THANKSGIVING MESSAGE 2018

Transcript

1 Ευαγγελισμός της Θεοτόκου Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Reverend Father Dean J. Dimon Proistamenos 2187 West 14th Street, Cleveland, OH Sunday, November 18, th Sunday of Luke THANKSGIVING MESSAGE 2018 It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your loving kindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night. (Psalm 92:1-2) During this month of November, it is wonderful that our nation pauses to dedicate one day specifically for THANKSGIVING. Every American president since Abraham Lincoln has made an official Thanksgiving Proclamation on behalf of our nation. On November 22, we all will continue in that tradition and offer thanksgiving to Almighty God for our countless blessings as a nation, a church, as families and as individuals. Yet let us take care not to think that one day a year is enough to thank God! As Orthodox Christians, we joyfully participate in this national holiday of Thanksgiving, while simultaneously realizing that a follower of Jesus Christ is someone who daily acknowledges with gratitude the blessings we receive each and every day! Life, love, faith, health, friendships and relationships, along with our challenges, struggles and everything in between are gifts from our loving Father in heaven! Henri Nouwen, a Roman Catholic theologian wrote about thanksgiving: Gratitude goes beyond the "mine" and "thine" and claims the truth that all of life is a pure gift. In the past I always thought of gratitude as a spontaneous response to the awareness of gifts received, but now I realize that gratitude can also be lived as a discipline. The discipline of gratitude is the explicit effort to acknowledge that all I am and have is given to me as a gift of love, a gift to be celebrated with joy. What a profound idea to think of gratitude as a discipline, instead as a fleeting emotion that depends on our circumstances. In fact, this way of understanding gratitude goes in line with our Orthodox perspective. Every mature Christian should try to discipline themselves to maintain a true Christ-like spirit - which includes the spirit of gratitude, along with the spirit of joy, the spirit of humility, the spirit of love, the spirit of hope, and the list could go on. Difficult and disappointing circumstances will tempt us to lose these Christian attitudes, but our spiritual struggle is precisely an effort to constantly turn to Parish Council Members Parish Council Officers: Niko Semertsidis President John A. Trihas Vice President Linsey Anagnostos Secretary Joe Rokas Treasurer Penelope Coutris Aphrodite Ganotis Eleni Karadaglis Michael Manak Kosmas Petratos Tim Tsirambidis John Vianos Sam Zizis

2 God and seek out His Holy Spirit, who will in turn fill us with His fruit of love, joy, peace, hope, and gratitude. Each and every moment of our lives, we have a choice to make - whether to be grateful or to be ungrateful; to see life as a blessing, or to see it as a burden; to notice the hand of God present in our own reality, or to pridefully think that we are our own god and to despairingly think that we are on our own. This spirit and discipline of thanksgiving goes hand-in-hand with our upcoming STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY. Every year we chose one Sunday to be the day when we reflect upon the blessings God has given us, and think how we can show our gratitude back God. This year we will have the privilege to have with us Stacey Stathulis from the Department of Outreach and Evangelism. He will focus on the idea of our time, talents, and treasure. By acting as a good steward of God in His Church we are consciously striving to offer a portion of our time, our talents, and our treasure to promote His Gospel and to preserve and perpetuate His Holy Church. Please come to Church on November 25, and hand in your Stewardship Card where we all will make a concrete commitment of what we can offer the Church for the glory of God. And remember, Saint Paul says, God loves a cheerful giver! We don t want parishioners to give in a grudging or regretful manner. The Annunciation is our Church Family, and each one of you are is an integral part of it. Just as each of us want the best for our own families, I m sure that we all want the best for our Church Family as well! May we all act as faithful and dedicated stewards in our offering of time, service. And as a good steward, try to think about what you offered God this past year, and see how you can increase it in the new year. God is continually increasing His blessings to us, and we in like manner, should try to increase our commitment to Him. Maybe we can volunteer more and commit more time to the Church. Maybe we can use the unique talent or knowledge we have to serve a need in the Church. Maybe we can increase our stewardship financial pledge. In whatever we decide, may we all strive to do it solely for the glory of Almighty God. And we all need to remember and ask ourselves Ask not what the Annunciation can do for you, but ask what you can do for the Annunciation! With joy and gratitude in Christ Jesus, +Fr. Dean 2

