As we prepare to move into our new Sanctuary, we will be holding Divine Services in the Johnides Family Cultural Center during a transitional period.  This provisional arrangement is necessary as we complete the construction of our new Church and begin construction of the Nicholas S. Zoullas Hellenic Center, which will be built in the footprint of our existing Church building.  This Sunday, February 10th, 2013, will be the last Sunday on which we celebrate Divine Liturgy in our present Church.

As we joyfully look forward, with gratitude to our Heavenly Father, to the completion of our new spiritual home, we also acknowledge the faith, vision, determination and hard work of our founders who answered God’s call and established our community of Kimisis tis Theotokou.  There is, no doubt, a bitter sweetness in saying goodbye to our existing church, and taking this vital and important step toward our new Sanctuary.

This Sunday, we will be holding a memorial service, during which we will commemorate the visionary clergy and laity who founded our church, as well as our departed members and friends who have served and led our Church over the past thirty years.

We will also offer the service of Artoklasia, during which we will offer grateful prayers, and ask the blessings of God for all of our members and for the future of our Orthodox Christian Community on Long Island’s East End.

We are requesting that you submit names for the Memorial and/or Artoklasia services. Please do so by responding to this email, or by dropping off your list at the Church office this week.  Please indicate in your list those who are living and departed.

As we mark this momentous and historical milestone in the life of our Church Family, we offer grateful prayers, our respect, admiration, and gratitude to everyone who, against the odds and conventional wisdom, offered their resources, hard work, and countless hours for the establishment and progress of our Church in the Hamptons.  Please join us this Sunday as we usher in this new and exciting period in the life of our Church Family.