Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for Palm Sunday in the First Tone

O Christ our God, before Your Passion, You raised Lazarus from the dead to confirm the common Resurrection for all. Therefore, we carry the symbols of victory as did the youths, and we cry out to You, the victor over death, "Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. "

Τὴν κοινὴν Ἀνάστασιν πρὸ τοῦ σοῦ Πάθους πιστούμενος, ἐκ νεκρῶν ἤγειρας τὸν Λάζαρον, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός· ὅθεν καὶ ἡμεῖς ὡς οἱ Παῖδες, τὰ τῆς νίκης σύμβολα φέροντες, σοὶ τῷ Νικητῇ τοῦ θανάτου βοῶμεν· Ὡσαννὰ ἐν τοῖς ὑψίστοις, εὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος, ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου.

Apolytikion for Palm Sunday in the Fourth Tone

O Christ, Our God, we have been Buried with You through Baptism, and by Your Resurrection made worthy of Life immortal. Praising You, we cry out, "Hosanna in the highest, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord."

Συνταφέντες σοι διὰ τοῦ Βαπτίσματος, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, τῆς ἀθανάτου ζωῆς ἠξιώθημεν τῇ Ἀναστάσει σου, καὶ ἀνυμνοῦντες κράζομεν· Ὡσαννὰ ἐν τοῖς ὑψίστοις, εὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος, ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Second Tone

In Heaven, He is seated upon a Throne and on earth He rides upon a foal. O Christ our God, accept the praise of the Angels and the hymn of the Children who cry out to You, "Blessed are You who comes to recall Adam."

Τῷ θρόνῳ ἐν οὐρανῷ, τῷ πώλῳ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ἐποχούμενος Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, τῶν Ἀγγέλων τὴν αἴνεσιν, καὶ τῶν Παίδων ἀνύμνησιν προσεδέξω βοώντων σοι· Εὐλογημένος εἶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος, τὸν Ἀδὰμ ἀνακαλέσασθαι.

Prayer List

Please pray for our brothers and sisters:

Elizabeth, Kosta, Deborah, Roula, Jim, Donald, Tracy, Kristi.

In keeping with a common Church tradition, going forward

we will keep names on the parish prayer list for 40 days.

If you wish to offer names for prayer, please send those via e-mail to the church office at:

annunciationdover@gmail.com,

or call the office at 742-7667.

Please give first names only, and preferably full names, not nicknames.

Saints and Feasts

April 25

Palm Sunday

On Sunday, five days before the Passover of the Law, the Lord came from Bethany to Jerusalem. Sending two of His disciples to bring Him a foal of an ass, He sat thereon and entered into the city. When the multitude there heard that Jesus was coming, they straightway took up the branches of palm trees in their hands, and went forth to meet Him. Others spread their garments on the ground, and yet others cut branches from the trees and strewed them in the way that Jesus was to pass; and all of them together, especially the children, went before and after Him, crying out: "Hosanna: Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel" (John 12:13). This is the radiant and glorious festival of our Lord's entry into Jerusalem that we celebrate today.

The branches of the palm trees symbolize Christ's victory over the devil and death. The word Hosanna means "Save, I pray," or "Save, now." The foal of an ass, and Jesus' sitting thereon, and the fact that this animal was untamed and considered unclean according to the Law, signified the former uncleanness and wildness of the nations, and their subjection thereafter to the holy Law of the Gospel.

April 30

Holy Friday

When Friday dawned, Christ was sent bound from Caiaphas to Pontius Pilate, who was then Governor of Judea. Pilate interrogated Him in many ways, and once and again acknowledged that He was innocent, but to please the Jews, he later passed the sentence of death against Him. After scourging the Lord of all as though He were a runaway slave, he surrendered Him to be crucified.

