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Annunciation/Evangelismos Church, Elkins Park, PA
Publish Date: 2019-04-21
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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

APRIL 21, PALM  SUNDAY

ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΤΩΝ ΒΑΪΩΝ Το Κήρυγμα της Κυριακής εδώ

From the Triodion. On this day, Palm Sunday, we celebrate the resplendent and glorious feast of the entry of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. In Your ineffable compassion, O Christ our God, make us worthy to see Your manifest victory over death and Your joyous, life-giving Resurrection, and have mercy on us. Amen.
  • 8:30 AM ORTHROS, 9:30 AM DIVINE LITURGY. Blessing of palms. 
  • ΟΡΘΡΟΣ & ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΙΑ. Eυλογία των βαΐων.
  • Sunday School children will participate in the procession and blessing of the palms. 
  • Our annual Palm Sunday luncheon is hosted by the Parish Council. All are invited.
  • Τα παιδιά του Κατηχητικού Σχολείου θα συμμετάσχουν στη λιτανεία των βαΐων.
  • Το ετήσιο γεύμα της Κυριακής των Βαΐων  φιλοξενείται από το Ενοριακό Συμβούλιο. Όλοι προσκαλούνται!
  • 7 PM ORTHROS OF GREAT MONDAY. “Behold the Bridegroom is coming...”
  • ΟΡΘΡΟΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΗΣ ΔΕΥΤΕΡΑΣ.  «Ιδού, ο Νυμφίος έρχεται…».

 

*Click here for the all-inclusive 2019 Holy Week schedule 
*Click here to follow along during Holy Week services
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Saints and Feasts

Allsaint
April 21

The Holy Hieromartyr Januarius and Those With Him

These Martyrs contested for piety's sake in Campania of Italy, during the reign of Diocletian (284-305), when Timothy was Proconsul. Saint Januarius was the Bishop of Benevento in Campania; he was arrested and taken to Nola, where he was cast into a burning furnace, from which he came forth unharmed; at Puteoli, together with Proculus, Sosius, and Faustus the deacons, Desiderius, reader of the Church of Benevento, and Eurychius and Acutius, nobles from Puteoli, he was cast to wild beasts, which as they came near the Saints, fell affectionately at their feet. Finally they were all beheaded, about the year 305.


Palmsunday
April 21

Palm Sunday

On Sunday, five days before the Passover of the Law, the Lord came from Bethany to Jerusalem. Sending two of His disciples to bring Him a foal of an ass, He sat thereon and entered into the city. When the multitude there heard that Jesus was coming, they straightway took up the branches of palm trees in their hands, and went forth to meet Him. Others spread their garments on the ground, and yet others cut branches from the trees and strewed them in the way that Jesus was to pass; and all of them together, especially the children, went before and after Him, crying out: "Hosanna: Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel" (John 12:13). This is the radiant and glorious festival of our Lord's entry into Jerusalem that we celebrate today.

The branches of the palm trees symbolize Christ's victory over the devil and death. The word Hosanna means "Save, I pray," or "Save, now." The foal of an ass, and Jesus' sitting thereon, and the fact that this animal was untamed and considered unclean according to the Law, signified the former uncleanness and wildness of the nations, and their subjection thereafter to the holy Law of the Gospel.


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Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for Palm Sunday in the First Mode

In confirming the common Resurrection, O Christ God, Thou didst raise up Lazarus from the dead before Thy Passion. Wherefore, we also, like the children, bearing the symbols of victory, cry to Thee, the Vanquisher of death: Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
Τὴν κοινὴν Ἀνάστασιν πρὸ τοῦ σοῦ Πάθους πιστούμενος, ἐκ νεκρῶν ἤγειρας τὸν Λάζαρον, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός· ὅθεν καὶ ἡμεῖς ὡς οἱ Παῖδες, τὰ τῆς νίκης σύμβολα φέροντες, σοὶ τῷ Νικητῇ τοῦ θανάτου βοῶμεν· Ὡσαννὰ ἐν τοῖς ὑψίστοις, εὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος, ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου.

