Presentation of Our Lord

Transcript

1 ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH Monthly Bulletin February 2012 Inside this issue: Presentation of Our Lord From Father Anthony 2 Greek Message 4 Calendar 6 Philoptochos 7 Youth News 8 Sacraments Donations 10 Parish News 11 Ministries 17 Due Date for March Bulletin Friday, February 10th Church Services Saturdays Great Vespers 6:00pm Weekdays Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sundays Orthros 8:45am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Μ 10:00 9:00 10:00 8:45 10:00

2 Page 2 February An nunciation Church M onthly Bulletin Beloved in Christ, toward the end of this month we will commence our annual Lenten journey, for which, hopefully, we have prudently begun to prepare. It is time once again, to reflect on our lives our relationship with God and with one another. To become more spiritually introspective, we must first of all prepare ourselves to live a Lenten lifestyle. Through our sincere efforts, we can then be able to reap from the bounty provided through our experience. Our Holy Church provides all the tools necessary for a meaningful and enriching Lenten experience. Therefore, let us not be like the wicked and slothful servant in the parable of the talents, who buried into the earth that which the Lord entrusted to him. Instead, let us make a spiritual investment with the gifts entrusted to us by God, so that they may multiply and bring us into His loving embrace. In order to have a meaningful Lenten experience, we must first of all set the stage. This is the exact purpose of the first three weeks of the Triodion period, during which we are introduced to the major themes of Great Lent. The Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee introduces the themes of humility and repentance, which will carry throughout Great Lent. The following Sunday of the Prodigal Son, presents the theme of returning from exile to God. In other words, through humility we should clearly see how far we are from God through our worldliness, and that we could always return to His loving embrace. The subsequent Sunday of the Last Judgment (also known as Meatfare Sunday) has Christian love as its theme. The Gospel account makes it clear that if we truly love God, then we should see God in every human being, and therefore, treat our brethren accordingly. The final Sunday before Great Lent is that of Forgiveness (also known as Cheesefare Sunday). The obvious theme is forgiveness, however, there is a secondary theme of the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise. Regarding forgiveness, we cross the threshold of Great Lent by forgiving our brothers and sisters, and by asking for forgiveness, in order that we too, may be forgiven by God through our sincere repentance. By the Church remembering the expulsion from Paradise on this day, FROM FATHER ANTHONY we can clearly see the Lenten journey before us. With our exile from Paradise as the starting point, we begin the journey to our true homeland, the Kingdom of Heaven, which Christ has fully opened to us through His death and resurrection, and subsequent ascension into Heaven. During these preparatory weeks, we are also eased into the strict fasting of Great Lent, which the Church calls us to do for our spiritual benefit. The first week of the Triodion is fast free; in other words, there is not the usual Wednesday and Friday fast. Even though there are complicated historical reasons that brought this about, many in the Church have attached a wise and logical meaning to the dispensation from fasting. They state that this week is seen as one of joy as we prepare for the spiritually cleansing and renewing period of Great Lent. This introductory week to the Lenten experience should be joyful, since the goal of Great Lent is spiritual preparation for Holy Pascha, the Feast of Feasts. The second week of the Triodion has the normal Wednesday and Friday fast. The third week begins with the Sunday of the Last Judgment (Meatfare Sunday), which is the last day for consuming meat. In order to aid us in preparing for strict fasting, our Church eases us into the Fast by stopping meat on this day, but permits the consumption of all other foods during the ensuing week. (For more information, see the related entry below.) As you can see, the Church in her wisdom has created this three-week preparatory period in order to make the necessary adjustments, both spiritually and physically, to enter Great Lent. These weeks are a time to begin pulling away from the world, so to speak, and to begin reaching for the Kingdom of Heaven. If we pay extra attention to the themes of the Sunday Gospels of this period, if we pray to apply these themes to our lives, if we make a true effort to begin following the actual fasting guidelines of the Church as much as possible, we will then find ourselves joyfully entering into Great Lent with a sense of true preparation. Let us invest our spiritual talents wisely, to the best of our ability, as the prudent servants in the parable. Then we can truly enter into the joy of our Lord! In Christ s love, +Fr. Anthony TRIODION BEGINS 2/5 With Holy Pascha falling on 4/15 this year, the period of the Triodion will commence on 2/5 the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee. The Triodion period covers the three preparatory weeks before Great Lent, the six weeks of Lent, and Holy Week. Following are traditional fasting guidelines for the first three weeks of the Triodion: 1 st Week (2/5-2/11) no fasting; all foods permitted daily 2 nd Week (2/12-2/18) regular Wednesday & Friday fast 3 rd Week (2/19-2/26) Meatfare Sunday, 2/19 last day for meat until Pascha; remainder of week dairy products & eggs permitted daily through Cheesefare Sunday, 2/26* *Note: Some sources state that fish is also permitted daily during Cheesefare Week. Other sources state that the consumption of fish ends on Meatfare Sunday (see Archdiocesan calendar). IN APPRECIATION We would like to sincerely thank the decorating committee-merri Weinberg, Maria Tsaganis and Ann Langway and the other volunteers, Sia Antoniou, Katherine Vzivzis, Penny Droukas and Bertha Weinberg for the beautiful Christmas decorations throughout the church and elsewhere. It should be noted that there were many compliments for the tasteful décor and various arrangements. May this be a blessing to all who were involved! METROPOLIS NEWS We would like to congratulate Parish Council President John Karolemeas, for his recent appointment to the Metropolis Council by His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios. We also congratulate George Alexis who was also appointed to this position last year by His Eminence as well. We are proud of both of them!

