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St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2024-03-10
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Lastjudgement1
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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






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

Daylight Saving Time:  Spring forward (yes, we lose an hour) on Sunday, March 10.  Later sunsets!

Fellowship Host:  today, Gerard Pelletier is hosting, commemorating the anniversary of his chrismation into the faith.

The 3 Saturdays of Souls are March 9, 16, and 23.  Please bring koliva with names of departed loved ones.  Services begin at 8:30 am each Saturday (except for the 23rd - 8 am start.)  See Bulletin Insert section for Order Form if ordering koliva from Philoptochos at least 2 weeks in advance.  May their memory be eternal!

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

March 17: Forgiveness Vespers at 6 PM at the St. George Church in Piscataway, presided by His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of NJ.  All are encouraged to attend as we embark on the Lenten journey together with forgiveness. Reception to follow.

March 23 Lenten Retreat  Registration for parishioners is still 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

Camp Good Shepherd: Ages 8 to 18!   June 23-29, 2024. The registration is now open. Please see the bulletin insert flyer. The link to register is here: http://app.campdoc.com/register/cgsn 

2024 Philadelphia Greek Independence Day Parade
The annual Greek Independence Day Parade in Philadelphia is scheduled for Sunday, April 7, 2024. Our community has been well represented at the Philadelphia Parade for the past few years and it would be a huge blessing to continue this proud tradition. Please complete the survey below no later than Sunday, March 10 if you would like to participate this year. Please see event chair Bill Johnson or any PC member with any additional questions. 

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:  
Upcoming Events:
MAR. 16: Parish Oratorical Festival
MAR. 24: Sunday of Orthodoxy- Please bring your icons to church for the procession.

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.

Camp Good Shepherd: Ages 8 to 18!   June 23-29, 2024. The registration for Camp Good Shepherd has opened. Please see the bulletin insert flyer. The link to register is here: http://app.campdoc.com/register/cgsn 

GREEK SCHOOL:

MAR. 25: Greek Independence Day program 

GOYA: Many of our GOYAns participated in Sights and Sounds at Holy Trinity in Westfield on March 2nd. Congratulations to our Greek dancers for a spectacular performance! We also had some placements in both the sights and sounds categories.

Dora Illiopoulos placed 1st for her watercolor and 2nd for senior instrument solo.
Hope Trumpy placed 2nd for her decoupage and 3rd for her digitally manipulated photograph, 2nd in junior singing solo, and 4th in junior instrument solo and junior monologue.
 
Thank you GOYAns for representing St. Anna! Many thanks to the parents for bringing your dancers to practices and our instructor Kelly Karaminas!
Many blessings to be thankful for.
 
COLLEGE CARE PACKAGE MINISTRY:
We are pleased to announce that care packages have been mailed to our St. Anna college students this week.  A total of 19 students will be receiving a letter and care package in the next few days.  A sincere thanks to all those who donated snacks and made monetary contributions to support this ministry.  If you have a college student who is not in our database, please contact Maria Tattoli @ mtattoli@gmail.com.
 
YOUNG ADULT LEAGUE (YAL):  Orthodoxy on Tap, Wed., March 13 in New Brunswick, NJ (see Bulletin Insert for flyer)

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

LADIES PHILOPTOCHOS CORNER: 
The period of January, February, and March is reserved for the annual Philoptochos stewardship/membership drive!! Please see Maria Gimbel or Carrie Kafalas, our membership chairs for the application to renew your membership and or become a new member! Your membership donation is essential for our Philoptochos chapter to continue growing and thriving, allowing us to better help our community.
 
KOLIVA CLASS THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 3
Would you like to learn how to make memorial koliva? Now is your chance!! 
Join in on Sunday, March 3rd, at 8:30 am sharp, as we explain how and why we make Koliva for a loved ones memorial! RSVP to Denise Coutsouridis at cdc3@comcast.net  if you plan on attending! 
 
EASTER BAKE SALE-  
Pre-order forms are now available at the Philoptochos table! Pick up of your order is on Palm Sunday. Or please use this Bake Sale Link to pre-order: 

Baklava $12 - 6 pieces 
Variety Box $18 - 6 of each, Kourabiedes, Melomakarona, and Koulourakia
Walnut Roll $10 - each
Payment can be made by cash, check or Zelle. 
 
 
To help volunteer with baking, packaging and selling  please contact Popi Missios -  kalliopi@aol.com or Aimee Douvris -  aimeedouvris@gmail.com 
 
Next Board Meeting: March 10, 2024 - 11:30 after Liturgy
Next General Meeting: March 17, 2024 - 11:30 after Liturgy
 
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 70 Pledges totaling $129,840  and $68,233 received to date.  We also have 7 families who have contributed $1,095 to date but have not submitted a stewardship card.  It is important that all families complete a stewardship card to be considered a steward.  Current Stewardship List and other stewardship information is posted in bulletin board by water cooler.
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…..

2024 Stewardship List
* Contributed but have not submitted stewardship card Report Date: Mar 6, 2024
1 Agelopoulos, Catherine and Alex 69 Tsokas-Johnson, Gloria 137  
2 Archimedes, Alexander & Debbie 70 Vaporakis, Efharis Karise 138  
3 Argiropoulos, Anthony & Amy 71 Vaporakis, John & Kim 139  
4 Collett, Martin & Adriane 72 Vaporakis, Kaliope 140  
5 Connell, William & Nikki 73 Vaporakis, Mihail 141  
6 Costalas, Paul & Josephine 74 Vespa, Paul & Fay 142  
7 Coutros, George & Lana 75 Vlahakes, Louis & Anastasia 143  
8 Diamantis, Ioannis & Gerasimoula 76 Wolf, Chad and Jennifer 144  
9 Diver, Sean & Joanne 77 Zanidakis, Charlotte 145  
10 Doty, James & Kathy 78   146  
11 Douvris, John & Aimee 79   147  
12 Ferreira, Jorge & Angela 80   148  
13 Finley, Thomas & Antoinette 81   149  
14 Georgeles, George & Maria 82   150  
15 Giambrone, Charles J * 83   151  
16 Gianakos, Michael & Dianne 84   152  
17 Gianakos, Phillip & Arianna 85   153  
18 Giannouris, John & Tracey 86   154  
19 Gianos, Irene * 87   155  
20 Gimbel, Benjamin & Maria 88   156  
21 Iliopoulos, Christos & Anna 89   157  
22 Janulis, Paul and Joan 90   158  
23 Kaldes, John & Zoi 91   159  
24 Kamnitsis, Constantine & Nancy 92   160  
25 Kanterakis, Anthony & Maria 93   161  
26 Karabasis, Efstratios 94   162  
27 Karazoupis, Vasilios & Panayiota 95   163  
28 Kazantzis, Sava & Nancy 96   164  
29 Kosoglou, Arianna * 97   165  
30 Kosoglou, Teddy and Roula * 98   166  
31 Kousoulas, Constantine 99   167  
32 Kousoulas, Evangelos * 100   168  
33 Kousoulas, Fr. Anastasios & Presv. Nektaria 101   169  
34 Kousoulas, Panayiotis 102   170  
35 Kubu, James & Evangeline 103   171  
36 Kydonieus, Angela and Demitrios 104   172  
37 Kypridakes, Michael & Asimina 105   173  
38 Logothetis, Nikita & Sophia 106   174  
39 Lutkus, Anthony & Vasiliki * 107   175  
40 Manoussakis, Stamati & Sofia 108   176  
41 Manteo, Michael & Gramatiki 109   177  
42 Mardakis, Arge 110   178  
43 Mariani, Anthony & Kristen 111   179  
44 Martini, Matt & Meropi, Louis 112   180  
45 McElroy, Stephanie 113   181  
46 Millett, Matthew & Maria 114   182  
47 Missios, Michael & Popi 115   183  
48 Panayote, William & Deborah 116   184  
49 Peppe, George & Demetra 117   185  
50 Petromelis, Christopher 118   186  
51 Petromelis, Phyllis 119   187  
52 Procyk, Eugenia 120   188  
53 Rentoulis, Nikolaos 121   189  
54 Sakellos, Alexandra 122   190  
55 Sakellos, Evan & Catherine 123   191  
56 Sakellos, George 124   192  
57 Samouhos, Evan&Melanie 125   193  
58 Seigler, Ryan & Elefteria Lambrou * 126   194  
59 Shepardson, Lilyan 127   195  
60 Sideris, Leonidas & Elizabeth 128   196  
61 Soteropoulos, Dean & Elizabeth 129   197  
62 Staikos, George & Christi 130   198  
63 Steubing, Michael & Maria Katsamani 131   199  
64 Szymborski, Christopher & Maria 132   200  
65 Toulatos, Nikoleta 133   201  
66 Tsistinas, Theodora 134   202  
67 Tsokas, Lorraine 135   203  
68 Tsokas-Johnson, Bill 136   204  

