Elevation Of The Holy Cross

Transcript

1 September 2012 Inside this issue: From Fr. Anthony 2 ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH Monthly Bulletin Elevation Of The Holy Cross Holy Fathers 3 Clergy Message 4 Greek Message 5 Calendar 6 Youth News 7 Sacraments Donations Philoptochos News 10 Parish News 10 9 Ministries 12 Due Date for October Bulletin Monday, September 10 Church Services Saturdays Great Vespers 6:00pm Weekdays Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sundays Orthros 8:45am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Μ 6:00 9:00 10:00 8:45 10:00

2 Page 2 September An nunciation Church M onthly Bulletin FROM FATHER ANTHONY Beloved in Christ, here we stand again at the threshold of a new ecclesiastical year, which commences on September 1. In the Orthodox Church we have various feast days which signify renewal, the celebration of the new ecclesiastical year being one of them. Other such feasts include Theophany, Pentecost, and of course, the Feast of Feasts - Holy Pascha. The feast of the new church year, also known as the Indiction, happens to coincide with the renewal of many things in our secular lives as well most especially, the beginning of a new academic year. Over and above the renewal of secular activities this month, let us all turn our attention to spiritual matters, which ultimately affect our lives for all eternity. The goal of spiritual renewal is especially applicable to families raising children, since parents are responsible for planting the seeds of spirituality in their offspring. As I do from time to time, I would like to appeal to our younger families, especially those who have infants that have been baptized, to participate more fully in the life of our parish. When we baptize our children, they are spiritually reborn. The joyous celebration of a baptism is a time of spiritual renewal for the entire family. Why not take the opportunity of the beginning of the new ecclesiastical year to pledge commitment to the liturgical life of the Church? Remember, if the Church is to be the major part of our children s lives, as it should, then we must bring them to the house of God in order for the Church to feel like their house as well. Many parents are very regular with church attendance, setting a proper example for their children. However, as children become more involved in extra-curricular activities, some parents give in to participation in sports that occur on Sundays. As difficult as these decisions are, it simply comes down to parents setting proper family priorities. Many will defend their decision to allow children to play sports instead of attend church, stating that these are good, wholesome activities that build character, as well as offering many other obvious benefits. Well, let us also remember that it is the Church more than anything on earth, that truly builds character and much more, and which prepares us not just for the struggles of this life, but also for the life of the ages to come! Perhaps it is our child s dream to play in a sport professionally one day, but as we all know, we won t be taking a bat and ball to the next world when we leave this one. Getting back to the cycle of the church year, liturgical participation is not limited to Sundays alone. Now, obviously, busy families cannot easily take part in the various weekday celebrations that are repeated each church year. Those of us, however, who have already raised our children and are retired, have every opportunity to avail ourselves of the blessed feasts of our Lord, the Theotokos, and of the various saints celebrated each year. If we take a good look at the liturgical calendar in each month s bulletin, we can find many opportunities to expand our spiritual horizons through the various services offered. Whether we are young or old, single or married, parents or not, let us all seek spiritual renewal this coming church year, through more active participation in the liturgical life of our Church. Once we become regular with liturgical participation, it then becomes natural to also seek involvement in other aspects of church life. Beloved in Christ, our parish belongs to all of us. Therefore, it is vitally important that our younger families take an active roll in parish life, for these families are both part of the present, as well as the future of our beloved parish. And there is definitely a promising future for our church, since I celebrate many baptisms each year. The blessed forefathers of Annunciation Church, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, have given us what we have today. It is the sacred duty and responsibility of our young, growing families to look ahead, to be visionaries, and to dream new dreams. Having said all this, I again urge all parishioners young and old to seek spiritual renewal in this new ecclesiastical year. Take from what is freely given you through the Body of Christ. Live a Christ-centered life, which will always lead you to the doors of our church again and again. And if you have been staying away, come back home and find your place at the table along with the rest of the family! In Christ s love, +Fr. Anthony

