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St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2024-02-18
Bulletin Contents
Parish News
Saints and Feasts
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Hymns of the Day
Wisdom of the Fathers
Bulletin inserts
Healcanaanitedaughter
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St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (908) 968-4004
  • Fax:
  • (908) 968-4002
  • Street Address:

  • 85 Voorhees Corner Road,

  • Flemington, NJ 08822

Contact Information

St. Anna Office staff

stannagoc@gmail.com | (908) 968-4004

Protopresbyter Fr. Anastasios Kousoulas


frakousoulas@gmail.com | mobile (908) 528-1077

Services Schedule

Sunday Services:  Orthros 8:30 am; Divine Liturgy 9:30  am.  

Weekday Services:  See parish website calendar link for updates.

 

Past Bulletins


Parish News

Our GOYA  hosted the regional Valentine's Dance on Friday, Feb. 16.  The Northern NJ Churches attended and had a wonderful time.  It was great teamwork by our St. Anna "Village!"  We have received multiple thank-you notes already from the other churches.  Here is a sample:

Dear Saint Anna GOYA,
 
On behalf of the Saint Nicholas GOYA, we wanted to send a big thank you to all the advisors, Father Anastasios, Presvytera Nektaria, parents and GOYAns for all your hard work hosting a wonderful Valentine's Dance. It was a beautiful evening with delicious food, and our GOYAns had such a great time!
 
In Christ's service,
 
The Saint Nicholas Wyckoff GOYA Advisors

Memorial Services: today for Georgios (father of Zoi Kaldes) and Theodoros (father of Maria Sfondouris).  May their memory be eternal!  Maria Sfondouris is hosting fellowship hour today in memory of her father.

Visit of the V. Rev. Fr. George Nikas:  Fr. George Nikas, who served the St. Anna Community for over 6 years (Fr. A's predecessor), will be serving with Fr. Anastasios on Sunday, Feb. 25!  Please attend and welcome Fr. George back to our St. Anna Family.  Divine Liturgy will begin as usual at 9:30 AM so please be on time to welcome Fr. George.

March 1 Trivia Night Ticket Sales: Buy your tickets online at greekdinners.com. This will be an evening of fun and fellowship for family and friends 21 years of age and older.  In addition to challenging your trivia knowledge, there will also be prizes for Trivia game winners, a Wine Pull, a 50/50 raffle, door prizes, and dessert.  Register to attend by Feb. 18 at $25 per person, however, if you register after Feb. 18, it is $30 per person – so register early and save.   For questions and more information, ask Arge Mardakis.

The Parish Oratorical Festival is scheduled for Saturday, March 16 from 11 AM to 1 PM!  Please see Oratorical Festival note below.

March 23 Lenten Retreat  Registration for parishioners is now open. A link was sent to the e-bulletin list. Maria Tattoli will also be taking registrations on Sunday during the Fellowship Hour.  Please register now as space is limited. The price is $30. (On Monday, Feb. 12, registration was also opened to the entire public.)

Online Information & Registration:  
Contact Diana Grina with event questions: Dianakg2003@yahoo.dom

LAST CALL! To schedule a house blessing from Feb. 19 through March 1, please contact Fr. A. Thank you. 

YOUTH MINISTRY CONTACTS:

Sunday School Director: Nikol Toulatos nikoltoulatos44@gmail.com
Greek School Director: Maria Sfondouris msfondouris@gmail.com
GOYA Head Advisor: Larisa Trumpy larisatrumpy@gmail.com
Hope & Joy Advisor: Kristen Diagelakis kdiagelakis@gmail.com
Greek Dance Lead: Larisa Trumpy larisatrumpy@gmail.com
Young Adult League (YAL): Kali Vaporakis rangerkali@gmail.com

College Care Package Ministry: Maria Tattoli mtattoli@gmail.com

Parent Advisory Council (PAC) Chair: Lisa Soteropoulos lisasoteropoulos@gmail.com

SUNDAY SCHOOL:  
Sunday School resumes on FEB 18. Please use the signup genius to sign up for Godparents Sunday coffee hour on FEB 25.
 
Upcoming Events:
FEB. 25: Godparent Sunday
MAR. 16: Parish Oratorical Festival
MAR. 24: Sunday of Orthodoxy

The Oratorical Festival topics are now online!  Please encourage all youth from grades 7 to 12 to pick out a topic as we prepare for a March 16, 2024, Parish Oratorical Festival.  (The District Level will be on Sat, April 6 at our neighboring parish of St. George in Trenton, NJ.) Please see the Bulletin Insert for a list of topics.

GREEK SCHOOL:
There is no Greek school on Monday, February 19th in observance of President's Day.

GOYA:
We would like to thank all of our parents, volunteers, and GOYAns for organizing and hosting the Valentine’s Dance. Thank you to Father Anastasios, Presvytera, and PC for your tremendous support. It was a successful event because of the team effort. 
 
