or Joel); our devout father John of the Well; Saint Evouli, the mother of Saint Panteleimon; Saint John, Patriarch of Jerusalem; the holy New Hieromartyr Zacharias, who witnessed in Corinth in the year 1684; And on this day, the fourth Sunday of Lent, we commemorate our devout Father John, author of The Ladder.

2025 PARISH COUNCIL
President - Theo Christ
Vice President – Yvonne Anastasiou
Secretary – Dina Mastoras
Parish Council Member - Evdokia Sofos
Parish Council Member - Dialecti Voudouris
Parish Council Member - Anastassios Mentis
Parish Council Member – Paula Refolo
Parish Council Member - Theodore Vougiouklakis
Parish Council Member - Mike Anastasiou