3 An nunciation Church M onthly Bulletin September Page 3 FROM THE HOLY FATHERS (The following is taken from The Life in Christ, by Nicholas Cabasilas, SVS Press 1974) 1. How the life in Christ begins in this life The life in Christ originates in this life and arises from it. It is perfected, however, in the life to come, when we shall have reached that last day. It cannot attain perfection in men s souls in this life, nor even in that which is to come without already having begun here But if the life to come were to admit those who lack the faculties and senses necessary for it, it would avail nothing for their happiness, but they would be dead and miserable living in that blessed and immortal world. Now, it is possible for the Son of God to make His friends to share in His mysteries in preparation for that day, and for them to learn from Him what He has heard from the Father (Jn. 15:15). But they must come as His friends who have ears to hear (Mt. 11:15) Those, then, who have not acquired these things before they departed have nothing in common with that life. To this the five foolish virgins and the man invited to the wedding feast are witnesses, since they came without either the oil or the wedding garment and were not able to buy them then. 2. The life in Christ consists of union with Him In short, it is this world which is in travail with that new inner man which is created after the likeness of God (Eph. 4:24). When he has been shaped and formed here he is thus born perfect into that perfect world which grows not old. As nature prepares the fetus, while it is in its dark and fluid life, for that life which is in the light, and shapes it, as though according to a model, for the life which it is about to receive, so likewise it happens to the saints However, while the unborn have no perception whatever of this life, the blessed ones have many hints in this present life of things to come. In this present world, therefore, it is possible for the saints not only to be disposed and prepared for that life, but also even now to live and act in accordance with it Yet the Lord did not promise merely to be present with the saints, but to abide with them nay more than this, to make His abode in them (Jn. 14:23) As Paul says, he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him (I Cor. 6:17), and that you may be one body and one spirit, just as you were called (Eph. 4:4). NEW ANNUNCIATION SEMINARIAN It is with great pleasure and pride that we announce the acceptance of Chris Kolentsas to Holy Cross School of Theology, as a seminarian in the Master of Divinity program. We wish the best to Chris and his lovely wife Kristen, as they enter this most special and holy chapter of their young life together (to soon be joined by their first child expected this fall!). May God bless them, as well as Chris s family, godparents, and his entire parish family, who will love and support him throughout his studies toward the holy priesthood. Axios!

4 Page 4 July/September An nunciation Church M onthly Bulletin METROPOLIS OF BOSTON CLERGY BROTHERHOOD A Message from Father Luke A. Veronis - Sts. Constantine & Helen, Webster, MA THE ULTIMATE OLYMPIC RACE A memorable scene took place in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. The grueling marathon already produced its gold medalist one and a half hours earlier. In fact, almost all the runners had finished, and the night was turning dark and cold. Most of the spectators had emptied out of the stadium when in hobbled the last runner of the marathon, John Steven Ahkwari of Tanzania. He was practically carrying his leg, it was so bloody and bandaged. He obviously ran with extreme pain, and yet he continued to half run/half walk around the track until he crossed the finish line. As the confused spectators understood what was happening, a few began clapping. Their clapping increased into a roar as they watched his determined effort to cross the finish line. In the marathon runner John Steven Ahkwari, the spectators witnessed the Olympic spirit at its best! When the reporter Bud Greenspan asked Ahkwari why he kept going on despite his injury, the runner simply responded, You don t understand. My country did not send me 5,000 miles to start a race. They sent me 5,000 miles to finish the race. This past month, we all watched many magical moments in the Olympics. We heard inspiring stories of athletes who sacrificed and displayed unbelievable discipline and hard work with one goal in mind - becoming the greatest athletes in the world. These athletes displayed virtues relevant to our own Christian life virtues of sacrifice, discipline, perseverance, and hard work. Ahkwari s story is a classic story of determined perseverance. In our age of instant gratification, such a virtue is often ignored. With cell phones and internet, 24/7 service, and airplanes that cross the world overnight, we want everything immediately! And yet, the greatest things of life can t be achieved in an instant. Just ask any Olympic athlete. It s not about the seconds to run a race or swim a lap, but the years of training that make it possible to reach the Olympics. Years of sacrificing their lives, adjusting their schedules, watching what they eat, beating their bodies, giving up pleasures, and training day after day with one goal in mind. To become an Olympian! St. Paul used the imagery of the athlete as a prototype for our own Christian struggle: Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Cor 9:24-28) St. Paul points to the ultimate Olympic contest our spiritual marathon into the Kingdom of Heaven. And this event does not offer a medal of gold or silver, but a medal of eternity. To receive such an eternal award, though, we need the same determined perseverance as we see in Ahkwari and all the great Olympians. Too many people begin their spiritual journey with fervor only to fall away later in life. Too many have fallen away from the path of salvation because of laziness, a lack of discipline, a fear of struggle and sacrifice, the allurement of comfort and pleasure, an indifference for the heavenly prize, and even an acceptance of mediocrity and a forgetfulness of our divine calling. Whatever the reason, as we think back on the Olympics, let us remember the story of John Steven Ahkwari, and let us never give up, or abandon the spiritual race of salvation!

5 An nunciation Church M onthly Bulletin September Page 5 GREEK MESSAGE Αρχιεπισκοπική Εγκύκλιος για την Εορτή της Κοιμήσεως της Θεοτόκου Ἀγαπητοί Ἀδελφοί καί Ἀδελφές ἐν Χριστῷ, Στούς ὑπέροχους ὕμνους τῆς Ἑορτῆς τῆς Κοιμήσεως τῆς Θεοτόκου ψάλλουμε καί ἀκοῦμε γιά τό θαυμαστό γεγονός τῆς συνάξεως τῶν Ἀποστόλων ἐξ αἰτίας τῆς κοιμήσεώς της. Στόν Ὄρθρο ψάλλουμε τό Ἑξαποστειλάριο: Ἀπόστολοι ἐκ περάτων, συναθροισθέντες ἐνθάδε, Γεθσημανῇ τῷ χωρίῳ, κηδεύσατέ μου τό σῶμα καί Σύ, Υἱέ καί Θεέ μου, παράλαβέ μου τό πνεῦμα. Ὅταν ἀναλογιζόμεθα αὐτή τήν ὑπέροχη ἐμπειρία τῶν Ἀποστόλων τοῦ Κυρίου μας, μποροῦμε νά κατανοήσουμε πῶς αὐτή ἡ εὐλογημένη Ἑορτή καί ἡ μαρτυρία τῆς Θεοτόκου μᾶς ἐμπνέει στήν ἐπιτέλεση τοῦ ἱεροῦ ἔργου μας τῆς διαδόσεως τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου. Ὁ ἑορτασμός τῆς Κοιμήσεως καί τό γεγονός τῆς συνάξεως τῶν Ἀποστόλων ἐπιβεβαιώνει ὅτι αὐτοί ὑπήκουσαν στίς ἐντολές τοῦ Χριστοῦ νά πορευθοῦν καί νά κηρύξουν τό Εὐαγγέλιο, νά μαθητεύσουν πάντα τά ἔθνη, καί νά βαπτίσουν τούς ἀνθρώπους εἰς τό ὄνομα τοῦ Πατρός καί τοῦ Υἱοῦ καί τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος (Ματθ. 28:19-20). Ὁ καιρός τῆς κοιμήσεως τῆς Θεοτόκου βρῆκε τούς Ἀποστόλους νά ἐκτελοῦν πιστά καί ἔνθερμα τό ἔργο αὐτῆς τῆς διακονίας. Ὅταν ὅμως ἐκλήθησαν ἀπό τόν Χριστό νά ἐπιστρέψουν γιά νά τιμήσουν τή ζωή, τή μαρτυρία, καί τήν κοίμηση τῆς Παρθένου Μαρίας, τό ἔκαμαν μέ ὅλη τους τήν καρδιά. Ἀσφαλῶς, καθένας ἀπό τούς Ἀποστόλους εἶχε ἐπιλεγεῖ καί ὁρισθεῖ ἀπό τόν Θεό νά πορευθῇ στά ἔσχατα τῆς γῆς καί νά παραγάγῃ καρπό (Ἰωάν. 15:16). Τώρα, ὅμως, εἶχαν συγκεντρωθεῖ γιά νά τιμήσουν ἐκείνη ἡ ὁποία εἶχε ἐπιλεγεῖ ὑπεράνω ὅλων γιά νά γεννήσῃ τόν Υἱό τοῦ Θεοῦ. Κατά τίς τελευταῖες γήινες ἡμέρες της οἱ Ἀπόστολοι εὑρίσκονταν μαζί μέ ἐκείνη πού εἶχε γεννήσει τήν Ἀληθινή Ἄμπελο, τήν πηγή τοῦ μεγάλου πνευματικοῦ καρποῦ στή δική της ζωή διακονίας καί στή ζωή ὅλων ἐκείνων οἱ ὁποῖοι εἶχαν προσέλθει μέ πίστη στό Χριστό. Λόγῳ τῆς ἀφοσιώσεώς της στό θέλημα τοῦ Θεοῦ, τῆς πιστότητός της στόν Κύριό μας, καί τῆς μαρτυρίας τῆς δυνάμεως καί χάριτός Του τήν ὁποία προσέφερε καθ ὅλη τή διάρκεια τῆς ζωῆς της, ἡ Θεοτόκος μέ τήν κοίμησή Της κατέστη κέντρο ἑορτασμοῦ καί δυνάμεως. Μέ αὐτό τό πνεῦμα οἱ Ἀπόστολοι ἐπέστρεψαν στό ἔργο τό ὁποῖο εἶχαν κληθεῖ νά ἐπιτελέσουν. Ἡ μαρτυρία τῆς Παρθένου Μαρίας, μαρτυρία Χριστοῦ, γέμισε τίς καρδιές των μέ χαρά. Χάρηκαν μέ τά θαυματουργικά γεγονότα τ ῆς κοιμήσεώς της, καί ἐνισχύθηκαν ἀκόμη περισσότερο μέ τήν φανέρωση τῆς χάριτος καί ἁγιότητός της. Ἄκουσαν καί εἶδαν γιά μιάν ἀκόμη φορά τήν δύναμη τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου, καί αὐτό τούς ὤθησε νά πορευθοῦν καί νά καταστοῦν μάρτυρες τῶν μεγάλων καί πανίσχυρων πράξεων τοῦ Θεοῦ, προσπαθῶντας νά παραγάγουν πνευματικό καρπό στίς ζωές τῶν ἄλλων ἀνθρώπων (Πράξεις 4:20). Καθώς ἑορτάζουμε τήν Ἑορτή τῆς Κοιμήσεως, τό πράττουμε τιμώντας τήν Θεοτόκο καί τή μαρτυρία της. Συγκεντρωνόμεθα, ἐπίσης, γιά νά ἑορτάσουμε τή ζωή καί τήν κοίμησή της ὡς ὑπέροχο παράδειγμα ἐπιλογῆς καί ἀναθέσεώς της ἀπό τόν Θεό νά πορευθῇ καί νά παραγάγῃ καρπό. Δέν θρηνοῦμε, ἀλλά ψάλλουμε ὕμνους στόν Θεό γιά τή μαρτυρία τῆς δυνάμεως καί χάριτός Του στή ζωή τῆς Παναγίας. Δέν πενθοῦμε, διότι ἐνισχυόμεθα στήν ἀφοσίωσή μας στόν Θεό, διότι ἐπιβεβαιωνόμεθα ὅτι τό μήνυμά μας εἶναι μήνυμα ἀλήθειας καί ζωῆς, καί διότι ἐνδυναμούμεθα νά πορευθοῦμε καί νά διαδώσουμε τό Εὐαγγέλιο ὥστε νά δοῦμε μεγάλο πνευματικό καρπό νά παράγεται στίς ζωές τῶν συνανθρώπων μας. Εἴθε, σ αὐτή τήν ἱερή καί εὐλογημένη Ἑορτή, νά ἀνακαλύψετε τήν δύναμη καί τήν διαβεβαίωση πού πηγάζει ἀπό τήν ζωή καί τή μαρτυρία τῆς Θεοτόκου, καί εἴθε νά ἀνανεώνεσθε καί ἐμπνέεσθε γιά τά μεγάλα καί ἰσχυρά πράγματα τά ὁποῖα θά πραγματοποιήσῃ ὁ Θεός στή ζωή σας καί διά τῆς ζωῆς σας. Μέ πατρική ἐν Χριστῷ ἀγάπη, ὁ Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Ἀμερικῆς Δημήτριος

6 Page 6 September An nunciation Church M onthly Bulletin September Calendar

7 P a ge 7 September An nunciation Church M onthly Bulletin YOUTH NEWS Upcoming Events CONTACTS FOR YOUTH PROGRAMS Sunday, September 9th Sunday, September 16th Monday, September 24th Friday, September 28th Tuesday, October 2nd Friday, October 19th Monday, November 12th Sunday December 2nd & 9th Youth Choir begins First Day of Sunday School Altar Boy Registration GOYA/JR GOYA Meeting Greek School Registration Begins HOPE/JOY Fall Harvest Fun Greek School Classes Resume HOPE/JOY Pumpkin Decorating HOPE/JOY Thanksgiving Feast HOPE/JOY Wreath Sale ALTAR BOYS Father Anthony priest@annunciationbrockton,org BASKETBALL Steve Passias passias@comcast.net DANCE GROUP Penny Buterbaugh pnasios@nasiosandgalloway.com GREEK SCHOOL Jon Buterbaugh jbuterbaughjr@gmail.com JUNIOR CHOIR Heidi Mason heidim50@aol.com GREEK SCHOOL Registration for the Greek School begins the week of September 24th. Children 5 years old or older may register. Classes will begin on Tuesday, October 2nd. Class hours: 5:00-6:30 PM Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Kindergarten 2nd Grade 4th Grade 1st & 3rd Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade Tuition Members is good standing: Families with two children or less will pay $300/child annually. Families with 3 or more children enrolled, tuition is free for the 3rd and subsequent child. Non-Members: Families with two children or less will pay $450/child annually. Families with 3 or more children enrolled, tuition is $250 per child. Tuition is for the 1st thru 6th Grades Kindergarten: Free tuition for children All students will need to pay $15 for their books. ORATORICAL FESTIVAL Rhoda Economos SUNDAY SCHOOL Dina Coon coon005@aol.com H.O.P.E./J.O.Y Paula Tsitsopoulos gtsitsop@comcast.net Jr. G.O.Y.A. Suzanne Barrus sgbarrus@comcast.net G.O.Y.A. Jon Buterbaugh jbuterbaughjr@gmail.com Registration Forms are available on our church web site Additional information can be found on our church web site or by contacting our church office at

8 An nunciation Church M onthly Bulletin September Page 8 YOUTH NEWS SUNDAY SCHOOL Sunday school will begin on September 16, 2012 following the Divine Liturgy. There is no need to register your child if they have attended the previous year. Please let the teacher know if there is any change in basic information or Dina Coon at coon005@aol.com. There will be registration forms available for new students. Sunday school classes take place following the Divine Liturgy and end at 12 p.m. Please make note of certain Sundays in which classes will take place during the Divine Liturgy. This happens a few times a year so that the children can participate or witness certain important feasts of our faith. The yearly Sunday school schedule will also be available on the first day of classes so that it can be kept at home for easy reference. GOYA GOYA Meeting - Sunday, September 16th We will have Ice Cream Sundaes to welcome back existing members and welcome in new members. If you are a student in the Middle School or High School (Grades 6 thru 12) this is the group for you. We have regular meetings once a month. In addition we plan fun events, fund raisers, and retreats. For more information on our group please contact GOYA Advisors Jon jbuterbaughjr@gmail.com or Suzanne sgbarrus@comcast.net YOUTH CHOIR Youth Choir will start on Sunday, September 9th. Youth will meet in the choir loft at 10:15 a.m. then proceed to rehearsals in the conference room. Children from the age of 6 years old are encouraged to participate. Welcome Back! JOY & HOPE have a fun-filled fall planned for our church youth ages For your convenience we have pre-planned the fall meetings and listed them below. We hope to see some old and new faces this year. Please join us for one of the following meetings: Friday, Sept. 28 th at 6:00pm Fall Harvest Fun Friday, Oct. 19 th at 6:00pm Pumpkin Decorating Monday, Nov. 12 th at 5:00pm Thanksgiving Feast Sunday, Dec. 2 nd and Sunday Dec. 9 th Wreath Sale If you have any questions please contact the JOY & HOPE Advisors Paula Tsitsopoulos pauatsitsop@comcast.net or Irena Mroz irena.mroz@verizon.net. NEW ALTAR BOY REGISTRATION As we do each year, we will be accepting new boys that want to serve in the altar. According to Archdiocesan guidelines, we ask that only boys 9 years of age or older sign up. Parents, please call the office and give us the name of your son(s), as well as your address and phone number as soon as possible. Before the end of September, we will assign your son to an altar team, and provide a schedule and guidelines by mail. PLEASE NOTE that existing altar boys DO NOT need to sign up again. We will mail them schedules and guidelines as well.

9 Page 9 September An nunciation Church M onthly Bulletin DONATIONS George Theofilou In Memory Donations Mr. and Mrs. Vasili Lucas $100 Maria Theofilou George Theofilou and Sister Mary Xixis $200 Nikki Fields $ 50 Cynthia Tsarhopoulos Marie Mihos IMO Grandparents: $300 Xanthippe & Nikolaos Tsarhopoulos Paraskevi and Stergios Golas Uncles: $300 Alkis Tsarhopoulos Anastasios Golas Sakis Tsarhas Constance Kalivas $ 50 Paul and Tina Tsarhopoulos Anonymous Anastasios Golas 40 Days $100 Michael Dalkouras $ 50 Olga Dalkouras $ 50 Anastasios and Electra Xiarchos $ 50 Agnes Sedell $50 Other Donations Decoration of icon of the Transfiguration Dr. & Mrs. Dino Constantinou for the health of their son, Sotirios Decoration of icon of the Dormition of the Theotokos The Karavites and Micallizi Families, in honor of Panayiotis Karavites Decoration of the Iconostasion icon of the Panayia Mr. & Mrs. Ilias Lainas SACRAMENTS BAPTISMS Aug. 19th Melani ` Daughter of Napoleon & Amanda Georgoulias Godparent: Sofia Georgoulias Aug. 13th Aug. 19th Decoration of icon of the Nativity of the Theotokos Mr. & Mrs. George Petropoulos Decoration of icon of the Elevation of the Holy Cross Dr. & Mrs. Dino Constantinou for the health of their son, Stavros Food Festival 120 lbs Butter Irakli Savas in memory of Charlie Savas 500 lbs Flour - Kathy and Steve Angelis 500 lbs Sugar Tsianakis and Mylonas Family Cousins Pizza 60 doz Eggs Charlie Bokas Monetary Donations George and Adrienne Spyropoulos $200 Nicholas Spanos $200 Nancy and Carl Colarusso $100 Sophia and Dimitri Lambrakis $700 Paul and Tina Tsarhopoulos $150 Gift Card Market Basket Prof. Peter and Christine Karavites $250 Gift Card Macy s Roxanne Veremis Ultra Travel $200 toward airfare FUNERALS Louis Halatsis Stella Dalkouras May Their Memory Be Eternal Αιωνία η Μνήμη Αυτ

10 An nunciation Church M onthly Bulletin September Page 10 PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS 2012 Calendar of Events Anyone who would like a visit from the Ladies of Philoptochos, or knows of someone who would like some company, please contact our chairlady Soultana Kotsiopoulos at Annual Food Festival First Meeting Annual Christmas Party Thursday, September 20th to 23rd Tuesday, October 2nd Thursday, December 6th Annual Christmas Luncheon Sunday, December 16th For Koliva please call the church office at We would appreciate one weeks notice in advance of the memorial service to prepare your koliva. The cost is $85 and checks should be made payable to the Ladies Philoptochos Society. We are busy preparing for the festival in our kitchen! This is open to all ladies young and old who would like to bake. Our baking times are as follows: Mondays, Tuesday and Thursdays 9:00 to 3:00 If you are interested in sponsoring a coffee hour please call Bertha Weinberg at or contact the Church office. Don't forget to join or renew your membership for 2012! PARISH NEWS Consecration Album Update The Consecration Commemorative Album is in the final proofing stages and will be ready in time for Greek Festival 2012 in mid-september! CHURCH SCHOLARSHIPS Scholarship forms are now available in the Church office. Deadline is September 26, The Album Committee is working hard to produce the highest quality book, worthy to commemorate this wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime event of our beloved Church. We appreciate everyone s patience with the completion of the album. A book of this quality requires a great deal of time and cooperation from many individuals who all work on a volunteer basis to ensure the maximum financial benefit to our Church. We thank you for your patience. Album Committee

11 Page 11 September An nunciation Church M onthly Bulletin 2012 Calendar of Events Annual Food Festival Thursday, September 20th to 23rd Festival Appreciation Luncheon Sunday, September 30th Harvest Ball Dance Saturday, November 3rd Fall General Assembly Sunday, November 18th Parish Council Elections Sunday, December 2nd Parish Council Oath & Election of Officers Sunday, December 23rd 2012 Parish Council Meetings September 11th October 9th November 13th December 11th 1st Thursday of the month: Finance Meeting 6pm Stewardship Meeting 7pm 3rd Thursday of the month: House & Grounds Meeting 6pm An Array of New Books! We will have a selection of new books when we open October 7, and continue to order compelling items. If you wonder about life after death as perceived by the Church, there is The Future Life According to Orthodox Teaching by Constantine Cavarnos. Death is not the end, writes Dr. Cavarnos, since the soul continues to exist beyond death. He explains that, the soul, separated from the body, maintains self-consciousness and does not fall into a state of sleep or unconsciousness it continues to think and to have feelings such as fear and serenity, sorrow and joy. After death, the soul maintains its memory, able to recall all of its deeds, all thoughts, all the words it spoke and so on, from its childhood years forth. The soul, he writes, has senses and can see and hear, even though it is separated from the body. Dr. Cavarnos also explains how the separation of the soul from the body is performed by an Angel of God and sometimes demons attempt to take the soul from the angels. Good deeds performed by the soul build a wall to protect the soul, he explains. What interests you? Send us an at Annunciationbrockton.bookstore@gmail.com We will also have some wonderful new children s things, including Christmas gifts for children 3 and under, such as a lift-and-look nativity, nativity sticker books and other sweet items about the miraculous birth of Jesus. Our Church Bookstore stocks a variety of traditional Orthodox Christian worship products, such as censors, incense, as well as icons of all types even refrigerator magnets. We are in contact with suppliers that may have just what you need, so be sure and ask. We have Christian decals for cars, cookbooks of meatless meals and much more. Come visit us after Church, friends! Going to College or Moving? Send young Orthodox Christians off to dormitories or apartments with a little bit of the Orthodox Church in hand. Change is difficult and the traditional red prayer book is a good choice because it includes prayers of thankfulness as well as prayers for times of trouble as well as the prayer Thanksgiving after deliverance from trouble. We have small icons in plastic as well as traditional wood, including icon magnets for the refrigerator of a new apartment or living space. It is an inexpensive gift that reminds us daily of our Faith.

12 Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Reverend Presbyter Anthony Evangelatos George Stavropoulos, Chanter Heidi Mason, Choir Director Ona Calogrias, Organist PARISH COUNCIL Executive Board John Karolemeas, President Steven Passias, 1st Vice President Administration Christy Mihos, 2nd Vice President Maintenance Ethel Savas, Secretary Christine Karavites, Treasurer Charles Efremidis, Assistant Treasurer Members of the Board Arthur Adamopoulos Ernest Anthony Georgia Besarick Jon Buterbaugh Jr. Tulla Giannaros Steve Lainas John Papadopoulos Thomas Sedell Avraam Vardaxis PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY Executive Board Despina Papadopoulos, President Heido Barbas, 1st Vice President Penny Kazis, 2nd Vice President Ethel Savas, Recording Secretary Tina Boutas, Corresponding Secretary Lori Stasiewski, Treasurer Liz Karolemeas, Assistant Treasurer Members of the Board Peggy Cuilla Maria Fitopoulos Helen Holevas Ann Marie Horne Soultana Kotsiopoulos Kelly Scappatticci Eleni Stamboulidis Vasiliki Syrniotis Tina Tsarhopoulos Father Anthony Church Office S Sophia Terzakis OTHER MINISTRIES Sunday School Tina Boutas Dina Coon Rhoda Economos Greek School Tina Boutas Argyro Papadopoulos Vicky Papaioannou G.O.Y.A. Jon Buterbaugh Jr. G.O.Y,A, Suzanne Barrus J.O.Y. & H.O.P.E. Irena Mroz Paula Tsitsopoulos Adult Greek Classes Arthur Krikis Koliva Ladies Philoptochos Coffee Hour Bertha Weinberg Shut-In Visitations Soultana Kotsiopoulos Basketball Steve Passias Dance Group Jon & Penny Buterbaugh Junior Choir Corinne & Heidi Mason Oratorical Festival Rhoda Economos Bookstore Linda Sakelaris Stephen Savas Joanna Stellakis

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14 We are now reserving space in our monthly bulletin for advertising purposes in order to defer from the high costs of publishing. You can now advertise your business for a small cost. The following are the advertising costs ¼ Year ½ Year 1 Full Year Full Page Inside Front Cover $ $1, $1, Full Page Inside Back Cover $ $1, $1, ½ Page Outside Back Cover $ $1, $1, Full Page $ $ $1, ½ Page $ $ $ Business Card Size $ $ $ Space is limited and will be available On a First Come, First Serve Basis. The deadline for including your advertisement will be on the 10 th of each month. If you have any questions and are interested in an opportunity that will support

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16 Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church 457 Oak Street Brockton, MA Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Brockton, MA Permit No. 258 Phone Fax We re on the Web! DATED MATERIAL PLEASE EXPEDITE