Weekend Update

Saturday of Souls, February 22, 2020

8:30 am MATINS, 9:30 am DIVINE LITURGY, followed by graveside trisagion prayers at Lawnview Cemetery.
12:30 pm Baptism: The Pitsakis family.
6:30 pm Apokreatiko/Taverna event. Please RSVP to Christine Ferello or Mary O'Hara HERE and pay for your tickets at the Pay Now button HERE

Judgment (Meatfare) Sunday, February 23, 2020

Κυριακὴ τῆς Ἀπόκρεω, 23 Φεβρουαρίου, 2020 Το Κήρυγμα ΕΔΩ

8:30 am MATINS, 9:30 am DIVINE LITURGY.
GOYA is inviting everyone to the fellowship hour.
OYA Sights & Sounds practice.
The Spring General Assembly of our parishioners takes place today after the fellowship hour. Invitation & Agenda HERE. The 2019 Annual Report to the Community HERE

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

5 pm Greek School classes.
7 pm Intermediate/Advanced adult Greek class.

Thursday, February 27, 2020

7 pm Choir rehearsal.

Friday, February 28, 2020

5 pm Greek School classes.
6:30 pm Beginners adult Greek class.
6:30 pm GOYA Sights & Sounds practice.

Cheesefare Saturday, February 29, 2020

8 am MATINS, 9 am DIVINE LITURGY (please note 1/2 hour earlier starting time to accommodate the Lenten Retreat).
10:30 am Lenten Retreat: “Behold The Bridegroom: Preparing for Lent with The Parables of Jesus.” Please register HERE

Forgiveness Sunday, March 1, 2020

8:30 am MATINS, 9:30 am DIVINE LITURGY.
Parish Oratorical Festival.
The Philoptochos will host the fellowship hour with a homemade pita sale.
Matthew 25 Ministry lenten community service project starts.
GOYA Sights & Sounds practice.
3 pm Philoptochos trip to the Philadelphia Flower Show. Please RSVP to Philoptochos.anngoc@gmail.com

Saints and Feasts

February 23

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)

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

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

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

February 23

Polycarp the Holy Martyr & Bishop of Smyrna

This apostolic and prophetic man, and model of faith and truth, was a disciple of John the Evangelist, successor of Bucolus (Feb. 6), and teacher of Irenaeus (Aug. 23). He was an old man and full of days when the fifth persecution was raised against the Christians under Marcus Aurelius. When his pursuers, sent by the ruler, found Polycarp, he commanded that they be given something to eat and drink, then asked them to give him an hour to pray; he stood and prayed, full of grace, for two hours, so that his captors repented that they had come against so venerable a man. He was brought by the Proconsul of Smyrna into the stadium and was commanded, "Swear by the fortune of Caesar; repent, and say, 'Away with the atheists.'" By atheists, the Proconsul meant the Christians. But Polycarp, gazing at the heathen in the stadium, waved his hand towards them and said, "Away with the atheists." When the Proconsul urged him to blaspheme against Christ, he said: "I have been serving Christ for eighty-six years, and He has wronged me in nothing; how can I blaspheme my King Who has saved me?" But the tyrant became enraged at these words and commanded that he be cast into the fire, and thus he gloriously expired about the year 163. As Eusebius says, "Polycarp everywhere taught what he had also learned from the Apostles, which also the Church has handed down; and this alone is true" (Eccl. Hist., Book IV, ch. 14,15).

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

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

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

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

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

Προκείμενον. Fourth Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 146.5;134.3.
Μέγας ὁ Κύριος ἡμῶν, καὶ μεγάλη ἡ ἰσχὺς ἀὐτοῦ.
Στίχ. Αἰνεῖτε τὸν Κύριον, ὅτι ἀγαθός.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Κορινθίους α' 8:8-13, 9:1-2.

