Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

From on High did You descend, O merciful Lord, for us did You endure, three days in the tomb that we may be, released from passions in this world, You who are our resurrection and our life Glory unto You O Lord.

Ἐξ ὕψους κατῆλθες ὁ εὔσπλαγχνος, ταφὴν καταδέξω τριήμερον, ἵνα ἡμᾶς ἐλευθερώσῃς τῶν παθῶν. Ἡ ζωὴ καὶ ἡ Ἀνάστασις ἡμῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.

Apolytikion for Conception of the Forerunner in the Fourth Mode

Rejoice, O thou barren one who hadst not borne until now; for lo, in all truth thou hast conceived the lamp of the Sun, and he shall send forth his light over all the earth, which is afflicted with blindness. Dance, O Zacharias, and cry out with great boldness: The one to be born is the blest Prophet of God Most High.

Η πρώην ού τίκτουσα, στείρα ευφράνθητι, ιδού γάρ συνέλαβες, Ηλίου λύχνον σαφώς, φωτίζειν τόν μέλλοντα, πάσαν τήν οικουμένην, αβλεψίαν νοσούσαν, χόρευε Ζαχαρία, εκβοών παρρησία, Προφήτης τού Υψίστου εστίν, ο μέλλων τίκτεσθαι.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Mode

O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the creator most constant: O despise not the voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, O thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.

Προστασία τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀκαταίσχυντε, μεσιτεία πρὸς τὸν Ποιητὴν ἀμετάθετε. Μὴ παρίδῃς ἁμαρτωλῶν δεήσεων φωνάς, ἀλλὰ πρόφθασον, ὡς ἀγαθή, εἰς τὴν βοήθειαν ἡμῶν, τῶν πιστῶς κραυγαζόντων σοι· Τάχυνον εἰς πρεσβείαν, καὶ σπεῦσον εἰς ἱκεσίαν, ἡ προστατεύουσα ἀεί, Θεοτόκε, τῶν τιμώντων σε.

Saints and Feasts

September 23

The Conception of St. John the Baptist

This came to pass fifteen months before the birth of Christ, after the vision of the Angel that Zacharias, the father of the Forerunner, saw in the Temple while he executed the priest's office in the order of his course during the feast of the Tabernacles, as tradition bears witness. In this vision, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias and said to him, "Thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John" (Luke 1:13). Knowing that Elizabeth was barren, and that both he and she were elderly, Zacharias did not believe what the Angel told him, although he had before him the example of Abraham and Sarah, of Hannah, mother of the Prophet Samuel, and of other barren women in Israel who gave birth by the power of God. Hence, he was condemned by the Archangel to remain speechless until the fulfilment of these words in their season, which also came to pass (Luke 1:7-24).

September 24

Thecla the Protomartyr & Equal to the Apostles

This saint was from the city of Iconium. When she was eighteen years of age, she was instructed in the Faith of Christ and the hope of the resurrection by the Apostle Paul, whom also she followed, forsaking her betrothed and espousing a life of virginity for the sake of the Heavenly Bridegroom. Having preached Christ in various cities and suffered many things, she reposed in Seleucia of Cilicia at the age of 90.

September 25

Euphrosyne of Alexandria

Our righteous Mother Euphrosyne, who lived during the reign of Saint Theodosius the Younger (408-450), was the daughter of Paphnutius of Egypt. Forsaking her father and his wealth, she renamed herself Smaragdus, and pretending to be a eunuch of the imperial palace, she dressed herself as a man and entered a monastery of men where her identity remained unknown until her repose thirty-eight years later.

