Apolytikion of Prophet Samuel Second Tone -As we celebrate the memory of Thy Prophet Samuel, O Lord, through him we beseech Thee to save our souls.

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1 Ευαγγελισμός της Θεοτόκου Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Reverend Father Dean J. Dimon Proistamenos 2187 West 14th Street, Cleveland, OH August 20, th Sunday of Matthew August 20 This most holy man, a Prophet of God from childhood, was the last judge of the Israelite people, and anointed the first two Kings of Israel. He was born in the twelfth century before Christ, in the city of Armathaim Sipha, from the tribe of Levi, the son of Elkanah and Hannah (Anna). He was the fruit of prayer, for his mother, being barren, conceived him only after she had supplicated the Lord with many tears; wherefore she called him Samuel, that is, "heard by God." As soon as Hannah had weaned him, she brought him to the city of Silom (Shiloh), where the Ark was kept, and she consecrated him, though yet a babe, to the service of God, giving thanks to Him with the hymn found in the Third Ode of the Psalter: "My heart hath been established in the Lord..." Samuel remained in Silom under the protection of Eli the priest. He served in the Tabernacle of God, and through his most venerable way of life became well-pleasing to God and man (I Kings 2: 26). While yet a child, sleeping in the tabernacle near the Ark of God, he heard the voice of God calling his name, and foretelling the downfall of Eli; for although Eli's two sons, Ophni and Phineas, were most lawless, and despisers of God, Eli did not correct them. Even after Samuel had told Eli of the divine warning, Eli did not properly chastise his sons, and afterwards, through various misfortunes, his whole house was blotted out in one day. After these things came to pass, Samuel was chosen to be the protector of the people, and he judged them with holiness and righteousness. He became for them an example of all goodness, and their compassionate intercessor before God: "Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; yea, I will serve the Lord, and show you the good and the right way" (ibid. 12:23). When he asked them -- having God as witness -- if he ever wronged anyone, or took anyone's possessions, or any gift, even so much as a sandal, they answered with one voice: "Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, nor afflicted us, neither hast thou taken anything from anyone's hand" (ibid. 12:4). When Samuel was old, the people asked him for a king, but he was displeased with this, knowing that God Himself was their King. But when they persisted, the Lord commanded him to anoint them a king, saying, "They have not rejected thee, but they have rejected Me from reigning over them" (ibid. 8:7); so Samuel anointed Saul. But Saul transgressed the command of God repeatedly, so Samuel anointed David. Yet, since Samuel was a man of God, full of tender mercy, when the Lord told him that He had rejected Saul, Samuel wept for him the whole night long (ibid. 15:11); and later, since he continued to grieve, the Lord said to him, "How long wilt thou mourn for Saul?" (ibid. 16:1). Having lived blamelessly some ninety-eight years, and become an example to all of a God-pleasing life, he reposed in the eleventh century before Christ. Many ascribe to him the authorship of the Books of judges, and of Ruth, and of the first twenty-four chapters of the First Book of Kings (I Samuel). Apolytikion of Prophet Samuel Second Tone -As we celebrate the memory of Thy Prophet Samuel, O Lord, through him we beseech Thee to save our souls. Kontakion of Prophet Samuel Plagal of the Fourth Tone-Thy hallowed mother dedicated thee unto the Lord even before she had conceived thee; and when thou wast born thou didst serve Him from thine infancy like an Angel. And, O Prophet of the Most High, for thy fervent faith, thou wast granted to foretell things that should come to pass. Hence, we cry to thee: Rejoice, O ven'rable Samuel. 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 St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 9:2-12 Prokeimenon. Mode 4. Psalm 68.17,29 Turn not your face from your son. Verse: Your salvation, O God, has helped me. The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 9:2-12 Brethren, you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defense to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to our food and drink? Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a sister as wife, as the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? Do I say this on human authority? Does not the law say the same? For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of a share in the crop. If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits? If others share this rightful claim upon you, do not we still more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. Gospel The Gospel According to Matthew 18:23-35 The Lord said this parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, 'Pay what you owe.' So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord delivered him to the torturers, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart." MEMORIALS Paul Konstantinou Eleni Demopoulou May Their Memory Be Eternal Hymn of the Feast In giving birth you preserve your virginity, at you dormition you forsook not the world, O Theotokos; to life you did pass on, being the Mother of the life itsself; and redeeming with your intercessions, our souls from the clutches of death. Resurrectional Apolytikion Second Tone When you descended to the realm of death, O life immortal, then Hades did you render dead, by the lightning of you Deity; furthermore, when the dead from the depths of the earth you also raised, all heavenly powers cried in jubilation: O lifegiving Christ our god, glory to you. Apolytkion 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 The Theotokos who is incessant in her intercessions and immovable hope in her protection, tomb and state of death could not hold; for being the Mother of life, to the life he carried, he who dwelled in a womb evervirgin. 2

3 Ἀπόστολος Εὐαγγέλιον Προκείμενον. Ήχος δ'. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 68.17,29 Μὴ ἀποστρέψῃς τὸ πρόσωπόν σου ἀπὸ τοῦ παιδός σου. Στίχ. Ἡ σωτηρία σου ὁ Θεὸς ἀντιλάβοιτό μου. Πρὸς Κορινθίους α' 9:2-12 τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα είναι απο Ἀδελφοί, ἡ σφραγὶς τῆς ἐμῆς ἀποστολῆς ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐν κυρίῳ. Ἡ ἐμὴ ἀπολογία τοῖς ἐμὲ ἀνακρίνουσιν αὕτη ἐστίν. Μὴ οὐκ ἔχομεν ἐξουσίαν φαγεῖν καὶ πιεῖν; Μὴ οὐκ ἔχομεν ἐξουσίαν ἀδελφὴν γυναῖκα περιάγειν, ὡς καὶ οἱ λοιποὶ ἀπόστολοι, καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ τοῦ κυρίου, καὶ Κηφᾶς; Ἢ μόνος ἐγὼ καὶ Βαρνάβας οὐκ ἔχομεν ἐξουσίαν τοῦ μὴ ἐργάζεσθαι; Τίς στρατεύεται ἰδίοις ὀψωνίοις ποτέ; Τίς φυτεύει ἀμπελῶνα, καὶ ἐκ τοῦ καρποῦ αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἐσθίει; Ἢ τίς ποιμαίνει ποίμνην, καὶ ἐκ τοῦ γάλακτος τῆς ποίμνης οὐκ ἐσθίει; Μὴ κατὰ ἄνθρωπον ταῦτα λαλῶ; Ἢ οὐχὶ καὶ ὁ νόμος ταῦτα λέγει; Ἐν γὰρ τῷ Μωϋσέως νόμῳ γέγραπται, Οὐ φιμώσεις βοῦν ἀλοῶντα. Μὴ τῶν βοῶν μέλει τῷ θεῷ; Ἢ διʼ ἡμᾶς πάντως λέγει; Διʼ ἡμᾶς γὰρ ἐγράφη, ὅτι ἐπʼ ἐλπίδι ὀφείλει ὁ ἀροτριῶν ἀροτριᾷν, καὶ ὁ ἀλοῶν τῆς ἐλπίδος αὐτοῦ μετέχειν ἐπʼ ἐλπίδι. Εἰ ἡμεῖς ὑμῖν τὰ πνευματικὰ ἐσπείραμεν, μέγα εἰ ἡμεῖς ὑμῶν τὰ σαρκικὰ θερίσομεν; Εἰ ἄλλοι τῆς ἐξουσίας ὑμῶν μετέχουσιν, οὐ μᾶλλον ἡμεῖς; Ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἐχρησάμεθα τῇ ἐξουσίᾳ ταύτῃ, ἀλλὰ πάντα στέγομεν, ἵνα μὴ ἐγκοπήν τινα δῶμεν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Ἐν τῇ γεννήσει τήν παρθενίαν ἐφύλαξας, ἐν τῇ κοιμήσει τόν κόσμον, οὐ κατέλιπες Θεοτόκε μετέστης πρός τήν ζωήν, Μήτηρ ὑπάρχουσα τῆς ζωῆς καί ταῖς πρεσβείαις ταῖς σαῖς λυτρουμένη, ἐκ θανάτου τάς ψυχάς ἡμῶν. Ὅτε κατῆλθες πρός τόν θάνατον, ἡ ζωή ἡ ἀθάνατος, τότε τόν Ἅδην ἐνέκρωσας, τῇ ἀστραπῇ τῆς Θεότητος ὅτε δέ καί τούς τεθνεῶτας, ἐκ τῶν καταχθονίων ἀνέστησας, πᾶσαι αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν ἐπουρανίων ἐκραύγαζον Ζωοδότα Χριστέ ὁ Θεός ἡμῶν δόξα σοι. Ἐκ τοῦ Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 18:23-35 Εὐαγγελίου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην Ὡμοιώθη ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν ἀνθρώπῳ βασιλεῖ, ὃς ἠθέλησε συνᾶραι λόγον μετὰ τῶν δούλων αὐτοῦ. ἀρξαμένου δὲ αὐτοῦ συναίρειν προσηνέχθη αὐτῷ εἷς ὀφειλέτης μυρίων ταλάντων. μὴ ἔχοντος δὲ αὐτοῦ ἀποδοῦναι ἐκέλευσεν αὐτὸν ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ πραθῆναι καὶ τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ καὶ τὰ τέκνα καὶ πάντα ὅσα εἶχε, καὶ ἀποδοθῆναι. πεσὼν οὖν ὁ δοῦλος προσεκύνει αὐτῷ λέγων κύριε, μακροθύμησον ἐπ ἐμοὶ καὶ πάντα σοι ἀποδώσω. σπλαγχνισθεὶς δὲ ὁ κύριος τοῦ δούλου ἐκείνου ἀπέλυσεν αὐτὸν καὶ τὸ δάνειον ἀφῆκεν αὐτῷ. ἐξελθὼν δὲ ὁ δοῦλος ἐκεῖνος εὗρεν ἕνα τῶν συνδούλων αὐτοῦ, ὃς ὤφειλεν αὐτῷ ἑκατὸν δηνάρια, καὶ κρατήσας αὐτὸν ἔπνιγε λέγων ἀπόδος μοι εἴ τι ὀφείλεις. πεσὼν οὖν ὁ σύνδουλος αὐτοῦ εἰς τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ παρεκάλει αὐτὸν λέγων μακροθύμησον ἐπ ἐμοὶ καὶ ἀποδώσω σοι. ὁ δὲ οὐκ ἤθελεν, ἀλλὰ ἀπελθὼν ἔβαλεν αὐτὸν εἰς φυλακὴν ἕως οὗ ἀποδῷ τὸ ὀφειλόμενον. ἰδόντες δὲ οἱ σύνδουλοι αὐτοῦ τὰ γενόμενα ἐλυπήθησαν σφόδρα, καὶ ἐλθόντες διεσάφησαν τῷ κυρίῳ ἑαυτῶν πάντα τὰ γενόμενα. τότε προσκαλεσάμενος αὐτὸν ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ λέγει αὐτῷ δοῦλε πονηρέ, πᾶσαν τὴν ὀφειλὴν ἐκείνην ἀφῆκά σοι, ἐπεὶ παρεκάλεσάς με. οὐκ ἔδει καὶ σὲ ἐλεῆσαι τὸν σύνδουλόν σου, ὡς καὶ ἐγώ σε ἠλέησα; καὶ ὀργισθεὶς ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ παρέδωκεν αὐτὸν τοῖς βασανισταῖς ἕως οὗ ἀποδῷ πᾶν τὸ ὀφειλόμενον αὐτῷ. Οὕτω καὶ ὁ πατήρ μου ὁ ἐπουράνιος ποιήσει ὑμῖν, ἐὰν μὴ ἀφῆτε ἕκαστος τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν καρδιῶν ὑμῶν τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν. 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. Μνημόσυνα Παύλος Ε. Κωνσταντίνος Ελένη Δημοπούλου Αιωνία η μνήμη Τήν ἐν πρεσβείαις ἀκοίμητον Θεοτόκον καί προστασίαις ἀμετάθετον ἐλπίδα, τάφος καί νέκρωσις οὐκ ἐκράτησεν ὡς γάρ ζωῆς Μητέρα, πρός τήν ζωήν μετέστησεν, ὁ μήτραν οἰκήσας ἀειπάρθενον. 3

4 Church Events: Ecclesiastical Year Calendar Meeting Mon., Aug. 21, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the lower level church social hall. St. Mary of Egypt Chapel Divine Liturgy Tuesday, August 22 at 10:00 a.m. St. Eutyches the Hiero Martyr Kosmas of Aetolia Orthros 8:30 a.m. and Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m. Sunday of Matthew -St. Phanourios Sun., Aug. 27th 12th Orthros 8:30 a.m. Div. Lit. 9:30 a.m. Memorials: Diana Ermidis and Vasilios Morfis Artoklasia and Phanouropita. Following the Divine Liturgy, Registration, Coffee Social will be provided by the Ermidis families in loving memory of their mother, will be held in the lower level social hall of the church. 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) We would like to thank all the ladies that have beautifully decorated Panagias Eptiaphio. We also would like to thank everyone for their generous donations. May the Panagia always be with you and your families. Συνάντηση Εκκλησιαστικού Έτος Δευτ, 21 Αυγούστου στις 7:00μμ στην κάτω αίθουσα της εκκλησίας. Αγ. Μαρία της Αιγυπτίας Μοναστηράκι Θεία Λειτουργία την Τρίτη 22, Αυγούστου στις 10:00 π.μ. Αγίου Κοσμά του Αιτωλού & Αγ. Ευτυχίου 24 Αυγ. Όρθρος 8:30 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 9:30 π.μ. Κυριακή 27, Αυγούστου Αγ. Φανουρίου Όρθρος 8:30 π.μ. Θ. Λειτουργία 9:30 π.μ. Μνημόσυνα Διάνα Ερμίδη και Βασίλειος Μόρφης, οποίος θέλει να φερνή Άρτο για Αρτοκλασία και Φανουρόπιτα. ΏραΚαφές προσφέρετε από την οικογένεια Ερμίδης εις μνήμη της μητέρας τους. Θα έχουμε εγγραφές για όλες τις ομάδες της νεολαίας στην κάτω αίθουσα της εκκλησίας. 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 Κούκουρας Θέλουμε να ευχαριστήσουμε όλες τις κυρίες που έχουν διακοσμήσει όμορφα της Παναγίας τον επιτάφιο. Επίσης, θέλουμε να ευχαριστήσουμε όλους για τις δωρεές τους. Η Παναγία να είναι πάντα βοήθεια σας. 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 EVENTS: STS. CONSTANTINE & HELEN GREEK FESTIVAL Aug at Sts. Constantine & Helen Cathedral, 3352 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland Heights. 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 ( ) NATIVITY OF THE THEOTOKOS BENEFIT 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) RSVP: 2017Dinner Banquet.eventbrite.com 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: or share: Facebook.com/2017NGOYAC/ ~ Twitter.co/ngoyac2017 ~Instagram.com/ngoyac2017 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 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 ST. NICHOLAS GREEK FESTIVAL Sept at St. Nicholas 2000 Tower Blvd., Lorain stnlorain@yahoo.com or call , DESPINA VANDI IN CONCERT Fri., Oct. 6 in Pittsburgh, with Giorgos Lianos. For ticket information go towww.greekconcertstatus.com or GreekPittsburgh@gmail.com 8

9 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 9

10 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! 10

11 Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Event/Liturgy Calendar 2017 All Sunday & Week Day 8:30 AM Orthros / 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy AUGUST 2017 Sun 20 11th Sunday of Matthew Mon. 21 Calendar Meeting 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 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: 11

12 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