Ἀδελφοί, βρῶμα ἡμᾶς οὐ παρίστησιν τῷ θεῷ· οὔτε γὰρ ἐὰν φάγωμεν περισσεύομεν, οὔτε ἐὰν μὴ φάγωμεν ὑστερούμεθα. Βλέπετε δὲ μήπως ἡ ἐξουσία ὑμῶν αὕτη πρόσκομμα γένηται τοῖς ἀσθενοῦσιν. Ἐὰν γάρ τις ἴδῃ σε τὸν ἔχοντα γνῶσιν ἐν εἰδωλείῳ κατακείμενον, οὐχὶ ἡ συνείδησις αὐτοῦ ἀσθενοῦς ὄντος οἰκοδομηθήσεται εἰς τὸ τὰ εἰδωλόθυτα ἐσθίειν; Καὶ ἀπολεῖται ὁ ἀσθενῶν ἀδελφὸς ἐπὶ τῇ σῇ γνώσει, διʼ ὃν Χριστὸς ἀπέθανεν; Οὕτως δὲ ἁμαρτάνοντες εἰς τοὺς ἀδελφούς, καὶ τύπτοντες αὐτῶν τὴν συνείδησιν ἀσθενοῦσαν, εἰς Χριστὸν ἁμαρτάνετε. Διόπερ εἰ βρῶμα σκανδαλίζει τὸν ἀδελφόν μου, οὐ μὴ φάγω κρέα εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, ἵνα μὴ τὸν ἀδελφόν μου σκανδαλίσω. Οὐκ εἰμὶ ἀπόστολος; Οὐκ εἰμὶ ἐλεύθερος; Οὐχὶ Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν τὸν κύριον ἡμῶν ἑώρακα; Οὐ τὸ ἔργον μου ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐν κυρίῳ; Εἰ ἄλλοις οὐκ εἰμὶ ἀπόστολος, ἀλλά γε ὑμῖν εἰμι· ἡ γὰρ σφραγὶς τῆς ἐμῆς ἀποστολῆς ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐν κυρίῳ.

Gospel Reading

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

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

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 25:31-46

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· Ὅταν δὲ ἔλθῃ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐν τῇ δόξῃ αὐτοῦ καὶ πάντες οἱ ἅγιοι ἄγγελοι μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ, τότε καθίσει ἐπὶ θρόνου δόξης αὐτοῦ, καὶ συναχθήσεται ἔμπροσθεν αὐτοῦ πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, καὶ ἀφοριεῖ αὐτοὺς ἀπ᾿ ἀλλήλων ὥσπερ ὁ ποιμὴν ἀφορίζει τὰ πρόβατα ἀπὸ τῶν ἐρίφων, καὶ στήσει τὰ μὲν πρόβατα ἐκ δεξιῶν αὐτοῦ, τὰ δὲ ἐρίφια ἐξ εὐωνύμων. τότε ἐρεῖ ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῖς ἐκ δεξιῶν αὐτοῦ· δεῦτε οἱ εὐλογημένοι τοῦ πατρός μου, κληρονομήσατε τὴν ἡτοιμασμένην ὑμῖν βασιλείαν ἀπὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου. ἐπείνασα γάρ, καὶ ἐδώκατέ μοι φαγεῖν, ἐδίψησα, καὶ ἐποτίσατέ με, ξένος ἤμην, καὶ συνηγάγετέ με, γυμνός, καὶ περιεβάλετέ με, ἠσθένησα, καὶ ἐπεσκέψασθέ με, ἐν φυλακῇ ἤμην, καὶ ἤλθετε πρός με. τότε ἀποκριθήσονται αὐτῷ οἱ δίκαιοι λέγοντες· κύριε, πότε σε εἴδομεν πεινῶντα καὶ ἐθρέψαμεν, ἢ διψῶντα καὶ ἐποτίσαμεν; πότε δέ σε εἴδομεν ξένον καὶ συνηγάγομεν, ἢ γυμνὸν καὶ περιεβάλομεν; πότε δέ σε εἴδομεν ἀσθενῆ ἢ ἐν φυλακῇ, καὶ ἤλθομεν πρός σε; καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐρεῖ αὐτοῖς· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἐφ᾿ ὅσον ἐποιήσατε ἑνὶ τούτων τῶν ἀδελφῶν μου τῶν ἐλαχίστων, ἐμοὶ ἐποιήσατε. τότε ἐρεῖ καὶ τοῖς ἐξ εὐωνύμων· πορεύεσθε ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ οἱ κατηραμένοι εἰς τὸ πῦρ τὸ αἰώνιον τὸ ἡτοιμασμένον τῷ διαβόλῳ καὶ τοῖς ἀγγέλοις αὐτοῦ. ἐπείνασα γάρ, καὶ οὐκ ἐδώκατέ μοι φαγεῖν, ἐδίψησα, καὶ οὐκ ἐποτίσατέ με, ξένος ἤμην, καὶ οὐ συνηγάγετέ με, γυμνός, καὶ οὐ περιεβάλετέ με, ἀσθενὴς καὶ ἐν φυλακῇ, καὶ οὐκ ἐπεσκέψασθέ με. τότε ἀποκριθήσονται αὐτῷ καὶ αὐτοὶ λέγοντες· κύριε, πότε σε εἴδομεν πεινῶντα ἢ διψῶντα ἢ ξένον ἢ γυμνὸν ἢ ἀσθενῆ ἢ ἐν φυλακῇ, καὶ οὐ διηκονήσαμέν σοι; τότε ἀποκριθήσεται αὐτοῖς λέγων· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἐφ᾿ ὅσον οὐκ ἐποιήσατε ἑνὶ τούτων τῶν ἐλαχίστων, οὐδὲ ἐμοὶ ἐποιήσατε. καὶ ἀπελεύσονται οὗτοι εἰς κόλασιν αἰώνιον, οἱ δὲ δίκαιοι εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον.