September 25

Our Righteous Father Sergius of Radonezh

Our righteous Father Sergius was born in Rostov, north of Moscow, about the year 1314. Named Bartholomew in Baptism, he was brought up in Radonezh, and at the death of his parents he withdrew to the wilderness to become a monk. It is notable that without having been trained in a monastery, he was of such a spiritual stature as to be able to take up the perilous eremitical life from the beginning, without falling into delusion or despondency. When he had endured with courage the deprivations of the solitary life, other monks began to come to him, for whom he was made abbot against his will. On the counsel of Philotheus, Patriarch of Constantinople, he organized his monks according to the cenobitic life, appointing duties to each. While Anthony and Theodosius of Kiev, and the other righteous Fathers before Sergius, had established their monasteries near to cities, Sergius was the leader and light of those who went far into the wilderness, and after his example the untrodden forests of northern Russia were settled with monks. When Grand Duke Demetrius Donskoy was about to go to battle against the invading Tartars, he first sought the blessing of Saint Sergius, through whose prayers he was triumphant. Saint Sergius was adorned with the highest virtues of Christ-like humility and burning love for God and neighbour, and received the gift of working wonders, of casting out demons, and of discretion for leading souls to salvation. When he served the Divine Liturgy, an Angel served with him visibly; he was also vouchsafed the visitation of the most holy Theotokos with the Apostles Peter and John. He was gathered to his Fathers on September 25, 1392. At the recovery of his holy relics on July 5, 1422, his body and garments were found fragrant and incorrupt. His life was written by the monks of Epiphanius, who knew him.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 63.11,1.
The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord.
Verse: Oh God, hear my cry.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 4:22-27.

Brethren, Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, the son of the free woman through promise. Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not in travail; for the children of the desolate one are many more than the children of her that is married."

Προκείμενον. Grave Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 63.11,1.
Εὐφρανθήσεται δίκαιος ἐν Κυρίῳ.
Στίχ. Εἰσάκουσον, ὁ Θεός, τῆς φωνῆς μου.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Γαλάτας 4:22-27.

Ἀδελφοί, Ἀβραὰμ δύο υἱοὺς ἔσχεν· ἕνα ἐκ τῆς παιδίσκης, καὶ ἕνα ἐκ τῆς ἐλευθέρας. Ἀλλʼ ὁ μὲν ἐκ τῆς παιδίσκης κατὰ σάρκα γεγέννηται, ὁ δὲ ἐκ τῆς ἐλευθέρας διὰ τῆς ἐπαγγελίας. Ἅτινά ἐστιν ἀλληγορούμενα· αὗται γάρ εἰσιν δύο διαθῆκαι· μία μὲν ἀπὸ ὄρους Σινᾶ, εἰς δουλείαν γεννῶσα, ἥτις ἐστὶν Ἅγαρ. Τὸ γὰρ Ἅγαρ Σινᾶ ὄρος ἐστὶν ἐν τῇ Ἀραβίᾳ, συστοιχεῖ δὲ τῇ νῦν Ἱερουσαλήμ, δουλεύει δὲ μετὰ τῶν τέκνων αὐτῆς. Ἡ δὲ ἄνω Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἐλευθέρα ἐστίν, ἥτις ἐστὶν μήτηρ πάντων ἡμῶν· γέγραπται γάρ, Εὐφράνθητι, στεῖρα, ἡ οὐ τίκτουσα· ῥῆξον καὶ βόησον, ἡ οὐκ ὠδίνουσα· ὅτι πολλὰ τὰ τέκνα τῆς ἐρήμου μᾶλλον ἢ τῆς ἐχούσης τὸν ἄνδρα.

Gospel Reading

1st Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 5:1-11

At that time, as Jesus was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." For he was astonished, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men." And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

