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Annunciation/Evangelismos Church, Elkins Park, PA
Publish Date: 2019-02-17
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Annunciation/Evangelismos Church, Elkins Park, PA

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (215) 635-0316
  • Fax:
  • (215) 635-8301
  • Street Address:

  • 7921 Old York Road

  • Elkins Park, PA 19027


Contact Information




Services Schedule

We meet for divine worship every Sunday morning starting with Orthros (Matins) 8:30, Divine Liturgy 9:30-11AM, followed by a fellowship hour in our community center. All are invited!

Please see Community Calendar for a complete listing of all weekday feast-days and worship services.


Past Bulletins


Weekend Update

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee
Κυριακή τοῦ Τελώνου καί τοῦ Φαρισαίου  Το κήρυγμα της Κυριακής εδώ

On February  17 we commemorate the holy Great Martyr Theodore the Tyro; St. Mariamne, sister of St. Phillip the Apostle; our devout father Afxivios; our devout father Theostiriktos; the Emperors Marcian and Pulcheria; and the holy new martyr Theodore who witnessed in Mytilene in the year 1795, and died by hanging.
From the Triodion: On this day, we remember the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee from the holy Gospel of the Evangelist Luke (18:10-14). By the intercessions of all Your Saints, who have done great things, O Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
  • Triodion begins today. Fast free week
  • 8:30 am MATINS, 9:30 am DIVINE LITURGY
  • Philoptochos Go Red for women - tray collection for heart health
  • Fellowship hour hosted by Greek School
  • Council of Ministries meetings at the library after fellowship hour
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
  • 11 am Del Val Clergy meeting at St Sophia Church, Jeffersonville, PA
  • 5 pm Youth Greek School classes
  • 7 pm Adult Greek language class
  • 7 pm Parish Council meeting
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
  • 11 am Young at Heart luncheon with a speaker from Abington/Jefferson Health
  • 7 pm Bible study
Thursday, February 21, 2019
  • 7 pm Choir rehearsal
  • 7 pm Stewardship Committee meeting
Friday, February 22, 2019
  • 5 pm Youth Greek School classes
  • 6:30 pm JOY dance practice
  • 7:30 pm GOYA dance practice
Saturday, February 23, 2019
  • 10 am Del Val sponsored JOY Bible Bowl event at St. Luke Church, Broomall, PA
  • 10 am Greek Education Seminar at St. Thomas Church, Cherry Hill, NJ
Sunday of the Prodigal Son, February 24, 2019
  • 8:30 am MATINS, 9:30 am DIVINE LITURGY
  • Fellowship hour hosted by GOYA
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Saints and Feasts

Publphar
February 17

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today

The Pharisees were an ancient and outstanding sect among the Jews known for their diligent observance of the outward matters of the Law. Although, according to the word of our Lord, they "did all their works to be seen of men" (Matt. 23:5), and were hypocrites (ibid. 23: 13, 14, 15, etc.), because of the apparent holiness of their lives they were thought by all to be righteous, and separate from others, which is what the name Pharisee means. On the other hand, Publicans, collectors of the royal taxes, committed many injustices and extortions for filthy lucre's sake, and all held them to be sinners and unjust. It was therefore according to common opinion that the Lord Jesus in His parable signified a virtuous person by a Pharisee, and a sinner by a Publican, to teach His disciples the harm of pride and the profit of humble-mindedness.

Since the chief weapon for virtue is humility, and the greatest hindrance to it is pride, the divine Fathers have set these three weeks before the Forty-day Fast as a preparation for the spiritual struggles of virtue. This present week they have called Harbinger, since it declares that the Fast is approaching; and they set humility as the foundation for all our spiritual labors by appointing that the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee be read today, even before the Fast begins, to teach, through the vaunting of the Pharisee, that the foul smoke of self-esteem and the stench of boasting drives away the grace of the Spirit, strips man of all his virtue, and casts him into the pits of Hades; and, through the repentance and contrite prayer of the Publican, that humility confers upon the sinner forgiveness of all his wicked deeds and raises him up to the greatest heights.

All foods are allowed the week that follows this Sunday.


Theotyrn
February 17

Theodore the Tyro, Great Martyr

Saint Theodore who was from Amasia of Pontus, contested during the reign of Maximian (286-305). He was called Tyro, from the Latin Tiro, because he was a newly enlisted recruit. When it was reported that he was a Christian, he boldly confessed Christ; the ruler, hoping that he would repent, gave him time to consider the matter more completely and then give answer. Theodore gave answer by setting fire to the temple of Cybele, the "mother of the gods," and for this he suffered a martyr's death by fire. See also the First Saturday of the Fast.


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal First Mode

O Faithful, let us sing a hymn of praise and worship to the Logos, coeternal with the Father and the Spirit, who was born of the Virgin for our salvation. Of His own will He went upon the Cross in the flesh and suffered death, to raise the dead through His glorious Resurrection.
Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρὶ καὶ Πνεύματι, τὸν ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθέντα εἰς σωτηρίαν ἡμῶν, ἀνυμνήσωμεν πιστοὶ καὶ προσκυνήσωμεν, ὅτι ηὐδόκησε σαρκί, ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ, καὶ θάνατον ὑπομεῖναι, καὶ ἐγεῖραι τοὺς τεθνεῶτας, ἐν τῇ ἐνδόξῳ Ἀναστάσει αὐτοῦ.

The Apolytikion of the Annunciation/Evangelismos in the Fourth Mode

Today is the summary of our salvation, and the revelation of the age-old mystery. For the Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin, and Gabriel announces the good news of grace. Therefore, let us join him, and cry  aloud to the Theotokos: “Rejoice, Maiden full of grace! The Lord is with you.”

Cήμερον τῆς σωτηρίας ἡμῶν τὸ Κεφάλαιον, καὶ τοῦ ἀπ' αἰῶνος Μυστηρίου ἡ φανέρωσις, ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, Υἱὸς τῆς Παρθένου γίνεται, καὶ Γαβριὴλ τὴν χάριν εὐαγγελίζεται. Διὸ σὺν αὐτῷ τῇ Θεοτόκῳ βοήσωμεν· Χαῖρε Κεχαριτωμένη, ὁ Κύριος μετὰ σοῦ.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

Let us flee from the boasting of the Pharisee and learn through our own sighs of sorrow the humility of the Publican. Let us cry out to the Savior, "Have mercy on us, for through You alone are we reconciled."
Φαρισαίου φύγωμεν ὑψηγορίαν, καὶ Τελώνου μάθωμεν, τὸ ταπεινὸν ἐν στεναγμοῖς, πρὸς τὸν Σωτῆρα κραυγάζοντες· Ἵλαθι μόνε ἡμῖν εὐδιάλλακτε.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Fifth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:13-35

At that time, two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see." And he said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Fifth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 24:13-35

Καὶ ἰδοὺ δύο ἐξ αὐτῶν ἦσαν πορευόμενοι ἐν αὐτῇ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ εἰς κώμην ἀπέχουσαν σταδίους ἑξήκοντα ἀπὸ ῾Ιερουσαλήμ, ᾗ ὄνομα ᾿Εμμαούς. καὶ αὐτοὶ ὡμίλουν πρὸς ἀλλήλους περὶ πάντων τῶν συμβεβηκότων τούτων. καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ ὁμιλεῖν αὐτοὺς καὶ συζητεῖν καὶ αὐτὸς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐγγίσας συνεπορεύετο αὐτοῖς· οἱ δὲ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτῶν ἐκρατοῦντο τοῦ μὴ ἐπιγνῶναι αὐτόν.εἶπε δὲ πρὸς αὐτούς· τίνες οἱ λόγοι οὗτοι οὓς ἀντιβάλλετε πρὸς ἀλλήλους περιπατοῦντες καί ἐστε σκυθρωποί; ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ εἷς, ᾧ ὄνομα Κλεόπας, εἶπε πρὸς αὐτόν· σὺ μόνος παροικεῖς ἐν ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ καὶ οὐκ ἔγνως τὰ γενόμενα ἐν αὐτῇ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ταύταις; καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· ποῖα; οἱ δὲ εἶπον αὐτῷ· τὰ περὶ ᾿Ιησοῦ τοῦ Ναζωραίου, ὃς ἐγένετο ἀνὴρ προφήτης δυνατὸς ἐν ἔργῳ καὶ λόγῳ ἐναντίον τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ, ὅπως τε παρέδωκαν αὐτὸν οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντες ἡμῶν εἰς κρῖμα θανάτου καὶ ἐσταύρωσαν αὐτόν. ἡμεῖς δὲ ἠλπίζομεν ὅτι αὐτός ἐστιν ὁ μέλλων λυτροῦσθαι τὸν ᾿Ισραήλ· ἀλλά γε σὺν πᾶσι τούτοις τρίτην ταύτην ἡμέραν ἄγει σήμερον ἀφ᾿ οὗ ταῦτα ἐγένετο. ἀλλὰ καὶ γυναῖκές τινες ἐξ ἡμῶν ἐξέστησαν ἡμᾶς γενόμεναι ὄρθριαι ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ μὴ εὑροῦσαι τὸ σῶμα αὐτοῦ ἦλθον λέγουσαι καὶ ὀπτασίαν ἀγγέλων ἑωρακέναι, οἳ λέγουσιν αὐτὸν ζῆν. καὶ ἀπῆλθόν τινες τῶν σὺν ἡμῖν ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ εὗρον οὕτω καθὼς καὶ αἱ γυναῖκες εἶπον, αὐτὸν δὲ οὐκ εἶδον. καὶ αὐτὸς εἶπε πρὸς αὐτούς· ὦ ἀνόητοι καὶ βραδεῖς τῇ καρδίᾳ τοῦ πιστεύειν ἐπὶ πᾶσιν οἷς ἐλάλησαν οἱ προφῆται! οὐχὶ ταῦτα ἔδει παθεῖν τὸν Χριστὸν καὶ εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν δόξαν αὐτοῦ; καὶ ἀρξάμενος ἀπὸ Μωϋσέως καὶ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν προφητῶν διηρμήνευεν αὐτοῖς ἐν πάσαις ταῖς γραφαῖς τὰ περὶ ἑαυτοῦ. Καὶ ἤγγισαν εἰς τὴν κώμην οὗ ἐπορεύοντο, καὶ αὐτὸς προσεποιεῖτο πορρωτέρω πορεύεσθαι· καὶ παρεβιάσαντο αὐτὸν λέγοντες· μεῖνον μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν, ὅτι πρὸς ἑσπέραν ἐστὶ καὶ κέκλικεν ἡ ἡμέρα. καὶ εἰσῆλθε τοῦ μεῖναι σὺν αὐτοῖς. καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ κατακλιθῆναι αὐτὸν μετ᾿ αὐτῶν λαβὼν τὸν ἄρτον εὐλόγησε, καὶ κλάσας ἐπεδίδου αὐτοῖς. αὐτῶν δὲ διηνοίχθησαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί, καὶ ἐπέγνωσαν αὐτόν· καὶ αὐτὸς ἄφαντος ἐγένετο ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν. καὶ εἶπον πρὸς ἀλλήλους· οὐχὶ ἡ καρδία ἡμῶν καιομένη ἦν ἐν ἡμῖν, ὡς ἐλάλει ἡμῖν ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ καὶ ὡς διήνοιγεν ἡμῖν τὰς γραφάς; Καὶ ἀναστάντες αὐτῇ τῇ ὥρᾳ ὑπέστρεψαν εἰς ῾Ιερουσαλήμ, καὶ εὗρον συνηθροισμένους τοὺς ἕνδεκα καὶ τοὺς σὺν αὐτοῖς, λέγοντας ὅτι ἠγέρθη ὁ Κύριος ὄντως καὶ ὤφθη Σίμωνι. καὶ αὐτοὶ ἐξηγοῦντο τὰ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ καὶ ὡς ἐγνώσθη αὐτοῖς ἐν τῇ κλάσει τοῦ ἄρτου.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal First Mode. Psalm 11.7,1.
You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15.

TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at lconion, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Προκείμενον. Plagal First Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 11.7,1.
Σὺ Κύριε, φυλάξαις ἡμᾶς καὶ διατηρήσαις ἡμᾶς.
Στίχ. Σῶσον με, Κύριε, ὅτι ἐκλέλοιπεν ὅσιος.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Τιμόθεον β' 3:10-15.

Τέκνον Τιμόθεε, παρηκολούθηκάς μου τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ, τῇ ἀγωγῇ, τῇ προθέσει, τῇ πίστει, τῇ μακροθυμίᾳ, τῇ ἀγάπῃ, τῇ ὑπομονῇ, τοῖς διωγμοῖς, τοῖς παθήμασιν, οἷά μοι ἐγένετο ἐν Ἀντιοχείᾳ, ἐν Ἰκονίῳ, ἐν Λύστροις, οἵους διωγμοὺς ὑπήνεγκα· καὶ ἐκ πάντων με ἐρρύσατο ὁ κύριος. Καὶ πάντες δὲ οἱ θέλοντες εὐσεβῶς ζῇν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ διωχθήσονται. Πονηροὶ δὲ ἄνθρωποι καὶ γόητες προκόψουσιν ἐπὶ τὸ χεῖρον, πλανῶντες καὶ πλανώμενοι. Σὺ δὲ μένε ἐν οἷς ἔμαθες καὶ ἐπιστώθης, εἰδὼς παρὰ τίνος ἔμαθες, καὶ ὅτι ἀπὸ βρέφους τὰ ἱερὰ γράμματα οἶδας, τὰ δυνάμενά σε σοφίσαι εἰς σωτηρίαν διὰ πίστεως τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
The Reading is from Luke 18:10-14

The Lord said this parable, "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 18:10-14

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην· Ἄνθρωποι δύο ἀνέβησαν εἰς τὸ ἱερὸν προσεύξασθαι, ὁ εἷς Φαρισαῖος καὶ ὁ ἕτερος τελώνης. ὁ Φαρισαῖος σταθεὶς πρὸς ἑαυτὸν ταῦτα προσηύχετο· ὁ Θεός, εὐχαριστῶ σοι ὅτι οὐκ εἰμὶ ὥσπερ οἱ λοιποὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ἅρπαγες, ἄδικοι, μοιχοί, ἢ καὶ ὡς οὗτος ὁ τελώνης· νηστεύω δὶς τοῦ σαββάτου, ἀποδεκατῶ πάντα ὅσα κτῶμαι. καὶ ὁ τελώνης μακρόθεν ἑστὼς οὐκ ἤθελεν οὐδὲ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν ἐπᾶραι, ἀλλ᾿ ἔτυπτεν εἰς τὸ στῆθος αὐτοῦ λέγων· ὁ Θεός, ἱλάσθητί μοι τῷ ἁμαρτωλῷ. λέγω ὑμῖν, κατέβη οὗτος δεδικαιωμένος εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ ἢ γὰρ ἐκεῖνος· ὅτι πᾶς ὁ ὑψῶν ἑαυτὸν ταπεινωθήσεται, ὁ δὲ ταπεινῶν ἑαυτὸν ὑψωθήσεται.


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Community News & Events

On Sunday, February 17th, Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee, our Holy Orthodox Church begins the Triodion

What is the Triodion?
 
The Triodion (Gk., "book of three odes") is the Orthodox liturgical book that contains the hymns and prayers of the liturgy and other holy services for the pre-Lenten and Lenten period of the Orthodox Christian ecclesiastical calendar. It begins on the fourth Sunday before the Holy and Great Fast (Lent), the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, and ends on Saturday morning of Holy and Great Week.
 
The Triodion gets its name from a part of the morning service of Orthros (Matins). Mid-way through Matins, the cantors and faithful begin chanting the canons (various hymns that are chanted about the feast-day or Saint). They usually have eight odes (i.e., eight sets of hymns), however, in the Lenten period, there are only three sets of odes; because of the three odes (or τρείς ωδές) the book took on the name "Triodion". The introduction of canons is ascribed to St. Andrew of Crete. Other famous authors of Canons are St. Romanos the Melodos, St. John Damascus, and St. Theodore the Studion. The Triodion remains the central feature of the Church’s liturgical life and is the main hymnbook until the end of Holy Week.
 
THERE IS MORE TO LENT THAN FASTING, and there is more to fasting than food. This principle lies at the heart of the Triodion. For the Orthodox Church, Lent is, without doubt, the richest and most distinctive season of the ecclesiastical year. The Lenten services, the penitential and soul-tiring hymns, the spiritual lessons of the Triodion, and the biblical readings for the season invite us to simplify our lives and to immerse ourselves in the “bright sadness” of repentance.
Written for the devout Christian, the Triodion is full of warnings against pride and hypocrisy—the ultimate spiritual sins to which religious folk are so susceptible. Its hymns teach us the true nature and purpose of fasting and of Lent itself.
 
"Brethren, let us not pray like the Pharisee, for those who exalt themselves will be humbled. Let us be humbled before God through fasting like the Tax Collector, as we cry aloud, 'God, forgive us, sinners."
 
With this hymn of the Publican and Pharisee, we begin the journey to the All-Holy Pascha, our Lord's Resurrection. Our Holy Church prepares us in such a magnificent manner as to greet our Lord's Resurrection with our spiritual world changing for the better. It gives us the humility of the tax collector, the repentance of the prodigal son, the thoughts of the Last or Final Judgment, and the rule of fasting. The Church instructs us to repent during the entire year, especially in this time of prayer and fasting. We repent, we change our lives. We can change from sinful ways to a new path of agape and forgiveness.
 
An Outline of the Triodion Season
  • Sunday of the Tax Collector and the Pharisee (Beginning of the Triodion)
  • Meat Week (The usual Wednesday and Friday fasts Orthodox Christians observe throughout most of the year are suspended for this week)
  • Sunday of the Prodigal Son (Second Sunday of the Triodion)
  • Sunday of the Last Judgment/ Meatfare Sunday (Third Sunday of the Triodion)
  • Cheesefare Week (Fasting from meat only all week)
  • Forgiveness Sunday/Cheesefare Sunday (Fourth Sunday of the Triodion)
  • CLEAN MONDAY (Lent begins). For the next forty days, we fast from meat and dairy. Fish is permitted on the Great Feasts of the Annunciation (March 25) and Palm Sunday. Wine and oil are permitted on all Saturdays and Sundays with the exception of Great and Holy Saturday (the day before Pascha/ Easter Sunday).
  • Sunday of Orthodoxy (First Sunday of Lent)
  • Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas (Second Sunday of Lent)
  • Sunday of the Cross (Third Sunday of Lent)
  • Sunday of St. John Climacus (Fourth Sunday of Lent)
  • The Canon of St. Andrew (Evening of Wednesday or morning of Thursday of the fifth week of Lent)
  • The Akathist Hymn (Evening of the Friday of the fifth week of Lent)
  • Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt (Fifth Sunday of Lent)
  • Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday (End of Lent/Beginning of Holy Week)
  • HOLY WEEK (From the evening of Palm Sunday until Great and Holy Saturday). The rules of Lenten fasting apply also to Holy Week.

Philoptochos News & Events

Go Red Sunday – February 17, 2019

The Ladies Philoptochos ‘Nausica’ continues its commitment to Go Red for Women, the American Heart Association’s national call to increase awareness and help prevent heart disease, the number one killer of American women. This is a call for women, by women, to take charge of their well-being and live stronger, healthier lives.

We invite all of our parishioners to show support for this important mission to increase awareness and help prevent heart disease in women by wearing red, the color of our hearts, on Go Red Sunday, February 17, 2019, when attending church services. We will also be taking a collection that day to benefit the American Heart Association.

Our Heartfelt Thanks

We are grateful and extend our heartfelt thanks to all of our parishioners who so generously supported our Homemade Pita sale on February 3rd. 

A special thanks to Olga Econome, Chair, Dea Papadopoulos, Maria Mountis, Dora Mikroulis, Kiki Malitas, Vaso Trifonidis, Noula Spyrou, Panagoula Economou and Vaso Vagelaras who devoted their time and talent to prepare the homemade filo and pita - may God bless your hands! 

Many thanks to the following Philoptochos women who worked in the kitchen and served the day of the Pita sale - Olga Econome, Maria Mountis, Dea Papadopoulos, Diane Saphos, Stella Fisfis, Stella Nikolopoulos. Maria Grigorakakis, Kiki Malitas, and Angela Vlahos.

We appreciate the generosity of Ari Mountis, Dea Papadopoulos, Magda Bougioukas and George Stathopoulos who donated food supplies for the pita and salad. 

Thank you to all for supporting our endeavors.

2019 Membership Drive

The Ladies Philoptochos 'Nausica' annual Membership Drive has begun and we ask that you submit your 2019 Membership Dues. If you are not currently a member we kindly invite you to become a member of our Philoptochos chapter this year. It is our sincere hope that all female stewards of our parish will join us as we seek to fulfill the mission of Philoptochos.  Male stewards are invited to support our Philoptochos chapter as an Associate Member.

We hope that you will consider supporting us with your membership in Philoptochos ‘Nausica’ this year as we continue our Philanthropic endeavors and outreach to those in need.

Membership letters are being mailed and Philoptochos members will be available during the Kalisorisma/Fellowship hour. Please contact Stella Nikolopoulos or Dora Mikroulis, Membership Co-Chairs with any questions.


"Young At Heart" (65+ parishioners) News

Prelenten Luncheon & Speaker, February 20

On Wednesday, February 20, 2019, our Young At Heart Ministry once again is hosting a speaker from Rothman Institute Abington Jefferson Healthcare.
Dr. Daniel Kraft, Orthopedic Surgeon, will speak on issues of interest to us all. Our program will begin promptly at 12 noon. Please arrive by 11:30 AM. Pizza and dessert will be served.
Your response will be appreciated by Sunday, February 17, to ensure an accurate account of attendees.
Agnes Louridas, (215) 947-2992, Helen Papanicolaou, (215) 646-8752.
We look forward to seeing you!

“Offering a social and supportive network and fostering relationships among our 65 and older members”

Looking Ahead Beyond Next Week...

  • Spring General Assembly of Our Parishioners: Monday, February 25. Invitation here. 2018 Annual Report here.
  • Saturdays of Souls: March 2, 9, 16.
  • Annual March 25th Dinner Dance: Saturday, March 2, in our community center. Look for your invitation in the mail.
  • Lenten Retreat (with Dr. Papanikolaou, from Fordham U): Saturday, March 9.
  • Holy and Great Lent: Starts on Clean Monday, March 11.
  • Regional Sights & Sounds Youth Arts Festival: Saturday, March 23, at Holy Trinity Church, Egg Harbor, NJ.
  • Greek School March 25th Greek Independence Day Program: Sunday, March 24.
  • Annunciation/Evangelismos Feast Day & Greek Independence Day: Monday, March 25.
  • Philadelphia Greek Independence Day Parade: Sunday, April 7.
  • Holy Week-Pascha: April 21-28.

Annual Feast Day and March 25 Celebration Dinner

Saturday, March 2, 2019.
Join us for dinner, music, and dancing!
Look for your invitation in the mail.


Saturday of Souls — March 2nd, 9th, 16th.

Please submit, in person, names to be commemorated on the specific Saturday of Souls you are attending. Matins begins at 8:30 am, and we kindly ask that kolyva (memorial wheat) and/or names be brought to church no later than 9 am on Saturday morning.   The ushers on duty will be there to assist you.

Memorial Prayer Card here. Please clearly print or type the baptismal name to be commemorated.

Fr. John will be offering graveside Trisagion prayers at Lawnview Cemetery after the divine liturgy on the first Saturday, March 2nd.


GOYA Ski Trip

Last Saturday, February 9th, many of our Goyans went tubing at the Blue Mountain resort in the Poconos. The weather was cool and brisk, but that did not deter anyone from having a wonderful time!

The Goyans in attendance were Steven Zoubroulis, Anthony Cardenas, Mike and Niko Chin, Chryssa Papakirk, Ally McNally, Elena Giannoumis, and Katerina and Anna Nanos. A great time was had by all!


Help Wanted: Church Sexton/Caretaker

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Elkins Park, PA is seeking a full or part-time Sexton/Caretaker.

The qualified applicant will have a demonstrated knowledge of building cleaning, building maintenance, basic repairs, grounds care, and kitchen and banquet hall setup and cleanup. He/She must be trustworthy, reliable, willing to follow instructions, and be able to work flexible working hours with minimal supervision.

For further information and consideration, please contact Parish Council President Mrs. Cathy Avgiris, 215-635-0316.

H Ελληνική Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία Ευαγγελισμός της Θεοτόκου στο Elkins Park, PA, ζητά να προσλάβει Νεωκόρο/ Eπιστάτη, πλήρους ή μερικής απασχόλησης.

Ο/Η κατάλληλος/η υποψήφιος/α πρέπει να κατέχει βασικές γνώσεις καθαρισμού και συντήρησης οικοδομής, γνώσεις βασικών επισκευών, και προετοιμασίας και καθαρισμού κουζίνας και αίθουσας. Πρέπει να είναι ειλικρινής, αξιόπιστος/η, να ακολουθεί οδηγίες πρόθυμα, να μπορεί να εργάζεται με ελάχιστη επίβλεψη και να είναι προσαρμόσιμος/η σε ευέλικτο ωράριο.

Για περαιτέρω πληροφορίες  και ραντεβού για συνέντευξη, παρακαλώ απευθυνθείτε στην πρόεδρο του Κοινοτικού Συμβουλίου κ. Αικατερίνη Αυγήρη, 215-635-0316


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Focus on Our Church Family

Celebrations, Milestones, Gratitude, Comfort & Support

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 to add someone to the prayer list.

Let us pray to the Lord for the health and salvation of: Suffering and persecuted Christians in the Middle East and the non-Christian world,  Polly, Debra, Antonios, Sophia, Stephen, Gina, George, Chryssie, Sandra, Donna, Anthony, Alice, Eugene, George, Patrick, Anne, Virginia, Irene, Konstantinos, Sophia, Dimitrios, Yianni, Matina, George, Madison.

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, the 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: Blackton, Michael & Marina; Pagano, Vincent & Anna.

Χρόνια πολλα!  Happy birthday!   God grant you many years!  To those celebrating this week: Evangelos Fellenz, Peter Georgiou, George Mamas, Calista Quigley, Christina Sandilos, Carly Vlahos, Christa Weggel, Sondra Douris, Patricia Gouris, Zafero Angelikas, Ryan Kiscaden, George Heinze, Elizabeth Karras, Karissa Koutsouradis, Maria Dalagelis, Stella Fisfis, Angelica Kolokithias, Dora Lekas, Anthony Sfiridis, Pantelis Sourias, Demetrios Zoubroulis.

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Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey

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50th Anniversary Campaign Update

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February is already half over and we find our thoughts turning to spring, renewal and new growth.  We are in the Pre-Lenten period with Lent only a few weeks away, leading to Holy Week and Pascha.  Along the way, we are blessed with many beautiful services in which to pray, practice our Faith and participate in our religious life with others in our community.  It is also a busy time with other aspects of community life – the Three Hierarchs celebration, Sights and Sounds, the Spring General Assembly meeting and our Annunciation Feast Day dinner-dance.

One of our objectives in the 50th Anniversary Campaign is to foster engagement in our community, and our goal is to have 100% participation in pledging.  We already have over 40 families making pledges and have over 25 volunteers working on various aspects of the Campaign.  I’d like to recognize and thank these committee members who are generous with their time in helping to create the future of our Church.  Here are some of the main committees:

Marketing Committee:  Mary O’Hara (Chairperson), Dafni Dimopoulos, Angie McCullough, Nick Saphos.

Endowment Creation Committee:  Craig Godshall (Chairperson), Demetrios Hatzopoulos, Mitch Papakirk, Jim Trivelis, Jim Verros.

Ministry and Programs Planning:  Father Johns, John Avgiris, Paul Fisfis.

Facilities Master Planning:  Dimitri Armenakis, Carl Freedman, Phil Pappas, Cosmas Trifonidis.

We encourage you to come to the General Assembly meeting on Monday, February 25 in the Church Hall to learn more about the administration of the Community and the Campaign status.  We also invite you to come to the Annunciation Feast Day dinner-dance celebration where we will be showing a wonderful video about the history of our Community and the Campaign that was created by the Marketing Committee.

Dean Dalson

50th Anniversary Campaign Chairperson

 

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The Generous Soul

Be Fruitful: Challenging Yourself to Abide in Order to Bear More Fruit

-By Jerry Root (Part one of two)

The message of the love and forgiveness of God and his desire that all might find the fulfillment they are looking for in him is too important to neglect.

In John 15, Jesus said that he is the vine and we are the branches. As he develops the analogy, he adds, “Abide in me and bear much fruit.”
Furthermore, he says branches that do not bear fruit he removes and casts away. Those that do bear fruit, he prunes (that is, he refines) that they might bear more fruit. It is a process that he fully resources because he said, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.”
Perhaps some would say Jesus is speaking of the fruit of the Spirit and is challenging his followers to cultivate love, joy, peace, patience, and all of those qualities outlined by the Apostle Paul in Galatians 5.

While those qualities are of vital importance for all who take following Christ seriously, from the context of John 15 it is difficult to assert that the character of the disciple, important as that is, is what Jesus had in mind here.

Two things in the context clarify his point. In John 15:16, he said, “You did not choose Me, but I have chosen you, that you might go and bear fruit and that your fruit might remain.” It is a kind of fruit-bearing that occurs as Jesus gives the last word, upper room instructions before he deploys his disciples to fulfill his mission to the world. He has in mind the life of reproducing reproducers for the Kingdom.
That is, Jesus wants his disciples who take seriously the role of following him to live lives of sharing the gospel with others and mentoring others so that they can also participate in this great work.

Furthermore, these words are at the very heart of the most fully developed instruction Jesus gives to his disciples and it is all about the mission of the church in the world. Go, in the power of the Holy Spirit, abiding in me, and produce fruit for the Kingdom of God.
In fact, Jesus says if we are doing our work well, we will turn every difficulty (the “pruning”) into an opportunity to grow through the difficulties and actually produce more fruit as a result. Constantly, he emphasizes that we should produce “much” fruit!

(To be continued next week)

Jerry Root, Ph.D., is Professor of Evangelism at Wheaton College and Director of the Evangelism Initiative out of the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College.

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