ICONS
Please see newspaper article in this issue which was recently in our local paper, Times Union, on our adopted iconagrapher, Altin Stoja. Altin has completed 6 murals and has approximately 4 murals left to do. In order to accomplish this endeavor we are requesting donors for the remaining icons. What a legacy one can leave for future generations to enjoy by fulfilling this endeavor. Please see Father Pat.

 CHURCH INTERIOR PAINTING
St. Sophia is indeed blessed. A parishioner wanted our church to have a face lift by having the interior painted. This was a large donation which was sorely needed. Thank you to this anonymous donor.

STEWARDSHIP 2008
Bessie Malamas is now our Financial Secretary who will be responsible for the Stewardship program. Please take the time to introduce yourself to Bessie and give her the necessary cooperation. If you have not done so, please submit your 2008 Stewardship Commitment Card so that St. Sophia which is perceived by many as a gem and a jewel can meet its yearly budget, continue with the many programs offered, and help the many ministries under way. For your convenience we have included a 2008 Commitment Card in this issue. Bessie is looking forward to hearing from you soon. ...Helen Sokaris

GREEK FESTIVAL
MAY 16-18 On May 17, 18 and 19 the Greek Festival will be under way. Everyone’s participation is essential in order to keep St. Sophia running and operating with the many programs it offers. The Greek Festival also provides to the Tri-City area a glimpse of Greek culture. Visitors every year are quite impressed with the total participation – all ages from 4 year olds to 90 year olds. They also express what a wonderful event we offer and state that once a year is not enough – Ha! Ha! Ha!. Let’s continue the legacy we embarked on 36 years ago. The City of Albany’s travelers brochure includes the Festival as a major event not to be missed. Please do not wait to the last minute to volunteer your services. Call the Church Office and someone will get back to you of where and when you will be needed. George Sokaris and his committees have been working diligently once again.

 MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES
On May 26, 2008, at 10:00 AM, the Divine Liturgy and Memorial Services will be held at Graceland Cemetery in loving memory of our departed parishioners. Let us not forget our soldiers who have and will lose their lives in Iraq in order to protect the freedom we so enjoy in the United States. Please note that if it is raining the services will be held at the Church.

SUNDAY SCHOOL
Just a reminder, Sunday School graduation this year is Sunday, June 1st, immediately after the Divine Liturgy. Please make every effort to attend and support our Sunday School students. HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES On Sunday, June 22, let us start a new tradition by congratulating our high school graduates. The Coffee Fellowship Hour will be sponsored in their honor.

ST. SOPHIA 2008 SCHOLARSHIP
 Please note that the 2008 scholarship applications are available in the Church Office. All applications must be returned by June 30, 2008. An official transcript must also be received by the Scholarship Committee. The parents of each applicant must file a 2008 Stewardship Commitment Card and must be at least 50% paid by June 30, 2008 ...John Karatzou, Chair

EASTER DONATIONS On behalf of the St. Sophia, we express a heartfelt thank you to the following parishioners for their generous donations towards our Easter needs:

✟ 1st Salutation Wreath ................................................................In Mem Despou/Charles Anastas; Melba/Bill Lee
✟ 2nd Salutation Wreath Kathryn, ...............................................................................Michael and Xrysanthi Sokaris
✟ 3rd Salutation Wreath ................................................................................................................................Anonymous
✟ 4th Salutation Wreath ................................................................................................................................Anonymous
✟ Akathist Wreath Anonymous
✟ Daffodils/Sunday of Cross .....................................................................Nicholas, Dolores & Anthony Thanopoulos
✟ Wreath for Nymphios Services ...................................................................................In Memory of Spiro Bahlatzis
✟ 3 White Hand Towels & Linen Sheets....................................................................................................... Anonymous
✟ 2 Linen Sheets ...........................................................................................................................2 Anonymous Donors
✟ Palms for Palm Sunday morning ......................................................................................................Bessie Malamas
✟ Wreath for Holy Wednesday ...................................................................................................................Anonymous
✟ Holy Oil, Cotton Balls, Q-Tips ..................................................................................................................Anonymous
✟ Crucifixion Wreath In Loving ...........................................................................................Memory of Thano Jeoney
✟ 250 Red Carnations for Unnailing Service ...............................In Memory of George & Stavroula Galanopoulos
✟ Last Supper Wreath.................................................................................................................................. Anonymous
✟ Resurrection Icon ..............................................................................................................Peter and Georgia Melas
✟ Resurrection Banner (Lavaro) ................................................................................................................Anonymous
✟ Resurrection Candle (Lambada) ......................................................................In Memory of Thomas/Steve Sarris
✟ Resurrection Candle (Lambada) ............................................................................................................Anonymous
✟ Monetary donations for Epitaphio Flowers.........................................................................................Irene Econome
..........................................................................................................................................Elizabeth and Chris Hermedes
.....................................................................................................................................................John Kapetsonis Family
...............................................................................................................In Memory of Ariadne-Yolanda Fenyo Kendris
.....................................................................................................................................................................Flora Pampris
........................................................................................................................................................Marie Delores Takes
..................................................................................................................Many Parishioners and Visitors to St. Sophia
✟ Easter Eggs ..................................................................................................In Memory of Georgia & James Zarifis
✟ “Egg Hunt” Easter Candy........................................................................................................................ Anonymous
✟ Monetary donations for Easter lily plants.......................In Memory of Stephen Mabin, Louis, and Elnor Apostol
..................................................................................................................................................John and Tessie Deffigos
.................................................................................................................................................................John Kapetsonis
...............................................................................................................................In Memory of Diane Romeo Murphy
...............................................................................................................................................In Memory of Peter Soulis
.............................................................................................................................In Memory of Cleo and James Stricos
.....................................................................................................................................In Memory of Helen Varvarousis

