Dear Saint Sophia Parishioners,
On behalf of Father Steve and with his blessings, the Parish Council would like to provide the SSC Community with an update. We hope everyone had a WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING and we wish you and yours a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
LITURGICAL CALENDAR – every Sunday 8:30 Orthros and 10:00 Divine Liturgy – please see the website, website calendar, bulletins, and emails for other services.
ASK YOUR PARISH COUNCIL
Your Parish Council welcomes your questions! We would encourage your inquiries sent via email to parishcouncil@saintsophiadc.com, or if you wish, place them in the PC mailbox located in the Cathedral Office. Our goal is to be as transparent as possible and provide information. Your anonymity will be honored!
DID YOU KNOW!!! We want to celebrate all that is GOOD, GREAT, AND EXCELLENT about Saint Sophia Cathedral, our parishioners, our ministries, and our community. Everyone, Ministry Leaders, etc. please LET US KNOW!!! We will be including these stories in future updates.
GENERAL UPDATES:
- Farewell Father Gabriel Galifianakis: In November, we said farewell to Father Gabriel and expressed our most heartfelt thanks to him and Presbytera Samantha for their ministry to Saint Sophia Cathedral. We congratulate them both and wish them Godspeed as they move on to their next assignment. Together with their precious daughter, Athenoula (Athena), we pray God grant them every blessing as they move on to this next exciting phase of their family life and ministry, which begins December 1 at Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church of Port Washington, Long Island, NY.
- Welcome Father Gregory Gatanas: On December 1, we look forward to welcoming Father Gregory Gatanas and Presbytera Eleftheria Papadopoulos. Father Gregory was ordained to the Holy Diaconate at the Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church of Port Washington on Sunday, November 2, and then ordained to the Holy Priesthood at the Church of the Holy Resurrection the following Sunday, November 9. Please join us in welcoming them with open arms and hearts.
- Parish Council Election: We hope every Parishioner in Good Standing will exercise or have exercised his or her opportunity to vote on December 7 for the 2026-27 Parish Council Members.
- Faith Direct has now merged with ParishSOFT: For your convenience you can manage ALL your donations online. ParishSOFT will email your receipts and year-end statements. Please take this opportunity to administer your stewardship and all donations (Weekly Offering, Candles, Memorial, Saints, Christmas, Christmas Card, Poinsettias, Narthex, Preserve & Protect, etc.) with this online Saint Sophia giving opportunity. https://giving.parishsoft.com/app/giving/FD-408
- Saint Sophia Doughboys: On November 1, with Chef Hats adorned and flour flying, 18 men participated in the inaugural Saint Sophia Doughboys, Men’s Baking Ministry. Led by Chief Prosforo Maker, Victor Berio, each made his individual Prosforo. Every Prosforo made has or will be blessed and used during a Divine Liturgy over the next several weeks. Look for future events.
- The World Through God’s Eyes: On November 2, Philoptochos sponsored lunch and another lecture given by Father Steve on “The Cross.” Thank you to Father Steve for another thought-provoking lecture!
- Annual Veterans Day Taverna Night: On November 8, we paid tribute to our patriots, those exceptional and invaluable men and women who have and will forever keep us safe and protect our liberties. After a blessing from Father Steve and the singing of our National Anthem, Father introduced Demo Kolaras. Captain Kolaras shared many vital statistics regarding our veterans; he always sets the tone of gratitude to all that have and continue to serve our great country, the United States of America. Thank You Captain Kolaras! We then celebrated with great Greek food and dance.
- Jewelry Trunk Show and Pendant Raffle: Philoptochos, and under the leadership of Carole Varner, held a trunk show on November 8, exhibiting the beautiful jewelry design of Helen Georgiou!!! Ms. Georgiou donated a beautiful pendant toward a Philoptochos raffle, which raised over $3,500. The raffle winner was selected during Taverna Night; Congratulations to the winner, Nick Zuppas. He made Jennifer very HAPPY!
- Parish Assembly Meeting: Per the GOARCH Regulations, the fall Parish Assembly Meeting was held on November 9. Amanda Lockhart chaired the meeting and shared the Cathedral’s overview, and Nicholas Margarites gave a summary of the Cathedral’s 2025 finances. We voted and approved the 2026 Cathedral’s Budget, the 2025 Board of Auditors, and 2025 Board of Elections. Seven 2026-2027 Parish Council candidates were nominated and accepted for six vacancies. Thank you to all who joined us that afternoon.