1st Sunday of Luke
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 5:1-11

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἑστὼς ὁ Ἰησοῦς παρὰ τὴν λίμνην Γεννησαρέτ, καὶ εἶδε δύο πλοῖα ἑστῶτα παρὰ τὴν λίμνην· οἱ δὲ ἁλιεῖς ἀποβάντες ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν ἀπέπλυναν τὰ δίκτυα. ἐμβὰς δὲ εἰς ἓν τῶν πλοίων, ὃ ἦν τοῦ Σίμωνος, ἠρώτησεν αὐτὸν ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς ἐπαναγαγεῖν ὀλίγον· καὶ καθίσας ἐδίδασκεν ἐκ τοῦ πλοίου τοὺς ὄχλους. ὡς δὲ ἐπαύσατο λαλῶν, εἶπε πρὸς τὸν Σίμωνα· ἐπανάγαγε εἰς τὸ βάθος καὶ χαλάσατε τὰ δίκτυα ὑμῶν εἰς ἄγραν. καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ Σίμων εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ἐπιστάτα, δι᾿ ὅλης τῆς νυκτὸς κοπιάσαντες οὐδὲν ἐλάβομεν· ἐπὶ δὲ τῷ ῥήματί σου χαλάσω τὸ δίκτυον. καὶ τοῦτο ποιήσαντες συνέκλεισαν πλῆθος ἰχθύων πολύ· διερρήγνυτο δὲ τὸ δίκτυον αὐτῶν. καὶ κατένευσαν τοῖς μετόχοις τοῖς ἐν τῷ ἑτέρῳ πλοίῳ τοῦ ἐλθόντας συλλαβέσθαι αὐτοῖς· καὶ ἦλθον καὶ ἔπλησαν ἀμφότερα τὰ πλοῖα, ὥστε βυθίζεσθαι αὐτά. ἰδὼν δὲ Σίμων Πέτρος προσέπεσε τοῖς γόνασιν ᾿Ιησοῦ λέγων· ἔξελθε ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ, ὅτι ἀνὴρ ἁμαρτωλός εἰμι, Κύριε· θάμβος γὰρ περιέσχεν αὐτὸν καὶ πάντας τοὺς σὺν αὐτῷ ἐπὶ τῇ ἄγρᾳ τῶν ἰχθύων ᾗ συνέλαβον, ὁμοίως δὲ καὶ ᾿Ιάκωβον καὶ ᾿Ιωάννην, υἱοὺς Ζεβεδαίου, οἳ ἦσαν κοινωνοὶ τῷ Σίμωνι. καὶ εἶπε πρὸς τὸν Σίμωνα ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· μὴ φοβοῦ· ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν ἀνθρώπους ἔσῃ ζωγρῶν. καὶ καταγαγόντες τὰ πλοῖα ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν, ἀφέντες ἅπαντα ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ.

Parish News and Events

Please pray for our brothers and sisters: Gloria, Niko, Christina, Malina, John, Louise, Pete, Vincent, Rose, Veronica, John Peter, Norma, Angela, Athena, John, Lynne, Deborah, Georgia, Ivana, Mary, John, Nancy, Jane, Michael, Kostas.

Parish Council members on duty are Eric Hansen and Maria Connor

Eikona Weekend has begun!

The widely acclaimed Orthodox vocal trio is with us for a very rare visit to the east coast of the United States. This dynamic, professional 3 sister singing group come from the west coast and are singing there in Orthodox church circles all over the western part of the country. With 11 recorded CD’s their music is widely available and has helped spread awareness of their talented and spiritual interpretation of Byzantine chant. Eikona is routinely featured on Ancient Faith radio’s music channel.
Eikona’s visit to Annunciation Church is likely to be a once in a lifetime opportunity to share in their inspiring interpretation of the music of our faith in a live concert. This is an event that is priced so we cover the cost of bringing this concert to our church. It is not a fund raising event, but it would be great if all tickets are sold so we cover all the costs of this Eikona weekend.
You can get tickets reserved for you for Saturday by speaking to any member of the choir or Fr. Costin.

Schedule of events: Friday September 21^st Eikona (www.eikona.com) chants the Paraklesis service with our Choir. Saturday evening September 22^nd is our much anticipated Eikona Concert. Tickets are available for through www.brownpapertickets.com or see any Choir member. Sunday September 23^rd, we have invited our former Presbyteres for Divine Liturgy and to be recognized with our Our Sunday School artists. We will dedicate the Icon created especially for us at the Nativity of the Theotokos Convent www.nativityofthetheotokosmonastery.org and the children of our Parish.

GFF Volunteer Appreciation Boat Cruise - The cruise is still on for September 23rd. Please let me know asap if you will be attending so that I can get a headcount for food! Departure is from downtown Newburyport and the cruise will run from 4-6pm. My email address is dvhansen@verizon.net and my cell is 978-914-1268. Thanks!