COLLEGE CARE PACKAGE MINISTRY:
Our second mailing of care packages will be sent to our St. Anna college students on MARCH 4. If you would like to contribute snacks for the care packages, please go to the Sign Up Genius below.  Monetary contributions toward this ministry are also greatly appreciated.  
 
If your student did not receive a care package in the fall, please contact Maria Tattoli at mtattoli@gmail.com to get them on the list.  We are also happy to expand this ministry to any young adult who has moved away and might like to hear from us.  Our objective is to stay connected with our young adults and to remind them that church is their home away from home.
 
Please place your donations in the bin outside the gym. Thank you for your support. Our college students have told us that they love receiving these care packages and knowing their St. Anna family is thinking of them.
 
Donation deadline: FEB. 25
Care packages to be mailed: MARCH 4
 

YOUNG ADULT LEAGUE (YAL):

Virtual Blood Drive: 

When: Through March 10

How to Get Involved: Every 2 seconds a person in the United States needs blood. As Orthodox Christians, we are called to "Love your neighbor as yourself" Mark 12:31. What is a greater act of love than selflessly giving your neighbor the gift of life? Pledge your support and make your donation by going to: https://sleevesup.redcrossblood.org/campaign/nnj-yal/ #NNJYALSleevesUp

Orthodoxy on Tap:

A monthly initiative for connecting with fellow Orthodox Young Adults to learn and discuss our faith. Past discussion topics have included Orthodoxy in a Roman Catholic and Protestant World (Dn. Symeon Williams), How Should an Orthodox Christian Approach Reading and Understanding the Bible? (Nicholas Ruvelas M.Div.) and How we Understand Fasting Today as Orthodox Christians (Fr. Nicholas Mataragas).

When: Wednesday, February 28th 7-10pm

Where: Tavern on George

361 George St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Speaker and Topic: TBD

Beefsteak Fundraiser:

All are welcome to join us for a night of feasting on unlimited filet mignon, pasta, ice cream, and more! Explore enticing raffle baskets with gift certificates, designer handbags, and local business goodies. Get ready for a night of dancing with our live DJ, then quench your thirst at the full cash bar, featuring “The Mediterranean” our special drink of the night.

When: Saturday, March 9th 6:30pm – 11pm

Where: The Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John the Theologian, 353 E. Clinton Ave., Tenafly, NJ 07670

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nnjyal-beefsteak-fundraiser-tickets-797288490337

LADIES PHILOPTOCHOS CORNER:  The period of January and February is for the annual Philoptochos stewardship/membership drive!! Please join us for a special Valentine's ðŸ’– Day Tea, on Sunday, February 18th to renew your membership, or to sign up as a new member!  Please see Maria Gimbel or Carrie Kafalas, our membership chairs for the application! Your membership donation is essential for our Philoptochos chapter to continue growing and thriving, allowing us to better help our community!
 
KOLIVA CLASS
Would you like to learn how to make memorial koliva? Now is your chance!! 
Join on on Sunday, March 3rd, at 8:30 am sharp, as we explain how and why we make Koliva for a loved one's memorial! RSVP to faysvespa@gmail.com if you plan on attending! 
 
HOLY PROTECTION MONASTERY TRIP:
We are planning an outing to Holy Protection Monastery on Saturday, April 20th. Please arrive by 11:00 am sharp! We will have a tour, eat lunch, go to the bookstore, enjoy the peaceful grounds, and attend Vespers.  Carpooling may be available. Also, if you would like to stay overnight please let Aimee know by April 10th.  The address is 1 St Joseph Way, White Haven PA  18661  Please RSVP By April 10th if you would like to come. aimeedouvris@gmail.com 
 
ST. ANNA BOOKSTORE NEWS. ST. ANNA BOOKSTORE NEWS.  Let's read a spiritual book and grow in our faith together. 

BOOKSTORE RECOMMENDATIONS February/March:
----In anticipation of our upcoming St. Anna Lenten Retreat with Dr. Eugenia Constantinou (Saturday, March 23rd), we are recommending her books: "THINKING ORTHODOX" and "THE CRUCIFIXION OF THE KING OF GLORY".
----For Adults: "Making God Real in the Orthodox Christian Home".
----For Kids: various saint mini-books by Paterikon for Kids, matching games, and first prayer books.

If there is something in particular you are looking for, we can assist. Contact Angela Ferreira (angelaferreira37@gmail.com) or Aimee Douvris (aimeedouvris@gmail.com). 
 
 
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STEWARDSHIP 2024: 

STEWARDSHIP: Stewardship is the sharing of the talents and treasures that God has provided for us. An Orthodox Christian Steward is an active participant in the life of the Church. The parish encourages all who accept the Orthodox Faith to become practicing Stewards.
2024 Stewardship Status: we have 42 Pledges totaling $97,680 and $46,205 received to date. We also have 7 families who have contributed $ 985 to date but have not submitted a stewardship card. It is important that all families complete a stewardship card to be considered a steward. The current Stewardship List and other stewardship information is posted in bulletin board by the water cooler.
We need everyone’s participation to exceed this year’s stewardship pledge target of $215,000. If the remaining 101, 2023 stewards give at the same level as last year we could exceed our budget and reach a record-high number of stewards.
If you have not done so already, we ask that you prayerfully consider your stewardship commitment and submit a 2024 pledge card as soon as you can.
…Remember a rich man is not one who has much, but one who gives much…..

