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Annunciation/Evangelismos Church, Elkins Park, PA
Publish Date: 2020-01-26
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Xenophon
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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

Saturday, January 25, 2020
  • 8:30 am MATINS 9:30 am DIVINE LITURGY.

15th Sunday of Luke, January 26, 2020

Κυριακή ΙE΄ Λουκᾶ, 26 Ιανουαρίου, 2020. Το κήρυγμα ΕΔΩ

8:30 am MATINS, 9:30 am DIVINE LITURGY

  • Memorial prayers are offered today for the repose of the souls of Konstantinos Melekos (40-days), and Kalliopi (Fisfis) Mennis (40-days) of blessed memory.
  • The fellowship hour is hosted by GOYA.
  • 4 pm Delaware Valley Three Hierarchs/Greek Letters Celebration at St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church, Cherry Hill, NJ.
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
  • 5 pm Greek School classes.
  • 7 pm Intermediate/Advanced adult Greek class.
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
  • 7 pm Bible Study.
Thursday, January 30, 2020

Synaxis of the Three Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian,  & John Chrysostom

  • 8:30 am MATINS, 9:30 am DIVINE LITURGY.
  • 7 pm Choir rehearsal.
Friday, January 31, 2020
  • 5 pm Greek School classes.
  • 6 pm GOYA Sights & Sounds practice.
  • 6:30 pm Beginners adult Greek class.
  • 6:30 pm HOPE & JOY dance practice.
  • 7:30 pm GOYA dance practice.
Next Sunday, February 2, 2020

The Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple

  • 8:30 am MATINS, 9:30 am DIVINE LITURGY.
  • IOCC Souper Bowl tray and collection of canned goods.
  • The fellowship hour will be hosted by Philoptochos.
  • 12 pm GOYA Sights & Sounds practice.

 

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Saints and Feasts

Xenophon
January 26

Xenophon & his Companions

This Saint, a wealthy nobleman of Constantinople, was filled with piety toward God. He had two sons, Arcadius and John, whom he sent to Beirut to study law. But they were shipwrecked during their voyage; barely saved, they forsook all things and departed for Palestine. Saint Xenophon and his wife Mary, ignorant of what had happened, went in search of their sons. On finding them in Jerusalem, dressed in the habit of monks, they also took up the monastic life. And thus, having completed their lives in holiness, they departed for the Lord about the beginning of the sixth century. Saint Xenophon and his sons reposed at Saint Sabbas Monastery, and Mary at the Monastery of Saint Theodosius.


28_ephraim1
January 28

Ephraim the Syrian

Saint Ephraim was born in Nisibis of Mesopotamia some time about the year 306, and in his youth was the disciple of Saint James, Bishop of Nisibis, one of the 318 Fathers at the First Ecumenical Council. Ephraim lived in Nisibis, practicing a severe ascetical life and increasing in holiness, until 363, the year in which Julian the Apostate was slain in his war against the Persians, and his successor Jovian surrendered Nisibis to them. Ephraim then made his dwelling in Edessa, where he found many heresies to do battle with. He waged an especial war against Bardaisan; this gnostic had written many hymns propagating his errors, which by their sweet melodies became popular and enticed souls away from the truth. Saint Ephraim, having received from God a singular gift of eloquence, turned Bardaisan's own weapon against him, and wrote a multitude of hymns to be chanted by choirs of women, which set forth the true doctrines, refuted heretical error, and praised the contests of the Martyrs.

Of the multitude of sermons, commentaries, and hymns that Saint Ephraim wrote, many were translated into Greek in his own lifetime. Sozomen says that Ephraim "Surpassed the most approved writers of Greece," observing that the Greek writings, when translated into other tongues, lose most of their original beauty, but Ephraim's works "are no less admired when read in Greek than when read in Syriac" (Eccl. Hist., Book 111, 16). Saint Ephraim was ordained deacon, some say by Saint Basil the Great, whom Sozomen said "was a great admirer of Ephraim, and was astonished at his erudition." Saint Ephraim was the first to make the poetic expression of hymnody and song a vehicle of Orthodox theological teachings, constituting it an integral part of the Church's worship; he may rightly be called the first and greatest hymnographer of the Church, who set the pattern for these who followed him, especially Saint Romanos the Melodist. Because of this he is called the "Harp of the Holy Spirit." Jerome says that his writings were read in some churches after the reading of the Scriptures, and adds that once he read a Greek translation of one of Ephraim's works, "and recognized, even in translation, the incisive power of his lofty genius" (De vir. ill., ch. CXV).