Apolytikion for Palm Sunday in the Fourth Mode

As by baptism we were buried with Thee, O Christ our God, so by Thy Resurrection we were deemed worthy of immortal life; and praising Thee, we cry: Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
Συνταφέντες σοι διὰ τοῦ Βαπτίσματος, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, τῆς ἀθανάτου ζωῆς ἠξιώθημεν τῇ Ἀναστάσει σου, καὶ ἀνυμνοῦντες κράζομεν· Ὡσαννὰ ἐν τοῖς ὑψίστοις, εὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος, ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Second Mode

In Heaven, He is seated upon a Throne and on earth He rides upon a foal. O Christ our God, accept the praise of the Angels and the hymn of the Children who cry out to You, "Blessed are You who comes to recall Adam."
Τῷ θρόνῳ ἐν οὐρανῷ, τῷ πώλῳ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ἐποχούμενος Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, τῶν Ἀγγέλων τὴν αἴνεσιν, καὶ τῶν Παίδων ἀνύμνησιν προσεδέξω βοώντων σοι· Εὐλογημένος εἶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος, τὸν Ἀδὰμ ἀνακαλέσασθαι.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 117.26,1.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Verse: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His mercy endures forever.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians 4:4-9.

BRETHREN, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.

Προκείμενον. Fourth Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 117.26,1.
Εὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου.
Στίχ. Στίχ. Ἐξομολογεῖσθε τῷ Κυρίῳ ὅτι ἀγαθὸς, ὅτι εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Φιλιππησίους 4:4-9.

Ἀδελφοί, χαίρετε ἐν κυρίῳ πάντοτε· πάλιν ἐρῶ, χαίρετε. Τὸ ἐπιεικὲς ὑμῶν γνωσθήτω πᾶσιν ἀνθρώποις. Ὁ κύριος ἐγγύς. Μηδὲν μεριμνᾶτε, ἀλλʼ ἐν παντὶ τῇ προσευχῇ καὶ τῇ δεήσει μετὰ εὐχαριστίας τὰ αἰτήματα ὑμῶν γνωριζέσθω πρὸς τὸν θεόν. Καὶ ἡ εἰρήνη τοῦ θεοῦ ἡ ὑπερέχουσα πάντα νοῦν, φρουρήσει τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν καὶ τὰ νοήματα ὑμῶν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. Τὸ λοιπόν, ἀδελφοί, ὅσα ἐστὶν ἀληθῆ, ὅσα σεμνά, ὅσα δίκαια, ὅσα ἁγνά, ὅσα προσφιλῆ, ὅσα εὔφημα, εἴ τις ἀρετὴ καὶ εἴ τις ἔπαινος, ταῦτα λογίζεσθε. Ἃ καὶ ἐμάθετε καὶ παρελάβετε καὶ ἠκούσατε καὶ εἴδετε ἐν ἐμοί, ταῦτα πράσσετε· καὶ ὁ θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης ἔσται μεθʼ ὑμῶν.


Gospel Reading

Palm Sunday
The Reading is from John 12:1-18

Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazaros was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazaros was one of those at table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, "Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."

When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazaros, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazaros also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" And Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!" His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazaros out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.

