The Clergy of Nassau County in the Direct Archdiocesan District offered the sacrament of Holy Unction for the faithful in attendance on Clean Monday, February 27th at the Church of the Holy Resurrection in Brookville, New York. The Vicar of the Nassau District, the Reverend Protopresbyter Nikiforos Fakinos, conveyed the blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America; His Eminence envisions the implementation of such initiatives in order to strengthen the spiritual collaboration of the clergy and bring the faithful together for the purpose of their edification and growth in the faith. Protopresbyter Nikiforos Fakinos spoke about the significance of the sacrament of Holy Unction as well as the value of healing and spiritual katharsis as we embark on this spiritual journey of Holy and Great Lent.

 

The Reverend Clergy offering the sacrament with the Vicar were the Protopresbyter Christopher Constantinides (Dean of Saint Paul’s Cathedral in Hempstead), the Protopresbyter Ioannis Lardas (Pastor of the Church of Holy Archangels in Port Washington), the Protopresbyter Panteleimon Papadopoulos (Pastor of the Church of Holy Resurrection, Brookville), the Economos Theofanis Papantonis (Pastor of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Hicksville), the Presbyter Elias Pappas (Associate Pastor of Saint Paul’s Cathedral in Hempstead), the Presbyter Ioannis Capones (Associate Pastor of the Church of Holy Archangels in Port Washington) and the Deacon Mathew Kakis (serving at Saint Paul’s Cathedral in Hempstead). Each one of the 7 priests read the respective Gospel readings and blessings of the Holy Unction service, praying for the continuous health, protection and spiritual uplifting of the faithful in Nassau.

 

At the conclusion of the service, the Reverend Protopresbyter Panteleimon Papadopoulos, Pastor of the hosting Parish of the Holy Resurrection, thanked the Vicar of Nassau for his greeting, and for his sermon, as well as all the clergy, the chanters and the faithful in attendance and invited them for a reception. Father Panteleimon also showed the new extension project of the Parish to the Vicar and discussed the progress of the construction. The Reverend Protopresbyter Nikiforos Fakinos also invited the faithful to the upcoming Lenten Lectures, which will be delivered by the Nassau County Clergy in various Parishes of the District. The theme of the discussions is “A Journey to Pascha through the Lenten Sacred Services” and the schedule is as follows:

 

Schedule of Lenten Lectures:

1) Clean Tuesday, February 28th (7 pm), Saint Demetrios Church, Merrick, presenter the Rev. Presbyter George Kazoulis on the topic of the Salutations (Οι Χαιρετισμοί).

2) Tuesday, March 7th (7 pm), Archangel Michael Church, Port Washington, presenter the Rev. Presbyter Elias Pappas on the topic of the Prayer of Saint Ephraim the Syrian (Η Ευχή του Αγίου Εφραίμ του Σύρου).

3) Tuesday, March 14th (7 pm), Saint Paul Cathedral, Hempstead, presenter the Rev. Protopresbyter Panteleimon Papadopoulos on the topic of the Great Canon (Ο Μέγας Κανών).

4) Tuesday, March 21st (7 pm), Holy Resurrection Church, Brookville, presenter the Rev. Economos Theofanis Papantonis on the topic of the Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts (Η Λειτουργία των Προηγιασμένων Τιμίων Δώρων).

5) Tuesday, March 28th (7 pm), Holy Trinity Church, Hicksville, presenter the Rev. Protopresbyter Nikiforos Fakinos on the topic of the Lenten Vespers (Κατανυκτικός Εσπερινός).

6) Tuesday, April 4th (7 pm), Panaghia Church, Island Park, presenter the Rev. Protopresbyter John Lardas on the topic of the Great Compline (To Μέγα Απόδειπνο).

The Nassau Clergy are also working together on significant initiatives for the advancement of Religious education and Greek heritage as well as the youth ministries of the District. On Friday, March 17th, immediately after the service of the Salutations, the GOYA members of the District are invited for a Bible Bowl, which is a very unique and engaging way to teach the youth about the value of reading the Testaments. The event is hosted at Holy Trinity Church, in Hicksville, NY, at 7 pm and all the clergy of Nassau will come together to read several Parables and then help the young members of the surrounding communities understand them and test their knowledge on the subject matter.

 

The historical significance of the Greek Revolution and Independence will also be celebrated at Nassau, on March 23rd at 6 pm (Nassau Executive Headquarters: 1550 Franklin Ave., Mineola, NY 11501) with the American Hellenic Heritage Event. His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America will be the keynote speaker of the event. Representatives of the Parishes, the Greek Schools and the political leadership will be in attendance to honor the sacrifices of the heroes of Greek Independence. In the morning, the AHEPA and the youth will raise the Greek flag at the Nassau Executive Headquarters at 11 am and Ms. Aggeliki Psoni will chant the Anthems of the American and the Greek Nations. Ms. Christina Baris will chant said National Anthems in the evening event. This and many other initiatives are sponsored by the Parishes of Nassau. The Vicar of the District has coordinated the various programs in close collaboration with the Clergy, the Parish leadership and the volunteers of the area.

 

Photos: GOARCG/Dimitrios S. Panagos