ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

Transcript

1 ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH Monthly Bulletin JULY/AUGUST 2018 Inside this issue: Father Michael A. Kouremetis Calendar Donations/Sacraments Parish News President s Corner Philoptochos News The Transfiguration of Our Lord Youth News Church Services Sunday Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:45am Weekdays Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am 8:30 9:45 9:00 10:00 The Dormition of the Theotokos

2 Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Reverend Protopresbyter Michael A. Kouremetis George Stavropoulos, Chanter Choir Director Ona Calogrias, Organist PARISH COUNCIL Executive Board Nicholas Babanikas, President George Panagoulopoulos, 1st Vice President Administration William Alexopoulos, 2nd Vice President Maintenance Joanna Stellakis, Secretary Stephanie Calogrias, Treasurer Gianna Tiliakos, Assistant Treasurer Members of the Board Konstantina Boutas Dino Constantinou Ted Ntakoulas Nick Palantzas Leon Papadopoulos Stephen Passias Ilias Potsis Themi Stamboulidis Adamandios Zouroulidis PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY Executive Board Liz Karolemeas, President Despina Papadopoulos, Vice President Tulla Giannaros, 2nd Vice President Ethel Savas, Recording Secretary Stella Coutsoumbas Beal, Corresponding Secretary Aliki Sarantopoulos, Treasurer Eleni Stamboulidis, Assistant Treasurer Pegi Cuilla, Advisor Members of the Board Erlinda Anthony Georgia Babanikas Haido Barbas Tina Boutas Anna Manos Chris Potsis Lori Stasiewski Fr. Michael Kouremetis Liz Karolemeas S Cell phone: OTHER MINISTRIES Sunday School Julia Constantinou Phyllis Westcott Greek School Ioanna Andreopoulou Tina Boutas GOYA Jon Buterbaugh Stefania Calogrias Gianna Tiliakos JOY & HOPE Barbara Mantalos Gianna Tiliakos OPA! Group Pegi Ciulla Koliva Ladies Philoptochos Coffee Hour Georgia Babanikas Tina Boutas Shut-In Visitations Ladies Philoptochos Basketball Stephen Passias Dance Group Jon & Penny Buterbaugh Oratorical Festival Rhoda Economos Bookstore Pegi Ciulla Linda Sakelaris Poole Stephen Savas Joanna Stellakis Webmaster George Theodossiou

3 FROM FATHER MICHAEL The Feast of the Kimisis of the Theotokos My Beloved In Christ, On August 15 th the Churches of the Orthodox World are filled with faithful Christians that celebrate the Feast of the Kimisis of the Theotokos. You might ask why are so many drawn to church on that day? I offer you this. When we are in need of prayers, strength, guidance or help for various reasons we immediately turn to the Holy Theotokos. Like a caring and loving mother the Theotokos listens to our prayers and unconditionally intervenes to Her Son for us. We have an extraordinary bond with the Holy Mother. We are comforted in knowing that the Panagia understands us and is always there for us. She comforts and understands us in the same way that mothers comfort and care for there own children. The Panagia bore God in the flesh and is the mother of all the faithful. By being the birth giver of the Savior She has become the Bridge Between Heaven and Earth. The bridge, which is our connection to the Heaven as we hear, chanted during the Salutation Services of Great Lent. The Feast commemorates the Falling Asleep and Glorification of the Theotokos. Our Orthodox Church teaches us that the Theotokos is taken up to the Heavens in the fullness of her Spiritual and bodily presence. As with the Feasts of the Birth of the Virgin and her Entrance into the Temple there are no biblical or historical sources for these Feasts. The Orthodox Church teaches us that the Theotokos reposed or Fell Asleep as all humanity does. The Feast of the Kimisis is the celebration of the truth that all humanity is highly exalted in the blessedness of Christ s victory over death and that this adoration has also been accomplished in the Holy Theotokos. We must highlight that in every celebration of the Theotokos the Orthodox Christian celebrates their Life in Christ through the Holy Spirit. What takes place to the Holy Theotokos happens to all who imitate Her holy life of humility, obedience, and love. In this sense everything that is praised and glorified in Mary is a sign of what is offered to us all, through life of the Church. We can become temples of the living God and share in the eternal life of His Kingdom when we strive, to do the best of our ability, to live the life that the Holy Theotokos lived. To all who celebrate their Name Day Feast on this great and Holy Day may God Grant you many years. May the Holy Mother of God intercede to Her Son and God for our salvation and protect us all. In His Love, Father Michael

4 GREEK MESSAGE Απλα και Ορθοδοξα Η Κοιμηση Της Θεοτοκου, 15 Αυγούστου Εορτάζουμε την Κοίμηση της Υπεραγίας Θεοτόκου και πανηγυρίζουμε την μετάστασή της από τα επίγεια στα επουράνια. Δεν θρηνούμε, γιατί το τέλος της επίγειας ζωής της δεν ήταν θάνατος αλλά πέρασμα, σώμα και ψυχή, στην όντως ζωή. Η Παναγία είναι ο πρώτος και ο μόνος άνθρωπος που γεύτηκε την κοινή Ανάσταση και την χαρά του Παραδείσου γι αυτό στις τοιχογραφίες που κοσμούν τον δυτικό τοίχο των βυζαντινών εκκλησιών και αναπαριστούν τη Δευτέρα Παρουσία, τη βλέπουμε να κάθεται μέσα στον Παράδεισο, ενώ οι απόστολοι και οι άγιοι βρίσκονται έξω και περιμένουν τον αρχάγγελο, που φυλά τη θύρα, να απομακρύνει το σπαθί του. Το αποστολικό ανάγνωσμα της σημερινής εορτής προβάλλει δύο στοιχεία το θεανθρώπου Ιησού Χριστού, την ταπεινοφροσύνη και την υπακοή στο θέλημα του Θεού, τα οποία καλούμαστε να καλλιεργούμε όλοι μας. Αυτές είναι και οι πρωταρχικές αρετές της προσωπικότητας της Υπεραγίας Θεοτόκου. Ο Χριστός, μάς λέει ο απόστολος Παύλος, παρόλο που ήταν Θεός δεν έθεσε τον εαυτό του ψηλά αλλά συνέστειλε την θεότητά του και προσέλαβε την ανθρώπινη φύση και αφού έγινε άνθρωπος ταπείνωσε τον εαυτό του κάνοντας υπακοή μέχρι θανάτου στο θέλημα του Θεού, με τη σταυρική του θυσία. Γι αυτό και ο Θεός τον ύψωσε, δηλαδή τον ανέστησε και τον δέχτηκε στους ουρανούς μαζί με την ανθρώπινη φύση του, ώστε στο όνομα και μόνο του Ιησού να γονατίζουν τα επουράνια και τα επίγεια και τα καταχθόνια ακόμα, και κάθε ανθρώπινη φωνή να ομολογεί ότι ο Ιησούς Χριστός είναι Κύριος και Θεός ομόδοξος με τον Πατέρα. «Τί λοιπόν είναι η ταπεινοφροσύνη»; αναρωτιέται ο Άγιος Ιωάννης ο Χρυσόστομος, και απαντά: «Το να φρονεί κανείς ταπεινά. Και ταπεινά φρονεί όχι εκείνος που είναι ταπεινός εξ ανάγκης αλλά αυτός που ταπεινώνει τον εαυτό του. Προσέξτε τί θέλω να πω: όταν κάποιος ταπεινοφρονεί, ενώ δύναται να σκέφτεται υπεροπτικά, αυτός είναι ταπεινόφρων όταν όμως ταπεινοφρονεί παρόλο που δεν δύναται να σκέφτεται υπεροπτικά, δεν είναι ταπεινόφρων. Αν ο βασιλιάς, για παράδειγμα, υποτάσσεται στον ύπαρχο, είναι ταπεινόφρων, γιατί κατέβηκε από το ύψος ενώ ο ύπαρχος αν κάνει το ίδιο δεν ταπεινοφρονεί. Γιατί; επειδή δεν ταπείνωσε τον εαυτό του από κάποιο ύψος. Δεν μπορεί λοιπόν να ταπεινοφρονήσει διαφορετικά, εάν δεν βρεθεί σε θέση ισχύος. Εάν πάλι υπάρχει ανάγκη να ταπεινώνεται παρά τη θέλησή του, αυτό δεν αποτελεί κατόρθωμα της φρονήσεως ούτε της βουλήσεως, αλλά της ανάγκης. Η ταπεινοφροσύνη γι αυτό ονομάζεται έτσι, επειδή είναι ταπείνωση του φρονήματος»[1]. Ας δούμε το παράδειγμα της Υπεραγίας Θεοτόκου: δεν καυχήθηκε που κατοικούσε στο ιερό και την διακονούσαν άγγελοι, ούτε για τον χαρακτήρα της και την ομορφιά της ψυχής της. Ενώπιον του αγγέλου που τής μετέφερε το μήνυμα του Ευαγγελισμού κατείχε θέση υπεροχής, κι όμως χαμήλωσε το βλέμμα, είπε «Ιδού η δούλη Κυρίου» και πρόσθεσε «γένοιτό μοι κατά το ρήμα σου». Προηγήθηκε η ταπεινοφροσύνη, για να ακολουθήσει η υπακοή. Χωρίς ταπεινοφροσύνη δεν μπορεί να υπάρξει εκούσια υποταγή, δηλαδή υπακοή στο θέλημα του Θεού. Και εάν υπάρχει ταπεινοφροσύνη, δεν μπορεί να υπάρξει καύχηση για εκείνον που υπακούει στο θέλημα του Θεού. Γι αυτό δεν υπάρχει ούτε μια στιγμή κατά την οποία η Παναγία καυχήθηκε για τη ζωή της ή για τις αρετές της. Απεναντίας, την παρουσία της συνοδεύει πάντα μια διακριτική σιωπή, η οποία οφείλεται στο ταπεινό της φρόνημα, και μία ανείπωτη καρτερία απέναντι σε κάθε δυσκολία, στενοχώρια ή συμφορά συνάντησε στη ζωή της. Γι αυτό και ο Θεός, όπως ανέστησε και δόξασε τον Κύριο Ιησού Χριστό, ανέστησε αμέσως την Υπεραγία Θεοτόκο και την στεφάνωσε και τη δόξασε πάνω από κάθε άνθρωπο. Γιατί «ὁ ταπεινῶν ἑαυτὸν ὑψωθήσεται»[2] από τον Θεό, ο οποίος ανυψώνει τους πτωχούς και ταπεινούς[3]. Ο Κύριος δοξάζει αυτούς που τον τιμούν και με ταπεινοφροσύνη εφαρμόζουν τις εντολές του όχι μόνο στην επουράνιο Βασιλεία του, αλλά τους δοξάζει συχνά και στα δικά μας μάτια και τους αναδεικνύει θαυματουργούς και αρωγούς στην κατά Θεόν ζωή μας. Γι αυτό και δεν παύουμε να παρακαλούμε την Παναγία, νύχτα και ημέρα, να μεσιτεύει στον υιό της και Κύριό μας Ιησού Χριστό για τη σωτηρία τη δική μας και του κόσμου ολόκληρου. Και δεν είναι λίγες οι φορές που επεμβαίνει θαυματουργικά στη ζωή μας με τη χάρη της και μάς σκέπει και μάς παρέχει παρηγοριά στις τρικυμίες του βίου. Ας γίνουμε κι εμείς, οι προσκυνητές της Παναγίας και πανηγυριστές της σημερινής μεγάλης εορτής, μιμητές της Υπεραγίας Θεοτόκου στην ταπεινοφροσύνη και στην υπακοή. Ας κατεβάσουμε τον εαυτό μας από το βάθρο της υψηλοφροσύνης, δηλαδή της άνευ ερείσματος υπερηφάνειας, ας αποδεχθούμε ότι είμαστε άνθρωποι αμαρτωλοί, σειόμενοι από τον άνεμο των παθών και των πειρασμών σαν την καλαμιά στον κάμπο, και με γονατιστή ψυχή ας την παρακαλέσουμε να μεσιτεύει για εμάς και να μάς σκέπει. Ας τη μιμηθούμε επίσης στην υπακοή, κάνοντας με τη σειρά μας υπακοή στη μία εντολή που μάς παρέδωσε ο Κύριος, αυτή της αγάπης προς τον Θεό και προς τον πλησίον. Και ας κάνουμε, τέλος, πράξη αυτή την εντολή με τα έργα μας, μιμούμενοι το παράδειγμα του Κυρίου μας Ιησού Χριστού, της Υπεραγίας Θεοτόκου και πάντων των αγίων. Αμήν. π. Χ.Β.

5 DONATIONS DONATIONS AS OF JUNE 15, 2018 MEMORIALS Ann Hatzis $85 Christos Liapopoulos $1,615 Christos Alexopoulos Mr. Christos P. Alex $100 Mr. & Mrs. John Demestihas $50 Mr. and Mrs. Fred Karys $50 Mr. Sanford White $50 Mrs. Georgia Giannacopoulos $50 Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Orphanos $100 Mr. and Mrs. John Conway $25 Mr. and Mrs. Tom Fucile $30 George Antniou Mrs. Sia Antoniou $100 Yiannis Davos Dr. & Mrs. Chris Constantinou $25 Lynne Rothstein & John Newlon $200 Alexandra Hasouris Mr. John Juris $25 Mrs. Penny Kazis $25 Elias Papadopoulos Penny, Andrea, Maria, Steve & Kathy Papadopoulos $100 Lucas, Chrysoul & Spyro Poulos Mrs. Maria Georgitsis $50 FLORAL DONATIONS MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT DONATIONS YTD JUNE 15th, 2018 May 26th June 5th June 6th June 19th June 20th Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Babanikas $500 Mrs. Stella Bulgaris $50 Dr. and Mrs. Dino Constantinou $100 Mr. and Mrs. Henry Huser $500 Ms. Evangeline J. Liapis $100 Mr. and Mrs. Ilias Potsis $200 Ms. Nickie Savalis $200 Mr. and Mrs. Zacchary Verros $100 SACRAMENTS BAPTISMS Sophia daughter of Marcus and Sarah Aponte Sponsor: Caitlin Howard FUNERALS Anna Hatzis Christos Liapopoulos Mihalis Llahana Voula Economos May their memory be eternal Mr. and Mrs. Sotirios Costarellos Transfiguration Icon Miss Merri Weinberg Dormition of Theotokos Icon IMO Bertha Weinberg Mr. and Mrs. Ilias Lainas Dormition of Theotokos Large Icon

6 JULY CALENDAR

7 AUGUST CALENDAR

8 2018 STEWARDS YTD JUNE 15, 2018 Aftosmes, Mrs. Anastasia Aftosmes, Mr. Steven Aftosmes, Mrs. Thalia Alexis, Mr. & Mrs. George Alexopoulos, Mrs. Georgia Alexopoulos, Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Aloupis, Mr. George Anastos, Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Anifantis-Ibrahim, Mrs. Stamatia Antoniou, Mrs. Sia Antonopoulos, Mr. Vaios Aponte, Mr. & Mrs. Marcus Babanikas, Mrs. Ekaterina Babanikas, Mr. & Mrs. Konstantinos Babanikas, Mr. & Mrs. Nick Bandis, Mr. Michael Barrus, Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Bartorelli, Mrs. Bessie Bellas, Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Besarik, Mr. & Mrs. Scott Bloumbas, Mr. George Bloumbas, Mr. & Mrs. Kostas Bokas, Mr. & Mrs. Charles Bosco, Ms. Erin Boufides, Mr. & Mrs. Nick Boutas, Mrs. Fotine Boutas, Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Bulgaris, Mrs. Stella Buterbaugh, Mr. & Mrs. Jon Buterbaugh, Mrs. Niki Coderre, Mr. & Mrs. Ferdinand Calogrias, Dr. Diana Calogrias, Mr. & Mrs. Tony Campbell, Mr. & Mrs. Richard Cariofiles, Mrs. Demetra Carpenaros, Mr. Philip Castle, Mrs. Cleo Cleary, Mrs. Elizabeth Colarusso, Mr. & Mrs. Carl Constantinou, Dr. & Mrs. Chris Constantinou, Dr. & Mrs. Dino Costarellos, Mr. & Mrs. Sotirios Costas, Mr. & Mrs. George Cotter, Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Coutsoumbos, Mr. & Mrs. Chris Covett, Mrs. Helen Covett, Miss Katherine Covett, Dr. Robert Critikos, Ms. Athena Cuilla, Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Dalkouras, Mrs. Cleo DeBaggis, Mr. & Mrs. Romolo Deeb, Mr. & