Publish-header
Annunciation Church
Publish Date: 2020-09-13
Bulletin Contents
Exaltation
Organization Icon
Annunciation Church

General Information

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

  • 93 Locust Street

  • Dover, NH 03820


Contact Information



Services Schedule

We ARE OPEN for live services

During this time of the COVID-19 pandemic we are also  livestreaming our services.

To access live stream of  Services please look on our Facebook page. 

https://www.facebook.com/annunciationchurch.dovernh/

REMINDER: Our Facebook page can be accessed regardless of whether you have a Facebook account. If the live feed doesn't show up right away, please refresh and keep checking back.

 

Matins (Not at this time)


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: Monday, Tuesday, Wedenseday, & Friday (10:00am - 4:00pm) Please schedule appointments

Secretary Office Hours: Tuesday-Friday (9:30am-12:30am)

 

In the event of a pastoral emergency please call Fr. Timothy's Emergency Line 978-238-0544 and he will get back to you.

 


Past Bulletins


Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal First Tone

Let us worship the Word who is unoriginate * with the Father and the Spirit, and from a Virgin was born * for our salvation, O believers, and let us sing His praise. * For in His goodness He was pleased * to ascend the Cross in the flesh, and to undergo death, * and to raise up those who had died, * by His glorious Resurrection.
Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρὶ καὶ Πνεύματι, τὸν ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθέντα εἰς σωτηρίαν ἡμῶν, ἀνυμνήσωμεν πιστοὶ καὶ προσκυνήσωμεν, ὅτι ηὐδόκησε σαρκί, ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ, καὶ θάνατον ὑπομεῖναι, καὶ ἐγεῖραι τοὺς τεθνεῶτας, ἐν τῇ ἐνδόξῳ Ἀναστάσει αὐτοῦ.

Apolytikion for Forefeast of the Exaltation in the Second Tone

We offer Thee in mediation the life-giving Cross which, of Thy goodness, Thou hast given unto us, the unworthy, O Lord. Save Thy hierarchs and Thy flock, and grant Thou peace through the Theotokos, O only friend of man.
Τόν ζωοποιόν Σταυρόν τής σής αγαθότητος, όν εδωρήσω ημίν τοίς αναξίοις Κύριε, σοί προσάγομεν εις πρεσβείαν, Σώζε τούς βασιλείς καί τήν πόλιν σου, ειρηνεύοντας διά τής Θεοτόκου, μόνε φιλάνθρωπε.

Apolytikion for Temple of the Resurrection in the Fourth Tone

Thou hast shown the earthly beauty of the holy tabernacle of Thy glory to be like unto the splendour of the heavenly firmament, O Lord. Strengthen it for ever and ever, and accept our prayers which we unceasingly offer therein unto Thee, through the Theotokos, O Thou Who art the Life and Resurrection of all.
Ως τού άνω στερεώματος τήν ευπρέπειαν, καί τήν κάτω συναπέδειξας ωραιότητα, τού αγίου σκηνώματος τής δόξης σου Κύριε, Κραταίωσον αυτό εις αιώνα αιώνος, καί πρόσδεξαι ημών, τάς εν αυτώ απαύστως προσαγομένας σοι δεήσεις, πρεσβείαις τής Θεοτόκου, η πάντων ζωή καί ανάστασις.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone

The Church is shown to be a many-lighted heaven that doth shine a guiding light upon all them that do believe; wherein while standing we cry aloud: Do Thou Thyself now establish this house, O Lord.
Ουρανός πολύφωτος η Εκκλησία, ανεδείχθη άπαντας, φωταγωγούσα τούς πιστούς, εν ώ εστώτες κραυγάζομεν, Τούτον τόν οίκον, στερέωσον Κύριε.
BACK TO TOP

Prayer List

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

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. 

BACK TO TOP

Saints and Feasts

Exaltation
September 13

Sunday before Holy Cross


Exaltation
September 14

The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross

Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was already advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a journey to Jerusalem in search of the cross, about the year 325. A temple to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha, to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had been suffered. The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite destroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was made perfectly whole. Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, "Lord have mercy." It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen, until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country (see Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian). Late, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem, where he restored it to its place.

Rest from labour. A Fast is observed today, whatever day of the week it may be.


BACK TO TOP

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 Galatians 6:11-18.

Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

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 Γαλάτας 6:11-18.

Ἀδελφοί, ἴδετε πηλίκοις ὑμῖν γράμμασιν ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί. Ὅσοι θέλουσιν εὐπροσωπῆσαι ἐν σαρκί, οὗτοι ἀναγκάζουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, μόνον ἵνα μὴ τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ Χριστοῦ διώκωνται. Οὐδὲ γὰρ οἱ περιτετμημένοι αὐτοὶ νόμον φυλάσσουσιν, ἀλλὰ θέλουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, ἵνα ἐν τῇ ὑμετέρᾳ σαρκὶ καυχήσωνται. Ἐμοὶ δὲ μὴ γένοιτο καυχᾶσθαι εἰ μὴ ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ· διʼ οὗ ἐμοὶ κόσμος ἐσταύρωται, κἀγὼ τῷ κόσμῳ. Ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ οὔτε περιτομή τι ἰσχύει, οὔτε ἀκροβυστία, ἀλλὰ καινὴ κτίσις. Καὶ ὅσοι τῷ κανόνι τούτῳ στοιχήσουσιν, εἰρήνη ἐπʼ αὐτούς, καὶ ἔλεος, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰσραὴλ τοῦ θεοῦ. Τοῦ λοιποῦ, κόπους μοι μηδεὶς παρεχέτω· ἐγὼ γὰρ τὰ στίγματα τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώματί μου βαστάζω. Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν, ἀδελφοί. Ἀμήν.


Gospel Reading

Sunday before Holy Cross
The Reading is from John 3:13-17

The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."

Sunday before Holy Cross
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 3:13-17

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· καὶ οὐδεὶς ἀναβέβηκεν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν εἰ μὴ ὁ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καταβάς, ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὁ ὤν ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ. καὶ καθὼς Μωϋσῆς ὕψωσε τὸν ὄφιν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, οὕτως ὑψωθῆναι δεῖ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ' ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. Οὕτω γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν κόσμον, ὥστε τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ τὸν μονογενῆ ἔδωκεν, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ' ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. οὐ γὰρ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν κόσμον ἵνα κρίνῃ τὸν κόσμον, ἀλλ' ἵνα σωθῇ ὁ κόσμος δι' αὐτοῦ.


BACK TO TOP

General Announcements

CHURCH IS OPEN  and is also being live-streamed

Please note: There will be NO ORTHROS until further notice, Divine Liturgy only.

To access live stream of Services please look on our Facebook page. 

https://www.facebook.com/annunciationchurch.dovernh/

REMINDER: Our Facebook page can be accessed regardless of whether you have a Facebook account. If the live feed doesn't show up right away, please refresh and keep checking back. 

Sunday before Holy Cross: CHURCH WILL BE OPEN & Will be Live streamed on Sunday, September 13th. Divine Liturgy at 10 am.

Memorial:  Today we will have a 4 year memorial for Theophano Chrysafidis. May her memory be eternal!

Church Service this Week: Monday, September 14th at 9:30 am Divine Liturgy for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Orthodox Life and Bible Study: Will NOT take place this week, Monday, September 14th due to the Divine Liturgy for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

Greek-To-Go:  Sunday, September 27th in church parking lot. Lamb Shanks and Spanakopita will be on the menu! (See flyer in flyer section)

Festival Replacement Zoom Meeting: Monday September 14th at 6:30pm

______________________________________________________________________________________

A Letter to the Parish from Fr. Timothy 

September 11th, 2020

Beloved members of our Annunciation family, 

This week we received notice from His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios that I am to be assigned as the new Proistamenos at St. George Church in Centerville MA, effective October 1st.  My family and I are still processing this news and while I am honored and excited to be considered for this new position, we are genuinely saddened at the prospect of leaving our parish family that we established here in Dover.

We have all shared in our joys, successes, struggles and sadness over the past five years.  You helped us welcome our daughter Nara into the world and into the Church, and helped raise both her and Roisin as members of Christ's Church.  Through baptisms, weddings, and the passing of loved ones, you all have welcomed us as part of your families.  We love you all and will miss you terribly.

I humbly ask your prayers as my family begins this new chapter in our lives, which will inevitably bring its own challenges and triumphs.  Know that you are always in our prayers as well and we will continue to always cherish the ties that we have formed here.

        With heartfelt Love in the Lord,

 

Rev. Timothy Curren

(Actual letters from Metropolitan Methodios, Fr. Timothy, and George Coussoule are in the flyer section of this bulletin.)

______________________________________________________________________________

COVID-19 PARISH REOPENING GUIDELINES

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Household of God,  

Xronia Polla!

 With the blessings of Metropolitan Methodios, and abiding by all State and local governmental directives regarding the reopening of Churches and all Houses of Worship, your clergy and Parish Council have been diligently planning for the day our parish will once again be open to our stewards, families, and friends. That day will be Saturday, June 6th at 9:30am for the Divine Liturgy of the Saturday of Souls. In these challenging times, there will be certain directives that must be implemented and followed to assure the safest possible environment for the faithful to worship, partake of the Holy Sacraments and reconnect with fellow parishioners from a safe distance. 

Christ’s Church and this Parish have existed through persecution, plagues, infectious diseases, world wars, terrorist attacks, and other periods of challenge and concern. The Church and this community stand as a symbol of faith. The Church is the place where we come together as a community to pray, receive the sacraments and be in fellowship with one another. However, in this time, and because of the unpredictable nature of this insidious virus, there are directives, rules, and limitations, which we must accept in order to re-open and resume our liturgical practices in the safest possible way. These are rules—not suggestions—that we must enforce. We ask that each person understand and follow the directives listed below.  

Preparations:

  • According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), any building unoccupied for 7 days or longer need only receive “normal routine cleaning.” Based on these guidelines, the Church will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected prior to reopening.  From this baseline, the building will be disinfected and sanitized between each service, including high traffic, high touch areas like bathrooms, doorknobs, and handles, etc. 
  • The congregation size for any service will be limited to the current regulations in New Hampshire. The Governor has set a limit of 40% of our official capacity. Our official capacity is 350, therefore 40% of our capacity is 140. Nevertheless, social distancing requirements may decrease that number as necessary. Pre-marked seating must abide by the social distancing regulations of 6 feet in all directions.
  • If you are 65 years of age or older and if you have underlying health conditions, especially asthma, diabetes, hypertension, undergoing chemotherapy, or any age with known underlying conditions, you should stay home and continue to participate in the services via our Live Stream through Facebook or our Website.
  • If you are 65 years of age or older without known underlying health issues, we recommend that you consider staying home, participating in the services via our Live Stream
  • If you have any respiratory symptoms, fever or malaise at all, whether attributed to COVID-19 or not, you must stay home  

Advice from our Medical Team Advisors:

  • Parishioners who have a temperature greater than 100.4 F should stay home.
  • If you or anyone in your household have been exposed to anyone with a confirmed COVID-19 test you should not attend for at least 14 days. 

Additional Guidance from the NH Governor’s Economic Reopening Taskforce for Places of Worship:

Symptoms of COVID-19  Person has any of the following symptoms of COVID-19       

  • Fever (feeling feverish or a document temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher;
  • Respiratory symptoms such as runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, cough or shortness of breath;
  • Whole body symptoms such as muscle aches, chills and severe fatigue;
  • Changes in the person’s sense of taste or smell?

    Risks of COVID-19

  • Person has been in close contact with someone who is suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 in the past 14 days? (note: healthcare workers caring for COVID-19 patients while wearing appropriate personal protective equipment can attend)
  • Person has traveled in the past 14 days either:

              Internationally (outside the U.S.);

              By cruise ship; or

              Domestically (within the U.S.) outside of NH, VT, or ME on public transportation (e.g., bus, train, plane, etc.)

 Arriving at Church:

  • Upon entering the Church, hand sanitizer will be supplied to each parishioner.
  • If you are attending services at the Church, you must wear a protective mask at all times except for the moment when you may be receiving Holy Communion. If you do not have a mask, one will be given to you upon entering the Church.
  • If you are under medical instruction not to wear a mask, you must clearly indicate this to the Parish Council member upon entering.
  • If you are attending services with a child/children between the ages of two and five, a protective mask is at the discretion of the parent. Children under the age of 2 should not wear a protective mask. 
  • Only the front entrance, (under the portico) and handicap accessible entrances in the front and rear of the Church will be open. All other entrances will be locked. If entering from the front, please enter using the door to the hallway by the Church office and exit through the front doors in the Narthex.
  • Enter Only and Exit Only signs will be posted to further assist in the orderly flow of our Parishioners.
  • Access to the rear elevator will be available.
  • The doors that are designated for entrance/exiting the church should be propped open so there is no need to touch the door handles, and to provide better airflow into the Sanctuary.
  • The Fr. Athans Fellowship Hall will be closed and off limits for the foreseeable future. The downstairs Restrooms as well as the upstairs Restroom will be available. 
  • When arriving to Church, you should venerate the icons by bowing, but you should not physically kiss any icon. 
  • The Narthex will be staffed by one Parish Council member to assist you, as much as possible, without contact. Small candles will be given to you by a Parish Council member. You may still purchase Red devotional candles, but they will be placed by a Parish Council member on a side of your choosing of the iconostasis.
  • A donation tray will be set up in the Narthex for candles. Please bring appropriate change for donations as cash cannot be exchanged.
  • A Parish Council member will guide arriving parishioners to the Narthex to ensure appropriate distancing between arriving parishioners. Household family unit members may enter the Narthex together.  

Seating in the Church:

  • Seating inside the Church will be restricted to a 6 feet distance between parishioners (again defined as an “immediate household unit”) to the left and right and front and back. It is imperative that we maintain distancing at all times. Ushers will be present to seat you at an appropriate distance from other parishioners inside the Church. 
  • Family members who are not part of the same household must sit 6 feet apart without exception. 
  • There will be markers throughout the Church to help assure appropriate distancing.

Receiving Holy Communion:

  • Fr. Timothy will administer Holy Communion in our traditional manner.
  • Beginning from the rear pews, a Parish Council member will guide you down the center aisle, row by row. Following Holy Communion, each Parishioner will return to their pews via the side aisles. One-Way aisles will be marked. Please remember proper social distancing.
  • Per the Metropolis of Boston, the faithful should be encouraged/instructed to tilt their heads back and open their mouth widely so that the priest can drop the Holy Communion in without the person closing his/her mouth on the spoon.
  • The faithful should not wipe their lips/mouth on the communion cloth.
  • No Antidoron will be given during Holy Communion.

 Exiting the Church: 

  • At the conclusion of the Liturgy you will exit as directed by a Parish Council member, again beginning from the front pews and moving up the center aisle, row by row to receive Antidoron.The Antidoron will be placed in your hands with tongs. Please remember proper social distancing. 
  • The final hands-free collection offering will be set up in the back of the Narthex as you are about to exit.  Please be ready to make your offering into the collection basket. It is imperative that there is no lingering in the Narthex. Please exit the Church expeditiously using the Front Door (marked Exit Only).
  • There will be no fellowship hour following services.

The foregoing rules for attending Liturgy and other services at our Church were taken from State directives, local guidelines, and the direction and guidance of His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios. Our collective intent is to assure all our Stewards, their families and our many friends, a safe and comforting experience in the Household of God. We want to see you, we want to pray with you, but above all, we want you all to be safe, healthy and able to worship in a manner that is best for our entire Parish. 

May God continue to bless you and your families and keep you safe! 

Fr. Timothy Curren                                                                              George P. Coussoule 

Parish Priest                                                                                        Parish Council President

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 
Reminder: Donations can be made to the church electronically via the button on the top of our church web page.
www.annunciation.nh.goarch.org
 
BACK TO TOP

Calendar

  • Church Calendar

    September 13 to September 27, 2020

    Sunday, September 13

    Theofano Chrysafidis 4 yr memorial

    Monday, September 14

    9:30AM Liturgy - Elevation of the Cross

    6:30PM Festival ZOOM

    Wednesday, September 16

    5:30PM Alkistis Email mtg

    6:00PM Parish Council Mtg.

    Sunday, September 20

    1:00PM Ariadne Xydias Baptism

    Tuesday, September 22

    6:30PM Festival Zoom Mtg

    Thursday, September 24

    9:30AM St. Silouan

    6:00PM Orthodoxy on Tap

    Sunday, September 27

    Greek-to-Go Festival Replacement Lunch Event

BACK TO TOP

Flyers

BACK TO TOP

BACK TO TOP

Festival Replacement News

 

 

 A special thank you to Paula Maskwa and Sharon Lampros for making the Baklava!

 

We would like to thank Strafford House of Pizza, South Berwick House of Pizza, and Cafe Nostimo for their very generous donations!

 

Thank you to  all those who helped and supported the event on Sunday, August 30th.

Below were the volunteers:
Sophia and Tim Abbott
Jameson Savage
Arthur and Donna Karabelas
Paul Karoutas
Paul Maskwa
Mike Frudakis
Ryan Eagle
Paul Koutroubas
Rea Lampesis

Best,
Rebecca and Robert

 

Greek-to-Go

Lunch Events

To-go / Pick-up Boxed Lunch

Out of the Church

September 27

October 25

ONLINE ORDERS ONLY !

ORDER AT: HTTP://WWW.ANNUNUCIATION.NH.GOARCH.ORG/

PICK UP BEHIND CHURCH IN PARKING LOT

 

Don’t Miss it!

HAVE QUESTIONS? GREEKFESTIVALDOVER@GMAIL.COM

 

BACK TO TOP