3 Page 3 July/September February An nunciation Church M onthly Bulletin SPECIAL NOTICE FOR 1 ST WEEK OF LENT Please remember that during the first week of Great Lent, commencing the evening of 2/26 through 3/3, there are not to be any meetings, or other activities or events scheduled during the day or evening. This applies to all church groups and affiliated organizations. The focus during the first week of Lent should be spiritual both on a personal and parish level. As I do each year, I will offer daily services that week to aid our journey into the Lenten Spring. As a general reminder throughout the calendar year, no meetings, events or activities should ever be scheduled simultaneously with a church service. When in doubt, please check with the church office or Fr. Anthony directly. LENTEN INVITATION As strange as it sounds, Lent will be upon us in a few short weeks. For the last couple of years, I have dedicated the first Presanctified Liturgy as a youth participation service, followed by a Lenten supper. In my prior parish of St. Spyridon in Newport, RI, there was a long-standing tradition of various church ministry groups sponsoring a Lenten supper after each Wednesday evening Presanctified Liturgy, which included a short presentation. I will continue with the youth participation service and supper, but would like to reach out to other organizations to consider being part of this tradition. Allow me to offer the suggestion of the Parish Council, Philoptochos, Choir, Sunday and Greek School staff and families, and one of the affiliated fraternal organizations, perhaps offering to sponsor the five remaining Lenten suppers. All that would be required for the sponsoring group, would be to coordinate an adequate amount of Lenten food and beverages. The guidelines for the fast of Great Lent may be found in this bulletin edition. Beloved in Christ, this would be a lovely way to participate in these beautiful and spiritually uplifting Lenten services, with which many of our brethren are not familiar, as well an added opportunity for fellowship. If any group is interested, please contact me as soon as possible so that the schedule can be entered into the March bulletin. Thank you, and have a blessed Lent. FASTING GUIDELINES OF GREAT LENT Since many of our brethren seek to follow the fast of Great Lent to the best of their ability, we offer the following traditional and widely accepted guidelines (also illustrated on your Archdiocesan calendars). Not everyone can follow such a fast, especially people with certain health concerns, growing children, expectant and nursing mothers, etc. In all cases, our fasting should include intensified prayer, increased church attendance, and almsgiving and other charitable works. In order to celebrate Holy Pascha with a pure and cleansed heart and soul, our Lenten ascetic struggle should also lead us to repentance and Holy Confession. Weekdays of Lent strict fast from all animal products (including fish), all alcoholic beverages, and olive oil (vegetable oil may be substituted if desired) Weekends of Lent wine and olive oil are permitted *It should be noted that the amount of food consumed on weekdays should be limited; however, there is no such restriction on weekends. Also, shellfish is permitted daily. LENTEN REFLECTIONS (the following is taken from The Lenten Spring, by Fr. Thomas Hopko, St. Vladimir s Seminary Press, 1983) Outside the Gates of Paradise The basic symbol of man s loss of his original humanity and of his exile from God is the biblical story of the fall of Adam and Eve. Jokes about this sacred story abound. Comedians make fun of it in a sacrilegious manner. Commercials degrade it for money-making purposes. Even believers make light of it, with flippant remarks and pathetic attempts at humor. But the story is from God. And it is deadly serious. It tells of the most tragic event in human experience: the rebellion of the creature against the Creator and the transformation of the world as paradise with God into a garbage heap of dead men s bones. It describes this death-bound, demon-riddled, rat-racing world that we call human civilization, which is the result of the futile strivings of self-centered creatures. Great Lent begins with the liturgical contemplation of the fall of Adam and Eve. The Sunday which marks the eve of the Lenten season takes this story as its spiritual theme. The Lord took a handful of dust from the earth. He breathed into it and created me, a living man. He made me lord and master of all things on earth. Truly I enjoyed the life of the angels. But Satan the deceiver, in the guise of a serpent, tempted me; I ate the forbidden fruit and forfeited the glory of God. Now I have been delivered to the earth through death. O my compassionate Lord, call me back to Eden! In the Genesis story, filled with theological meaning and spiritual significance, God does not say to His creatures: Eat of the tree and I will kill you. He says rather that in the day that you eat of it you shall die (Gen. 2:17, RSV). The tree is called the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Knowledge in the Bible is not an abstract, intellectual thing. It is not the product of thinking. It is the result of living experience Eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil means experiencing wickedness. It means committing sin. It means tasting iniquity. It means doing an act which naturally and organically devastates and destroys you. Man is to fast from sin. He is to abstain from evil. He is to refrain from drawing the destructive powers of wickedness into his system. He is to taste of life, to commune with God, to be fed by righteousness, beauty and truth, to be nourished by wisdom, goodness and love. Great Lent is the time of year when we contemplate clearly what happens when people do not do that. And it is the time when we make the conscious effort to return to real life through the saving action of Jesus Christ and the power of His Spirit through communion with the tree of life planted and provided by the God who loves us

4 Πξόο ηνύο Σεβαζκησηάηνπο θαί Θενθηιεζηάηνπο Ἀξρηεξεῖο, GREEK MESSAGE θαιώληαο ὅινπο ηνύο γύξσ καο λά πξνζέιζνπλ ζ θεῖλνλ θαί ηνύο Δὐιαβεζηάηνπο Ἱεξεῖο θαί Γηαθόλνπο, ηνύο Μνλαρνύο λά βηώζνπλ ηήλ ὑπέξνρε θαί ηέιεηα ράξε ἡ ὁπνία ζά θέξεη θαί Μνλαρέο, ηνύο Πξνέδξνπο θαί Μέιε ηῶλ Κνηλνηηθῶλ βεβαηόηεηα θαί εἰξήλε ζηήλ ςπρή ησλ θαί ζά δώζεη λόεκα ζηή Σπκβνπιίσλ, ηά Ἡκεξήζηα θαί Ἀπνγεπκαηηλά Σρνιεῖα, ηίο δσή ησλ. Αὐηόο εἶλαη θαί ὁ ιόγνο γηά ηόλ ὁπνῖν πξέπεη λά Φηινπηώρνπο Ἀδειθόηεηεο, ηήλ Νενιαία, ηίο εἴκεζα πάληνηε ἑλσκέλνη κ θεῖλνλ. ιιελνξζόδνμεο Ὀξγαλώζεηο θαί ὁιόθιεξν ηό θέηνο ηήλ Πξσηνρξνληά, θαζώο ἀλαινγηδόκεζα ηήλ Χξηζηεπώλπκνλ πιήξσκα ηῆο Ἱεξᾶο Ἀξρηεπηζθνπῆο πξνηεξαηόηεηα θαί ηήλ ἀλάγθε ηῆο ζπκβηώζεσο κέ ηόλ Χξηζηό, Ἀκεξηθῆο. ηηκνῦκε ἐπίζεο ηήλ νξηή ηνῦ Μεγάινπ Βαζηιείνπ θαί Πξνζθηιεῖο Ἀδειθνί θαί Ἀδειθέο ἐλ Χξηζηῷ, εὐραξηζηνῦκε ηόλ Θεό γηά ηήλ εὐινγεκέλε δηαθνλία ηῆο Καζώο μεθηλνῦκε αὐηό ηό λέν ἔηνο, κέ ηίο εὐινγίεο Ἀθαδεκίαο ηνῦ Ἁγίνπ Βαζηιείνπ. Αὐηό ηό θέληξν θηιαλζξσπηθῆο ηνῦ Οἰθνπκεληθνῦ Παηξηάξρνπ θ.θ. Βαξζνινκαίνπ ζηήλ δηαθνλίαο ζπλερίδεη λά πξνζθέξεη ἕλα πεξηβάιινλ Χξηζηηαληθῆο ὑπεξεζία ηνῦ Κπξίνπ καο Ἰεζνῦ Χξηζηνῦ θαί ηῆο ἁγίαο ἀγάπεο ὅπνπ ηά παηδηά θαιιηεξγνῦληαη θαηά Θεόλ θαί Αὐηνῦ θθιεζίαο, εὐραξηζηνῦκε ηόλ Θεό γηά ηήλ ζπλερῆ πξνεηνηκάδνληαη γηά ηήλ ἐλήιηθε δσή ὡο ἀλζξώπσλ ηνῦ Θενῦ. παξνπζία Τνπ ἀλάκεζά καο. Ἡ παξνπζία ηνῦ Χξηζηνῦ Αὐηό ηό ἱεξό ἔξγν, ηό ὁπνῖν ἐλδπλακώλεη ἡ ράξε θαί ἡ δύλακε θνληά καο κᾶο δίδεη ηήλ ράξε λά κεηακνξθώζνπκε ηίο δσέο ηνῦ Χξηζηνῦ, θαζίζηαηαη δπλαηό δηόηη νἱ δηεπζύλνληεο, ηό καο θαί λά ἀπνθαηαζηήζνπκε ηήλ θνηλσλία καο κέ ηόλ Θεό. πξνζσπηθό θαί νἱ δσξεηέο ζπλδένληαη κέ ηόλ Χξηζηό. Μέ θεῖλνλ θνληά καο γλσξίδνπκε ηήλ ἀιήζεηα ηνῦ Γλσξίδνπλ ὅηη πξόθεηηαη πεξί δηαθνλίαο ἀγάπεο, πεξί Δὐαγγειίνπ θαί ηήλ ὑπνκνλή ηῆο ἐιπίδνο, θαί βηώλνπκε ηή πλεπκαηηθῆο ὑπεξεζίαο ἡ ὁπνία ζά ἀπνθέξεη ὡξαῖν θαξπό ζέ ζπγρώξεζε θαί ηό ἔιενο ηό ὁπνῖν κᾶο ἀπειεπζεξώλεη ἀπό λεαληθέο δσέο. Δἶλαη πξνζθνξά πίζηεσο ἡ ὁπνία ηηκᾶ θαί ηά δεζκά ηῆο ἁκαξηίαο θαί ηνῦ ζαλάηνπ. Σηό Χξηζηό δνμάδεη ηόλ Θεό. ἀλαθαιύπηνπκε ηήλ ζπλερῆ ραξά πιήξσο πεπεηζκέλνη πεξί πνκέλσο, γλσξίδνπλ ὅηη ἔρνπλ ηήλ ἀλάγθε ηῆο ηῶλ αἰσλίσλ ὑπνζρέζεσλ θαί ηῆο εἰξήλεο Τνπ κέζα ζηήλ παξνπζίαο θαί δπλάκεσο ηνῦ Χξηζηνῦ γηά λά θαζνδεγήζνπλ ηά ζαιπσξή ηῆο ἀγάπεο Τνπ. πεηδή εἴκαζηε νἱ ἄλζξσπνη θαί παηδηά θαί ηή λενιαία ζ θεῖλνλ θαί γηά λά ηνύο δώζνπλ ηά ὑπεξέηεο Τνπ, κᾶο πξνζθέξεηαη ζνθία θαί δύλακε γηά λά πλεπκαηηθά ἐθόδηα γηά λά παξακείλνπλ ἑλσκέλνη κέ ηήλ πξνζθέξνπκε καξηπξία ἐιπίδνο θαί δηαθνλία ζεξαπεπηηθή. Ἀιεζηλή Ἄκπειν γηά ηό ὑπόινηπν ηῆο δσῆο ησλ. Ὅιεο αὐηέο νἱ εὐινγίεο πνύ πξνέξρνληαη ἀπό ηήλ Γηά ηήλ ἐλίζρπζε ηῆο Ἀθαδεκίαο ηνῦ Ἁγίνπ Βαζηιείνπ, ἡ παξνπζία ηνῦ Χξηζηνῦ ζηή δσή καο εἶλαη ὁ θαξπόο πνύ ζληθή Φηιόπησρνο Ἀδειθόηεο Κπξηῶλ θαί ηά ηνπηθά παξάγνπκε ὅηαλ ἡ θαξδηά, ἡ δηάλνηα θαί ἡ ςπρή καο παξαξηήκαηά ηεο ἡγνῦληαη πξνζπαζείαο ζπιινγῆο εἰδηθῆο ζπλδένληαη κέ ηήλ Ἀιεζηλή Ἄκπειν, ηόλ Χξηζηό. πηπιένλ, νἰθνλνκηθῆο βνεζείαο ηήλ ἡκέξα αὐηή ἀιιά θαί θαζ ὅιε ηήλ ἡ ζύλδεζή καο καδί Τνπ, κέ ηήλ παξνπζία θαί ηνύο ιόγνπο δηάξθεηα ηνῦ κελόο Ἰαλνπαξίνπ. Αὐηή ἡ πξνζπάζεηα ζέ Τνπ, κέ ηήλ θαζνδήγεζε θαί ηή δύλακή Τνπ, θαί κέ ηήλ ζπλδπαζκό κέ ηἰο πξνζεπρέο καο ζά κᾶο ἑλώζεη κέ απηή ηήλ ἀγάπε Τνπ εἶλαη ἀπαξαίηεηε γηά ηή δηαθνλία καο. Γηά λά ἄθξσο δσηηθή θαί ἰδηαηηέξσο ἐμεηδηθεπκέλε δηαθνλία ηῆο ἀγγίμεηο θαί λά κεηακνξθώζεηο δσέο ἀιιά θαί γηά λά δεκηνπξγίαο ιακπξνῦ κέιινληνο γηά λένπο ἀλζξώπνπο. παξαγάγεηο θαξπό ὁ ὁπνῖνο ζά ὁδεγήζεη ἄιινπο ζέ κία Δὔρνκαη ζέ ζᾶο θαί ζηίο νἰθνγέλεηέο ζαο ἕλα ἀιεζηλή λέα δσή, θάζε πξνζπάζεηα, ἐλέξγεηα θαί ιόγνο εὐινγεκέλν λέν ἔηνο πιῆξεο ηῆο παξνπζίαο θαί ηῆο ραξᾶο ηνῦ πξέπεη λά ἀπνθαιύπηεη ηήλ παξνπζία ηνῦ Χξηζηνῦ. Χξηζηνῦ. Δἴζε κέζα ζηό 2012 λά ἔρνπκε ἀλαλεσκέλεο δπλάκεηο Ἡ θαζεκεξηλή ζπλεηδεηνπνίεζε ηῆο παξνπζίαο ηνῦ θαί ἄθζνλε ράξε ζηήλ ὑπεξεζία θείλνπ. Ἄο πξνζπαζνῦκε λά Θενῦ, θαί ἡ δέζκεπζή καο λά παξάγνπκε θαξπό ζ αὐηό ηό κέλνπκε ἑλσκέλνη κέ ηόλ Χξηζηό θάζε ἡκέξα ηῆο δσῆο καο δηά λέν ἔηνο ὁ ὁπνῖνο ηηκᾶ θαί δνμάδεη ηόλ Θεό ἔρνπλ δσηηθή ηῆο πξνζεπρῆο, ηῆο ιαηξείαο θαί ηῆο πξνζθνξᾶο ὑπεξεζηῶλ, ζεκαζία ζήκεξα. Γύξσ καο θπθινθνξνῦλ πνιιέο θαί θαί εἴζε νἱ δσέο καο λά εἶλαη πιήξεηο κεγάισλ εὐινγηῶλ θαί ἡ δηάθνξεο ἰδέεο θαί κελύκαηα πνύ δέλ ἔρνπλ ζρέζε κέ ηόλ πξνζθνξά καο πξόο ηνύο ζπλαλζξώπνπο καο λά ηνύο ὁδεγεῖ Χξηζηό, θαί ἑπνκέλσο δέλ ζπλδένληαη κέ ηήλ ἀιήζεηα θαί ζηήλ ιπηξσηηθή θαί παλίζρπξε ἀγάπε Τνπ. ηήλ Πεγή ηῆο δσῆο θαί ηῆο ἀγάπεο. κεῖο πξέπεη κέ Μέ παηξηθή ἐλ Χξηζηῷ ἀγάπε, ζπλέπεηα λά εἴκεζα ἡ θσλή θαί ἡ καξηπξία ηνῦ Χξηζηνῦ, ὁ ἈξρηεπίζθνπνοἈκεξηθῆο Γεκήηξηνο

5 An nunciation Church M onthly Bulletin February Page 5 METROPOLIS OF BOSTON CLERGY BROTHERHOOD A Message from Father Gregory Christakos, Sts. Anargyroi Church Marlborough, MA T.S. Eliot famously wrote April is the cruelest month but those of us who live in the North East may well consider February to hold that honor. The weather is cold and often stormy, and milder spring days still seem far away. Pennsylvania Germans capitalized on this circumstance and brought with them the tradition of Groundhog Day, when according to lore the end of winter (and thus nicer weather) is predicted. Groundhog Day, observed on February 2, has become a popular secular celebration, although no one really takes the groundhog s weather prediction seriously. In the Orthodox Church, February 2 has a far larger and more meaningful significance; it is the feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. Just as the enjoyable Groundhog Day is connected with a change in seasons, the Presentation of the Lord (Hypapante in Greek) signifies a change in seasons. It is the fortieth day after Christmas and the last day on the calendar oriented toward that feast. After February 2, everything is focused on the long preparation for and ultimate celebration of Pascha. The Presentation (or Meeting) of the Lord has its scriptural origins in the Gospel of Luke. Joseph and Mary take the baby Jesus to the temple in accordance with the Law of Moses. They meet Simeon, whose scriptural role is to represent the Old Testament as well as Anna the prophetess (one of four women with that title in scripture, with the others being Miriam, Deborah and the more obscure Huldah). Three times in the passage it is stated that the event is to fulfill the precepts of the Law. Simeon s canticle is used in the vespers service in the Orthodox Church, while the tradition of blessing candles on this day (hence the western term Candlemas) comes from the light reference in Simeon s song. The feast is the only major feast in the Church that has characteristics of a Feast of the Lord and a Feast of the Theotokos. Whenever Pascha is early (such as this year, where it falls in mid-april) the preparation for Lent and Pascha begins soon after the Presentation. While Lent itself is a time of preparation, the period before Lent is a time of preparing as well. This seems redundant, but Lent is ideally a time of spiritual and physical rigor, and having a period to prepare for this makes sense. This year, several days after the Presentation feast comes the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee. The Gospel reading is a reminder of the need for humility. The week following the reading is a fastfree week to remind us to avoid the hypocrisy of the Pharisee. Soon after we have Meatfare and then Cheesefare Sundays. The fast is gradually introduced and Lenten elements begin to be seen in the daily services. The Presentation of the Lord in the Temple is a signpost on the Orthodox calendar and in our lives. It signifies a change of seasons and is a call to begin preparations for Lent and Pascha. It is a powerful passage from scripture that encapsulates the saving work of Christ and his fulfillment of the Law. Finally, it is a light in the often dreary month of February and a harbinger of the wonderful things to come. Fr. Gregory Christakos Sts. Anargyroi Church, Marlborough, MA STOP BY THE BOOKSTORE AND ENTER TO WIN ORTHODOX STUDY BIBLE A Bible for every Orthodox home Drawing to be held on February 19, 2012 $2.00 EACH OR 3 FOR $5.00 Anyone who would like a visit from the Ladies of Philoptochos, or knows of someone who would like some company, please contact our chairlady Soultana Kotsiopoulos at For Koliva please call the church office at We would appreciate one weeks notice in advance of the memorial service to prepare your koliva. The cost is $85 and checks should be made payable to the Ladies Philoptochos Society. Check out our many books for your winter reading from toddler to adult. Many items of interest are available. Every Saturday after Great Vespers or during office hours by appointment. If you are interested in sponsoring a coffee hour please call Bertha Weinberg at or contact the Church office.

