SUNDAY BULLETIN AND WEEKLY NEWS

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1 ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL Norfolk, VA Rev. Presbyter George Bessinas, M.Div., Dean Rev. Protopresbyter Constantine Rogakos, Ph. D., Associate SUNDAY BULLETIN AND WEEKLY NEWS St. Andrew the Apostle (left) with his disciple and successor St. Stachys, the first Bishop of Byzantium Thirteenth Sunday of Luke Sunday, November 29, 2015

2 Sunday, November 29, 2015 Orthros (Matins) Divine Liturgy (of St. John Chrysostom) 8:45 AM 10:00 AM On Sunday, Nov. 29 we commemorate the holy martyr Paramonos and his 370 fellow martyrs, Philumenos, Archbishop Nicholas of Thessaloniki, the hieromartyr John of Persia, St. Urban bishop of Macedonia, St. Dionysios bishop of Corinth, St. Pancosmios, St. Pitiroun, the martyr Valerinus, and St. Fedros. Resurrectional Apolytikion, tone 1 The stone had been secured with a seal by the Judeans, and a guard of soldiers was watching Your immaculate body. You rose on the third day, O Lord and Savior, granting life unto the world. And therefore the powers of heaven cried to You, O Lifegiver: Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ; glory to Your kingdom; glory to Your dispensation, only One who loves mankind. Apolytikion of St. Theodore the Commander in 2nd Tone When in God's army you had truly enlisted, O holy Theodore, the bearer of trophies, you were made a splendid general of the heavenly King; using as a weapon faith, you were ready for battle and utterly destroyed the ranks that were amassed by the demons, and as a victorious athlete you were seen, wherefore in true faith, we bless you and honor you. Apolytikion of the Annunciation in 4th Tone Today is the beginning of our salvation, The revelation of the eternal mystery! The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin. As Gabriel announces the coming of Grace. Together with him let us cry to the Theotokos: Rejoice, O Full of Grace, The Lord is with You! Seasonal Kontakion Mode 3 On this day the Virgin Maid goes to the grotto to give birth to the pre-eternal Word in an ineffable manner. Dance for joy, all the inhabited earth, on hearing. Glorify along with Angels and with the shepherds Him who willed that He appear as a newborn Child, the pre-eternal God. The Epistle Reading St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 5:8-19 Prokeimenon. Mode 1. Psalm 32.22,1

3 Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us. Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is a shame even to speak of the things that they do in secret; but when anything is exposed by the light it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it is said, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light." Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart. Αποστολικóν Ανάγνωσμα: Πρὸς Ἐφεσίους 5:8-19 Προκείμενον. Ἦχος α. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 32.22,1 Γένοιτο, Κύριε, τὸ ἔλεός σου ἐφ' ἡμᾶς.στίχ. Ἀγαλλιᾶσθε δίκαιοι ἐν Κυρίῳ Ἀδελφοί, ὡς τέκνα φωτὸς περιπατεῖτε - ὁ γὰρ καρπὸς τοῦ πνεύματος ἐν πάσῃ ἀγαθωσύνῃ καὶ δικαιοσύνῃ καὶ ἀληθείᾳ - δοκιμάζοντες τί ἐστιν εὐάρεστον τῷ κυρίῳ καὶ μὴ συγκοινωνεῖτε τοῖς ἔργοις τοῖς ἀκάρποις τοῦ σκότους, μᾶλλον δὲ καὶ ἐλέγχετε τὰ γὰρ κρυφῆ γινόμενα ὑπʼ αὐτῶν αἰσχρόν ἐστιν καὶ λέγειν. Τὰ δὲ πάντα ἐλεγχόμενα ὑπὸ τοῦ φωτὸς φανεροῦται πᾶν γὰρ τὸ φανερούμενον φῶς ἐστίν. Διὸ λέγει, Ἔγειρε ὁ καθεύδων καὶ ἀνάστα ἐκ τῶν νεκρῶν, καὶ ἐπιφαύσει σοι ὁ Χριστός. Βλέπετε οὖν πῶς ἀκριβῶς περιπατεῖτε, μὴ ὡς ἄσοφοι, ἀλλʼ ὡς σοφοί, ἐξαγοραζόμενοι τὸν καιρόν, ὅτι αἱ ἡμέραι πονηραί εἰσιν. Διὰ τοῦτο μὴ γίνεσθε ἄφρονες, ἀλλὰ συνιέντες τί τὸ θέλημα τοῦ κυρίου. Καὶ μὴ μεθύσκεσθε οἴνῳ, ἐν ᾧ ἐστὶν ἀσωτία, ἀλλὰ πληροῦσθε ἐν πνεύματι, λαλοῦντες ἑαυτοῖς ψαλμοῖς καὶ ὕμνοις καὶ ᾠδαῖς πνευματικαῖς, ᾄδοντες καὶ ψάλλοντες ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ ὑμῶν τῷ κυρίῳ. The Gospel of Luke 18:18-27 At that time, a ruler came to Jesus and asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.' " And he said, "All these I have observed from my youth." And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, "One

4 thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus looking at him said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" But he said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." Ευαγγελικóν Ανάγνωσμα: Κατὰ Λουκᾶ 18:18-27 Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἄρχων λέγων διδάσκαλε ἀγαθέ, τί ποιήσας ζωὴν αἰώνιον κληρονομήσω; εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ Ιησοῦς τί με λέγεις ἀγαθόν; οὐδεὶς ἀγαθὸς εἰ μὴ εἷς ὁ Θεός. τὰς ἐντολὰς οἶδας μὴ μοιχεύσῃς, μὴ φονεύσῃς, μὴ κλέψῃς, μὴ ψευδομαρτυρήσῃς, τίμα τὸν πατέρα σου καὶ τὴν μητέρα σου. ὁ δὲ εἶπε ταῦτα πάντα ἐφυλαξάμην ἐκ νεότητός μου. ἀκούσας δὲ ταῦτα ὁ Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ ἔτι ἕν σοι λείπει πάντα ὅσα ἔχεις πώλησον καὶ διάδος πτωχοῖς, καὶ ἕξεις θησαυρὸν ἐν οὐρανῷ, καὶ δεῦρο ἀκολούθει μοι. ὁ δὲ ἀκούσας ταῦτα περίλυπος ἐγένετο ἦν γὰρ πλούσιος σφόδρα. ἰδὼν δὲ αὐτὸν ὁ Ιησοῦς περίλυπον γενόμενον εἶπε πῶς δυσκόλως οἱ τὰ χρήματα ἔχοντες εἰσελεύσονται εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ! εὐκοπώτερον γάρ ἐστι κάμηλον διὰ τρυμαλιᾶς ῥαφίδος εἰσελθεῖν ἢ πλούσιον εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ εἰσελθεῖν. εἶπον δὲ οἱ ἀκούσαντες καὶ τίς δύναται σωθῆναι; ὁ δὲ εἶπε τὰ ἀδύνατα παρὰ ἀνθρώποις δυνατὰ παρὰ τῷ Θεῷ ἐστιν. Altar Boys Andreas Bessinas, Joseph Manning, James Manning, Phillip Malamatos, Nicholas Neskis, A.J. Galiotos, Logan Galiotos, Evan Meares, Gabriel Kinnison, Matthew Jenkins Epistle Reader: Maria Leondaridis Today Artoclasia and luncheon for the Feast of St. Andrew offered by the Touzos family. Worship Services for this Week St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle, Monday, Nov., 30 Orthos 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am, Chapel St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Saturday Dec. 5, Vespers 5:00pm at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church (see enclosed flyer)

5 UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Parish Council Elections Sunday December 6th. following the Divine Liturgy in the Social Hall. Candidates are John Koubaroulis, Steve Webb, John Stepanovich, Martha Pantelides, John Maroulis and John Katsias. If you would like to vote absentee, you may pick up a ballot in the cathedral office and return by Dec. 4, Icon Presentation The sisters of the St. Elizabeth Convent of Minsk, Belarus will be giving short presentations on iconography following vespers at 5pm at St. Joseph of Optima Russian Orthodox Church. 810 Kempsville Rd, Suite 5. Virginia Beach, VA Golden Years Tuesday, Dec.1. Lunch will be served. Bible Study Fellowship Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 6:30pm in the meeting room. Bring your Bible and a friend. St. Maria of Paris Outreach Committee thanks community dinner team captain Cindy Dragas and her team for serving the November 19 dinner: Mike Georghiou, James Holt, Jason Johnson, Jimmy Katsanos, Patti, Courtney, Hunter and Caitlin Allen, Angelo Neskis, John And Stella Brangan, John Douglas, Jim Milonas and Iris Pappas. Philoptochos Scholarship Applications are available. Applications may be found on the information table by the bookstore. They are due by January 28th. Philoptochos Agora Visit for all your Christmas needs. Hope/Joy Ministry St. Nicholas Christmas Workshop on Saturday, December 5th from 10:00am to 1:00pm (see enclosed Flyer). Greek School Christmas Kalanda Singing If you would love to hear the angelic voices of our Greek school students sing Christmas carols at your home on Dec. 17th or Dec.18th, please call Ami Tryphonas at or Emilia Simmons at Hellenic Woman s Club Bake sale order forms (for Vasilopeta and Kourourakia) are located on the information table by the bookstore. There will be frozen pasticho, spanakopita and tyropita available for purchase (see enclosed flyer) Hellenic Woman s Club and Philoptochos Society Christmas Luncheon on Saturday, December 12th at 11:30am in the Hellenic Center. Philoptochos invites anyone who wishes to support the Charity For Kids to donate a Walmart gift card of any amount. They will collect and distribute your donation. Hellenic Woman s Club will be collecting a free will donation for the Dominion Power Energy Share Program. AHEPA will hold its ANNUAL Christmas Party on Saturday, Dec., 12 at 6:30 pm for AHEPANS and guests of our community. The dinner will include: Hors D oeuvres, Prime Rib, drinks and dessert. The cost is $35.00 per person and each attending family is asked to bring a new but unwrapped toy for donation to the Marine s Toysfor-Tots Program. The toys will be distributed as Christmas gifts to children up to age 14 in our local community. Please contact Steve Webb,

6 Book Signing with Local Author Martha Loizou Pantelides, our Sunday School Director and a member of our Parish Council, has published her first children's book, Emma Talks to God, a story about a kindergartener writing a letter to God asking why bad things happen in the world. Our Annunciation Cathedral will be hosting book signings in the Hellenic Center following the Divine Liturgy on November 29th and December 6th. Many of you have already placed orders with Martha, and she will have your books available and will personally endorse them for you. Also new orders can be placed and will arrive before Christmas. The book makes a lovely Christmas gift for children of all ages and its message appeals to adults as well. You are graciously invited to attend these book signings to celebrate our new author and parishioner. The Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle (the first-called) Founder of the See of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Monday, November 30th Orthros 8:30 am Divine Liturgy 9:30 am Chapel of St. Theodore the Commander We are proud of the Archons of our Cathedral Andreas Touzos, Thomas Kyrus, Gus James, Michael Savvides and John Perros. The Feast Day of St. Nicholas Our sister Church of St. Nicholas in Virginia Beach invites the clergy and the faithful of Hampton Roads to celebrate with them the Feast of their Patron Saint Nicholas Bishop of Myra in Lycia the Wonderworker. Great Vespers with Artoklasia 5 pm Reception to follow. 621 First Colonial Road Virginia Beach, VA 23451

7 Serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 10:12 Please join us as our Cathedral community honors The Reverend Father George Bessinas on the occasion of his 25 th Ordination Anniversary to the Holy Priesthood Sunday, December 13, 2015 Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral Norfolk, Virginia Orthros 8:45 AM, Diving Liturgy 10:00 A M Luncheon to follow R.S.V.P. by December 9, 2015 Cathedral office or officeadmin@annunciationva.org 2015 Christmas Card Please help support the Annunciation Hellenic Dancers (troupes) by participating in our 2015 Christmas Card. I WOULD LIKE MY CHRISTMAS LISTING TO READ: (PLEASE PRINT NAME: ADDRESS: CITY/STATE/ZIP: TELEPHONE: AMOUNT ENCLOSED: PLEASE MAKE YOUR TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TO: ANNUNCIATION HELLENIC DANCERS 7220 Granby Street Norfolk, VA Please complete form along with a donation of $25.00 or more per family to the Church office or mail to address above, no later than Friday, December 11, 2015.

8 St. Maria of Paris Outreach Ministry We would like to invite people to bring donations over the next few weeks of the following items to be distributed to local homeless: Toiletries Small tubes of toothpaste, tooth brushes, small deodorants, small bottles of mouthwash. Snacks Fruit cups, pudding cups, packs of cookies, or crackers or snacks, packs of gum or breath mints A box is placed outside of the Sunday School Hallway and in the Hellenic Center for collections. All items due by Sunday, Dec. 6.

9 2015 Stewardship Update: We will be giving you weekly updates on the stewardship collections as we approach the end of the year. Last Sunday, November 22, we collected $4,323 in stewardship and received $2,230 of stewardship through the mail during the week Weekly Update of November 23. This brings our stewardship total for the 2015 year to $329, We have set $380,000 as an inspirational goal, which was exceeded by far last year. Let us make every effort to fulfill our stewardship pledges and donations by the Lord s Nativity as our gift to God. Wishing you and your family a blessed Nativity Fast (Nov. 15-Dec.24). And He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all: for these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had. Luke 21:1-4. Veneration of the Holy Relics of St. John Maximovich of Shanghai of San Francisco and the Holy Hierarch Calinic of Cernica Monastery St. Mary Romanian Orthodox Church will be receiving the Holy Relics of Saint John Maximovich, Archbishop of San Francisco and Shanghai and also the Holy Relics of Holy Ierarch Calinic of Cernica Monastary from Romania on Tuesday, December 1st starting at 4:00pm. At 7:00 pm they will offer Holy Unction and the church will remain open until midnight for faithful to venerate the Holy relics. St. Mary Romanian Orthodox Church 1821 Lafayette Blvd Norfolk, VA 23509

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11 Hope/Joy St. Nicholas Christmas Workshop December 5th from 10am to 1pm All are invited to join the Hope/Joy for their annual St. Nicholas/Christmas workshop. This is a drop off event open to all children 3 and older who are potty trained and separate easily. The children will make Christmas crafts, play games, decorate cookies, sing and enjoy story time. The cost of this event is $5 per child and a canned item for the FoodBank. A pizza lunch will be provided. If your child has allergies please feel free to being a bagged lunch. We will also be making Salvation Army Stockings as our mission project for this season. Empty stocking can be picked up in the Social Hall and returned there as well by December 5th.

12 WELCOME Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral Chapel of St. Theodore the Commander We extend to you a warm and heartfelt Orthodox Christian welcome. Our Cathedral is dedicated to imitating the love and faithfulness of Jesus Christ by sharing the Gospel with our words and living it with our lives. It exists to lead the faithful to the worship of the Holy Trinity according to the Faith and Tradition of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. We live and witness our faith by the grace of God through our participation in the sacramental life of the Church, Her holy tradition and stewardship, fellowship, service and Christian education. Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral 7220 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA Tel: Fax: officeadmin@annunciationva.org Web: Visit our website for updated news and information