Thus the Lord Jesus was handed over to the soldiers, was stripped of His garments, was clothed in a purple robe, was crowned with a wreath of thorns, had a reed placed in His hand as though it were a sceptre, was bowed before in mockery, was spat upon, and was buffeted in the face and on the head. Then they again clothed Him in His own garments, and bearing the cross, He came to Golgotha, a place of condemnation, and there, about the third hour, He was crucified between two thieves. Although both blasphemed Him at the first, the thief at His right hand repented, and said: "Remember me, O Lord, when Thou comest in Thy Kingdom," to which our Saviour answered, "Today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise." As He hung upon the Cross, He was blasphemed by those who were passing by, was mocked by the high priests, and by the soldiers was given vinegar to drink mixed with gall. About the ninth hour, He cried out with a loud voice, saying, "It is finished." And the Lamb of God "Which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29) expired on the day when the moon was full, and at the hour when, according to the Law, was slain the Passover lamb, which was established as a type of Him in the time of Moses.

Even lifeless creation mourned the death of the Master, and it trembled and was altered out of fear. Yet, even though the Maker of creation was already dead, they pierced Him in His immaculate side, and forthwith came there out Blood and Water. Finally, at about the setting of the sun, Joseph of Arimathea came with Nicodemus (both of them had been secret disciples of Jesus), and they took down the all-holy Body of the Teacher from the Cross and anointed it with aromatic spices, and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth. When they had buried Him in a new tomb, they rolled a great stone over its entrance.

Such are the dread and saving sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ commemorated today, and in remembrance of them, we have received the Apostolic commandment that a fast be observed every Friday.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Tone. Psalm 117.26,1.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Verse: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His mercy endures forever.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians 4:4-9.

BRETHREN, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.

Προκείμενον. Fourth Tone. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 117.26,1.
Εὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου.
Στίχ. Στίχ. Ἐξομολογεῖσθε τῷ Κυρίῳ ὅτι ἀγαθὸς, ὅτι εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Φιλιππησίους 4:4-9.

Ἀδελφοί, χαίρετε ἐν κυρίῳ πάντοτε· πάλιν ἐρῶ, χαίρετε. Τὸ ἐπιεικὲς ὑμῶν γνωσθήτω πᾶσιν ἀνθρώποις. Ὁ κύριος ἐγγύς. Μηδὲν μεριμνᾶτε, ἀλλʼ ἐν παντὶ τῇ προσευχῇ καὶ τῇ δεήσει μετὰ εὐχαριστίας τὰ αἰτήματα ὑμῶν γνωριζέσθω πρὸς τὸν θεόν. Καὶ ἡ εἰρήνη τοῦ θεοῦ ἡ ὑπερέχουσα πάντα νοῦν, φρουρήσει τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν καὶ τὰ νοήματα ὑμῶν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. Τὸ λοιπόν, ἀδελφοί, ὅσα ἐστὶν ἀληθῆ, ὅσα σεμνά, ὅσα δίκαια, ὅσα ἁγνά, ὅσα προσφιλῆ, ὅσα εὔφημα, εἴ τις ἀρετὴ καὶ εἴ τις ἔπαινος, ταῦτα λογίζεσθε. Ἃ καὶ ἐμάθετε καὶ παρελάβετε καὶ ἠκούσατε καὶ εἴδετε ἐν ἐμοί, ταῦτα πράσσετε· καὶ ὁ θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης ἔσται μεθʼ ὑμῶν.

Gospel Reading

Palm Sunday
The Reading is from John 12:1-18

Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazaros was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazaros was one of those at table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, "Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."

When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazaros, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazaros also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" And Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!" His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazaros out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.

