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Annunciation Church
Publish Date: 2020-03-22
Bulletin Contents
Annuncia
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Annunciation Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (603) 742-7667
  • Street Address:

  • 93 Locust Street

  • Dover, NH 03820


Contact Information



Services Schedule

Matins
9:00 am

Liturgy
10:00 am

 



Other Parish Info
Directions: from Boston - take Rte 95 into NH, bear left on Rte 16 in Portsmouth, get off at Exit 8E for downtown Dover and turn left at the second light on Locust St. (follow public library sign). Go past the church on your left and turn left into the public library parking.

Father's Office Hours: M,T,W,& Fr 10:00am - 4pm
Secretary Office Hours: Mon-Fri  9:30am - 12:30pm

In the event of inclement weather, if Dover schools are closed, office is closed!

 


Past Bulletins


Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Grave Tone

By means of Your Cross, O Lord, You abolished death. * To the robber You opened Paradise. * The lamentation of the myrrhbearing women You transformed, * and You gave Your Apostles the order to proclaim to all * that You had risen, O Christ our God, * and granted the world Your great mercy.
Κατέλυσας τῷ Σταυρῷ σου τὸν θάνατον, ἠνέῳξας τῷ Λῃστῇ τὸν Παράδεισον, τῶν Μυροφόρων τὸν θρῆνον μετέβαλες, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις κηρύττειν ἐπέταξας, ὅτι ἀνέστης Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, παρέχων τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Apolytikion for Sun. of the Holy Cross in the First Tone

Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting our rulers to prevail over adversaries, and protecting Your commonwealth by 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.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Tone

To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!"
Τὴ ὑπερμάχω στρατηγῶ τὰ νικητήρια, ὡς λυτρωθεῖσα τῶν δεινῶν εὐχαριστήρια, ἀναγράφω σοὶ ἡ Πόλις σου Θεοτόκε, Ἀλλ' ὡς ἔχουσα τὸ κράτος ἀπροσμάχητον, ἐκ παντοίων μὲ κινδύνων ἐλευθέρωσον, ἵνα κράζω σοί, Χαῖρε νύμφη ἀνύμφευτε.
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Prayer List

Please pray for our brothers and sisters: James,  Elizabeth, Tom, Kostas,   Alexandra, Rita, Connor, James,  Peter,  Vasili, Sophia, Rachel, Nicole,  Christine,  Michael, Irina,  Abigail, Shirley,  Christopher, Malina, Andrew, Vera, Erin, Paula,  Milton, Galini, Yevgeniy, Alexey, Nadia, Vasiliki, Diane, Deborah, Phillip,  Jim,  Jave, Demetrios, Kathy, Elaina,  Panagiota, Conan, John, Jo Anne, Bill, James, Colleen, Barbara, Theophana, Paul, Tasso, Roula, Thomas,  Jim, Prescott, Sze, Prudence, Brittany, Dionysios, Konstantinos, Evangelia, Nikolaos, Penny, Taki, Maki, Andre, Pavlos, Stephanie, Phyllis, Ed, Bettyann, George, Althea, Sofia, Irina, Ava Maria,  Maria, Jennifer, Anthony,  Timea, Paul, John, Bill.

If you or a loved one is going through a difficult time and would like the community to pray for you, please call the office and request to be added on the prayer list.  We will list the first names only in the weekly bulletin for six months, or until you ask to be removed from the list.  I will also make a special mention of the Orthodox names at the Proskomede. 

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Saints and Feasts

Annuncia
March 25

Annunciation of the Theotokos

Six months after John the Forerunner's conception, the Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth, a town of Galilee, unto Mary the Virgin, who had come forth from the Temple a mature maiden (see Nov. 21). According to the tradition handed down by the Fathers, she had been betrothed to Joseph four months. On coming to Joseph's house, the Archangel declared: "Rejoice, thou Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." After some consideration, and turmoil of soul, and fear because of this greeting, the Virgin, when she had finally obtained full assurance concerning God's unsearchable condescension and the ineffable dispensation that was to take place through her, and believing that all things are possible to the Most High, answered in humility: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." And at this, the Holy Spirit came upon her, and the power of the Most High overshadowed her all-blameless womb, and the Son and Word of God, Who existed before the ages, was conceived past speech and understanding, and became flesh in her immaculate body (Luke 1:26-38).

Bearing in her womb the Uncontainable One, the blessed Virgin went with haste from Nazareth to the hill country of Judea, where Zacharias had his dwelling; for she desired to find Elizabeth her kinswoman and rejoice together with her, because, as she had learned from the Archangel, Elizabeth had conceived in her old age. Furthermore, she wished to tell her of the great things that the Mighty One had been well-pleased to bring to pass in her, and she greeted Elizabeth and drew nigh to her. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, she felt her six-month-old babe, Saint John the Baptist, prophesied of the dawning of the spiritual Sun. Immediately, the aged Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and recognized her as the Mother of her Lord, and with a great voice blessed her and the Fruit that she held within herself. The Virgin also, moved by a supernatural rejoicing in the spirit, glorified her God and Savior, saying: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour," and the rest, as the divine Luke hath recorded (1:39-55)


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Tone. 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 Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6.

BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek."

Προκείμενον. Plagal Second Tone. 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 Ἑβραίους 4:14-16, 5:1-6.

Ἀδελφοί, ἔχοντες οὖν ἀρχιερέα μέγαν, διεληλυθότα τοὺς οὐρανούς, Ἰησοῦν τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ θεοῦ, κρατῶμεν τῆς ὁμολογίας. Οὐ γὰρ ἔχομεν ἀρχιερέα μὴ δυνάμενον συμπαθῆσαι ταῖς ἀσθενείαις ἡμῶν, πεπειραμένον δὲ κατὰ πάντα καθʼ ὁμοιότητα, χωρὶς ἁμαρτίας. Προσερχώμεθα οὖν μετὰ παρρησίας τῷ θρόνῳ τῆς χάριτος, ἵνα λάβωμεν ἔλεον, καὶ χάριν εὕρωμεν εἰς εὔκαιρον βοήθειαν. Πᾶς γὰρ ἀρχιερεύς, ἐξ ἀνθρώπων λαμβανόμενος, ὑπὲρ ἀνθρώπων καθίσταται τὰ πρὸς τὸν θεόν, ἵνα προσφέρῃ δῶρά τε καὶ θυσίας ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν· μετριοπαθεῖν δυνάμενος τοῖς ἀγνοοῦσιν καὶ πλανωμένοις, ἐπεὶ καὶ αὐτὸς περίκειται ἀσθένειαν· καὶ διὰ ταύτην ὀφείλει, καθὼς περὶ τοῦ λαοῦ, οὕτως καὶ περὶ ἑαυτοῦ, προσφέρειν ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν. Καὶ οὐχ ἑαυτῷ τις λαμβάνει τὴν τιμήν, ἀλλὰ καλούμενος ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ, καθάπερ καὶ Ἀαρών. Οὕτως καὶ ὁ Χριστὸς οὐχ ἑαυτὸν ἐδόξασεν γενηθῆναι ἀρχιερέα, ἀλλʼ ὁ λαλήσας πρὸς αὐτόν, Υἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε. Καθὼς καὶ ἐν ἑτέρῳ λέγει, Σὺ ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδέκ.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the 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 of the 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.


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General Announcements

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ,

I know that all of us are struggling in our own way through this trial we are all undergoing with the COVID-19 pandemic.  It can be a frightening and anxiety inducing thing when something disrupts our life like this.  The only thing to come close that I can remember is the attacks on 9-11, and this situation seems primed to eclipse even that horrible time as far long-term impact is concerned.
I wanted to reach out to you as I'm sure most of you are struggling like my family is to adjust.  
However, for us as Orthodox Christians, this trial comes during Great Lent.  In theory, we should be somewhat used to disrupting our normal routine at this time of year. We should be Pros at this! This season of pandemic just adds another dimension to that same theme.  As a brother priest of mine pointed out, we can actually use this time of increased austerity for our spiritual benefit:
 "Limited access to food as restaurants close and supermarkets become strained? Reduce portion size and meal frequency. (Fasting)

Looking at a big world full of uncertainty and wish someone could deliver us? Know that we have been saved and have recourse to eternal life and joy, and we can speak to our Savior. (Prayer)

Lots of time stuck with our thoughts, and loved ones who we are NOT used to this high of doses of? Look into ourselves and see how we can make amends and improve relationships - with ourselves, with others, and with God. (Repentance)"

In actuality, all this current health crisis does is help bring our Lenten discipline into focus.  We are in fact MORE free to reorient our lives toward what they ought to be focused on.

 

Lastly, I wanted to encourage you to make use of the extra time at home to dedicate some time each day to prayer and reading the scriptures.  Make no mistake, we don't "go to church", we ARE the church.  The fact that we are currently unable to gather together at out Temple to pray together does not mean we should abandon prayer entirely.  If anything we should increase our prayer: for ourselves, for all those who are ill or at risk, and for those who are on the frontline in fighting the spread of this disease.  This is the most important gift we can give to our communities during this time of isolation.  So, let us take this opportunity to make use of the "church of the home", and gather our families together to pray in our prayer corners and before our icons.  I am going to try and live stream some of the Lenten prayers services on our facebook page if possible.  I would also recommend the Daily Readings app from our Archdiocese, which contains all the readings, daily saints, and additional prayers of our church right on your phone or device.

Please know that I love you and that I am praying for all of you in the midst of this difficult time, and ask your prayers as well as we all struggle to find Christ in the midst of our new routines.  Our Hope is in Christ, and that He will deliver us from this temporal inconvenience before too long.

God bless all of you!

In Christ,

Fr. Timothy

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Calendar

  • Church Calendar

    March 22 to April 3, 2020

    Sunday, March 22

    Veneration of the Holy Cross (Cancelled)

    Tuesday, March 24

    6:30PM Annunciation Vespers (Cancelled)

    Wednesday, March 25

    Flag Raising CANCELLED

    Annunciation/Greek Independance Day

    9:30AM Annunciation Divine Liturgy (Cancelled)

    Friday, March 27

    7:00PM Salutations(Cancelled)

    Wednesday, April 1

    6:00PM Presanctified Liturgy(Cancelled)

    Friday, April 3

    7:00PM Salutations (Cancelled)

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Flyers

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Lenten/ Holy Week Donations 2020

Lenten/Holy Week Needs 2020

Charcoal :$50 (Fr. Athans & Presvyterra Keta)

Incense: $50 (Fr. Athans & Presvyterra Keta)

Communion wine: $100

(1 In memory of Dr. James Faskianos)

(1 In memory of Dr. James Demopoulos)

(In memory of Socrates & Rhodopi Espiefs)

 Candle cartridges (yearly supply):$150

(In memory of Dr. James Faskianos)

Candle liquid (yearly supply):  $75 (In memory of Costas & Alexandra Frangos, donated by the Maskwa Family)

8 icon decorations:  $40 each

3 for Salutations (1 Periklis  & Abby Karoutas)

2 Bridegroom (2 Richard Clairmont)

2 Anastasis (2 George & Althea Coussoule)

1 Mystical Supper (1 Vula & Kimon Lalas)

Annunciation:  $50 each (1 Richard Clairmont)(1 Periklis  & Abby Karoutas)

Daffodils for the Cross:  $40 (Diane Wozmak)  (In memory of Socrates & Rhodopi Espiefs)

7 Lenten season Altar, Icon stand & Pulpit cloths: $1,600  (Alkistis Ladies  Society)

For Holy Week/Easter:

Palms for Palm Sunday: $125 (Kottaridis Family)

Oil for Holy Unction:  $15 (In memory of Socrates & Rhodopi Espiefs)

Rose petal and laurel leaves:  $40 (Kottaridis Family)

Paschal Candle:  $50 (1 In memory of Sylvia Polychronopoulos)(1 Elizabeth Zisis)

Pedestal arrangements for Anastasis (2): $50 ea (1 Pam Byers)

Flowers for two blue vases:  each $30 (2 John Rouman)(2 In memory of Pat Stamnas)(Yota Scontras) (2 Richard Clairmont)

Candles for the 12 Gospels:@$10 each 

(12 John & Geriann Athans)

(12 In Loving Memory of David Trudeau)

(6 Konstantinos & Eva Demopoulos)

Large lily plants for icons: each $20 (5 Annette Roylos)(2 Nikolaos & Penny Demopoulos & Family)

Candles for the Kouvouklion:  @ $10 each

(4 In Loving Memory  of Florence Houreas Simpson)

Wreaths for Good Friday:  $50 each

(2 In memory of Dr. James Demopoulos)(2 Annette Roylos)(1 Jim & Peggy Frangos)

Lilies for steps:  6 @ $15 each (6 In memory of Socrates & Rhodopi Espiefs)

Kouvouklion (Epitaphion) flowers:  $50 x 20 

(4 John & Geriann Athans)

(4 Barb & Les Hoogeveen)

(1 In memory of Ora & John D. Mitchell)

(2 Paraskevi Stamelos)

(1 Katralis Family)

(1 Anestis Family)

(2 In memory of Pat Stamnas)

(2 In memory of Tsitsos & Vomvoris Families)

(1 Claire Delintsiotis)

(1 Elizabeth Zisis)

If an item has already been purchased,

your donation will go towards defraying the cost of an unclaimed item. 

Our thanks to all who donate the items needed to make

Lent and Holy Week meaningful and beautiful.

 

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Archepiscopal Message

Encyclical of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and the Eparchial Synod on the Covid-19 Pandemic (Coronavirus)

03/06/2020

The appearance of the Covid-19 Pandemic (Coronavirus) throughout the world and in the United States has created fear, anxiety, and genuine concern. All of these need to be taken seriously and no one’s fears should be dismissed out of hand. Already, religious bodies are responding in similar ways, but ways that are not necessarily consistent. In order to assist the Faithful in their own response, this statement is meant to guide and inform us all.
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