The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is deeply committed to protecting its children and youth. Those who work with our young people are accountable to God and the community to ensure their safety, well-being, and spiritual formation. As a Church, we must provide a safe and secure environment where young people can grow and mature in the Faith.

At Annunciation Church, we believe that children and youth should be safe at every youth ministry program or event. To this end, we require all of our Staff and Volunteers who come in contact with our children to register and follow the instructions here: Annunciation/Evangelismos Church Youth Worker Registration

• This Week's Children's Word from OCN

• PTO Blue Envelopes Fundraiser for Greek School
• Now until March 24: Pascha Tsoureki Sale
• Sunday, April 2: Greek Independence Day Parade in Philadelphia
• Now untill April 7: Luminaries Sale
• Friday, April 7: Palms & Pizza Youth Event
• Holy Friday, April 14: Youth Retreat
• Holy Friday, April 14: Myrrhbearers (Myrofores) Needed
• Pascha Snday, April 16: Easter Egg Hunt
• Saturday, April 29: "A Night in Greece" Designer Bag Event

2023 GOYA Sights & Sounds Update

GOYA is collecting diapers and wipes for their service project

“Children are a gift from the Lord. They are a reward from Him.” ^{Psalm 127:3}

While Christ is the ultimate healer, Orthodox Christians call upon Agios Stylianos to protect their children. With the Lord’s assistance, the touch of Agios Stylianos healed children of their illnesses. He put smiles on their faces while grinning his own. You could be putting smiles on the faces of families in need by donating infant diapers to GOYA. Infant diapers are a necessity for all babies. However, this product is costly for many. Since diapers are not covered by food stamps or WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) vouchers, many families cannot afford their newborn’s needs; to stay hygienic, babies need between six to twelve diapers a day. Children are a gift from the Lord, and we, as a parish, should ensure they are clean and healthy as God intended them to be.

GOYA will collect infant diapers (all brands, bundles, and sizes) until April 23; there is a box across from the trophy case. The donations will then go to The Greater Philadelphia Diaper Bank, which gives diapers to low-income families in the Philadelphia region. We thank you for your contributions, and the babies thank you for keeping them clean, dry, and healthy.

In Honor of:

a. the Feast Day of Annunciation/ Evangelismos of Theotokos,
b. the 202^th Anniversary of the Greek Revolution of 1821,  and
c. the 122^th Anniversary of the Founding of Our Community in 1901,

Great Vespers and the IV Stanza of the Akathist * will be prayed on Friday, March 24, at 6:00 pm.

Our Philoptochos will offer a reception following vespers.

The Feast Day Orthros & Divine Liturgy * will be celebrated on Saturday, 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 fellowship hour 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.

2022 Annual Report (10) (fliphtml5.com)

We will be processing our Holy Week mailing on Wednesday, March 29, after the liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, from 11 am to 1 pm. Lunch will be provided. Any help would be appreciated!

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

Rise Against Hunger Meal Packaging Event

Please join the Ladies Philoptochos 'Nausica' on April 1, 2023, from 1-3 PM to participate in a Rise Against Hunger Meal Packaging Event sponsored by our sister chapter - The Ladies Philoptohcos of St. Luke, Broomall, PA.
There will be two meal packaging shifts: 1:00 - 2:00 PM and 2:00 - 3:00 PM. You may participate in either shift or both shifts.
To register as a volunteer, please use this sign-up link:
https://rah.my.salesforce-sites.com/events/homepage?id=7013Z000002hb7u
Light refreshments will be available for volunteers before and after their shifts.
We look forward to working with our sister chapter again to package meals and box them up for delivery to the world's most vulnerable people.

Metropolis of New Jersey Philoptochos Scholarship

The Metropolis of New Jersey Philoptochos is once again offering an opportunity to qualifying High School seniors enrolled in an accredited University, College or Trade School to apply for a Metropolis of New Jersey Philoptochos merit-based scholarship.
Funding for these scholarships was made possible with donations made in memory of beloved past Metropolis Philoptochos President, Mrs. Anastasia Michals. Anne Michals was an educator by profession, a dedicated steward of Philoptochos, and a faithful Orthodox Christian.
The Ladies Philoptochos 'Nausica' encourages all our Annunciation high school seniors to learn more about this scholarship opportunity.
Link to learn more and to download the application from the Metropolis of New Jersey Philoptochos website:
https://www.njphiloptochos.org/resources/scholarship-information
Applications are due by June 15, 2023

ἐλεημοσύνη

(eleēmosúnē): alms, charitable giving

The Homeless Ministry was very grateful to have hands-on help from volunteers from our High School Catechism class last Sunday.

Together we filled AGAPE Bags with items donated by our church family, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, lotion, ChapStick, vitamins, first aid kits, tissues, Wet Ones, rain ponchos, underwear, and socks.

The bags will be distributed to our Thursday night friends at Aviator Park on March 30th!  Please sign up here if you would like to help serve.

May God continue to guide and bless you!

The Homeless Ministry

Spring has finally sprung! We are beginning to see the signs around us as new buds form on the trees and hyacinths emerge after a long winter. It is a beautiful site to be surrounded by God’s gifts and little miracles. This season of renewal is not just outward; it embraces our inward spirit.

There are so many wonderful meditations that our faith focuses on throughout Lent. Proverbs 11:24 touches on giving. Our gifts are from God, and as St. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 9:7, God loves a cheerful giver. What a wonderful reminder to give with your heart.

We thank everyone who has donated to our Lenten Meat Drive.  It’s still going, and we welcome monetary donations in any amount. You can give directly through Vanco, place it in our M25 slot in the office, or send a check to Lisa Trivelis.

We can’t emphasize the growing needs enough at all the pantries this season. We continue to be humbled by the difficulties people face with food insecurities. Inflation continues to plague all of us.

We were so happy to serve the children at the Mattie Dixon After School Homework Club with healthy snacks on February 28th! It warms our hearts to see the smiles on these very grateful children.

“If you cannot feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” -Mother Theresa

YOUR NAME: _____________________________________________

Quantity: ____________ x $ 35 (or more)= _____________________

Please send the form (and check if not giving through Vanco) to:

Lisa Trivelis. 31 Trailwood Drive. Holland, PA  18966

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 (Compline, Akathist, Vespers, Matins, Divine Liturgy, etc.).

EvangelismosWifi
Password: aoc12345

Anyone who attended the Gala Dinner or placed an ad should stop by the office after church on Sundays to pick up their copy.

One book per family please. Please enter your name on the list by the books so we know not to mail you one. 

Dr. Yiorgo Topalidis - Ph.D., graduated from the Department of Sociology and Criminology & Law at the University of Florida in 2022.

Yiorgo will visit eastern Pennsylvania between May 10 and 19 to interview descendants of immigrants from Asia Minor, Eastern Thrace, Imbros, Tenedos, and the Islands in the Sea of Marmara.

Yiorgo will collect information regarding immigration and settlement of immigrants from the late Ottoman Empire to eastern Pennsylvania between 1900 and 1940. He is personally invested in this research because he is the descendant of refugees from the region of northern Asia Minor (Pontus).

If you or anyone you know is from the aforementioned regions and is interested in being interviewed, please contact Yiorgo directly at 727-207-0623 or ytopalidis@ufl.edu.

• Προγράμματα e-learning του Εθνικού Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών
• Distance Education Programme (E-Learning) of the Center of Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning of the Univercity of Athens

The Hellenic University Club of Philadelphia is now accepting applications for the 2023-2024 scholarships we are offering for graduating high school seniors, undergraduate and graduate students. Students will find eligibility requirements and descriptions for all the scholarships being offered this year on our website http://www.hucphiladelphia.org/2023-2024-scholarships and may apply electronically. The deadline to apply is Monday April 3, 2023.

Any questions regarding eligibility can be sent to hucscholarships@gmail.com