3 Epistle Ἀπόστολος St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 4:1-7 Prokeimenon. Mode Plagal 4. Psalm 75.11,1 Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them. Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel. Προκείμενον. Ήχος πλ. δ'. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 75.11,1 Εὔξασθε καὶ ἀπόδοτε Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν. Στίχ. Γνωστὸς ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ ὁ Θεός, ἐν τῷ Ἰσραὴλ μέγα τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ. Πρὸς Ἐφεσίους 4:1-7 τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 4:1-7 Brethren, I, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Ἀδελφοί, παρακαλῶ οὖν ὑμᾶς ἐγώ, ὁ δέσμιος ἐν κυρίῳ, ἀξίως περιπατῆσαι τῆς κλήσεως ἧς ἐκλήθητε, μετὰ πάσης ταπεινοφροσύνης καὶ πρᾳότητος, μετὰ μακροθυμίας, ἀνεχόμενοι ἀλλήλων ἐν ἀγάπῃ, σπουδάζοντες τηρεῖν τὴν ἑνότητα τοῦ πνεύματος ἐν τῷ συνδέσμῳ τῆς εἰρήνης. Ἓν σῶμα καὶ ἓν πνεῦμα, καθὼς καὶ ἐκλήθητε ἐν μιᾷ ἐλπίδι τῆς κλήσεως ὑμῶν εἷς κύριος, μία πίστις, ἓν βάπτισμα, εἷς θεὸς καὶ πατὴρ πάντων, ὁ ἐπὶ πάντων, καὶ διὰ πάντων, καὶ ἐν πᾶσιν ἡμῖν. Ἑνὶ δὲ ἑκάστῳ ἡμῶν ἐδόθη ἡ χάρις κατὰ τὸ μέτρον τῆς δωρεᾶς τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Memorials Georgia Verikakis Margarita Kozanas Μνημόσυνα Γεωργία Βερικακης Μαργαρίτα Κοζανα May their memory be eternal Αιωνία η μνήμη 3

4 9th Sunday of Luke The Gospel According to Luke 12:16-21 The Lord said this parable: "The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' And he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." As he said these things, he cried out: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." Gospel Ἐκ τοῦ Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 12:16-21 Εὐαγγελίου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην Ἀνθρώπου τινὸς πλουσίου εὐφόρησεν ἡ χώρα καὶ διελογίζετο ἐν ἑαυτῷ λέγων τί ποιήσω, ὅτι οὐκ ἔχω ποῦ συνάξω τοὺς καρπούς μου; καὶ εἶπε τοῦτο ποιήσω καθελῶ μου τὰς ἀποθήκας καὶ μείζονας οἰκοδομήσω, καὶ συνάξω ἐκεῖ πάντα τὰ γενήματά μου καὶ τὰ ἀγαθά μου, καὶ ἐρῶ τῇ ψυχῇ μου ψυχή, ἔχεις πολλὰ ἀγαθὰ κείμενα εἰς ἔτη πολλά ἀναπαύου, φάγε, πίε, εὐφραίνου. εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ Θεός ἄφρον, ταύτῃ τῇ νυκτὶ τὴν ψυχήν σου ἀπαιτοῦσιν ἀπὸ σοῦ ἃ δὲ ἡτοίμασας τίνι ἔσται; οὕτως ὁ θησαυρίζων ἑαυτῷ, καὶ μὴ εἰς Θεὸν πλουτῶν. Today s coffee social will be provided by the Verikakis and Kozanas families Σήμερα Ο καφές προσφέρεται από την οικογένεια Βερυκάκη και Κοζάνα May their memory be eternal Αιωνία η μνήμη 4

5 Greatmartyr Plato (+266) Resurrectional Apolytikion Plagal Fourth Tone Ἐξ' ὕψους κατῆλθες ὁ Εὔσπλαχνος, ταφήν κατεδέξω τριήμερον, ἵνα ἡμᾶς ἐλευθερώσης τῶν παθῶν, ἡ ζωή καί ἡ ἀνάστασις ἡμῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι. From on high you descended most Compassionate; you accepted a three-day burial; so that you would, from the passion free us all, our life and resurrection that you are, glory to you O Lord. Hymn of Saints Greatmartyrs Οἱ Μάρτυρες σου, Κύριε, ἐν τῇ ἀθλήσει αὐτῶν, τό στέφος ἐκομίσαντο τῆς ἀφθαρσίας, ἐκ σοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ ἡμῶν ἔχόντες τήν ἰσχύν σου, τούς τυράννους καθεῖλον ἔθραυσαν καί δαιμόνων τά ἀνίσχυρα θράση αὐτῶν ταῖς ἱκεσίαις Χριστέ, ὁ Θεός, σῶσον τάς ψυχάς ἡμῶν. Your loyal martyrs, Lord, while contending for you, the crown of incorruption they earned for themselves, from you the God of all of us; for armed with your might, they defeated the tyrants, and crushed all the demons and their powerless presumtion. Through their intercessions, O Christ our God, we pray to you to save our souls. Apolytikion of the Church Σήμερον τῆς σωτηρίας ἡμῶν τό κεφάλαιον, καί τοῦ ἀπ' αἰῶνος μυστηρίου ἡ φανέρωσις ὁ υἱός τοῦ Θεοῦ, υἱός τῆς Παρθένου γίνεται, καί Γαβριήλ τήν χάριν εὐαγγελίζεται. Διό καί ἡμεῖς σύν αὐτῷ, τῇ Θεοτόκῳ βοήσωμεν Χαῖρε Κεχαριτωμένη, ὁ Κύριος μετά σοῦ. To-day is the crown of our Salvation and the manifestation of the Eternal Mystery. The Son of God becometh the son of the Virgin, and Gabriel announceth the good tidings of grace. Wherefore let us also with him cry to the Mother of God: Hail! Thou that art full of grace; the Lord is with thee. Kontakion Ὁ καθαρώτατος ναός τοῦ Σωτῆρος, ἡ πολυτίμητος παστάς καί Παρθένος, τό ἱερόν θησαύρισμα τῆς δόξης τοῦ Θεοῦ, σήμερον εἰσάγεται, ἐν τῷ Οἴκῳ Κυρίου, τήν χάριν συνεισάγουσα, τήν ἐν Πνεύματι θείῳ. Ἥν ἀνυμνοῦσιν Ἄγγελοι Θεοῦ, Αὔτη ὑπάρχει, σκηνή ἐπουράνιος. The very purest abode of the Savior, and the most priceless Bridal Chamber and Virgin, the most sacred treasure of the glory of God, today is led inside of, the house of the Lord, bringing in the grace with her, of the Holy Spirit. It is for her God's angels sing in praise: She is truly a heavenly Tabernacle.. 5

