First Week Of Our Preschool

Our classes have started and everything is running smoothly. Our classroom is gorgeous thanks to the GOYA, Georgia Kaitery and Peggy Kostopoulos. Pictures to follow. All new material has been brought back from Greece this summer. (Thanks mom and Thea Cheryl)

Greek American Preschool at Saint Paraskevi First Day!

I am so excited to start this school year. We have 3 new amazing teachers. Despinis Katerina, Despinis Sophia and Kyria Callie. Our classes are filled with Greek American students with the hunger to learn the Greek language, culture, tradition and religion. Good Luck to all!

Saint Paraskevi Greek School Pics!

I believe this is from 1984. This is me marching in the Greek Parade holding the Greek School Banner with my Amalia on.

The Greek American Preschool at Saint Paraskevi Graduation 2011

On Sunday, June 5, 2011 The Greek American Preschool at Saint Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Church had their Moving Up Exercises. The students performed "Agios O Theos" and "Ta Xerakia" ( Perfect song that teaches left and right deksia kai aristera in Greek. Zouzounakia Ah Kounelaki DVD has it http://www.gmvmusic.com/ and www.Greekshops.com ) This years graduates are our original students from when I created the program in September of 2006. All of these students have been through all of the programs in our Preschool: Ta Morakia, Ta Kouklakia, Ta Poulakia and Ta Psarakia. I am very proud of them.

The Greek American Preschool at Saint Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Shrine Church Dance Performance

Our Greek Dance recital was held on June 3, 2011. Students did a wonderful job. They danced, the Kalamatiano, Xassapiko, Tsamiko and Zembekiko. Parents were even invited to join in. Kyria Diane Bennis donated her salary for 2010/2011 back to the preschool. God Bless You Thea Diane!

Fundraiser Cancel

Our preschool fundraiser was cancelled this year. I was so upset. I had only 22 paid the night before the "Greek Night". God Bless Mr. and Mrs. Gus Constantine, Mr and Mrs. Michael Bapis, Dr.and Mrs. Niko Skipitaris, Mr. and Mrs. Dean Soteropoulos, Mrs. and Mrs. Jerry Parkas and the Philoptochos at Saint Paraskevi for their donations eventhough the event was cancelled. People don't realize how important these fundraisers are for our schools.

Xristos Anesti until June 12

Just a reminder that the Xristos Anesti should be recited every day until Pentecost Sunday which is June 12 this year. In my home, we recite it in the morning.

Xristos Anestis Christ Has Risen

On April 24, 2011 we celebrated Greek Orthodox Easter. We had a traditional "Pascha" (Easter) at my home as we do every year. We sang the XristodsAnesti before eating and cracked red eggs to symbolize the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Here is the song in phonetics.

Xristos Anesti

Ekne kron Thanato Thanaton Pati Sas

Kai tis En Tis mnimasi Zoe

Xarisamenos

Popeye The Sailor Man Greek DVD

Nouno Yiannis saves the day! He came over on Sunday with a Popeye DVD in Greek. My kids loved it! Of course my husband and Nouno couldn't take their eyes off the DVD as well. There are three different episodes on the DVD. It works on my multi region DVD player. They spell it "POPAY" ( Paragogi 2007)Telephone 210-953-6645 or email cinenet@otenet.gr.

Happy Birthday in Greek

My oldest son turned 6 last week. We put signs all over the house that wrote Hronia Polla( Many years). We made a special dinner of his favorite meal, orzo and bread ( kritheraki and psomi). After the cake we sang Happy Birthday in English and then in Greek.

Greek Phonetics English
Na zisis Gavrilli kai xronia polla long may you live and many years
megalos na ginis may grow old
me aspra mallia with white hair
pantou na skorpizis may you spread out everywhere
tis gnosis to fos the light of knowledge
kai oli na lene and everyone will say
na enas sofos there he is a wise man

Greek Independence Day Parade New York City

This year, the Greek Independence Day Parade was held on March 27,2011. It was a cold and windy day but the sun was out. 6 students from our pre school marched with our church, Saint Paraskevi. Bravo Paidea and Zito Ellada! I just ordered a banner for next year and t-shirts for our students!

Well , the boys and I finished the Kolyva this morning! Here are the pics. May their memory be eternal! Let me know how it came out.

Kolyva Recipe

This year for Saturday of the Souls (Psixo Savvato), I will be making kolyva for the first time. Most of the ingredients I purchased at the Supermarket but the hulled wheat (sitari) and decorations I had to go to the local Bakaliko in Hicksville.
My children assisted me and we discussed the meaning of kolyva and the prayers.
Prayer before:
Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me the commandments. Give rest, O God, to your servants and place them in paradise, where the choirs of the Saints and the just, O Lord shine like stars. Give rest to your servant who has fallen asleep, overlooking all of their transgressions.
Kolyva Recipe:
4 cups of shelled wheat
1/2 cup of sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
2 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
2 cups ground graham crackers
1/4 cup parsley
1 1/2 cups of slivered almonds
1 cups crushed walnuts
1/2 cup pine nuts
3/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup sesame seeds
decorations-silver,almonds, Jordan almonds

Rinse the wheat 2 to 3 times. Next boil for 2 hours. Drain well and then put in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, mix in raisins, pine nuts, slivered almonds, walnuts, parsley, cinnamon, sesame, and sugar. Flatten that out in your tray. Layer with crushed graham crackers, then sift confectioners sugar on top as to not see the mixture underneath. For decoration you may put a cross and or initials of the deceased.

Ending prayer:
For you, O Christ our Lord, are the resurrection, the life and the repose of your departed servants, who have fallen asleep and you we glorify together, with your eternal Father and your all holy , good and life giving spirit, now and forever unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Make sure you come into church early that day to hand in the Kolyva and write down the names of the deceased so the priest may read them off during the service.

Greek American Preschool At Saint Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Shrine Church Second Annual Fundraiser

Save the date to all. Saturday, May 14 will be our Second Annual Preschool Fundraiser. It will be held at the Artful Dodger on New Street in Huntington, New York from 7:00p.m. - 11:00p.m. It is $65 per person and includes open bar, buffet dinner, and Greek D.J. George Katsoulakis . D.J. George is not only the best Greek D.J. in the tri state area but we are Koumbari also. My parents baptized his brother. Please try to come. Pictures to follow.

Author and Illustrator John Sazaklis

We are so proud of John Sazaklis. Not only is he my husband's cousin, but he is also our Koumbaro. He baptized my youngest son Argyri. John happends to be a fabulous Nouno! Check out some of my older posts. He is always around.

Pictures from the book reading

Reading by Author Illustrator John Sazaklis

On January 15, 2011 author and illustrator John Sazaklis did a presentation at Saint Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Church.We had a total of 35 children attend. It was a huge success. Mr. Sazaklis talked a bit about himself and read two of his books. After the presentation was over, and the children had eaten their pizza, John Sazaklis sent home each child with a personally signed book of his. What an event! Bravo John Sazaklis on a job well done. You are an inspiration to us all ( Especially fellow Greek Americans trying to pursue their hopes and dreams.).

On January 6, 2011 Father Dimitri came in and cut the Vasilopita at The Greek American Preschool at Saint Paraskevi. He discussed Agios Vasilis and explained to the meaning behind the Vasilopita. Our students were very excited. Thanks Father Dimitri for an enlightening lesson!