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Annunciation/Evangelismos Church, Elkins Park, PA
Publish Date: 2022-03-13
Bulletin Contents
Weekend Update
Youth Activities and News
Community News & Events
2022 Guide to Lenten Weekday Services
Stewardship Update
Focus on Our Church Family
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Saints and Feasts
Archdiocese News
Bulletin Inserts
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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

Presiding Priest: Rev. Fr. John L. Johns


frjohn@anngoc.org | (215) 635-0316

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 church services during the COVIT-19 Pandemic.

Past Bulletins


Weekend Update

COVID & Church Attendance

  • Following the Montgomery County health department recommendations, wearing a mask is now optional for divine liturgy and all church activities.
  • For those unable to attend in person, install the GOA 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

First Saturday of Lent, March 19, 2022

  • 8:30 am MATINS, 9:30 am DIVINE LITURGY.
  • Join us in offering memorial prayers for the peaceful repose of the soul of John Efthemios Gouris (40-days) and Alexandros Hatzinikolaou (1-year) of blessed memory.
  • Our Philoptochos invites all to a community breakfast after the liturgy.
Sunday of Orthodoxy, March 13, 2022
Κυριακὴ τῆς Ὀρθοδοξίας, 13 Μαρτίου, 2022. Το κήρυγμα εδώ.
  • 8:30 am MATINS, 9:30 am DIVINE LITURGY.
  • Catechism School classes after Holy Communion. Procession of holy icons.
  • 40-day mother and child blessing: Panagiotis, son of Heather & Alexandros Pitsakis; Zoe,  the daughter of Athanasios & Dani Melisiotis; and Konstantinos, the son of Connie & Harry Laspee.
  • Philoptochos will take a collection to benefit the Metropolis Social Services.
  • Our GOYA invites all to the kalosorisma/fellowship hour after the liturgy.
  • March 25 Greek School Program.
  • PTO blue envelopes fundraiser to benefit Greek School.
  • PTO tsoureki sale begins and continues through 4/3.
  • GOYA Sights & Sounds practice.

Monday, March 14, 2022

  • 6 pm GREAT COMPLINE.

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

  • 5 pm Greek School classes.
  • 6:30 pm Intermediate Adult Greek class.
  • 7 pm Parish Council meeting.

Wednesday, March 16, 2022

  • 9 am LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS.
  • 5 pm Greek School classes.
  • 6 pm Advanced Adult Greek class.

Thursday, March 17, 2022

  • 7 pm DVYC Meeting.

Friday, March 18, 2022

Saturday, March 19, 2022

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas, March 20, 2022.

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Youth Activities and News

Sunday School News

  • This Week's Children's Word from OCN

  • St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival

    Thank you to our St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival participants: Panteli Sourias, Markos Papakirk, and Alexandra McNally. All of the speeches were thoughtful and well-delivered, and we are so proud of our students for participating in this important annual event. 

    Annunciation will be hosting the Del Val District level festival on Saturday, April 2. We are in need of a few volunteers to ensure the event runs smoothly! If you are interested in helping out, please email Jacinda at catechism@anngoc.org. 

  • Holy Friday, April 22:  Save the date! Annunciation is hosting a HOPE/JOY Holy Friday Youth Retreat. We encourage all children ages 6-12 to join us in prayer, learning, and fun. School excusal forms will be available. More details and signup to come.

We are also looking for volunteers to help run the event. If you have any questions or would like to help, contact Jacinda (catechism@anngoc.org) or Debbie (hopejoy@anngoc.org).


Greek School News

 

On behalf of our Greek School, Annunciation Elkins Park 

Greek Orthodox Church,

we request the honor of your presence to our 

March 25th Program on

Sunday, March 13th, 2022

following the divine liturgy, in our church hall. 

 

This year, we are making a special dedication to Smyrni, 

Σμύρνη μου Αγαπημένη 

"Smyrni mou Agapimeni" 

Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the 

Asia Minor Catastrophe

Σμύρνη, a Greek city located at a strategic point on the Aegean coast of Anatolia, due to its advantageous port conditions, its ease of defense, and its good inland connections, Smyrna rose to prominence.