Palm Sunday
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 12:1-18

Πρὸ ἓξ ἡμερῶν τοῦ πάσχα ἦλθεν Ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἰς Βηθανίαν, ὅπου ἦν Λάζαρος ὁ τεθνηκώς, ὃν ἤγειρεν ἐκ νεκρῶν. ἐποίησαν οὖν αὐτῷ δεῖπνον ἐκεῖ, καὶ ἡ Μάρθα διηκόνει· ὁ δὲ Λάζαρος εἷς ἦν τῶν ἀνακειμένων σὺν αὐτῷ. ἡ οὖν Μαρία, λαβοῦσα λίτραν μύρου νάρδου πιστικῆς πολυτίμου, ἤλειψε τοὺς πόδας τοῦ ᾿Ιησοῦ καὶ ἐξέμαξε ταῖς θριξὶν αὐτῆς τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ· ἡ δὲ οἰκία ἐπληρώθη ἐκ τῆς ὀσμῆς τοῦ μύρου. λέγει οὖν εἷς ἐκ τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ, ᾿Ιούδας Σίμωνος ᾿Ισκαριώτης, ὁ μέλλων αὐτὸν παραδιδόναι· διατί τοῦτο τὸ μύρον οὐκ ἐπράθη τριακοσίων δηναρίων καὶ ἐδόθη πτωχοῖς; εἶπε δὲ τοῦτο οὐχ ὅτι περὶ τῶν πτωχῶν ἔμελεν αὐτῷ, ἀλλ᾽ ὅτι κλέπτης ἦν, καὶ τὸ γλωσσόκομον εἶχε καὶ τὰ βαλλόμενα ἐβάσταζεν. εἶπεν οὖν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· ἄφες αὐτήν, εἰς τὴν ἡμέραν τοῦ ἐνταφιασμοῦ μου τετήρηκεν αὐτό. τοὺς πτωχοὺς γὰρ πάντοτε ἔχετε μεθ᾽ ἑαυτῶν, ἐμὲ δὲ οὐ πάντοτε ἔχετε.

῎Εγνω οὖν ὄχλος πολὺς ἐκ τῶν ᾿Ιουδαίων ὅτι ἐκεῖ ἐστι, καὶ ἦλθον οὐ διὰ τὸν ᾿Ιησοῦν μόνον, ἀλλ᾽ ἵνα καὶ τὸν Λάζαρον ἴδωσιν ὃν ἤγειρεν ἐκ νεκρῶν. ἐβουλεύσαντο δὲ οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς ἵνα καὶ τὸν Λάζαρον ἀποκτείνωσιν, ὅτι πολλοὶ δι᾽ αὐτὸν ὑπῆγον τῶν ᾿Ιουδαίων καὶ ἐπίστευον εἰς τὸν ᾿Ιησοῦν.

Τῇ ἐπαύριον ὄχλος πολὺς ὁ ἐλθὼν εἰς τὴν ἑορτήν, ἀκούσαντες ὅτι ἔρχεται ᾿Ιησοῦς εἰς ῾Ιεροσόλυμα, ἔλαβον τὰ βαΐα τῶν φοινίκων καὶ ἐξῆλθον εἰς ὑπάντησιν αὐτῷ, καὶ ἔκραζον· ὡσαννά, εὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου, ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῦ ᾿Ισραήλ. εὑρὼν δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ὀνάριον ἐκάθισεν ἐπ᾽ αὐτό, καθώς ἐστι γεγραμμένον· μὴ φοβοῦ, θύγατερ Σιών· ἰδοὺ ὁ βασιλεύς σου ἔρχεται καθήμενος ἐπὶ πῶλον ὄνου.

Ταῦτα δὲ οὐκ ἔγνωσαν οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ τὸ πρῶτον, ἀλλ᾽ ὅτε ἐδοξάσθη ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς, τότε ἐμνήσθησαν ὅτι ταῦτα ἦν ἐπ᾽ αὐτῷ γεγραμμένα, καὶ ταῦτα ἐποίησαν αὐτῷ. ᾿Εμαρτύρει οὖν ὁ ὄχλος ὁ ὢν μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ ὅτε τὸν Λάζαρον ἐφώνησεν ἐκ τοῦ μνημείου καὶ ἤγειρεν αὐτὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν. διὰ τοῦτο καὶ ὑπήντησεν αὐτῷ ὁ ὄχλος, ὅτι ἤκουσαν τοῦτο αὐτὸν πεποιηκέναι τὸ σημεῖον.


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The Generous Soul

We now enter a week in our liturgical year that is like no other — Holy Week. Let us do our best to live this week closely connected to our Lord whose passionate love for us knows no bounds — culminating in His death on the cross and His triumph over death — all for us.

In one of the Gospel accounts, we are told of a reaction to Jesus’ passion and death, namely that “all His acquaintances stood at a distance.” They knew Jesus! They had heard him preaching and teaching, witnessed His signs and miracles, maybe even benefited personally from them. Perhaps they did not participate in mocking Him or calling for His crucifixion. But they chose to stay a safe distance from Him when the going got tough. Unlike Simon the Cyrene, they refused to go too near to Christ.

