Dear Saint Sophia Parishioners,
CHRISTOS ANESTI!!! CHRIST IS RISEN!!! With the blessings from Father Steve and Father Gregory, the Parish Council is providing you with this monthly update. We look forward to seeing everyone at our Spring Festival, Friday, May 15 – Sunday, May 17.
LITURGICAL CALENDAR: Every Sunday 8:30 AM Orthros and 10:00 AM Divine Liturgy. Please see the website, website calendar, bulletins, and emails for other services and updates.
The Cathedral’s pre and Holy Week activities included Philoptochos cleaning and making palm crosses; celebrating Saturday of Lazarus with family communion, confessions with the Fathers, and JOY/LA palm making; on Palm Sunday,
GOYA hosted a Plaki Luncheon and JOY/LA held arts and activities; during Holy Week, Father Gregory visited our homebound and nursing home parishioners, and Philoptochos prepared flowers for Kouvouklion (Epitaphio).
Certainly, one of the highlights of April was celebrating Holy Week with His Grace Bishop Joachim (Cotsonis) of Amissos, who presided over the Divine Services. As many of us know, His Grace is a beloved child of Saint Sophia and
the very first hierarch that our community has raised up in her long, 122-year history. His Grace was consecrated Bishop of Amissos in Saint Sophia Cathedral on December 22, 2019. His Grace was very instrumental in developing the Narthex
Iconography Program, which celebrates Saint Sophia – The Wisdom of God.
SSC GENERAL UPDATES:
Saint Sophia Ministry Activities: Our April ministry events included our typical monthly Sunday School Teen
Talk (Grades 7th – 12th), Sunday School Faith Time (3rd – 6th grades), and Sunday School Face Time (Pre K –
2nd grades). GOYA participated in two basketball tournaments, hosted by Saints Constantine and Helen (DC) and
Saint Demetrios (Baltimore). Acolytes held a cookout to celebrate our Lord’s Resurrection. YAL held a Bright
Friday Cookout and Orthodox Matchmaking Part 2, which was another BIG HIT. Father Steve shared a “Behind
the Scenes Visit to the Altar” with the 9th – 12th Grade Girls. Men’s Social Hour was another great success with
over 70 men participating. Philoptochos hosted a lunch and talk: The Myrrh Bearing Women with Diane
Apostolos-Cappadona.
The Saint Sophia Mercedes-Benz Raffle: Take advantage of winning a Mercedes-Benz or $40,000 in cash!
With GREAT ODDS OF WINNING, there are only 1000 tickets sold! The tickets are selling fast and there are fewer than 100 left!
The Saint Sophia Greek Festival Ad Book: Please take this opportunity to advertise your business, celebrate a family member’s achievements (baptism, graduation, or wedding), or honor the memory of family members who
have fallen asleep in the Lord. May their memories be eternal!
Spring Festival: We look forward to seeing everyone at our Spring Festival, Friday, May 15 – Sunday, May 17.
Volunteers Sign Up with Genius! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F094CACA929A5FE3-61660761-spring?mc_cid=0269f5af3c&mc_eid=c88673a4c2#/
Saint Sophia Golf Classic: Our annual golf tournament will be held at Manor Country Club on Monday, June 8. Please contact Eleni Planzos at: esplanzos@verizon.net.
SSC MINISTRY AND EVENT CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS: Please see the website, website calendar, bulletins, and
emails for updates.
May 3 – Sunday School Face Time (Grades Pre-K – 2nd).
May 9 – Last Day of Greek School.
May 10 – Last Day of Sunday School and Graduate Sunday. MOTHER’S DAY!!!
May 15-17 – Annual Spring Greek Festival – Volunteers needed!!!
May 31 – Parish Assembly Meeting.
June 6 – Journey of Marriage – a pre-marriage seminar 9AM – 3 PM.
June 8 – Saint Sophia Golf Classic at Manor Country Club.
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.
• *** Beginning after Bright Week ***
Father Gregory’s High School Bible Study – meets via zoom Tuesday at 6-7 PM.
Father Gregory’s Joy and Little Angels Family Bible Study – meets via zoom Wednesday at 7:30-8 PM.
Father Gregory’s Orthodox Catechism Class – meets via zoom Thursday at 7-8 PM.
Friday Nights with Mother of God – service at 6 PM, refreshments, fellowship, and Father Gregory’s YAL
Bible Study discussions to follow. Others are welcome.
• Byzantine Youth Choir Lessons – Open to all youth ages 8-18 – Sundays following the Divine Liturgy.
• 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.
OTHER EVENTS or OPPORTUNITIES: Please see the website, website calendar, bulletins, and emails for more information.
• Meraki Laographic Arts: Hellenic Dance classes for all ages – Sundays: grades K-5th 12:30-1:30 PM at Potomac United Methodist Church; Tuesdays: grades 5th-8th 6:30-8:30 PM at Winston Churchill High School; and grades
5th-8th 7-9 PM at Walter Johnson High School; Mondays: adults 18+ 7-9 PM at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
CHRISTOS ANESTI!!! CHRIST IS RISEN!!!
The Saint Sophia Parish Council
