PORTSMOUTH, NH PARISH WELCOMES METROPOLITAN METHODIOS FOR ST. NICHOLAS VESPERS

The St. Nicholas (Portsmouth, NH) family warmly welcomed His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios who presided at the Vesper Service on December 5.  The children of the community were most excited to see the Metropolitan who was very pleased when the younsters chanted the Apolytikion of St. Nicholas in Greek.  They had practiced diligently and enthusiastically with their Greek teacher, Maria Tsougranis.  Metropolitan Methodios, Fr. Angelo Pappas--the Pastor of St. Nicholas---the visiting clergy, and the congregation were delighted to hear the children participate in the service.  Area clergy who participated in the Vesper Service included Fr. Arthur Athans, Fr. Costin Popescu, Fr. Basil Arabatzis, and Fr. Constantine Newman.  Fr. Alexios Marakis, from Crete, a student at Holy Cross, also participated.  Following the Service, everyone got together for a reception in the church hall.