Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Holy Cross in the First Mode

Save Your people, O Lord, and bless Your inheritance, grant to our leaders victory against the enemy, and Your commonwealth, protecting through the power of Your Cross.

Σώσον Κύριε τόν λαόν σου καί ευλόγησον τήν κληρονομίαν σου, νίκας τοίς Βασιλεύσι κατά βαρβάρων δωρούμενος καί τό σόν φυλάττων διά τού Σταυρού σου πολίτευμα.

Soson, Kyrie, ton laon Su, ke evlogison tin klironomian Su, nikas tis vasilevsi kata varvaron dorumenos, ke to Sohn fylatton, dia tu Stavru Su politevama.

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Second Mode

The angelic powers appeared at Your tomb, and those guarding it became as dead. Mary stood at Your grave seeking Your pure body. You stripped the power of Hades, yet remained untouched by its corruption. You met the Virgin and bestowed life. O Lord, Who rose from the dead, glory to You.

Ἀγγελικαὶ Δυνάμεις ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμά σου, καὶ οἱ φυλάσσοντες ἀπενεκρώθησαν, καὶ ἵστατο Μαρία ἐν τῷ τάφῳ, ζητοῦσα τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα. Ἐσκύλευσας τὸν ᾍδην, μὴ πειρασθεὶς ὑπ' αὐτοῦ, ὑπήντησας τῇ Παρθένῳ, δωρούμενος τὴν ζωήν, ὁ ἀναστὰς ἐκ των νεκρῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.

Angelike Dynamis epi to mnima Su, ke ee fylassontes apenekrothisan; ke istato Maria en toh tafoh, zitusa toh ahkranton Su soma. Eskilevsas ton Adin, mi pirasthis eep’aftu; eepinisas ti Partheno, dorumenos tin zoin. O anastas ek ton nekron, Kyrie doxa Si.

Apolytikion for Martyr Eustathius and His Companions in the Fourth Mode

Your martyrs, O Lord, received the crown of immortality from You, O our God, on account of their struggle. Armed with Your strength, they have vanquished their persecutors and crushed the powerless arrogance of demons. Through their supplications, O Christ God, save our souls.

Οι Μάρτυρές σου, Κύριε, εν τή αθλήσει αυτών, στεφάνους εκομίσαντο τής αφθαρσίας, εκ σού τού Θεού ημών, σχόντες γάρ τήν ισχύν σου, τούς τυράννους καθείλον, έθραυσαν καί δαιμόνων, τά ανίσχυρα θράση. Αυτών ταίς ικεσίαις, Χριστέ ο Θεός, σώσον τάς ψυχάς ημών.

Ee martyres su Kyrie, en ti athlisi afton, stefanos ekomisanto tis aftharsias., ek su tu Theu eemon; skhontes gar tin iskhin su, tus tyranus kathilon; ethravsan ke dehmonon, ta aniskira thrasi. Afton tes eekesiehs, Christe o Theos, soson tas psychas eemon.

Apolytikion of the Annunciation in the Fourth Mode

Today is the crown of our salvation, and the revelation of the mystery planned from eternity; the Son of God, becomes the Virgin’s Son, and Gabriel announces the grace. Wherefore, we along with him, to the Theotokos let us cry out: Rejoice, O full of grace, the Lord is with you.

Σήμερον τῆς σωτηρίας ἡμῶν τὸ Κεφάλαιον, καὶ τοῦ ἀπ' αἰῶνος Μυστηρίου ἡ φανέρωσις, ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, Υἱὸς τῆς Παρθένου γίνεται, καὶ Γαβριὴλ τὴν χάριν εὐαγγελίζεται. Διὸ καὶ ἡμεῖς σὺν αὐτῷ τὴ Θεοτόκω βοήσωμεν· Χαῖρε Κεχαριτωμένη, ὁ Κύριος μετὰ σοῦ.

Simeron tis sotirias eemon to Kefalaion, ke tu ap’eonos Mystiriu ee fanerosis; o Ios tu Theu, Ios tis Parthenu ghinete, ke Gavri-il tin harin evangelizete. Dio ke eemis syn afto ti Theotoke voisomen; Haire Keharitomeni, o Kyrios meta su.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

Lifted up on the Cross by Your free will, Christ God, grant mercies to the new commonwealth that bears Your name. Gladden our faithful rulers by Your power, giving them victories over their adversaries. May Your alliance be for them a weapon for peace, an invincible standard.

Ο υψωθείς εν τώ Σταυρώ εκουσίως, τή επωνύμω σου καινή πολιτεία, τούς οικτιρμούς σου δώρησαι, Χριστέ ο Θεός, Εύφρανον εν τή δυνάμει σου, τούς πιστούς Βασιλείς ημών, νίκας χορηγών αυτοίς, κατά τών πολεμίων, τήν συμμαχίαν έχοιεν τήν σήν, όπλον ειρήνης, αήττητον τρόπαιον.

O eepsothis en toh Stavro ekusios, ti eponimo Su keni politia, tus eektirmus Su doriseh, Christe o Theos. Efranon en ti dynami Su, tus pistus vasilis eemon, nikas horigon aftis, kata ton polemion; tin symmahian ehi-en tin Sin, oplon eerinis, a-eetiton tropaon.

Saints and Feasts

September 20

Eustathius the Great Martyr, his wife and two children

The holy Martyr Eustathius before his baptism was an illustrious Roman general named Placidas in the days of the Emperor Trajan. While hunting in the country one day, he was converted to the Faith of Christ through the apparition of an uncommonly majestic stag, between whose antlers he saw the Cross of Christ, and through which the Lord spoke to him with a human voice. Upon returning home, he learned that his wife Tatiana had also had a vision in which she was instructed to become a Christian. They sought out the Bishop of the Christians and were baptized, Placidas receiving the name Eustathius, and Tatiana the name Theopiste; their two sons were baptized Agapius and Theopistus. The family was then subjected to such trials as Job endured. Their servants died, all their goods were stolen, and on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem they were scattered abroad, each not even knowing if the others were still alive. By the providence of God, they were united again after many years, and returned to Rome in glory. Nevertheless, when they refused to sacrifice to the idols-a public sacrifice from which no Roman general could be absent-the Emperor Hadrian, who had succeeded Trajan, had them put into a large bronze device in the shape of a bull, which was heated with fire until they died. When their holy bodies were removed, they were found to be without harm. They suffered martyrdom about the year 126.

September 21

Jonah the Prophet

The Prophet Jonah, the son of Amathi, of the town of Geth-hopher (IV Kings 14:25), was of the tribe of Zabulon; he prophesied during the years 838-810 before Christ. God commanded him to go to Nineveh, the great city of the Assyrians, and to proclaim that its destruction was nigh at hand because of the sins of its people. But he, as a Prophet who knew the great compassion of God, feared that at his preaching the Ninevites would repent; that God, accepting their repentance in His love for man, would not fulfill Jonah' threats; and that he would be branded a false prophet. So he disobeyed the divine command, and boarded a ship and departed elsewhere. Yet, the sudden and fearful sea-storm and the revelation of Jonah' disbedience caused the sailors to cast him into the sea. A great sea-monster appeared straightway by divine providence, and swallowed him up. For three days and nights he was found in its belly and he prayed, saying the words, "I cried aloud in my affliction unto the Lord my God..." (Jonah 2:3, the Sixth ode of the Holy Psalter). The sea-monster then vomited him up on dry land and he again heard God's command. Wherefore, he went and preached, saying, "In three days, Nineveh shall be destroyed." The people became terrified and all repented. The great, the small, babes at the breast, and even the irrational beasts themselves fasted, and thus, having found mercy from God, they were spared His wrath. Jonah' book of prophecy is divided into four chapters, and is placed fifth in order among the twelve minor Prophets. His three-day sojourn in the sea-monster's belly is an image of our Saviour's three-day burial and His life-bringing Resurrection (Matt. 12:39-40). His name means "dove."

September 22

Phocas the Martyr, Bishop of Sinope

This saint was known for the many miracles he worked and for his apostolic zeal in shepherding the flock of Sinope. He contested for the Faith during the reign of the Emperor Trajan, in the year 102, when he was burned to death in a bath-house. A homily in his honour was composed by Saint John Chrysostom. The translation of his holy relics is celebrated on July 23.

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 26

The Falling Asleep of St. John the Evangelist and Theologian

This Apostle was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and was the son of Zebedee and Salome, and the brother of James the elder. First a fisherman by trade, he became an Apostle and the beloved Disciple of Christ. Only he of all the Disciples followed Him even to the Cross, and was entrusted with the care of our Saviour's Mother, as it were another son to her, and a brother of Christ the Teacher. After this, he preached throughout Asia Minor, especially in Ephesus. When the second persecution against the Christians began in the year 96 during the reign of Domitian, he was taken in bonds to Rome, and there was cast into a vat filled to the brim with boiling oil. Coming forth therefrom unharmed, he was exiled to the island of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. Returning again to Ephesus after the death of the tyrant, he wrote his Gospel (after the other Evangelists had already written theirs) and his three Catholic Epistles. In all, he lived ninety-five years and fell asleep in the Lord during the reign of Trajan in the year 100. He was called Theologian because he loftily expounded in his Gospel the theology of the inexpressible and eternal birth of the Son and Word of God the Father. It is for this cause that an eagle-a symbol of the Holy Spirit, as Saint Irenaeus says-is depicted in his icon, for this was one of the four symbolic living creatures that the Prophet Ezekiel saw (Ezek. 1:10).

September 27

Callistratus the Martyr & his 49 Companions

These Martyrs contested for the Faith during the reign of Diocletian, in the year 288. Saint Callistratus was arrested as a Christian, and after being tormented, was enclosed in a sack and cast into the sea. The sack burst, and the Saint came to dry land safe and sound. Forty-nine soldiers, seeing this, also confessed Christ, and with him were cast into prison, then beheaded.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Fourth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:1-12

On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of man must be delivered in to the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the apostles; but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.

But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened.

Fourth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 24:1-12

Καὶ τὸ μὲν σάββατον ἡσύχασαν κατὰ τὴν ἐντολήν, Τῇ δὲ μιᾷ τῶν σαββάτων ὄρθρου βαθέος ἦλθον ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμα φέρουσαι ἃ ἡτοίμασαν ἀρώματα, καί τινες σὺν αὐταῖς. εὗρον δὲ τὸν λίθον ἀποκεκυλισμένον ἀπὸ τοῦ μνημείου, καὶ εἰσελθοῦσαι οὐχ εὗρον τὸ σῶμα τοῦ Κυρίου ᾿Ιησοῦ. καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ διαπορεῖσθαι αὐτὰς περὶ τούτου καὶ ἰδοὺ ἄνδρες δύο ἐπέστησαν αὐταῖς ἐν ἐσθήσεσιν ἀστραπτούσαις. ἐμφόβων δὲ γενομένων αὐτῶν καὶ κλινουσῶν τὸ πρόσωπον εἰς τὴν γῆν εἶπον πρὸς αὐτάς· τί ζητεῖτε τὸν ζῶντα μετὰ τῶν νεκρῶν; οὐκ ἔστιν ὧδε, ἀλλ᾿ ἠγέρθη· μνήσθητε ὡς ἐλάλησεν ὑμῖν ἔτι ὢν ἐν τῇ Γαλιλαίᾳ, λέγων ὅτι δεῖ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδοθῆναι εἰς χεῖρας ἀνθρώπων ἁμαρτωλῶν καὶ σταυρωθῆναι, καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἀναστῆναι. καὶ ἐμνήσθησαν τῶν ῥημάτων αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὑποστρέψασαι ἀπὸ τοῦ μνημείου ἀπήγγειλαν ταῦτα πάντα τοῖς ἕνδεκα καὶ πᾶσι τοῖς λοιποῖς. ἦσαν δὲ ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ Μαρία καὶ ᾿Ιωάννα καὶ Μαρία ᾿Ιακώβου καὶ οἱ λοιπαὶ σὺν αὐταῖς, αἳ ἔλεγον πρὸς τοὺς ἀποστόλους ταῦτα. καὶ ἐφάνησαν ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν ὡσεὶ λῆρος τὰ ῥήματα αὐτῶν, καὶ ἠπίστουν αὐταῖς. ὁ δὲ Πέτρος ἀναστὰς ἔδραμεν ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ παρακύψας βλέπει τὰ ὀθόνια κείμενα μόνα, καὶ ἀπῆλθε πρὸς ἑαυτόν, θαυμάζων τὸ γεγονός.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 2:16-20.

Brethren, knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Προκείμενον. Plagal Second Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 27.9,1.
Σῶσον, Κύριε τὸν λαὸν σου καὶ εὐλόγησον τὴν κληρονομίαν σου.
Στίχ. Πρὸς σἐ, Κύριε, κεκράξομαι ὁ Θεός μου.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Γαλάτας 2:16-20.

Ἀδελφοί, εἰδότες ὅτι οὐ δικαιοῦται ἄνθρωπος ἐξ ἔργων νόμου, ἐὰν μὴ διὰ πίστεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, καὶ ἡμεῖς εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν ἐπιστεύσαμεν, ἵνα δικαιωθῶμεν ἐκ πίστεως Χριστοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων νόμου· διότι οὐ δικαιωθήσεται ἐξ ἔργων νόμου πᾶσα σάρξ. Εἰ δέ, ζητοῦντες δικαιωθῆναι ἐν Χριστῷ, εὑρέθημεν καὶ αὐτοὶ ἁμαρτωλοί, ἆρα Χριστὸς ἁμαρτίας διάκονος; Μὴ γένοιτο. Εἰ γὰρ ἃ κατέλυσα, ταῦτα πάλιν οἰκοδομῶ, παραβάτην ἐμαυτὸν συνίστημι. Ἐγὼ γὰρ διὰ νόμου νόμῳ ἀπέθανον, ἵνα θεῷ ζήσω. Χριστῷ συνεσταύρωμαι· ζῶ δέ, οὐκέτι ἐγώ, ζῇ δὲ ἐν ἐμοὶ Χριστός· ὃ δὲ νῦν ζῶ ἐν σαρκί, ἐν πίστει ζῶ τῇ τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ, τοῦ ἀγαπήσαντός με καὶ παραδόντος ἑαυτὸν ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ.

Gospel Reading

Sunday after Holy Cross
The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1

The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."

Sunday after Holy Cross
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 8:34-38, 9:1

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· Εἴ τις θέλει ὀπίσω μου ἐλθεῖν, ἀπαρνησάσθω ἑαυτὸν καὶ ἀράτω τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀκολουθείτω μοι. ὃς γὰρ ἂν θέλῃ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ σῶσαι, ἀπολέσει αὐτήν· ὃς δ᾿ ἂν ἀπολέσῃ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχὴν ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ καὶ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, οὗτος σώσει αὐτήν. τί γὰρ ὠφελήσει ἄνθρωπον ἐὰν κερδήσῃ τὸν κόσμον ὅλον, καὶ ζημιωθῇ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ; ἢ τί δώσει ἄνθρωπος ἀντάλλαγμα τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ; ὃς γὰρ ἐὰν ἐπαισχυνθῇ με καὶ τοὺς ἐμοὺς λόγους ἐν τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ μοιχαλίδι καὶ ἁμαρτωλῷ, καὶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐπαισχυνθήσεται αὐτὸν ὅταν ἔλθῃ ἐν τῇ δόξῃ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ μετὰ τῶν ἀγγέλων τῶν ἁγίων. Καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι εἰσί τινες τῶν ὧδε ἑστηκότων, οἵτινες οὐ μὴ γεύσωνται θανάτου ἕως ἂν ἴδωσι τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐληλυθυῖαν ἐν δυνάμει.

Wisdom of the Fathers

And see how He also makes His discourse unexceptionable: not saying at all, "whether you will, or no, you must suffer this," but how? "If any man will come after me."

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century

"I force not, I compel not, but each one I make lord of his own choice; wherefore also I say, 'If any man will.' For to good things do I call you, not to things evil, or burdensome; not to punishment and vengeance, that I should have to compel.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century

PARISH NEWS

PARISH LEADERSHIP

Rev. Fr. Jon Magoulias, Protopresbyter
PARISH PRIEST

Rev. Fr. Michael Sergakis
ASSISTANT PRIEST

Manoli Rodarakis
PARISH COUNCIL PRESIDENT

LITURGICAL CALENDAR

WEEKLY DIVINE SERVICES

Sunday,                September 20th
Sunday After the Holy Cross
Epistle         Gal.    2:16-20
Gospel         Mark 8:34-38; 9:1
Sunday Divine Service                8:30 a.m.

Wednesday,          September 23rd
Small Supplication Canon            7:00 p.m.

Saturday,             September 26th
Great Vespers                            5:00 p.m.

Sunday,               September 27th
1st Sunday of Luke
Epistle        2 Cor. 6:1-10
Gospel        Luke   5:1-11
Sunday Divine Services               9:00 a.m.

MEMORIAL SERVICES
Memorial prayers will be offered this Sunday for the repose of the souls of the servants of God:

Alexandra "Lexi" Jacobs    1 Year
Dennis Legatos          10 Years

On behalf of the entire Parish we extend our prayers to their family and friends. May our Heavenly Father grant them eternal rest where there is no pain or sorrow, but everlasting life.

Eternal be their memory!

WELCOME
The recent order of the State of California is once again restricting the attendance of people in church. We will continue to live-stream services on both our website and Facebook site. We strongly advise you to be responsible in making decisions in regards to your health.

During Divine Services, we will continue to follow the procedures that include social distancing, encouragement to wear a mask, and other practices that promote good hygiene. We ask that you be patient and follow the directions given by the Parish Council.

The Guidelines for Attending Church during a Pandemic have been sent to you in our Monthly Bulletin (the hardcopy and the digital), along with through emails. Please read it carefully and follow the instructions.

Holy Communion will be offered following the Dismissal Prayer of the Divine Liturgy. This is being done to limit the amount of movement in the church.

It is always a blessing to welcome visitors to our Parish. We continue to pray that our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ bless you through the intercessions of the All-Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary.

Please remember, ALL Divine Services may be viewed on our Internet Broadcast shown on our Parish Website (www.goannunciation.org/LiveServices), from the Archdiocese "Goarch" app, or from our Facebook site (Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation Modesto).

Fellowship Hour continues to be suspended until further notice. We will continue praying the Divine Services and advise our parishioners to follow the directives given by the County and State Health Departments and to use their discretion regarding attendance.

May you have a blessed week!

PARISH COUNCIL
Sunday, September 20^th – Team 3: John Mangelos, Stamatis Tsatsaronis, & Nick Stavrianoudakis

Sunday, September 27^th – Team 4: Mitcheal Word, Tony Gavrilis, & Mike J. Kordazakis

ALTAR BOYS
Acolyte Coordinator: Manoli Rodarakis

Senior Altar Boys: Andreas Alexander ~ John Hillas ~ Pantelis Zanotto ~ Frankie Zanotto

Captains - Demitri Stamos & Walter Lemons

John Capous, Reid Fortin, Athan French, Ryan Hatton, Carson Maroudas, Aristedes Mason, & Peter Zanotto

Altar boys, ages 9-14 are to attend Sunday Church each Sunday following Holy Communion. Altar Boys, ages 15-18, are to attend Sunday Church School every other Sunday following Holy Communion.

STEWARDSHIP 2020
The present Covid-19 Pandemic has turned our world upside down! It has caused us to examine how we do things and how we will adjust to life once the Coronavirus has passed.

From this experience, it has become obvious that the Parish Church MUST be supported through the Stewardship of the Parish Stewards. Reliance on outside sources to financially support our Parish cannot be the means by which our Parish will continue to function in the future.

Having entered the year of our Lord 2020, we celebrate the 90th year of our Parish in Modesto. As we remember and pray for the eternal repose of all the Stewards that established and supported our Parish through the years, we also give thanks to ALL the Stewards of our Parish Today that actively participate in our Stewardship Ministry. It is through active Christian Orthodox Stewardship that we live our precious Christian Orthodox Faith.

Our Holy Church is established upon Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition. We are taught to give cheerfully and without reluctance to the mission of God’s Holy Church. Your support is necessary to continue the growth and development of our Parish Ministries.    We pray that we seriously consider what it means to become a more active participant in our Stewardship Ministry. We ask that you consider:
      1.) increasing the Time you spend in Church;
      2.) giving of the Talent you offer through various ministries of our Parish and;
      3.) considering increasing the financial offering from your Treasure that will enable us to fully fund the operating costs of our Parish through YOUR Stewardship commitment!

Christian Stewardship is the very essence of living our precious Faith that teaches each us to return to the Lord a portion of our earnings so that the Church may continue to grow. Offering one’s support to the Church in weekly, monthly or quarterly contributions is a much easier way to manage the finances of one’s household. Each year we are blessed that a number of our Stewards increase their commitment to the Church. We continue to see many stewards increase their offering above the previous year’s contribution by as much as 25%! We would hope that each Steward would increase their offering by at least 10%.

Every person baptized and/or chrismated into the Orthodox Christian Faith is a parishioner but a Steward is one who is a baptized and/or chrismated person who understands his responsibility to God and His Church.  This understanding directs him to live his life according to the teachings of our Faith and at the same time, offers Time, Talents and Treasure to the sacred work of the Church.  It is important to understand that our Stewardship obligations determine a family (husband, wife, & children) or an individual as stewards of our Parish. Young adults (18 years and older) that have completed their schooling and/or find themselves in the workplace are expected to become stewards of the Parish. These individuals are not included in one’s “Family Stewardship” obligation.

Recently, our parishioners received their 2nd quarter Stewardship Report for 2020. Please review it carefully and if you have any questions, please contact the Parish Office.

It is imperative that we make our Stewardship offering in support of the sacred mission of our Church in Modesto…  In 2020, our Parish will require an average Stewardship Offering of $1600.00 per family to fund the ministries of our Church. Do you realize that the first $250.00 from your Stewardship offering in 2020 is contributed to the Archdiocese of America for National Ministries? Your Stewardship offering supports the mission of our Church in Modesto and beyond! Please remember that our website enables you to securely make Stewardship contributions (and other donations) online.
We have a goal of 325 Stewardship families/individuals for our Parish this year. It IS an attainable goal…As of August 25^th we have 275 Stewardship families/individuals supporting our sacred ministry, as compared to 271 in 2019. Please support our efforts! In supporting these efforts we ask that you reach out to family and fellow parishioners to become more active in the ministries of our Parish. This year's Stewardship Theme is taken from the Old Testament: “To all things there is a time, and a purpose for every matter under heaven…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

The instruction given from Holy Scripture teaches us to recognize the "Time" we experience in our lives and that there is a "purpose...under heaven" for how we pass the time of our lives. If you have any questions regarding your offering please contact Fr. Jon.

PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS
Having begun the New Ecclesiastical Year, many of our Parish ministries will convene through internet technology. Please be sure to give your email to the Denna Tsatsaronis, President of the Philoptochos so that members are apprised of meetings and activities being planned. As we provide a virtual concept to our Philoptochos Ministry, we ask that you please support this sacred work of our Church.

Donations are accepted by Philoptochos for its philanthropic ministry. It is important that ALL ladies in our Parish join the Philoptochos so that we can strengthen our sacred mission. The “Stewardship Drive” to become a Philoptochos member is currently underway. This is a beautiful ministry that assists so many people and organizations in our Church and in our county. For further information please contact one of the officers of Philoptochos.

The Philoptochos Board of Trustees is comprised of: Denna Tsatsaronis, President; Dena Brown, Vice-President; Diane Hillas Treasurer; Markella Tsatsaronis, Secretary; Maria Berris, Mary Gavrilis, Janelle Hatton, Helen Katotakis, Diana Demetrulias - Mayer, Kiki Shaw, Gloria Tronis-Bolakis, Ella Velthoen, and Eleni Venierakis.

CHURCH ETIQUETTE
When attending services, please be prompt! In order to partake of the Holy Eucharist please remember proper preparation is required to receive Holy Communion. Proper preparation in receiving Holy Communion requires that the person be in the Divine Liturgy on time, that means BEFORE 9:30 a.m.!

When receiving the Holy Eucharist come forward reverently, give your baptismal name, hold the red cloth under your chin and after receiving, wipe your lips.

Please remember that the "Cry Room" is intended only when an infant child may seem to be disrupting a divine service. It is wonderful to see so many families with young children and for this reason, we ask that only one parent and child be in the "Cry Room" at any given time. Parents should not be giving their children games to play while in the "Cry Room". Once the child has settled down they should return to the pews for the service.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE
In an effort to continue improving our Parish Ministry, we continue to upgrade and improve our Parish Website: www.goannunciation.org

The broadcasting of our Divine Services may now be seen from both our Parish Website and Parish Facebook page. The newly installed high definition cameras have added to the viewing clarity of our services. We do suggest that when viewing Divine Services from our Parish Website, that it may be better to use Chrome as the browser.

The use of today's technology to improve our ability to serve you, the faithful stewards of the Annunciation Church, is of paramount importance. Whether it is through our website or the broadcasting of Divine Services, it is the responsibility of good stewardship that we strengthen our ability to communicate Christ's message of love, peace and salvation to all.

A feature on the website now enables donations and Stewardship offerings to be made online. After researching a number of programs to provide a means by which online contributions may be made we have chosen to use "Paypal" which is a well tested and secure method.

Please accept this improvement to our Parish Ministry as an offering from your Parish Council. We are grateful to the stewards and friends of our Parish that support our ministry and we pledge to continue to provide the highest quality of service to you, the people of God.

PLEASE TAKE NOTE WHEN COMMUNICATING WITHIN THE PARISH
Texting and social media platforms have become prevalent as the means by which we communicate with one another. Although these methods of communication may be more convenient and seemingly instantaneous, they remain informal and impersonal. Moreover, our words can be misconstrued on account of improperly placed (or lacking) punctuation, misspelled words, and/or incomplete thoughts; simply done with the click of a button.

We, therefore, ask you to please refrain from texting or reaching out to Fr. Jon, Michael, or the Office Staff through social media platforms. Rather, you are asked to contact them through the Church Office to schedule appointments or sacraments, confirm service times, meetings, request visitations and/or to ask for pastoral or theological questions. In the event of an emergency, please contact Fr. Jon via the numbers provided in our Parish Directory.

In addition, we would like to remind you that calls to the Church Office should ONLY pertain to activities of the Parish. Any personal calls to Office Staff, unless it is a family emergency, should be made AFTER or BEFORE their work hours.

Some internet sites of our Parish include:

Parish Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/goannunciation/

Philoptochos - https://www.facebook.com/Philoptochos4011/

Tots N Toddlers (TNT) - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1752911011651397/

GOYA - https://www.facebook.com/groups/906681666103047/

YAL - https://www.facebook.com/groups/690691877659137/?ref=group_browse_new

Dance Groups - Shutterfly - https://greekdanceclub.shutterfly.com/

iPhone App for Shutterfly Share Sites can be found at - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/shutterfly-share-sites/id567273381?mt=8

CHURCH MUSIC MINISTRY
The ministry of our choir members is to represent YOU and to serve as volunteers by using the gift of music to sing praises to our Lord is a true act of Christian Orthodox Stewardship.

Parishioners, who may be interested in of our Church, and especially our young people, are invited to join the choir. St. Augustine wrote: "What better thing can the people do than sing. I know of no better thing than this!" Please contact Markella Tsatsaronis or the Church Office, to find out more about our Church Choir.

CHURCH BEHAVIOR
Divine Services on Sunday morning during the summer begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. (Weekdays at 8:30 a.m.). There is no set time as to when the Divine Liturgy actually begins since the hymns of the Matins vary from week to week. According to actual Church Service procedures, each and every member of the congregation is required to be seated in the pews by the beginning of the Divine Liturgy.

It is only through leniency that anyone is allowed to enter the Church once the Service has begun. Thus it behooves us not to take undue advantage of this leniency. Also, unnecessary noise is extremely distracting during worship, especially when it comes from the adults talking; in addition, our nursery is equipped with all the conveniences for young children and a parent to participate in the Liturgy. Please remember to prepare yourself properly to attend the Divine Liturgy; dress accordingly; do not chew gum; turn off your cell phone; and please do not create a disturbance. Please remember that the Parish Council members are re quired to see to the order during Church Services and everyone should follow their directions at all times.

"The Lord has given us many counsels and commandments to help us toward salvation. He has even given us a pattern of prayer, instructing us on how we are to pray. He has given us life, and with His accustomed generosity, He has also taught us how to pray. He has made it easy for us to be heard, as we pray to the Father in words taught us by the Son.Let us pray as God our Master has taught us. To ask the Father in words His Son has given us, to let Him hear the words of Christ ringing in our ears, is to make our prayer one of friendship, a family prayer." St. Cyprian, martyred Bishop of Carthage (+258)

PARISH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Our regular Sunday Church School program has begun. We are grateful to the staff and teachers that are organizing their classes on Zoom. We are also thankful for the parents who support this important ministry by having their children participate. The support of the parents is necessary for us to have a successful ministry.

It is important to register our young people from ages 3 - high school as we begin our regular session of our Sunday Church School Ministry. As we continue to hold our Sunday Church School on Zoom, we ask that you register your children for the new Ecclesiastical Year. Recently, an email was sent out to all on our Parish Email List asking that parents register their children through Google. If you have a problem registering, please email Kari Fortin at: 410kari@gmail.com

We are grateful to our Sunday Church Directors Helen Katotakis and Kari Fortin, along with our teaching staff, for planning activities and lessons. Please see the Sunday Church School Facebook page (Sunday School of Annunciation Modesto) for details and times classes will be held...

Parents are encouraged to use this time to teach their children our precious Christian Orthodox Faith so that our young people may “Grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

PARISH YOUTH MINISTRY
Our Parish Youth Ministry is designed to teach our Faith through fellowship and service. The success of this ministry rests with the parents and we urge them to support this ministry with enthusiasm and love. Our Youth Ministry is comprised of young people in:

H.O.P.E. – Grade 3-5; J.O.Y. – Grades 6-8; G.O.Y.A. - High School; Y.A.L. – College - 35.

Fr. Michael is having Zoom meetings with our youth groups. We encourage our young people to participate in those gatherings. It is wonderful to have this technology to interact. We look forward to getting together and to see one another face to face!

It is important for our young people to participate in this ministry so that they may develop the skills necessary to live our Christian Orthodox teachings in today’s world.

PARISH BOOKSTORE
It has been said: “The more you read…the more you know!”  Our Bookstore Manager, Ella Velthoen, is willing to assist you through a great selection of books, icons, music and other items for every Orthodox Christian. Included in our selection are Children’s Orthodox books and games. New titles in our bookstore include: Parent Points, Illness and the Believer, Do not Judge, Love your Enemies, Be Ready, and Repentance and Confession. In addition, our bookstore has many excellent gifts for every occasion. Please visit our Bookstore during Fellowship Hour!

During the pandemic of the Coronavirus, people are reading a lot more. If you are interested in visiting the bookstore to obtain books on our Faith, please schedule a time to visit with the Church Office.

GREEK FOOD FESTIVAL 2020
The 2020 Greek Food Festival Committee has begun preparations for something that will be a first in the 90 year history of our Parish. Due to the restrictions and concerns with Covid-19, we are not allowed to serve large gatherings of people on our Church Campus. For this reason, the 2020 Greek Food Festival will be a Festi-Go!

Fortunately, we have a very strong GFF Take-Out department and we will be able to provide our famous and delicous Festival meal. Last year, we served almost 3000 meals at our Take-Out. We believe we can surpass that number with your help.

Even though the 2020 GFF will be a "Take-Out" only Festival, we will need you to help with pre-sell tickets. In addition, we will need you to volunteer so that we can prepare the meals quickly so that our customers will not have to wait long.

The response to our Pre-sell tickets has been amazing! Please accept our appreciation for contacting friends to support our Greek Food Festi-GO.

Your support towards our 2020 GFF may also be expressed by contibuting to our "GFF Kickoff". We are grateful to the Stewards and friends of our Parish that have already contributed. To date, we have received $16,473.61 to offset the cost of our Festi-GO. We continue to accept contributions which will benefit the net proceeds of our 2020 GFF.

The members of the 2020 Greek Food Festival Committee will have a Zoom meeting on Wednesday, October 14th, at 7:00 p.m. The 2020 GFF Committee members are reminded to check their email for the link to the meeting.

PLEASE TAKE NOTE
It is the practice of our Faith that upon entering the House of God, an offering and prayer is made as we light candles to symbolize that Christ is the Light of the world. Please remember that if a check is being written for this purpose or for a donation, in accordance with the non-profit status of our Parish, any check made out to the Annunciation Church must be for the exact amount. Thank you!

OBLATION OFFERING
The Divine Liturgy begins with the offering of the faithful people of God. The gifts we bring forth are an expression of our faith in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Holy Communion makes us one with the Holy Trinity and is given for "remission of sins and life everlasting". The people are invited to bring forth their offering, i.e. "Prosforon", for the Divine Liturgy to be celebrated. We use 4 prosfora on a regular Sunday and they may be given through our Philoptochos for a donation. The Eucharist Bread may be offered in memory of a loved one or for someone's health and well-being. Anyone wishing to donate the Eucharist Bread ("Prosphoron") on a particular Sunday may contact Anna Petrulakis, 522-0298. In addition to contributing the Eucharist Bread it is customary to bring a bottle of olive oil for the vigil lights and a bottle of wine for Holy Communion. The ONLY wine being used for Holy Communion is Coumantaria and will now be available for purchase from the Church Office.

ATTENTION PARISHIONERS
We would also like to obtain the e-mail addresses of ALL the families in our Parish. We have begun to communicate much more frequently via the internet. Parents and students are asked to send their email addresses so that we may have them for our Parish records. We also ask that you please submit the names, addresses and e-mails for college students attending school away from home.

It is also important to inform the Church Office when you have an address change. In this way we are able to keep our files current and avoid unnecessary charges from the Post Office.

In addition, we ask that you please notify the Church Office when you plan a trip and put your mail on "Hold." Each time there is an address change or a temporary hold one's mailing address, the Parish is charged by the Post Office.

PARISH COMPLEX SECURITY
For the safety of our Parish complex we have installed security cameras on the exterior and interior of our church complex. Please be aware that the cameras will be recording daily 24/7 – 365 days a year. Don’t forget to smile!

PARISH PROJECTS
The ongoing responsibility to maintain the beauty and safety of our church complex is of utmost importance. We have accomplished many projects and express our appreciation to the Stewards and Friends of our Parish that have been so generous to our ministry.

In the last three years we have completed:

1. The replacement of the doors throughout our facility which was approximately $25,000.00.
2. The installation of new lighting around the complex perimeter that was completed at a cost of $3500.00.
3. The new lighting in front of the church (replacing the old MID poles) has finished. The cost of this project was $23,000.00.
4. Sealing and repairing the parking lot - cost $17,000.00
5. The addition of new curbing on back parking lot planters - cost $4,000.00.
6. New lighting in the Classroom Building - cost $10,000.00...DONATED.
7. New Heating/Air Conditioning for the back of the Church Hall - cost $12,000.00;
8. Upgrading of the main electrical panel of our Church complex - cost $3,000.00.
9. Painting of the outdoor pavilion. (Donated.)
10. Landscaping in the upgraded planters behind our complex.
11. Trimming of the cypress trees. (Donated)
12. Upgrade to the Internet Broadcast equipment.
13. Painting of the Vestry and Sacristy. (Donated).
14. Sound System for the Pavilion. (Donated).
15. 2 Flagpoles (Donated).
16. New handicap ramp on side of the church (Donated).
17. Remodeling of the Classroom Building (Donated).
18. New and repair of gutters on the entire church complex (Donated and completed).
19. Security cameras inside and outside our facilities (Donated).
20. A new sound system for the church (Donated and completed).
21. A railed platform area and ramp behing the kitchen. (Donated and completed)
22. Roofing repairs over the kitchen, Lodge Room and entry way to the Hall. (Completed at a cost of $12,580.00)
23. Resealing and restriping of the front Church parking lot and area behind the kitchen. (Completed at a cost of $10,500.00)
24. The purchase of 3 AED units (Donated)
25. The paneling of the kitchen walls (Donated and being completed).
26. Installation of a ceiling fan and lights in the Choir Room. (Donated and completed)
27. Installation of automatic hand towel and soap dispensers throughout our facility. (Completed)
28. Replacing of the church carpet (Donated and installed).
29. Refurbishing the cushions in the church pews (Donated and completed).
30. Chairs and Tables for the Hall (Donated).
31. Fans for the outdoor pavilion (Donated and Installed).
32. New silverware for the GFF (Donated and received).
33. New LED lights in the pavilion (Donated and installed).
34. New LED lights to be installed in the existing parking lot light poles (Donated and Installed).
35. Seal coating and striping of the church parking lot (Donated and Completed.).
36. New metal doors for the Utility Room of the Classroom Building (Donated and installed).
37. New Heating and Air Conditioning systems for the Classroom Building installed ($26,000).

We, again, are grateful to the parishioners that have already made contributions towards these projects.

Recently, we have received donations for new items that will be used during Divine Services. They are:

1. New Acolyte Robes (Donated and received);
2. A new Resurrection Candleholder (Donated and received);
3. 2 new sets of covers for the Holy Altar Table and Chalice Set (Donated and received);
4. A set of new Bishop Candlesticks (Donated and received);
5. A new Gospel in Greek and English (Donated and received);
6. A new set of covers for the Holy Altar Table and Chalice Set (Donated)
7. One Rantistirion (Sprinkler) for Holy Week (Donated)
8. Two silver vigil lights that are placed on each side of the Cross (Donated);
9. An icon of the Virgin Mary Directress (Donated)
10. A new set of covers for the Holy Altar Table and Chalice Set (Donated and received)
11. Updating of our electronic Carillon (bell) system (Donated and installed)
12. The installation of 7 new chandeliers for the Church (Donated and completed).
13. The installation of a new High Definition Broadcast System (cameras, control panel, monitors, and computer) for the church (Donated and completed).
14. Two brass candlestands for the 7 Day Vigil Lights (Donated and completed).
15. New altar and chalice covers (Donated).
16. New altar curtain (Donated and being made).
17. New microphones for the church (Donated and installed).
18. New sterling silver candle holders for the Holy Altar Table (Donated and being used).
19. New cabinets and closet doors for the Vestry (Donated and installed).
20. A new computer to manage the broadcast of our Divine Services (Donated and installed).

UPCOMING PROJECTS

The Parish Council continues to review each area of our Parish Complex so that we can meet the ongoing needs that include upgrading certain areas. Once the study is completed, a presentation will be given at the Parish Assembly.

If you would like to contribute toward ecclesiastical items needed, please contact Fr. Jon or a member of the Parish Council.

PARISH HERITAGE
We encourage you to visit our Parish Website: www.goannunciation.org. It is frequently updated and contains the Monthly and Weekly Bulletins, along with photographs and other information about our Parish.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
We are very blessed to have a wonderful church complex. This has only been accomplished by the generosity of the stewards of our Parish that understand the importance of gathering for Christian Orthodox Fellowship. We are grateful to everyone that has contributed over the years and we commit ourselves to be responsible to maintain our facilities to the best of our abilities.

For this to happen, we need YOUR support too! This is why we must remind parishioners that church property is not to be removed from our complex. Please do not remove plates, pans or other utensils from our facilities for any reason unless approved by the Parish Priest and Parish Council. If you have any items from the Cultural Center please return them this week. In addition, we would like to remind parishioners that we rely on volunteers to serve the meals at our luncheons. During meals that are served in our Church Hall please do not enter the kitchen unless you are volunteerin g to help! We thank you for your understanding and support!

PLEASE REMEMBER
The demands on each individual and family are great. In an effort to understand this we would like to remind our parishioners that before anyone plans on selling items in our church complex or during Parish activities, they must have the approval of the Parish Priest. We also understand that organizations within our Community, as well as, organizations we may support, have a need to raise funds for their activities. We do not want times of fellowship to become a time when parishioners may be bombarded to purchase items.

We would also like to remind everyone that the placement of flyers on our cars is prohibited! Flyers that you wish to have distributed may be brought by the Church Office for approval and then included in either our Monthly and/or Weekly bulletins.

PARISH BULLETINS

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins