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.
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, August 6, 2021, The Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
7th Sunday of Matthew, August 8, 2021
Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 15:1-7.
Brethren, we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves; let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached thee fell on me." For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Προκείμενον. Plagal Second Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 27.9,1.
Σῶσον, Κύριε τὸν λαὸν σου καὶ εὐλόγησον τὴν κληρονομίαν σου.
Στίχ. Πρὸς σἐ, Κύριε, κεκράξομαι ὁ Θεός μου.
τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς ῾Ρωμαίους 15:1-7.
Ἀδελφοί, ὀφείλομεν δὲ ἡμεῖς οἱ δυνατοὶ τὰ ἀσθενήματα τῶν ἀδυνάτων βαστάζειν, καὶ μὴ ἑαυτοῖς ἀρέσκειν. Ἕκαστος ἡμῶν τῷ πλησίον ἀρεσκέτω εἰς τὸ ἀγαθὸν πρὸς οἰκοδομήν. Καὶ γὰρ ὁ Χριστὸς οὐχ ἑαυτῷ ἤρεσεν, ἀλλά, καθὼς γέγραπται, Οἱ ὀνειδισμοὶ τῶν ὀνειδιζόντων σε ἐπέπεσον ἐπʼ ἐμέ. Ὅσα γὰρ προεγράφη, εἰς τὴν ἡμετέραν διδασκαλίαν προεγράφη, ἵνα διὰ τῆς ὑπομονῆς καὶ διὰ τῆς παρακλήσεως τῶν γραφῶν τὴν ἐλπίδα ἔχωμεν. Ὁ δὲ θεὸς τῆς ὑπομονῆς καὶ τῆς παρακλήσεως δῴη ὑμῖν τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖν ἐν ἀλλήλοις κατὰ Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν· ἵνα ὁμοθυμαδὸν ἐν ἑνὶ στόματι δοξάζητε τὸν θεὸν καὶ πατέρα τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. Διὸ προσλαμβάνεσθε ἀλλήλους, καθὼς καὶ ὁ Χριστὸς προσελάβετο ὑμᾶς, εἰς δόξαν θεοῦ.
7th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 9:27-35
At that time, as Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you." And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, "See that no one knows it." But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.
As they were going away, behold, a dumb demoniac was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, "Never was anything like this seen in Israel." But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the prince of demons."
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.
7th Sunday of Matthew
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 9:27-35
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, παράγοντι ἐκεῖθεν τῷ ᾿Ιησοῦ ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ δύο τυφλοὶ κράζοντες καὶ λέγοντες· ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς, υἱὲ Δαυΐδ. ἐλθόντι δὲ εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν προσῆλθον αὐτῷ οἱ τυφλοί, καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· πιστεύετε ὅτι δύναμαι τοῦτο ποιῆσαι; λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· ναί, Κύριε. τότε ἥψατο τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν αὐτῶν λέγων· κατὰ τὴν πίστιν ὑμῶν γενηθήτω ὑμῖν. καὶ ἀνεῴχθησαν αὐτῶν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί· καὶ ἐνεβριμήσατο αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς λέγων· ὁρᾶτε μηδεὶς γινωσκέτω. οἱ δὲ ἐξελθόντες διεφήμισαν αὐτὸν ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ γῇ ἐκείνῃ.
Αὐτῶν δὲ ἐξερχομένων ἰδοὺ προσήνεγκαν αὐτῷ ἄνθρωπον κωφὸν δαιμονιζόμενον· καὶ ἐκβληθέντος τοῦ δαιμονίου ἐλάλησεν ὁ κωφός, καὶ ἐθαύμασαν οἱ ὄχλοι λέγοντες ὅτι οὐδέποτε ἐφάνη οὕτως ἐν τῷ ᾿Ισραήλ. οἱ δὲ Φαρισαῖοι ἔλεγον· ἐν τῷ ἄρχοντι τῶν δαιμονίων ἐκβάλλει τὰ δαιμόνια.