The Asia Minor Catastrophe was a cataclysmic event of such enormous importance for modern Greek history that it shaped generation upon generation after 1922, adding yet another unforgettable and unutterably tragic milestone to Greece’s long history. The destruction of Smyrna, when Greeks were forced to flee the city due to a fire set by Turkish forces, still haunts Greece a century later.
We look forward to seeing you.

Sincerely,

Debbie Sourias, GS Director


GOYA Activities

 

 

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.” - Matthew 6:22. 

While Christ is the ultimate healer, Orthodox Christians often pray to Agia Paraskevi to cure them of blindness and other eye ailments. A martyr due to her devout profession of Christianity in pagan Rome, Agia Paraskevi saved herself from an earlier execution by curing the Emperor’s blindness. Multiple miracles related to vision and eyesight continue to be attributed to her in the present day.

Glasses are an accessible resource that easily improves the quality of sight; however, one billion people are unable to acquire or afford proper eyewear. Millions of children suffer without glasses to assist them in everyday activities. GOYA is collecting new or gently used eyewear for One Sight, an organization dedicated to making eyewear accessible.

Please donate to help others see a better quality of light. 

The collection box will be located across from the parish office until the end of March. 


"Be the Bee" Bible Study Guide: Triodion 2022

The Triodion starts on Sunday february 13. Make the most of it with 10 weeks of free Bible Study resources from Orthodox Christian Youth and Young Adult Ministries (Y2AM). Access them here.


Greek Independence Day Parade in Philadelphia

Sunday, March 20, 2022

Come march with us and show your Greek pride!

Buses will depart Annunciation Church at 12:30.
Masks required on the bus.
Formation Time: 1:00.
Start Time: 2:00 at 16th and Parkway.

Snacks and water are available on the bus.
Food for children available immediately following the divine liturgy.

Buses return to church after the parade.
RSVP for bus here:  Annunciation Elkins Park: Greek Independence Day Parade (signupgenius.com)


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Community News & Events

March 25: The Feast Day of Annunciation/Evangelismos of Theotokos

In Honor of:

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

b. the 201th Anniversary of the Greek Revolution of 1821,  and

c. the 121th Anniversary of the Founding of Our Community in 1901,

Great Vespers * will be prayed on Thursday, March 24, at 7:00 pm, with participation of area clergy.
Our Philoptochos will offer a reception following vespers.

The Feast Day Orthros & Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Friday, March 25, starting at 8:30 am, with participation of area clergy. A thanksgiving doxology for the liberation of Greece will be offered at the conclusion of the liturgy.
Our Philoptochos will host a luncheon following the divine liturgy.

* 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.

 


Looking Ahead Beyond Next Week

  • Saturday, April 2: Regional level St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival.

  • Saturday, April 9: Regional GOYA Sights & Sounds Arts Festival.

  • Friday, April 14: PTO Palms and Pizza at 6:30 pm.

  • Sunday, April 17: Palm Sunday, start of Holy Week.

  • Holy Friday, April 22: Annunciation is hosting a HOPE/JOY Holy Friday Youth Retreat. We encourage all children ages 6-12 to join us in prayer, learning, and fun. School excusal forms will be available. More details and signup to come.
    We are also looking for volunteers to help run the event. If you have any questions or would like to help, contact Jacinda (catechism@anngoc.org) or Debbie (hopejoy@anngoc.org).

  • Great and Holy Pascha Sunday, April 24: Easter Egg Hunt immediately following the Agape vespers.

  • May 19-22: Spring OPA Greek Festival.


Spiritual Life Ministry News

 The Spiritual Life Ministry 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. 

(From St. John Chrysostom’s Homily on Ephesians 9.4.1-3)

Please join us as we pray the Psalter throughout Lent. The Psalter is the Book of Psalms, divided into 20 Kathismata. "Kathismata" is plural for "kathisma" which means "sitting". With these divisions, you can read through the Book of Psalms in twenty sittings. We'll be praying the Psalms daily, from March 7th (Clean Monday) to April 15th.

