Pageant Inspires All at Rural Church
By Catherine Tsounis
Children are the meaning of Christmas. A unique Christmas Pageant of the Kimisis Tis Theotokou (Domitian of the Virgin Mary) Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons was held on Sunday, December 21st. “This is the Sunday before Christmas Eve,” said presbyter Constantine Lazarakis. “God is with us in our hearts. Our Christmas Pageant is a commemoration of the Birth of Christ.”
“Our children are precious to us,” said protopresbyter Alexander Karloutsos. “We must enjoy them. We must remember the massacre of children (at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut), Do not take your children for granted.” The Greek children’s song “Snow by the Bell Tower” “Hionia Sto Kapanario” was played continuously in our home by the young generation. Visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IpBOFW0Gg8.
This is a time of extreme negativity in the global community towards Greece. A positive image must be reinforced concerning the Greek language and culture. One must remember the T word Christ (or similar spellings) appears in English and most European languages, owing to the Greek usage of Christós in the New Testament as a description for Jesus (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ).
Jag and Penny Jayaswal have been members since 1985. “I believe we must keep the lines of communication open with our children, “Jag said . ”When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around,” said Mark Twain. ‘But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.’
“We are blessed to be part of this Greek Orthodox Church,” said Peter Nikiteas. “We look forward in 2013 to be in our magnificent church. This was the first Christmas without Dr. Robert Halikias, who recently passed away. His family is continuing his work in the community.
The Sunday school held its Annual Christmas Pageant the conclusion of the liturgy. Participants in the Pageant included: Sophia Urban, Virgin Mary; Jean Baptiste Ruffaud, Joseph; Theo Alther, Donkey; Demetrios Lazarakis, Konstantine Lazarakis, Yianni Koltis, The Shepherds; Cody Aliakseyeu, Nicky Badilla, James Hamill, The Three Kings; Leo Palladino, Drummer Boy; James Maroulas, Sheep; Dino Koltis, Cow; Olivia Dartley, Sophia Diveris, Ava Guillo, Xanthi Lazarakis, Ava Lima, Christina Nikolopoulos, George Nikolopoulos, Luca Palladino, Christina Reddington, Angels; Joey Badilla, Sophia Bitis, Yianni Bitis Harrison Gavalas, Michael Hamillo, Heather Marcella, Isabelle Riffaud, Narrators; “O Holy Night”, Deanna Goudelias; “Coventry Carol”, Yanni Bitis, guitar; “What Child Is This?”, Sophia Bitis: “Le Divan Enfant” , Isabelle Riffaud; “I saw Three Ships Come Sailing In”, Jean Baptiste Riffaud; “Candle Carol”, Catalina Badilla; Sia Arvans , Sunday School director; Presbytera Xanthi, Assistant Sunday School Director; Michele Diveris, George Gounelas, Maryann Hamill, Nicole Mannon; Toni Marinucci, Teachers; Ashley Ann Papajohn, Heather Marcella, Mirina Soulopoulos, Assistants and Musical Director, Sophia Saridakis.
Photo 1 – Christmas Pageant with clergy and congregation by Photos by Stavroula Raia.