Where will you place yourself this week? Keeping your distance from all the pain and suffering Christ endured? Or close by, staying near to Him as Simon did? It is when we go near to Christ that we can be transformed by Him. It is by embracing the crosses in our lives, stewarding them well rather than trying to run from them that we become His true disciples.

Still unconvinced? Let the words of the Gospel speak to you personally:

“The chief priests and scribes… stood by accusing him harshly” and He did not defend Himself, for love of me.

“Herod and his soldiers treated him contemptuously and mocked him” and He stayed quiet, for love of me.

The crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us” and He let Himself be led away, for love of me.

“With loud shouts, they persisted in calling for his crucifixion” and He did not object, for love of me.

“Even the soldiers jeered at Him” and He endured it patiently, for love of me.

“They crucified Him and the criminals there” and He died, for love of me.

Stay near to Christ this Holy Week — attend the Holy Week services, increase your fasting — and allow yourself to be transformed by His passionate love so that this week indeed becomes a week like no other.

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Community News & Events

Holy Week: April 20-28

Click here for the all-inclusive 2019 Holy Week schedule 
Click here to follow along during Holy Week services

Attention Annunciation Parish Families,

Please review the youth calendar of upcoming events for the last weeks of Lent and Holy Week.  We hope all families can participate in at least a few of the events.  Please RSVP so we can prepare to meet the needs of our youth.

Palms & Pizza

Join us on Friday, April 19 at 6 pm for an evening of palm folding and pizza.  Father John will speak to our youth and hear confessions.

Kindly RSVP herehttp://evite.me/kGMgDsfNJC

Holy Wednesday Children's Unction Service

Children and families receive the Sacrament of Holy Anointing at this service beginning at 4 pm.

Holy Wednesday Epistle Readers 

Young ladies ages 13-18 are requested to act as Epistle readers during the Holy Wednesday Unction Service at 7 pm on April 24.  Please sign up through the attached link or contact Anna Dalson at afrangetis@hotmail.com.   

Please sign up herehttps://www.signupgenius.com/index.cfm?go=w.create6&listid=19531708&owner=2270848

Good Friday Youth Retreat

Children ages 5-12 are invited to join us for a Lenten retreat on Holy Friday.  Teens ages 13-18 are invited to volunteer to help conduct our planned activities.  RSVP through the link provided or contact Tina Hadjimallis at teena21beena@comcast.net.  Click the link for a complete description and toRSVPhttps://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0a4fa9a72caaf94-holy

Good Friday Myrrh-bearers Afternoon (3 pm) and Evening (7 pm)

Girls ages 8-12 to act as Myrrh Bearers on Good Friday during the Apokathilosis (3 pm) and Lamentations Services (7 pm).  

The dress is a plain white dress, white sweater, white socks, and white shoes.  RSVP through the link provided or contact Debbie Sourias at debbie.thomadi@gmail.com or Tina Hadjimallis at teena21beena@comcast.net.

Please sign up for Myrrh Bearers herehttps://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0f4aaca72faa8-good1

Easter Egg Hunt 

Come to our annual Easter Egg Hunt immediately following the 11 am Agape service Sunday, April 28.

Kindly RSVP to Easter Egg Hunt herehttp://evite.me/8aG6teBWCT

We wish you and your families a blessed Pascha!

Youth Ministries Council of Annunciation


Philoptochos News & Events

Epitaphios Flowers

The Ladies Philoptochos 'Nausica' continues our longstanding tradition of decorating our Epitaphios of Holy Friday with flowers purchased with the generous donations of you, our fellow parishioners.

Letters have been mailed to all parishioners and Philoptochos members will be available during the Kalisorisma/Fellowship hour for the next several Sundays. 

As always, your generous donations and support are greatly appreciated.

