Parish Council Members. February 26, 2017.CHEESE-FARE AND FORGIVENESS SUNDAY

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1 Ευαγγελισμός της Θεοτόκου Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Reverend Father Dean J. Dimon Proistamenos 2187 West 14th Street, Cleveland, OH February 26, 2017.CHEESE-FARE AND FORGIVENESS SUNDAY And though every day a man lives may rightly be a day of repentance, yet is it in these days more becoming, more appropriate, to confess our sins, to fast, and to give alms to the poor; since in these days you may wash clean the sins of the whole year." - St. John Chrysostom My dearly beloved in the Lord, Today on Forgiveness Sunday/ Cheesefare Sunday, our Church is giving us the opportunity to start over, to begin anew. On Clean Monday, we will begin living a different style of life, with a different focus. I encourage all of you to strive to put your lives in order, and grasp this precious opportunity to prepare yourselves for our Lord s Resurrection. It is our disobedience, pride, anger and failure to love - indeed all our sin which not only distances us from Christ, but also from our brothers and sisters. In addition to fasting from certain foods, more importantly we must fast from sin. St. John Chrysostom reminds us that not only should the mouth fast, but the eyes and the legs and the arms and all the other parts of the body should fast as well. Let the hands fast, remaining clean from stealing and greediness. Let the legs fast, avoiding roads which lead to sinful sights. Let the eyes fast by not fixing themselves on beautiful faces and by not observing the beauty of others Let your hearing also fast. The fast of hearing is not to accept bad talk against others and sly defamations. Let the mouth fast from disgraceful and abusive words We should not despair over our sin, but persevere, using the tools or methods provided by our Holy Orthodox Church, making every effort to encourage only positive feelings and thoughts in our hearts and minds, such as repentance, forgiveness, compassion and love. Only in this way, by striving to conform our lives to Christ, can we truly experience the full benefit of His blessings and enlightenment at Pascha, feeling His love, mercy and entering into Paradise. Yet there can be no true fast, no genuine repentance, no reconciliation with God, unless we are at the same time reconciled with one another. A fast without mutual love and forgiveness is the fast of demons, as Metropolitan Kallistos wrote. Part of salvation in our daily lives is practicing love and forgiveness. Truly we must help each other, for we are all walking on the path to salvation together, and the road is difficult and filled with obstacles. It is easy to lose our way, and we can only continue on the path with the help of others. After all, we do not travel the road of Lent as isolated individuals but as members of a family. As we begin our Lenten journey together, I am asking for your forgiveness, and in turn I forgive any of you as your Priest and I call upon you through prayer and fasting to uplift each other and forgive and be reconciled. Let us offer one another the true fellowship, patience, love and encouragement that we all desperately need to face the difficulties and struggles of this life. My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I pray that God will grant us a blessed Lent so that we can grow in a life of love, prayer, humility, and repentance, as we commit ourselves to acts of charity and living in peace with one another. May the Lord guide us as we begin our shared Lenten journey to Holy Pascha! With my paternal blessings and love, I prayerfully wish you a blessed Great Lent, as we together seek forgiveness and salvation. Kali Sarakosti! +Fr. Dean Parish Council Members Emmanuel Ermidis President Konstantinos Almiroudis Vice President Jim Ganotis Secretary Stelios Vitakis Treasurer Eleni Karadaglis Michael Manak Panagiota Petratos Irene Scordos Christopher Sheely.Athanasios Anagnostos Sam Zizis

2 February 26, 2017 Epistle St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4 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. Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand. Gospel Forgiveness Sunday The Gospel according to Matthew 6:14-21 The Lord said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. "And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Resurrectional Apolytikion Third Tone Rejoice all the heavenly, and exult all the terrestial, for the Lord, having established great strength with his mighty arm; he trampled down, death by his own death; he became the first to rise from the dead, from the bowels of Hades he delivered all of us, and bestowed his great mercy upon the world. Apolytikion of the Church 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 of Cheesefare Sunday O wisdom's guiding star, of prudence provider, instructor of the foolish ones, and the defender of the poor: Support and give understanding, O Master, to my heart. You give me words, who are the Father's Word; for behold I shall not hold back my lips from crying out to you: O compassionate one, have mercy on me who has gone astray. 2

3 Ἀπόστολος 26 Φεβρουαρίου 2017 Εὐαγγέλιον Πρὸς Ρωμαίους 13:11-14, 14:1-4 Προκείμενον. Ἦχος 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. Ἀδελφοί, νῦν ἐγγύτερον ἡμῶν ἡ σωτηρία ἢ ὅτε ἐπιστεύσαμεν. Ἡ νὺξ προέκοψεν, ἡ δὲ ἡμέρα ἤγγικεν ἀποθώμεθα οὖν τὰ ἔργα τοῦ σκότους, καί ἐνδυσώμεθα τὰ ὅπλα τοῦ φωτός. Ὡς ἐν ἡμέρᾳ, εὐσχημόνως περιπατήσωμεν, μὴ κώμοις καὶ μέθαις, μὴ κοίταις καὶ ἀσελγείαις, μὴ ἔριδι καὶ ζήλῳ. Ἀλλʼ ἐνδύσασθε τὸν κύριον Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν, καὶ τῆς σαρκὸς πρόνοιαν μὴ ποιεῖσθε, εἰς ἐπιθυμίας. Τὸν δὲ ἀσθενοῦντα τῇ πίστει προσλαμβάνεσθε, μὴ εἰς διακρίσεις διαλογισμῶν. Ὃς μὲν πιστεύει φαγεῖν πάντα, ὁ δὲ ἀσθενῶν λάχανα ἐσθίει. Ὁ ἐσθίων τὸν μὴ ἐσθίοντα μὴ ἐξουθενείτω, καὶ ὁ μὴ ἐσθίων τὸν ἐσθίοντα μὴ κρινέτω ὁ θεὸς γὰρ αὐτὸν προσελάβετο. Σὺ τίς εἶ ὁ κρίνων ἀλλότριον οἰκέτην; Τῷ ἰδίῳ κυρίῳ στήκει ἢ πίπτει. Σταθήσεται δέ δυνατὸς γάρ ἐστιν ὁ θεὸς στῆσαι αὐτόν. Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 6:14-21 Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος Εὰν γὰρ ἀφῆτε τοῖς ἀνθρώποις τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν, ἀφήσει καὶ ὑμῖν ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ὁ οὐράνιος ἐὰν δὲ μὴ ἀφῆτε τοῖς ἀνθρώποις τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν, οὐδὲ ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ἀφήσει τὰ παραπτώματα ὑμῶν. Οταν δὲ νηστεύητε, μὴ γίνεσθε ὥσπερ οἱ ὑποκριταὶ σκυθρωποί ἀφανίζουσι γὰρ τὰ πρόσωπα αὐτῶν ὅπως φανῶσι τοῖς ἀνθρώποις νηστεύοντες ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ἀπέχουσι τὸν μισθὸν αὐτῶν. σὺ δὲ νηστεύων ἄλειψαί σου τὴν κεφαλὴν καὶ τὸ πρόσωπόν σου νίψαι,ὅπως μὴ φανῇς τοῖς ἀνθρώποις νηστεύων, ἀλλὰ τῷ πατρί σου τῷ ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ, καὶ ὁ πατήρ σου ὁ βλέπων ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ ἀποδώσει σοι ἐν τῷ φανερῷ. Μὴ θησαυρίζετε ὑμῖν θησαυροὺς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ὅπου σὴς καὶ βρῶσις ἀφανίζει, καὶ ὅπου κλέπται διορύσσουσι καὶ κλέπτουσι θησαυρίζετε δὲ ὑμῖν θησαυροὺς ἐν οὐρανῷ, ὅπου οὔτε σὴς οὔτε βρῶσις ἀφανίζει, καὶ ὅπου κλέπται οὐ διορύσσουσιν οὐδὲ κλέπτουσιν ὅπου γάρ ἐστιν ὁ θησαυρὸς ὑμῶν, ἐκεῖ ἔσται καὶ ἡ καρδία ὑμῶν..εὐφραινέσθω τά οὐράνια, ἀγαλλιάσθω τά ἐπίγεια, ὅτι ἐποίησε κράτος ἐν βραχίονι αὐτοῦ ὁ Κύριος ἐπάτησε τῷ θανάτῳ τόν θάνατον πρωτοτόκος τῶν νεκρῶν ἐγένετο, ἐκ κοιλίας Ἅδου ἐρρύσατο ἡμᾶς, καί παρέσχε τῷ κόσμῳ τό μέγα ἔλεος. Σήμερον τῆς σωτηρίας ἡμῶν το 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. Τῆς σοφίας ὁδηγέ, φρονήσεως χορηγέ, τῶν ἀφρόνων παιδευτά καί τῶν πτωχῶν ὑπερασπιστά, στήριξον, συνέτισον τήν καρδίαν μου, Δέσποτα σύ δίδου μοι λόγον ὁ τοῦ Πατρός Λόγος ἰδού γάρ τά χείλη μου οὐ μή κωλήσω ἐν τῷ κράζειν σοι Ἐλεῆμον, ἐλέησον με τόν παραπεσόντα. 3

4 Memorial Μνημόσυνο 1 Year Memorial JOHN MADIAS 1 Χρόνος- Ιωάννης Μαδιας May his memory be eternal Αιωνία τους η μνήμην Today, following the Divine Liturgy Join us for a Pizza, Ice Cream Social, and the General Assembly Meeting in our church banquet hall. The Parish Council would like to invite you to attend the General Assembly meeting following the Liturgy. Each one of you are valuable family members and your opinions matter to us. Please make every effort to be there as every voice is an important part in making our church community strong. Come share your opinions with us for the better future of our church. Let stand all for Mother Church *The Parish Regulations stipulate that only members in good standing are allowed to actively participate in discussions and voting. Γενική Συνέλευση μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία. Σας παρακαλούμε να έρθετε να μοιραστείτε τις γνώμες σας μαζί μας για το καλλίτερο μέλλων της εκκλησίας μας. Μια καλή γνώμη μπορεί να μας βοηθήσει. Ας σταθούμε όλοι για την Μητέρα μας Εκκλησία. *Μόνο μέλη το οποία έχουν εκπληρώσει τις οικονομικές τους υποχρεώσεις προς την κοινότητα μπορούν να λάβουν μέρος στην γενική συνέλευση της κοινότητας. The Girls GOYA Won 3rd place at the St. Haralambos basketball tournament last weekend. They will present their trophy to us in church today. Congratulations Annunciation Girls! 4

5 FORGIVNESS SUNDAY VESPERS TONIGHT February 26, :00 PM On Forgiveness Sunday, you are invited to attend Forgiveness Vespers on the eve of Great Lent. We hear of the Lord s teaching about fasting and forgiveness and enter the season of the fast forgiving one another so that God will forgive them. If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive you your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14) At the end of the service, we should ask forgiveness from one another in order to enter the spiritual journey of fasting in peace. Let us begin Great Lent as a family. Εσπερινός Συγχώρεση των αμαρτιών 26 Φεβρουαρίου στις 6:00μμ μετά την Λειτουργία των Εσπερινών παρακαλούμαστε όλοι να ζητήσουμε συγχώρεση ο ένας από τον άλλον. Για να ξεκινήσουμε με αγάπη και σεβασμό την μεγάλη σαρακοστή. SATURDAY OF THE SOULS ΨΥΧΟΣΑΒΒΑΤΟΝ Orthros 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m. March 4th Give rest, O Christ, among the Saints to the souls of Your servants, where there is no pain, no everlasting. Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone sorrow, no grieving, but life Following the Divine Liturgy, we will offer a memorial service for the repose of the souls of our brothers and sisters in Christ who have fallen asleep. You are encouraged to bring koliva and a list of names of those who have passed away to be memorialized on these days. If you are unable to make koliva and would like Vivi Kyrazis or Angie Tsigas to make you a plate, please call. Ψυχοσάββατα ~ 18, 25, Φεβρουαρίου και 4 Μαρτίου Παρακαλούμε να φέρετε τα ονόματα και ένα πάτο κόλλυβο. Επικοινωνήσετε με την Παρασκευή Κυριαζή η την Ευαγγελία Τσίγκα

6 Thank you to the following stewards who have sent in their 2017 pledges. We have received 154 pledges. If any names have been mistakenly omitted from this list, please notify the church office and we will make corrections in our next bulletin. Εάν έχει γίνει παράλειψής ονομάτων σ αυτόν τον κατάλογο, παρακαλούμε επικοινωνήσετε με το γραφείο της εκκλησίας και θα κάνουμε τις διορθώσεις στο επόμενο τεύχος Agelidakis, Georgios & Victoria Alex, Jerry & Kim Alex, Stefo & Loula Allison, John & Nancy Almiroudis, Konstantinos & Kelli Anagnostos, Athanasios & Linsey Antonaklas, Steve & Evangelia Arabian, Allen & Agnes Bibidakis, Evangelos & Eftychia Boukis, Gary & Mary Boulas, Dimitrios & Evegenia Boyeas, Mike & Christine Bozas, Pete & Maria Castros, Nick & Rosalie Coutris, Stephen & Penelope Dallas, Maria Davis, Lambrini Demopoulos, William Dimon, Dean & Presvytera Drosos, Angeliki Efpraxias, Georgio Ermidis, Emmanuel & Marina Ermidis, Venizelos & Bessie Erwin, Edward & Vasiliki Fourtounis, Emmanuel & Marika Ganotis, Dimitrios & Aphrodite Geanneses, Antoinette Genin, Jason & Cynthia Gountis, Vasilios & Audolina Griveas, Peggy Gromek, Stanley & Angie Harris, Despina Hatzopoulos, Kriti Hlepas, James & Kathy Hliatzos, Peter & Katina Jamison, Oliver & Eleni Kafantaris, George & Sophia Kalevakis, Mike & Dora Kamenos, Stella Kanaris, Anna Kanis, Gus & Vaso Kanis, John Kantzios, George & Eleni Kapolis, Thanos & Anthie Karadaglis, Elias & Eleni Karadimas, Chris & Vivian Karadimas, John & Helen Karadimas, John & Linda Karakoudas, Caliope Karavokirakis, Dimitra Karavokirakis, Gramatiki Karras, John A. & Ismini J. Katsantonis, George & Sandra Keating, Dale & Helen Kefalos, Panayiotis & Fotini Konstantinos, Nikolaos & Vasiliki Kopasakis, John Koukouras, Nikolaos & Evangelia Kowalsick, Ruby Kozana, Margarita Kozanas, John & Vasiliki Kutrubs, Nick Kyriazis, Dimitri Makris, Bessie A. Makris, Thomas Manak, Michael Maroulis, Paraskevas Marountas, Nck & Denna Mastrokostas, George & Eleni Matheou, Demetrios & Lillian Matheou, Dimosthenis & Nicole Matheou, Georgia Mathews, James & Mary Mathiellis, Paul & Carol Mavrakis, Bill & Zoe Mavroidis, Mavroidis Moulagianis, Vasalios & Stamatia Moulagiannis, Kathy Nakhel, Anis & Maria Nickas, Vasiliki Paliobeis, Irini Panagiotou, Serafiem & Anna Panos, Pete & Mary Pantelatou, Sophia Papadakis, Adamandios & Despina Papadopoulos, Alex Papadopoulos, Dimitrios & Dionira Papakonstantinou, Fotios & Spyroulla Papakonstantinou, Rebecca Pappas, Ted Paul, Barbara T. Petratos, Kosmas & Panagiota M. Petropouleas, Peter & Panagiota Petsas, Demetra Pikakos, Mary Piperis, Fotini Plataniotis, Nick & Elisavet Rakopoulos, Stella Regas, Alex & Thea Regas, George & Soula Regas, Strates Riedel, Joseph & Popi Rokas, Efthihia Rokas, John & Lucy Sack, David & Katherine Salamalekis, Evangelos Salloumis, Paul Salouros, Paul & Maria Sarantopoulos, Athanasios & Despina Sboukis, Andrew & Marcella Sboukis, Peter & Panayiota Scordos, John & Irene Semertsidis, Niko & Despina Sevastos, George Sevastos, Gust & Jane Sheely, Christopher & Panagiota Shinas, Dean J. Siakantaris, Stella Sisamis, John G. & Irene Skoutas, Mike & Ellie Smith, Robert & Eugenia Spanos, Niko & Koula Stefanopoulos, Polixeni Stefou, Antonios & Stella Tasiouras, Evanthia Thanos, Athanasios D. & Anna Thanos, Dion & Courtney Theodore, Neste & Artemis Trihas, Ermioni Trihas, John A. & Suzanne Tsambounieris, Manoli & Sofia Tsardoulias, Aris & Stella Tsardoulias, George & Diamonto Tsigas, Angie Tsigas, Demetrios & Shelly Tsiourtsiouris, Maria Valsamidis, Chris & Eleni Vaselakis, John & Kiki Vasilakes, Mike & Mary Vassilakis, Freda Vassilaras, Plousia Velkos, Joseph & Maria Velkos, Nick & Irene Vianos, Nicholas & Eleni Vitakis, Stelios & Tsabika Voiklis, Emmanuel & Janet Vourlis, Antonetta Vourlis, Rose Walsh, Edward & Calliope Whitlock, Marie Zeleniuch, Christina Zeleniuch, Mary Ellen Zeleniuch, Stefan Zizis, Stamatios & Ellen 6

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11 Your help is GREATLY needed for this Festival to be a great success, we would love to have as many of you as possible to come help in the preparations, even if you have no experience. The gracious women of wisdom as we call them, will be glad to show the younger generation how to prepare these foods. Men and women are welcomed. This will be a wonderful opportunity for our parishioners, young and old to get to know each other and show these fading skills. We ask if you would come and help prepare for the festival from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Every Tuesday and Wednesday. Προετοιμασίες για τα φαγητά του φεστιβάλ άρχισαν κάθε Τρίτη και Τετάρτη από τις 9πμ μέχρι τις 3:00 μμ. Σας παρακαλούμε ελάτε να βοηθήσετε. Χρειαζόμαστε τη βοήθεια σας. 11

12 Rev. Fr. Dean J. Dimon The Parish Council of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Request the honor of your presence at Annunciation Feast Day Celebration Friday, March 24, 2017 Great Vespers - 7:00 p.m. Followed by coffee & fellowship in our church banquet hall Saturday, March 25, 2017 Orthros 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m. Following the Divine Liturgy join us for a Fish Plaki Luncheon sponsored by the Ladies of Philoptochos $15 Adults and $5 Children RSVP: Despina Sarantopoulou: Jane Sevastos: or call the church office Greek Independence Day Parade will follow the Luncheon Flower Donation If you would like to donate the flowers that adorn the icon of the Feast Day of the Annunciation in Loving Memory of your loved one or for the Good Health of your family. Please call the church office. Όσοι θέλουν να στολίσουν την εικόνα του Ευαγγελισμού της Παναγίας για την 25 Μαρτίου για υπέρ υγείας της οικογένειας τους η προς συγχώρεση των αγαπημένων τους που έφυγαν, να ενημερώσουν το γραφείο της Εκκλησίας στο τηλέφωνο και να στείλουν την δωρεά τους για τα λουλούδια. 12

13 Salutations to the Theotokos March 3, 10th, 17th, and the Akathist Hymn March 31st at 7:00 PM ΧΑΙΡΕΤΙΣΜΟΙ Παρασκευή, 3, 10, 17, Μαρτίου, και Ακάθιστος Ύμνος 31 Μαρτίου στις 7:00 μμ. Όσοι επιθυμήτε να προσφέρετε τις δωρεές σας για τα λουλούδια για την εικόνα της Παναγίας παρακαλούμε καλέστε το γραφείο της εκκλησίας The floral decorations that adorned the Panagia s icon during the Salutations to The Theotokos are generously donated. Please contact the church office if you would like to make a donation. As we approach the Lenten season, we hope you will consider joining us in the Choir Loft! New members are always needed and welcomed. If you have had even a little choral experience, we d love to have you with us. And, if you simply love to sing the beautiful hymns of our church, then you are already one of us! Contact Mary Ellen Zeleniuch for more information. Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. - Matthew 6:

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15 Για την δόξα του Κυρίου και εις μνήμην των αγαπημένων σας προσώπων, οι δωρεές σας είναι μια έκφραση αγάπης, πίστης και εκτίμησης προς τον Χριστό ο οποίος έδωσε την ζωή Του, ώστε εμείς να λάβουμε την αιώνιον ζωή. Παρακαλούμε επικοινωνήσετε με τα μέλη του Συμβουλίου ή με το γραφείο της εκκλησίας για τις χρηματικές σας προσφορές, για τα λουλούδια του Πάσχα η για τα κάτωθι αντικείμενα. Κυριακή των βαΐων Φοίνικες και διακοσμήσεις Εικόνα (Κυριακή των Βαΐων) Κυριακή των Βαΐων εικόνα Νυμφίου Μεγάλη Τετάρτη Μεγάλη Τετάρτη-Μυστικός Δείπνος λουλούδια Μεγάλη Πέμπτη Εικόνα (Σταύρωση) ρύθμιση λουλουδιών Μεγάλη ΠΑΡΑΣΚΕΥΗ Λουλούδια Επιταφίου Πέταλα λουλούδια για τις μυροφόρες Μύρο για την Μ. Παρασκευή Lenten flowers Please help defray the cost & expense of Lenten & Easter Flowers enjoyed by all parishioners of the Annunciation during Pascha Season. Please look for flower offering envelopes in your packets or at the Pangari. All donations are tax deductible Weather used for a Lenten icon, Easter flowers, or the Beautiful Kouvoulion Project, funds are dedicated to the beautification of our Church Parish, satisfying any flower needs as they arise. We thank you for your generosity! Please see a Parish Council Member or call the Church office if you would like to donate any of the following items, or any monetary donations towards the flowers for the Epitaphio. PALM SUNDAY Palms and decorations Icon (Palm Sunday) floral PALM SUNDAY EVENING TO HOLY WEDNESDAY EVENING Nymphios (Bridegroom) Icon floral arrangement Holy Wednesday Mystical Supper Icon floral arrangement. HOLY THURSDAY Icon (Crucifixion) floral arrangement HOLY FRIDAY Epitaphio flowers Rose petals for the Mirophori (Little Girls) Rhandisterion Myrrh Container Sprinkler for Holy Friday ΜΕΓΑΛΟ ΣΑΒΒΑΤΟ / ΠΑΣΧΑ Φύλλα δάφνης και ροδοπέταλα Ανάσταση Διαφήμιση Εικόνα (Ανάσταση) ρύθμιση λουλουδιών Διακοσμήσεις Βωμός Πίνακας Εικόνα σε νάρθηκα (Ανάσταση) Λουλούδια Λαμπάδα Πάσχα Κρίνων HOLY SATURDAY/PASCHA Bay Leaves and Rose Petals Resurrection Banner Icon (Resurrection) floral arrangement Altar Table decorations Icon in Narthex (Resurrection) floral arrangement Paschal Candle Easter Lilies 15

16 We begin our Lenten Journey. Lent begins Monday, February 27 with the Great Compline Service/Bible Study Please join us at 6:00 PM Topic: Do you fast? Give me proof of it by your works - St. John Chrysostom If you see a poor man, take pity on him. If you see a friend being honored, do not envy him. Do not let only your mouth fast, but also the eye, and the ear, and the feet, and the hands, and all the members of our bodies. Let the hands fast, by being free of avarice. Let the feet fast, by ceasing to run after sin. Let the eyes fast, by disciplining them not to glare at that which is sinful Let the ear fast...by not listening to evil talk and gossip Let the mouth fast from foul words and unjust criticism. For what good is it if we abstain from birds and fishes, but bite and devour our brothers? Lenten Pre-Sanctified Liturgy Thursday, March 2, 2017 at 5:30 PM Let my prayer rise as Incense, before You... And the lifting up of my hands, as an evening sacrifice. Join us for the first Lenten Pre- Sanctified Liturgy. Following the service, we will have a pot-luck Lenten dinner. All are invited to join in prayer as we begin our journey of Great and Holy Lent. A DAILY LENTEN PRAYER The Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian Lord and Master of my life, Take from me the spirit of laziness, idle curiosity, vain talk and lust for power. Give me instead a spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love. Yes Lord and King, help me to see my own faults, and keep me from judging what others do. For You are blessed unto the ages of ages. Amen. Eυχή του Αγίου Έφραίμ του Σύρου Κύριε καὶ Δέσποτα τῆς ζωῆς μου, πνεῦμα ἀργίας, περιεργείας, φιλαρχίας καὶ ἀργολογίας μή μοι δῷς. Πνεῦμα δὲ σωφροσύνης, ταπεινοφροσύνης, ὑπομονῆς καὶ ἀγάπης, χάρισαί μοι τῷ σῷ δούλῳ. Ναί, Κύριε Βασιλεῦ, δώρησαί μοι τοῦ ὁρᾶν τὰ ἐμὰ πταίσματα, καὶ μὴ κατακρίνειν τὸν ἀδελφόν μου, ὅτι εὐλογητὸς εἶ, εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν 16

17 Upcoming Events: Sunday of Orthodoxy... Sunday School Children Please remember to bring your icons to Divine Liturgy for the procession. WHAT EVERY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN SHOULD KNOW Sat., March 11, the Eastern Orthodox Women s Guild of Greater Cleveland will meet at St. Mary Romanian Orthodox Church, 3256 Warren Rd., Cleveland. 9 a.m. Divine Liturgy to precede the talk by Sub- Deacon Leon Felon. USING YOUR SPIRITUAL COMPASS March 17-19, College student and young adult retreat at Camp Nazareth. Keynote speakers Very Rev. Dr. Edward Pehanich and Nick Lionas. Registration $95 (financial need scholarships available.) Register at pittsburgh.goarch.org GREECE YEAR ZERO Sat., March 25 th, at the Canton Palace Theater, 605 Market Ave N., Canton, AHEPA #59 presents a documentary film by Dannis Koromilas about Greece s untold story in the last century. Pre-show performance by Hellenic Dancers at 6:30 p.m. Showtime at 7 p.m. $20/adult; $10/student 18 & under. $50 VIP ticket includes post-movie reception at Basil Asian Bistro. Proceeds will also benefit St. Haralambos & Holy Trinity Churches. For tickets, call or go to WHAT MATTERS? March 31-April 2, the GOYA Spring Retreat at Camp Nazareth welcomes Keynote Speaker Fr. Alexandros Petrides to discuss Exploring our Relationship with God s Creation. Registration fee is $165 (scholarships available.) Register at pittsburgh.goarch.org HERITAGE GREECE June 8-25, educational and cultural program for Greek- American college students to study at the American College of Greece in Athens. The program includes a customized one-credit language course and field trips of archaeological sites. Participants bear a $1,000 portion of the airfare expense to Greece; remaining expenses are borne by the National Hellenic Society. Application deadline is Mar. 15, OCMC MISSIONS The 2017 mission teams around the world are now looking for volunteers in areas such as youth outreach/teaching, healthcare, construction and women s ministry including in Alaska, Albania, Guatemala, Indonesia, Kenya, and Mexico. 17

18 GREAT LENT OUR SPIRITUAL JOURNEY BEGINS CLEAN MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27 TRUE FASTING Let us observe a Fast acceptable and true to The Lord. True Fasting is to put away all evil, to control the tongue, to forbear from anger, to abstain from lust, slander, falsehood, and lying. If we renounce these things, than is our fasting true and acceptable to God. From the Lenten Triodion A JOURNEY OF FORGIVENESS Forgiveness stands at the very center of Christian Faith and of Christian Life because Christianity itself is, above all, the religion of forgiveness. God forgives us, and His forgiveness is in Christ, His Son, whom He sends to us so that by sharing in His humanity, we may share in His love and be truly reconciled with God. Indeed, Christianity has no other content but love. And it is primarily the renewal of that love, and return to it, a growth in it, that we seek in Great Lent, in fasting and prayer, in entire spirit and the entire effort of the season. Thus, truly forgives is both the beginning of, the proper condition for the Lenten Season. A TIME OF REPENTANCE Behold, now is the time of repentance. Let us cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armor of light, so that having sailed across the vast sea of the Fast, we many reach the third day Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A Hymn from Clean Monday GUIDE ME DURING LENT O Christ, in Your compassion, I entreat you through fasting and repentance to restore my soul, which has been slain by the fruit of disobedience. Grant that I may ever walk in the straight path of Your holy commandments, so that in the company of all who love You, I may share in Your divine glory a praise Your goodness towards all people, O Jesus. A Lenten Hymn 18

19 Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Event/Liturgy Calendar 2017 All Sunday & Week Day 8:30 AM Orthros / 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy February 2017 THE BEE RETREAT IN PITTSBURGH 26 Forgiveness Sunday (Cheese fare) Little Angels will host the Ice Cream Social GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING 27 Clean Monday (Great Lent Begins) Great Compline Service 6:00 p.m. March Pre Sanctified Liturgy /Lecture Lenten Meal 6:00 p.m. Lecture/Lenten Meal Program 3 1st Salutation to the Theotokos 7:00 p.m. FISH FRY BEGINS 4 3rd Saturday of Souls Orthros 8:30 a.m. Div. Lit. 9:30 a.m. 5 Sunday of Orthodoxy Sunday School will Participate in Procession of Icons LAST DAY FOR GREEK SCHOOL TUITION TO BE PAID Mon. 6 Great Compline 6:00 p.m. Wed. 8 Thur. 9 GOYA MEETING 7:30 P.M Pre Sanctified Liturgy /Lecture Lenten Meal Parish Council Meeting 7:00 p.m. Fri. 10 2nd Salutation to the Theotokos 7:00 p.m. Fish Fry Mon. 13 Wed. 15 Great Compline 6:00 p.m. Pre Sanctified Liturgy Lecture 6:00 p.m. Fri. 17 3rd Salutation to the Fish Fry Sun. 19 Veneration of the Holy Cross Sunday School Students remain in the church following Holy Communion. Wed. 22 Pre Sanctified Liturgy /Lecture Lenten Meal Fri. 24 Great Vespers of the Annunciation 7:00 p.m. followed by Philoptochos Loukoumades Sat. 25 Feast Day of the Annunciation Philoptochos Luncheon Sun. 26 Mon. 27 Wed. 29 Sunday of St. John Climacus Following the Divine Liturgy Greek School Independence Program Great Compline 6:00 pm Pre Sanctified Liturgy /Lecture Lenten Meal 6:00 pm Fri. 31 Salutation to the Theotokos (Akathistos Hymnos) 7:00 pm Fish Fry 31ST APRIL 2ND GOYA SPRING RETREAT APRIL 2017 Sun. 2 Mon. 3 Wed. 5 Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt GOYA MEETING 7:30 P.M. Pre Sanctified for the Wednes- 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. Σας ευχαριστώ. Please visit our website: 19

20 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 $ Dino Sevastos Agent AUTO.BUSINESS.HOME. LIFE 500 W. AURORA RD STE 115 SAGAMORE HILLS, OH Tel Fax csevastos@farmersagent.com Pearl Road, Middleburg Heights, OH (440) Diples Pastries Bread Koliva Contact: Vivian Kyriazis HARSOULAS GARAGE DOORS Service & Installation Garage Doors & Openers Saki Harsoulas