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Annunciation Church
Publish Date: 2017-04-16
Bulletin Contents
Anastasi
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Annunciation Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (978) 465-5757
  • Fax:
  • (978) 465-1793
  • Street Address:

  • 7 Harris St.

  • Newburyport, MA 01950


Contact Information




Services Schedule

Sundays and Feast Days Divine Liturgy 9:30 am


Past Bulletins


Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal First Mode

Christ is risen from the dead, by death hath He trampled down death, and on those in the graves hath He bestowed life.

Hypakoe of Great and Holy Pascha in the Fourth Mode

When they who were with Mary came, anticipating the dawn, and found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre, they heard from the Angel: Why seek ye among the dead, as though He were mortal man, Him Who abideth in everlasting light? Behold the grave-clothes. Go quickly and proclaim to the world that the Lord is risen, and hath put death to death. For He is the Son of God, Who saveth the race of men.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Though You went down into the tomb, You destroyed Hades' power, and You rose the victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, "Hail!" and granting peace to Your disciples, You who raise up the fallen.
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Saints and Feasts

Anastasi
April 16

Great and Holy Pascha

Mary Magdalene, and the other women who were present at the burial of our Saviour on Friday evening, returned from Golgotha to the city and prepared fragrant spices and myrrh, so that they might anoint the body of Jesus. On the morrow, because of the law which forbids work on the day of the Sabbath, they rested for the whole day. But at early dawn on the Sunday that followed, almost thirty-six hours since the death of the Life-giving Redeemer, they came to the sepulchre with the spices to anoint His body. While they were considering the difficulty of rolling away the stone from the door of the sepulchre, there was a fearful earthquake; and an Angel, whose countenance shone like lightning and whose garment was white as snow, rolled away the stone and sat upon it. The guards that were there became as dead from fear and took to flight. The women, however, went into the sepulchre, but did not find the Lord's body. Instead, they saw two other Angels in the form of youths clothed in white, who told them that the Saviour was risen, and they sent forth the women, who ran to proclaim to the disciples these gladsome tidings. Then Peter and John arrived, having learned from Mary Magdalene what had come to pass, and when they entered the tomb, they found only the winding sheets. Therefore, they returned again to the city with joy, as heralds now of the supernatural Resurrection of Christ, Who in truth was seen alive by the disciples on this day on five occasions.

Our Lord, then, was crucified, died, and was buried on Friday, before the setting of the sun, which was the first of His "three days" in the grave; observing the mystical Sabbath, that "seventh day" in which it is said that the Lord "rested from all His works" (Gen. 2:2-3), He passed all of Saturday in the grave; and He arose "while it was yet dark, very early in the morning" on Sunday, the third day, which, according to the Hebrew reckoning, began after sunset on Saturday.

As we celebrate today this joyous Resurrection, we greet and embrace one another in Christ, thereby demonstrating our Saviour's victory over death and corruption, and the destruction of our ancient enmity with God, and His reconciliation toward us, and our inheritance of life everlasting. The feast itself is called Pascha, which is derived from the Hebrew word which means "passover"; because Christ, Who suffered and arose, has made us to pass over from the curse of Adam and slavery to the devil and death unto our primal freedom and blessedness. In addition, this day of this particular week, which is the first of all the rest, is dedicated to the honour of the Lord; in honour and remembrance of the Resurrection, the Apostles transferred to this day the rest from labour that was formerly assigned to the Sabbath of the ancient Law.

All foods allowed during Renewal Week.


Allsaint
April 16

Leonidas and Charissa, Nike, Galene, Kallida, Nounenchia, Vasilissa, and Theodora the Martyrs


Allsaint
April 16

Agape, Chionia, and Irene, the Holy Martyrs

When the Emperor Diocletian was at Aquileia, he learned that these Saints were Christians, and had them brought before him. Because they would not deny Christ, he had them imprisoned, and when he went into Macedonia, he committed them to Dulcitius the Prefect, who, however, lost his understanding and became incapable of doing them any harm. Diocletian then gave Count Sisinius charge over them. He had Saints Agape and Chionia burned; he ordered that Saint Irene be put in a brothel, but by the providence of God this was not accomplished, and she was shot with an arrow. These holy sisters suffered martyrdom in Thessalonica in the year 295.


Allsaint
April 17

Donnan, Abbot of Eigg, and the Monk-Martyrs with him


Makarius
April 17

Makarios, Bishop of Corinth


Allsaint
April 17

Agapetos of Rome


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Fourth Mode. Psalm 117.24,29.
This is the day which the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Verse: Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his mercy endures for ever.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 1:1-8.

IN THE FIRST BOOK, O Theophilos, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. To them he presented himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me, for John baptized with water, but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom of lsrael?" He said to them, "it is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth."


Gospel Reading

Great and Holy Pascha
The Reading is from John 1:1-17

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light.

The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not. He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. (John bore witness to him, and cried, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me.'") And from his fullness have we all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.


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Parish News and Events

Prayer List:

Please pray for our brothers and sisters:  Anna Maria, Gloria, Niko, Stephen, Christina, Denise, Kostas, Malina, John, Simona, Susan, Louise, Pete, Leon, Vincent. 

Parishioner of the Year Award:  The Parish council has chosen two most deserving sisters to share the honor this year. Congratulations go to Irene Katsoulis and Daphne Tikellis!  They will be honored at the 31st Annual Metropolis of Boston Ministry Awards Banquet at Lombardo’s, Randolph, MA, 5:30 pm reception, 6:30 pm dinner.  Please contact us to reserve tickets!

Greek Ladies Aid Society:  A huge thank you to all of our parishioners and guests who supported our annual Palm Sunday dinner. A delicious dinner was enjoyed by all! Heartfelt gratitude is offered to all the ladies and gentlemen who helped prepare, serve and clean up. Teamwork is the key to our success! Wishing you all Καλή Ανάσταση. 

Readers Needed:  We need readers for our Easter Agape service! If you are able to read a passage of scripture in a language other than English, we need you! Please see Fr. Costin after the service today or call the office this week.

 Paper Icon Drive:  Donate your used paper icons today! Our fellow Orthodox Christians in Kenya have a great need for more icons, so please consider helping out by bringing in any flat icons on paper or card stock by June 1st. There will be a designated basket in the narthex. These will be sent to Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Seattle, WA, which will in turn send all that they collect to the Church in Kenya.

 Annunciation Men's Club: We are pleased to announce the resurrection of our Men’s Club. The first meeting  took place on Thursday, April 6, here at the church. Subsequently, we will meet monthly, either at church or in a dinner setting.

We would like all the men of our parish to take a few minutes and contemplate how this can influence their lives and their participation. There are many aspects we would like you to consider: spiritual, community service, philanthropic outreach, Church tasks, fundraising and just plain fun and a time out enjoying our camaraderie. It made sense for us to initiate this thought process now as we are all hopefully in a time of reflection and change, as we approach Pascha.  Please feel free to talk to Ed Connor, Arthur and John Housianitis, and John Tsakirgis (617-686-2939), the newly elected officers. Please help reach out to those men, who have just joined our Parish and would welcome the idea and thought of participating. We do not want anyone left out. We welcome ideas and free thought as we move forward with this adventure.

Bible Study:  postponed until after Easter 

100th Anniversary Committee:

The meeting dates for the next 5 upcoming meetings are as follows:

    Sunday, April 30, 2017 - 11:45 AM

   Tuesday, May 9, 2017 - 6:30 PM

   Sunday, May 28, 2017 - 11:45 AM

   Tuesday, June 06, 2017 - 6:30 PM

We will be meeting going forward on the second Tuesday and the last Sunday of the month.

Annunciation Online:  Please "Like" our Facebook page so that you may be kept up on services, events and activities:  https://www.facebook.com/AnnunciationGreekOrthodoxChurch/ 

Please return church keys:  As many of you are aware, there have been several break-ins and thefts from Newburyport churches. We’re looking to upgrade our exterior keys.  If you have a key, make sure to let a Council member know over the next few weeks!  Also, please never leave doors unlocked with the key even when you are in the complex.  Instead, block them open with the little wrenches provided, and don’t forget to unblock when you leave!!!!  

Thermostat settings:  The Parish Council has determined an acceptable temperature range for the thermostats in the building complex. 60-75 in winter, 65-80 in summer. Please respect these settings!

Council Members on duty today: Eric Hansen and John Housianitis

Prosphoro Schedule: 

              April 16 - Andrea Jones (Sunday School)

              April 23 - Lisa Housianitis

              April 30 - Tina Klidaras                                                                           

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Parish Events of the Week

This week at Annunciation:

 

Saturday, April 15:       9:30 am: Vesperal Liturgy (Vigil of Pascha)

                                      11:30 pm:  Canon of the Resurrection

Sunday, April 16:        12:00 am:  Anastasis & Liturgy of Pascha, followed by Soup and Lamb Fellowship

                                      11:00 am:  Agape Service with readings in many languages, followed by Easter egg hunt

Monday, April 17:       11:00 am:  St. Basil's Lunch, all are welcome!

The Church office will be closed this week while Fr. Costin is on vacation.

                                   

 

 

                                          

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Fellowship Hour Hosts

Fellowship Hour:  

We enjoy visiting with our Church Family over a cup of coffee and treats following Sunday Liturgy.  Please sign up to host a Fellowship/Coffee Hour and keep the coffee brewing every Sunday.  

We are in need of hosts!  The Fellowship Hour Coordinator has prepared a calendar scheduling out though the end of the summer of 2017.  Please email AndreaJones1@Comcast.net, phone at home 978 465-1021or text cell 978 621-6123 to schedule your coffee hour.   

Sunday, April 16th, Holy Pascha - Easter Egg Hunt

                    

                     

 

 

 

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Bulletin Inserts

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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

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Archbishop Demetrios of America Expresses Condolences to Coptic Churches in Egypt and America

04/11/2017

NEW YORK – His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios Geron of America, upon receiving the tragic news of the horrific massacre on Palm Sunday, in the Coptic churches of Saint George in Tanta and Saint Mark’s Cathedral in Alexandria, Egypt, expressed in a letter profound and heartfelt condolences to the Coptic Church Hierarchs and their communities in America and through them to Patriarch Tawadros II and the Coptic faithful in Egypt.

The Archbishop in his letter further states: “We strongly believe that even in the dire circumstances of this tragedy, the love of God will prevail over the forces of darkness and hatred.  We believe based on the experience of the Holy Week of Passion, that even after the Crucifixion, God defeated death and evil and triumphed through the Resurrection.

We stand firm and in solidarity with the victims and the families of this horrendous terrorist attack.  We fervently pray for the repose of the souls of those who perished, for the consolation of their families and for the protection of all the members of the Coptic Christian Church in Egypt.”

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Holy Week Liturgical Schedule of Bishops Andonios of Phasiane and Sevastianos of Zela (April 8 – 23, 2017)

04/06/2017

April 6, 2017

His Grace Bishop ANDONIOS of PHASIANE

Saturday of Lazarus, April 8
9:00 a.m. –  Divine Liturgy, St. Michael’s Home, Yonkers, NY
Palm Sunday, April 9
8:45 a.m. Orthros, 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy,
Greek Orthodox Church of St. Paraskevi, Greenlawn, NY
Holy Monday – April 10
3:00 p.m. Service of Nymphios (afternoon) – St. Michael’s Home, Yonkers, NY
7:00 p.m. Service of Nymphios (eve.) – Greek Orthodox Church of St. Spyridon, NYC
Holy Tuesday, April 11
3:00 p.m. Service of Nymphios (afternoon) – St. Michael’s Home, Yonkers, NY
7:00 p.m. Service of Nymphios – Greek Orthodox Church of Zoodohos Peghe, Bronx, NY
Holy Wednesday, April 12
3:00 p.m. Holy Unction, St. Michael’s Home, Yonkers, NY
Holy Thursday, April 13
9:00 a.m. Vespers with Divine Liturgy and 1:00 p.m. Holy Passion,
St. Michael’s Home, Yonkers, NY
6:30 p.m. Holy Passion, (eve) – Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Cross, Whitestone, NY
Holy Friday, April 14
12:30 p.m. Apokathelosis Vespers, 3:00 p.m. Epitaphios Lamentations Service
St. Michael’s Home, Yonkers, NY
6:30 p.m. Epitaphios Service, Greek Orthodox Church of St. Demetrios, Jamaica, NY
Holy Saturday, April 15
9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy First Resurrection Service– St. Michael’s Home, Yonkers, NY
10:45 p.m. RESURRECTION and Paschal Divine Liturgy
Greek Orthodox Church of Our Saviour, Rye, NY
Sunday of PASCHA, April 16
11:00 a.m. Paschal Service, St. Michael’s Home, Yonkers, NY
Sunday of Thomas, April 23 (Feast of St. George)
8:30 a.m. Orthros, 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy
Greek Orthodox Church of St. George, Norwalk, Conn.
 

His Grace Bishop SEVASTIANOS of ZELA

Palm Sunday, April 9

8:45 a.m. Orthros, 9:45 a.m. Divine Liturgy
Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity, Bridgeport, Conn., Tel.: (203) 374-5561
Holy Monday, April 10
7:00 p.m. Service of Nymphios,
Greek Orthodox Church of Prophet Elias, Yonkers, NY
Holy Tuesday, April 11
7:30 p.m. Service of Nymphios,
Greek Orthodox Church of St. George, Norwalk, Conn., Tel.: (203) 849-0611
Holy Wednesday, April 12
6:00 p.m. Service of the Holy Unction
Greek Orthodox Church of St. Markella, Wantagh, NY
Holy Thursday, April 13
8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy, Chapel of Saint Paul, Archdiocese Headquarters, NYC
7:00 p.m. Holy Passion Service
Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Cross, Brooklyn, NY
Holy Friday, April 14
6:30 p.m. Epitaphios,  Lamentations
Greek Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas, Babylon, NY
Holy Saturday, April 15
11:00 p.m. RESURRECTION and Paschal Divine Liturgy
Greek Orthodox Church of St. Eleftherios, NYC
 

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