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Annunciation/Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2023-12-03
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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! Καλώς ήλθατε!

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.

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Weekend Update

14th Sunday of Luke, December 3, 2023
Κυριακή ΙΔ΄ Λουκᾶ, 3 Δεκεμβρίου, 2023 Το κήρυγμα της Κυριακής εδώ

  • 8:30 am MATINS, 9:30 am DIVINE LITURGY
  • Stewardship Sunday. Please check your postal mail for your 2024 Pledge Card and return it this Sunday, December 3.
  • Catechism classes following Holy Communion.
  • 40-day mother and child blessing: Konstantinos, son of Kalliope and Michael Triantafellou and Effie’s little brother. Congratulations!
  • "Ask Father" (5-7 Grades).
  • The Parish Council invites all to our annual Stewardship Appreciation Luncheon.
  • 1 pm Youth Nativity Pageant Rehearsal.

Monday, December 4, 2023
Barbara the Great Martyr ~ Βαρβάρας Μεγαλομάρτυρος

  • 8:30 am MATINS, 9:30 am DIVINE LITURGY
  • We will offer memorial prayers for the peaceful repose of the souls of Athanasios Dafsios (3 years), and Fotini Dafsios (6 months) of blessed memory.
  • 10:30 am Christmas mailing preparation. Any help is appreciated!

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

  • 5 pm Greek School classes.
  • 7 pm Philoptochos Board meeting.

Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra
Νικολάου, Ἀρχιεπισκόπου Μύρων τῆς Λυκίας, τοῦ Θαυματουργοῦ

  • 9:30 am MATINS, 10:30 am DIVINE LITURGY
  • Artoklasia-blessing of the five loaves, wine, and oil- will be offered for the health and well-being of the Economopoulos and LePage families.
  • 11:30 Young @ Heart Christmas Luncheon.

Friday, December 8, 2023

  • 5 pm Greek School classes.
  • 7:30 GOYA dance practice

11th Sunday of Luke, December 10, 2023
Κυριακή Ι΄ Λουκᾶ, 10 Δεκεμβρίου, 2023

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. First Mode. Psalm 32.22,1.
Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 5:8-19.

Brethren, walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is a shame even to speak of the things that they do in secret; but when anything is exposed by the light it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it is said, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light." Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart.

Προκείμενον. First Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 32.22,1.
Γένοιτο, Κύριε, τὸ ἔλεός σου ἐφ' ἡμᾶς.
Στίχ. Ἀγαλλιᾶσθε δίκαιοι ἐν Κυρίῳ

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Ἐφεσίους 5:8-19.

Ἀδελφοί, ὡς τέκνα φωτὸς περιπατεῖτε - ὁ γὰρ καρπὸς τοῦ πνεύματος ἐν πάσῃ ἀγαθωσύνῃ καὶ δικαιοσύνῃ καὶ ἀληθείᾳ - δοκιμάζοντες τί ἐστιν εὐάρεστον τῷ κυρίῳ· καὶ μὴ συγκοινωνεῖτε τοῖς ἔργοις τοῖς ἀκάρποις τοῦ σκότους, μᾶλλον δὲ καὶ ἐλέγχετε· τὰ γὰρ κρυφῆ γινόμενα ὑπʼ αὐτῶν αἰσχρόν ἐστιν καὶ λέγειν. Τὰ δὲ πάντα ἐλεγχόμενα ὑπὸ τοῦ φωτὸς φανεροῦται· πᾶν γὰρ τὸ φανερούμενον φῶς ἐστίν. Διὸ λέγει, Ἔγειρε ὁ καθεύδων καὶ ἀνάστα ἐκ τῶν νεκρῶν, καὶ ἐπιφαύσει σοι ὁ Χριστός. Βλέπετε οὖν πῶς ἀκριβῶς περιπατεῖτε, μὴ ὡς ἄσοφοι, ἀλλʼ ὡς σοφοί, ἐξαγοραζόμενοι τὸν καιρόν, ὅτι αἱ ἡμέραι πονηραί εἰσιν. Διὰ τοῦτο μὴ γίνεσθε ἄφρονες, ἀλλὰ συνιέντες τί τὸ θέλημα τοῦ κυρίου. Καὶ μὴ μεθύσκεσθε οἴνῳ, ἐν ᾧ ἐστὶν ἀσωτία, ἀλλὰ πληροῦσθε ἐν πνεύματι, λαλοῦντες ἑαυτοῖς ψαλμοῖς καὶ ὕμνοις καὶ ᾠδαῖς πνευματικαῖς, ᾄδοντες καὶ ψάλλοντες ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ ὑμῶν τῷ κυρίῳ.


Gospel Reading

14th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 18:35-43

At that time, as Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." And he cried, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me receive my sight." And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

14th Sunday of Luke
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 18:35-43

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ᾿Εγένετο δὲ ἐν τῷ ἐγγίζειν αὐτὸν εἰς ῾Ιεριχὼ τυφλός τις ἐκάθητο παρὰ τὴν ὁδὸν προσαιτῶν· ἀκούσας δὲ ὄχλου διαπορευομένου ἐπυνθάνετο τί εἴη ταῦτα. ἀπήγγειλαν δὲ αὐτῷ ὅτι ᾿Ιησοῦς ὁ Ναζωραῖος παρέρχεται. καὶ ἐβόησε λέγων· ᾿Ιησοῦ υἱὲ Δαυΐδ, ἐλέησόν με· καὶ οἱ προάγοντες ἐπετίμων αὐτῷ ἵνα σιωπήσῃ· αὐτὸς δὲ πολλῷ μᾶλλον ἔκραζεν· υἱὲ Δαυΐδ, ἐλέησόν με. σταθεὶς δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐκέλευσεν αὐτὸν ἀχθῆναι πρὸς αὐτόν. ἐγγίσαντος δὲ αὐτοῦ ἐπηρώτησεν αὐτὸν λέγων· τί σοι θέλεις ποιήσω; ὁ δὲ εἶπε· Κύριε, ἵνα ἀναβλέψω. καὶ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ἀνάβλεψον· ἡ πίστις σου σέσωκέ σε. καὶ παραχρῆμα ἀνέβλεψε, καὶ ἠκολούθει αὐτῷ δοξάζων τὸν Θεόν· καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἰδὼν ἔδωκεν αἶνον τῷ Θεῷ.


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Community News & Events

We are pleased to announce the Annunciation/Evangelismos Parish 2023 Ambassador Awards Recipients!

The 2023 Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey Delaware Valley Ambassador Awards Banquet will be held on Sunday, December 10, 2023, at 4:00 pm,  at "The Adelphia" in Deptford, NJ.
Please purchase your tickets here (no tickets at the door), and participate in the Commemorative Journal here. Offer your warm wishes and congratulations to all the recipients or those you would like to honor. The Commemorative Journal includes pictures and bios of all the honorees and will be available at the banquet.

Congratulations and best wishes to our 2023 Ambassador Awards Recipients:
Youth Ambassador of Faith (Worship): Alexander Dalson
Youth Ambassador of Hope (Witness): Nicholas Blackton
Youth Ambassadors of Love (Service): Efigenia Anna Giannoumis
Youth Ambassador of Peace (Fellowship): Anne Blackton

Community Honoree: Barbara Louridas
Philoptochos Honoree: Artemis (Diane) Saphos
Youth Worker HonoreeEvgenia (Gina) Giannoumis
Senior Steward Honoree: George Kyriakodis


Homeless Ministry News

Every year, our Matthew 25 Ministry graciously includes the Homeless Ministry in the church’s annual Angel Tree.

Twenty tags are added to the tree and online requesting an unwrapped toy, not more than $25 for a girl or boy of any age. The Homeless Ministry collects and delivers the unwrapped toys to Whosoever Gospel Mission. Ten days before Christmas, the Mission sets up a room with toys and gifts donated by our church family and other donors. Then, the 51 homeless men housed at the Mission and alumni of the Mission are invited to a Christmas party where they enjoy food and festivities while selecting gifts for their children, grandchildren, or another child in their lives.

Thank you to those who have already signed up or donated money for a toy gift. If you would still like to donate, please do so by 12/10 so we can deliver the toys on time.

Prayers for a continued Blessed Nativity Fast for all!


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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): Noel, Kyriaki, Maria, John, Philip, Donna, Lucy, John, Smaragdi, Josephine, Emma, Paulette, Virginia, Effie, James, Grace, Hollie, George, Magda, Emmalia, Anastasia.

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: Rosemarie & Angelo Giannopoulos, Myrsini & Steve Ragomo, Denise & Richard Armentani, Abigail & Brian Bierman.

Χρόνια Πολλά & Ευλογηµένα! God Grant You Many Years! To Those Who are Celebrating Birthdays this Coming Week: Stephen Ferello, Eleni Pappas, Christine Georgiou, Andrew McClintock, Samuel Pasles, Aybec Balis, Chrisovalantis Karidas, Efstratia Limberis, James Patella, Polikriti Vafiadis, Angelo Giannopoulos,  Christina Karnavas, Stella Makris, Costantine Samios, Victoria Aristoklis, Dawn Armentani, Zoe Dinoulis, Joanie Ioakimidis, Zoe Nanz, Mark Franchetti, Frank Loiacono, Pashalitsa McLeod, Eleni Vafiadis, Denise Connolly, Melissa Haviaras, Peter Malitas, Renee Trivelis, Carol Voutsinos, Michael White, Richard Wrigley.

Our deepest sympathy: to Jordan Demetris and his family for the passing of his beloved mother, Argyro Neumeister, 96, of blessed memory on 11/23/23. Her funeral was at Annunciation on 12/1/23. May her memory be eternal.

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2023 Fall General Assembly Summary

Dear Annunciation Parishioners,

We held our Fall Parish General Assembly on October 23, 2023, and are happy to give you the materials presented: The 2023 Fall General Assembly Presentation and the 2023 Fall General Assembly Minutes.

We had just over 30 stewards attending, so we are distributing these materials to all, as we want all Parishioners to have a good understanding of the operation of our community.  Key points of the meeting:

  • Our community remains very active, with a busy calendar of Ministry, Outreach, and social activities.
  • Financially, we are projecting a $30,000 - $35,000 deficit this year.  The Fall OPA Festival did not do as well as expected due to bad weather on the second day, and we still have many Stewardship pledges that need to be fulfilled this year.  Please continue your generosity and complete your 2023 Stewardship Pledge!  Also, please consider an additional Christmas Gift to help us close this shortfall.
  • We presented the preliminary budget for 2024 and have included only one May 2024 OPA Festival in the budget.  We are asking all Stewards to increase their Stewardship pledge for 2024 to complete the budget.  On average, if all Stewards increase their pledge by $1 per day, we will not need any festivals to cover the budget, and the May OPA would fund new Ministry activities and facilities improvements.  Some Stewards may not be able to increase by $1 per day, but others may be able to do more, so we average $1 per day overall.  When your 2024 Stewardship Pledge Card arrives in the mail this week, please increase your generosity to help us meet the goal of an additional $1 per day on average.
  • Please join us every Sunday in December as we enter the Advent season and have additional events each Sunday:  December 3 is Stewardship Sunday, December 10 is Parish Council elections, and December 17 is the Youth Christmas Pageant and PTO Holiday Bake Sale.  Our Choir has added new minor key hymns and responses to their repertoire, which adds beautifully to the Liturgy.

Thank you to those who attended the Assembly and everyone in the community for your Time, Talent, and Treasure contributions.  As always, don't hesitate to contact either of us if you have any questions or comments.

Father John L. Johns, Presiding Priest

Dean Dalson, Parish Council President

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Bulletin Inserts

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Archdiocese News

Sunday Sermon Series Fourteenth Sunday of Luke December 3

11/28/2023

This week, find insights about the upcoming Gospel reading, where we learn about a blind man who asked Jesus for mercy. What was the difference between his eyes and his heart? And how did the Lord respond? Also, how can we see spiritually?


Join the Center for Family Care’s webinar “Caregiver, Love Thyself: The Importance of Self-Care through the Holiday Season"

11/27/2023

On Monday, December 4, 2023 at 1pm EST, join the Center for Family Care’s webinar “Caregiver, Love Thyself: The Importance of Self-Care through the Holiday Season.”


Georgetown University's Berkley Center: Diplomacy, Geopolitics, and Global Orthodox Christianity with Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou

11/28/2023

This event will feature Elizabeth Prodromou, the author of a new policy brief commissioned by the Transatlantic Policy Network on Religion & Diplomacy (TPNRD). Berkley Center Senior Research Fellow and TPNRD Project Director Judd Birdsall will moderate the discussion.


Exploring Innovative Teaching Approaches: 3rd Webinar Empowers Greek Language Educators

11/28/2023

In the ongoing commitment to enhance the proficiency of educators teaching the Greek Language, the Office of Education within the Holy Archdiocese of America is set to host its 3rd Webinar focused on Innovative Teaching Techniques and Teaching Forms. This insightful session will particularly emphasize the Greek Language and the revered Three Hierarchs.


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