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Annunciation/Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2024-03-17
Bulletin Contents

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Annunciation/Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (215) 635-0316
  • Street Address:

  • 7921 Old York Rd.

  • Elkins Park, PA 19027


Contact Information




Services Schedule

We invite you to worship with us on Sundays and on holy days to Matins at 8:30 and Divine Liturgy at 9:30-11 a.m. Join us for coffee fellowship afterwards.


Past Bulletins


Welcome to Annunciation/Evangelismnos Church!

For Our Guests & Visitors

OUR MISSION is to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, sanctify the faithful through the liturgy and the Holy Sacraments, grow the church by receiving new members, live the Orthodox Christian Faith, and serve humanity through Christ-centered ministries.

OUR VISION is to be a loving, caring, and welcoming Christian community where all belong and grow in the Orthodox Christian Faith through worship, witness, fellowship, and service to others.

HOLY COMMUNION is offered to those baptized and confirmed in the Eastern Orthodox Christian Faith who have prepared according to the Orthodox Tradition. Guests and visitors are welcome to worship with us and receive the antidoron (“instead of the gifts”) blessed bread at the dismissal.
Please allow Catechism School children to receive Holy Communion first, followed by the newly baptized infants. When you approach the chalice, please give your baptismal name to the priest.

GUESTS AND VISITORS: Enter your contact information in the Guest Book at the narthex if you want us to contact you and join us for fellowship hour in our church hall following the liturgy.


Weekend Update

Cheesefare Saturday, March 16, 2024

Forgiveness (Cheesefare) Sunday, March 17, 2024
Κυριακή τῆς Τυροφάγου, 17 Μαρτίου, 2024. Το κήρυγμα της Κυριακής εδώ

  • 8:30 am Matins, 9:30 Divine Liturgy.
  • Catechism classes following Holy Communion.
  • Join us in offering memorial prayers for the peaceful repose of the souls of Agnes Louridas (2 years) and Michael Louridas (10 years) of blessed memory.
  • We will pray the Forgiveness Service after the divine liturgy.
  • Our PTO hosts the coffee fellowship hour.
  • Greek School will present their March 25 program.
  • 1 pm GOYA Sights & Sounds practice.

 Clean Monday, March 18, 2024

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

  • 5 pm Greek School classes.

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Friday, March 22, 2024

First Saturday of Lent, March 23, 2024

1st Sunday of Lent (of Orthodoxy), March 24, 2024

  • 8:30 am Matins, 9:30 Divine Liturgy.
  • Catechism classes following Holy Communion. Holy Icons Procession.
  • Greek School will host the coffee fellowship hour.
  • GOYA Sights & Sounds dress rehearsal.
  • 6 pm Great Vespers of Annunciation. Our Philoptochos will offer a reception following vespers.

Monday, March 25, 2024

The Annunciation of the TheotokosO Εὐαγγελισμός τῆς Θεοτόκου

  • 8:30 am Matins, 9:30 Divine Liturgy with the Thanksgiving Doxology for the Liberation of Greece. Our Philoptochos will host a luncheon following the divine liturgy.

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

  • 5 pm Greek School classes.

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Friday, March 29, 2024


Looking Ahead Beyond Next Week


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Fourth Mode. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4.

Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand.

Προκείμενον. Plagal Fourth Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 75.11,1.
Εὔξασθε καὶ ἀπόδοτε Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν.
Στίχ. Γνωστὸς ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ ὁ Θεός, ἐν τῷ Ἰσραὴλ μέγα τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς ῾Ρωμαίους 13:11-14, 14:1-4.

