NEW YORK – The Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity has always been a vibrant community even during transitional periods. Now, members and friends of the Cathedral – it has always drawn people from throughout the Metropolitan area – are getting excited by announcements of new programs and ministries initiated by the new Dean, Father John Vlahos.
Fr. Vlahos first served as a pastor at the Church of the Resurrection in Brookville, NY. He cherishes his time and the friends he made there, and now has poured himself wholeheartedly into the challenge of realizing the full potential of a Church on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
He has been meeting with numerous groups since his appointment last year and the efforts have begun to bear fruit, especially those aimed at young professionals.
Justin Bozonelis, a member of the Board of Trustees, was impressed from the start. He told TNH, that “soon after his appointment Fr. Vlahos met with the Board and after introducing himself, the first thing he did was read aloud an article that noted seven reasons why young adults leave the Church.”
That signaled to Bozonelis he was not just checking off the youth box on his to do list. “It is something near and dear to his heart…afterwards he and I had conversation about organizing the young adult ministry,” he said. “We kicked around ideas and called it Cathedral Connect.” He and Katherine Rolle are spearheading it.
SHOW ME THE 20 AND 30 YEAR OLDS
Their first success was part of the Chrysanthemum Ball and was attended by 340 young professionals. A similar event is planned as part of the 2015 Cathedral Ball scheduled for Friday June 5.
In December the group ran a coat drive for the needy, and over the next few months they are planning lectures, social and cultural events and a special presentation by a celebrity chef who will teach the participants one signature dish.
Bozonelis believes they have a golden opportunity under the leadership of youthful pastor with a young family.
Vlahos and Presbytera Constantina have two daughters Stelie,12 and Andreana, 5. His parents are from Corinth and Presbytera Constantina has roots in Patras and Ikaria. They both grew up in the parish of Sts. Constantine and Helen in Merrillville, IN.
Cathedral Connect is aimed at 20 and 30 year olds. Bozonelis further described the great opportunity and responsibility: “It’s New York City. Every year you have thousands of new college graduates, and all these Greeks come to the city and the one thing you can count on that should connect us is the Church.”
For Cathedral Connects philanthropic dimension, they are exploring partnering with groups like International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC).
Bozonelis and Relle are not alone. In two months the committee has gone from four people to 20. Athanasios Minetos, the Cathedral’s Protopsalti and Pastoral Assistant, is part of the team, but everyone is invited to contribute.
“If you have a cool Idea, want to do something different…ideas will be heard an acted on. We hold meetings once a month open to anyone who wants to join.” Those interested can email to connect@thecathedral.org to get on the mailing list for events.
MULTIDIMENSIONAL, MOSTLY
Common to most of the new Cathedral endeavors is the idea that each group, which caters to distinct demographics, will offer a mix of social, cultural and spiritual events.
Uniquity – as in “we are all unique but we have much in common” – is the Cathedral’s new ministry for single, widowed and divorced members and prospective members of its congregation and activities will include service projects to build the community seven days a week.
The first event was a great success, a Potluck Dinner and Comedy Night featuring comedienne Ellen Karis on January 16. More than 40 people enjoyed food, fellowship and funniness in the Cathedral Ballroom.
A game night – bring your favorite board game – will be held in February.
The two new groups are outgrowths of past successful ministries, the Cathedral Fellowship and the FOS lecture/discussion series.
One of Fr. Vlahos’ first initiatives is the Faith and Fellowship hour, an adult spiritual ministry which meets every Wednesday at 7PM after the Paraklisis service that commences at 6PM.
The Cathedral will also have a senior citizen’s club called The Prime Timers. Led by Carol Contos and Pauline Kotsilingas, there will be weekly gatherings and trips, lectures and service projects.
Two new groups will have a single focus, however. The Parea club led by James and Stella Pantelides will be strictly social. “It’s similar to the Mr. and Mrs. Clubs that many parishes had, but we don’t’ want to exclude anyone that is single and will have monthly or bi-monthly events,” Vlahos told TNH.
The Cathedral’s social calendar will be supplemented by two new events, a golf outing on May 18th and a street festival on September 12.
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