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Annunciation/Evangelismos Church, Elkins Park, PA
Publish Date: 2021-03-21
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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 and on holy days starting with Orthros (Matins) at 8:30, Divine Liturgy at 9:30-11 AM.

Visit us at www.anngoc.org for information on how to attend services during the COVIT-19 Pandemic.


Past Bulletins


Weekend Update

Please sign up HERE  to attend in person any of the church services.
All attendees must register in advance. No walk-ins are allowed. If you are unable to keep your registration PLEASE login and delete it so others can attend.

For those unable to attend in person, install the AGES Initiatives app on your phone or tablet to see the text and pray with us through our Facebook Livestream.

Let us know if you would like for us to light a votive candle for you HERE.

 ***

Friday, March 19, 2021

  • 6 pm GOYA Greek folk dance practice.
  • 7 pm I STANZA OF THE AKATHIST HYMN TO THE MOTHER OF GOD.

First Saturday of Lent, March 20, 2021, ~The Commemoration of the Miracle of Kollyva wrought by Saint Theodore the Tyro

  • 8:30 am MATINS, 9:30 am DIVINE LITURGY.
  • Our Philoptochos is inviting church attendees to a socially-distant, COVID responsible community breakfast in the church hall after the liturgy. Limited to 30 persons on a first-come-first-served basis.

Sunday of Orthodoxy, March 21,  2021

Κυριακὴ τῆς Ορθοδοξίας, 21 Μαρτίου, 2021. Το κήρυγμα ΕΔΩ

  • 8:30 am MATINS 9:30 am DIVINE LITURGY. Procession of the icons.
  • Collection to benefit the Metropolis of New Jersey Philoptochos Social Services.
  • 40-day Mother & Child Blessing: Anastasios, son of Kyriaki Skiathitis & Matthew McDermott. Congratulations!
Monday, March 22, 2021
  • 6 pm GREAT COMPLINE.
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
Forefeast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos
  • 9 am LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS.
  • 7 pm GREAT VESPERS of EVANGELISMOS.
Thursday, March 25, 2021
Annunciation of the Theotokos - O Εὐαγγελισμός τῆς Θεοτόκου
  • 8:30 am HIERARCHICAL MATINS, DIVINE LITURGY & THANKSGIVING DOXOLOGY FOR THE LIBERATION OF GREECE.
  • 40-day Mother & Child Blessing: Panagiotis, son of Chris & Despina Papadeas. Congratulations!
Friday, March 26, 2021
  • 6 pm GOYA Dance Practice.
  • 7 pm II STANZA OF THE AKATHIST HYMN TO THE MOTHER OF GOD.
Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas, March 28, 2021
  • 8:30 am MATINS 9:30 am DIVINE LITURGY.
  • Join us in offering memorial prayers for the peaceful repose of the soul of Anthony Gungura of blessed memory (40-days).
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Daniel 3.26,27.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse: For you are just in all you have done.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-40.

Brethren, by faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets -- who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign enemies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated -- of whom the world was not worthy -- wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Προκείμενον. Fourth Mode. Δανιήλ 3.26-27.
Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Κύριε, ὁ Θεὸς τῶν Πατέρων ἡμῶν.
Στίχ. Ὅτι δίκαιος εἶ ἐπὶ πᾶσιν, οἷς ἐποίησας ἡμῖν.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 11:24-26, 32-40.