6 Christian Stewardship is In our spiritual relationship with our creator, we realize that we are called to be good stewards of His creation. And as stewards of His Gospel, we are called to use our material, worldly possessions to meet the needs of others. Goarch.org TIME WORSHIP All Sunday Services begin 8:30AM Orthros 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy ************* S E R V I C E S Wed., Nov. 21st Entrance of the Theotokos to the Temple Orthros 8:30 a.m. Div. Liturgy 9:30 a.m. Wed., Dec. 5th Great Vespers St. Nicholas - Lorain, OH Thurs., December 6th St Nicholas Orthros 8:30 a.m. Div. Litrugy 9:30 a.m. Wed., Dec. 12th St Spyridon Orthros 8:30 Div. Lit 9:30 This Week: Mon., Nov. 19th Greek School Lessons 5:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Bible Study 6:00 p.m. Tues., Nov 20 St. Gregory of Decapolis 10:00 a.m., Divine Liturgy will be held in the St. Mary of Egypt Chapel Wed., Nov. 21st Entrance of the Theotokos Orthros 8:30 a.m. Div. Liturgy 9:30 a.m. Thrus. Nov. 22nd Thanksgiving Day Church office is closed No Greek School Lessons Memorial Tray If you would like to order a tray of Koliva please contact: Vivian Kyriazis or Angie Tsigas Stewardship 2018 We are grateful for the 274 FAMILIES that have pledged to support the Annunciation s many ministries. We have collected 97,295 Pledged 90,428 Goal: 120,000 Sun., Nov. 25th 13th Sunday of Luke Stewardship Sunday We welcome Stacey Stathulis Memorial: Olga Lambrou 40 Day Baby Blessing Appreciation Luncheon to follow the Divine Liturgy Thank you for giving According to your God-Given Ability! 6

7 Stewardship Sunday, November 25th As we begin our 2019 Stewardship Campaign for the Annunciation. Guest Speaker Stacey P. Stathulis Parish Stewardship Training Coordinator Department of Stewardship, Outreach & Evangelism from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Join us in offering your 2019 stewardship pledge card for the ministries. We will pass a basket so that we may offer our stewardship cards. We will then offer that basket in prayer to God as our first fruits. Why November 25? It is the day we will celebrate our Thanksgiving Lenten luncheon together. What better way to give thanks to God than by offering ourselves to Him? Looking forward to seeing you on November 25,

