Χριστός Ανέστη! Christ is Risen! Truly He has risen!

Pascha has always seemed to me to be a time to anticipate a fresh, if not new, start in our lives. Perhaps it is the slight physical changes that we sense in late winter and early spring that heightens our anticipation that Pascha will soon arrive, bringing with it a world seemingly rejuvenated with hope. More likely though, I believe that it is simply the enormity of our Lenten journey these forty days that makes the words Christos Anesti – Christ has Risen, climactic in every possible way. Fasting is put aside in favor of feasting, and mourning is replaced with joy. Ironically, Pascha, which commemorates our Lord’s conquering of death, is indeed a wondrous time proving that everything is possible in life.

Today, during the Easter season, we boldly proclaim, "Christ is risen!" But, we should also remember that throughout Christian history and in some places continuing to this day, Christians do so at great risk – yet we take our religious freedom for granted. Our joyous greeting "Christ is Risen" is said aloud. It will be our first greeting to all our family and friends for the next forty days until the time of the Ascension of our Lord, and for the good of our beloved Parish, which nurtures us in every possible way.

Although we are not all born as brothers and sisters by blood, we are so made by our collective journey. Let us then worship together this Lenten and Paschal season as one family, both hopeful and grateful for that which bonds us to each other as a St. Sophia family member. While we anticipate the rebirth of our spiritual lives, let us all then work together for the good of all, and that of our spiritual home which both shelters and nourishes us. We look forward to the fresh beginning that has been promised with Christ’s Resurrection. Let us always keep our faith in God strong and vibrant. May we never take for granted our St. Sophia Church. Let us always place our spiritual home first in your generous giving, so that our children and their children will continue to freely proclaim, "Christ is Risen!"

Another important ingredient in our life as a follower of Jesus Christ is our Lenten practice of Tithing. Actually we do this on an ongoing basis and not just during Lent – it should be part and parcel of whom and what we are as Christians. At St. Sophia, our Tithing takes many forms, but one that I would like to have us focus on during this Easter season is helping "Capital Region Food Pantry." Some of the stores where I do my food shopping will frequently offer a "buy one, get one free" – this can be a golden opportunity for us to put together a bag of non-perishable food for the pantry. It may not cost us anything but the time and energy it takes to put a bag together and bring it to church. During these times of economic difficulty, helping stock "The Food Pantry" can be a blessing for so many people during the Easter Holiday. The Ladies of Philoptochos and I invite you to put together a bag, put it in the basket in front of the church office, and we will make sure it gets to the pantry. Thank you!

Our 41st Annual Greek Festival is just over a month away. WE NEED YOU, if just for a few hours. This is our community’s major fund raiser each year. We once again need everyone’s help to make this festival a success. If you or anyone you know is interested in working on the pre-festival activities or at the festival itself, complete the volunteer form outside the office, or contact the church office at 489-4442 or George Sokaris, Festival Chairman, at 577-8855. Our annual festival is made possible by the combined efforts of many volunteers - just like you! Please consider being a part of our festival by donating your time and talents this year. I promise you great fellowship and lots of laughter and fun.

The baking and cooking for the Festival continues this month. I highly encourage those of you that are able, to please come and help out. Your assistance is greatly needed this year. Young and old are welcome for baking, packing, and cooking. These are fun times and you get to know so many parishioners. Please see the schedule in The Testament and weekly bulletins.

Our condolences to the families of Theodore "Ted" Anton and John P. Petalas as they mourn and grieve at their death. They were faithful and loving members of our St. Sophia family who will be greatly missed. Please also keep in prayer Stefan Deligiannis, the nephew of Peter and Maria Pappas, and the son of Cynthia and Kosta Deligiannis. St. Sophia is extremely grateful to all the families who generously donated money to our church in memory of their loved ones. Your loved ones will always be in our prayers, and will be greatly missed.

The other day I was in the office and heard such fun and laughter coming from the Ahepa room. There I found seven ladies of "Knitting for a Cause" clicking their needles and having a grand old time. This group of ladies under the guidance of Jan Gallas take time to knit, and crochet, blankets that will be donated to needy women’s organizations. If you are interested in learning and having a fun Wednesday afternoon while helping those in need give Jan a call.