FATHER DEAN S MESSAGE Commit your way to the Lord Trust in Him, and He will act Psalm 37.5

Transcript

1 Ευαγγελισμός της Θεοτόκου Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Reverend Father Dean J. Dimon Proistamenos 2187 West 14th Street, Cleveland, OH FATHER DEAN S MESSAGE Commit your way to the Lord Trust in Him, and He will act Psalm 37.5 Dearly Beloved in the Lord: The month of September is the month in which our Christian Orthodox Church celebrates the beginning of the New Ecclesiastical Year. In the same spirit in which I send this letter, I extend my prayer to God that the year will be filled with good health, renewed spiritual strength, along with dedicated and inspirational Stewardship. The truths and values of our Faith are our responsibility. These are principles we should continue to cultivate and understand so that we may apply them to ourselves and to our children. Let us never forget that our children look upon us as the example regarding their learning and direction in life. We must view our Church, not simply as a community but as THE EUCHARISTIC COMMUNITY. Jesus Christ, our Divine Teacher, teaches that the holy Eucharist is continuous. Jesus offers His Holy Body and Precious Blood so that He may always be with us and that we may always be with Him. For this reason He said: He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in Him (John 6:56). It is imperative that we walk hand in hand in one unity on the road of Christian Orthodoxy and to live with goodness, righteousness, and truth, enlightened by the Holy Spirit. The beginning of the Ecclesiastical Year is a time to begin this new effort. The effort must be directed toward the spiritual development of ourselves and our children. No one should remain outside of the life of our Parish. Parish Council Members Emmanuel Ermidis President Konstantinos Almiroudis Vice President Jim Ganotis Treasurer Panagiota Petratos Secretary Eleni Karadaglis Michael Manak Irene Scordos We must do something different for ourselves during the New Ecclesiastical Year. We must learn to bring into sharp focus and to have a strong awareness of our Christian conscience, our history, and our sacred Tradition, and our Church. May the Blessing of God always be with you, Christopher Sheely.Athanasios Anagnostos +Fr. Dean Dimon Sam Zizis