Ἀδελφοί, πίστει Μωϋσῆς μέγας γενόμενος ἠρνήσατο λέγεσθαι υἱὸς θυγατρὸς Φαραώ, μᾶλλον ἑλόμενος συγκακουχεῖσθαι τῷ λαῷ τοῦ θεοῦ ἢ πρόσκαιρον ἔχειν ἁμαρτίας ἀπόλαυσιν· μείζονα πλοῦτον ἡγησάμενος τῶν Αἰγύπτου θησαυρῶν τὸν ὀνειδισμὸν τοῦ Χριστοῦ· ἀπέβλεπεν γὰρ εἰς τὴν μισθαποδοσίαν. Καὶ τί ἔτι λέγω; Ἐπιλείψει γὰρ με διηγούμενον ὁ χρόνος περὶ Γεδεών, Βαράκ τε καὶ Σαμψών καὶ Ἰεφθάε, Δαυίδ τε καὶ Σαμουὴλ καὶ τῶν προφητῶν· οἳ διὰ πίστεως κατηγωνίσαντο βασιλείας, εἰργάσαντο δικαιοσύνην, ἐπέτυχον ἐπαγγελιῶν, ἔφραξαν στόματα λεόντων, ἔσβεσαν δύναμιν πυρός, ἔφυγον στόματα μαχαίρας, ἐνεδυναμώθησαν ἀπὸ ἀσθενείας, ἐγενήθησαν ἰσχυροὶ ἐν πολέμῳ, παρεμβολὰς ἔκλιναν ἀλλοτρίων. Ἔλαβον γυναῖκες ἐξ ἀναστάσεως τοὺς νεκροὺς αὐτῶν· ἄλλοι δὲ ἐτυμπανίσθησαν, οὐ προσδεξάμενοι τὴν ἀπολύτρωσιν, ἵνα κρείττονος ἀναστάσεως τύχωσιν· ἕτεροι δὲ ἐμπαιγμῶν καὶ μαστίγων πεῖραν ἔλαβον, ἔτι δὲ δεσμῶν καὶ φυλακῆς· ἐλιθάσθησαν, ἐπρίσθησαν, ἐπειράσθησαν, ἐν φόνῳ μαχαίρας ἀπέθανον· περιῆλθον ἐν μηλωταῖς, ἐν αἰγείοις δέρμασιν, ὑστερούμενοι, θλιβόμενοι, κακουχούμενοι - ὧν οὐκ ἦν ἄξιος ὁ κόσμος - ἐν ἐρημίαις πλανώμενοι καὶ ὄρεσιν καὶ σπηλαίοις καὶ ταῖς ὀπαῖς τῆς γῆς. Καὶ οὗτοι πάντες, μαρτυρηθέντες διὰ τῆς πίστεως, οὐκ ἐκομίσαντο τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν, τοῦ θεοῦ περὶ ἡμῶν κρεῖττόν τι προβλεψαμένου, ἵνα μὴ χωρὶς ἡμῶν τελειωθῶσιν.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of Orthodoxy
The Reading is from John 1:43-51

At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and he said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."

Sunday of Orthodoxy
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 1:44-52

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἠθέλησεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐξελθεῖν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν· καὶ εὑρίσκει Φίλιππον καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ἀκολούθει μοι. ἦν δὲ ὁ Φίλιππος ἀπὸ Βηθσαϊδά, ἐκ τῆς πόλεως ᾿Ανδρέου καὶ Πέτρου. εὑρίσκει Φίλιππος τὸν Ναθαναὴλ καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ὃν ἔγραψε Μωϋσῆς ἐν τῷ νόμῳ καὶ οἱ προφῆται, εὑρήκαμεν, ᾿Ιησοῦν τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ᾿Ιωσὴφ τὸν ἀπὸ Ναζαρέτ. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Ναθαναήλ· ἐκ Ναζαρὲτ δύναταί τι ἀγαθὸν εἶναι; λέγει αὐτῷ Φίλιππος· ἔρχου καὶ ἴδε. εἶδεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τὸν Ναθαναὴλ ἐρχόμενον πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ λέγει περὶ αὐτοῦ· ἴδε ἀληθῶς ᾿Ισραηλίτης, ἐν ᾧ δόλος οὐκ ἔστι. λέγει αὐτῷ Ναθαναήλ· πόθεν με γινώσκεις; ἀπεκρίθη ᾿Ιησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· πρὸ τοῦ σε Φίλιππον φωνῆσαι, ὄντα ὑπὸ τὴν συκῆν εἶδόν σε. ἀπεκρίθη Ναθαναὴλ καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ῥαββί, σὺ εἶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, σὺ εἶ ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῦ ᾿Ισραήλ. ἀπεκρίθη ᾿Ιησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ὅτι εἶπόν σοι, εἶδόν σε ὑποκάτω τῆς συκῆς, πιστεύεις; μείζω τούτων ὄψει. καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἀπ᾽ ἄρτι ὄψεσθε τὸν οὐρανὸν ἀνεῳγότα, καὶ τοὺς ἀγγέλους τοῦ Θεοῦ ἀναβαίνοντας καὶ καταβαίνοντας ἐπὶ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου.


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Saints and Feasts

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March 21

Sunday of Orthodoxy

For more than one hundred years the Church of Christ was troubled by the persecution of the Iconoclasts of evil belief, beginning in the reign of Leo the Isaurian (717-741) and ending in the reign of Theophilus (829-842). After Theophilus's death, his widow the Empress Theodora (celebrated Feb. 11), together with the Patriarch Methodius (June 14), established Orthodoxy anew. This ever-memorable Queen venerated the icon of the Mother of God in the presence of the Patriarch Methodius and the other confessors and righteous men, and openly cried out these holy words: "If anyone does not offer relative worship to the holy icons, not adoring them as though they were gods, but venerating them out of love as images of the archetype, let him be anathema." Then with common prayer and fasting during the whole first week of the Forty-day Fast, she asked God's forgiveness for her husband. After this, on the first Sunday of the Fast, she and her son, Michael the Emperor, made a procession with all the clergy and people and restored the holy icons, and again adorned the Church of Christ with them. This is the holy deed that all we the Orthodox commemorate today, and we call this radiant and venerable day the Sunday of Orthodoxy, that is, the triumph of true doctrine over heresy.


Annuncia
March 25

Annunciation of the Theotokos

Six months after John the Forerunner's conception, the Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth, a town of Galilee, unto Mary the Virgin, who had come forth from the Temple a mature maiden (see Nov. 21). According to the tradition handed down by the Fathers, she had been betrothed to Joseph four months. On coming to Joseph's house, the Archangel declared: "Rejoice, thou Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." After some consideration, and turmoil of soul, and fear because of this greeting, the Virgin, when she had finally obtained full assurance concerning God's unsearchable condescension and the ineffable dispensation that was to take place through her, and believing that all things are possible to the Most High, answered in humility: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." And at this, the Holy Spirit came upon her, and the power of the Most High overshadowed her all-blameless womb, and the Son and Word of God, Who existed before the ages, was conceived past speech and understanding, and became flesh in her immaculate body (Luke 1:26-38).

Bearing in her womb the Uncontainable One, the blessed Virgin went with haste from Nazareth to the hill country of Judea, where Zacharias had his dwelling; for she desired to find Elizabeth her kinswoman and rejoice together with her, because, as she had learned from the Archangel, Elizabeth had conceived in her old age. Furthermore, she wished to tell her of the great things that the Mighty One had been well-pleased to bring to pass in her, and she greeted Elizabeth and drew nigh to her. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, she felt her six-month-old babe, Saint John the Baptist, prophesied of the dawning of the spiritual Sun. Immediately, the aged Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and recognized her as the Mother of her Lord, and with a great voice blessed her and the Fruit that she held within herself. The Virgin also, moved by a supernatural rejoicing in the spirit, glorified her God and Savior, saying: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour," and the rest, as the divine Luke hath recorded (1:39-55)


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Wisdom of the Fathers

Peter, when after so many miracles and such high doctrine he confessed that, "Thou art the Son of God" (Matt. xvi. 16), is called "blessed," as having received the revelation from the Father;
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 21 on John 1, 1. B#58, pp. 72, 73, 4th Century

... while Nathanael, though he said the very same thing before seeing or hearing either miracles or doctrine, had no such word addressed to him, but as though he had not said so much as he ought to have said, is brought to things greater still.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 21 on John 1, 1. B#58, pp. 72, 73, 4th Century

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2021 Guide to Lenten Weekday Services

Great Compline - Απόδειπνο. Five consecutive Mondays starting March 15, at 6 pm.

Great Compline is prayed in monasteries on a daily basis before one retires for sleep. It is prayed in our churches during Great Lent.  This 45 minute-long service consists mostly of Psalm readings and prayers and 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.

Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts - Λειτουργία των Προηγιασμέμων Δώρων. Five consecutive Wednesdays starting March 17 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 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 19, at 7 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" (Gr. for standing) because the people, out of love and gratitude to the Theotokos, stood during the entire Hymn.

Pray Together the Divine Liturgy and All Lenten Church Services on Your Smartphone!

1. Download the AGES Initiatives app on your smartphone.
2. Click on the Service Calendar. The app defaults to the current date.
3. Choose the bilingual service (Matins, Divine Liturgy, Akathist, Compline, etc.).

Church Wi-Fi:  COA-Guest
Password: coa12345

 

 

 

 

 

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Youth Activities and News

Beloved Annunciation Church Parents,

As conditions permit, we want to return to normal church services and attendance in a gradual, safe, and orderly manner. 

We invite you and your children to participate in the procession of the holy icons held at the end of the divine liturgy on Sunday of Orthodoxy, March 21, 2021. Here is how it will take  place this year:

  • Sign up as you usually do for any church service HERE.
  • Bring your favorite icon with you from home (we will not provide icons at the church).
  • Sit together as a family. Remember you must wear a mask at all times while inside the church.
  • You can either participate in the procession or participate from your pew by raising your icon.
  • At the time of the procession, children and adults who would like to be part of the procession will be asked to come up in front of the solea and line up, 6 ft. apart, behind the altar servers. Keep your mask on and follow the adult altar server's directions and remain 6ft apart from each other all the time.
  • The procession will conclude on the solea as usual. Make a semi-circle facing the congregation with your icon held high as Fr. John concludes the prayers.

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!


PTO News & Events

$5 Blue Envelopes Fundraiser to Benefit Our Greek School
Please support our Greek School!
Donate by choosing a blue envelope in the amount of your choice.
(Values range from $5 to $100)
 
Your charitable donations help provide the best teachers and educational materials for our Greek School program.
 
Ways To Donate:
  1. In-person, following the Divine Liturgy every Sunday beginning Sunday, March 7th. Choose a blue envelope from the envelope board!
  2. Online through our GivePlus+ portal HERE (must specify PTO Donation Purpose - Greek School BE).

PTO Pascha Tsoureki Sale
Pre-order & Pre-payment only. $20 per bread.
Order Deadline: April 11, 2021
 
Order online at: PTO Pascha Tsoureki Sale
 
Curbside Pick-Up:
Sunday, April 25, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
 
For Questions:
pto@anngoc.org or Rubena Papakirk (215) 343-6414, Maria McNally (215) 885-0242

Altar Servers Wanted

With our Altar Boys’ safety and well-being in mind and keeping with COVID directives and restrictions, we invite all Altar Boys back to church to begin serving again on Sundays (2 per Sunday rotation).

Contact me at 267-255-1380 or Paul.Fisfis@usfoods.com to place your child on the rotation to serve.  

Please make every effort to encourage your son to participate if they are healthy; we miss you all and can't wait to have everyone back together.

Many Blessings!

Paul Fisfis, Altar Servers Coordinator

 


News from Greek School

H προσφορά των εηλίκων μαθητών του Ελληνικού Σχολείου για τα 200 χρόνια από την έναρζη της Ελληνικής Επανάστασης.
Written essays from the adult students of our Greek School in memory of the 200th year anniversary of the Greek Revolution in 1821.
 
 

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Community News & Events

March 25, 2021. In Honor of:

A. the Feast Day of Annunciation/ Evangelismos of Theotokos,

B. the 200th Anniversary of the Greek Revolution of 1821,  and

C. the 120th Anniversary of the Founding of Our Community in 1901

Great Vespers * will be prayed on Wednesday, March 24, at 7:00 pm.

The Feast Day Hierarchical Orthros & Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Thursday, March 25, starting at 8:30 am, presided by His Grace Bishop Apostolos of Medeia. A thanksgiving doxology for the liberation of Greece will be offered at the conclusion of the liturgy.

The liturgy will be live-streamed in the church hall. We will accommodate up to 90 parishioners, with 60 persons in church & 30 in the church hall on a first-come first-seated basis.

* Please let the church office know in advance if you would like to offer artoklasia—the blessing of the bread, wine & oil- for the health and salvation of your family in honor of the Annunciation Feast


Pray Together the Divine Liturgy and All Lenten Church Services on Your Smartphone!

1. Download the AGES Initiatives app on your smartphone.
2. Click on the Service Calendar. The app defaults to the current date.
3. Choose the bilingual service (Matins, Divine Liturgy, Akathist, Compline, etc.).

Church Wi-Fi:  COA-Guest
Password: coa12345


Make All Your Church Donations Easy by Giving with Your Smartphone!

  1. Download the free GivePlus+ mobile app here:  iPhone or Android
  2. Make one-time or recurring donations using your debit/credit card or bank account
  3. Login or donate as a guest.
  4. Securely and conveniently manage donations using Touch ID/Fingerprint, PIN, or password.

Church Wi-Fi:  COA-Guest
Password: coa12345


Looking Ahead Beyond Next Week

  • Sunday, April 25, 2021 - Plam Sunday, Start of Holy Week
  • Sunday, May 2, 2021 - Holy and Great  Pascha
  • May 27-30, 2021 - ‘Grab and Go’ Greek Food Fest(Stay tuned for details).

Readers Needed ~ Ζητούνται Αναγνώστες!

As we are gradually returning to church services, we want to have more of you actively participate in the liturgy and the other church services by being a Reader for the Epistles, Psalms, and other prayers offered during the services. You can choose to read in Greek or English.

You have noticed a handful of dedicated Readers doing this occasionally. We want to make this more structured and open to anyone who wants to participate, from GOYA age boys and girls to mature adults. You have also noticed that readings are done from the Left side cantor’s stand in keeping a safe distance from the cantors and the congregation. 

Here is how to participate:

  1. Install the AGES Initiatives app on your tablet or mobile phone so that you can have access to all the church services and the Readings for each service.
  2. Call or email George Dalagelis at the church office and let him know you are interested in participating. He will go over a brief tutorial with you on the process, how and when to come up, how to intone the verses, how to end the readings etc.
  3. Sign up to attend liturgy as you would normally do, but instead of choosing Parishioner, choose Reader on the signup page.

Resource Center News

The Resource Center Invites You to Join Us as We Pray the Psalter Together this Lent!

"Bind yourselves to your brethren. Those bound together in love bear everything with ease….If now you want to make the bond double, your brother must also be bound together with you. He wants us to be bound together with one another, not only to be at peace, not only to be friends but to be all one, a single soul. Beautiful is this bond. With this bond, we bind ourselves together both to one another and to God. This is not a chain that bruises. It does not cramp the hands.
It leaves them free, gives them ample room and greater courage." 
- St. John Chrysostom

Sign-up Here for Our
Annunciation Psalter Group

Learn How It Works Here

Resources for praying the Psalter, available through the Resource Center or online: 

The Psalter According to the Seventy (Greek-English). This beautiful hardcover edition contains the translation of the Psalms used in our liturgical services.

The Psalter (“pocket” size). Just the right size to take with you wherever you go.

Christ in the Psalms. In two-page meditations on each of the psalms, Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon takes readers on an enlightening pilgrimage through the prayerbook of the Church.

Songs of Praise: A Psalter Devotional for Orthodox Women. Along with the Psalter, this book offers reflections on the Psalms and pages for journaling.

Orthodox Study Bible. The complete Bible with commentary.


Young-at-Heart (60+) Ministry Update

Our journey to Holy Pascha, through the preparation and discipline of Great Lent, offers an opportunity for reflection, renewal, and most of all repentance.

Kali Sarakosti, Blessed Lent,
Young at Heart


Homeless Ministry News

Our next serving date at Aviator Park is on March 25th - a beautiful opportunity to
commemorate our church’s Feast Day and to honor our beloved Panaghia. If you would
like to help serve or donate food, please sign up HERE.

Below are the names of a few of the people we serve at Aviator Park. Please include
them and all of those experiencing homelessness in your prayers throughout Lent:

Prince, Gabriel, Lawrence, John, Steven, Angel, Herman, Kevin, Anna, Jiri (Yar-E), Ernie, Aya, Syenid (sigh-ah-nid), Helen, Clyde, Jack, Sean, Sean, Lillian, Sam, Drew, Jean, Ronald, Jill, Rico, G, Narcissos, Carlos, John, Janice, Drew, Mercedes, Helen, Zack, Alex, Tony, Lepour, Brent, Gloria, Doug, Mark, Wolf.

The Homeless Ministry is collecting items throughout Lent for “blessing bags” which
will be distributed on April 22nd at Aviator Park. If you would like to help, please sign up
HERE.

In Christ's service,
The Homeless Ministry


Matthew 25 Ministry News

Virtual Lenten Food Drive

Monday, March 15th is the first day of our Lenten spiritual journey to Pascha. As Archbishop Elpidophoros reminds us of the Lenten season, it is a time “to practice more active charity and philanthropy, and to look within at the values and principles by which we live our lives”. We are given many opportunities during this season to pray, worship, gain insight into our own behaviors, and intensify our efforts to serve the needs of others. 

In past years, Matthew 25 has done a 40 Days of Lent Food Drive, providing bags for our parishioners to fill each of the 40 days of Lent. With Covid-19 making it difficult to do this year, we have decided instead to do a Virtual Meat Drive. We ask that you simply go to our church’s website to “Online Donations”, scroll down to “Matthew 25 Donations”, and donate what you wish. You can specify “Lenten Meat Drive” as the purpose of the donation.  The Matthew 25 Ministry will then purchase various types of meats, including ham, beef and pork roasts, and chicken roasters. These items will be delivered to the Seeds of Hope Food Pantry by March 22.

Thank you for your participation and donations!

Kali Sarakosti!


Help Us Connect with All Parishioners

Our Weekly Bulletin is emailed to 550+ parishioners by Friday every week.

If you know of a parishioner who is not receiving the e-bulletin and would like to, please encourage them to visit our website and enter their email at the Join Our Email Listserv button on the homepage. Alternatively, give us a call (215) 635-0316 or email us at the parish office, and we will gladly do it for you.

If you know of a parishioner who does not have an email address, please let us know to place them on our Paper Bulletin mailing list.

Fun Fact: This month marks the 20th year that we have been emailing our Weekly Bulletin to our parishioners! In January 2001, we started with a few dozen parishioners' emails and were among the first parishes in the nation to use this amazing new communication tool. It has certainly been a blessing, and we look forward to improving our communications utilizing all the new technology tools becoming available to us.

We thank you for your support, patience, and cooperation. 


Philoptochos Cookbook & Apparel Sale

The Ladies Philoptochos 'Nausica' is excited to announce that our new Philoptochos apparel is now available for purchase! 

Show your Philoptochos pride with a logo apron or tote or "An Army of Women" black or camo t-shirt or sweatshirt!  

What an army of women can accomplish is limitless!  

Have you ordered your Yiayia's Greek Table ~ A Taste of Greek Cooking cookbook yet? With close to 70 Lenten recipes, as well as many others which can be made Lenten with the omission of cheese, our cookbook offers many new dishes for you to try. 

Please support our many philanthropies and missions.  Proceeds from the sale of the cookbook and the apparel will be used to fund philanthropic causes, such as the recent support we provided to the people of Texas who have been struck with a crisis of historic proportions, and the making of home-cooked meals in partnership with the Homeless Ministry to feed homeless college students. 

We thank you for your support as we minister to those in need. 

Order online at the following link and pick up at church any Sunday after the Divine Liturgy or choose shipping for an additional cost. 

https://ladies-philoptochos-nausica.square.site/ 


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Focus on Our Church Family

Pastoral care: If you or someone you know is sick, homebound elderly, or scheduled for surgery, please call the church office to let us know so Fr. John can make a pastoral visit or add someone to the prayer list.

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, Fr. George, Dionysios, Helen, Luke, Lia, Mary, Irene, Agnes, Efthimia, Sandi, Dennis, Ken, Efthimia, Brian, Yianni, Fotini, Dimitri, Debrah.

Names will be kept on this list for approximately 3 months. Please resubmit Names if needed. Fr. John will include the submitted names at the Psokomide “Offering of Gifts” during the first part of the liturgy when he prepares the mystical gifts of bread & wine. Please lift these names up to the Lord in your personal prayer life as well.

Prayer for healing: Heavenly Father, physician of our souls and bodies, who have sent our Lord to heal every sickness. Visit and heal us. Grant patience in this sickness, strength of body and spirit, and recovery of health. Lord, You have taught us to pray for each other that we may be healed. We pray that You heal, guide, and protect your servant (s) (pray by name for those who are sick) and grant them the gift of complete health. You are the source of healing, and to You, we give glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Χρόνια πολλά & ευλογημένα!  God grant you many years!  To those who are celebrating birthdays this coming week: Ian Cooper, Jodi Jasionowicz, Daphne Loizos, Antonis Pantazopoulos, Argyris Sahlanis, Demetrios Vafiadis, Elaine Werksman, Alexander Diaz, Evangelos Diaz, Alexandros Hionas, Violet Louridas, Sarah Rose Moore, Evangelia Penning, Anna Skoutelas, Nicoletta Vafiadis, Thomas Borrell, Nicholas Fifis, Anastasia Gleeson, Eleftherios Pitsakis, Paul Anagnostakos,  Eleni Konugres, Andrea Merrick, Stamatia Pries, Pablo Vargas, Marina Blackton, Zoe Gimbel, Arianna Ricks, Nicholaos Diamantas, Christopher Gardner, Zoe Holahan, Angela Ilisco, Theodore Makris, Kevin Nikolas McKendry, Michele Klebanoff, Harry Laspee, Regina Rodenhausen, Konstantinos Vafiadis.

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Become an Annunciation Sustaining Steward Now

Stewardship Reflection

No matter where we are on our journey as a disciple of Christ, we are all in need of God’s merciful love. There are countless times throughout our day when we miss the mark. For instance, we might fail to respond in kind to our spouse or kids, fall into gossip in our workday, or even forget to think positively of others. These shortcomings call us to humble ourselves and receive the unwavering mercy of God. 
 
Jesus is Mercy itself. He was born into time to save us from sin. And to ensure His Mercy was always available to us, He gave us the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In our Gospel, Jesus encounters the apostles after the resurrection and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” Jesus gave us the gift of this sacrament because He wants to help us reach eternal life. He knows we cannot do it without His merciful love, and a resolve to do better and to follow Him more faithfully. 
 