Beginning on March 7th, the first day of the fast, each member of the group will start by praying one kathisma (please refer to the sign-up genius for your assigned starting Kathisma).  

Learn How It Works Here 

Sign-up for Annunciation Psalter Group

With twenty people each reading one Kathisma per day, together the Psalter is being read in its entirety every day of Lent. On the twenty-first day, we each begin again where we started, individually reading the entire Psalter a total of twice during the forty days.

Each Kathisma takes approximately twenty minutes to a half hour to read. Each of us will pray our Kathisma individually anytime during the day or night and anywhere we are able.  

Although a Psalter is a volume that contains the book of Psalms, you do not need to purchase a Psalter in order to participate - simply use your Bible. If you would like to purchase a Psalter book or Bible, these are available through the Resource Center:

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.

Please join us in praying the Psalms.  

May God bless our efforts!


Homeless Ministry News

The Homeless Ministry received a belated thank you note from Whosoever Gospel Ministry. Although this thank you is for toy donations made a few months ago, we hope you will agree that’s it’s never too late to say thank you and we should each continue helping wherever and whenever we can.
As St. Joseph the Hesychast reminds us: “Every drop of kindness has a ripple effect. You never know how far reaching each ripple may be.”
The Homeless Ministry is collecting items throughout Lent for “blessing bags” which will be distributed at Aviator Park. Please sign up here if you would like to help or please contact Angela Godshall to coordinate donating any of these items:

10 travel size toothpaste
20 bags of Jack Link’s Beef Jerky (.625 ounces)
20 bags of Jack Link’s Beef Jerky (.625 ounces)
20 packs of Belvita Soft Baked
20 packs of Belvita Soft Baked
20 chocolate candy bars
20 packs of mints (altoids, tic tacs)
20 packs of mints (altoids, tic tacs)
Thank you!


Young at Heart Ministry

The springtime of the Fast has dawned. The flower of repentance has begun to open. O brethren, let us cleanse ourselves from all impurity and sing to the Giver of Light: Glory to thee, who alone lovest mankind.

Kali Sarakosti, We Wish You a Blessed Lent!

Please join us for our next Young @Heart Spring Fellowship Event on Wednesday April 6. Following the 10 am Presanctified Liturgy. In our Church Hall

Friends~Coffee~Tea~Treats

Questions: Maria McNally 267-205-1758, Betsy McGrath 267-432-1996, Susan Gouris 215-901-6264


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2022 Guide to Lenten Weekday Services

Great Compline - Απόδειπνο. Five consecutive Mondays starting March 7, 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 9 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 11, at 6 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.

Readers Welcomed

The Readers Ministry is open to all parishioners who wish to offer their gift of reading during these services.

Please let George Dalagelis know the date and service you want to participate.

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Stewardship Update

Stewardship Reflection

The  essential quality for the Christian steward — hope. Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ’s promises and relying not on our own strength but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit.

 In many ways, this is the very definition of a stewardship way of life — focusing on eternity as we live our daily lives and relying on God to provide for our needs and satisfy our deepest longings for meaning and happiness right now.

The prophet Jeremiah paints a vivid picture of the difference between the person who puts his trust in fellow humans versus the person who relies on — or, in other words, hopes in — the Lord. “Cursed is the one who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh… He is like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season but stands in a lava waste.” Not a pretty picture!

On the other hand, the prophet teaches, “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is in the Lord. He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: it fears not the heat when it comes; its leaves stay green.”

Notice that the one who trusts in the Lord does not escape the heat any more than the one who has put his trust in human strength — his own or another’s. The difference between the two is that the one who fails to trust in the Lord becomes barren in the heat, while the one who trusts in God is given the means to persevere and even thrive in the midst of the challenging times. “Its leaves stay green; in the year of drought it shows no distress but still bears fruit.”

St. Paul reminds the Corinthians that it is foolish to think of hope in the Lord with only an “earthly” vision since God desires nothing less than our eternal happiness. “If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable people of all.” To aim only for comforts or pleasure or honors in this life is actually an impoverished way of living.