CELEBRATIONS
In the months of May and June we celebrate many occasions:
Mother’s Day – we would like to extend and express our admiration to all our mothers who we commemorate their holiday on May 11th. Please attend church services as a family to bless our mothers with the love and honor we have for this important person in our lives.

Father’s Day – let’s not forget our fathers whose holiday is June15th by beginning the day attending church services as a family.

Graduates – we congratulate the Sunday School, Greek School, High School and College graduates. St. Sophia takes this opportunity to express its congratulations to them and hopes that the church had a role in its endeavors to develop and nurture our youth.

 $500 MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP
IN MEMORY OF SPIRO TAKES
The family of Spiro Takes is sponsoring a $500 scholarship award to a senior at St. Sophia who intends to go on to pursue a degree in classical music, composition, or voice. This year’s recipient will receive a one-time award. In subsequent years, a similar award may be presented to another student, as funding permits. There is no income limitation on the family/student recipient. The only criteria is that the student wishes to pursue music. Please let the Parish Council know if a student is pursuing the above, so that we can recommend this scholarship.

CHURCH CLEANING
What a wonderful group of parishioners listed below. On April 8th they came to St. Sophia to clean the church. Their hard work is evident as everything glistens and shines. Please give them a big thank you. I also would like to thank Jerry Spellos who made the pizza for lunch and Athena Loupessis of the 76 Diner who provided a delicious lenten lunch for these hard working parishioners. Helen Sokaris, Chair

Bessie Anastas Bob Limage
Helen Anastasio Bessie Malamas
Ourania Andrews Calliope Marinopoulos
Polly Chakmakas Chris Marinopoulos
Peter Charlay Ted Moisides
Virginia Cholakis Colleen Nelligan
Norma Damascos Peter Pappas
John Deffigos Elaine Sokaris
Tessie Deffigos Karen Sokaris
Harry Ermides Mary Sokaris
Xanthi Galanis Helen Thomas
Jim Lascaris Katherine Vasiliades
Tessie Lascaris

THANK YOU
To Father Pat and our beloved Saint Sophia family. On behalf of the entire Jeoney, Pierce, and Bashwinger families, we want to thank you all for your compassion, love and generosity extended to us during this painful time in our lives. A special thank you to Father Pat who loved our Mary as Christ loved the church. Thank you to Dora Mokhiber and the Philoptochos for the lovely Makaria that was served with love. May her memory be eternal! George, Pattie, George III, Rita, Rosemary & Family, and most importantly Anthony

The Sunday of Orthodoxy reception hosted by Philoptochos in conjunction with the Parish Council was an enjoyable social event for the many guests from the Capital District Orthodox Churches who attended the evening program. The food was delicious and completely nistisimo! The Lenten appetizers and salads were outstanding and the dessert table was to die for. These were all wonderful dishes prepared and donated by our Philoptochos women. T.K. was the man on board in the kitchen, and he made a fabulous lentil soup followed by a mushroom and olive pasta dish as the main course. But, it wasn’t just the many dishes that were prepared that was so gratifying, it was the many “hands” that appeared to make the event so successful. First there were two volunteers, then four, and then more and more. There was a wonderful group of women who showed up and pitched in with the set-up, the layout of the buffet tables, the serving, and the final cleanup of the buffet tables and kitchen. It was like the Amish “barn raising.” They appeared and then did what needed to be bone to make this reception a lovely, lovely event. Many thanks!!! Amy Spellos and Margaret Danes, Co-chairs

FYI
HIGH SCHOOL MEDICAL PRIZE
The Research Grants Committee of the Hellenic Medical Society of New York is awarding to high school students of Hellenic descent an essay prize of $500. Requirements: deadline June 30, 2008; original manuscript of any medical or health related topic of not more than 3 pages (7 copies); brief biographical sketch (7 copies); cover letter (7 copies). For information: Hellenic Medical Society of New York, 401 East 34th St., NY, NY 10016, (202-683-4447).