Palm Sunday
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 12:1-18

Πρὸ ἓξ ἡμερῶν τοῦ πάσχα ἦλθεν Ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἰς Βηθανίαν, ὅπου ἦν Λάζαρος ὁ τεθνηκώς, ὃν ἤγειρεν ἐκ νεκρῶν. ἐποίησαν οὖν αὐτῷ δεῖπνον ἐκεῖ, καὶ ἡ Μάρθα διηκόνει· ὁ δὲ Λάζαρος εἷς ἦν τῶν ἀνακειμένων σὺν αὐτῷ. ἡ οὖν Μαρία, λαβοῦσα λίτραν μύρου νάρδου πιστικῆς πολυτίμου, ἤλειψε τοὺς πόδας τοῦ ᾿Ιησοῦ καὶ ἐξέμαξε ταῖς θριξὶν αὐτῆς τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ· ἡ δὲ οἰκία ἐπληρώθη ἐκ τῆς ὀσμῆς τοῦ μύρου. λέγει οὖν εἷς ἐκ τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ, ᾿Ιούδας Σίμωνος ᾿Ισκαριώτης, ὁ μέλλων αὐτὸν παραδιδόναι· διατί τοῦτο τὸ μύρον οὐκ ἐπράθη τριακοσίων δηναρίων καὶ ἐδόθη πτωχοῖς; εἶπε δὲ τοῦτο οὐχ ὅτι περὶ τῶν πτωχῶν ἔμελεν αὐτῷ, ἀλλ᾽ ὅτι κλέπτης ἦν, καὶ τὸ γλωσσόκομον εἶχε καὶ τὰ βαλλόμενα ἐβάσταζεν. εἶπεν οὖν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· ἄφες αὐτήν, εἰς τὴν ἡμέραν τοῦ ἐνταφιασμοῦ μου τετήρηκεν αὐτό. τοὺς πτωχοὺς γὰρ πάντοτε ἔχετε μεθ᾽ ἑαυτῶν, ἐμὲ δὲ οὐ πάντοτε ἔχετε.

῎Εγνω οὖν ὄχλος πολὺς ἐκ τῶν ᾿Ιουδαίων ὅτι ἐκεῖ ἐστι, καὶ ἦλθον οὐ διὰ τὸν ᾿Ιησοῦν μόνον, ἀλλ᾽ ἵνα καὶ τὸν Λάζαρον ἴδωσιν ὃν ἤγειρεν ἐκ νεκρῶν. ἐβουλεύσαντο δὲ οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς ἵνα καὶ τὸν Λάζαρον ἀποκτείνωσιν, ὅτι πολλοὶ δι᾽ αὐτὸν ὑπῆγον τῶν ᾿Ιουδαίων καὶ ἐπίστευον εἰς τὸν ᾿Ιησοῦν.

Τῇ ἐπαύριον ὄχλος πολὺς ὁ ἐλθὼν εἰς τὴν ἑορτήν, ἀκούσαντες ὅτι ἔρχεται ᾿Ιησοῦς εἰς ῾Ιεροσόλυμα, ἔλαβον τὰ βαΐα τῶν φοινίκων καὶ ἐξῆλθον εἰς ὑπάντησιν αὐτῷ, καὶ ἔκραζον· ὡσαννά, εὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου, ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῦ ᾿Ισραήλ. εὑρὼν δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ὀνάριον ἐκάθισεν ἐπ᾽ αὐτό, καθώς ἐστι γεγραμμένον· μὴ φοβοῦ, θύγατερ Σιών· ἰδοὺ ὁ βασιλεύς σου ἔρχεται καθήμενος ἐπὶ πῶλον ὄνου.

Ταῦτα δὲ οὐκ ἔγνωσαν οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ τὸ πρῶτον, ἀλλ᾽ ὅτε ἐδοξάσθη ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς, τότε ἐμνήσθησαν ὅτι ταῦτα ἦν ἐπ᾽ αὐτῷ γεγραμμένα, καὶ ταῦτα ἐποίησαν αὐτῷ. ᾿Εμαρτύρει οὖν ὁ ὄχλος ὁ ὢν μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ ὅτε τὸν Λάζαρον ἐφώνησεν ἐκ τοῦ μνημείου καὶ ἤγειρεν αὐτὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν. διὰ τοῦτο καὶ ὑπήντησεν αὐτῷ ὁ ὄχλος, ὅτι ἤκουσαν τοῦτο αὐτὸν πεποιηκέναι τὸ σημεῖον.

General Announcements

CHURCH IS OPEN and is also being live-streamed

Please note: ORTHROS WILL BEGIN ON SUNDAYS AT 8:45

Remember, you can now watch our live stream of the Divine Liturgy and other services directly on the Church website:

annunciation.nh.goarch.org

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.

Church Services this week:

Friday 4/23

9:40 am Ninth Hour
10am Presanctified Liturgy

Saturday 4/24 Saturday of Lazarus

8:45 am Orthros
10 am Divine Liturgy
6pm Great Vespers

4/25 Palm Sunday

8:45 am Orthros
10am Divine Liturgy
7pm Orthros of the Bridegroom (procession of the Icon of the Nymphios)

4/26 Holy Monday

9:40am Ninth Hour
10am Presanctified Liturgy
7pm Orthros of the Bridegroom

4/27 Holy Tuesday

7pm Orthros of the Bridegroom (penitential hymn of Kassiani the nun)

4/28 Holy Wednesday

3pm Mystery of Holy Unction (Efhelaion)
7pm Orthros of the Mystical Supper (includes annointing with Holy Unction)

4/29 Holy Thursday

9:30 am Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil (commemoration of the washing of the Disciples' feet, the Mystical Supper, the prayer of Christ in Gethsemane, and His betrayal and arrest)
7pm Orthros of the Passion of Christ (the twelve Passion Gospels and the procession of our Crucified Lord).

4/30 Holy Friday

10am The Great Hours (Vigil Service of the Passion of Christ)
3pm Great Vespers (the Apokathilosis) (removal of the Body of Christ from the Cross, procession of the Epitaphios and burial of our Lord)
7pm Orthros of the Epitaphios, Lamentations (outdoor procession of the Epitaphios, weather permitting)

5/1 Holy Saturday

9:30am Vesperal Divine Liturgy (vigil liturgy of Pascha—first announcement of the Ressurrection)
11pm Vigil of the Resurrection

5/2 Holy Pascha

12am Orthros & Divine Liturgy of Holy Pascha (blessing of Paschal eggs and food baskets)
11am Agape Vespers & Memory of St. George the Great Martyr (includes proclamation of the Gospel in multiple languages)

Decoration of the Kovouklion: On Holy Friday morning at 8:30 am volunteers are needed to help decorate the Kovoulklion.

Agape Service Readers Needed: On Easter Sunday the Bible reading is read in many languages. If you would like to be a reader please see Fr. Anthony.

Sunday School: Children will be sitting with their family until communion. After receiving communion, they will head downstairs with the teachers. Kids are expected to wear a mask while in class. We will have a mini lesson and a coloring page for them. Children will be distancing from other families. We will also be doing our best to not have shared materials. We are asking at his time that only school aged children attend Sunday School and no parents/guardians to sit in the class. Space is limited and so is staff. If anyone is interested in opening the nursery for children under 5 please let us know. We are looking forward to seeing your children again.

Communion Prayers: Fr. Anthony has printed Pre-communion Prayers and Post-communion prayers for your convenience. Please feel free to take one in the narthex (also available in the flyer section of this Bulletin).

MBC Summer Camp 2021: Open for registration. (Flyer in flyer section of this bulletin)

First festival meeting: of the year on May 11th at 6 pm. We will be holding it as a zoom call, so if you are interested in joining, email Rebecca & Robert (greekfestivaldover@gmail.com) for the invitation link.
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Calling all Grads ‍‍!!

This year may have been very different but we still want to recognize these kids.
If your child is graduating from Kindergarten, Middle School, High School, of College. Please let us know ASAP! Please email me at : Sarah-wolfe@live.com

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Attention High School Seniors and Parents/Guardians: Scholarship Applications will be available non April 1, 2021 in the church and on line as well. The completed applications must be delivered to the Annunciation Church by May 1, 2021. Please do not put the application or applications in a mailbox- give them directly to Hope, Fr. Anthony or a parish council member , who will sign and date it/them. Scholarship applications are in the flyer section of this bulletin.

The District 9 AHEPA scholarships, are on line. Please let your Chapter know. Go to www.ahepadistrict9.org under programs. Please make sure the applicants read the directions carefully before they fill out the application. All applications are prepared and submitted on line. Make sure they check the cut off date carefully. No applications will be accepted after that date.

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LENTEN SERVICE DESCRIPTIONS

Great Compline

The original Greek term for compline is apodeipno, literally meaning, after supper. In monastic life, this service is conducted daily after the evening meal, hence its name. In parish life, the Lenten form of this service is conducted at least weekly during Great Lent, typically on Monday evenings. The service is replete with psalms, hymns of intercession, and penitential prayers and hymns asking for the Lord’s mercy upon us. It is typically offered in a darkened church to reflect the Lenten liturgical mood of the service.

Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

Since the Orthodox Church prohibits the joyous celebration of the Eucharist (Divine Liturgy) during the penitential weekdays of Great Lent, centuries ago, a service was developed that combined the basic Vespers service with the second part of the Divine Liturgy, and with the addition of certain unique features. This was done in order to offer the faithful opportunities for receiving Holy Communion other than Sunday. In parish life, this service is typically conducted on the Wednesdays and Fridays of Lent. Holy Communion that was consecrated at the prior Sunday’s liturgy is distributed to the faithful who have prepared to receive. The earlier part of the Presanctified Liturgy is the most unique part of the service, which includes the penitential rendition of the hymn, “Let my prayer arise as incense.” This is a beautiful Lenten service, well-loved throughout the Orthodox world.

The Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian

This is the most central Lenten prayer, which we should recite daily during Great Lent.

O Lord and Master of my life, grant me not a spirit of laziness, meddling, love of power, and idle talk. (full prostration)

Instead, grant me Your servant, a spirit of prudence, humility, patience, and love. (full prostration)

Yes, Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults, and not to judge my brother, for you are blessed unto the ages of ages. Amen. (full prostration)

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To Digitally Follow Service

Agesintiatives.com/dcs/public/dcs.html

Choose Date of service

Choose Service

GR-EN PDF/PRINT

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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

Calendar

Church Calendar

April 25 to May 9, 2021

Sunday, April 25

Palm Sunday

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

7:00PM Orthros of the Bridegroom

Monday, April 26

Holy Monday

9:40AM 9th Hour

10:00AM Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts

7:00PM Orthros of the Bridegroom

Tuesday, April 27

Holy Tuesday

7:00PM Orthros of the Bridegroom (Penitential hymn of Kassiani the nun)

Wednesday, April 28

Holy Wednesday

3:00PM Mystery of Holy Unction (Efhelaion)

7:00PM Orthros of the Mystical Supper (includes anointing with Holy Unction)

Thursday, April 29

Holy Thursday

9:30AM Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil

7:00PM Orthros of the Passion of Christ

Friday, April 30

Holy Friday

10:00AM The Great Hours

3:00PM Great Vespers (the Apokathilosis)

7:00PM Orthros of the Epitaphios Lamentation

Saturday, May 1

Holy Saturday

9:30AM Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil

11:00PM Vigil of the Resurrection

Sunday, May 2

Holy Pascha

12:00AM Orthros & Divine Liturgy of Holy Pascha

11:00AM Agape Vespers & memory of St. George

Monday, May 3

Bright Monday Office Closed

Saturday, May 8

6:00PM Great Vespers

Sunday, May 9

8:45AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

1:00PM Kulin Krishnan Baptism

Flyers

April Rejoice

Our monthly publication that includes the church calendar and news!

MBC Summer Camp 2021

Flier for Metropolis of Boston Summer Camp 2021. Registration will open April 15 at 7pm. Space will be limited!

Communion Prayers

Pre-communion Prayers and Post-communion Prayers

2021 Stewardship Form

The Stewardship form for 2021

Demosthenes Scholarship Application 2021

Demosthenes Scholarship Application 2021 awarded to High School Seniors or Full-Time College Students

Alkistis Scholarship 2021

Alkistis Scholarship 2021 awarded to High School Seniors

Annunciation Scholarship Packet 2021

Dr. James Faskianos Scholarship Packet 2021

Archepiscopal Message

Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Lent

04/18/2021

I am so delighted to be with you, in this magnificent Cathedral in Richmond, as we prepare to soon enter into the most sacred and solemn week of our faith. Today, we celebrate one of the greatest Saints of the Church, Mary of Egypt, whose life was completely changed by her experience of Jerusalem and the power of the Holy Cross in the Church of the Anastasis

https://www.goarch.org/-/homily-richmond-lent

Easter Donations

2021 Items Needed for Lent & Holy Week

Following are items needed for Lenten and Holy Week services, and throughout the year. We are grateful for your anticipated generosity; may your gift be a blessing to you and your families! Items highlighted in purple are still available to be donated.

Decoration of icon for the Salutations (5 Fridays) – $50 each 5 Dodnated by the Kottaridis Family in memory of Elias Kottaridis
Decoration of icon of the Annunciation – $40 –John Mitchell In memory of Ora & John D. Mitchell
Floral arrangement for iconostasis icon of the Annunciation – $50 Paraskevi Stamelos
Flowers for the Veneration of the Holy Cross – $150 Awad Family
Palm strips for Palm Sunday crosses – $50 Awad Family
Decorative palm branches for Royal Gate – $100 John Rouman
Bay laurel for Palm Sunday & Holy Saturday –$80 George & Sandy Lazarus
Decoration of icon of the Bridegroom (Nymphios), 2 decorations – $50 each Evangelatos Family
1 liter extra virgin olive oil for Holy Unction (Efhelaion) $50 Anthi Delintsiotis
Decoration of icon of the Mystical Supper – $50 Paraskevi Stamelos
Wreath for Cross – $50 Byers Family
Beeswax lambades for Cross & 12 Gospels – $50 Polychronopoulos Family in memory of Sylvia Polychronopoulos
Decoration of banner of the Resurrection – $50 Demetrios Delintsiotis
Decoration of icon of the Resurrection – $50 Claire Delinsiotis
Lilies for Holy Pascha – $30 each
Flowers for the Epitaphios (our greatest expense) – please give generously

Note: The priest’s Paschal candle is not listed because Fr. Anthony is gifted his lambada each year from St. Nektarios Monastery in New York state.

The following items are needed throughout the year:

Communion wine – $20 per bottle ($100 Paraskevi Stamelos) ($100 The Howards)
Beeswax candles for altar table & candle stands – $10 per lb. ($50 In memory of Kiki & George Demopoulos)
Incense – $100 In memory of Dr. James Faskianos
Charcoal – $50 In memory of Kiki & George Demopoulos
Candle fuel cartridges – $150 In memory of Dr. James Faskianos

We kindly ask that your donation requests be made through the church office. If an item you wish to donate has already been sponsored, please consider another available item, or simply donate toward the Epitaphios, or for items needed throughout the year.

Lilies

1 Polychronopoulos Family

5 Annette Roylos

Flowers for Epitaphios

Vomvoris Family $100

Dr. John & Gerianne Athans $500

Alkistis $200

Zeff Demopoulos In memory of Dr. James Demopoulos $100

Eva Demopoulos In memory of Dino Demoopoulos $50

Annette Roylos $ 200

Atkinson Family $100

Anthi Delinsiotis $50

Victor Elios $200

Nancy Trudeau $100 In memory of Florence Houreas Simpson & David Trudeau

Parthena Yaakob $50 In memory of Socrates & Rhodopi Espiefs

George & Althea Coussoule $100

Donna & Shawn Teague $100

Richard Clairmont $200

Elizabeth Zisis $90

Vula & Kimon Lalas $65

Argeris Karabelas $500 In memory of Nicholas & Pauline Karabelas

COVID 19 Guidelines

My Fellow Parishioners,

I know that this truly has been a very difficult year for all of us trying to keep Our Church and our lives functioning as best as possible due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.

We are still under the COVID-19 Guidelines that came out on June 1, 2020 for our Church which state:

1. 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".

2. "If you are under medical instruction not to wear a mask, you must clearly indicate this to the Parish Council member upon entering".

We all must adhere to these guidelines, to keep every one of our parishioners safe and healthy.

If you do not wear a mask, you will not be permitted to enter the Church or stay for services. We will provide masks for those of you who don’t have one.

We will continue to Live-Stream our services on Facebook for those of you who are not attending services.

Sincerely,

Parish Council

COVID-19 PARISH REOPENING GUIDELINES

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Household of God,

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. Anthony 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!

Parish Council

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