Today, may we recall the precious gift God has given to us through His Son — Mercy itself. May we never forget that, with a contrite heart and a resolution to do better, God is always willing to forgive.


“…the greatest of these is love” I Corinthians 13:13

OUR SUSTAINING STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVE

A Sustaining Steward commits to stay engaged continuously and support the church through regular weekly or monthly payments. A Sustaining Steward’s pledge rolls over to the following year without filling out a pledge card each year. A Sustaining Steward can adjust their pledge anytime to reflect their level of commitment or personal/family situation.

WHY BECOME A SUSTAINING STEWARD?
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SUSTAINING STEWARDSHIP?

Becoming a Sustaining Steward (1) fulfills God’s command to give faithfully and regularly.  As a sustaining steward, your enrollment and giving (2) rolls-over annually, eliminating the need to re-register and re-pledge every year. This automatic and recurring giving also (3) helps the church address seasonal funding gaps, and (4) helps us achieve festival independence, allowing us to save more. 

Ultimately, it (5) creates better ministry and budgetary planning, and (6) helps support our church, her ministries, and their growth. 

HOW DO I BECOME A SUSTAINING STEWARD?
  1. Fill out the Family Information Form HERE (first- time registration or annual update)

  2. Fill out the Online Pledge Form HERE and choose  your method of payment (auto-debit from a debit card, credit card, or checking account through GivePlus+; personal check; or your bank’s bill payer service)

  3. If you are already signed up for regular payments through GivePlus+ or your bank's bill payer service, you are already a Sustaining Steward!  Please adjust your pledge and payment to reflect your new level of commitment for 2021 and ensure your automatic payments continue through the new year.

Annunciation is a full stewardship parish that requires no minimum pledge to be a Steward.
Our Stewardship Program encourages parishioners 18 and over to pledge donations in any amount, according to the blessings they have received from our Lord.
Our Stewardship Pledge Drive starts in November for the following calendar year, although new members and current members may submit a pledge at any time.
We offer you the Weekly Giving Guideline chart below to help you determine your level of giving. Being a good steward is using your resources wisely.

Weekly Giving Guidelines

Weekly

Income 

10%

5%

4%

2%

$500

$50

$25

$20

$10

$750

$75

$37

$30

$15

$1000

$100

$50

$40

$20

$1500

$150

$75

$60

$30

$2000

$200

$100

$80

$40


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Beyond Annunciation

2021 CrossRoad Summer Institute

Hellenic University Club of Philadelphia

College Year in Athens 2021

We are delighted to share an exciting new initiative, ideal for high-school graduates of Greek heritage:

Know Thyself while exploring Greece, volunteering for a worthy cause, and adventuring on cultural immersion. An exceptional way to enrich the students' educational and life experiences, and a unique opportunity to deepen the connection and understanding of Greek culture.

College Year in Athens (CYA) is offering two opportunities for Gap Year students: one for those passionate about antiquity with the program "Archaeological Field Work: Excavation, Workshops and Digital Technologies" and one for those interested in learning more about activism and diversity, with the program "Understanding Activism, Diversity, and Equity: the example of Greece".

While gaining a fuller understanding of a different culture via interactive learning methods, students will create an e-portfolio as a record of what is learned and accomplished through this program. Field trips within Greece will not only allow the broadening of perspective and expanding of the worldview but mainly grant them a unique chance to come into a close encounter with the land of their ancestors whose cultural heritage became the pillar of the western civilization.

CYA, recognizing the difficult times that COVID-19 has created, has established the Fall 2021 Gap Flight Award. A student who will be accepted in the Fall 2021 Gap program, will receive $1,000 to offset the cost of the round-trip ticket to/from Athens, Greece.

College Year in Athens (CYA) is a non-profit educational institution, which, since 1962, provides English-speaking undergraduates (more than 10,000 to date)  the transformative experience to study in Athens and familiarize themselves with the Greek culture.  To find out how Greece & CYA is faring up, please check out the COVID-19 FAQ on our website here.


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Archdiocese News

New Book: “Home Church” - A Pastoral Resource for Orthodox-Catholic Couples

03/16/2021

The “Home Church” is a recently released book which provides a pastoral response to mixed Orthodox and Catholic couples, with the purpose of helping to heal the divide between the two churches. The book, written by Fr. Halikias for his doctoral thesis at the Boston University.

Incarnation: A Revolution for Freedom

03/17/2021

Today we celebrate two revolutions: one political and the other ontological. We are reminded that the ontological revolution of Christ’s Incarnation is simultaneously a political revolution, one that we must fight to incarnate.

2021 Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships

03/17/2021

Applications for scholarships administered by the Office of the Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America are available for awards to be made for the 2021-2022 academic year. The deadline for submitting an application for any of these scholarships is May 14, 2021.

Office of Greek Education Greek Independence Day 200th Year Anniversary Video

03/16/2021

Office of Greek Education Greek Independence Day 200th Year Anniversary from the Greek Revolution 1821.

Greek as a Heritage Language Teacher Training

03/15/2021

A new partnership with The Center for Lifelong Learning at Democritus University of Thrace will help Greek language teachers deliver quality instruction and support for both in class and online learning environments.

Archbishop Elpidophoros at the Ecumenical Patriarchate

03/13/2021

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros will depart for Istanbul today, Saturday, March 13. Throughout the course of his trip, the Archbishop will attend meetings at the Ecumenical Patriarchate. While at the Phanar, His Eminence will pay his respects at the tomb of his father.

Family Matters Podcast

03/12/2021

Fr Alex Goussetis interviews Paulette Geanacopoulos, licensed social worker and Director of Social Services for National Philoptochos Society, on the warning signs and resources available for victims of domestic violence.

Time Out for Marriage: Elder Care Pt. 2

03/12/2021

In this episode of "Time Out for Marriage" from the GOA Center for Family Care, Pres. Kerry Pappas continues with her discussion of elder care and the surprising blessings that can come with it.
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Annunciation/Evangelismos Endowment Fund

Like all gifts that benefit Annunciation / Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Church, endowed gifts to the church contribute to its growth, to ministry creation, and to its service to others fulfilling the Gospel of Christ. Endowments are particularly powerful because they deliver a dependable, perpetual source of funding to the ministries of Christ you care about most and that our Lord commands us, in the Holy Scriptures, to fulfill. Your Gift to establish an endowment is an investment in the future – an eternal investment - one that affects the salvation of each spiritual life in our church family and of those our ministries serve.

Mission Statement

The Annunciation / Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Church Endowment Fund aims to provide for the long-term financial support and stability of our church’s programs, ministries, and missions consistent with the Holy Scriptures and the Orthodox Christian Tradition, to witness to the Orthodox Faith, and to serve others.

What is an Endowment Fund?

An Endowment Fund is composed of restricted funds given as individual bequests and gifts through such giving vehicles as wills, trusts, retirements or estate plans, life insurance, charitable lead or remainder trusts, gift annuities, cash, or real estate. Endowed funds are unique in that the total amount of the gift is invested and remains intact. The investment income, then, becomes a financial resource for Annunciation / Evangelismos to use. Each year, a percentage of the endowment fund’s income is distributed to benefit the mission of the Fund.  In this respect, an endowment is intended to be a perpetual gift.

Why Should I Give to the Annunciation / Evangelismos Endowment Fund?

Giving through accumulated, inherited and appreciated resources is considered “asset stewardship”. As Orthodox Christian faithful, we are encouraged to give from our accumulated resources and wealth during our life and after death. The Endowment Fund is a way for stewards to make a perpetual gift to the church from their lifetime accumulated resources. Knowing that your gift will grow with sound investment and spending practices, endowed funds:

  • Help create and grow the programs, ministries, and missions of the Church
  • Provide the assurance we need to recruit and maintain staff that ministry and church growth necessitate
  • Leave a perpetual and enduring Legacy of Faith to the Church
  • Honor and memorialize your faithful family or loved-one
  • Protect your estate and legacy
  • Reduce your income and/or estate taxes – ask your tax accountant or financial advisor how

The Different Ways of Planned Giving

  • Wills and Bequests - Leave a lasting legacy by adding the Endowment Fund as a beneficiary to your will - most common method
  • Life Insurance policy - You can gift an existing policy your family no longer needs or a new policy naming the fund as a beneficiary
  • Cash, Stocks, Bonds, Real Estate or other assets
  • Charitable Remainder Trust
  • Will, bequest, beneficiary form or check made to: Annunciation / Evangelismos Endowment Fund, EIN#  83-3399560

To Learn More about the Annunciation / Evangelismos Endowment Fund

Please call the church office and one of the Endowment Fund committee members will call you back. The directors are: Jim Verros, Jim Trivelis, Demetrios Hatzopoulos, John Gilliland, Mitch Papakirk, Dean Dalson and Father John Johns.

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