Wisdom of the Fathers

"Christian love is the 'possible impossibility' to see Christ in another person, whoever he/she is..."

Alexander Schmemann

Great Lent, 20th Century

So great was the honour and providential care which God bestowed upon man that He brought the entire sensible world into being before him and for his sake. The kingdom of heaven was prepared for him from the foundation of the world (cf. Matt. 25:34); God first took counsel concerning him, and then he was fashioned by God's hand and according to the image of God (cf. Gen. 1:26-27). God did not form the whole man from matter and from the elements of this sensible world, as He did the other animals. He formed only man's body from these materials; but man's soul He took from things supercelestial or, rather, it came from God Himself when mysteriously He breathed life into man (cf. Gen. 2:7).

St. Gregory Palamas

Topics of Natural and Theological Science no. 24, The Philokalia Vol. 4 edited by Palmer, Sherrard and Ware; Faber and Faber pg. 356, 14th century

Community News and Events

Saturday of Souls - Ψυχοσάββατα

February 22, 29, and March 7

The church teaches us that those who have fallen asleep are not dead but still alive in Christ Jesus! Therefore, in its very essence, prayer for the dead is a proclamation of the Resurrection of Christ. This is a major reoccurring theme for the Saturday of the Souls. It is therefore imperative for us, the living, to remember our loved ones who have passed on and to pray that the Lord accepts them into His heavenly kingdom.

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 koliva (memorial wheat) and names be brought to church no later than 9 am on Saturday. The ushers on duty will be there to assist you.

Please print this form and 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, February 22.

Great Lent Resources

Philoptochos News & Events

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, dolma, 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.

NATIONAL PHILOPTOCHOS TELEPHONE CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP

The National Philoptochos Department of Social Services is mounting a "Telephone Caregiver Support Group" beginning at the end of February specifically for Orthodox Christians who are caring for a loved one who is elderly or suffers from a chronic or life-threatening illness, or who is disabled. We are fully aware that many organizations sponsor caregiver support groups; however, ours is faith-based and thus, unique. It will incorporate and recognize our community's cultural characteristics, attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs that can influence how caregivers address the challenges they face.

For seven consecutive Thursday evenings from February 27 to April 9, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm, EST, we will "meet" over the telephone, thus allowing caregivers throughout the Archdiocese to participate.

Please click HERE for details and how to register to attend.

Young @ Heart News

Coffee, Refreshments, & Speaker

Tuesday, March 17, 2020, 12:30-2:30 pm
Dr. Mensch, a pharmacist from Abington-Jefferson Health, will speak about prescription drugs.

Come and socialize with old friends & meet new ones!
Please RSVP by March 10:
Agnes Louridas, (215) 947-2992
Helen Papanicolaou, (215) 646-8752
We look forward to seeing you!

Looking Ahead Beyond Next Week...

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 15, 2020, Council of Ministries Meeting
Tuesday, March 17, 2020, Young @ Heart Speaker & Refreshments
Sunday, March 22, 2020 - Greek School Independence Day Program
Tuesday, March 24, 2020, Great Vespers for the Feast of Annunciation/Evangelismos
Wednesday, March 25, 2020, Feast Day of Annunciation/Evangelismos
Sunday, March 29, 2020- Philadelphia Greek Independence Day Parade
Sunday, April 13, 2020- Palm Sunday, Start of Holy Week

Congratulations to our Newly Elected & Installed 2020 Parish Council

Executive Board:

Constantine Dalson, President.
Mary O’Hara, Vice President.
Christine Ferello, Secretary.
Demetrios Papakirk, Treasurer.
Peter Nikolopoulos, Assistant Treasurer.

Members:

Catherine Avgiris, Craig Godshall, Peter Gouris, Demetrios Hatzopoulos, Leonidas Koletas, Russell Penning, Theodosios Sourias, Antonios Vlahos.

May God grant you strength and wisdom to do His work

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!

Friendly Reminders

Sunday Extra Services

Please contact the parish office at least two weeks in advance if you would like to have a 40-day mother & child blessing, memorial, trisagion, or artoklasia (the blessing of the five loaves-wine & oil).

Requests are considered based on the ecclesiastical calendar.

Bulletin Announcements

Please submit your material by Wednesday noon for the upcoming Sunday bulletin. Send your submission to office@anngoc.org, and always Cc Fr. John at frjohn@anngoc.org for his review and approval.

All submissions will be placed on a first-come, first-served, space-available basis and are subject to editing and review.

2020 Guide to Lenten Weekday Services

Great Compline / Απόδειπνο

Five consecutive Mondays starting March 2, at 6 pm.

Great Compline is prayed in monasteries daily before one retires for sleep. It is prayed in our churches during the Great Lent. This 45 minute-long service consists mostly of Psalm readings and prayers. It ends with the very powerful hymn, "Lord of the Powers, be with us" The service allows us an opportunity to pray and reflect, seek God's mercy and forgiveness, and to acknowledge that all our hopes and salvation must be placed in God's hands.

Bilingual booklets will be available for Lenten services for congregational reading & singing. Please see George Dalagelis if you would like to participate as a reader/singer at the cantor's stand.

Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts / Λειτουργία των Προηγιασμέμων Δώρων

Five consecutive Wednesdays starting March 4 and alternating 6 pm, and 9 am every other week.

Since the Divine Liturgy is a festive and joyous celebration, it is not celebrated on weekdays during Lent, except on the Saturdays of the Souls and the Feast of the Annunciation. However, because Lent is a period of fasting, it should also be a period of more frequent reception of Holy Communion. There is no consecration of the Gifts at this Liturgy (hence the name Pre-sanctified). They have been consecrated on the preceding Sunday at a regular Divine Liturgy. It lasts just over an hour and contains the service of the Ninth Hour and the Vespers, with Holy Communion added at the end. Those who choose to keep the entire fast are encouraged to attend this service and to receive Holy Communion as a way of sustaining the fast by receiving the Body and Blood of Christ even more frequently during this period of spiritual discipline.

The Akathist Hymn to the Mother of God / Ο Ακάθιστος Υμνος εις την Υπεραγία Θεοτόκο

Five consecutive Fridays starting March 6, at 6:30 pm.

This service consists of hymns and prayers addressed to Christ and the Theotokos. It is a beautiful poem of praise and devotion to the Mother of our Lord. It was sung in the year 626 in the Church of the Theotokos in Constantinople on the occasion of the deliverance and freedom of the City from the barbarians. It is comprised of 24 stanzas, each beginning with a letter of the Greek alphabet from Alpha to Omega. It is divided into four parts, one part sung on each of the Fridays of Lent (Salutations), and on the fifth Friday, the hymn is sung in its entirety. It is called "Akathist" because the people, out of love, devotion, and gratefulness to the Theotokos, stood during the entire hymn.

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, Janet, Dionysios, Elizabeth, Peter, Athanasia, Earnest, Virginia, Sandra, Tom, Stephen, Betty, Chryssie, Stacey, Athena, Konstantinos, Matina.

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: Maria Dalagelis, Stella Fisfis, Angelica Kolokithias, Dora Lekas, Julia Perry, Anthony Sfiridis, Pantelis Sourias, Demetrios Zoubroulis, Christian Apessos, Michael Blackton, Chris Gabriel, Maria Pries, Gianna Tsaketas, Laurie Tsinontides, Despina Vafiadis, Dimitrios Verros, Tatiana Tsinontides, Dimitrios Armenakis, Zissis N Pappas, Helen Spilliotis.

Our deepest sympathy: to the family of George Mitsas, 74, who reposed in the Lord on 2/9/2020. His funeral was held at Annunciation on 2/13/2020. May his memory be eternal.

Bulletin Inserts

Beyond Annunciation

RECOLLECTING GLORY: ORTHODOX EDUCATION FOR WISDOM, VIRTUE, AND JOY. Saturday, March 28, 2020, at St. Philip's Church in Souderton.
2020-2021 HUC SCHOLARSHIPS The Hellenic University Club of Philadelphia is pleased to announce its Scholarships for the 2020-2021 Academic Year. This year we are offering 17 Scholarships (8 Undergraduate, 6 Graduate and 3 Undergraduate/Graduate) totaling $57,500 to worthy students in the greater Philadelphia area of Greek descent and to students who are declared majors in Greek Studies, regardless of their heritage. Descriptions of our scholarships and applications can be found on our website at www.hucphiladelphia.org. We encourage eligible students to apply for one of our scholarships. Please note applications and all supporting documents must be received no later than Wednesday, April 1, 2020.

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