8 TODAY RETIREMENT CELEBRATION for Rev. Fr. James Doukas at St. Demetrios in Rocky River A CHRISTMAS STORY HOUSE 5K-10K DEC 1, 2018 This run takes attendees past iconic filming locations, starting at the former Higbee s Department Store in Downtown Cleveland and makes its way to A Christmas Story House & Museum. Information can be found at WALKABOUT TREMONT - Dec., 7th Every second Friday of the month, all year! 6pm-9pm About Walkabout Tremont Walkabout Tremont honors the artistic vision of Jean Brandt, who started the Tremont ArtWalk in 1993, with open galleries on the second Friday of each month. Tremont expands the eventâ s focus with music, street entertainment, local history, restaurant and bar specials, and pop-up tents featuring art and artists from within and outside Tremont.. More specifics, an event map, neighborhood tours an d gallery/store/restaurant hours are posted on WalkaboutTremont.com. SPAGHETTI DINNER BENEFIT Sun., Dec. 2, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., 27 th annual benefit for St. Herman s FOCUS Cleveland, at St. Malachi Parish Hall, 2459 Washington Ave., Cleveland. $8/adult; $6/senior over age 60; $5 / child age 6-12; free for age 5 & under. To volunteer, pre-order or take out, contact Dan or Debbie Jenks at ST. SAVA FEASTDAY Wed., Dec. 5 at Metropolis Center, 5201 Ellsworth Ave., Pittsburgh. Celebrate the nameday of His Eminence Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh with 9 am Orthros, 10 am Divine Liturgy, followed by Open House until 2 p.m. Refreshments served. GREAT VESPERS FOR ST. NICHOLAS Dec. 5th at 7:00 p.m. at St. Nicholas in Lorain. ZOE FOR WOMEN S CENTER OPEN HOUSE AND BLESSING Sat., Dec. 8th at 1:30 p.m. at 5454 State Road in Parma. Kindly respond to PAN ORTHODOX CHRISTMAS CONCERT Sun., Dec. 9, the Greater Cleveland Council of Orthodox Clergy invite the faithful to the 26 th annual Nativity Choir Concert. 4 p.m. hosted by St. Paul Church, 4548 Wallings Rd., North Royalton. Refreshments to follow. CAVS GREEK COMMUNITY NIGHT Fri., Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m. at The Q. Buy tickets online at Annunciationakron.org/greekcommunitynight Dead line to buy tickets in the block is Sun., Nov 11. GOYA BASKETBALL SCRIMMAGE Sat., Dec. 15 at St. Demetrios Rocky River HOLIDAY BALL Sat., Dec. 29 at Lago, East Bank, 1091 W. 10 th St., Cleveland. Food, dancing, cash bar. $60/adult; $25/child. RSVP to Linda Glynias (lglynias@gmail.com or ) NEW YEAR WITH BASILE Mon., Dec. 31, ring in 2019 with a laugh at St. Nicholas Church, 2000 Tower Blvd., Lorain. Doors open at 8:30 p.m., show begins at 10 p.m. Pre-show appetizer buffet, midnight snack & dessert, complimentary champagne. Cash bar. Music by Dimitri. $75/person; $50/student; premium tables for 8 (in 1 st or 2 nd row with 2 bottles of wine for the table) $650/table of 8. For reservations, hilariousgreek@gmail.com THE FOOTSTEPS OF ST. PAUL PILGRIMAGE June 8-21, Depart Cleveland and visit Thessaloniki, Phillipi, Meteora, Delphi, Olympia, Napflion, Corinth, Athens, Samos, Ephesus, Patmos, and Thira. For more info, visit: PANCRETAN YOUTH CONFERENCE Jan. 3 6 ~ hosted by the Cretan youth of Akron and Cleveland. Contact Michael Zanoudakis for more information at ST. NICHOLAS DANCE Sat., Dec. 8, 6-11 p.m. at St. Nicholas Church hall, 2000 Tower Blvd., Lorain. Celebrate their feastday with live music by Vasilios Hatzigeorgiou, catered dinner; cash bar. Mrs. Claus will entertain the kids with crafts and Christmas movies. $25/adult, $10/student, $5/child under 12. Call Dena at

9 TEAM A TEAM A TEAM B TEAM B Anastasios Ermidis Panagiotis Ermidis Simon Skoutas Athanasios Kotsanis Demetri Anagnostos Kosta Kafantaris Victor Kafantaris Dimitri Genin Constantine Kotsanis Dimitri Rousakis George Sisamis Nikolaos Anagnostos November 11 November 25 December 9 December 23 Konstantinos Ermidis George Ermidis Efstratios (Charlie) Hliatzos Michael Hliatzos Joey Sheely Constantine Sheely Jonathan Walsh Angelo Semertsidis George Skoutas George Coutris Gregory Sisamis Antoni Makris Yiannis Tsambounieris Anthony Michaels November 18 December 2 December 16 December 30 Dino Agelidakis Please remember the people of our community that are in assisted living facilities or hospitals or at home. What can you do? Send a card, call them, send flowers, or more importantly visit them. PETE SBOUKIS (Daughter Irene) Diplomat Health 9001 West 130th Street N. Royalton, OH (440) GEORGE TSARDOULIAS 5814 Fry Road (HOME) Brookpark, OH STELLA KAMENOS Mount Royal Villa Bennett Road #211 North Royalton, OH NIKI POULOS Mount Royal Villa Bennett Road North Royalton, OH PETE & MARIA BOZAS (HOME) 1742 Wager Road #110 Rocky River, OH MARIA ASLAMAZI Transplant House of Cleveland 2007 E 115th St, Cleveland, OH (216) or

10 2018 Annunciation Church Christmas Card Annunciation Church is collecting donations for our annual Christmas Card. If you choose to participate fill out the flyer below with your family name included. ALL proceeds will be going directly into our Building Fund. Donate whatever you feel appropriate. Please return the completed form and donation by either: dropping in the designated box for Christmas Cards in the Narthex OR- hand to Popi Coutris -OR- mail to: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Attention: Christmas Card, 2187 W.14 TH Street, Cleveland, OH Deadline is Monday, December 3 rd Family Name 10

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13 Come join us for The Little Angels Christmas Party Saturday, December 1 st at 11:00 Annunciation Church (downstairs hall) For questions see: Despina Semertsidis, Katina Hliatzos, Pam Sheely, or Popi Almiroudis 13

14 When Christians who have been raised by the love of the Church show compassion to anyone in immediate need, even supposed enemy, they witness to their faith. This type of faith is not a mere assertion of the correctness of a certain formal belief. It is fragrance of a mature human being who has overcome death; and they are entirely love according to the likeness of God. The people, who simply learn words of love and the different religious views according to their beliefs, do not offer life. Neither do they educate or form humans; rather they create the confusion which come from a sterile erudition. Nothing threatens the one who has as a mode of life, their sacrifice out of love for others. A life that raises from the tomb does not fear anything! The Orthodox Church has a joy that is stronger than the present life, and a wonder that transcends death, By this we love, because He laid down His life or us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren (1Jn 3:16) Mode of Life Project: modeoflife.org 14

15 The Stewardship Committee would like to thank everyone who submitted their pledge cards for Listed below are the pledged cards we have received. If you have not done so yet, please send in your pledge card to the church office. Extra cards are available at the Pangari (Candle Stand). I can do all things in Him Who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13) Ευχαριστούμε όλους που επέστρεψαν τις κάρτες των οικονομικών εύφορων (stewardship) Εάν δεν τα έχετε στείλει σας παρακαλούμε να τα στείλετε η να τα δώσετε στην εκκλησία για το Η κάρτες βρίσκονται στο Παγκάρι Agelidakis, Georgios & Victoria Albino, Carmen & Gabriella Alex, George & Becky Alex, Stefo & Loula Alex, Taso & Eleni Alexandrou, Angie Allison, John & Nancy Almiroudis, Konstantinos & Kalliopei Ameres, Kostas & Markia Anagnostos, Athanasios & Linsey Antonaklas, Steve & Evangelia Arabian, Allen & Agnes Baker, John & Vicky Benicos, Ecaterini Benovic, Matthew & Maria Bibidakis, Evangelos & Eftychia Boukis, Constantine Boukis, Gary & Mary Boulas, Dimitrios & Evegenia Boyeas, Mike & Christine Boyeas, Stelios & Judy Bozas, Pete & Maria Calogeras, Ellen Chacalos, Icaros & Nitsa Chacalos, Stella Cimino, Vincent & Chrisafo Ciolfi, Maria Costaras, William & Natalia Coutris, Stephen & Penelope Croff, Maro Dallas, Maria Dashiell, Jeffrey & Elizabeth Davis, Lambrini Del Vecchio, Giuseppe & Angela Diamantis, Argyro Difiore III, Edward & Nicki Dimarhos, Konstantinos & Maria Dimarhos, Sofia Dimon, Fr. Dean & Presvytera Drosos, Angeliki Efpraxias, Georgio Ermidis, Emmanuel & Marina Ermidis, John & Yulia Ermidis, Venizelos & Bessie Filipou, Alexandros & Olympia Foradis, Militsa Fourtounis, Emmanuel & Marika Fourtounis, Mark Ganotis, Dimitrios & Aphrodite Ganotis, Michael & Stefani Geanneses, Antoinette Gemelas, Themistoklis & Clio Genin, Jason & Cynthia George, Stephen Georgekopoulos, George & Effie Georgiadis, Debbie Gountis, Vasilios & Audolina Griveas, Peggy Gromek, Stanley & Angie Hadgis, Sidor & Agrio Hallman, Patrick & Kristin Harmon, Pamela Harris, Despina Hatzigeorgiou, Emmanuel & Stella Hatzis, Kiki Hatzopoulos, Kriti Haverty, Lester & Patricia Hlepas, James & Kathy Hliatzos, Peter & Katina Hoffman, Michael & Litsa Houchens Jr., Jack & Chrysanthe Janicijevic, Vladimir & Georgia Kafantaris, Emmanuel & Maria Kafantaris, George & Sophia Kakias, Michael & Vicky Kalevakis, George & Vicki Kalevakis, Mike & Dora Kamenos, Stella Kanaris, Anna Kanaris, Nick & Artie Kanis, Gus & Vaso Kantzios, George & Eleni Kapolis, Thanos & Anthie Karadaglis, Elias & Eleni Karadimas, Chris & Vivian Karadimas, George Karadimas, John & Linda Karakostas, Eleftherios & Helen Karakostas, Konstantinos & Lisa Ann Karakoudas, Eleni Karavokirakis, Dimitra Karavokirakis, Gramatiki Karnavas, Sophia Karras, Adam & Jackie Karras, John & Ismini Katakos, Cynthia Katrambas, Peter & Judy Katsantonis, George L. & Sandra Keating, Dale & Helen Kefalos, Panayiotis & Fotini Kellis, Michael Klonaris, Joanne Kolidakis, Nikitas & Alessandra Konstantinos, Michael Konstantinos, Nikolaos & Vasiliki Konstas, Evangelos & Fani Kontos, Patricia Kontos, Spiros & Areti Kopasakis, George & Popi Kopasakis, John & Mary Kosmas, Christos & Chryssa Kostakis, Alex & Irene Kostakis, Tom & Eleni Kotsanis, Nicholas & Christina Koukouras, Nikolaos & Evangelia Koukouvitakis, Stratis & Argiro Kowalsick, Ruby Kutrubs, Nick Kyriakidis, Antonios & Christina Kyriakidis, Helen Kyriakidis, Nick & Theresa Kyriazis, Dimitri & Ashley Kyriazis, Vivian Likos, Eugenia Lombardo, Tyler & Matina Madias, George & Maria Makris, Bessie A. Makris, Ilias & Koula Makris, Thomas Makroglou, Thal & Lisa Manak, Michael Markou, Mike & Victoria Maroulis, Kathy Maroulis, Paraskevas & Cassandra Marountas, George & Agnieska Marountas, Nick & Denna Matheou, Demetrios & Lillian Matheou, Georgia Mathews, James & Mary Mathiellis, Paul & Carol Mavrakis, Bill & Zoe Mavrakis, Jon & Rebecca Mavrakis, Lefterios & Niki Mavroidis, Mavroidis McDonald, James & Anastasia Metrakos, Frieda Michaels, Gregory & Vasiliki Mitsionis, Athanasios Moreland, Ryan & Traci Moshos, Shawn 15

16 Moulagianis, Vasalios & Stamatia Nakhel, Anis & Maria Konstas Neumeyer, Ryan & Margarita Nicholas, Irene Nickas, Vasiliki Nikolaou, Nikolaos & Vasilia Nimorakiotakis, George & Maria Nimorakiotakis, Nick & Antigoni Pagonis, Konstantinos & Paraskevi Paliobeis, Irini Panos, Eleni Panos, Pete & Mary Pantelatou, Sophia Papadakis, Adamandios E. & Despina Papadatos, Pavlos &Toula Papadopoulos, Alex Papadopoulos, Dimitrios E. & Dionira Papakonstantinou, Fotios & Spyroulla Papas, Efthymios & Youla Pappas, William & Susan Pateras, Steve & Maria Paul, Barbara Paul, John Petratos, Kosmas & Panagiota M. Petropouleas, Peter & Panagiota Petsas, Demetra Petsas, Dimitri & Deanna Pikakos, Mary Pikakos, Nick & Dawn Piperis, Fotini Pipinias, Stephan & Koula Plataniotis, Eleni Plataniotis, Nick & Elisavet Rakopoulos, Stella Regas, Alex & Thea Regas, George & Soula Regas, Strates Riedel, Joseph & Popi Roff, Jeff & Irene Rokas, Efthihia Rokas, Iosefis & Kym Rokas, John & Lucy Rousakis, Apostolis & Maria Sack, David & Katherine Salamalekis, Evangelos Salamalekis, Gus & Kristen Salloumis, Paul Salouros, Paul & Maria Sarantopoulos, Athanasios & Despina Saridakis, Frank & Anastasia Sarris, Tommy & Bessie Sboukis, Peter Scordos, John & Irene Sdrakas, Gregory & Popi Semertsidis, Niko & Despina Sevastos, Gust & Jane Sheely, Christopher & Panagiota Shinas, Dean J. Siakantaris, Stella Sioulas, Katina Sisamis, George & Anna Sisamis, John G. & Irene Skantzos, Emanuel & Evdoxia Skantzos, Pete & Maria Skoutas, Mike & Ellie Smith, Robert & Eugenia Spano, John Spanos, Kostantina Spanos, Mihail & Dina Spillas, Christ & Dorothy Stamatis, Steve Stefanopoulos, Sokratis & Ourania Stefou, Antonios & Stella Tantsios, Vasiliki Thanos, Athanasios D. & Anna Theodore, Neste & Artemis Trihas, Ermioni Trihas, John A. & Suzanne Tsakon, Hrisafo Tsambounieris, Manoli & Sofia Tsambunieris, Vasilis & Sophia Tsardoulias, Aris & Stella Tsardoulias, Elizabeth Tsardoulias, George & Diamonto Tsardoulias, John & Kurannio Tsigas, Angie Tsigas, Demetrios & Shelly Tsiourtsiouris, Maria Tsirambidis, Tim & Julie Tsirikos- Karapanos, Nikolaos & Chrysoula Tzagournis, Adam Vangelos, Zenos & Julie Varlamos, Matrona Vaselakis, John & Kiki Vasilakes, Mike & Mary Vassilakis, Freda Vassilakis, George & Irene Vassilaras, Plousia Velkos, Joseph & Maria Velkos, Nick & Irene Verikakis, John Vianos, John & Diamanto Vianos, Nicholas & Eleni Vitakis, Helen Vitakis, Stelios & Tsabika Voiklis, Emmanuel & Janet Vourlis, Antonetta Vrettos, Bessie Walsh, Edward & Calliope M Whitlock, Adrian & Marie Winslow, Brian & Rhonda Yeager Sr., James Young, Kevin Zachopoulos, Katherine Zampunis, George & Kalliopi Zeleniuch, Christina Zeleniuch, Mary Ellen Zeleniuch, Michael & Allie Zembillas, Antoni & Mikhaila Zizis, Stamatios & Ellen If we have mistakenly left your name off the STEWARDSHIP ROSTER, Please contact the Church Office. 16