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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. Thank you.

 

 
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Saints and Feasts

Lastjudgement1
March 10

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)

The foregoing two parables -- especially that of the Prodigal Son -- have presented to us God's extreme goodness and love for man. But lest certain persons, putting their confidence in this alone, live carelessly, squandering upon sin the time given them to work out their salvation, and death suddenly snatch them away, the most divine Fathers have appointed this day's feast commemorating Christ's impartial Second Coming, through which we bring to mind that God is not only the Friend of man, but also the most righteous Judge, Who recompenses to each according to his deeds.

It is the aim of the holy Fathers, through bringing to mind that fearful day, to rouse us from the slumber of carelessness unto the work of virtue, and to move us to love and compassion for our brethren. Besides this, even as on the coming Sunday of Cheese-fare we commemorate Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight -- which exile is the beginning of life as we know it now -- it is clear that today's is reckoned the last of all feasts, because on the last day of judgment, truly, everything of this world will come to an end.

All foods, except meat and meat products, are allowed during the week that follows this Sunday.


Allsaint
March 10

Quadratus the Martyr & his Companions

These Martyrs contested for piety's sake in Corinth during the reign of the Emperor Valerian (253-260).


Allsaint
March 10

Anastasia of Alexandria


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 4th Tone. Psalm 146.5;134.3.
Great is our Lord, and great is his power.
Verse: Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 8:8-13; 9:1-2.

Brethren, food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol's temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother's falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall.

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.


Gospel Reading

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)
The Reading is from Matthew 25:31-46

The Lord said, "When the Son of man comes in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Grave Tone

Thou didst abolish death by Thy Cross; Thou didst open Paradise to the thief; Thou didst transform the myrrh-bearers' lamentation, and didst bid Thine Apostles to preach that Thou art risen, O Christ God, granting great mercy to the world.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 1st Tone

O God, when You come upon the earth in glory, the whole world will tremble. A river of fire will bring all before Your Judgment Seat and the books will be opened, and everything in secret will become public. At that time, deliver me from the fire which never dies, and enable me to stand by Your right hand, O Judge most just.
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Wisdom of the Fathers

"Christian love is the 'possible impossibility' to see Christ in another man, whoever he is..."
Alexander Schmemann
Great Lent, 20th Century

So great was the honour and providential care which God bestowed upon man that He brought the entire sensible world into being before him and for his sake. The kingdom of heaven was prepared for him from the foundation of the world (cf. Matt. 25:34); God first took counsel concerning him, and then he was fashioned by God's hand and according to the image of God (cf. Gen. 1:26-27). God did not form the whole man from matter and from the elements of this sensible world, as He did the other animals. He formed only man's body from these materials; but man's soul He took from things supercelestial or, rather, it came from God Himself when mysteriously He breathed life into man (cf. Gen. 2:7).
St. Gregory Palamas
Topics of Natural and Theological Science no. 24, The Philokalia Vol. 4 edited by Palmer, Sherrard and Ware; Faber and Faber pg. 356, 14th century

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Bulletin inserts

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