Ἀδελφοί, νῦν ἐγγύτερον ἡμῶν ἡ σωτηρία ἢ ὅτε ἐπιστεύσαμεν. Ἡ νὺξ προέκοψεν, ἡ δὲ ἡμέρα ἤγγικεν· ἀποθώμεθα οὖν τὰ ἔργα τοῦ σκότους, καί ἐνδυσώμεθα τὰ ὅπλα τοῦ φωτός. Ὡς ἐν ἡμέρᾳ, εὐσχημόνως περιπατήσωμεν, μὴ κώμοις καὶ μέθαις, μὴ κοίταις καὶ ἀσελγείαις, μὴ ἔριδι καὶ ζήλῳ. Ἀλλʼ ἐνδύσασθε τὸν κύριον Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν, καὶ τῆς σαρκὸς πρόνοιαν μὴ ποιεῖσθε, εἰς ἐπιθυμίας. Τὸν δὲ ἀσθενοῦντα τῇ πίστει προσλαμβάνεσθε, μὴ εἰς διακρίσεις διαλογισμῶν. Ὃς μὲν πιστεύει φαγεῖν πάντα, ὁ δὲ ἀσθενῶν λάχανα ἐσθίει. Ὁ ἐσθίων τὸν μὴ ἐσθίοντα μὴ ἐξουθενείτω, καὶ ὁ μὴ ἐσθίων τὸν ἐσθίοντα μὴ κρινέτω· ὁ θεὸς γὰρ αὐτὸν προσελάβετο. Σὺ τίς εἶ ὁ κρίνων ἀλλότριον οἰκέτην; Τῷ ἰδίῳ κυρίῳ στήκει ἢ πίπτει. Σταθήσεται δέ· δυνατὸς γάρ ἐστιν ὁ θεὸς στῆσαι αὐτόν.


Gospel Reading

Forgiveness Sunday
The Reading is from Matthew 6:14-21

The Lord said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

"And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Forgiveness Sunday
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 6:14-21

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· ᾿Εὰν γὰρ ἀφῆτε τοῖς ἀνθρώποις τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν, ἀφήσει καὶ ὑμῖν ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ὁ οὐράνιος· ἐὰν δὲ μὴ ἀφῆτε τοῖς ἀνθρώποις τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν, οὐδὲ ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ἀφήσει τὰ παραπτώματα ὑμῶν. ῞Οταν δὲ νηστεύητε, μὴ γίνεσθε ὥσπερ οἱ ὑποκριταὶ σκυθρωποί· ἀφανίζουσι γὰρ τὰ πρόσωπα αὐτῶν ὅπως φανῶσι τοῖς ἀνθρώποις νηστεύοντες· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ἀπέχουσι τὸν μισθὸν αὐτῶν. σὺ δὲ νηστεύων ἄλειψαί σου τὴν κεφαλὴν καὶ τὸ πρόσωπόν σου νίψαι,ὅπως μὴ φανῇς τοῖς ἀνθρώποις νηστεύων, ἀλλὰ τῷ πατρί σου τῷ ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ, καὶ ὁ πατήρ σου ὁ βλέπων ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ ἀποδώσει σοι ἐν τῷ φανερῷ. Μὴ θησαυρίζετε ὑμῖν θησαυροὺς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ὅπου σὴς καὶ βρῶσις ἀφανίζει, καὶ ὅπου κλέπται διορύσσουσι καὶ κλέπτουσι· θησαυρίζετε δὲ ὑμῖν θησαυροὺς ἐν οὐρανῷ, ὅπου οὔτε σὴς οὔτε βρῶσις ἀφανίζει, καὶ ὅπου κλέπται οὐ διορύσσουσιν οὐδὲ κλέπτουσιν· ὅπου γάρ ἐστιν ὁ θησαυρὸς ὑμῶν, ἐκεῖ ἔσται καὶ ἡ καρδία ὑμῶν.


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2024 Guide to Lenten Weekday Services

Great Compline - Απόδειπνο. Five consecutive Mondays starting Momday 18, at 6 pm

Great Compline is prayed in monasteries on a daily basis before one retires for sleep. It is prayed in our churches during Great Lent.  This 45 minute-long service consists mostly of Psalm readings and prayers and ends with the very powerful hymn, “Lord of the Powers, be with us” The service allows us an opportunity to pray and reflect, seek God’s mercy and forgiveness, and to acknowledge that all our hopes and salvation must be placed in God’s hands.

Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts - Λειτουργία των Προηγιασμέμων Δώρων. Five consecutive Wednesdays starting March 20 and alternating 9 am and 6 pm, every other week.

Since the Divine Liturgy is a festive and joyous celebration, it is not celebrated on weekdays during Lent, except on the Saturdays of the Souls and the Feast of the Annunciation. However, because Lent is a period of fasting, it should also be a period of more frequent reception of Holy Communion. There is no consecration of the Gifts at this Liturgy (hence the name Pre-sanctified). They have been consecrated on the preceding Sunday at a regular Divine Liturgy. It lasts just over an hour and contains the service of the Ninth Hour and the Vespers, with Holy Communion added at the end. Those who choose to keep the fast are encouraged to attend this service and to receive Holy Communion as a way of sustaining the fast by receiving the Body and Blood of Christ even more frequently during this period of spiritual discipline.

The Akathist Hymn to the Mother of God - Ο Ακάθιστος Υμνος εις την Υπεραγία Θεοτόκο. Five consecutive Fridays starting March 22, at 6 pm.

This service consists of hymns and prayers addressed to Christ and the Theotokos. It is a beautiful poem of praise and devotion to the Mother of our Lord. It was sung in the year 626 in the Church of the Theotokos in Constantinople on the occasion of the deliverance and freedom of the City from the barbarians. It is comprised of 24 stanzas, each beginning with a letter of the Greek alphabet from Alpha to Omega. It is divided into four parts, one part sung on each of the Fridays of Lent (Salutations), and on the fifth Friday, the Hymn is sung in its entirety. It is called "Akathist" (Gr. for standing) because the people, out of love and gratitude to the Theotokos, stood during the entire Hymn.

Readers Welcomed

The Readers Ministry is open to all parishioners who wish to offer their gift of reading during these services.

Please let George Dalagelis know the date and service you want to participate.

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Youth Ministries

GOYA Activities

  • IONIAN VILLAGE 2024. The Office of Ionian Village, with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, is pleased to announce applications for need-based scholarships for those wishing to attend Ionian Village 2024. Ionian Village Scholarships Here


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Community News & Events

March 9, 16, 23/2024, Saturdays of Souls Memorial Service —Ψυχοσάββατο

The church teaches us that those who have fallen asleep are not dead but still alive in Christ Jesus! In its very essence, prayer for the dead is a proclamation of the Resurrection of Christ. This is a central reoccurring theme for the Saturday of the Souls. Therefore, it is imperative for us, the living, to remember our loved ones who have passed on and pray that the Lord accepts them into His heavenly kingdom.

You have two options to submit the name of your loved departed ones to be commemorated:

A)   electronically here, or

B)   in writing with your koliva when you attend liturgy. If you submit your names electronically, you don't have to re-submit them in writing when you attend liturgy in person.

Matins begin at 8:30 am, and we kindly ask you to bring your koliva (memorial wheat) and printed names to church no later than 9 am on Saturday. Ushers on duty will be here to assist you. We will share a coffee fellowship hour after the liturgy.

Fr. John will also offer graveside trisagion prayers after the divine liturgy on Saturday, March 9. He will be at Lawnview Cemetery at approximately 12 pm, and Whitemarsh Cemetery at 1:30 pm.


Homeless Ministry News

What do you do when you see someone trying to survive on the streets? Perhaps we have never imagined ourselves in their shoes. Our reactions can range from pity to anger to choosing not to see the person at all. As hard as it is to witness the suffering of others, we must also try to exercise empathy. Imagine what it’s like to have no home or support network, to be cold, hungry, or sick, to have people walk by you each day and pretend you don’t exist.

How can we help when we cross paths with a homeless person on the streets? The answer is not always easy or simple. The best place to start is by remembering the humanity of each person we see. Treat every person with dignity – but also follow your instincts. A wide range of reasons and situations force a person to homelessness. One thing is certain: most of them didn’t choose that life. Most are simply victims of circumstances beyond their control. Sometimes, all they need is someone to empathize with them and give them a chance to redeem themselves. Small acts of kindness can have tremendously positive repercussions. Think about making eye contact, smiling, encouraging, and praying.

Please take 10 minutes to listen to this video shared last year from our church’s Facebook page on Sunday of the Last Judgment.