Shortly before the end of his life, a famine broke out in Edessa, and Saint Ephraim left his cell to rebuke the rich for not sharing their goods with the poor. The rich answered that they knew no one to whom they could entrust their goods. Ephraim asked them, "What do you think of me?" When they confessed their reverence for him, he offered to distribute their alms, to which they agreed. He himself cared with his own hands for many of the sick from the famine, and so crowned his life with mercy and love for neighbor. Saint Ephraim reposed in peace, according to some in the year 373, according to others, 379.


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 28.11,1.
The Lord will give strength to his people.
Verse: Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to Timothy 4:9-15.

Timothy, my son, the saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and suffer reproach, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things. Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Till I come, attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands upon you. Practice these duties, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress.

Προκείμενον. Grave Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 28.11,1.
Κύριος ἰσχὺν τῷ λαῷ αὐτοῦ δώσει.
Στίχ. Ἐνέγκατε τῷ Κυρίῳ υἱοὶ Θεοῦ, ἐνέγκατε τῷ Κυρίῳ δόξαν καὶ τιμήν.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Τιμόθεον α' 4:9-15.

Τέκνον Τιμόθεε, πιστὸς ὁ λόγος καὶ πάσης ἀποδοχῆς ἄξιος. Εἰς τοῦτο γὰρ καὶ κοπιῶμεν καὶ ὀνειδιζόμεθα, ὅτι ἠλπίκαμεν ἐπὶ θεῷ ζῶντι, ὅς ἐστιν σωτὴρ πάντων ἀνθρώπων, μάλιστα πιστῶν. Παράγγελλε ταῦτα καὶ δίδασκε. Μηδείς σου τῆς νεότητος καταφρονείτω, ἀλλὰ τύπος γίνου τῶν πιστῶν ἐν λόγῳ, ἐν ἀναστροφῇ, ἐν ἀγάπῃ, ἐν πνεύματι, ἐν πίστει, ἐν ἁγνείᾳ. Ἕως ἔρχομαι, πρόσεχε τῇ ἀναγνώσει, τῇ παρακλήσει, τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ. Μὴ ἀμέλει τοῦ ἐν σοὶ χαρίσματος, ὃ ἐδόθη σοι διὰ προφητείας μετὰ ἐπιθέσεως τῶν χειρῶν τοῦ πρεσβυτερίου. Ταῦτα μελέτα, ἐν τούτοις ἴσθι, ἵνα σου ἡ προκοπὴ φανερὰ ᾖ ἐν πᾶσιν.


Gospel Reading

15th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 19:1-10

At that time, Jesus was passing through Jericho. And there was a man named Zacchaios; he was a chief collector, and rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not, on account of the crowd, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaios, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today." So he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it they all murmured, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner." And Zacchaios stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost."

15th Sunday of Luke
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 19:1-10

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, διήρχετο τὴν ῾Ιεριχώ· καὶ ἰδοὺ ἀνὴρ ὀνόματι καλούμενος Ζακχαῖος, καὶ αὐτὸς ἦν ἀρχιτελώνης, καὶ οὗτος ἦν πλούσιος, καὶ ἐζήτει ἰδεῖν τὸν ᾿Ιησοῦν τίς ἐστι, καὶ οὐκ ἠδύνατο ἀπὸ τοῦ ὄχλου, ὅτι τῇ ἡλικίᾳ μικρὸς ἦν. καὶ προδραμὼν ἔμπροσθεν ἀνέβη ἐπὶ συκομορέαν, ἵνα ἴδῃ αὐτόν, ὅτι ἐκείνης ἤμελλε διέρχεσθαι. καὶ ὡς ἦλθεν ἐπὶ τὸν τόπον, ἀναβλέψας ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶδεν αὐτὸν καὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτόν· Ζακχαῖε, σπεύσας κατάβηθι· σήμερον γὰρ ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ σου δεῖ με μεῖναι. καὶ σπεύσας κατέβη, καὶ ὑπεδέξατο αὐτὸν χαίρων. καὶ ἰδόντες πάντες διεγόγγυζον λέγοντες ὅτι παρὰ ἁμαρτωλῷ ἀνδρὶ εἰσῆλθε καταλῦσαι. σταθεὶς δὲ Ζακχαῖος εἶπε πρὸς τὸν Κύριον· ἰδοὺ τὰ ἡμίση τῶν ὑπαρχόντων μου, Κύριε, δίδωμι τοῖς πτωχοῖς, καὶ εἴ τινός τι ἐσυκοφάντησα, ἀποδίδωμι τετραπλοῦν. εἶπε δὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ὅτι σήμερον σωτηρία τῷ οἴκῳ τούτῳ ἐγένετο, καθότι καὶ αὐτὸς υἱὸς ᾿Αβραάμ ἐστιν. ἦλθε γὰρ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ζητῆσαι καὶ σῶσαι τὸ ἀπολωλός.


