SAVE THE DATES: HELLENIC INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS
	Every year the HCO celebrates Hellenic Independence Day of “March 25th, 1821”. As first-generation Greeks or as Canadians of Greek descent, we are proud to teach our youth the significance of this important day. This year the commemorations include: SATURDAY, MARCH 20th The Community’s annual Dinner & Dance will be held at the Hellenic Reception Centre. Cocktail 6:00 p.m., Dinner 7:00 p.m. Musical entertainment will be presented by Deejay Thomas. Tickets are $45 for Adults and $20 for Children 12 years & under. Please contact Erin at the Community Office by March 15 to purchase your tickets at 613-225-8016 ext 234 or email generalmanager@helleniccommunity.com. Tickets for this special celebration MUST be ordered in advance. SUNDAY, MARCH 21st Matins 8:30 a.m., Divine Liturgy 9:15 a.m., Doxology 10:30 a.m. at our Church. Buses will be available to transport people to the War Memorial on Elgin Street for the 11:55 a.m. Memorial prayers & Wreath Laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; Parade; Raising of the Greek Flag and a reception at Ottawa City Hall. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24th Eve of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary -Great Vespers at 6:30 p.m. THURSDAY, MARCH 25th The Annunciation of the Virgin Mary -Matins at 9:00 a.m., Divine Liturgy at 9:45 a.m. SATURDAY, MARCH 27th Celebration at the Hellenic School located at D. Roy Kennedy P.S. at 9:30 a.m. We look forward to commemorating Hellenic Independence with all Community members!

	When can Orthodox Christians receive Communion during Lent at our parish?
	Dear fellow parishioners: As we are well into Great Lent and approaching Holy Pascha (April 4th), many people ask “when can Orthodox Christians receive Communion before Pascha?” These dates are below: - Every Sunday morning, as usual: during the Divine Liturgy which begins at 10:15 a.m. (note: on March 21 the Liturgy beings at 9:15 due to the Hellenic Independence Day Parade; see details about the Dance and the Parade on www.helleniccommunity.com). - During the Presanctified Liturgy on Wednesday, March 17th @ 10:00 a.m. - On the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary- Thursday, March 25th: during the Divine Liturgy which begins at 9:45 a.m. - On the Saturday of Lazarus- March 27th: during the Divine Liturgy which begins at 9:45 a.m. - On Holy Thursday- April 1st: during the Divine Liturgy which begins at 9:30 a.m. - On Holy Saturday- April 3rd: - From 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., for those faithful who have to go to work that morning. NOTE: Communion line stops at 9:00 sharp, in order for the priest to prepare for the Divine Liturgy. - During the Divine Liturgy which begins at 9:30 a.m. - During the Divine Liturgy which takes place after the Resurrection Service at Midnight. * Please see the Church Calendar for a complete listing of all the Church services for the month by clicking on ‘Church Calendar’, under the ‘Our Church’ header located on the left-side of the home page www.helleniccommunity.com. Please note: The Church and Community offices will be closed on Orthodox Holy Friday & Easter Monday; therefore the offices will be closed from April 2-5 inclusive. May you all have a blessed rest of Lent and Holy Pascha! The Church Office

	Information Session re the Seniors Centre
	The Board of Directors is holding an Information Session on Monday, March 1st, which is open to all HCO members, to address the Board’s concerns about issues relating to the operation of the Seniors Centre and to receive feedback on the issues from members of the Community. The Information Session will be held from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. in the Reception Centre.

	Sunday Nursery!
	This year, we have a new drop-in Nursery downstairs, during Sunday Liturgy for parents to go if they wish, with their children up to 4 years of age while the rest of the family attends church or Sunday School. The Nursery has toys to occupy the little ones, seating for Mom or Dad, room to store diaper bags and a convenient place to nurse the baby. The Liturgy is televised into the room to help parents and children feel a part of the service. The nursery is open during the Liturgy on the same Sundays that the Sunday School runs. Registration is not necessary; please feel free to drop in and out as the needs of your little one require. Also, please tell your Greek Orthodox friends with young children who may not have heard about it.

	Save a life: Register to become a Stem Cell Donor
	There is a special kind of gift that you might be able to give, and that is the gift of life for a man of Mediterranean heritage, who lived in Ottawa for years, who has leukemia. He is currently living in the U.S, and is desperately in need of a stem cell donor to save his life. There is no match for him in the worldwide Match Registry, and his family & friends are pleading for people of Mediterranean heritage to consider registering as stem cell donors. If you would consider registering as a possible donor, please go to the link: www.onematch.ca -Registration involves completing a consent form and providing a swab from your mouth. You must be between the ages of 17 and 50 to join ”OneMatch today“. Follow step 1) and 2) on the website. The registry will protect the safety of the donor and provide the best possible outcome for the patient. Once you have registered, please send an e-mail with your registration number to donorsforgeorge@yahoo.com so the doctors can put on some pressure and ask for the results if they know the register number. Thank you