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Other Information:
 
Walking with Christ - Seminarian Fundraiser on Sat., March 16 at St. Luke GOC, Broomall, PA.  Please see the Bulletin Insert section for more information.

CrossRoad Institute:  Are you an 11th or 12th grader looking ahead to the summer? Learn more today about CrossRoad Institute Summer Program, a 10-day academic institute made just for you! Travel to Boston, Northern California, or Chicago to connect with other Orthodox Christians as you prepare to make big life decisions and start new adventures.(Boston: Session 1: June 8-18th; Session 3: June 22nd-July 2nd. Hosted At: Hellenic College Holy Cross SOT)

 Learn more today at www.CrossRoadInstitute.org. Application deadline is February 20, 2024.

 
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Saints and Feasts

Healcanaanitedaughter
February 18

Sunday of the Canaanite

Allsaint
February 18

Leo the Great, Pope of Rome

According to some, this Saint was born in Rome, but according to others in Tyrrenia (Tuscany), and was consecrated to the archiepiscopal throne of Rome in 440. In 448, when Saint Flavian, Archbishop of Constantinople, summoned Eutyches, an archimandrite in Constantinople, to give account for his teaching that there was only one nature in Christ after the Incarnation, Eutyches appealed to Saint Leo in Rome. After Saint Leo had carefully examined Eutyches's teachings, he wrote an epistle to Saint Flavian, setting forth the Orthodox teaching of the person of Christ, and His two natures, and also counseling Flavian that, should Eutyches sincerely repent of his error, he should be received back with all good will. At the Council held in Ephesus in 449, which was presided over by Dioscorus, Patriarch of Alexandria (and which Saint Leo, in a letter to the holy Empress Pulcheria in 451, was the first to call "The Robber Council"), Dioscorus, having military might behind him, did not allow Saint Leo's epistle to Flavian to be read, although repeatedly asked to do so; even before the Robber Council was held, Dioscorus had uncanonically received the unrepentant Eutyches back into communion. Because Saint Leo had many cares in Rome owing to the wars of Attila the Hun and other barbarians, in 451 he sent four delegates to the Fourth Ecumenical Council, where 630 Fathers gathered in Chalcedon during the reign of Marcian, to condemn the teachings of Eutyches and those who supported him. Saint Leo's epistle to Flavian was read at the Fourth Council, and was confirmed by the Holy Fathers as the Orthodox teaching on the incarnate person of our Lord; it is also called the "Tome of Leo." The Saint wrote many works in Latin; he reposed in 461. See also Saint Anatolius, July 3.

Allsaint
February 18

Agapetus the Confessor, Bishop of Sinai

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 4th Tone. Psalm 103.24,1.
O Lord, how manifold are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 6:16-18; 7:1.

Brethren, you are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will live in them and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Canaanite
The Reading is from Matthew 15:21-28

At that time, Jesus went to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon." But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." And he answered, "It is not fair to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table." Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly.

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 4th Tone

Having learned the joyful proclamation of the Resurrection from the Angel, and having cast off the ancestral condemnation, the women disciples of the Lord spake to the Apostles exultantly: Death is despoiled and Christ God is risen, granting great mercy to the world.

Apolytikion for St. Anna (Dec. 9) in the 4th Tone

Today the bonds of childlessness are loosed; for God hearkened to Joachim and Anna. And though it was beyond hope, He clearly promised them that they should bear a divine child, from whom was born the Uncircumscribable One Himself Who became a mortal, and through an Angel commanded them to cry unto her: Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, the Lord is with thee."

Seasonal Kontakion in the 2nd Tone

O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the creator most constant: O despise not the voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, O thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.
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Wisdom of the Fathers

She had a great perfection of faith. She had no uncertainty about His divine majesty. She had no small measure of the virtue of patience. Yet the pitying Physician of the pitiful disdained her petitions. He kept her waiting for answer in order to demonstrate to us the perseverence of this woman that we can always imitate. She had the characteristics of constancy and humility. She willingly embraced the indignity she received, and even confirmed the Lord`s statement. This woman rightly signifies the faith and devotion of the Church gathered from the nations
Saint Bede
Hom. I. 22, In Lent, Homilies on the Gospels, Bk. One, 216, 217.

He kept her waiting for an answer in order to declare that the minds of His disciples should also be merciful. As human beings they were ashamed of the clamor of the woman as she pursued them publicly, but He Himself knew the character of His mercy.
St. Bede
Hom. I. 22, In Lent, Homilies on the Gospels, Bk. One, 216

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Bulletin inserts

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