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7 An nunciation Church M onthly Bulletin February Page 7 Annual Christmas Party PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS 2012 Calendar of Events Potluck Supper & Meeting Tuesday, February 7th at 6:30 Philoxenia House Visit TBD Philotptochos Meeting Tuesday, March 6th Philoptochos Metropolis Retreat Friday, March 30 & March 31st Annunciation Great Vespers & Reception Saturday, March 24th Philoptochos Meeting Tuesday, April 3rd Palm Making Friday, April 6th Palm Sunday Annual Bake Sale Sunday, April 8th Holy Thursday Thursday, April 12th Decorating of the Epitaphio Friday, April 13th Annual Greek Independence Day Parade Sunday, April 22nd Philoptochos Metting Tuesday, May 1st Food Festival Baking Monday, August 20th Philoptochos Food Festival Saturday, May 19th & May 20th Annual Philoxenia Luncheon TBD End of the Year Dinner TBD Annual Christmas Party Thursday, December 6th Annual Christmas Luncheon Sunday, December 16th

8 Page 8 February An nunciation Church M onthly Bulletin GOYA NEWS YOUTH NEWS GOYA has gotten off to a terrific start this year! We welcomed several new members to our group, and are always willing for any others to join us. After a busy holiday season, GOYA is looking to start off the new year with several service projects. In the mix are plans for a blood drive and food drive. We hope to do a Food Drive on Super Bowl Sunday. This in conjunction with an IOCC program called Souper Bowl Sunday in which food and monetary donations will be collected. The food collected will be donated to a local food pantry and any money to the IOCC to help people around the world. Additionally, GOYA will be having a retreat, potentially at the metropolis camp, during lent. Amidst all this, the group has continued to have a lot of fun! Getting together with other GOYA's for socials and spending time together have been vital to bringing the group closer together. During February, GOYA is hoping to take a group ice-skating trip, as well as plan a fun event for February vacation. Once again, new members are always welcome! Please contact Mr. Buterbaugh, or Mr. and Mrs. Kolentsas for more information. We had a very active holiday season this year. The Thanksgiving Dinner gathered over 80 members of JOY/HOPE and their families. You may have seen the Tree of Thanks in the lounge where the children shared what they were thankful for. Even more members and their families joined the Christmas party where Santa himself made a surprise appearance and the children celebrated Christ s birthday. We also held our first coat drive during the holiday season. Thank you to everyone who participated in the Coats for Kids Program. We collected over 35 coats this year. Over 240 schools, 150 companies and 150 community groups organized drives this year. We are happy to have joined the drive and hope to make it an annual event. As we look to 2012 we hope to continue to give back to the community. In that spirit, please join us for the 15 th Annual Have a Heart Luncheon on Sunday, February 12 th immediately following church services to support the Hellenic Cardiac Fund for Children, an all-volunteer organization that helps 20 to 30 Greek children a year receive critical care at Children's Hospital. Since it s inception the organization has helped over 1,000 families. We are making some exciting new changes to the event this year, and hope that you will join us to help raise money for this important charity. All proceeds from the luncheon will be donated to the fund. See the flyer in this month s bulletin for more details. If you would like to purchase tickets, volunteer or donate a raffle item please contact JOY/HOPE advisors Paula Tsitsopoulos (gtsitsop@comcast.net) or Irena Mroz (irena.mroz@verizon.net). Sunday, February 4th Sunday, February 12th Friday, February 17th Friday, February 24th Sunday, March 4th UPCOMING EVENTS GOYA Monthly Meeting Have A Heart Luncheon GOYA Volleyball GOYA Winter Camp 17th-20th Family Winter Camp GOYA Meeting Sunday School starts at 10:15 Sunday, March 18th Sunday School starts at 10:15 Friday, March Sunday, April 1st Friday, April 6th Saturday, April 7th Sunday, April 8th Sunday, April 15th Sunday, April 22nd Sunday, April 29th Sunday, May 6th Sunday, May 20th Friday, May 25th Sunday, June 3rd Sunday, June 10th GOYA Ski Trip T.B.D. GOYA Meeting Palm Making All Youth Groups GOYA Philoxenia House Retreat Palm Sunday EASTER Annual Easter Egg Hunt Independence Day Parade in Boston GOYA Scholarship Luncheon GOYA Project Bread Walk for Hunger Sunday School Graduation GOYA Meeting GOYA Fun Night Greek School Graduation GOYA Monthly Meeting GREEK SCHOOL Our Greek School Program has two events planned between now and the end of the school year. The first event coming up is the Greek Independence Day Program on March 25th. This is a great opportunity to see our kids recite their poems and show us their dancing talents. The Greek Independence Day Parade which will be held on April 22nd will also be a great opportunity for us to show off our Greek School students. Last year our parish sent two buses into Boston! This year, with everyone s participation we hope to have even more buses. Lastly, we have our end of year Graduation planned for June 3rd. This is an opportunity for everyone to congratulate our graduates for a job well done!

9 An nunciation Church M onthly Bulletin February Page 9 Ionian Village, the summer camping ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, is now accepting registrations for its Summer 2012 programs. Operating from a beautiful seafront campsite on western Peloponessos in Greece, Ionian Village brings its campers and staff into close contact with their faith and heritage as they travel throughout the country to sites of cultural and religious importance. Ionian Village offers two camping sessions: Summer Travel Camp (June 29 to July 18) and Byzantine Venture (July 25 to August 13). Registration is open to Greek Orthodox youth who have completed grades 7 through 12. This summer will also see the expansion of the Spiritual Odyssey program, shorter pilgrimage-style trips for young adults ages 19 to 28. Three unique programs are being offered: Cyprus and Constantinople (May 30 to June 9) The Greek Mainland (June 10 to June 20) and The Greek Islands (July 15 to July 25). For more information about any of the Ionian Village programs, or to participate in this summer s programs, visit or contact the Office of Ionian Village at (212) GOYA Winter Camp offers a long weekend of fun and fellowship at the St. Methodios Faith and Heritage Center in Contoocook, NH for campers ages Highlights include outdoor winter activities, meeting new friends, a day spent at Pat's Peak for skiing, snowboarding, and tubing, and a dance. February 17-20, 2012 Saint Methodios Faith and Heritage Center in Contoocook, NH Suggested donation: $ per camper Call (603) or mbcamp@tds.net for more information *SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE* OCF REAL BREAK Do Something REAL this Spring Break! The Real Break program provides alternatives to the traditional Spring Break for college students. It exists to provide students with the most authentic experience possible, and is modeled as a full Christian lifestyle, which includes fellowship, prayer within community, witness and service. Each Spring, over 100 students attend various trips, both domestic and international, to give of themselves to those less fortunate and to do something real for themselves and for God. OCF Real Break has been running since 2000 with over one thousand students participating in these life-changing opportunities. Family Winter Camp is a weekend-long opportunity for families and people of all ages to share in the camp experience together, strengthening their relationship with God and with each other. All ages are welcome. Campers under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Current trips include: Toronto, Houston, Constantinople, Guatemala, Romania, and Project Mexico For more information or to register for OCF REAL BREAK 2012, please visit SUNDAY SCHOOL Thank you to every one that helped the Sunday School collect toys for needy children in our area. The Sunday school teachers would like commend all the children that participated in the Christmas pageant. What a wonderful sight to see the icon of the Nativity come to life every year on our Solea. They help us focus on what the day is really about. Highlights include fun and fellowship during sessions, campfires, outdoor sledding, and the Contoocook Fishing Derby. February 24-26, 2012 Saint Methodios Faith and Heritage Center in Contoocook, NH Suggested donation: $ got up to 3 campers, YOUTH BASKETBALL We have 2 teams this year, Joy & Jr. Joy. Although most games are played at the Metropolis, this year we are fortunate to host several games at our church in Brockton. Please come to show your support

10 Page 10 September February Natalie Agostino DONATIONS Memorial Donations as of January 12th Mrs. Nikoletta and Maria Kallis $20 Peter and Mary Hasomeris Olympia Bokas Flora Rosenfield and John Hasomeris $1000 Mr. Charlie Bokas $200 Peter Mihos and Christina Marie Mihos James Skenas Relatives and friends $1000 Anne Hudson $50 Mary Felch $100 Iphegenia Palantzas $40 Odysseus Georgantas $485 Other Donations Daniel W. Field Trust $1778 Demoulas Foundation $5000 Bessie Tsaganis Scholarship Brockton Police Dept. Honor Guard $1200 Ruth Obrien-Denly $ Hungry Men $400 Food Festival $200 James P. and Linda Mihos Savas Trust Fund $1000 Irakli Savas Holy Water Bottles Mr. and Mrs. John Orphanos Decoration of Icon of Theophany Mr. & Mrs. George Alexis for the health of their new grandson, George 1 case of large candles for Altar Mr. & Mrs. Ilias Potsis and Family in memory of Areti Potsis An nunciation Church M onthly Bulletin SACRAMENTS December 19 Alexandros BAPTISMS Son of Peter & Maria Papadopoulos Godparents: Scott & Georgia Besarick WEDDINGS December 10 Christos Kolentsas & Christina (Kristen) Barrows November 29 December 16 December 23 January 9 Sponsors: George & Toula Petropoulos FUNERALS Thomas Deftos Ifigenia Palantzas Odysseus Georgantas Mary Felch May Their Memory Be Eternal PARISH NEWS G.O.Y.A. Scholarship Applications are now being accepted for the G.O.Y.A. scholarship. Applications can be picked up at our church office. The deadline for submitting them is March 1st. LOST & FOUND Any items left at the end of the month will be donated to charity. Please take a moment and check the lost and found in the community center for any personal items.

11 An nunciation Church M onthly MBulletin onthly Bulletin September February Page 11 PARISH NEWS Dear Parishioners, On behalf of the Parish Council Members, we wish you a Happy New Year! I d like to thank all our volunteers and benefactors in helping the Annunciation Church with its 2011 endeavors. We had great success in our fundraising events and activities, a wonderful participation from our youth ministries and some positive gain in Stewardship toward December. I want to congratulate our newest members of the board, Tom Sedell, Ethel Savas and Charles Efremedis. They will be a wonderful addition to the team! The Parish Council will continue to focus on key committee assignments in 2012, including; Finances, House and Grounds, Stewardship, Youth, Information Technology, Food Festival and more. The Parish Council needs your help! If you are interested in joining any of these committees, please call the office for more information. We will be formalizing a regular schedule in March and we hope to see many of you there! You don t have to serve on the Parish Council to serve in these committees. We welcome your ideas and support with open arms! There are a few upcoming events that I hope all of you can attend and support. Starting with The Have a Heart Luncheon, Sunday February 12 th held in our community center. This event is a wonderful fundraiser for children in need of medical surgery. We should be very proud of our youth for continuing to donate their time and effort for such a worthy cause. For more information, please contact Paula Tsitsopoulos or Irene Mroz for event details and tickets. On Sunday, March 4 th, the church will be holding its Annual Lenten Luncheon. This is a wonderful time and tradition to honor those who have served our church in the past. Tickets will be on sale in February. Please call the office for more details. We look forward to seeing you in church! Warmest Regards, John Karolemeas Parish Council President Vasilopita Have A Heart Luncheon Lenten Luncheon Annunciation Vespers & Reception Greek Independence Day Parade G.O.Y.A. Scholarship Luncheon 2012 Calendar of Events Sunday, January 8th Sunday, February 12th Sunday, March 4th Saturday, March 24th Sunday, April 22nd Sunday, April 29th 169 Hungry Friends Dinner Thursday, May 3rd Spring General Assembly Philoptochos Food Festival Sunday School Graduation Greek School Graduation Golf Tournament Summer Picnic Annual Food Festival Festival Appreciation Luncheon Harvest Ball Dance Fall General Assembly Parish Council Elections Sunday, May 6th Saturday, May 19th & May 20th Sunday, May 20th Sunday, June 3rd July, TBD Sunday, August 19th Thursday, September 20th to 23rd Sunday, September 30th Saturday, November 3rd Sunday, November 18th Sunday, December 2nd Parish Council Oath & Election of Officers Sunday, December 23rd 2012 Parish Council Meetings January 10 May 8 September 11 February 14 June 12 October 9 March 13 July (No Meeting) November 13 April 19 August 16 December 11 ADULT BASKETBALL The Adult league has raised over $1, to date. We are currently looking to resurface the gymnasium floor. As you know we hold several events a year in the gym including usage during the Food Festival. The floor has not been professionally refinished for many years and the damage is visible. All donations are welcome!

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14 STEWARDS IN GOOD STANDING The list includes 2011 Stewards in Good Standing. The 2011 Stewardship desirable goal was $150,000 and as of January 16, 2012 we had received $119,255 with 367 pledges. To have met our 2011 desirable goal, we needed pledges in the amount of $30,745 to have reached our goal. On behalf of Father Anthony, the Parish Council and the Stewardship Committee, we thank all our faithful parishioners for their contributions and support.

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17 Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Reverend Presbyter Anthony Evangelatos George Stavropoulos, Chanter Heidi Mason, Choir Director Ona Calogrias, Organist PARISH COUNCIL Executive Board John Karolemeas, President Stephen Passias, 1st Vice President Administration Christy Mihos, 2nd Vice President Maintenance Ethel Savas, Secretary Christine Karavites, Treasurer Charles Efremidis, Assistant Treasurer Members of the Board Arthur Adamopoulos Ernest Anthony Georgia Besarick Jon Buterbaugh Jr. Tulla Giannaros Steve Lainas John Papadopoulos Thomas Sedell Avraam Vardaxis PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY Executive Board Despina Papadopoulos, President Heido Barbas, 1st Vice President Penny Kazis, 2nd Vice President Ethel Savas, Recording Secretary Tina Boutas, Corresponding Secretary Lori Stasiewski, Treasurer Liz Karolemeas, Assistant Treasurer Members of the Board Peggy Cuilla Maria Fitopoulos Helen Holevas Ann Marie Horne Soultana Kotsiopoulos Eleni Stamboulidis Vasiliki Syrniotis Sophia Terzakis Tina Tsarhopoulos S Father Anthony Church Office Youth Ministry Team OTHER MINISTRIES Sunday School Tina Boutas Dina Coon Rhoda Economos Greek School Tina Boutas Argyro Papadopoulos Vicky Papaioannou G.O.Y.A. Kristen & Chris Kolentsas Jon Buterbaugh J.O.Y. & H.O.P.E. Irena Mroz Paula Tsitsopoulos Adult Greek Classes Arthur Krikis Koliva Ladies Philoptochos Coffee Hour Bertha Weinberg Shut-In Visitations Soultana Kotsiopoulos Basketball Stephen Passias Dance Group Jon & Penny Buterbaugh Junior Choir Corinne & Heidi Mason Oratorical Festival Rhoda Economos Bookstore Linda Sakelaris Stephen Savas Joanna Stellakis

18 We are now reserving space in our monthly bulletin for advertising purposes in. order to defer from the high costs of publishing. You can now advertise your business for a small cost. The following are the advertising costs ¼ Year ½ Year 1 Full Year Full Page Inside Front Cover $ $1, $1, Full Page Inside Back Cover $ $1, $1, ½ Page Outside Back Cover $ $1, $1, Full Page $ $ $1, ½ Page $ $ $ Business Card Size $ $ $ Space is limited and will be available On a First Come, First Serve Basis. The deadline for including your advertisement will be on the 10 th of each month. If you have any questions and are interested in an opportunity that will support our Church, please contact the Church Office.

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20 Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church 457 Oak Street Brockton, MA Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Brockton, MA Permit No. 258 Phone Fax We re on the Web! DATED MATERIAL PLEASE EXPEDITE