Καὶ περιῆγεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τὰς πόλεις πάσας καὶ τὰς κώμας διδάσκων ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς αὐτῶν καὶ κηρύσσων τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τῆς βασιλείας καὶ θεραπεύων πᾶσαν νόσον καὶ πᾶσαν μαλακίαν ἐν τῷ λαῷ.
This Saint was one of the illustrious Orthodox Bishops called to Constantinople by the holy Patriarch Nicephorus to defend the veneration of the holy icons against Leo the Armenian (see Mar. 8). Saint Emilian was sent into exile by Leo about the year 815, and gave up his soul to the Lord amidst many afflictions and sufferings for the sake of his confession.
This Saint, who was born in Spain, was the Archdeacon of the Church of Rome, caring for the sacred vessels of the Church and distributing money to the needy. About the year 257, a harsh persecution was raised up against the Christians by Valerian. Pope Sixtus, who was from Athens, was commanded to worship the idols, and refused; before his martyrdom by beheading, he committed to Laurence all the sacred vessels of the Church. When Laurence was arrested and brought before the Prefect, he was questioned concerning the treasures of the Church; he asked for three days' time to prepare them. He then proceeded to gather all the poor and needy, and presented them to the Prefect and said, "Behold the treasures of the Church." The Prefect became enraged at this and gave command that Laurence be racked, then scourged with scorpions (a whip furnished with sharp iron points - compare II Chron. 10:11), then stretched out on a red-hot iron grill. But the courageous athlete of Christ endured without groaning. After he had been burned on one side, he said, "My body is done on one side; turn me over on the other." And when this had taken place, the Martyr said to the tyrants, "My flesh is now well done, you may taste of it." And when he had said this, and had prayed for his slayers in imitation of Christ, he gave up his spirit on August 10, 258.
Camp Good Shepherd, August 15-21, 2021. Registration is Now Open
Register here: app.campdoc.com/register/cgsn
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.
This ministry is open to anyone who wants to participate, from GOYA age boys and girls to mature adults. You have 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:
On Thursday, July 29th our team of servers braved the stormy weather as we gathered at Aviator Park to serve our “Thursday night friends”. Through His grace, the skies cleared just in time!
Please enjoy this reflection from Ajanae:
Feeding the homeless with everyone was truly a joyful experience. It has been quite some time since I have had the opportunity to volunteer in the downtown Philadelphia area but, the experience was as joyful as I remember. I helped with the drinks, so I poured iced tea alongside Thea Angela and my uncle who served a selection of ice pops and Tastykakes. All the people who came through the line were so thankful and appreciative of what we were doing for them so much so that one ended up praying with us again at the end of the night. I left that night wondering “How can people who have so little, give so much?” Although the question is rhetorical, I believe their humility and appreciation for life is one that should be admired considering their circumstances. That Thursday night taught me many lessons, and I look forward to the next Thursday night and the blessing to serve again.
Our next scheduled serving date is Thursday, September 30th.
Please consider joining us if you are able!
THANK YOU for all of your July donations and service at Aviator Park and for your continued contributions to the Summer Water Drive (continues through the summer) the Backpack Drive (continues until August 15th).
Project HOME Book Drive (Accepting books in good condition through September including customer favorites such as books on art and design, religion, and newer academic or technical texts on topics like engineering or philosophy. Cannot accept encyclopedias, outdated textbooks, or periodicals)
All donations may be placed in the Homeless Ministry Basket located on the Mezzanine level next to our Resource Center. Monetary donations may be mailed, hand delivered or made through our online GivePlus program.
The Homeless Ministry
Help Childen from Homeless Families
Every child deserves their very own backpack and school supplies to start the new school year!
Help restore some sense of normalcy for these children and send the message that they are important—and so is their education!
Donate $10 to cover the cost of one backpack,
or
Donate $15 to cover the cost of school supplies for one backpack,
or
Donate $25 to cover the cost of one backpack filled with school supplies.
Donate any amount towards this drive. FOCUS North America will supply the backpacks and school supplies.
You can participate either by mailing or dropping off a check made payable to “FOCUS North America” to our church office or by making a donation to the Homeless Ministry on GivePlus. Please indicate that your donation is for the backpack drive.
This drive will end on August the 15th.
Backpacks and supplies will be distributed to homeless families through Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network and Project Home.
Let’s Help Kids in Need Succeed!
The Homeless Ministry
Ladies Philoptochos 'Nausica' 2021-2023 Board of Directors
Congratulations to the newly elected officers and board members for the 2021-2023 term:
Board Members:
Save the Date ~ Annual Bid 'n Buy
The Ladies Philoptochos 'Nausica will hold their annual Bid 'n Buy "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" on Thursday, November 11, 2021 at 6:30 PM in our Cultural Center. The event will be limited to 150 tickets and no tickets will be sold at the door. Link to purchase ticket and further details coming soon.
Community Service is an essential part of Matthew 25. It’s so rewarding to be able to give back. In the words of Theodore Roosevelt, “ This country will NOT be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in.” As our country is coming off of the pandemic, these words couldn’t be truer. Matthew 25, with the help of your donations, was able to set up a delivery of 125 dozen eggs, 60 pounds of butter, and upon the request of the pantry, a case of crackers. In addition, there was a personal donation of cheese slices, sour cream, hotdogs, and apples that were well received by the pantry! Seeds of Hope was just given a donation of hotdog buns from Giant … but no hotdogs. Thank you! We made a $300 donation to Somerton Interfaith Food Bank this month as well. That will help them keep their pantry stocked.
Again, we thank you for your incoming donations. The local pantries are concerned with the fall months, as shoppers will increase as government benefits end. We will make larger donations in the fall based on the needs of the pantry’s we support. If you have a perishable donation, please contact Sophia at sophiagreekgirl@gmail.com or Lisa at oceancitymom@aol.com in order for us to get your donation to the pantry while it’s fresh.
Stay cool this summer and as always THANK YOU!
Bulletin Announcements
Please submit your material by Tuesday 12 noon for the upcoming Sunday’s bulletin during the summer months.
Your submission should be an editable document (Word, Publisher, Google Doc, Pages), as well as your final PDF document. Please send your submission to office@anngoc.org and 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.
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.
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, Yianni, Fotini, Dimitri, Maria, Virginia, George, Vaia, Maria, Constantino, Panagiotis.
We will keep the names 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 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: Benjamin Litvinas, Despina Papadeas, George Pappas, Philip Pappas, Amfithipi Psoras, George Armentani, Joy Gabriel, Dimitrios Kambouris, Athanasios Verros, Andrea Falbo, Helena Fournaris, Anthe Valais, Anthony Vlahos, Constantino Niamonitos, Stella Nikolopoulos, Christopher Ramey, Catherine Avgiris, Jack Downie, Katharine Verros, Theodora Zeibekis, Evangelos Exarchos, Zoe Kaldes, Petra Lambrou, Alexandra Litvinas, Aprille Pappas, Philip Chapalas, Harvey Fishman, Panagiota Mazer, Christine Mourafetis, Andrew Oratis.
The National Philoptochos Marketing & Communications Associate is responsible for managing the day-to-day public relations and marketing activities for the Society. The candidate for this role will have excellent organization, time management, and communication skills.
The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America has consistently and unequivocally recognized the full humanity of every person beginning at the moment of conception. This position is informed by Scripture and Holy Tradition and is validated by modern science, which confirms that a new, distinct human organism comes into existence at conception.
After more than a year of uncertainty, many of our Orthodox Christian college students will be returning to campus this fall. Orthodox Christian Fellowship will be there to greet them, guiding them along the path to Jesus Christ through His Church.
Can you identify a student who is passionate about serving their fellow students, and helping them access the fullness of the faith through the ministry of OCF.
August 8, 2021
Please donate until August 15, 2021
August 2021
Classes begin the week of September 20
August 2021
November 11, 2021