17 According to the tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was brought to the Temple at three years of age, where she was consecrated to God and spent her days until she was fourteen or fifteen years old; and then, as a mature maiden, by the common counsel of the priests (since her parents had reposed some three years before), she was betrothed to Joseph. The birth and early life of the Virgin Mary is not recorded in the Gospels or other books of the New Testament, however this information can be found in a work dating from the second century known as the Book of James or Protevangelion. When Mary was three years old, Joachim and Anna decided that the time had come to fulfill their promise and to offer her to the Lord. Joachim gathered the young girls of the neighborhood to form an escort, and he made them go in front of Mary, carrying torches. Captivated by the torches, the young child followed joyfully to the Temple, not once looking back at her parents nor weeping as she was parted from them. The holy Virgin ran toward the Temple, overtaking her attendant maidens and threw herself into the arms of the High Priest Zacharias, who was waiting for her at the gate of the Temple with the elders. Zacharias blessed her saying, "It is in you that He has glorified your name in every generation. It is in you that He will reveal the Redemption that He has prepared for His people in the last days." Then, Zacharias brought the child into the Holy of Holies a place where only the High Priest was permitted to enter once a year on the Day of Atonement. He placed her on the steps of the altar, and the grace of the Lord descended upon her. She arose and expressed her joy in a dance as wonder seized all who saw this happen. The Virgin Mary dwelt in the Temple for nine years until, reaching an age for marriage, she was taken from the Temple by the priests and elders and entrusted to Joseph as the guardian of her virginity. The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple signifies her total dedication to God and her readiness for her future vocation as the Mother of the Incarnate Lord. This is a feast of anticipation. As honor is shown to Mary, the faithful are called to look forward to the Incarnation of Christ, celebrated in a little more than a month by the Feast of the Nativity on December

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20 Christmas Flower Donation We are collecting donations for fresh flowers that adorn our sanctuary for the Christmas holidays. Please stop by the Narthex, pick up an envelope or mail your donation to the Church office. Συγκεντρώνουμε δωρεές για τα λουλούδια της εορτής των Χριστουγέννων. Υπάρχουν φάκελα στο παγκάρι και σας παρακαλούμε να δώσετε την δωρεά σας στο παγκάρι. If you or your loved one would like Fr. Dean to visit you in the hospital or in your home, please notify the office Please provide the office with the name, address, and phone number of the party who is sick or shut in. Hospital visitations must be initiated by the patient's family member as, by law, hospitals are not permitted to share patient information without their consent. Αν εσείς ή το αγαπημένο σας πρόσωπο θα ήθελε τον Πατέρα Κωνσταντίνο να σας επισκεφτεί στο νοσοκομείο ή στο σπίτι σας, παρακαλούμε να ενημερώσετε το Γραφείο της Εκκλησίας. Με τους νόμους του κράτους κάθε ασθενείς που είναι στο νοσοκομείο πρέπει να πείτε στο νοσοκομείο ότι θέλετε τον Ιερέα να τον επισκεφθεί αλλιώς ο Ιερέας δεν το γνωρίζει ότι υπαρχή κάποιος στο νοσοκομείο. Να καλέσετε το γραφείο της εκκλησίας να έρθει ο Π. Κωνσταντίνος να σας βρει. 20

21 It is the practice of our Church to give the name of a Saint to the new born child. By assuming the name of a Saint, we not only honor and express our gratitude to a Holy Person for his exceptional contribution to the Orthodox Faith, but provide the new Christian with an example worthy of emulation. The Saint then becomes the Patron of the child protecting it from all danger. Through his prayers, God will grant the child the necessary illumination to become a zealous member of the Church and an ardent follower of Christ. If by chance we accidentally miss someone's nameday, we ask that you please contact the Church Office so that we may correct our records. We extend our prayers to all those celebrating November Namedays and beseech our heavenly Father to grant them many years.! Χρόνια Πολλά! November 1 Holy Anargyri Sts. Cosmas & Damian Cosmas Petratos Argerie Konstantinou Argiro Koukouvitakis Argyro Gemelas November 3 Greatmartyr George George Sisamis George Sisamis George Vasilaras George Tsambounieris George Konstandinou November 8 Archangels Gabriel & Michael Michael Kakias Michael Kakias Michael Sevastos Michael Sevastos Michael Georgalis Michael Hoffman Michael Kafantaris Michael Kontos Michael Konstantinos Michael Petrakis Michael Rokas Michael Tsambounieris Michael Zeleniuch Michael Kontoveros Michael Kellis Michael Dagiasis Michael Manak Michael Filippakis Michael Ganotis Michael Anezinis Michael Ryan Madison Mihail Spanos Mihalis Hliatzos Mihalis Tsambounieris Mihalis Antonios Konstantinos Mike Skoutas Mike Kalevakis Mike Mallis Mike Markovic Mike Boyeas November 11 St. Victor, the Martyr & St. Menas Vicki Kalevakis Vicki Tsakalos Vicky Kakias Vicky Baker Victor Kafantaris Victoria Agelidakis Victoria Markou November 13 St. John Chrysostom Archbishop of Constantinople November 14 St. Phillip the Apostle St. Gregory of Palamas Philip Philipp Gregory Gregory Gregory Gregory Gregory Gregory Gregory Gregory Brandt Dines Sisamis Giarikos Glaros Likakis Michaels Sdrakas Blake Harrison November 16 St. Matthew Mathew Santiago Matthew Pappas Matthew Benovic November 21 Entrance of the Theotokos November 25 St. Katherine Katerine Bibidakis Katherine Sack Katherine Zizis Katherine Zachopoulos Katherine Glaros Kathy Hlepas Kathy Scordos Kathy Maroulis Kathy Moulagiannis Katina Hliatzos Katina Sioulas November 26 St. Stylianos of Paflagonia Steven Alex Stylianos Prinolakis Stanley Gromek Stelio Vianos Stelios Vitakis Stelios Boyeas Stella Stefou Stella Chacalos Stella Hatzigeorgiou Stella Kamenos Stella Panagiotou Stella Siakantaris Stella Rakopoulos Stella Tsardoulias Stella Grace Irene Atheneos Stella Samaria Banuelos November 30 St. Andrew the First Called Apostle Andreas Boyeas Andrew Sboukis Andrew Papadakis Andrew Kyriacou Andromahi Sarntopouloυ Andromahi Skantzos 21