In the  Gospel from Luke, Jesus describes the true richness of life that is possible for those of us who are willing to live as his disciples. We are all familiar with this passage in which Jesus reveals the Beatitudes: blessed are the poor; they have the kingdom of God. Blessed are those now hungry because they will be satisfied. Blessed are those who weep because they will laugh. Blessed are those who are hated, excluded, and insulted because they are disciples of Jesus; they will be greatly rewarded in heaven. Jesus is describing here the character of one who is living a life of hope — the life of a Christian steward whose trust is firmly rooted in God and who is focused on others and eternity. It is not always an easy life, but it is a deeply meaningful life and one that leads to eternal reward.


Stewardship 2022 Campaign

Last November, you  received in the mail your 2022 personalized Stewardship Pledge Card of Time, Talent, and Treasure, including our Sustaining Stewardship Initiative information. 

Pledge Cards also can be found at the narthex, or you can submit your pledge with a few click at www.anngoc.org.

If you are already a Sustaining Steward, that is, you have set up regular payments through Vanco or your bank bill payer service:

  • You do not have to fill out a pledge card!
  • Use the 2022 Pledge Card information as a guide to update your giving to reflect your current level of commitment and personal/family situation.
  • Check with your Vanco account or bank bill payer service to ensure that your regular payments continue through 2022.

Vanco Giving Updates

Vanco Mobile App 

We have updated some features, so please refresh it.  If you haven't downloaded it yet, please do so now! You can make all your church offerings and donations in one convenient and safe location:

  1. Download the free Vanco Mobile App here:  iPhone or Android
  2. Make one-time or recurring donations using your debit/credit card or checking/savings account.
  3. Login to your Vanco account or donate as a guest.
  4. You can also check out this Vanco Mobile How-To Guide for step-by-step instructions.
Vanco Online

We have also updated the Vanco Faith Page on our website. Please login with your existing Vanco account and check out the new easy-to-use giving features.

Please stop by the church office or call us if you have questions or need assistance.


Have You Noticed We Are Not Passing Offering Trays During the Liturgy?

Please make all your church donations via:

  • Regular Sustaining Stewardship payments through the Vanco Mobile or Desktop, your bank’s bill payer, personal checks, or cash at the church office.
  • Great Lent donations through Vanco or cash/checks at the narthex.
  • Candle donations through Vanco or cash/checks at the narthex.

Thank you for your generosity


 Stewardship Honor Roll as of March 9, 2022

  1. Pablo & Julianna Aguilar
  2. Paul & Maria Anagnostakos
  3. Kimon & Effi Angelikas
  4. Helen Angelos
  5. Theodore & Victoria Aristoklis
  6. Constantine & Krystin Avgiris
  7. Karla Ballas
  8. Harry & Connie Bandy
  9. Peter Bandy
  10. Michael & Marina Blackton
  11. Nina Borras & Alfredo Yiannateli
  12. Thomas & Joann Borrell
  13. Helen Callas Reiner
  14. Ken & Maria Chin
  15. Terry Contoudis
  16. Christopher & Andrea Cosmas
  17. Dinos & Antoinette Couppas
  18. Curtis & Maria Cummings
  19. George & Maria Dalagelis
  20. Constantine & Anna Dalson
  21. Sally Danciu
  22. Bledi & Vasiliki Dardeshi
  23. Maritsa Demas
  24. Leontios & Demetra Diamantas
  25. Thomas & Sofia Dinneen
  26. Olga Econome
  27. Nicholas & Beverly Economopoulos
  28. Maria Economou
  29. Panagoula Ekonomou
  30. Evangelos Exarchos
  31. Alexander & Andrea Falbo
  32. Stephen & Christine Ferello
  33. Chris & Dori Fifis
  34. Apostolos & Stella Fisfis
  35. George Fisfis
  36. Ioannis & Alexzandra Fisfis
  37. Harvey & Elpitha Fishman
  38. Efstathios & Kyriaki Fragogiannis
  39. Carl & Helen Freedman
  40. Joy Gabriel
  41. Dimitra Ganas
  42. George & Angela Gaugler
  43. Koula Gerasklis
  44. Panagiotis & Eugenia Giannoumis
  45. John & Rosalie Gilliland
  46. George Giordas
  47. Craig & Angela Godshall
  48. Peter & Susan Gouris
  49. Evangeline Gouzouasis
  50. Costas & Maria Grigorakakis
  51. Robert & Vasiliki Hadgimallis
  52. Andreas & Argero Hagiandreu
  53. Irene Halkias
  54. Terry & Christina Hatzigeorgiou
  55. Yiorgos & Angelique Hatzinikolaou
  56. Magda Hatzis
  57. Chrisanthi Hatzopoulos
  58. Thomas & Maria Hatzopoulos
  59. Stefanos & Robin Haviaras
  60. Douglas & Angela Heinze
  61. Frank & Linda Holberg
  62. Steven & Eleni Janke
  63. Jodi Jasionowicz & Helen Giannakopoulos
  64. Paul & Mary Ann Jensen
  65. Fr. John & Presv. Evangelia Johns
  66. Steven & Ashley Kagiavas
  67. Dean & Kara Kalogrias
  68. Chrisovalantis Karidas
  69. Constantine & Gail Karmokolias
  70. Alex Karras
  71. Kevin Kelly & Barbara Crits-Kelly
  72. Ryan & Ana Kiscaden
  73. Eleni Konugres
  74. Margo Konugres
  75. Georgia Kouskousaki
  76. Ioakim & Kimberly Koutsouradis
  77. Paul & Mary Koutsouros
  78. William Kyriakatos
  79. Stephanos & Helen Kyriakodis
  80. Panagiotis & Konstantina Kyriakou
  81. George Labrinakos
  82. Peter & Peggy Lambrou
  83. Dora Lekas
  84. Christopher & Elena LePage
  85. Anthony & Maria Limberakis
  86. Anthony & Kathryn Limberakis
  87. Dimitrios & Dawn Loizos
  88. Agnes Louridas
  89. Gregory & Barbara Louridas
  90. Kevin & Mary Mack
  91. Simeon & Galatea Mackrides
  92. Vasilios & Faye Mackrides
  93. Anastasia Magrini
  94. Michael & Patricia Malamas
  95. Anastas & Odeta Malita
  96. Apostolos & Anastasia Malitas
  97. Fotios & Alexandra Malitas
  98. Kalliopi Malitas
  99. Sophia Mamas
  100. John & Marjorie Mantas
  101. Ronald & Virginia Markos
  102. Marianne Marmarou
  103. Dennis & Vincenza Matarangas
  104. Stephen & Aspasia McGrath
  105. Thomas & Olga McHugh
  106. Catherine McNally
  107. James & Maria McNally
  108. Theodora Mikroulis
  109. Georgia Mitsas
  110. Stamatios & Maria Mountis
  111. Michael & Stephanie Nanz
  112. Argiris & Jennie Niamonitos
  113. Constantino & Anastasia Niamonitos
  114. Peter & Stella Nikolopoulos
  115. Dawn Nylander
  116. Dennis & Mary O'Hara
  117. Tina Onassis
  118. Stephen & Maria Oratis
  119. Lemonia Paidas
  120. Nicholas & Dana Panagiotakis
  121. Antonis & Katherine Pantazopoulos
  122. Arthur Papacostas
  123. James & Jane Papacostas
  124. Afthentia Papadopoulos
  125. Demetrios & Rubena Papakirk
  126. Nikolaos & Maria Papanikolaou
  127. Albert & Sophia Pappas
  128. Helen K Pappas
  129. Nicholas & Urania Pappas
  130. Theodoros & Alexandra Pappas
  131. Aris Pasles
  132. Russell & Sophia Penning
  133. Daniel & Demetra Pithis
  134. Alexandros & Heather Pitsakis
  135. Andrew & Georgianne Pogas
  136. Anthony & Karen Poulos
  137. Andrew & Melissa Prousi
  138. Anthony Prousi & Sommer Pio
  139. Margie Prousi
  140. Christopher & Evangelia Ramey
  141. Marc Redemann &Adrienne Frangakis
  142. Kevin & Joanna Rega
  143. James & Maria Rokos
  144. Mary Roscioli
  145. Charles & Maria Sandilos
  146. William & Elaine Sandilos
  147. Alexander & Diane Saphos
  148. Dimitria Sfarnas
  149. Evangeline Sfarnas
  150. Elefteris & Francine Sferedes
  151. Kostas & Stamatia Sklikas
  152. James & Maria Skoutelas
  153. Theodosios & Despina Sourias
  154. Dianne Stackhouse
  155. Christos & Xanthi Stathis
  156. Paulette Steffa
  157. Peter Steffa
  158. Jacob & Emily Stine
  159. Helen Sullivant-Davis
  160. Konstantinos Theodorakis
  161. Helen Thomas
  162. Sotirios & Despina Thomas
  163. Eleftherios & Deborah Topakas
  164. Emanuel Topakas
  165. Michael & Kaliopi Triantafellou
  166. Cosmas & Shauna Trifonidis
  167. James & Elizabeth Trivelis
  168. Michael & Renee Trivelis
  169. Nicholas Trivelis
  170. Stelios & Laurie Tsinontides
  171. Shane & Despina Twyman
  172. Kurt Ufer & Joanne Epitropou-ufer
  173. Rizos & Vasiliki Vagelaras
  174. Dimitrios & Katharine Verros
  175. Christine Vlahos
  176. Gregory & Venetia Voutsinas
  177. Byron & Christina Warner
  178. Stephen & Georgia Weiss
  179. Gerard & Marie Zeman
  180. Louise Zervos
  181. Ioannis & Eleftheria Zoubroulis
  182. Theodore & Zaffie Zoubroulis

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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, Virginia, George, Maria, Constantino, Panagiotis, Peter, Zoë, Penelope, Panagiotis, Dimitrios, Alexandra, Peter.
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.

Happy wedding anniversary to those celebrating this coming week: Thomas & Olga McHugh, George & Alice Kyriakodis, Dean & Anna Dalson.

Χρόνια πολλά & ευλογημένα!  God grant you many years!  To those who are celebrating birthdays this coming week: Martin Alexion, Frank Holberg, Dimitrios Pappas, Stelios Tsinontides, Steven Zoubroulis, Christopher Freedman, Michael Kemmerer, Andrew Pogas, Calliope Costalas, Thomas McHugh, Gregory Mesthos, Danielle Perry, Kaliope Godshall, Constantine Karmokolias, Katerina Karmokolias, Mary Mack, Zoe McMurry, Addison Skoufalos, Irene Vouladas, Konstantinos Halkidis, Lila Koskinas, Alex Ljachin, Chryssa Papakirk, Konstantinos Vafiadis, Artemis Valais, Argero Fafalios, Joann Maliaris, Maria Papanikolaou, Demetrios Varoumas.
 
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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

01_firstlent1cp
March 13

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.

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Archdiocese News

SPEAKER SERIES: Orthodox Scholars Preach Sunday of Orthodoxy, March 13

03/09/2022

This week's Speaker Series features Rev. Fr. Radu Bordeianu, who preaches about the Sunday of Orthodoxy. Watch this 10-minute video: https://youtu.be/xzfr4tu4Piw
https://www.goarch.org/-/speaker-series-march-13

SUNDAY SERMON SERIES Sunday of Orthodoxy, March 13

03/09/2022

This week, find insights about the upcoming Gospel reading where Apostle John talks about Christ calling Philip and Nathanael to become His disciples. How does Christ’s invitation to discipleship apply to us today?
https://www.goarch.org/-/sunday-sermon-march13

Communique - Archdiocesan District

03/05/2022

As we approach the beginning of Great and Holy Lent and as it is the tradition of our Holy Church, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America has announced that at 7:00pm on the evening of each Sunday during the sacred and holy Lenten period, contrition vespers services will be celebrated in parishes throughout the Archdiocesan District.
https://www.goarch.org/-/archdiocesan-district-contrition-vespers-2022
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Bulletin Inserts

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