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Annunciation/Evangelismos Church, Elkins Park, PA
Publish Date: 2022-04-03
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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 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

 

Fourth Sunday of Lent, April 3, 2022
Κυριακὴ Δʹ τῶν Νηστειῶν, 3 Απριλίου, 2022. Το κήρυγμα εδώ

We welcome today His Grace Bishop Apostolos of Medeia who is celebrating Matins and Divine Liturgy with us.

  • 8:30 HIERARCHICAL MATINS, 9:30 HIERARCHICAL DIVINE LITURGY.
  • Catechism School classes follow Holy Communion.
  • Join us in offering memorial prayers for the peaceful repose of the souls of George Ballas (40-days), Konstantinos Vafiadis (3-months), Dimitrios Lambrou (6-months), Marianthi Nikolopoulos (1-year), and Sotirios Nikolopoulos (10-years) of blessed memory.
  • 40-day mother and child blessing: Achilles, son of Lynn and Andrew Markou. Congratulations!
  • Our Philoptochos invites all to the kalosorisma/fellowship hour after the liturgy.
  • 12:30 Holy Baptism: The Vlahos family.
Monday, April 4, 2022
  • 6 pm GREAT COMPLINE, followed by a discussion with light refreshments on the movie MAN OF GOD.
Tuesday, April 5, 2022
  • 5 pm Greek School classes.
  • 6:30 pm Intermediate Adult Greek class.
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
  • 10 am LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS.
  • 11 am Young @Heart spring fellowship event.
  • 7 pm Council of Ministries quarterly meeting.
Friday, April 8, 2022
  • 5 pm Greek School classes.
  • 6 pm THE AKATHIST HYMN TO THE MOTHER OF GOD.
  • 7 pm Final GOYA Sights & Sounds practice.
  • 7 pm Beginners Adult Greek class.
Saturday, April 9, 2022
  • 9 am Regional GOYA Sights & Sounds Arts Festival, hosted by St. Luke Church in Broomall, PA.
Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt, April 10, 2022
  • 8:30 MATINS, 9:30 DIVINE LITURGY.
  • Catechism School classes after Holy Communion.
  • Join us in offering memorial prayers for the peaceful repose of the souls of Thomas Fafalios (40-days), and Dimitrios Papakonstantinou (40-days) of blessed memory.
  • Our Greek School invites all to the kalosorisma/fellowship hour after the liturgy.
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Youth Activities and News

Sunday School News


"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.


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Community News & Events

Young at Heart Ministry

Please join us for our next Young @Heart Spring Fellowship Event this 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


Holy Week 2022 Schedule

Spiritual Life Ministry Newsletter

Greetings to all of you, we hope this finds you well and safe. We want to remind you of upcoming events during this Lenten Fast.

March 21 and March 28 -- Movie Night:  MAN OF GOD. This movie helps us learn more about the life of St. Nektarios.  Referred to as a Modern Saint, he was born in Turkey in October 1846. He is best known for his healing prayers, particularly with those stricken with cancer, heart trouble, arthritis and epilepsy.

This film is being shown at many local theaters. Some theaters are showing it for 1 night—on March 21. Other theaters will be showing it on March 21 and March 28. 

If you have not yet purchased your ticket, or need help purchasing a ticket, please call me.   Philoptochos has already purchased a group of tickets for the Regal Theater in Warrington. If that area is near you, please reach out to Stella Fisfis, Pres. of Philoptochos.

April 4-- Review and Discussion of the movie MAN OF GOD. On Monday Evening after Compline Services in the church hall. Father will talk about the movie and of the life of St. Nektarios. He is eager to hear your thoughts. Lenten Refreshments will be served and all are invited.

Psalms and Reading the Psalter –what they are and why they are important to Greek Orthodox Christians.

The Psalms in Greek are called Psalmos or “Song”. These prayers, poems and hymns were written mostly by King David in the Old Testament days and throughout Israel’s ancient history.  They were sung with the help of a psalterion—a stringed instrument.  Known in Hebrew as Tehillim ‘Songs of Praise’, other writers were Moses, Asaph, Ethan, Solomon and some unknown authors.

There are 150 Psalms, with many different themes.  Some themes are: Thanksgiving and Adoration, Lament (express sorrow or regret), Praise and Repentance. Even though Psalms were written by Jews, they are not just Jewish or Hebrew. They have endured time because they speak to our human emotions then and now, they are timeless and were adopted by Christianity.  