22 Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Event/Liturgy Calendar 2018 November 2018 All Sunday & Week Day 8:30 AM Orthros / 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy Sun. 18 9th Sunday of Luke Mon. 19 Greek School 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Bible Study 6:00 p.m. December 2018 Sat. 1 Little Angels Christmas Party 11:00 a.m. Sun. 2 14th Sunday of Luke Mon 3 Greek School Lessons 5:30-7:30 p.m. Bible Study 6:00 p.m. Wed. 5 Great Vespers St. Nicholas in Lorain OH Wed. 21 p.m. Entrance to the Theotokos Orthros 8:30 a.m. Div. Liturgy 9:30 Thurs. 6 St. Nicholas Orthros 8:30 a.m. Div. Lit 9:30 a.m. Greek School Lessons 5:30-7:30 p.m. Journey to Fullness 6:00 p.m. Thurs. 22 Thanksgiving Day Church office will be closed No Greek School Lessons & Jour- Fullness ney to Sun th Sunday of Luke Stewardship Sunday Appreciation Luncheon Mon. 26 Thurs. 29 Greek School 5:30 p.m. 7:30p.m. Bible Study 6:00 p.m. Greek School 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Journey to Fullness 6:00 p.m. Sun. 9 10th Sunday of Luke Philoptochos Christmas Party Mon. 10 Greek School Lessons 5:30-7:30 p.m. Bible Study 6:00 p.m. Thurs. 13 Greek School Lessons 5:30-7:30 p.m. Journey to Fullness 6:00 p.m. Fri. 14 Regional Greek Night Cavs v Bucks Sun th Sunday of Luke Sunday School Christmas Program Greek School Christmas Program Mon. 17 Greek School Lessons 5:30 p.m.- 7:30 pm Bible Study 6:00 p.m. Thurs Greek School Lessons 5:30 p.m. 7:30pm If you have not been receiving church material/mailing /phone messages or s, please contact the church office at or office@annunciationcleveland.net. Thank you. Αν δεν λαμβάνετε τις επιστολές η ότι ενημέρωση της εκκλησίας έχει για σας ή τηλεφωνικά μηνύματα, παρακαλούμε επικοινωνήστε με το γραφείο της εκκλησίας στο ή στο office@annunciationcleveland.net. Please visit our website: 22

23 Dear Friends of the Community, In an effort to defray the cost of publishing our Weekly Bulletin, & Vision, the Parish Council would like to invite anyone who wishes to support the Community to offer a small donation of $ for a business card sized ad which will be placed on the back inside pages of each publication for the calendar year, We generally publish a Weekly Bulletin as well as a Quarterly Newsletter, and with this program, hope to cut our publication cost in half by gathering 36 ads which will take up the last four pages of the Vision & Bulletin. If you are interested in this program, please send a business card that we will reproduce. Please also enclose a check made out to The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church for $ office@annunciationcleveland.net HARSOULAS GARAGE DOORS Service & Installation Garage Doors & Openers Saki Harsoulas Dino Sevastos Agent SEVASTOS INSURANCE AGENCY 8550 Pearl RD STE E Middleburg Hts., OH Tel Fax CSEAVASTOS@FARMERSAGENT.COM 23

24 Dear Friends of the Community, In an effort to defray the cost of publishing our Weekly Bulletin, & Vision, the Parish Council would like to invite anyone who wishes to support the Community to offer a small donation of $ for a business card sized ad which will be placed on the back inside pages of each publication for the calendar year, We generally publish a Weekly Bulletin as well as a Quarterly Newsletter, and with this program, hope to cut our publication cost in half by gathering 36 ads which will take up the last four pages of the Vision & Bulletin. If you are interested in this program, please send a business card that we will reproduce. Please also enclose a check made out to The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church for $ LEARN TO SPEAK GREEK THE GEORGIA PAPPAS HELLENIC CULTURAL SCHOOL OF THE ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH is offering Lessons for Adults to SPEAK GREEK! Lessons For further information, Contact Evangelia Koukouras (440) or evakoukouras@gmail.com. 24