2 Epistle Prokeimenon. Mode 4. Psalm ,1 O Lord, how manifold are your works. You have made all things in wisdom. Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul. The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 16:13-24 Brethren, be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. Now, brethren, you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints; I urge you to be subject to such men and to every fellow worker and laborer. I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicos, because they have made up for your absence; for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such men. The churches of Asia send greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. All the brethren send greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. If any one has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. Gospel 13th Sunday of Matthew The Gospel According to Matthew 21:33-42 The Lord said this parable, "There was a householder who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and dug a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to tenants, and went into another country. When the season of fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants, to get his fruit; and the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first; and they did the same to them. Afterward he sent his son to them, saying 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.' And they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" They said to him, "He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons." Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the scriptures: 'The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?'" MEMORIAL 40 Day Georgia Hatzis May her Memory Be Eternal Having heard the joyous resurrection message, from the lips of the Angel, the Lord's women Disciples, and with the ancestral sentence removed from them, to the Apostoles with pride they related: Death has been despolled now, Christ our God has risen indeed, granting to all the world his great mercy. As a sharer of the ways and a successor to the throne of the Apostles, O inspired of God, thou foundest discipline to be a means of ascent to divine vision. Wherefore, having rightly divided the word of truth, thou didst also contest for the Faith even unto blood, O Hieromartyr Anthimus. Intercede with Christ our God that our souls be saved. With the rivers of your tears, you changed the barren desert into fertile land; and with the sighs from your depths, you made your labors produce a hundredfold; and you became a bright star, shining on the earth with your miracles. O Theoktistos our Holy Father; intercede with Christ our God, for our souls to be saved. 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 ,1 Ὡς ἐμεγαλύνθη τὰ ἔργα σου Κύριε, πάντα ἐν σοφίᾳ ἐποίησας. Στίχ. Εὐλόγει ἡ ψυχή μου τὸν Κύριον. Πρὸς Κορινθίους α' 16:13-24 τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα είναι απο Ἀδελφοί, γρηγορεῖτε, στήκετε ἐν τῇ πίστει, ἀνδρίζεσθε, κραταιοῦσθε. Πάντα ὑμῶν ἐν ἀγάπῃ γινέσθω. Παρακαλῶ δὲ ὑμᾶς, ἀδελφοί - οἴδατε τὴν οἰκίαν Στεφανᾶ, ὅτι ἐστὶν ἀπαρχὴ τῆς Ἀχαΐας, καὶ εἰς διακονίαν τοῖς ἁγίοις ἔταξαν ἑαυτούς - ἵνα καὶ ὑμεῖς ὑποτάσσησθε τοῖς τοιούτοις, καὶ παντὶ τῷ συνεργοῦντι καὶ κοπιῶντι. Χαίρω δὲ ἐπὶ τῇ παρουσίᾳ Στεφανᾶ καὶ Φουρτουνάτου καὶ Ἀχαϊκοῦ, ὅτι τὸ ὑμῶν ὑστέρημα οὗτοι ἀνεπλήρωσαν. Ἀνέπαυσαν γὰρ τὸ ἐμὸν πνεῦμα καὶ τὸ ὑμῶν ἐπιγινώσκετε οὖν τοὺς τοιούτους. Ἀσπάζονται ὑμᾶς αἱ ἐκκλησίαι τῆς Ἀσίας ἀσπάζονται ὑμᾶς ἐν κυρίῳ πολλὰ Ἀκύλας καὶ Πρίσκιλλα, σὺν τῇ κατʼ οἶκον αὐτῶν ἐκκλησίᾳ. Ἀσπάζονται ὑμᾶς οἱ ἀδελφοὶ πάντες. Ἀσπάσασθε ἀλλήλους ἐν φιλήματι ἁγίῳ. Ὁ ἀσπασμὸς τῇ ἐμῇ χειρὶ Παύλου. Εἴ τις οὐ φιλεῖ τὸν κύριον Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν, ἤτω ἀνάθεμα. Μαρὰν ἀθά. Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μεθʼ ὑμῶν. Ἡ ἀγάπη μου μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. Ἀμήν. Εὐαγγέλιον Ἐκ τοῦ Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 21:33-42 Εὐαγγελίου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην Αλλην παραβολὴν ἀκούσατε. ἄνθρωπός τις ἦν οἰκοδεσπότης, ὅστις ἐφύτευσεν ἀμπελῶνα καὶ φραγμὸν αὐτῷ περιέθηκε καὶ ὤρυξεν ἐν αὐτῷ ληνὸν καὶ ᾠκοδόμησε πύργον, καὶ ἐξέδοτο αὐτὸν γεωργοῖς καὶ ἀπεδήμησεν. ὅτε δὲ ἤγγισεν ὁ καιρὸς τῶν καρπῶν, ἀπέστειλε τοὺς δούλους αὐτοῦ πρὸς τοὺς γεωργοὺς λαβεῖν τοὺς καρποὺς αὐτοῦ. καὶ λαβόντες οἱ γεωργοὶ τοὺς δούλους αὐτοῦ ὃν μὲν ἔδειραν, ὃν δὲ ἀπέκτειναν, ὃν δὲ ἐλιθοβόλησαν. πάλιν ἀπέστειλεν ἄλλους δούλους πλείονας τῶν πρώτων, καὶ ἐποίησαν αὐτοῖς ὡσαύτως. ὕστερον δὲ ἀπέστειλε πρὸς αὐτοὺς τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ λέγων ἐντραπήσονται τὸν υἱόν μου. οἱ δὲ γεωργοὶ ἰδόντες τὸν υἱὸν εἶπον ἐν ἑαυτοῖς οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ κληρονόμος δεῦτε ἀποκτείνωμεν αὐτὸν καὶ κατάσχωμεν τὴν κληρονομίαν αὐτοῦ. καὶ λαβόντες αὐτὸν ἐξέβαλον ἔξω τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος, καὶ ἀπέκτειναν. ὅταν οὖν ἔλθῃ ὁ κύριος τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος, τί ποιήσει τοῖς γεωργοῖς ἐκείνοις; λέγουσιν αὐτῷ κακοὺς κακῶς ἀπολέσει αὐτούς, καὶ τὸν ἀμπελῶνα ἐκδώσεται ἄλλοις γεωργοῖς, οἵτινες ἀποδώσουσιν αὐτῷ τοὺς καρποὺς ἐν τοῖς καιροῖς αὐτῶν. λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Ιησοῦς οὐδέποτε ἀνέγνωτε ἐν ταῖς γραφαῖς, λίθον ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες, οὗτος ἐγενήθη εἰς κεφαλὴν γωνίας παρὰ Κυρίου ἐγένετο αὕτη, καὶ ἔστι θαυμαστὴ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν; Μνημόσυνο Γεωργία Χατζής Αιωνία η μνήμη Τό φαιδρό ν τῆ ς Ἀναστα σεως κῆ - ρυργμα, ε κ τόυ Ἀγγε λόυ μαθόυ σαι αι τόυ Κυρι όυ Μαθῆ τριαι, και τῆ ν πρόγόνικῆ ν α πό φασιν α πόρρι ψασαι, τόι ς Ἀπόστό λόις καυχωμεναι ε λεγόν Ἐσκυ λευται ό θα - νατός, ῆ γε ρθῆ Χριστό ς ό Θεό ς, δωρόυ μενός τω κό - σμω τό με γα ε λεός. Και τρό πων με τόχός, και θρό νων δια δόχός, των Ἀπόστό λων γενό - μενός, τῆ ν πρα ξιν ευ ρες Θεό πνευστε, ει ς θεωρι ας ε πι βασιν, δια τόυ τό τό ν λό γόν τῆ ς α λῆθει ας ό ρθότόμων, και τῇ πι στει ε νῆ θλῆσας με χρις αι ματός, Ἱερόμα ρτυς Ἀνθιμε, πρε σβευε Χριστω τω Θεω, σωθῆ ναι τα ς ψυχα ς ῆ μων. Ται ς των δακρυ ων σόυ ρόαι ς, τῆ ς ε ρῆ μόυ τό α γόνόν ε γεωργῆσας και τόι ς ε κ βα θόυς στεγναμόι ς, ει ς ε κατό ν τόυ ς πό - νόυς ε καρπόφό ρῆσας και γε γόνας φωστῆ ρ, τῇ όι κόυμε νῆ λα μπων τόι ς θαυ - μασι. Θεό κτιστε Πατῆ ρ ῆ μων, Ὅ σιε, πρε σβευε Χριστω τω Θεω, σωθῆ ναι τα ς ψυχα ς ῆ μων. Σῆ μερόν τῆ ς σωτῆρι ας ῆ μων τό κεφα λαιόν, και τόυ α π' αι ωνός μυστῆρι όυ ῆ φανε ρωσις ό υι ό ς τόυ Θεόυ, υι ό ς τῆ ς Παρθε νόυ γι νεται, και Γαβρι- ῆ λ τῆ ν χα ριν ευ αγγελι ζεται. Διό και ῆ μει ς συ ν αυ τω, τῇ Θεότό κω βόῆ - σωμεν Χαι ρε Κεχαριτωμε νῆ, ό Κυ - ριός μετα σόυ. Ἱωακει μ και Ἀννα ό νειδισμόυ α τεκνι ας και Ἀδα μ και Ἐυ α ε κ τῆ ς φθόρα ς τόυ θανα - τόυ ῆ λευθερωθῆσαν, Ἀχραντε, ε ν τῇ α γι α γεννῆ σει σόυ. Ἀυ τῆ ν ε όρτα ζει και ό λαό ς σόυ, ε νόχῆ ς των πταισμα των, λυτρωθει ς ε ν τω κρα ζειν σόι ῆ στει ρα τι κτει, τῆ ν Θεότό κόν και τρόφό ν τῆ ς ζωῆ ς 3 ῆ μων.