If you examine King David, as a child he was a shepherd watching the sheep, when he was asked to kill a giant named Goliath.  He said ok, he’ll try. As other men in his family tried, failed and were afraid, David prayed for help and with his slingshot, knocked the Giant down.  David learned at a very young age, that if you believe and pray asking for Gods help, God will respond. Over his lifetime, I am sure, that as a husband, father, king and sinner, he must have asked for a lot of help from God, hence, the Psalms. 

Ideally, we all should be praying every morning, censing our homes, fasting correctly and following all the rules Orthodoxy asks of us.  But, most of us can not follow these strict rules. Our lives’ schedules’ do not allow us to stay home, pray and cook Lenten foods. But still, during lent, Father John and the Psalter Group ask you to find the time to learn 1 new psalm or prayer and teach it to your children.

Sincerely,

Spiritual Life Ministry- Barbara, Susan, Talia, Jane, and Angela


Matthew25 Ministry News

Kali Sarakosti! What a wonderful time of the year as we look around and begin to see God's seasonal miracles as the renewal of life is being unearthed this spring. Such a beautiful time of the year. Our hearts are filled with hope as we prepare for Christ's resurrection.

Our ministry keeps busy this month as we make our own journey into lent for our spiritual nourishment. This year, we are increasing our efforts to stay true to our mission and help our brethren both near and far.

We are collaborating with Catechism as they collect snacks to benefit the Mattie Dixon/After School Homework Club. So many of these children live with food insecurities, and to see our "kids helping kids" is so rewarding! They will be collecting snacks until Palm Sunday! We are excited to connect our two ministries.

In the past, we collected order forms and money from our parishioners to purchase meat for our Easter Meat Drive. This year, we are so excited to let you know that through your donations, we will NOT be asking anyone for money this year! Instead, we will be donating meats (hams) to Seeds of Hope, Somerton Interfaith, and Mattie Dixon Food Cupboard. We feel so blessed to be able to give without asking this year! This is a first for Matthew 25, and we can't wait to share the totals with you.

The news from Ukraine has saddened so many of us! Along with prayers, M25 will be donating the IOCC to assist in their refugee relief efforts. We will also be donating requested supplies to St. Anne's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Warrington. Our brothers and sisters of Ukraine need our help!

We will be making our perpetual egg and butter donation to Seeds of Hope later this month and before Easter.

Thank you for allowing Matthew 25 to give so generously this Lenten Season. We are grateful to be able to do God's work with the help.

"Let no one come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile."  -Mother Teresa


Homeless Ministry News

SPRING Cleaning with a Purpose!

Spring is finally here - a time when flowers bloom, daylight lasts longer and we are opening up our windows to enjoy the fresh, warm air. This year, why not also open your closets and drawers and donate. It’s easy to turn a spring-cleaning ritual into a donating tradition. Those items you no longer use or need can be put to good use for others!

Following is a list of gently used and new items that the Homeless Ministry will be collecting throughout the month of April and donating to Project Home, Whosoever Mission Gospel, Why Not Prosper and Interfaith Hospitality Network.

Please donate any of the following items in clean, good, aol condition – items that you would be willing to give to a family member or friend:

  • Spare pots & pans. China. Housewares. Linens. Sheets. Comforters (especially twin size). Bric-brac. DVDs, CDs, Cassettes.

Please donate any of the following NEW and unused items:

  • Paper Products: Paper towels, napkins and toilet paper.
  • Trash Bags – 33 gallons or larger.
  • Cleaning Supplies: Toilet bowl cleaner.  Glass cleaner. Simple Green. Fabuloso. Furniture polish. Disinfecting wipes.

Please place your donations, neatly packed and sorted in the Homeless Ministry trunk located on the balcony level by the Resource Center.

If you are able, please consider donating one new item along with any gently used items!

With gratitude In Christ's service,

The Homeless Ministry


Help Needed

Can you spare a few hours and cover at the church office?

We need help from Monday 4/11 to Thursday 4/14, 9 am to 4 pm.

Any amount of time you can offer is appreciated!

Please get in touch with George Dalagelis for details: 215-635-0316


Spring OPA Greek Festival

Friday and Saturday, May 20-21, 3-9  PM.

Mark your calendars and stay tuned for details.


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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, 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:

Χρόνια πολλά & ευλογημένα!  God grant you many years!  To those who are celebrating birthdays this coming week: Ashley Kagiavas, Marc Klebanoff, Haris Martinos, Tara Pinto, Anastasia Vlachos, Paul Koutsouros, Steve Mcdermott, George Prousi, Emil Rongione, Markus Shehu, Theodore Steiros, Nicholas Marmarou, Paul Mathewson, Dimitrios Spyrou, Anne-Marie Voutsinos, Peter Nikolopoulos, Katerina Rigalos, Athanasios Zampakis, Megan Maris, Ronald Markos, Iakovos Toumbanakis, Efremia Vratsanos, Peter Gouris, Calliope Moustafellos, Fotini Rivera, Dimitra Afthinou, Ryan Downie, John Haviras, Lynn Lambrou, Ryan Nowlan, Tina Vaganos.
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Stewardship Update

Stewardship Reflection

For too many of us, Lent is a season of doom and gloom, a time to feel bad about all the ways we are not “measuring up” in our spiritual lives. But this view could not be further from the truth. Lent is a season of refreshment and love, of awakening and rebirth. In fact, the word “lent” comes from the Old English word, “lencten,” which means spring. Lent is intended to be a springtime for us in our spiritual lives where all can become new again.

St. Paul tells, “Whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come. And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ.” The parable of the prodigal son is filled with this theme of awakening and the extravagant, life-changing love that the Father has for each one of us.

We are all familiar with this amazing story — the younger son who has the audacity to ask his dad for his inheritance early, only to squander it sinfully away. It makes us bristle instinctively at his nerve when we read it. But isn’t that exactly what we do when we selfishly turn away from God (in big or small ways) in our own lives? We squander away the inheritance of grace He has given us.

In desperation from the mess, he had made of his life, the son finally “comes to his senses” — awakening to the truth that he is a beloved son of a loving and merciful father and decides to return home. His contrition is faltering and imperfect and seems motivated in large part by his growling stomach.

But it was enough for the loving father. “While still a long way off, the father caught sight of him.” The son was still a long way off from a deep understanding of what he had lost and what he was about to gain. But that small and imperfect openness to the father’s love was enough. In fact, the father is “filled with compassion for him” and immediately sets about preparing feast and fine clothes for this son. What an extravagance of love! What a beautiful picture Jesus gives us of our Father’s love and mercy. Oh, how this should fill us with gratitude for such a Father! Be refreshed in this love. We are new creations thanks to this reconciling love.

And what comfort this passage gives to those of us who watch with sorrowful hearts for a return to faith for own “prodigal” loved ones. Our Father is watching and waiting for their return to Him even more eagerly and patiently than we are.

We owe God everything! But let us start by giving him one little thing. Take even a faltering step closer to Him — go to confession, call a family member, or friend you are at odds with and try to reconcile. With just the tiniest bit of spiritual “spring cleaning” we can be sure we will be swept up in our Father’s loving embrace and find ourselves feasting in His presence. That is what lent is all about.


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 Vanco Faith, 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


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Fourth Mode. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 6:13-20.

BRETHREN, when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore to himself, saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you." And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Προκείμενον. Plagal Fourth Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 75.11,1.
Εὔξασθε καὶ ἀπόδοτε Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν.
Στίχ. Γνωστὸς ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ ὁ Θεός, ἐν τῷ Ἰσραὴλ μέγα τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 6:13-20.

Ἀδελφοί, τῷ Ἀβραὰμ ἐπαγγειλάμενος ὁ θεός, ἐπεὶ κατʼ οὐδενὸς εἶχεν μείζονος ὀμόσαι, ὤμοσεν καθʼ ἑαυτοῦ, λέγων, Ἦ μὴν εὐλογῶν εὐλογήσω σε, καὶ πληθύνων πληθυνῶ σε. Καὶ οὕτως μακροθυμήσας ἐπέτυχεν τῆς ἐπαγγελίας. Ἄνθρωποι μὲν γὰρ κατὰ τοῦ μείζονος ὀμνύουσιν, καὶ πάσης αὐτοῖς ἀντιλογίας πέρας εἰς βεβαίωσιν ὁ ὅρκος. Ἐν ᾧ περισσότερον βουλόμενος ὁ θεὸς ἐπιδεῖξαι τοῖς κληρονόμοις τῆς ἐπαγγελίας τὸ ἀμετάθετον τῆς βουλῆς αὐτοῦ, ἐμεσίτευσεν ὅρκῳ, ἵνα διὰ δύο πραγμάτων ἀμεταθέτων, ἐν οἷς ἀδύνατον ψεύσασθαι θεόν, ἰσχυρὰν παράκλησιν ἔχωμεν οἱ καταφυγόντες κρατῆσαι τῆς προκειμένης ἐλπίδος· ἣν ὡς ἄγκυραν ἔχομεν τῆς ψυχῆς ἀσφαλῆ τε καὶ βεβαίαν, καὶ εἰσερχομένην εἰς τὸ ἐσώτερον τοῦ καταπετάσματος· ὅπου πρόδρομος ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν εἰσῆλθεν Ἰησοῦς, κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδὲκ ἀρχιερεὺς γενόμενος εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. John Climacus
The Reading is from Mark 9:17-31

At that time, a man came to Jesus kneeling and saying: "Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a dumb spirit; and wherever it seizes him it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able." And he answered them, "O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me." And they brought the boy to him; and when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, "How long has he had this?" And he said, "From childhood. And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us." And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again." And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse; so that most of them said, "He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" And he said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting." They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise."

Sunday of St. John Climacus
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 9:17-31

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἄνθρωπός τις προσῆλθε τῷ Ἰησοῦ λέγων, διδάσκαλε, ἤνεγκα τὸν υἱόν μου πρός σε, ἔχοντα πνεῦμα ἄλαλον. καὶ ὅπου ἂν αὐτὸν καταλάβῃ, ῥήσσει αὐτόν, καὶ ἀφρίζει καὶ τρίζει τοὺς ὀδόντας αὐτοῦ, καὶ ξηραίνεται· καὶ εἶπον τοῖς μαθηταῖς σου ἵνα αὐτὸ ἐκβάλωσι, καὶ οὐκ ἴσχυσαν. ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς αὐτῷ λέγει· ὦ γενεὰ ἄπιστος, ἕως πότε πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἔσομαι; ἕως πότε ἀνέξομαι ὑμῶν; φέρετε αὐτὸν πρός με. καὶ ἤνεγκαν αὐτὸν πρὸς αὐτόν. καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὸν εὐθέως τὸ πνεῦμα ἐσπάραξεν αὐτόν, καὶ πεσὼν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἐκυλίετο ἀφρίζων. καὶ ἐπηρώτησε τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ· πόσος χρόνος ἐστὶν ὡς τοῦτο γέγονεν αὐτῷ; ὁ δὲ εἶπε· παιδιόθεν. καὶ πολλάκις αὐτὸν καὶ εἰς πῦρ ἔβαλε καὶ εἰς ὕδατα, ἵνα ἀπολέσῃ αὐτόν· ἀλλ᾿ εἴ τι δύνασαι, βοήθησον ἡμῖν σπλαγχνισθεὶς ἐφ᾿ ἡμᾶς. ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ τὸ εἰ δύνασαι πιστεῦσαι, πάντα δυνατὰ τῷ πιστεύοντι. καὶ εὐθέως κράξας ὁ πατὴρ τοῦ παιδίου μετὰ δακρύων ἔλεγε· πιστεύω, κύριε· βοήθει μου τῇ ἀπιστίᾳ. ἰδὼν δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ὅτι ἐπισυντρέχει ὄχλος, ἐπετίμησε τῷ πνεύματι τῷ ἀκαθάρτῳ λέγων αὐτῷ· τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἄλαλον καὶ κωφόν, ἐγώ σοι ἐπιτάσσω, ἔξελθε ἐξ αὐτοῦ καὶ μηκέτι εἰσέλθῃς εἰς αὐτόν. καὶ κράξαν καὶ πολλὰ σπαράξαν αὐτὸν ἐξῆλθε, καὶ ἐγένετο ὡσεὶ νεκρός, ὥστε πολλοὺς λέγειν ὅτι ἀπέθανεν. ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς κρατήσας αὐτὸν τῆς χειρὸς ἤγειρεν αὐτόν, καὶ ἀνέστη. Καὶ εἰσελθόντα αὐτὸν εἰς οἶκον οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἐπηρώτων αὐτὸν κατ᾿ ἰδίαν, ὅτι ἡμεῖς οὐκ ἠδυνήθημεν ἐκβαλεῖν αὐτό. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· τοῦτο τὸ γένος ἐν οὐδενὶ δύναται ἐξελθεῖν εἰ μὴ ἐν προσευχῇ καὶ νηστείᾳ. Καὶ ἐκεῖθεν ἐξελθόντες παρεπορεύοντο διὰ τῆς Γαλιλαίας, καὶ οὐκ ἤθελεν ἵνα τις γνῷ· ἐδίδασκε γὰρ τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς ὅτι ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται εἰς χεῖρας ἀνθρώπων, καὶ ἀποκτενοῦσιν αὐτόν, καὶ ἀποκτανθεὶς τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἀναστήσεται.


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Archdiocese News

The GOA Center for Family Care’s Fully Human Ministry presents “Family Feature Video: The Christy Family”

03/30/2022

William Christy is an adjunct professor and tutor for college student athletes. He loves playing basketball, teaching Sunday school, and offering sermons. He is a young adult who just happens to have Cerebral Palsy.

Sunday Sermon Series - Sunday of St. John Climacus, April 3

03/30/2022

This week, find insights about the upcoming Gospel reading where Apostle Mark talks about a desperate father who brings his ill son to Christ's disciples to be healed. But why couldn't they heal the boy, yet Christ could?

SPEAKER SERIES: Orthodox Scholars Preach - St. John Climacus, April 3

03/30/2022

Dr. Patricia Fann Bouteneff: Founder of Axia Women | Independent Scholar | Non-Profit Leader

Update

03/30/2022

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros was admitted to Ronald Regan UCLA Medical Center on Wednesday evening. He underwent tests and was diagnosed with a minor infection, for which his medical team, led by Dr. Areti Tillou, prescribed antibiotics and rest. His Eminence was released from the hospital and is expected to resume regular activity in the coming days.

Upcoming Event: Archbishop Elpidophoros to Offer Keynote Address at the 2022 National Workshop on Christian Unity

03/29/2022

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America will offer the Keynote Address at this year’s National Workshop on Christian Unity. The theme is We saw the star in the East, and we came to worship Him. – Matthew 2:2. The conference hopes to examine the relationships between Christians of the East and the West and explore collaboration between ecumenical partners.

Upcoming Event: The Social Ethos of the Orthodox Church - An Impetus for Ecumenical Collaboration

03/28/2022

In a joint venture by Fordham University's Orthodox Christian Studies Center and Georgetown University's Office of the President and its Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs, Ecumenical Officer of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Rev. Dr. Nicolas Kazarian, and Archdeacon of the Ecumenical Throne, Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis will join other notable speakers on a panel exploring the significance of the statement, “For the Life of the World: Toward a Social Ethos of the Orthodox Church,” focusing on Catholic-Orthodox relations and ecumenical and interfaith collaboration more widely.
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Saints and Feasts

Climicus
April 03

Sunday of St. John Climacus

The memory of this Saint is celebrated on March 30, where his biography may be found. He is celebrated today because his book, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, is a sure guide to the ascetic life, written by a great man of prayer experienced in all forms of the monastic polity; it teaches the seeker after salvation how to lay a sound foundation for his struggles, how to detect and war against each of the passions, how to avoid the snares laid by the demons, and how to rise from the rudimental virtues to the heights of Godlike love and humility. It is held in such high esteem that it is universally read in its entirety in monasteries during the Great Fast.


Allsaint
April 03

Nicetas, Abbot of the Monastery of Medicium

Saint Nicetas lived in the eighth century and became the Abbot of the Monastery of Medicium, which was near the city of Triglia on the Sea of Marmara. For his Orthodox confession of the veneration of the holy icons, he was persecuted and exiled twice by the Iconoclast Emperor Leo the Armenian, but recalled by Michael the Stutterer, and reposed, adorned with the twofold crown of holiness and of confession of the Orthodox Faith, about the year 824.


Allsaint
April 03

Joseph the Hymnographer

Saint Joseph was from Sicily, the son of Plotinus and Agatha. Because Sicily had been subjugated by the Moslems, he departed thence and, passing from place to place, came with Saint Gregory of Decapolis (see NOV. 20) to Constantinople, where he endured bitter afflictions because of his pious zeal. Travelling to Rome, he was captured by Arab pirates and taken to Crete, whence he later returned to Constantinople. He became an excellent hymnographer and reposed in holiness shortly after 886 (according to some, it was in 883). The melismatic canons of the Menaion are primarily the work of this Joseph; they bear his name in the acrostic of the Ninth Ode. He also composed most of the sacred book known as the Paracletike, which complements the Octoechos For this reason, Joseph is called par excellence the Hymnographer.


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