Saints and Feasts

February 10

Sunday of the Canaanite

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Mode

When the women Disciples of the Lord had learned from the Angel the joyful message of the Resurrection and had rejected the ancestral decision, they cried aloud to the Apostles triumphantly: Death has been despoiled, Christ God has risen, granting His great mercy to the world.

Apolytikion for Hieromartyr Haralambos in the Fourth Mode

An unshaken pillar of the Church of Christ God art thou, an ever-resplendent lamp, O Haralampus most wise, which shineth through the earth; in martyric contest thou hast shined on the whole world, and thou hast dispelled the moonless night of the idols. Now boldly intercede thou with Christ that we may all be saved.

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.

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 Second Letter to Timothy 2:1-10.

Timothy, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hardworking farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will grant you understanding in everything.

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David, as preached in my gospel, the gospel for which I am suffering and wearing fetters like a criminal. But the word of God is not fettered. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its eternal glory.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Canaanite
The Reading is from Matthew 15:21-28

At that time, Jesus went to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon." But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." And he answered, "It is not fair to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table." Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly.

Wisdom of the Fathers

She had a great perfection of faith. She had no uncertainty about His divine majesty. She had no small measure of the virtue of patience. Yet the pitying Physician of the pitiful disdained her petitions. He kept her waiting for answer in order to demonstrate to us the perseverence of this woman that we can always imitate. She had the characteristics of constancy and humility. She willingly embraced the indignity she received, and even confirmed the Lord`s statement. This woman rightly signifies the faith and devotion of the Church gathered from the nations

Saint Bede

Hom. I. 22, In Lent, Homilies on the Gospels, Bk. One, 216, 217.

He kept her waiting for an answer in order to declare that the minds of His disciples should also be merciful. As human beings they were ashamed of the clamor of the woman as she pursued them publicly, but He Himself knew the character of His mercy.

St. Bede

Hom. I. 22, In Lent, Homilies on the Gospels, Bk. One, 216

Ministry News

TODAY Fellowship Hour is sponsored by the youngest members of our Community, the Sunday School Pre-K/K and Grades 1&2. By practicing acts of kindness and love they are learning to become stewards of the Church.

prayerful plea to all members of my loving family to help my niece, Mary Schiller, defray some of the cost of her lung transplant by contributing to a fund set up in her name at:www.gofundme.com/help-mary-gianos-schiller-breathe-a-sigh-of-relief. Contributions can also be given to me in the form of checks payable to Mark Schiller. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Irene Gianos

Church Calendar:

Please contact Fr. Anastasios before March 1 if you would like your home or business blessed.

Look Ahead

February 24: Godparents Sunday

Monday, March 11: Clean Monday (Kathara Deuftera)

Saturdays of Souls: March 2, 9, 16

Trivia Night: On Friday, March 1, we are excited to be hosting our first ever “Trivia Night” which will be one of our core fundraising events for the year. This unique event presents the opportunity to invite friends and family to share in an evening of fun and friendly competition. The evening is based on tables/teams of 8 competing in answering various Trivia questions for a chance to win 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes. We will also be incorporating a Wine Pull/Raffle and 50/50 Raffle to add to the evenings’ festivities. Participants are encouraged to bring their own appetizers/snacks while desserts, coffee, soda and water will be offered at no charge. A cash bar will be available which will include wine and beer. Doors open at 6:30pm. Registration is easy…sign up at http://stannagoc.org/news/trivia-nightto participate in an evening of great fun and laughter to benefit St Anna Greek Orthodox Church Ministries and Operating Fund.

Education: Thank you to all the Pre-K/K and Grades 1&2 for sponsoring today’s Fellowship Hour. We thank them for practicing acts of kindness and love and learning to become stewards of the Church.

St John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival: It’s time to start thinking about the 2019 SJCOF. The Festival is a great way for our teens to explore a deeper knowledge of their Orthodox faith, think critically about current issues, and then speak to a gentle and loving audience. Junior Division is for Grades 7-9 and Senior Division is for Grades 10-12. There are awards and scholarships for national finalists. Our Church Festival date will be announced shortly (sometime before April 13). A list of this year’s topics can be found at the www.goarch.orgweb page at the following link:

https://www.goarch.org/-/2019-st-john-chrysostom-oratorical-festival-topics?inheritRedirect=true

Archdiocese Scholarship and Fellowship programs: Applications are now available by visiting www.goarch.org.For more information, email scholarships@goarch.orgor call 212-774-0283. The deadline for submitting all applications is May 3, 2019.

Philoptochos News:

Easter flowers: There will be a preliminary flower meeting to discuss preparations to decorate the church and kouvouklion for Easter. The meeting will be THURSDAY FEBRUARY 21 at 6:30 pm in the church conference room. Please let Zoi Kaldes (zozoka2@aol.com) or Aimee Douvris (aimeedouvris@gmail.com) know if you can attend or are interested in helping out. Light refreshments will be served.

Registration: Time to renew your 2019 Philoptochos Membership. Please see a Philoptochos Board member for information and check your email for renewal forms.

“Called to be Free” (Galatians 5:13): The Freedom of Orthodoxy”Lenten Retreatis offered on Saturday, March 30 at St George Greek Orthodox Church in Ocean, NJ from 10 am – 3pm. Guest Speaker: Fr. Barnabas Powell. Contact: George Moutis: 732-233-7987 or gmoutis@scinj.com.

2019 Dates:Please mark your calendar with these important 2019 dates. Please see any PC member if you are interested in helping.

March 1 - Trivia night

March 24 - Spring General Assembly

May 18-19 - Bistro

Sept 6-7-8 - OPA

Nov 3 - Fall General Assembly

Nov 16-17 - Eat & Shop

Fellowship Hour: Please sign up outside the office or contact John Giannouris at (610) 680-7507 or john.giannouris@comcast.netif you are interested in sponsoring Fellowship Hour. Thank you.

Bulletin Inserts

St. Anna Trivia Night

Come one, come all ! Our 1st Annual Trivia Night - bring your family and friends!

Lenten Retreat - March 30

Ocean, NJ

Stewardship

Stewardship is the sharing of the talents and treasures that God has provided for us. An Orthodox Christian Steward is an active participant in the life of the Church. The parish encourages all who accept the Orthodox Faith to become practicing Stewards.

2019 Stewardship Drive: 37 Pledges totaling $67,050 for an average of $1,812 and $29,779 received to date. We also have 7 families who have contributed $2,305 to date but have not submitted a stewardship card. It is important that all families complete a stewardship card to be considered a steward. Current Stewardship List and other stewardship information is posted in bulletin board by water cooler.

We need everyone’s participation to exceed this year’s stewardship pledge target of $170,000. If the remaining 127, 2018 stewards give at the same level as last year we could exceed our budget and reach a record high number of stewards.

…Remember a rich man is not one who has much, but one who gives much

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