Through your generous donations and the hands-on help of our Catechism students, we are preparing AGAPE Bags. The bags include a small water bottle, food/snacks, and Bombas socks. We invite our parishioners to take one or two or as many AGAPE Bags as they would like to have on hand. Keep some in your car or carry one with you on your commute. When you see someone in need, you can give them this small gift of hope and love. Bags will be available throughout Lent and will be located in baskets marked AGAPE Bags at two different locations –  across from the exit to the courtyard and by the exit from the social hall to the parking lot. 

Prayers for a Blessed Lenten Journey! Καλή Σαρακοστή!

The Homeless Ministry


Understanding Byzantine Chant Class

We are pleased to offer introductory lessons to Byzantine Chant starting Friday, February 23 at 6:30 pmThe lessons combine virtual, self-study, occasionally in-person, and practicum during the services of Great Lent.

Open to all parishioners, especially the young. The only requirement is a willingness to learn. We will focus on the following:

  1. The structure of the liturgical services and cycles of the Eastern Orthodox Church: when, how, and why we do what we do in church.
  2. The history and purpose of our hymnology: what are the eight Modes? Psalms? Troparion? Apolytikion? Kontakion? Triodion?
  3. Sight reading neumes - the distinctive musical notation of the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Please let George Dalagelis know if you are interested (215) 635-0316, office@anngoc.org. If Friday night does not work for you, the group can decide on a different date.


Pray Together the Church Services on Your Smartphone!

1. Download the AGES Initiatives app on your smartphone.
2. Click on the Service Calendar. The app defaults to the current date.
3. Choose the bilingual service (Compline, Akathist, Vespers, Matins, Divine Liturgy, etc.).

EvangelismosWifi
Password: aoc12345


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Stewardship News

Monthly Stewardship Communication

Vanco Giving Updates

Vanco Mobile App 

We have updated some features, so please refresh it.  If you haven't downloaded it yet, please do so now! You can make all your church offerings and donations in one convenient and safe location:

  1. Download the free Vanco Mobile App here:  iPhone or Android
  2. Make one-time or recurring donations using your debit/credit card or checking/savings account.
  3. Login to your Vanco account or donate as a guest.
  4. You can also check out this Vanco Mobile How-To Guide for step-by-step instructions.

Vanco Online

We have also updated the Vanco Faith Page on our website. Please login with your existing Vanco account and check out the new easy-to-use giving features.

You can now edit your recurring transactions from within your Vanco profile. To make edits to your recurring transactions,  log into your profile, navigate to scheduled transactions, and click the edit button on the recurring transaction you wish to update. Once you have selected the edit option, you can make changes to your gifts:  

  • Frequency 
  • (Next) start date 
  • End date 
  • Transaction amount 
  • Payment method 
  • Tile/Fund choice 

This feature is currently available on the online version, and it will also be available in the mobile app soon.  

Please stop by the church office or call us if you have questions or need assistance.


Stewardship 2024 Campaign is Under Way

Last November, you received your 2024 personalized Stewardship Pledge Card of Time, Talent, and Treasure and the 2024 Stewardship Increase Request in the mail.

Thank you to the 190  parishioners below who have already returned their 2024 Pledge Card or pledged through VANCO.

If you are already a Sustaining Steward, that is, you have set up regular payments through VANCO or your bank bill payer service:

  1. You do not have to fill out a pledge card!
  2. Check with your VANCO account or bank bill payer service to ensure your regular payments continue through 2024.
  3. Use the 2024 Pledge Card information as a guide to update your giving to reflect your current level of commitment.
  4. Don't hesitate to call us at the parish office if you need help updating your VANCO donations for 2024.

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Focus on Our Church Family

Pastoral Care: If you or someone you know is sick, homebound elderly, or scheduled for surgery, please call the church office to let us know so Fr. John can make a pastoral visit or add someone to the prayer list.

In Our Prayers: “Pray for one another that you might be healed.” (James 5:16): Josephine, Emma, Paulette, Virginia, Effie, James, Grace, Hollie, Valerie, Virginia, Rizos, Brad, Elaine, Diane, Evangelia, Vaitsa, Donna, Anastasia, Michael, Kyriaki, Olga, Angela.

Names will be kept on this list for approximately 3 months. Please resubmit Names if needed. Fr. John will include the submitted names at the Psokomide “Offering of Gifts” during the first part of the liturgy when he prepares the mystical gifts of bread & wine. Please lift these names up to the Lord in your personal prayer life as well.

Prayer for healing: Heavenly Father, physician of our souls and bodies, who have sent our Lord to heal every sickness. Visit and heal us. Grant patience in this sickness, strength of body and spirit, and recovery of health. Lord, You have taught us to pray for each other that we may be healed. We pray that You heal, guide and protect your servant (s) (pray by name for those who are sick) and grant them the gift of complete health. You are the source of healing, and to You we give glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Happy Wedding Anniversary to those Celebrating this Week: 

Χρόνια Πολλά & Ευλογηµένα! God Grant You Many Years! To Those Who are Celebrating Birthdays this Coming Week:  Kaliope Godshall, Constantine Karmokolias, Katerina Karmokolias, Mary Mack, Zoe Mcmurry, Addison Skoufalos, Irene Vouladas, Konstantinos Halkidis, Chryssa Papakirk, Konstantinos Vafiadis, Artemis Valais, Argero Fafalios, Joann Malliaris, Maria Papanikolaou, Demetrios Varoumas, Georgia Weiss, George Andreadis, Sophia Bandy, William Burch, Dimitrios Econome,Kai Hans Fentross, Effie Giannos, Theodore Kosoglou, Dawn Nylander, Jodi Jasionowicz, Daphne Loizos, Antonis Pantazopoulos, Argyris Sahlanis, Demetrios Vafiadis, Alexandros Hionas, Sarah Rose Moore, Robert Pelton,Evangelia Penning, Anna Skoutelas, Nicoletta Vafiadis, Thomas Borrell, Nicholas Fifis, Anastasia Gleeson, Eleftherios Pitsakis, Kristen Spahr.

Do We Have Your Birthday and Anniversary Dates?

We include upcoming birthdays and anniversaries in our bulletin to help us celebrate each other's milestones and get to know each other better.
If you notice that your birthday or anniversary is not included in our weekly bulletin, it means that we do not have that information from you. We ask you kindly to contact the parish office and provide us with those dates.
This information also gives us a better understanding of our community's demographics, which helps us improve our ministries and how we serve you.
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Beyond Annunciation

 

  • EXPERIENCE ORTHODOX AND GOSPEL MUSIC TOGETHER. Our faith is for all! Our friends at Cappella Romana are offering their recent concert online for you. “How Sweet the Sound: Black Voices in Orthodox Music” features selections from the "Jubilee Divine Liturgy" based on spirituals by Abbess Katherine and Greek Orthodox Vespers infused with Gospel and Jazz by Shawn Wallace. You'll hear "O Gladsome Light" (Phos hilaron) and Psalm 103 chanted as you've never heard them: accompanied by Hammond B3 organ in Gospel style. This very moving concert is available until the end of October, with video samples and interviews, at cappellaromana.org/sweetsound
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Archdiocese News

Did You Know? Department of Religious Education (DRE) CHEESEFARE WEEK March 11

03/12/2024

Did you know that Cheesefare Week is the third week of the Triodion and the final week of preparation before Great Lent?


AHEPA Educational Foundation Announces Newly Established Scholarship

03/13/2024

Washington—George Vorkas, Chairman of the AHEPA Educational Foundation announced today that the Foundation has agreed to establish the Zavaras-Angelidou Scholarship for Greek Studies.


PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT: An IOCC Frontliner Reflects

03/13/2024

Our US program focuses on disaster prep, response, and recovery, and we've done a lot the last few years to help communities impacted by hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods. Frontliner Fr. Stephen Mathewes recently shared his experience following an IOCC training in Florida, where participants also had a chance to help rebuild post Hurricane Ian.


Parish Highlight: St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral Bethlehem, PA

03/11/2024

The first Orthodox Christians to arrive from Greece in hopes of a new life in the Lehigh Valley came to Bethlehem in 1911, opening restaurants or working at Bethlehem Steel. By 1916 these immigrants, realizing the need and importance of maintaining their faith and culture, purchased the former St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church at 1224 East Fourth Street, on the South Side of Bethlehem. From its founding in 1916 until 1955, this church served the Greek Orthodox population.


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Bulletin Inserts

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