Ladies Philoptochos 'Nausica' 2019-2021 Chapter Board of Director Elections

Elections for the 2019-2021 Board of Directors will take place on Sunday, May 19, 2019, in the Library following the Divine Liturgy.
Philoptochos members who are interested in seeking election to the Board should submit their name to Stella Nikolopoulos, Chair, Election Screening Committee via email to stellaniko811@gmail.com or in person no later than Sunday, May 12, 2019.
All candidates seeking election to the Chapter Board must qualify in accordance with the Philoptochos Bylaws as follows:
In order to be a candidate for election to the Chapter Board, a full member must have been a member in good standing with the parish and chapter for a period of at least one full year prior to the date of election to the Chapter Board and must have attended a minimum of four (4) meetings held in the previous year. All candidates must be present at the election meeting unless reasonable cause for such absence is provided.
A member is qualified to serve on the Board of Directors of one chapter only.
Please contact Stella Nikolopoulos at stellaniko811@gmail.com or Diane Saphos at 215-208-5832 or dsaphos@msn.com with any questions.


"Young At Heart" (65+ parishioners) News

Monastery Trip

The Young a Heart are planning a trip to Ayia Skepi Monastery on May 28, leaving at 9 AM.
The cost is $25 per person.
Transportation space is limited, therefore we are excepting reservations starting immediately. 
Deadline is May 19. Hoping you can join us on this most inspiring and uplifting trip.
Please RSVP with Agnes Louridas, (215) 947-2992, 
or Helen Papanicolaou, (215) 646-8752.

Liturgical Items Needed

  • Prosforo (Offertory Bread for Holy Communion). Please see Diane Tzouras, Lina Paidas or Dea Papadopoulos, if you can offer your baking talents in this ministry.
  • Wine for Holy Communion. The required wine is  Keo St John Commandaria Cyprus NV PLCB #46169. If you cannot find it in the wine store, you may make a donation toward its purchase.
  • Charcoal & Incense.  Donations are preferred since we purchase a specific kind of charcoal & incense.

Church Parking

With increased volume in church attendance during feast days, we kindly ask you to faithfully observe all parking regulations in our parking lot and especially on the surrounding streets.

  • Please park only where you are permitted to park.
  • The parking lot of the professional building at the SW corner of 611 and Spring Avenue is also available to us for evenings and weekends.

OCMC Announces New Teams to Spread the Good News!

Colombia, Ghana, and Alaska have been added to the list of OCMC Mission Teams in 2019. These new openings offer you an opportunity to follow in the apostolic footsteps of Orthodox missionaries throughout the ages who have answered the call to spread the Good News to the world.

Visit www.ocmc.org to find the complete list and dates of all the 2019 Orthodox Mission Team opportunities. Apply today!


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Bulletin Inserts

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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 

Suffering and persecuted Christians in the Middle East and the non-Christian world, Irene, Konstantinos, Sophia, Dimitrios, Yianni, Matina, George, Madison, Stephen, Tom, Athena, Joe, Chryssie, Anthony.

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 the next two weeks

Chiariello, James III & Katrina; Louridas, Gregory & Barbara; Calliagas, Nicholas & Katerina; Godshall, Craig & Angela; Stackhouse, Eugene & Dianne; Zeka, Sami & Joyce; Gabriel, Chris & Joy; Christman, Warren & Dina.

Χρόνια πολλα!  Happy birthday!   God grant you many years!  To those celebrating the next two weeks

Chrysanthos Georgiou,  Stephen McGrath, Anastasia Metzger, Peter Moller, Anthony Vafiadis, Vasiliki Hadgimallis, Alexandros Marques, Anna Mavrakis, Kevin Moore, Elizabeth Papacostas, Aspasia Fournaris, Achileas Patounas, Kelly Toumbanakis, Virginia Koutsouros, Stamatios Mountis, Constantina Sjostedt, Alice Kyriakodis, George Gaugler V, Irene Cosmatos, Angela Gaugler, Olivia Mitsas, Nicolas Maher, Melissa Peck, Juliana Zeka, Benjamin Gimbel, Ellen Patella, Billy Econome, Emilia Godshall, George Fournaris, Despina Hatzigeorgiou, Virginia Markos, Miltiadis Mitsas, Maria-Maggie Sjostedt, Chris Vlahos, Michael Dimotsis, Anna Nanos, Andreas Sideris, Anthony Alfaro, George Gutchigian, Tina Onassis, Aris Pasles, Mark Samios.