- JOY/LA: On November 9, JOY/LA invited their godparents to celebrate Godparent Sunday and joined them in a Service Project where lunches were prepared for previously homeless individuals.
- JOY/LA/GOYA: On November 15, Christmas Advent began; following the Family Divine Liturgy, Philoptochos offered breakfast and children’s craft making.
- YAL: Celebrated Thanksgiving together on November 16.
MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT:
Saint Sophia Greek School: To access our website you may follow the link https://Saintsophiadcgreekschool.com/
- Greek School: The Saint Sophia Greek School is a vibrant ministry of our Cathedral dedicated to educating and inspiring students in the Greek language, history, and culture while fostering a connection to Orthodox Christian values. Through engaging classroom instruction, prayer, and participation in church life, students grow in both linguistic proficiency and cultural identity. Beyond the classroom, our program comes alive with Greek dance, music, crafts, and holiday celebrations, along with student performances for OXI Day, Greek Independence Day, and parish events. These experiences not only deepen students’ appreciation of Hellenic traditions but also strengthen their sense of community, confidence, and pride. By uniting faith, education, and culture, Saint Sophia Greek School preserves and promotes our rich heritage while empowering the next generation to carry forward the treasures of Greece and Orthodoxy within the parish, the DC community, and beyond.
- Greek Adult School: Saint Sophia Cathedral offers Greek language and culture education proudly as one of its ministries. For more than half a century this ministry has included adults of all backgrounds. During the past ten years our program became more modernized and moved online, accommodating adults and children. The program provides multi-level instruction in either group or one to one. The curriculum includes Greek language, history, culture, traditions and religion.
MINISTRY AND EVENT CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS: December 2025
- December 5 – Vespers, 5PM and Dinner and FOCUS: Presentation with Steven Chrisoforou, 6-8PM
- December 7 – Parish Council Elections, in the Atrium, NOON – 2PM
- December 7 – GOYA: 2025 Basketball Reunion, at Balos Estiatorio, 1:30 PM and on
- December 12 – YAL: Christmas Party, TIME: TBD
- December 13 – GOYA: Wreathes Across America Community Service, TIME: TBD
- December 13 – PHILOPTOCHOS: Christmas Luncheon, NOON – music, food, and drink
- December 13 – AHEPA: Byzantine Concert, 7-9PM and Reception following
- December 14 – LA/JOY/GOYA: Christmas Caroling, in the Cathedral at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy
- December 14 – LA/JOY/GOYA: Santa’s Workshop, in FJ Hall after the Divine Liturgy
- December 20 – Greek School Program
- December 24 – Christmas Eve – 4:30 Orthros and 6:00 Divine Liturgy
- December 30 – New Years Eve – 4:30 Orthros and 6:00 Divine Liturgy
SSC MINISTRIES – WEEKLY AND MONTHLY RECURRING EVENTS: Please see the website, website calendar, bulletins, and emails for updates.
- Father Steve’s Bible Study – meets October-May via zoom Tuesday evening at 7-8 PM
- Baking Committee – meets Tuesday 9:30 AM-2:30 PM during the fall, winter and spring months in the FJ Hall Kitchen, where delicious Greek sweets are made. Lunch is provided.
- Philoptochos Food Drive – the first Sunday of the month. Place your donated dry foods and cans in the bins located in FJ Hall.
- Saint Sophia Table – meets in the FJ Hall Kitchen the second Saturday of the month, where food is prepared for those in need. Food Prep 11 AM-1 PM and Service 1-3 PM (formally St. Stephen’s Table).
- GOYA Basketball Practice – typically every Monday 8-9:30 PM through the season.
- Good Company – Kali Parea – the third Thursday of the month (September- November and January- April), with a guest speaker or activity following lunch at 12:30 PM in the EAC Ballroom.
- Parish Council Meetings – the third Thursday of the month.
MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY, HEALTHY, PROSPEROUS, NEW YEAR!!!
Yours in Christ,
The Saint Sophia Parish Council
