Maimonides Medical Center shares Christmas spirit with the Holy Cross community

This community tree lighting created joy for people of all ages.

On Sunday, December 6, the tree was lit at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church located at 84th Street and Ridge Boulevard, Maimonides Medical Center sponsored the Annual event, with a donation that covered the cost of the festive tree trimmings.

The evening began with decorating festivities at 4:30 p.m. with all the children of the community helping to create the perfect festive tree. “We had a very nice turnout. About 60 people came out,” notes Youth Coordinator and parishioner Christina Frangoulis.

Frangoulis said that all the youth groups within the church participated, including the Hope Program which is for ages three to six; the Joy Program which is for ages seven to 12; the GOYA Program which is for ages 13 to 17; and lastly the YAL Program, which is for ages 18 to 21. “We let the kids do it all, with the exception of a few adults helping to reach the higher parts of the tree,” she noted.

Frangoulis added that older adults come to watch the festive event, taking joy in it, “It’s something people look forward to,” she notes.

The lighting of the tree took place at 6 p.m. and Frangoulis said that Father Gerasimos Makris, the church’s pastor, held a vesper service after the lighting, followed by a family dinner at which the community had the opportunity to mingle and enjoy each other’s company.

“It was a very nice event, to bring the community together. We hope to make it bigger and bigger every year,” noted Frangoulis.