Disaster relief collection this weekend Now that the hurricane is over down south and the flood waters are receding; now that the gas leaks and the many fires the leaks caused are behind us, it is time to roll up our collective sleeves and help. We will have collection containers both in our church and in the hall Friday,
Saturday and Sunday this weekend to collect donations for two major relief efforts. The money will be divided in half and sent to the two relief organizations listed below. The need is great, please be generous.
Hurricane Florence Relief – IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities) put emergency crews into North and South Carolina before the storm even landed so they could assess needs quickly and respond. IOCC is
helping with providing food and water, helping with locating emergency shelter and will be helping families rebuild their homes and lives in the many months ahead.
Gas Leaks in Andover, Lawrence and North Andover – This time the disaster is so near to us. We will be giving half our collection to Essex County Community Foundation . This little known group has been working in the
Merrimack Valley for 20 years to help local charities and also by providing direct support to individuals and families with critical needs. A large number of families have been burned out of homes and apartments, so finding housing is an immediate need along with helping people replace everything they’ve lost. 100% of the donations will go to helping others.
Please make out your donation check to Saint Basil’ Ministries – write disaster relief in the memo. All collected funds will be sent to these two charities as soon as possible.
Thank you for your kindness and remember the victims of these tragic events in your prayers.

Stewardship Committee is having a meeting on Thursday, September 27 at 7pm.

NEEDED: Backpacks for Foster Kids- Now that our children have all gone back to school, filled their backpacks with school supplies and had the backpacks blessed in our church, it is time to think about the kids out there who are in the foster care system and may not have a backpack or school supplies – we can all help. Children enter the foster care system at all times of the year, so there is always a need for school backpacks.

We are appealing to every family in the parish to participate in this backpack project. One completed backpack per family. Involve the children in making the decisions about the contents for the backpack. We will ask you to add an item or two each month from now to the end of January. Don’t rush out and do this all at once. This way your family works together for an extended period of time building the habit of helping others in need. Remember to offer a family prayer for the child who will receive the backpack.

Saint Basil’s Ministries has set up a backpack station in the Narthex right next to the on-going food pantry collection station. Here is how families can help to sponsor a backpack for one child:

This will be an ongoing family ministry project from now until the end of January. Each month we will publish a short “backpack TO DO list.

SEPTEMBER BACKPACK CHALLENGE

Decide the age and gender of the child you would like to help

Get a backpack for this child. Can be new or used in good condition
Buy school supplies that you feel are appropriate for this child (get your children involved with choosing the school supplies for the backpack.

Can’t take on a complete backpack? You can donate single items at the Backpack Station in the Narthex. Everything collected will help a child in need. Donations can be made to Saint Basil’s Ministries to support this project. Please write Foster Care in the memo line.

We thank everyone for helping children in need through our Backpack Ministry Project.

Parish Events of the Week

Friday - September 21st

3:00 pm to 6:00 pm – food prep workshop for Sunday September 23^rd
7:00 pm – Paraklesis Service with Eikona group

Saturday- September 22nd
9:00 am to noon – food prep workshop for Sep 23^rd 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm – Choir dress rehearsal with Eikona
7:00 pm – Eikona Concert

Sunday - September 23rd

9:00 am - Orthros with Eikona group
10:00 am - Divine Liturgy with Eikona group

Following Diving Liturgy

Icon Dedication
Presbytera Appreciation
Sunday School Artists Receptionon Dedication
4:00 pm - GFF Boat Cruise

Monday - September 24th

11:00 am - St. Basil's Kitchen
6:00 pm - Chant class
7:00 pm - Choir practice

Thursday - September 27th

7:00 pm - Stewardship Meeting

Office hours: Mon 11am-6pm, Tue and Fri 9am-2pm, Thu 9am-5pm by appointment or drop in and visit Friday mornings from 10am until noon.

Bulletin Inserts

Eikona Concert

Schedule of events for the weekend of September 21-23 featuring the trio, Eikona.

Fellowship Hour Hosts

Many thanks to the Greek Ladies Aid Society for the warm Apple pie a la mode on Sunday September 16^th. Delicious! Thank you, ladies.

Volunteer Parishioners have prepared and baked for all in recognition of our former Presvyteres some of whom were able to join us today and in celebration of our Sunday School artists and teachers who are donating a lovely Icon to our Church Sunday September 23^rd.

Available dates begin November 28^th for you and your friends or family or both to sponsor a Fellowship Hour. To contribute by join the Friends of Fellowship, kindly contact the Fellowship Coordinator by calling 978.465.1021, emailing andreajones1@comcast.net or texting 978.621.6123.

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins