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1 Ευαγγελισμός της Θεοτόκου Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Reverend Father Dean J. Dimon Proistamenos 2187 West 14th Street, Cleveland, OH March 11, 2018 Sunday of the Holy Cross On the Third Sunday of Great and Holy Lent, the Orthodox Church commemorates the Precious and Life-Giving Cross of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Services include a special veneration of the Cross, which prepares the faithful for the commemoration of the Crucifixion during Holy Week. The commemoration and ceremonies of the Third Sunday of Lent are closely parallel to the feasts of the Veneration of the Cross (September 14) and the Procession of the Cross (August 1). Not only does the Sunday of the Holy Cross prepare us for commemoration of the Crucifixion, but it also reminds us that the whole of Lent is a period when we are crucified with Christ. As we have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24), and will have mortified ourselves during these forty days of the Fast, the precious and life-giving Cross is now placed before us to refresh our souls and encourage us who may be filled with a sense of bitterness, resentment, and depression. The Cross reminds us of the Passion of our Lord, and by presenting to us His example, it encourages us to follow Him in struggle and sacrifice, being refreshed, assured, and comforted. In other words, we must experience what the Lord experienced during His Passion - being humiliated in a shameful manner. The Cross teaches us that through pain and suffering we shall see the fulfillment of our hopes: the heavenly inheritance and eternal glory. As they who walk on a long and hard way and are bowed down by fatigue find great relief and strengthening under the cool shade of a leafy tree, so do we find comfort, refreshment, and rejuvenation under the Life-giving Cross, which our Fathers planted on this Sunday. Thus, we are fortified and enabled to continue our Lenten journey with a light step, rested and encouraged. Or, as before the arrival of the king, his royal standards, trophies, and emblems of victory come in procession and then the king himself appears in a triumphant parade, jubilant and rejoicing in his victory and filling those under him with joy, so does the Feast of the Cross precede the coming of our King, Jesus Christ. It warns us that He is about to proclaim His victory over death and appear to us in the glory of the Resurrection. His Life-Giving Cross is His royal scepter, and by venerating it we are filled with joy, rendering Him glory. Therefore, we become ready to welcome our King, who shall manifestly triumph over the powers of darkness. The present feast has been placed in the middle of Great Lent for another reason. Parish Council Members Emmanuel Ermidis President Konstantinos Almiroudis Vice President Jim Ganotis Treasurer Panagiota Petratos Secretary Eleni Karadaglis Michael Manak Irene Scordos Christopher Sheely If you or your loved one would like Fr. Dean to visit you in the hospital or in your home, you must call the office Please provide the office with the name, address, and phone number of the party who is sick or shut in. Hospital visitations must be initiated by the patient's family member as, by law, hospitals are not permitted to share patient information without their consent. Αν εσείς ή το αγαπημένο σας πρόσωπο θα ήθελε τον Πατέρα Κωνσταντίνο να σας επισκεφτεί στο νοσοκομείο ή στο σπίτι σας, παρακαλούμε να ενημερώσετε το Γραφείο της Εκκλησίας Με τους νόμους του κράτους κάθε ασθενείς που είναι στο νοσοκομείο πρέπει να πείτε στο νοσοκομείο ότι θέλετε τον Ιερέα να τον επισκεφθεί αλλιώς ο Ιερέας δεν το γνωρίζει ότι υπαρχή κάποιος στο νοσοκομείο. Να καλέσετε το γραφείο της εκκλησίας να έρθει ο Π. Κωνσταντίνος να σας βρει..athanasios Anagnostos Sam Zizis

2 The Fast can be likened to the spring of Marah whose waters the children of Israel encountered in the wilderness. Continued on page 2 This water was undrinkable due to its bitterness but became sweet when the Holy Prophet Moses dipped the wood into its depth. Likewise, the wood of the Cross sweetens the days of the Fast, which are bitter and often grievous because of our tears. Yet Christ comforts us during our course through the desert of the Fast, guiding and leading us by His hand to the spiritual Jerusalem on high by the power of His Resurrection. Moreover, as the Holy Cross is called the Tree of Life, it is placed in the middle of the Fast, as the ancient tree of life was placed in the middle of the garden of Eden. By this, our Holy Fathers wished to remind us of Adam s gluttony as well as the fact that through this Tree has condemnation been abolished. Therefore, if we bind ourselves to the Holy Cross, we shall never encounter death but shall inherit life eternal. The most common icon associated with the Veneration of the Cross is the same icon used on the Feast of the Veneration of the Cross on September 14. In the icon, Patriarch Macarius is standing in the pulpit elevating the Cross for all to see and venerate. On each side of the Patriarch are deacons holding candles. The elevated Cross is surrounded and venerated by many clergy and lay people, including Saint Helen, the mother of Emperor Constantine. In the background of the icon is a domed structure that represents the Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem. This church was one of the churches constructed and dedicated by Emperor Constantine on the holy sites of Jerusalem. Another icon related to this feast depicts the actual service of veneration that is conducted in the churches on the Third Sunday of Lent. In the center of the icon is the Cross (1). It is on a table surrounded by flowers (2). Above the Cross is the image of Christ in a partial mandorla representing His glory (3). He is blessing those who have gathered to venerate the Cross, the rulers, clergy, monastics, and laity. The priest stands amongst the people At the foot of the cross are flowers. holding the Cross. As in the service of veneration, the icon shows the priest venerating the Cross as the people chant the hymn We venerate Your Cross, O Christ, and Your holy Resurrection we glorify, which is inscribed on the table holding he Cross. The Sunday of the Holy Cross is commemorated with the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great, which is preceded by the Matins service. A Great Vespers is conducted on Saturday evening. The hymns of the Triodion for this day are added to the usual prayers and hymns of the weekly commemoration of the Resurrection of Christ. Scripture readings for the Sunday of Orthodoxy are: At the Orthros (Matins): The prescribed weekly Gospel reading. At the Divine Liturgy: Hebrews 4:14-5:6; Mark 8:34-9:1. At the conclusion of the Matins (the traditional practice in association with a vigil) or of the Divine Liturgy, a special service is held. The Cross is placed on a tray surrounded by basil or daffodils and is taken in solemn procession through the church to the chanting of the Thrice Holy Hymn. The tray is placed on a table before the people, and the hymn of the Feast of the Cross is chanted. As the priest venerates the Cross, the priest then the people chant, We venerate Your Cross, O Christ, and Your holy Resurrection we glorify. At the conclusion of the service, the people come and venerate the cross and receive the flowers or basil from the priest. 2

3 Epistle St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6 Prokeimenon. Mode Plagal 2. Psalm 27.9,1 O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance. Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God. The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6 BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek." Gospel Sunday of the Holy Cross The Gospel According to Mark 8:34-38; 9:1 The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power." 3

4 Ἀπόστολος Εὐαγγέλιον Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 4:14-16, 5:1-6 Προκείμενον. Ήχος πλ. β'. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 27.9,1 Σῶσον, Κύριε τὸν λαὸν σου καὶ εὐλόγησον τὴν κληρονομίαν σου. Στίχ. Πρὸς σἐ, Κύριε, κεκράξομαι ὁ Θεός μου. Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 4:14-16, 5:1-6 τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα είναι απο Ἀδελφοί, ἔχοντες οὖν ἀρχιερέα μέγαν, διεληλυθότα τοὺς οὐρανούς, Ἰησοῦν τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ θεοῦ, κρατῶμεν τῆς ὁμολογίας. Οὐ γὰρ ἔχομεν ἀρχιερέα μὴ δυνάμενον συμπαθῆσαι ταῖς ἀσθενείαις ἡμῶν, πεπειραμένον δὲ κατὰ πάντα καθʼ ὁμοιότητα, χωρὶς ἁμαρτίας. Προσερχώμεθα οὖν μετὰ παρρησίας τῷ θρόνῳ τῆς χάριτος, ἵνα λάβωμεν ἔλεον, καὶ χάριν εὕρωμεν εἰς εὔκαιρον βοήθειαν. Πᾶς γὰρ ἀρχιερεύς, ἐξ ἀνθρώπων λαμβανόμενος, ὑπὲρ ἀνθρώπων καθίσταται τὰ πρὸς τὸν θεόν, ἵνα προσφέρῃ δῶρά τε καὶ θυσίας ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν μετριοπαθεῖν δυνάμενος τοῖς ἀγνοοῦσιν καὶ πλανωμένοις, ἐπεὶ καὶ αὐτὸς περίκειται ἀσθένειαν καὶ διὰ ταύτην ὀφείλει, καθὼς περὶ τοῦ λαοῦ, οὕτως καὶ περὶ ἑαυτοῦ, προσφέρειν ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν. Καὶ οὐχ ἑαυτῷ τις λαμβάνει τὴν τιμήν, ἀλλὰ καλούμενος ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ, καθάπερ καὶ Ἀαρών. Οὕτως καὶ ὁ Χριστὸς οὐχ ἑαυτὸν ἐδόξασεν γενηθῆναι ἀρχιερέα, ἀλλʼ ὁ λαλήσας πρὸς αὐτόν, Υἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε. Καθὼς καὶ ἐν ἑτέρῳ λέγει, Σὺ ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδέκ. Ἐκ τοῦ Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 8:34-38, 9:1 Εὐαγγελίου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος Εἴ τις θέλει ὀπίσω μου ἐλθεῖν, ἀπαρνησάσθω ἑαυτὸν καὶ ἀράτω τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀκολουθείτω μοι. ὃς γὰρ ἂν θέλῃ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ σῶσαι, ἀπολέσει αὐτήν ὃς δ ἂν ἀπολέσῃ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχὴν ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ καὶ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, οὗτος σώσει αὐτήν. τί γὰρ ὠφελήσει ἄνθρωπον ἐὰν κερδήσῃ τὸν κόσμον ὅλον, καὶ ζημιωθῇ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ; ἢ τί δώσει ἄνθρωπος ἀντάλλαγμα τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ; ὃς γὰρ ἐὰν ἐπαισχυνθῇ με καὶ τοὺς ἐμοὺς λόγους ἐν τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ μοιχαλίδι καὶ ἁμαρτωλῷ, καὶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐπαισχυνθήσεται αὐτὸν ὅταν ἔλθῃ ἐν τῇ δόξῃ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ μετὰ τῶν ἀγγέλων τῶν ἁγίων. Καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι εἰσί τινες τῶν ὧδε ἑστηκότων, οἵτινες οὐ μὴ γεύσωνται θανάτου ἕως ἂν ἴδωσι τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐληλυθυῖαν ἐν δυνάμει. 4

5 Third Sunday of Lent, Veneration of the Holy Cross; Apolytikion of the Feast Σῶσον Κύριε τόν λαόν σου, καί εὐλόγησον τήν κληρονομίαν σου, νίκας τοῖς Βασιλεῦσι, κατά βαρβάρων δωρούμενος, καί τό σόν φυλάττων, διά τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου πολίτευμα. Resurrectional Apolytikion Plagal Third Κατέλυσας τῷ Σταυρῷ σου τόν θάνατον ἠνέῳξας τῷ ληστῇ τόν Παράδεισον τῶν Μυροφόρων τόν θρῆνον, μετέβαλες καί τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις κηρύττειν ἐπέταξας ὅτι ἀνέστης Χριστέ ὁ Θεός, παρέχων τῷ κόσμῳ τό μέγα ἔλεος. Apolytikion of the Church 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. Kontakion Τῇ Ὑπερμάχῳ Στρατηγῷ τά νικητήρια, ὡς λυτρωθεῖσα τῶν δεινῶν εὐχαριστήρια, ἀναγράφω Σοι ἡ πόλις Σου Θεοτόκε. Ἀλλ' ὡς ἔχουσα τό κράτος ἀπροσμάχητον, ἐκ παντοίων με κινδύνων ἐλευθέρωσον, ἵνα κράζω Σοί Χαῖρε Νύμφη ἀνύμφευτε. Save, O save, O Lord your people, and bless your inheritance, granting victory to their rulers, over the enemy; and guarding your commonwealth by the might of you cross. You vanguished death by your cross; you opened to the thief the gates of Paradise; you reversed the lament of the Myrrh-beareres; and your Apostles, to preach you commended them; because you rose, O Christ our God, thus granting your great mercy to all the world. To-day is the crown of our Salvation and the manifestation of the Eternal Mystery. The Son of God becometh the son of the Virgin, and Gabriel announceth the good tidings of grace. Wherefore let us also with him cry to the Mother of God: Hail! Thou that art full of grace; the Lord is with thee. Your city sings to you a song of victory, and offers thanks to its defender and deliverer, for having spear it from trials, O Theotokos. But because you have the power invincible, from a multitude of dangers liberate us; that we may cry to you: Hail bride who knew no bridegroom. 5

6 SS Students remain in the church following Holy Communion. Following the Divine Liturgy join us for coffee and fellowship in our church social hall. Τα παιδιά του κατηχητικού σχολείου να μηνούν στην εκκλησιά μετά την Θεία Κοινωνία Ώρα καφές δίνεται στην μικρή αίθουσα της εκκλησίας Orthodox Christian Stewardship is a way of life, which acknowledges accountability, reverence, and responsibility before God. A primary goal of Stewardship is to promote spiritual growth and strengthen faith. Becoming a Steward begins when we believe in God, to whom we give our love, loyalty and trust and act on those beliefs. As Stewards, we affirm that every aspect of our lives comes as a gift from Him. Stewardship calls on the faithful to cheerfully offer back to God a portion of the gifts with which they have been blessed. You can pay your stewardship contributions with a credit card payment. It s easy to download the easytithe app on your smart phone create an account with the Annunciation. TIME WORSHIP All Sunday Services begin 8:30AM Orthros / 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy ************* Κάθε Κυριακή 8:30 π.μ. Όρθρος 9:30 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία This Week Monday, March 12th Greek School Lessons 5:30pm Great Compline 6:00 p.m. Tues., and Wed. March 13th & 14th Festival 9-3 am pre-preparation Thurs., March 15th Greek School Pre-sanctified Liturgy 6:00 p.m. followed by a Lenten meal Fri., March 16th 4th Salutations to the Theotokos 7pm Friday March 16th - 18th GOYA Spring Retreat Sun., March 18th Sunday of St. John Climacus Memorials: 40 Day Eleni Karadimas 3 Month John Karadimas 1 Year Nicholas Paparizos 1 Year Hlias Tsolakis 1 Year Demetrios Sioulas Trisagio: Georgios Varlamos, Diamantis Markella Georgiou Farmaka Coffee/Memorials If you would like to Sponsor a Sunday or donate Coffee Hour Please call the church office Memorial Tray If you would like to order a tray of Koliva please contact: Vivian Kyriazis or Angie Tsigas

7 RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP WHATEVER YOU DO, WORK AT IT WITH ALL YOUR HEART AS WORKING FOR THE LORD, NOT MEN. (COLOSSIANS 3:23) STEWARDS IN ACTION! The most sacred part of the Divine Liturgy is called The Holy Anaphora. The name, Anaphora is given because it refers to the prepared Gifts offered by the celebrant for consecration. During the Anaphora the Holy Spirit is invoked to change the elements of bread and wine into the precious and holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. In addition to the invocation of the Holy Spirit, the Anaphora includes the Consecration of the Holy Gifts, the thanksgiving prayers, the Lord s Prayer, and the distribution of the Holy Eucharist to the faithful. During the Divine Liturgy there is active interaction that is offered between the Priest and the congregation. The words offered by the Priest are completed by the faithful who offer their response. While the chanters/choir has accepted the sacred responsibility to offer the appropriate responses, the entire congregation is encouraged to sing along with them. Our Christian Stewardship finds its meaning during the Holy Anaphora. Christian Orthodox Stewardship is the means by which we receive and glorify our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ. We receive Him in the Gift that He offers us, the Holy Eucharist and we glorify Him through the gift that He gives us, our Life! In Christian Orthodox Stewardship we offer daily thanks to the Lord for all that He gives us: our health, families, jobs, education, etc. We can thank our Lord when we attentively and actively participate in the Stewardship of the Church. We should always be developing our understanding so as to become better stewards of our Time, Talents and Treasures. What is needed for us to understand the sacred word that Christian Orthodox Stewardship expects? The answer is found in one of the verses offered by the Priest for the People of God who attend the Divine Liturgy. The Priest exclaims: Let us lift up our hearts! And the People respond: We lift them up to the Lord! 7

8 Lifting our hearts to the Lord requires more than just believing: it requires conviction! We must consider that a Christian may not have let Christ truly reign in his heart. To have life in Christ involves growth. Various persons are at various stages in their life. People are different, with different experiences and different experiences and different spiritual struggles. But the same Spirit is given to all. The same Lords is Lord of all. Christian love does not permit comparisons, self-righteousness, and elitism. What is important is to hold on to the Orthodox Christian Faith, to share fully in the life of the Church, and to continue to grow in the new life granted to us by God, each according one s gifts and capacities. Christian Orthodox Stewardship is all about spiritual renewal in Christ. He must be the Center of the Church and the believer. As we prayer the Liturgy, we must commit ourselves and each other and our whole life to Christ our God, entrusting ourselves to Him and placing our lives in His hands. It is within one s heart, at the core of our being, where thoughts and feelings are born, where motivations and decisions have their root, we must trust Christ. In this trust, we must let Him rule so that all we think, say, and do is according to His Love, not according to our self-will. When we ask Him to come into our hearts, a personal relationship develops between Christ and the believer, as real as that between two good friends or a husband and wife. Stewardship is the deeper experience and knowledge of Christ Himself. As the Fathers of the Church teach: For the believer Christ is all So for the Steward, Christ is all! God bestows each moment of our lives with so many good things. He is the One blessing us with everything we enjoy in this life and they have been given by Him so that we might fulfill our obligations of praise and glory to Him with all out heart. In whatever work we do, we are called to give glory to God for the abilities and opportunities he provides. Wee do this by caring for the work we do, applying our God-given abilities to our work, and by respecting the responsibilities with which we have been entrusted. We do our best and give the glory to God. LETS MAKE 2018 THE YEAR WE MEET ALL OF OUR STEWARDSHIP GOALS 8

9 The Stewardship Committee would like to thank everyone who submitted their pledge cards for Listed below are the pledged cards we have received. If you have not done so yet, please send in your pledge card to the church office. Extra cards are available at the Pangari (Candle Stand). I can do all things in Him Who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13) Alex, George & Becky Alex, Stefo & Loula Alexandrou, Angie Allison, John & Nancy Ameres, Kostas & Markia Anagnostos, Athanasios & Linsey Antonaklas, Steve & Evangelia Arabian, Allen & Agnes Baker, John & Vicky Bibidakis, Evangelos & Eftychia Boukis, Constantine Boukis, Gary & Mary Boyeas, Mike & Christine Bozas, Pete & Maria Ciolfi, Maria Coutris, Stephen & Penelope Croff, Maro Dallas, Maria Davis, Lambrini Del Vecchio, Giuseppe & Angela Demopoulos, William Diamantis, Arygro Dimarhos, Sofia Dimon, Dean & Presvytera Efpraxias, Georgio Ermidis, Christina Ermidis, Emmanuel & Marina Ermidis, John & Yulia Ermidis, Venizelos & Bessie Fourtounis, Emmanuel & Marika Fourtounis, Mark Ganotis, Dimitrios & Aphrodite Geanneses, Antoinette Gountis, Vasilios & Audolina Griveas, Peggy Gromek, Stanley & Angie Harris, Despina Hatzis, Kiki Hlepas, James & Kathy Hliatzos, Peter & Katina Kafantaris, George & Sophia Kalevakis, George & Vicki Kalevakis, Mike & Dora Kamenos, Stella Kanaris, Anna Kanaris, Nick & Artie Kanis, Gus & Vaso Kantzios, George & Eleni Kapolis, Thanos & Anthie Karadaglis, Elias & Eleni Karadimas, Chris & Vivian Karadimas, George Karadimas, John & Linda Karakostas, Konstantinos & Lisa Karakoudas, Eleni Karavokirakis, Dimitra Karavokirakis, Gramatiki Karnavas, Sophia Karras, Adam & Jackie Karras, John A. & Ismini Katakos, Cynthia Katsantonis, George & Sandra Keating, Dale & Helen Kefalos, Panayiotis & Fotini Klonaris, Joanne Kolidakis, Nikitas & Alessandra Konstantinos, Nikolaos & Vasiliki Kontos, Spiros & Areti Kopasakis, John Kosmas, Christos & Chryssa Kostakis, Tom & Eleni Kotsanis, Nicholas & Christina Koukouras, Nikolaos & Evangelia Koukouvitakis, Stratis & Argiro Kowalsick, Ruby Kutrubs, Nick Kyriazis, Dimitri Makris, Bessie A. Makroglou, Thal & Lisa Manak, Michael Maroulis, Paraskevas & Cassandra Marountas, George & Agnieska Marountas, Nck & Denna Matheou, Demetrios & Lillian Matheou, Georgia Mathews, James & Mary Mathiellis, Paul & Carol Mavrakis, Bill & Zoe Ευχαριστούμε όλους που επέστρεψαν τις κάρτες των οικονομικών εύφορων (stewardship) Εάν δεν τα έχετε στείλει σας παρακαλούμε να τα στείλετε η να τα δώσετε στην εκκλησία για το Η κάρτες βρίσκονται στο Παγκάρι Mavrakis, Lefteris & Kleoniki McDonald, James & Anastasia Mitsionis, Athanasios Moshos, Shawn Moulagianis, Vasalios & Stamatia Nickas, Vasiliki Nimorakiotakis, George & Maria Nimorakiotakis, Nick & Antigoni Paliobeis, Irini Pantelatou, Sophia Papadakis, Adamandios & Despina Papadatos, Pavlos &Toula Papadopoulos, Alex Papakonstantinou, Fotios & Spyroulla Pappas, Georgia Pappas, William & Susan Paul, Barbara Petratos, Kosmas & Panagiota Petsas, Demetra Petsas, Dimitri & Deanna Pikakos, Mary Plataniotis, Eleni Plataniotis, Nick & Elisavet Regas, Alex & Thea Regas, George & Soula Regas, Strates Riedel, Joseph & Popi Roff, Jeff & Irene Rokas, Efthihia Sack, David & Katherine Salamalekis, Evangelos Salamalekis, Gus & Kristen Salloumis, Paul Salouros, Paul & Maria Sarantopoulos, Athanasios & Despina Saridakis, Frank & Anastasia Sboukis, Peter Scordos, John & Irene Semertsidis, Niko & Despina Sevastos, Gust & Jane Sheely, Christopher & Panagiota Shinas, Dean J. Siakantaris, Stella Sisamis, John G. & Irene Skoutas, Mike & Ellie Smith, Robert & Eugenia Spano, John Spillas, Christ & Dorothy Stefanopoulos, Sokratis & Ourania Stefou, Antonios & Stella Tasiouras, Evanthia Thanos, Athanasios & Anna Theodore, Neste & Artemis Trihas, John A. & Suzanne Tsambounieris, Manoli & Sofia Tsambunieris, Vasilis & Sophia Tsardoulias, Aris & Stella Tsardoulias, Elizabeth Tsardoulias, John & Kurannio Tsiourtsiouris, Maria Tsirambidis, Tim & Julie Valsamidis, Chris & Eleni Vangelos, Zenos & Julie Vaselakis, John & Kiki Vassilakis, Freda Vassilakis, George & Irene Vassilaras, Plousia Velkos, Joseph & Maria Velkos, Nick & Irene Vianos, John & Diamanto Vianos, Nicholas & Eleni Vitakis, Helen Voiklis, Emmanuel & Janet Vourlis, Antonetta Walsh, Edward & Calliope M Whitlock, Marie & Adrian Young, Kevin Zeleniuch, Christina Zeleniuch, Mary Ellen Zembillas, Antoni & Mikhaila If we have mistakenly left your name off the STEWARDSHIP ROSTER, Please contact the Church Office. 9

10 Rev. Fr. Dean J. Dimon The Parish Council of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Request the honor of your presence at Annunciation Feast Day Celebration Saturday, March 24, 2018 The Greek Independence Day Parade Doxology 12:00 p.m. The Parade will begin at 1:00 p.m. (No festivities will follow the parade) A group photograph will be taken on the front steps of the church Great Vespers Artoklasia - 7:00 p.m. Followed by coffee & fellowship in our church banquet hall Sunday, March 25, 2018 Orthros 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy Artoklasia 9:30 a.m. Following the Divine Liturgy join us for a Fish Plaki Luncheon sponsored by the Ladies of Philoptochos $15 Adults and $5 Children RSVP: Despina Sarantopoulou: Jane Sevastos: or Church office If you would like to donate the flowers that adorn the icon of the Feast Day of the Annunciation in Loving Memory of your loved one or for the Good Health of your family. Please call the church office. Όσοι θέλουν να στολίσουν την εικόνα του Ευαγγελισμού της Παναγίας για την 25 Μαρτίου για υπέρ υγείας της οικογένειας τους η προς συγχώρεση των αγαπημένων τους που έφυγαν, να ενημερώσουν το γραφείο της Εκκλησίας στο τηλέφωνο και να στείλουν την δωρεά τους για τα λουλούδια. 10

11 It is the practice of our Church to give the name of a Saint to the new born child. By assuming the name of a Saint, we not only honor and express our gratitude to a Holy Person for his exceptional contribution to the Orthodox Faith, but provide the new Christian with an example worthy of emulation. The Saint then becomes the Patron of the child protecting it from all danger. Through his prayers, God will grant the child the necessary illumination to become a zealous member of the Church and an ardent follower of Christ. If by chance we accidentally miss someone's nameday, we ask that you please contact the Church Office so that we may correct our records. We extend our prayers to all those celebrating March Namedays and beseech our heavenly Father to grant them many years.! Χρόνια Πολλά! March 4th St. Gregory Gregory Blake Gregory Giarikos Gregory Glaros Gregory Harrison Gregory Likakis Gregory Michaels Gregory Sdrakas Gregory Sisamis March 17th St. Alexios Alex Asser Alex Papadopoulos Alex Kostakis Alexander Christopher Bodle Alexander Del Vecchio Alexander Kostakis Alexandra Karadimas Alexandra Marountas Alexandra Pappas Alexandria Papadopoulos Alexandros Filipou Alexandros Glista Alexandros Nalmpantis Alexandros Regas Alexandros Velkos Alexia Juliette Rokas Alexia Maria Skantzos Alexia Chacalos Alexia McCammon Alexis Ann Anagnostos March 18th Edward the Martyr Edward Difiore III Edward Erwin Edward Walsh March 19th St. Christodoulos the Righteous Chrysanthe Houchens March 25th The Annunciation Evagelia Filippou Evagelia Tsigas EvageliaTsigas Evangelia Eleni Alex Evangelia Fotini Kotsanis Evangelia Ameres Evangelia Antonaklas Evangelia Kontos Evangelia Koukouras Evangelia Palaios Evangelia Julie Tsirambidis Evangelia Tsambounieris Evangelos Bibidakis Evangelos Finitsas Evangelos Konstas Evangelos Salamalekis Evangelos Sevastos Evangelos Tsambunieris 11

12 MAKING OF THE PALM CROSSES Friday, March 30, 2018 at 5:30 pm Everyone is invited to come and join in the making of Palm Crosses in the church lower level social hall. Παρασκευή 30, Μαρτίου στις 5:30μμ Θα ετοιμάσουμε σταυρούς για την ημέρα των Βαΐων. Παρακαλούμε να έλθετε γιατί χρειαζόμαστε την βοήθεια σας. Please join us following the Divine Liturgy in the Church Banquet Hall. *Fish Plaki, Rice Pilaf, Vegetables, Salad and Dessert Adults $15 Pasta with Marinara Children (under 12 years of age) $5 Please call the Church office: To make your reservation 1 Απριλίου Όρθρος 8:30πμ Θεία Λειτουργία 9:30πμ Γεύμα από το Κοινοτικό Συμβούλιο Ψάρι Πλακί $15 το άτομο παιδιά (κάτω των 12 ετών) $5 επικοινωνήσετε με το γραφείο της εκκλησίας η με το Συμβούλιο 12

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14 THE SECOND SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT ST. GEREGORY PALAMAS MEDITATION FOR THE WEEK In this time of fasting and prayer, brethren, let us with all our hearts forgive anything real or imaginary we have with anyone. May we all devote ourselves to love, and let us consider one another as an incentive to love and good works, speaking in defense of one another, having good thoughts and dispositions within us before God and men. In this way our fasting will be laudable and blameless, and our requests to God while we fast will be readily received. St. Gregory Palamas, excerpt from Homily seven: On Fasting On this Second Sunday of Great Lent, the Orthodox Church commemorates St. Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessaloniki in the 14th century. He is considered one of the greatest Fathers of the Orthodox Church and was a staunch defender of the faith and a man of prayer who was given a special grace to be able to describe his mystical experience in a way that others could understand. St. Gregory said that we as human beings could know God, not only through the intellect alone, but also and more importantly through our hearts, and thus could experience God, as He reveals Himself to us. St. Gregory was talking about some abstract theological concept, but about the reality of God s grace which he had experienced himself. This is why our Church gives us the tools of prayer, fasting, charity and repentance especially prayer, because we can experience God through prayer. We are encouraged to pray without ceasing. And St. Gregory tells us, Do you see, my brethren, that it is the duty of all Christians, small and great, always to practice the mental prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me! So that their mind and heart my acquire the habit of always uttering those holy words. Now as we begin the third week of Great Lent, may we see that we are going to have to work a little harder to overcome our laziness and selfishness. I urge you to not be discouraged, but to renew your dedication of prayer because through prayer and fasting, repentance and forgiveness we can indeed know God and love Him. 14

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16 If you would like to order Tsourekia $8 each and Koulouria $5 for Pascha please call Spyroulla Papakonstantinou Η Κοινότητά μας ετοιμάζει Πασχαλινά τσουρέκια$8 και κουλούρια $5. Για παραγγελίες τηλεφωνήσετε στην Σπυρούλα Παπακωνσταντίνου EASTER LAMBADES SALE One of a kind, handmade Easter Lambades made by Vivian Kyriazis are available every Sunday. The perfect gift for the children in your family. Godparents can purchase for their Godchild. Please see Vivian following the Divine Liturgy FESTIVAL Pre-preparation for our 2018 Festival food items will begin on Tuesday, February 6th and Wednesday February 7th from 9:00am-3pm. We will stick to this Tuesday and Wednesday Schedule going forward, except for Holy Week. We look forward to seeing you there! Sincerely, Aphrodite Ganotis and Irene Roff. Προετοιμασίες για τα φαγητά του φεστιβάλ θα αρχίσουν Τρίτη 6, Φεβρουαρίου και, Φεβρουαρίου από τις 9πμ μέχρι 3μμ. Σας παρακαλούμε ελάτε να βοηθήσετε! Χαιρετίσματα 2018 φεστιβαλ Επιτροπή 16

17 Για την δόξα του Κυρίου και εις μνήμην των α γ α π η μ έ ν ω ν σ α ς προσώπων, οι δωρεές σας ε ί να ι μια έ κφραση αγάπης, πίστης και εκτίμησης προς τον Χριστό ο οποίος έδωσε την ζωή Του, ώστε ε- μείς να λάβουμε την αιώνιον ζωή. Παρακαλούμε επικοινωνήσετε με τα μέλη του Συμβουλίου ή με το γραφείο της εκκλησίας για τις χρηματικές σας προσφορές, για τα λουλούδια του Πάσχα η για τα κάτωθι αντικείμενα. Lenten flowers Please help defray the cost & expense of Lenten & Easter Flowers enjoyed by all Stewards of the Annunciation during Pascha Season. Please look for flower offering envelopes in your packets or at the Pangari. All donations are tax deductible Weather used for a Lenten icon, Easter flowers, or the Beautiful Kouvoulion Project, funds are dedicated to the beautification of our Church Parish, satisfying any flower needs as they arise. We thank you for your generosity! Please see a Parish Council Member or call the Church office if you would like to donate any of the following items, or any monetary donations towards the flowers for the Epitaphio. Κυριακή των βαΐων Φοίνικες και διακοσμήσεις Εικόνα (Κυριακή των Βαΐων) Κυριακή των Βαΐων εικόνα Νυμφίου Μεγάλη Τετάρτη Μεγάλη Τετάρτη-Εικόνα Μυστικός Δείπνος λουλούδια Μεγάλη Πέμπτη Λουλούδια για το στεφάνη του σταυρού Μεγάλη ΠΑΡΑΣΚΕΥΗ Λουλούδια Επιταφίου Πέταλα λουλούδια για τις μυροφόρες Μύρο για την Μ. Παρασκευή ΜΕΓΑΛΟ ΣΑΒΒΑΤΟ / ΠΑΣΧΑ Φύλλα δάφνης και ροδοπέταλα (2) Εικόνες Ανάστασης με λουλούδια Λαμπάδα Πασχαλινά λουλούδια PALM SUNDAY Palms and decorations Icon (Palm Sunday) floral PALM SUNDAY EVENING TO HOLY WEDNESDAY EVENING Nymphios (Bridegroom) Icon floral arrangement Holy Wednesday Mystical Supper Icon floral arrangement. HOLY THURSDAY Icon (Crucifixion) floral arrangement HOLY FRIDAY Epitaphio flowers Rose petals for the Mirophori (Little Girls) Rhandisterion Myrrh Container Sprinkler for Holy Friday HOLY SATURDAY/PASCHA Bay Leaves and Rose Petals Icon (Resurrection) floral arrangement Icon in Narthex (Resurrection) floral arrangement Paschal Candle Easter Lilies 17

18 HOLY WEEK 2018 SCHEDULE OF SERVICES Bring your Holy Week Prayer Book to these services so that you may participate fully. If you do not have a Holy Week Prayer Book, please see a member of Parish Council to purchase one at the Pangari. Saturday of Lazarus, March 31st Divine Liturgy 9:30 am Palm Sunday, April 1st Orthros 8:30 am Divine Liturgy 9:30am Palm Sunday Evening, April 9th Service of Nymphios 7:00 p.m. Holy Monday, April 2nd Service of Nymphios 7:00 p.m. Holy Tuesday, April 3rd Service of Nymphios 7:00 p.m. Holy Wednesday, April 4th Liturgy of Pre-Sanctified Gifts 9:30 a.m Service of Holy Unction,Efchaileon4:00 p.m. Service of Holy Thursday Matins Sung on Holy Wednesday Evening at 6:30 pm Holy Thursday, April 5th Communion 7:00a.m. ~ 8:30 a.m. Vesper Liturgy of St. Basil 9:00a.m. The Holy Passion of our Lord The Reading of the Twelve Gospels 7:00 p.m. Holy & Great Friday, April 6th Hours of the Holy Passion 9:00 a.m. Apokathelosis 3:00 p.m. Lamentations 7:00 p.m. Holy Saturday, April 7th Communion 7:00 a.m. ~ 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy of St. Basil 9:00 a.m. Orthros of the Resurrection 11:00 p.m. Liturgy 12 am Great and Holy Pascha, April 8th Agape Service 12:00 p.m. Μεγάλη Εβδομάδα 2018 Φέρετε το Βιβλίο της Μεγάλης Εβδομάδας για να παρακολουθήσετε τις ακολουθίες από το βιβλίο σας. Θα υπάρχουν διαθέσιμα βιβλία αντί μικρού αντίτιμου στο παγκάρι Σάββατο του Λαζάρου, 31 Μαρτίου Θεία Λειτουργία 9:30 π.μ. Κυριακή των Βαΐων 1 Απριλίου Όρθρος 8:30 π.μ.. Θεια Λειτ. 9:30πμ Βαΐων το βράδυ της Κυριακής του Νυμφίου 7:00μ.μ. Μεγάλη Δευτέρα, 2 Απριλίου Ακολουθία Νυμφίου 7:00μ.μ. Μεγάλη Τρίτη 3 Απριλίου Ακολουθία Νυμφίου 7:00μμ Μεγάλη Τετάρτη 4 Απριλίου Προηγ. Λειτουργία 9:00 πμ. 4:00 μμ Τό Ἱερό Μυστήριο τοῦ Εὐχελαίου 6:30 μμ Ἡ Ἱερά Ἀκολουθία τοῦ Νιπτῆρος (Ὁ Όρθρος της Αγίας και Μεγάλης Πέμπτης) Μεγάλη Πέμπτη 5 Απριλίου Θ. Κοινωνία 7:00-8:30πμ Εσπερινός Θεία Λειτ. Αγίου Βασιλείου 9:00πμ Άγια Πάθη, και τα 12 Ευαγγέλια 7:00 μμ. Μεγάλη Παρασκευή 6 Απριλίου Βασιλική Ώρα 9:00 πμ. Αποκαθήλωσης 3:00 μμ. Εγκώμια και Περιφορά του Επιταφίου 7:00 μμ. Μεγάλο Σάββατο 7 Απριλίου Θ. Κοινωνία 7:00-8:30πμ Εσπερινός μετά Θεία Λειτ. Αγ. Βασιλείου 9:00 π.μ.. Παννυχίδα 11:00 μμ. Αναστασιμ. Λειτ. Εσπερινός Αγάπης 8 Απριλίου 12:00 μ.μ. CONFESSIONS/ ΕΞΟΜΟΛΟΓΗΣΗΣ Fr. Dean will be available for confessions either before or after scheduled Holy Week Services. Please contact Fr. Dean directly the church office to schedule an appointment. Ο πατήρ Κωνσταντίνος θα είναι διαθέσιμος για εξομολογήσεις πριν η μετά τις Ακολουθίες της Μεγάλης Εβδομάδος. Παρακαλούμε επικοινωνήσετε κατ ευθείαν μαζί του η με το γραφείο της εκκλησίας. 18

19 A DAILY LENTEN PRAYER The Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian Lord and Master of my life, Take from me the spirit of laziness, idle curiosity, vain talk and lust for power. Give me instead a spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love. Yes Lord and King, help me to see my own faults, and keep me from judging what others do. Let my prayer rise as Incense, before You... And the lifting up of my hands, as an evening sacrifice. Lenten Pre-Sanctified Liturgy Thursday, March 15th at 6:00 p.m. Lenten Pre-Sanctified Liturgy. All are invited to join in prayer as we continue our journey of Great and Holy Lent. For You are blessed unto the ages of ages. Amen. Eυχή του Αγίου Έφραίμ του Σύρου Κύριε καὶ Δέσποτα τῆς ζωῆς μου, πνεῦμα ἀργίας, περιεργείας, φιλαρχίας καὶ ἀργολογίας μή μοι δῷς. Πνεῦμα δὲ σωφροσύνης, ταπεινοφροσύνης, ὑπομονῆς καὶ ἀγάπης, χάρισαί μοι τῷ σῷ δούλῳ. Ναί, Κύριε Βασιλεῦ, δώρησαί μοι τοῦ ὁρᾶν τὰ ἐμὰ πταίσματα, καὶ μὴ κατακρίνειν τὸν ἀδελφόν μου, ὅτι εὐλογητὸς εἶ, εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν Salutations to the Theotokos 16th and the Akathist Hymn March 23rd at 7:00 PM ΧΑΙΡΕΤΙΣΜΟΙ Παρασκευή, 16 Μαρτίου, και Ακάθιστος Ύμνος 23 Μαρτίου στις 7 μμ. Όσοι επιθυμήτε να προσφέρετε τις δωρεές σας για τα λουλούδια για την εικόνα της Παναγίας παρακαλούμε καλέστε το γραφείο της εκκλησίας The floral decorations that adorned the Panagia s icon during the Salutations to The Theotokos are generously donated. Please contact the church office if you would like to make a donation. 19

20 Altar Boy Schedule TEAM A TEAM A TEAM B TEAM B Anastasios Ermidis Panagiotis Ermidis Simon Skoutas Athanasios Kotsanis Demetri Anagnostos Kosta Kafantaris Victor Kafantaris Dimitri Genin Constantine Kotsanis Dimitri Rousakis George Sisamis Nikolaos Anagnostos Georgio Almiroudis March 11 March 25 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 Yiannis Tsambounieris March 4 March 18 March 31 The following service are open to any altar boy who wants to serve: March 16th 4th Salutation to the Theotokos 7:00 p.m. March 23rd Akathist Hymn 7p.m. March 24th March 31st April 1st Great Vespers of the Feast Annunciation 7 p.m. Lazarus Saturday Palm Sunday Please join us for this beautiful Lenten and Paschal season in the Choir Loft! New members are always needed and welcomed. If you have had even a little choral experience, we d love to have you with us. And, if you simply love to sing the beautiful hymns of our church, then you are already one of us! If you are thinking of joining the choir, then this is the best time to do so in time to sing the beautiful hymns of Lent, Holy Week and Pascha. Learning to sing with others is a skill that makes the experience all the more rewarding. While the ability to read music is helpful, it is not required we will teach you everything you need to know. And you will learn more about your faith through the hymns that we chant. Contact Fr. Dean or Mary Ellen for more information 20

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22 Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Event/Liturgy Calendar 2018 All Sunday & Week Day 8:30 AM Orthros / 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy March 2018 Sun. 11 Sunday of the Holy Cross Veneration of the Holy Cross Sunday School SS Students remain in the church following Holy Communion. Mon. 12 Great Compline 6:00 p.m. Thurs. 15 Pre Sanctified Liturgy 6pm 16th - 18th Metropolis GOYA SPRING RETREAT Fri. 16 4th Salutation to the Theotokos Fish Fry Sun. 18 Sunday of St. John Climacus Mon. 19 Great Compline 6:00 p.m. Wed. 21 Pre Sanctified Liturgy 6pm Fri. 23 Salutation to the Theotokos (Akathistos Hymnos) Fish Fry Sat. 24 Great Vespers of the Annunciation 7p.m. followed by Philoptochos Loukoumades Sun. 25 Feast Day of the Annunciation Philoptochos Luncheon Greek School Independence Program Mon. 26 Great Compline 6:00 pm Wed. 28 Pre Sanctified Liturgy 6 pm Fri. 30 Preparation of the Palms 5:30 p.m. followed by a GOYA Lenten Meal Final Fish Fry Sat. 31 Saturday Lazarus April 2018 GREEK SCHOOL RECESS April 2nd - April 11th (Classes Resume April 12th) Sun. 1 Palm Sunday Bridegroom Service 7pm Mon. 2 Holy Monday Bridegroom Service 7pm Tues. 3 Holy Tuesday Bridegroom Service 7pm Wed. 4 Holy Wednesday: Liturgy of Pre-Sanctified Gifts 9:00 a.m. Service of Holy unction, Efchaileon 4:00 p.m. Service of Holy Thursday Matins/Efchaileon Thurs. 5 Vesper Liturgy of St. Basil 9:00 a.m. The Holy Passion of our Lord the Reading of the Twelve Gospels Fri. 6 Holy & Great Friday Royal Hours of the Holy Passion 9:00 a.m. Youth Ministries Retreat 12:00 p.m. Apokathelosis 3:00 p.m. Lamentations 7:00 p.m. 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: 22

23 Dear Friends of the Community, In an effort to defray the cost of publishing our Weekly Bulletin, & Vision, the Parish Council would like to invite anyone who wishes to support the Community to offer a small donation of $ for a business card sized ad which will be placed on the back inside pages of each publication for the calendar year, We generally publish a Weekly Bulletin as well as a Quarterly Newsletter, and with this program, hope to cut our publication cost in half by gathering 36 ads which will take up the last four pages of the Vision & Bulletin. If you are interested in this program, please send a business card that we will reproduce. Please also enclose a check made out to The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church for $

24 Dear Friends of the Community, In an effort to defray the cost of publishing our Weekly Bulletin, & Vision, the Parish Council would like to invite anyone who wishes to support the Community to offer a small donation of $ for a business card sized ad which will be placed on the back inside pages of each publication for the calendar year, We generally publish a Weekly Bulletin as well as a Quarterly Newsletter, and with this program, hope to cut our publication cost in half by gathering 36 ads which will take up the last four pages of the Vision & Bulletin. If you are interested in this program, please send a business card that we will reproduce. Please also enclose a check made out to The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church for $ office@annunciationcleveland.net HARSOULAS GARAGE DOORS Service & Installation Garage Doors & Openers Saki Harsoulas