Parish Council Members. The Story of St. Phanourios

Transcript

1 Ευαγγελισμός της Θεοτόκου Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Reverend Father Dean J. Dimon Proistamenos 2187 West 14th Street, Cleveland, OH August 27, th Sunday of Matthew The Story of St. Phanourios Phanourios has been revered as a saint (his feast day has been celebrated for more than 500 years) considerably longer than the lesser saints, and his name invoked in prayer quite possibly as often as some of the major saints. This is all the more remarkable when is is considered that it is not known when or where he was born, what he did in his lifetime, in what manner he served the Lord, or what he did for his fellowman. But there is mute testimony that he died the death of a martyr after having been horribly tortured, and in addition to mystery there is a aura of divine manifestation in the man whom nobody knows. A fortuitous discovery by nomadic pagans, not Christians, brought to light this unheralded saint when a roving band of Arabs, who had pillaged the island of Rhodes uncovered amid the ruins of an ancient church a group of icons, among other artifacts. All of the icons were in a state of decay or near ruin with the exception of one, which appeared as new and as fresh as though it had been painted the day before. This icon was discarded by the Arabs, ;who failed to attach any importance to it. At a safe distance a group of monks hiding in the rubble observed this phenomenon and waited patiently until the Arabs had left the scene, whereupon they rushed to reclaim this fantastic image in its remarkable state of preservation. They beheld a clearly outlined face of a saint with the name inscribed in what appeared to be fresh lettering that spelled out Phanourios and on closer examination fell on their knees at what they saw. Drawn about the saint were twelve distinct frames in each of which Phanourios was shown enduring a cruel form of torture in a realism that suggested the artist must have been witness to the atrocity. They rushed back to see if any of the other icons were in as perfect a state, but although they were all of the same basic design, size, and shape, all of them were quite ancient and quite indistinct. After careful scrutiny it was finally concluded that this icon of Phanourios had, indeed, been one of a group that had been exhumed after untold centuries and that its freshness was a divine manifestation of the complete saintliness of this man about whom they were now determined to learn more. But years of research, scanning the archives of centuries and questioning the leading authorities of the day, yielded nothing, and no more was known about Phanourios than the day on which his icon was snatched from the ruins of that ancient Greek church. The torture scenes of the icon provided no clues, and examination of which showed Phanourios being stoned, on the rack, being slashed, behind bars, standing before a judge, tied to a frame, being burned with candles, tied to a post, thrown to wild animals, crushed by a boulder, holding hot coals, and a demon hovering against a background of flames. All of these horrors conveyed that Phanourios was an apparently indestructible instrument of God and that in itself was sufficient evidenced of his sainthood. Archbishop Milos of Rhodes concluded that the unblemished icon itself was testimony enough to prove that Phanourios was a man of divine grace, and he petitioned the Patriarch to convene a synod which would officially proclaim Phanourios a saint, after which there was erected in the saint s memory a cathedral which enshrined the holy icon/ Phanourios, lost for centuries in the ruins of a church, became the patron saint of things lost. To this day his name is invoked when prayers are asked for the recovery of things lost items. He is commemorated on August 27th, The day his icon was found. Parish Council Members Emmanuel Ermidis President Konstantinos Almiroudis Vice President Jim Ganotis Treasurer Panagiota Petratos Secretary Eleni Karadaglis Michael Manak Irene Scordos Christopher Sheely.Athanasios Anagnostos Sam Zizis

2 Epistle Prokeimenon. Mode 4. Psalm 67.35,26 God is wonderful among his saints. Verse: Bless God in the congregations. The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 15:1-11 Brethren, I would remind you in what terms I preached to you the gospel, which you received, in which you stand, by which you are saved, if you hold it fast -- unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God which is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed. Gospel The Gospel According to Matthew 19:16-26 At that time, a young man came up to Jesus, kneeling and saying, "Good Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?" And he said to him, "Why do you call me good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." He said to him, "Which?" And Jesus said, "You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "All these I have observed; what do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions. And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, 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." When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." MEMORIALS Deanna Ermidis Vasilios Morfis May Their Memory Be Eternal Resurrectional Apolytikion Third Tone Apolytkion of the Church Kontakion 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. 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. By your holy nativity O most undefiled one, Joachim and Anna were freed from the scorn of childlessness, and Adam and Eve from death corruption. This is the feast now observed by your people, who from the guilt of their errors, were delivered as they cry out to you: the barren one bears the Theotokos, and our life's sustainer. 2

3 Ἀπόστολος Προκείμενον. Ήχος δ'. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 67.35,26 Θαυμαστὸς ὁ Θεὸς ἐν τοῖς Ἁγίοις αὐτοῦ. Στίχ. Ἐν Ἐκκλησίαις εὐλογεῖτε τὸν Θεὸν. Πρὸς Κορινθίους α' 15:1-11 τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα είναι απο Ἀδελφοί, γνωρίζω δὲ ὑμῖν, ἀδελφοί, τὸ εὐαγγέλιον ὃ εὐηγγελισάμην ὑμῖν, ὃ καὶ παρελάβετε, ἐν ᾧ καὶ ἑστήκατε, διʼ οὗ καὶ σῴζεσθε τίνι λόγῳ εὐηγγελισάμην ὑμῖν, εἰ κατέχετε, ἐκτὸς εἰ μὴ εἰκῇ ἐπιστεύσατε. Παρέδωκα γὰρ ὑμῖν ἐν πρώτοις, ὃ καὶ παρέλαβον, ὅτι Χριστὸς ἀπέθανεν ὑπὲρ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ἡμῶν κατὰ τὰς γραφάς. καὶ ὅτι ἐτάφη καὶ ὅτι ἐγήγερται τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ κατὰ τὰς γραφάς καὶ ὅτι ὤφθη Κηφᾷ, εἶτα τοῖς δώδεκα ἔπειτα ὤφθη ἐπάνω πεντακοσίοις ἀδελφοῖς ἐφάπαξ, ἐξ ὧν οἱ πλείους μένουσιν ἕως ἄρτι, τινὲς δὲ καὶ ἐκοιμήθησαν ἔπειτα ὤφθη Ἰακώβῳ, εἶτα τοῖς ἀποστόλοις πᾶσιν ἔσχατον δὲ πάντων, ὡσπερεὶ τῷ ἐκτρώματι, ὤφθη κἀμοί. Ἐγὼ γάρ εἰμι ὁ ἐλάχιστος τῶν ἀποστόλων, ὃς οὐκ εἰμὶ ἱκανὸς καλεῖσθαι ἀπόστολος, διότι ἐδίωξα τὴν ἐκκλησίαν τοῦ θεοῦ. Χάριτι δὲ θεοῦ εἰμι ὅ εἰμι, καὶ ἡ χάρις αὐτοῦ ἡ εἰς ἐμὲ οὐ κενὴ ἐγενήθη, ἀλλὰ περισσότερον αὐτῶν πάντων ἐκοπίασα, οὐκ ἐγὼ δέ, ἀλλʼ ἡ χάρις τοῦ θεοῦ ἡ σὺν ἐμοί. Εἴτε οὖν ἐγώ, εἴτε ἐκεῖνοι, οὕτως κηρύσσομεν καὶ οὕτως ἐπιστεύσατε. Εὐαγγέλιον Ἐκ τοῦ Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 19:16-26 Εὐαγγελίου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, νεανίσκος τις προσῆλθε τῷ Ἰησοῦ, γονυπετῶν αὐτόν, καὶ λέγων Διδάσκαλε ἀγαθέ, τί ἀγαθὸν ποιήσω ἵνα ἔχω ζωὴν αἰώνιον; O δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ τί με λέγεις ἀγαθόν; οὐδεὶς ἀγαθὸς εἰ μὴ εἷς ὁ Θεός. εἰ δὲ θέλεις εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν ζωήν, τήρησον τὰς ἐντολάς. λέγει αὐτῷ ποίας; ὁ δὲ Ιησοῦς εἶπε τὸ οὐ φονεύσεις, οὐ μοιχεύσεις, οὐ κλέψεις, οὐ ψευδομαρτυρήσεις, τίμα τὸν πατέρα καὶ τὴν μητέρα, καὶ ἀγαπήσεις τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν. λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ νεανίσκος πάντα ταῦτα ἐφυλαξάμην ἐκ νεότητός μου τί ἔτι ὑστερῶ; ἔφη αὐτῷ ὁ Ιησοῦς εἰ θέλεις τέλειος εἶναι, ὕπαγε πώλησόν σου τὰ ὑπάρχοντα καὶ δὸς πτωχοῖς, καὶ ἕξεις θησαυρὸν ἐν οὐρανῷ, καὶ δεῦρο ἀκολούθει μοι. ἀκούσας δὲ ὁ νεανίσκος τὸν λόγον ἀπῆλθε λυπούμενος ἦν γὰρ ἔχων κτήματα πολλά. Ο δὲ Ιησοῦς εἶπε τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι δυσκόλως πλούσιος εἰσελεύσεται εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν. πάλιν δὲ λέγω ὑμῖν, εὐκοπώτερόν ἐστι κάμηλον διὰ τρυπήματος ῥαφίδος διελθεῖν ἢ πλούσιον εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ εἰσελθεῖν. ἀκούσαντες δὲ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἐξεπλήσσοντο σφόδρα λέγοντες τίς ἄρα δύναται σωθῆναι; ἐμβλέψας δὲ ὁ Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς παρὰ ἀνθρώποις τοῦτο ἀδύνατόν ἐστι, παρὰ δὲ Θεῷ πάντα δυνατά ἐστι. Μνημόσυνα Διάνα Ερμίδου Βασίλειος Μώρφης Αιωνία η μνήμη 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 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. Ἰωακείμ καί Ἄννα ὀνειδισμοῦ ἀτεκνίας καί Ἀδάμ καί Εὔα ἐκ τῆς φθορᾶς τοῦ θανάτου ἠλευθερώθησαν, Ἄχραντε, ἐν τῇ ἁγία γεννήσει σου. Αὐτήν ἑορτάζει καί ὁ λαός σου, ἐνοχῆς τῶν πταισμάτων, λυτρωθείς ἐν τῷ κράζειν σοι ἡ στεῖρα τίκτει, τήν Θεοτόκον καί τροφόν τῆς ζωῆς ἡμῶν 3

4 Today, Following the Divine Liturgy coffee and refreshments are provided by the Ermidis families in loving memory of Deanna, in the lower level social hall of the church. Σήμερα ο καφές δίνεται από την οικογένεια Ερμιδης Εις μνήμη Διάνα Ερμίδου Registration, following the Divine Liturgy. Please stop by the Stewardship table to receive your registration form and proceed to see all the church ministries in the church hall for any questions. Σήμερα μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία θα έχουμε εγγραφές για όλα τα προγράμματα της νεολαίας στην κάτω αίθουσα της εκκλησίας. Church Events: Great Vespers St. John Mon., 28th at 7:00pm Coffee and refreshments are hosed by Society of Leka Samos in the lower level social hall of the church. Feast Day of the Beheading of St. John Tues., Aug., 29th Strict Fast Orthros 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m. Greek School Exams to skip a Grade Thurs., Aug. 31st at 7:00 p.m. For further information please call Evangelia Koukouras (440) Αποτομής της Τίμιας Κεφαλής του Αγίου Ιωάννου του Προδρόμου 28 Αυγούστου 7:00 μμ. Μ. Εσπερινός Αρτοκλασία Ώρα καφέ δίνεται στην μικρή αίθουσα κάτω από την εκκλησία. Αποτομή Τιμίας Κεφαλ. Προδρόμ - 29 Αυγούστου Όρθρος 8:30πμ Θ. Λειτουργία 9:30πμ Οι γραπτές εξετάσεις θα λάβουν χώρα στις 31 Αυγούστου στις 7:00μμ στις αίθουσες του ελληνικού σχολείου. Περισσότερες πληροφορίες στο τηλέφωνο (440) Ευαγγελία Κού- We lead such busy lives, sometimes it seems there is no time left for ourselves. We rush around to jobs, classes, social obligations, family obligations. How can we consider one more thing to do? How about doing something that is stress-free, enjoyable, and generous? Let me encourage you to join our choir. Singing in the choir is a personal and rewarding way to be involved in the Divine Liturgy. It is a privilege to be used by God for the purpose of leading the community in His praise. Singing, our members say they stay in the Choir no matter how busy they get, because it is one of the activities that rejuvenates them. Leave the office, the house, the job, the responsibilities of everyday life, and come join us as we lift our voices together in a beautiful, harmonious sound, singing the hymns of our church. Our choir is a wonderful, loyal group of people who would warmly welcome you. Many of them would tell you they don t consider themselves to be opera singers, but find that they love singing with our group. It is, quite simply, our favorite way to pray. Please see Mary Ellen to join choir. as we all know, is praying to God twice! Several of 4

5 The Orthodox Church views all Church services as sacred. As such, we each have a duty as serious worshipers to see that a respectful decorum and atmosphere are maintained so that the congregation can pray sincerely, peacefully without distractions, and meaningfully. Please note these guidelines: When entering the Church, especially during services, remember that you are in God s House. Be reverent and mindful of others engaged in prayer. This also is an expression of your faith and awareness of God s Presence. Refrain from any conversations, chit chat in the Narthex or in any part of the Church. Wear modest and appropriate attire. Common sense and good judgment should prevail. Refrain from chewing gum. Avoid wearing lipstick when venerating the icons and receiving Holy Communion. During the Church Service, please do not move about during these parts. They are: Procession of the Priest and Altar Boys with the Gospel-Little Entrance Reading of the Epistle and Gospel Cherubic Hymn and the Great Entrance with the Holy Gift The Nicene Creed The Hymn Se Ymnoumen and the Consecration of the Holy Gifts Lord s Prayer Holy Communion Sermon or Homily Dismissal Prayer Any special services-memorials, Precession of Icons, Artoklasias, etc. Stop, wait, and stand reverently, One basic rule: Whenever the priest faces the people or is outside the altar on the Solea either censing or blessing, everyone should stand wherever he is. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OF THINGS WE SHOULD KNOW WHILE WE ARE IN CHURCH UPON ENTERING THE CHURCH The time to arrive at church is before the service starts, but for some unknown reason, it has become the custom - or rather the bad habit to arrive late. If you arrive after the Divine Liturgy begins, you must enter the church quietly and observe what is happening. If in doubt, check with a member of the Parish Council to see if it is a good time to be seated. On some Sundays, it almost seems like a revolving door in the back of the church. Conversations are going on, parishioners are wanting names to be given in the Alter, votive candles to be placed in front of icons, Artoklasia breads are being brought. All these and countless other requests are being made and almost being demanded. The practice is disruptive and shows a lack of respect to those parishioners who are in prayer and especially to clergy who must remain focused on the Liturgy. Let all of us remember, that entering the Church, we are entering the House of God. Reverence and good manners are required so as not to disturb those who are already engaged in prayer, but more importantly, as an expression of sincere faith and awareness of the presence of the Lord. NO irrelevant conversations would ever take place, either in the Narthex or any other part of the Church. Request to take names to be commemorated in the Altar, should be done prior to the start of the Liturgy. Messages and request should be handled at the appropriate time. In other words, before the Liturgy begins. LIGHTING CANDLES Lighting candles is an important part of Orthodox worship. We light them as we pray, making an offering to accompany our prayers. As is our custom, we light candles when coming into the Narthex and that is usually the best time to light them, but there are times when candles should not be lit. There are many parishioners who wish to have Votive candles taken to the Solea to be placed in front of the Icons. It is not proper to light candles during the Epistle or Gospel reading, during the Small or Great Entrances, the sermon, and most times when the faithful are standing. If in doubt, please follow the directives of the Parish Council. LEAVING BEFORE THE DISMISSAL Leaving church before the Dismissal, besides being rude, deprives us of a blessing. Worship has a beginning ( Blessed is the Kingdom ) and an end ( Let us depart in peace ). To leave immediately after Communion is to treat church like a fast food restaurant where we come and go as we please. We live in a fast-paced world where we seem to be hurrying from place to place. But in God s presence, we need to make every attempt to fight this pressure to move on to the next thing on the day s agen- 5

6 da. We deprive ourselves of blessings by not being still and participating in God s holiness. Eat and run at McDonald s but stay in church and thank God for His precious gifts. BLOT THAT LIPSTICK Have you ever looked at an icon in just the right light and see the lip prints all over it? Its not a very pretty sight and its disrespectful. Lipstick may look fine on lips, but it looks horrible on icons, crosses, the communion spoon and the priest s hand or bishop s hand. Icons that are on canvass have been ruined by lipstick. Icons made of metal, laminated ones or mosaic chips, communion spoons and crosses can usually be cleaned after everyone venerates it, however, it just isn t considerate to others to impose your lipstick on them. The answer to all of this is to blot your lips well before venerating an icon, taking communion or kissing the hand of a priest or bishop. Please try and remember God is not impressed with how attractive you look externally - your make-up or clothing but how attractive you are internally, your adornment with good works are piety. VENERATING ICONS When you enter the church, it is traditional to venerate the icons in the Narthex or you may also want to venerate the icons on the Solea. When venerating (kissing) an icon, pay close attention to where you kiss. It is not prober to kiss an icon in the face. When you approach an icon to venerate it, kiss the gospel, the scroll or had cross in the hand of the person in the icon, or kiss the hand or foot of the person depicted. As you venerate an icon, show proper respect by kissing in the appropriate place. SUNDAY DRESS I remember growing up in the 50 s when people put on their Sunday best to go to church. It was referred to as Sunday clothes. Times have changed and church clothes have become casual. The Orthodox tradition is that we should always offer Christ our best and the same is true for our dress. We should offer Christ our Sunday Best. We should dress modestly, not in a flashy way that would bring attention to ourselves. Our dress sould always becoming of a Christian, especially at Church. Use your best judgement and good taste when dressing for church. What we wear to attend a wedding reception or a night out on the town are two different dress codes. While in church, you go and meet to worship God. TO CROSS OR NOT TO CROSS Anyone who has looked around on a Sunday morning will notice that different people cross themselves a different people cross themselves at different times and sometimes in different ways. To a certain extent, when to cross oneself is according to personal piety and not an issue of dogma. But there are times when you should not. TO CROSS: When you hear the phrase, Father, Son and Holy Spirit during the liturgical petitions, when you enter or exit the church, at the time before or after Holy Communion, or when passing in front of the Holy Altar; before venerating an icon, the Cross or Gospel Book. NOT TO CROSS: When the Priest or bishop blessing saying Peace be to all bow slightly and receive the blessing from a bishop or priest, kissing the right hand of the bishop or priest is appropriate but not making the sign of the cross. HANDLING THE HOLY BREAD/ANTIDORON After taking Holy Communion at the end of the liturgy, it is traditional to eat a piece of holy bread/antidoron, the bread that was left over after Holy Communion was prepared. While antidoron is not Holy communion, it is blessed bread and as such should be eaten carefully so that crumbs don t ball on floor. After taking Communion or kissing the Cross at the end of the Divine Liturgy, the priest or bishop will give you a piece of Antidoron. You should always kiss the right hand of the Bishop or Priest. A FINAL THOUGHT Society in the 21st century is rather casual in it approach to life. Don t allow this prevailing attitude to enter into your Orthodox Christian piety. Much of church etiquette is based on common sense and showing respect for God and others. Always remember that you are in church to worship God, the Holy Trinity. During every liturgy the Priest says, With the fear of God and faith and love, draw near. Let this be the way you approach all services of the church. If you do, you will probably have good church etiquette. KAI TO THEO DOXA 6

7 Road Trip Friday, September 8, 2017 Nativity of the Theotokos 121 St. Elias Lane, Saxonburg, PA Cost $27.00 We will depart from BJ s Wholesale at 6:30AM. We can park our vehicles in the parking lot 6944 W 130th St, Middleburg Heights, OH for details please call Vivian Kyriazis Ένα ταξίδι με το λεωφορείο στο Μοναστήρι της Γέννησης της Θεοτόκου 8, Σεπτεμβρίου 2017 $27.00 το άτομο 121 Αγ. Ηλίας Lane, Saxonburg, PA Το λεωφορείο θα είναι στο BJ's στις 6.30am th Middleburg Hts., OH παρακαλούμε επικοινωνήστε με την Βιβή Κυριαζής

8 YOUNG ADULT PICNIC Sun., Aug. 27 at St. Matthew Orthodox Church Pavilion, Albion Rd., North Royalton at 4:00 p.m. (Rain or shine.) Main dish and drinks provided; please bring a side dish to share. Dress for volleyball and wiffleball. Call Sam Harmon ( ) YOUNG ADULT CONFERENCE Sept. 1-4, Orthodox young adults (ages 19-32) from across the US will gather in Houston, Texas. Kick off on Friday with a comedy show by SoTiri, Saturday workshops and fun western event. Sunday Divine Liturgy, followed by a pool party and then a grand banquet with Basil the Comedian. For information, registration, and hotel accommodations, visit: events/2017-national-young-adult-conference; KAMM S CORNERS CRETAN FEST Sept. 1-4 at the Cretan Club, 3853 W. 168 th St. in West Park. Fri-Sun: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Mon: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Free admission. ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN HOME- SCHOOL CO-OP Thursdays, 9 am.-1:15 p.m., starting Sept. 7, classes on Orthodoxy, Music, New Testament Greek, Nature, and Drama will be offered to Orthodox homeschooled children, at St. Matthew Orthodox Church, Albion Rd., North Royalton. Those interested can call St. Matthew Church office at LORAIN GREEK FESTIVAL Sept at St. Nicholas Church, 2000 Tower Blvd., Lorain. Fri & Sat: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. AN AUTHORS LUNCHEON DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE ICARUS CHAPTER NO. 31 CLEVELAND Sunday, Sept. 10th at 12:00 p.m. at St. Demetrios Cultural Center Center Ridge Rd., Rocky River $25 Advance ticket sales only - no tickets will be sold at the door. Contact a member of the Daughters to secure your ticket today! Call Jan Voiklis hihobandit@yahoo.com or Jeanne Burpulis burpe1@att.net DESPINA VANDI IN CONCERT Fri., Oct. 6 in Pittsburgh, with Giorgos Lianos. For ticket information go towww.greekconcertstatus.com or GreekPittsburgh@gmail.com Buna Vestire Cathedral will celebrate the 81st Anniversary at the new location 7140 Fitch Rd. N. Olmsted, OH Blessing of the new property by Romanian Archbishop Metropolitan, Nicolae Sat., Sept. 9th 5pm Vespers (Parastas) for the founders 6:15 Reception in church all following the Parastas. Sunday, September 10th - 8am Matins 9am Receiving of the Hierarch (:30 Aghiasma Service and Blessing of the Church following a Hierarchical Liturgy at 1pm Inaugural Banquet at Crystal Party Center 6745 Chevrolet Blvd. Parma reservations please call Fr. Gherman or Alexandru Suba Prepare Enrich Building Strong Marriages Mon., Sept. 18th 10am - 4pm at Holy Cross Church Pittsburgh, Pa $75 per person One day prepare Enrich Facilitator Training Pres. Kerry Pappas RSVP by Sept 8 to or FrNicholasHalkias@mail.goarch.org using the prepare enrich model, we will learn to counsel couples on their way to marriage, and become better guides for already married couples Make checks payable to Pres. Kerry Pappas. Cost is simply to cover the take home materials for each participant. A normal prepare enrich facilitator training session is around $200 per person. 8

9 My name is Evangelia Koukouras and I was born and raised in Thessaloniki, Greece. Since June 2015, I have been living with my husband in Cleveland. I have a bachelor s degree in French Language and Literature and a Master s degree in Special Education. I also have a diploma in Educational Psychology and I am a specialized teacher for kids that have behav io ral problems. I have completed some coursework at the University of Phoenix towards my teaching license as an intervention specialist. When I started my master, I was influenced by my professor and started learning Greek Sign Language. I can also speak English, French and Italian. I worked in a Private Language School as a teacher for eight years teaching kids from 3.5 years old till 18 years old, I taught adults too. I love being around children and that s the reason I became a volunteer teacher at the Ippokrateio Hospital of Thessaloniki and AHEPA University Hospital. I worked with kids with cancer teaching them foreign languages, cooking, and art for 5 years. I was also a volunteer member at Lampsi, a non-profit organization of parents with kids with cancer, training people to be ready to help at the hospitals. I was also the Website Administrator and the Program Coordinator for Lampsi. Two years ago I started working as a teacher at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Cleveland and for 18 months I worked as a specialized teacher at KinderCare teaching kids phonics, reading, math, French, art, and cooking. With 10 years experience as a teacher, I am confident that I possess the qualifications required to help our school promote its philosophy and goals. As Principal, I aspire to a school culture and educational program conducive to student learning and development. My dream for our Greek School is to be an accredited school and an exam center for kids and adults who want a Greek Diploma. One of our accomplishments is that this year we will have adult classes for people who want to learn Greek. Ονομάζομαι Ευαγγελία Κούκουρας και γεννήθηκα και μεγάλωσα στην Θεσσαλονίκη. Τον Ιούνιο του 2015, μετακόμισα στις Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες Αμερικής όπου μένω ως τώρα με τον σύζυγο μου. Έχω σπουδάσει Γαλλική Φιλολογία και Γλώσσα και έχω μεταπτυχιακό στην Ειδική Αγωγή. Επίσης έχω δίπλωμα Εκπαιδευτικής Ψυχολογίας και έχω εξειδικευτεί σε παιδιά με προβλήματα συμπεριφοράς. Έχω παρακολουθήσει μαθήματα στο Πανεπιστήμιο του Φοίνιξ με σκοπό να βγάλω άδεια διδασκαλίας για το Αμερικάνικο Υπουργείο Παιδείας. Κατά την διάρκεια του μεταπτυχιακού μου ο καθηγητής μου με μύησε στον κόσμο της Ελληνικής Νοηματικής Γλώσσας. Επίσης γνωρίζω αγγλικά, γαλλικά και ιταλικά. Το 2007 άρχισα να δουλεύω σε Ιδιωτικό Σχολείο Ξένων Γλωσσών όπου δίδασκα παιδιά από 3,5 χρονών ως 18, καθώς και ενήλικες. Λόγω του ότι αγαπώ πολύ τα παιδιά, έγινα εθελόντρια δασκάλα στο Ιπποκράτειο Νοσοκομείο Θεσσαλονίκης και στο Πανεπιστημιακό Νοσοκομείο Αχέπα και συνεργάστηκα με παιδιά με καρκίνο. Τους δίδασκα ξένες γλώσσες, μαγειρική και καλλιτεχνικά για πέντε χρόνια. Υπήρξα ακόμη εθελόντρια στον Σύλλογο Λάμψη, Συλλογος Γονέων Παιδιών με Νεοπλασματικές Ασθένειες. Προετοίμαζα εθελοντές να μπουν στα νοσοκομεία, βοηθούσα στις εκδηλώσεις και χειριζόμουν τις σελίδες κοινωνικής δικτύωσης. Εδώ και δύο χρόνια δουλεύω στο Ελληνικό Σχολείο του Ευαγγελισμού και για 18 μήνες δούλεψα στο Kinder- Care ως εξειδικευμένη παιδαγωγός, διδάσκοντας τα παιδιά φωνητική, ανάγνωση, μαθηματικά, γαλλικά, καλλιτεχνικά και μαγειρική. Στα δέκα χρόνια εμπειρίας μου σε σχολεία και στα 14 χρόνια ως εκπαιδευτικός, θεωρώ πως μπορώ να βοηθήσω το Ελληνικό Σχολείο μας να αναπτυχθεί και να προωθήσω το Ελληνικό Ιδεώδες, την Κουλτούρα, την Γλώσσα και τον Πολιτισμό μας. Πρωταρχικός μου σκοπός και όνειρο ζωής είναι να κάνουμε το Σχολείο μας Αναγνωρισμένο Εξεταστικό Κέντρο για την απόκτηση Πιστοποιητικού Γλωσσομάθειας, αλλα και από το Υπουργείο Παιδείας του Οχαίο. Το πρώτο από τα επιτευγματα μας είναι η ίδρυση τμημάτων για ενήλικες για το οποίο είμαστε πολύ υπερήφανοι. 9

10 The renovations moving along and will be completed by Thurs., Sept. 7th. We appreciate all the volunteers that helped with beautifying the School and Social Hall of the Church. Stewardship Families Throughout our lives and the roles we assume within the family, we are stewards of the love, authority, trust and respect that exist among members of the family. Unlike material possessions, these are not diminished by use. But if mishandled, they can be lost. Love, authority, trust and respect require the most diligent stewardship, because once they are lost, they are most difficult to recover. 10

11 Altar Boys Beginning Sunday, September 17th the altar boys are organized into groups which serve, in rotation, at the Holy Altar all worship services. All Altar Boys will participate in Sunday School if they are not scheduled in the Altar. TEAM A Anesti Ermidis Panagiotis Ermidis Simon Skoutas Thanasi Kotsanis Demetri Anagnostos Kosta Kafantaris Victor Kafantaris Demetri Kostanas Dino Kotsanis Demetri Rousakis George Sisamis TEAM B Kosta Ermidis George Ermidis Charlie Hliatzos Michael Hliatzos Joey Sheely Kosta Sheely Jonathan Walsh Angelo Semertsidis George Skoutas George Coutris Gregory Sisamis Antoni Makris 11

12 Ladies of the Philoptochos Chapter 6007 MEMBERSHIP DRIVE - Sunday, September 17, 2017 The Ladies Philoptochos Society of the Annunciation is holding their annual membership drive, following the Divine Liturgy. Come and learn about our popular programs, the remarkable achievements of the women of Church. We are Philanthropy; we are Fellowship; we work hard and we have fun and WE NEED YOU! Help us to keep making a difference for so many lives! Visit the Philoptochos table today and become a member. 12

13 Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea until we have someone to forgive. What is Christian Stewardship? Stewardship is caring for the needs of others. Stewardship is offering one s self to God as He offered Himself to us. Stewardship is what a person does after saying I believe as proof of that belief. Agelidakis, Georgios & Victoria Alex, George & Becky Alex, Jerry Alex, Jerry & Kim Alex, Stefo & Loula Alex, Taso & Eleni Alexandrou, Angie Allison, John & Nancy Almiroudis, Konstantinos & Kelli Ameres, Kostas & Markia Anagnostos, Athanasios & Linsey Anagnostos, Jim Anezinis, Michael & Melissa Antonaklas, Steve & Evangelia Arabian, Allen & Agnes Baltas, Emely Benicos, Ecaterini Bibidakis, Evangelos & Eftychia Boukis, Constantine Boukis, Gary & Mary Boulas, Dimitrios & Evegenia Boyeas, Mike & Christine Boyeas, Stelios & Judy Bozas, Pete & Maria Calogeras, Ellen Castros, Nick & Rosalie Costaras, William & Natalia Coutris, Stephen & Penelope Croff, Maro Dallas, Maria Davis, Lambrini Del Vecchio, Giuseppe & Angela Demopoulos, William Diamantis, Arygro Dimon, Dean J. & Presvytera Dines, Philipp & Niki Drosos, Angeliki Efpraxias, Georgio Efstathiou, Emmanouil & Irene Ermidis, Christina Ermidis, Emmanuel & Marina Ermidis, John & Yulia Ermidis, Venizelos & Bessie Erwin, Edward & Vasiliki Foradis, Militsa Fourtounis, Emmanuel & Marika Fourtounis, George & Elaine Fourtounis, Mark Ganotis, Dimitrios & Aphrodite Geanneses, Antoinette Gemelas, Themistoklis & Clio Genin, Jason & Cynthia Georgekopoulos, George & Effie Georgiadis, Debbie Giovanis, Angelo & Popi Gountis, Vasilios & Audolina Griveas, Peggy Gromek, Stanley & Angie Hadgis, Sidor & Agrio Harris, Despina Hatzopoulos, Kriti Hlepas, James & Kathy Hliatzos, Peter & Katina Jamison, Oliver & Eleni Kafantaris, George & Sophia Kakias, Michael & Vicky Kalevakis, George & Vicki Kalevakis, Mike & Dora Kamenos, Stella Kanaris, Anna Kanaris, Nick & Artie Kanis, Gus & Vaso Kanis, John Kantzios, George & Eleni Kapolis, Thanos & Anthie Karadaglis, Elias & Eleni Karadimas, Chris & Vivian Karadimas, George Karadimas, John & Helen Karadimas, John & Linda Karakostas, Eleftherios & Helen Karakoudas, Caliope Karavokirakis, Dimitra Karavokirakis, Gramatiki Karnavas, Sophia Karras, John A. & Ismini Karris, Demetra Katsantonis, George & Sandra Keating, Dale & Helen Kefalos, Panayiotis & Fotini Kellis, John Klonaris, Joanne Konstantinos,Nikolaos & Vasiliki Konstas, Evangelos & Fani Kontos, Michael & Evangelia Kontos, Spiros & Areti Kopasakis, John Kostakis, Tom & Eleni Kotsanis, Nicholas & Christina Koukouras, Nikolaos & Evangelia Kowalsick, Ruby Kozana, Margarita Kozanas, John & Vasiliki Kutrubs, Nick Kyriazis, Dimitri Likos, Eugenia Maggos, Anastasios & Christina Makris, Thomas Mallis, Mike & Maria Manak, Michael Markou, Mike & Victoria Maroulis, Kathy Maroulis, Paraskevas Marountas, Nck & Denna Mastrokostas, George & Eleni Matheou, Demetrios & Lillian Matheou, Dimosthenis & Nicole Matheou, Georgia Mathews, James & Mary Mathiellis, Athena Mathiellis, Paul & Carol Mavrakis, Bill & Zoe Mavrakis, John & Rebecca Mavrakis, Lefteris & Kleoniki Mavroidis, Mavroidis McDonald, James & Anastasia Michaels, Gregory & Vasiliki Moshos, Shawn Moulagianis, Vasalios & Stamatia Moulagiannis, Kathy Nakhel, Anis & Maria Konstas Neumeyer, Ryan & Margarita Nickas, Vasiliki Nimorakiotakis, George & Maria Nimorakiotakis, Nick & Antigoni Paliobeis, Irini Panagiotou, Serafiem & Anna Panos, Pete & Mary Pantelatou, Sophia Papadakis, Adamandios & Despina Papadakis, Polycronis & Pamela Papadatos, Pavlos &Toula Papadatos, Steven & Dawn 13

14 Papadopoulos, Alex Papadopoulos, Dimitrios E. & Dionira Papakonstantinou, Fotios & Spyroulla Paparizos, Theodoiti Pappas, Georgia Pappas, Ted Pappas, William & Susan Parianos, George & Maria Pateras, Steve & Maria Paul, Barbara T. Petratos, Kosmas & Panagiota Petropouleas, Peter & Panagiota Petsas, Demetra Petsas, Dimitri & Deanna Pikakos, Mary Pikakos, Nick & Dawn Piperis, Fotini Plataniotis, Nick & Elisavet Pyros, Gus & Koula Rakopoulos, Stella Regas, Alex & Thea Regas, George & Soula Regas, Strates Riedel, Joseph & Popi Rodopoulos, Evelyn Rokas, Efthihia Rokas, Iosefis & Kym Rokas, John & Lucy Sack, David & Katherine Salamalekis, Evangelos Salamalekis, Gus & Kristen Salloumis, Paul Salouros, Paul & Maria Sarantopoulos, Athanasios & Despina Saridakis Jr., Frank Saridakis, Frank & Anastasia Saviolis, Nick & Chrisoula Sboukis, Andrew & Marcella Sboukis, Peter & Panayiota Scordos, John & Irene Sdrakas, Gregory & Popi Semertsidis, Niko & Despina Sevastos, George Sevastos, Gust & Jane Sheely, Christopher & Panagiota Shinas, Dean J. Siakantaris, Stella Sioulas, Katina Sisamis, George & Anna Sisamis, John G. & Irene Skourlis, John & Maria Skoutas, Mike & Ellie Smith, Robert & Eugenia Soeder, Jeffery Spanos, Niko & Koula Stefanopoulos, Polixeni Stefanopoulos, Sokratis & Ourania Stefou, Antonios & Stella Stilianos, Steve & Anna Tantsios, Vasiliki Tasiouras, Evanthia Thanos, Athanasios D. & Anna Thanos, Dion & Courtney Theodore, Neste & Artemis Trihas, Ermioni Trihas, John A. & Suzanne Tsakalos, Steve & Vicki Tsambounieris, Manoli & Sofia Tsambunieris, Vasilis & Sophia Tsardoulias, Aris & Stella Tsardoulias, George & Diamonto Tsigas, Angie Tsigas, Demetrios & Shelly Tsikles, Tasos Tsiourtsiouris, Maria Tsirambidis, Tim & Julie Tsirikos- Karapanos, Nikolaos & Chrysoula Tuleta, Anthony & Elenny Valsamidis, Chris & Eleni Maria 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, Georgia Verikakis, John Vianos, Constantino Vianos, John & Diamanto Vianos, Nicholas & Eleni Vitakis, Stelios & Tsabika Voiklis, Asimo Voiklis, Emmanuel & Janet Vourlis, Antonetta Vourlis, Rose Vrettos, Bessie Walsh, Edward & Calliope M Whitlock, Marie Yeager Sr., James Zampunis, George & Kalliopi Zeleniuch, Christina Zeleniuch, Mary Ellen Zeleniuch, Stefan Zembillas, Antoni & Mikhaila Zizis, Stamatios & Ellen If we have mistakenly left your name off the STEWARDSHIP ROSTER, please contact the Church Office. God Bless You! 14

15 Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Event/Liturgy Calendar 2017 All Sunday & Week Day 8:30 AM Orthros / 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy AUGUST 2017 Sun 27 12th Sunday of Matthew Mon 28 Great Vespers St. John 7pm Coffee and refreshments in the lower level social hall of the church. Tues 29 Feast Day of the Beheading of St. John SEPTEMBER 2017 Fri. 1 Beginning of the Ecclesiastical Year Sun. 3 13th Sunday of Matthew Mon. 4 Labor Day (No Greek School Lessons) Thurs. 7 Church Office will be Closed Greek School Lessons Begin 5:30-7:30PM Fri. 8 Road Trip to the Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery in Saxonburg, PA Sun. 10 Sunday before Holy Cross Mon. 11 GOYA Meeting 7:30 p.m. Elections of officers Thurs. 14 Exaltation of the Holy Cross Greek School Preschool Begins 5:30-7:30 p.m. Parish Council Meeting 7PM APL Will use our parking lot from 4:30 a.m. till 8:00 p.m. Sun. 17 Sunday after the Holy Cross Sunday School Begins AGIASMOS FOR ALL YOUTH MINISTRIES Philoptochos will be at the Tremont Art walk at Lincoln Park Senior Dance Group performance Thurs. 21 Greek School PTA Meeting Sun. 17 Sunday after the Holy Cross Sun. 24 1st Sunday of Luke Last Day for Greek School Tuition Discount Mandatory meeting for Parents, Teachers, Greek School Board of Education. Following the Divine Liturgy Thurs., 28 - Saturday 30th 2017 Clergy-Laity & Philoptochos Assembly - Columbus October 2017 Sun. 1 2nd Sunday of Luke National Church Music Sunday Cantor/Choir Recognition Choir Mon. 2 GOYA Meeting 7:30 p.m. Sun. 8 3rd Sunday of Luke Annunciation Senior Dance Performance at HPS Wed. 11 Notice of Elections mailed to all members Thurs. 12 Parish Council Meeting Sun. 15 Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council Fri. 20 Little Angels Tentative Fall Event More Details to follow Fri., Oct. 20th-Sun Oct. 22nd Metropolis Youth Adult Retreat at Camp Nazareth Sun. 22 6th Sunday of Luke Tentative Annunciation Anniversary Celebration Luncheon Wed. 25 St. Demetrios Vespers in Rocky River Thurs. 26 Greek School will Celebrate the Feast Day St. Demetrios Sat. 28 OXI Day - Holy Protection of the Theotokos Sun. 29 7th Sunday of Luke Greek School OXI Program following the Divine Liturgy 12:00 (noon) PTA Bake Sale and coffee social 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: 15

16 Dear Friends of the Community, In an effort to defray the cost of publishing our Weekly Bulletin, & V ision, 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 HARSOULAS GARAGE DOORS Service & Installation Garage Doors & Openers Saki Harsoulas Vivian Kyriazis Diples, Pastries Bread Koliva