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From the Desk of Our Parish Council President

April is National Volunteer Month

Volunteers of the Month, April 2019
Volunteer Spotlight on Ekaterini Nanos

We are proud to have young people who volunteer their time and talent for the benefit of our community.  Ekaterini Nanos is one of them.

For the last five years Katerina, a high school student, has been a volunteer assistant teacher in our Greek School.  She offers her services to Pre-K and Kindergarten classes aiding teachers Gina Giannoumis and Anna Botsaris in teaching the Greek language and the Greek Orthodox culture to our four and five-year-old youngsters.  Full of energy, enthusiasm, and always with a smile and love for our children, Katerina meets the students who adore her every Tuesday evening. 

Parents, as well as the entire Greek School community have expressed their appreciation and gratitude to Katerina for her dedication and commitment to volunteer her time for the betterment of our youth.  Katerina is a great model for others in our community to follow.

We congratulate Katerina and wish her success και καλη προοδο in her studies at the Thomas Jefferson University where she will start in the fall.

From the Greek School,

John C. Avgiris

------------------------------------------ 

Volunteer Spotlight on Dora Mikroulis

Dora Mikroulis has been a devoted member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox community and the Philoptochos chapter ‘Nausica’ for many years. you look up the definition of volunteerism you find “an altruistic activity where an individual provides services for no financial or social gain to benefit another.” And your mind automatically goes to Dora. displays a genuine concern for the welfare and happiness of other people. her work as the Sunshine coordinator for our Philoptochos chapter, Dora literally brings sunshine into the lives of people in our community who have suffered a loss, who are sick, hospitalized or shut-in. ’s thoughtfulness has uplifted the spirits of all who have received a card from her, in Greek or in English.

Dora does not wait to be asked to volunteer, she seeks out opportunities to help our church and community whenever, and however she can. She is an inspiration to us all and we are thankful for her generosity of time and talent.

On behalf of the Philoptochos,

Diane Saphos

President

 

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50th Anniversary Campaign Update

50_ann_logo

A Master Plan for Our Facilities

A few weeks ago I wrote about the infrastructure needs of our Church and mentioned that we would be hiring an architectural firm to develop a Master Plan for the facility.  In the past few weeks, we have been getting proposals from firms and interviewing the finalists.  In the next few weeks, we will select one and initiate the work.

The master planning process is best with input from a wide range of people in the community and there will be several ways you can be involved.  First, the architects will be interviewing all the ministries and organizations to understand how they use the facility today and what needs they have for the future.  These interviews will occur after Pascha and will be scheduled through the Church office.  Second, we will hold a design workshop on a Saturday after the OPA festival where Parishioners will work in teams with the architects to develop specific design ideas.

Our goal is to have a completed Master Plan in July that includes designs that address the needs of the Church, along with construction budget estimates and options for how the work can be completed.  The Master Plan should answer the key questions of how we address access to the Hall, where we put an elevator, how much all the projects should cost and how to go about doing them.

The master planning process is a great opportunity for you to have direct involvement in planning the future of our Church facilities.  I encourage you and your families to participate.  We will publish in the next few weeks dates for the interviews and workshop.  Please join us in these sessions and help us design the facilities of our future!

Thank you for your support in building the future of our Church!

Dean Dalson

50th Anniversary Campaign Chairperson

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ΟΠΑ 2019 Greek Food Fest, May 23-26

Many hands are needed to make the 2019 OΠA Greek Food Fest a success.

Here are some of the ways you can help:
  • Participate in the 2019 OPA Journal by placing a personal message, or by soliciting an ad from your local businesses.
  • Assist Philoptochos with baking the homemade pastries & delicacies.
    • Baking schedule coming soon.
  • Set some time aside to assist with the preparation, setting up, working the various stations, and cleaning up.
    • A volunteer Sign Up Genius link will be available soon.
  • Share the event with your family and friends in your place of business and social media.
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