4 The Philoptochos will pass an extra tray today for the Help People Affected By Hurricane Harvey. Join us for coffee and fellowship following the Divine Liturgy in the lower level social hall of the church. The Philoptochos bake sale all proceeds go towards the people affected by the Hurricane Harvey. Θα περαστή δεύτερος δίσκος από την Φιλόπτωχο για της καταστροφές του Houston. Μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία η Φιλόπτωχος θα προσφέρει καφέ και γλυκίσματα στην κάτω αίθουσα της εκκλησίας όλες η προσφορές σας θα δοθούν για της καταστροφές του Houston. Sunday, September 10th 40 Day Baby Blessing Hendrix Ioannis Parents Maggie and Jason Hubert 10 Year Memorial Gus Kafantaris the family will host the coffee social in memory of Gus May his memory be eternal Κυριακή 10 Σεπτεμβρίου 40 ημερών ευλογία Hendrix Ιωάννης Γονείς Μαργαρίτα και Jason Hubert Μνημόσυνο Κωσταντίνος Καφαντάρης η οικογένεια του Καφαντάρη θα προσφέρει τον καφέ εις μνήμη του. Thursday, September 14th is the Exaltation of the Holy Cross "Tou Stavrou". On this date please bring Vasiliko to the church. Κυριακή 14 Σεπτέμβριου «Του Σταυρού» Παρακαλούμε όποιος μπορεί να φέρει βασιλικό στην εκκλησία. 4

5 Are you ready for the new school year? We are excited that the new school year is beginning! The first day of Sunday School classes will be on Sunday, September 17. Registration is ongoing throughout the year. Forms are available in the church office and on Sundays during class, please see Evie Boulas or Ellie Skoutas. All youth of our parish should be enrolled for their respective classes. There are classes for everyone, from the Preschool class for our youngest students all the way to our high school seniors. Sunday School classes begin with the Divine Liturgy at 9:30 a.m. Following Holy Communion, students will proceed to their classrooms. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend the Divine Liturgy on time with their children and be actively involved in our Sunday School program. Anyone who is interested in teaching or assisting in this most vital program of our Church is asked to speak with Evie Boulas and Ellie Skoutas. There will be a Sunday School Teacher s meeting on Thurs., Sept. 7th at 6pm We hope you had a wonderful summer!! We can't wait to see you back and tell us about your vacations! Greek School starts on September 7th for the Kindergarten and the elementary school, and classes for preschool and Pre-K on September 14th. On Sunday Sept. 24th is the -last day for tuition discount and there is also a Mandatory meeting for Parents, Teachers, and the Greek Education Board following the Divine Liturgy. For further information, please call Evangelia Koukouras (440) Είστε έτοιμοι για τη νέα σχολική χρονιά? Ελπίζουμε να περάσατε υπέροχα στις καλοκαιρινές διακοπές. Ανυπομονούμε να σας δούμε και να μας πείτε πως περάσατε. Το ελληνικό σχολείο ξεκινά στις 7 του Σεπτέμβρη για τα μεγάλα νήπια και το Δημοτικό, και στις 14 τα Προνήπια και τα νήπια. Την Κυριακή 24 Σεπτέμβρη είναι η τελευταία μέρα έκπτωσης για τα δίδακτρα και θα έχουμε υποχρεωτική συνεδρίαση γονέων, εκπαιδευτικών και συμβουλίου εκπαίδευσης μετά την λειτουργία. Για περισσότερες πληροφορίες απευθυνθείτε στην Ευαγγελία Κούκουρας στο τηλέφωνο (440) Agiasmos for all students Sunday, September 17th Registration Please see Despina Sarantopoulou for registration. If you have questions call the church office Learn to SPEAK GREEK The Georgia Pappas Hellenic Cultural School of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church is NOW offering Lessons for Adults to SPEAK GREEK! We will begin soon! More details to follow... Come and learn from Our experienced native Speaking teachers Conversational Greek. For more information, call Evangelia Koukouras (440)

6 Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for such is the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew 19:14) Dear Beloved Parents of our Youth: Our life in Christ as a member of His Church begins at baptism, but life in the Church does not end there. When we choose to baptize our children in the Orthodox Church, we are also freely accepting the sacred responsibility to raise them in the Orthodox Faith. This is not limited to a Sunday morning occurrence, but it is something we must strive for everyday of our lives. St. Paul says, bring up your children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, (Eph.6:4). Being a parent means being able to say to God, behold, my children You blessed me with, whom I have offered back to you! It is an exciting time of the year as we begin our youth activities and meetings. There are opportunities where our youth can come together as a body of Christ to grow closer to our Lord, with each other and to have fun. One of the best ways for this is for each family to be involved in our parish ministries: Religious Education, GOYA, Joy and Little Angels, Greek School, Choir, Altar Boys and Dance. These ministries are a vital part of the lives of our children, as it connects them with other young people who share in the same Faith. It is through these ministries that we, as stewards of the parish, may also be inspired to strengthen our connection with our Lord and His Church. In order to enhance our ministries, our Parish Council has undertaken projects to upgrade all of our classrooms and the small hall. All of the classrooms have been painted and some rooms have been carpeted. We are working on finalizing the wiring of the classrooms with WIFI and a Media Center for Greek School and Sunday School. Each class- 6

7 room will have an area for a computer desk and laptop and we have upgraded the desks in all the rooms. On the first floor of the school building we have enlarged on of the classrooms which will servce as an all - purpose room which can be used for Dance practice and/or a meeting room for all the ministries. The issue of heat in the classrooms has been addressed and we are working to make sure that when the cold weather begins our children, teachers and parents will be comfortable. We have added furniture to the hall which includes a 55 inch Flat Screen TV and have added round tables in the Hall. We will soon have access to the Hall from Fairfield Ave. The entire entrance area has been stripped of the mold and we will complete this project in a few weeks. We have made changes in the Hall which includes new lighting and furniture so that our coffee socials and meetings have a more appealing atmosphere. We continue to address areas that need to be fixed. It has been many years since renovations have been done to the school rooms and hall. The parish councils over the last serval years has realized the need to begin many projects. They have planned and allocated the necessary funds over the years to be used for this purpose when it became financially possible. We should all be grateful for their insight and dedication to preserve and perpetuate the Mother Church. May the blessing of God always be with you. In Christ s Love, Fr. Dean 7

8 The Church Year Nativity of the Theotokos In addition to the celebration of the Annunciation, there are three major feasts in the Church honoring Mary, the Theotokos. The first of these is the feast of her nativity which is kept on the eighth of September. The record of the birth of Mary is not found in the Bible. The traditional account of the event is taken from the apocryphalwritings which are not part of the New Testament scriptures. The traditional teaching which is celebrated in the hymns and verses of the festal liturgy is that Joachim and Anna were a pious Jewish couple who were among the small and faithful remnant- the poor and the needy -who were awaiting the promised messiah. The couple was old and childless. They prayed earnestly to the Lord for a child, since among the Jews barrenness was a sign of God s disfavor. In answer to their prayers, and as the reward of their unwavering fidelity to God, the elderly couple was blessed with the child who was destined, because of her own personal goodness and holiness, to become the Mother of the Messiah-Christ. Your nativity, O Virgin, has proclaimed joy to the whole universe. The Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, has shone from you, O Theotokos. By annulling the curse he bestowed a blessing. By destroying death he has granted us eternal life. (Troparion) By your nativity, O most pure virgin, Joachim and Anna are freed from barrenness; Adam and Eve from the corruption of death. And we, your people, freed from the guilt of sin, celebrate and sing to you: The barren woman gives birth to the Theotokos, the Nourisher of our Life. (Kontakion) The fact that there is no Biblical verification of the facts of Mary s birth is incidental to the meaning of the feast. Even if the actual background of the event as celebrated in the Church is questionable from an historical point of view, the divine meaning of it for us men and for our salvation is obvious. There had to be one born of human flesh and blood who would be spiritually capable of being the Mother of Christ, and she herself had to be born into the world of persons who were spiritually capable of being her parents. The feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos, therefore, is a glorification of Mary s birth, of Mary herself and of her righteous parents. It is a celebration as well of the very first preparation of the salvation of the world. For the Vessel of Light, the Book of the Word of Life, the Door to the Orient, the Throne of Wisdom is being prepared on earth by God himself in the birth of the holy girl-child Mary. The verses of the feast are filled with titles for Mary such as those in the quotations above. They are inspired by the message of the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments. The specific Biblical readings of the feast give indications of this. At the Vespers the three Old Testamental readings are mariological in their New Testamental interpretation. Thus, Jacob s Ladder which unites heaven and earth and the place which is named the house of God and the gate of heaven (Genesis 28:10-17) are taken, to indicate the union of God with men which is realized most fully and perfectly-both spiritually and physically-in Mary the Theotokos, Bearer of God. So also the vision of the temple with the door to the East perpetually closed and filled with the glory of the Lord symbolizes Mary, called in the hymns of the feast the living temple of God filled with the divine Glory. (Ezekiel 43:27-44:4) Mary is also identified with the house which the Divine Wisdom has built for himself according to the reading from Proverbs 9:1-11. The Gospel reading of Matins is the one read at all feasts of the Theotokos, the famous Magnificat from St. Luke in which Mary says: My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden, for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. (Luke 1:47) The epistle reading of the Divine Liturgy is the famous passage about the coming of the Son of God in the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of man (Philippians 2:5-11) and the gospel reading is that which is always read for feasts of the Theotokos- The woman in the crowd glorifies the Mother of Jesus, and the Lord himself responds that the same blessedness which his mother receives is for all who hear the word of God and keep it. (Luke 11:27-28) Thus, on the feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos, as on all liturgical celebrations of Christ s Mother, we proclaim and celebrate that through God s graciousness to mankind every Christian receives what the Theotokos receives, the great mercy which is given to human persons because of Christ s birth from the Virgin. From the series "The Orthodox Faith, Volume II - Worship" by Fr. Thomas Hopko. Copyright 1981 Department of Religious Education - Orthodox Church in America. 8

9 ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN HOMESCHOOL 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 ST. NICHOLAS GREEK FESTIVAL Sept at 2000 Tower Blvd., Lorain. Fri & Sat: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun: 11 a.m.-6pm NATIVITY OF THE THEOTOKOS MONASTERY Sat., Sept. 9, is the 4 th annual dinner in memory of Gerontissa Taxiarchia at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Pittsburgh. 3 p.m. Vesper service; 4 p.m. banquet. $100/ticket (fish or chicken entrees) Proceeds benefit the Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery. RSVP: 2017DinnerBanquet.eventbrite.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 GRIEF SHARE- September 20 ~ 7:00 p.m. beginning the video series GRIEF SHARE and discussion at St. Paul N. Royalton please call (440) to sign up if you plan attend. COMMUNITY FRIEND VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT The Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities is looking for people to provide companionship & a ride for a person with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD.) People with I/DD have less opportunities for social interaction. Volunteers are matched with someone in their community, and attend outings (ex: evening dinner or weekend lunch, going to a movie, museum, festival or sporting event) for 3-4 hours once a month for a year. Groups keep the cost to $10-$15/outing. To learn more about someone who would love to spend time with you, contact Stephanie Galbreath at or Galbreath.stefanie@CuyahogaBDD.org Volunteers must be at least 14years old and complete an interview, orientation, and background check. ATHENIAN VASE PAINTING is the focus of the 2017 annual Collis Lecture on Sun., Sept. 24 at the Cleveland Museum of Art, 2:00 PM. The Berlin Painter & His World: Athenian Vase-Painting in the Early Fifth Century B.C. by Dr. J. Michael Padgett. Free tickets required for lecture and are available August 1. Early reservations ensure choice seating or online at engage.clevelandart.org. Hellenic Preservation Society private reception immediately following the lecture $12 per person. For more information contact Renee Steffas or reneesteffas@gmail.com or Gary Thomas orgary@vecsa.com WHO S KILLING MY FAITH? Sundays, Sept. 10- Oct 1, at St. Matthew Orthodox Church, Albion Rd., North Royalton. A Study of the Book of St. James (Theme Real Faith produces Genuine Action ) led by Paul Finley, Director of St. Herman House FOCUS. Sessions begin at 6 p.m., followed by refreshments. The exhibit on which the talk is based is on display at the Toledo Museum of Art, now thru October 1 st. Our St. Demetrios Greek School is planning a trip to the TMA on Sun., Sept. 17. Any adults interested in joining us on a charter bus, please contact Eleni ( x2.) AN AUTHORS LUNCHEON Sept. 10 ~ 11:30 a.m. featuring local published authors, including our own parishioners Thalia Marakas and Kristina Tartara hosted by Daughters of Penelope Icarus Chapter at St. Demetrios Rocky River. Advance tickets only ($25). Call Jan Voiklis ( ) or Jeanne Burpulis ( ) for reservations. INVITING OUR NEIGHBORS INTO THE TIME- LESS FAITH Sept at St. Innocent Orthodox Church, 8526 Usher Rd., Olmsted Falls. Retreat led by Fr. Barnabas Powell, author of A Faith Encouraged. Friday session I 7-9 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-2 pm. Contact Fr. Alessandro at fatheralessandro@gmail.com Free admission; free will offerings welcome. DESPINA VANDI IN CONCERT Fri., Oct. 6 in Pittsburgh, with Giorgos Lianos. For ticket information go to or GreekPittsburgh@gmail.com SEPTEMBER ~ METROPOLIS CLERGY- LAITY AT ANNUNCIATION COLUMBUS. Family Ministry Conference: The Orthodox Family in a Changing World Sept rd Pittsburgh PA visit for more information. 9

10 10

11 ALTAR BOY SCHEDULE Dear Parents, Serving in God s Altar is indeed an honor. The Altar is called the Holy of Holies so this is a very sacred place. As Altar boys they will be assisting Fr. Dean, Metropolitan Savas, and any visiting Clergy during Divine Services. The participation of your young boys is invaluable and very important to the smooth practice of the Holy services. Not only do they have a wonderful opportunity to serve the Church, but they are also presented with a unique experience to see the services from a different perspective. This is a very serious commitment and your boys should enter the Altar with faith and the upmost respect. SCRIPTURE READINGS CONCERNING THE ALTAR Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart, for you know what great things He has done for you. 1 Samuel 12:24 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. John 12:26 PRAYER FOR AN ALTAR BOY O King of Glory, for to serve Thee is a great and awesome thing, even to the Heavenly Powers. We have 18 young boys who have served in the past and 5 young boys who want to serve. That s a total of 23 Altar Boys. As such, all those serving will be organized into TEAM A or TEAM B on a rotating TEAM A Anastasios Ermidis Panagiotis Ermidis Simon Skoutas Athanasios Kotsanis Demetri Anagnostos Kosta Kafantaris Victor Kafantaris Dimitri Genin Constantine Kotsanis Dimitri Rousakis George Sisamis TEAM A WILL SERVE ON THE FOLLOWING DATES: SEPTEMBER 17 OCTOBER 1 OCTOBER 15 OCTOBER 29 NOVEMBER 12 NOVEMBER 26 DECEMBER 10 DECEMBER 24 TEAM B Konstantinos Ermidis George Ermidis Efstratios (Charlie) Hliatzos Michael Hliatzos Joey Sheely Constantine Sheely Jonathan Walsh Angelo Semertsidis George Skoutas George Coutris Gregory Sisamis Antoni Makris TEAM B WILL SERVE ON THE FOLLOWING DATES: SEPTEMBER 24 OCTOBER 8 OCTOBER 22 NOVEMBER 5 NOVEMBER 19 DECEMBER 3 DECEMBER 17 DECEMBER 31 The schedule for 2018 will be distributed in December. The schedule for 2018 will be more detailed and will include the many services of Great Lent and Holy Week. 11

12 Ladies of the Philoptochos Chapter 6007 Dear Ladies and Friends of Philoptochos, Welcome back from your summer holiday! I hope you all had a wonderful summer. September is the beginning of our new ecclesiastical year. May we all renew our dedication to philanthropy through the efforts of the Annunciation Philoptochos. I encourage women of all ages to become involved and join this amazing organization. Do not miss the opportunity to share in the philanthropic endeavors that we undertake. Philoptochos is the second largest women s philanthropic organization. Established 80 years ago, we are the philanthropic arm of the church. We perpetuate the values of our faith by our actions in helping alleviate human suffering. Please join us and help make a difference. Bring your skills and talents and help us grow. Our mission statement is simple: to aid the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, the handicapped, the victims of national disasters, to undertake the burial of impoverished persons and to offer assistance to anyone who may need the help of the church through our fundraising efforts. (Taken from the Mission Statement of the National Philoptochos.) In September we celebrate the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. What a wonderful way to show appreciation for our Lord s ultimate sacrifice than committing to one of our church s ministries. Come and learn about our popular programs, on Sunday, September 17th Membership Drive stop by ask questions take part of this the remarkable achievements. We are Philanthropy; we are Fellowship; we work hard and we have fun and WE NEED YOU! With Love and Appreciation, Despina Sarantopoulou and the Board of Philoptochos 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 Benovic, Matthew & Maria Bibidakis, Evangelos & Eftychia Boukis, Constantine Boukis, Gary & Mary Boulas, Dimitrios & Evegenia Boyeas, Mike & Christine Boyeas, Stelios & Judy Bozas, Pete & Maria Calogeras, Ellen 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 & 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 Hoffman, Michael & Litsa 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, 13

14 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 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 SEPTEMBER 2017 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 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 October 2017 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