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Wisdom of the Fathers

In this reading we note Zacchaeus' sense of eager expectation, the intensity of his desire to see our Lord, and we apply this to ourselves. If, as we prepare for Lent, there is real eagerness in our hearts, if we have an intense desire for a clearer vision of Christ, then our hopes will be fulfilled during the fast; indeed, we shall, like Zacchaeus, receive far more than we expect.
Bishop Kallistos of Diokleia
The Meaning of the Great Fast from the Lenten Triodion

For Christ's presence is like that of some life-giving, scented balsam which restores health, enriches life and gives savor to the soul, the thoughts, the words of a man. In brief, distance from Christ means corruption and death, and closeness to Him means salvation and life.
Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic
Prolog, 4 February

Christ is the salvation that comes, and Zacchaeus is the house to which He comes.
Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic
Prolog, 4 February

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Annunciation Sunday Catechism School

We Will Be Celebrating Godparents Sunday on Sunday, February 9

We invite all children and their godparents to attend the liturgy and a special ceremony as a reminder of this beautiful sacrament and bond. Please join us for refreshments in the cultural center with your nounas and nounos!  If your godparents are unavailable, please bring a special family member or friend with you. We want every child to participate.

Thank you, Sunday school Directors Tina Hadgimallis and Stella Fisfis.

 

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Community News and Events

Philoptochos News & Events

Go Red Sunday – February 9, 2020

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 9, 2020, attending church services. We will also be taking a collection that day to benefit the American Heart Association.

Thank you for your continued support!

 

Save the Date - Homemade Pita Sale

The Ladies Philoptochos Society 'Nausica' will hold a Homemade Pita Sale during kalosorisma/coffee hour on Sunday, March 1, 2020. The platter will include Hortopita with Homemade filo (Pita with feta, greens, and herbs), tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, dolmada & olives, and a soft drink.

A $10.00 minimum donation is requested. Proceeds benefit the pledge of The Ladies Philoptochos Society 'Nausica' to our Parish 50th Anniversary Campaign. 


Congratulations!

To Anna Dalson for being nominated to be our parish Greek School honoree at the 2020 Regional Greek Letters Day Celebration on Sunday, January 26, 2020.

Anna is proud to have been a member of the Annunciation Greek School Board and the work done to improve the quality of its Greek School Program. We worked to establish a high-quality after-school language program, where students would not only learn the Greek language but would explore and grow in their cultural identity and heritage. We improved the overall curriculum, attracted and maintained quality instructors, and encouraged our community to invest time and energy in the Greek School itself.  Our work set the stage for a revitalized Greek School that now has record enrollment, top-notch instructors, and a proud and dedicated community invested in its success.

To Dimitra Ganas for being nominated to be our parish PTO honoree at the 2020 Regional Greek Letters Day Celebration on Sunday, January 26, 2020.

Dimitra was born and raised in Nemea, Corinth, Greece, and came to the United States in 1978. She has two children and four grandchildren. Dimitra has been a member of Annunciation Elkins Park for many years, committing herself to the spiritual and ministry life of the Church.  She is known for her selfless, generous, and positive spirit expressed best by her big smile.  She is proud to be deeply involved in The Ladies Philoptochos Nausica, our Young at Heart seniors ministry, and the Parent Teachers Organization - a recognition and honor for which she is humbled to receive today.


Looking Ahead Beyond Next Week...

  • Sunday, February 9, 2020- Triodion Starts (Three-week pre-Lenten Season)
        • Godparents Sunday
  • Sunday, February 16, 2020- Council of Ministries Meeting
  • Saturday, February  22, 2020- First of Three Saturday of Souls
        • Taverna Night - Save the date & look for your invitation in the mail soon
  • Sunday, February 23, 2020- Judgment Sunday (Meatfare) Sunday
        • Spring General Assembly of Our Parishioners
  • Saturday, February  29, 2020- Lenten Retreat: “Behold The Bridegroom: Preparing for Lent with The Parables of Jesus.”
  • Sunday, March 1, 2020- Forgiveness Sunday
        • Parish Oratorical Festival
  • Monday, March 2, 2020- Clean Monday, Start of Holy and Great Lent
  • Saturday, March 14, 2020- Regional Sights and Sounds Youth Arts Festival. St. Luke Church, Broomall, PA
  • Sunday, March 29, 2020- Philadelphia Greek Independence Day Parade
  • Sunday, April 13, 2020- Palm Sunday, Start of Holy Week

Liturgical Items Needed

Prosforo for the Eucharist. We use 2 –3 loaves on Sunday plus a few more for weekday liturgies.  There will never be too much prosforo in stock.  Please do not hesitate to bring any amount at any time!

Charcoal briquettes & incense. Donations are appreciated as we purchase specific king of charcoal & incense.

Thank you!


CrossRoad 2020

CrossRoad is a ten-day academic summer institute that prepares high school juniors and seniors to make big life decisions and invites them to connect with the Orthodox Christian theological and spiritual tradition. 

Participants from all over the country come together to experience daily worship, take theology classes from some of the best professors in the country, visit local parishes, serve their neighbors, tour the city, and even spend a day at the beach.

Click HERE for more information. Application deadline is February 1, 2020


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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 health and salvation: Suffering and persecuted Christians in the Middle East and the non-Christian world, Antonios, Anthony, Debora, Despina, Nikolaos, George, Yiannis, Eugene, Mary, Maria, Noel, Pavlos, Vincent, Alexandros, Constantino, Dionysios, Elizabeth, Peter, Athanasia, Earnest, Virginia.

Names will be kept on this list for approximately three 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 to the Lord in your personal prayer life also.

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

Χρόνια πολλα!  Happy birthday!   God grant you many years!  To those celebrating this week:  John Avgiris, Urania Staurinos, Katerina Botsaris, Aspasia McGrath, Lukas Rodenhausen, Olivia Speir, Joshua Tait, Anna Maria Topakas, Isabella Weggel, Maria Georgiou, Virginia Livanos, Marianne Marmarou, Juan Nunez, Andrew Voutsinos, George Voutsinos, Eleftherios Topakas, Eleni Angelucci, Sophia Rega.

 

 

 

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Stewardship Update

Stewardship_2019
  • 2019 End-of-year Contributions Statements went out last week, emailed to those with an email address in our system, and via postal mail to the rest. Please let us know if you have not received yours or if you have any questions about your contributions.

  • Make a pledge now for 2020 HERE if you have not already done so.

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Bulletin Inserts

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Help Needed

HAVE YOU CONSIDERED SAVING A LIFE TODAY?

My name is Andrea Thomas Merrick, and I am an Annunciation parishioner. 

My husband, Alan Gnessin, was diagnosed at age 16 with Type 1 Diabetes. Back then, treatment was much different than today.  Now, there are insulin pens, different types of insulin,  pumps, meters that test your blood without pricking your fingertips and many other medical advances. He followed the rules, watched what he ate, and lived his life.  But, these things don’t stop the progression of this chronic, incurable disease.

Today, Alan has Stage IV Kidney Disease and needs a kidney transplant. This is a daunting milestone.  His quality of life has greatly diminished.  His kidneys are failing with each passing day.  He continues to live the best life that he can but, without a kidney transplant, he will not be able to continue.  That is just the inevitably sad fact for all of us who care so much for him. 

There are two ways of obtaining a kidney. The first is from a deceased donor, which means you are put on the List and wait your turn until a matching kidney becomes available. You must receive dialysis while you wait what could be 5 or more years if you are lucky.

Alternatively, there are living kidney donors.  Having a living kidney donor has better outcomes than a cadaver donor. It also avoids having to wait years on the List for a match and means that the recipient need not spend endless time on dialysis.  This is a true gift.

On behalf of Alan, I am reaching out to you and asking for your help. Would you be willing to be tested to see if you are a compatible donor? Would you be willing to share Alan’s story and ask others? I am hoping that among family, friends, acquaintances and new connections, there is someone out there who can help save a life.  Please know that Alan’s immediate family are not suitable donor candidates, hence this outreach. (Alan has Type O blood, so a direct donor needs to be Type O (+ or -).

If you want to learn more about how the process works to be evaluated as a kidney donor, please go to www.donorsforalan.com.  If you prefer speaking directly and confidentially with the transplant program, please feel free to reach out to our transplant coordinator at Jefferson at livingdonor@jefferson.edu or at 1-888-855-6649.  You can download and complete the Living Donor Medical Assessment and Referral Form at  https://hospitals.jefferson.edu/content/dam/health/PDFs/departments/Kidney-Transplant/Living-Donor-Kidney-Transplant-Form.pdf  and e-mail it to livingdonor@jefferson.edu if you are interested in being considered as a living kidney donor. This form is the initial screening form.

We are so grateful for your interest, your questions, your help, and your friendship during this very difficult time.

Thank you all for listening to Alan’s story and considering his situation.

Andrea Thomas Merrick, Alan’s wife.

For questions and more information, please contact Fr. John at  215-6350316

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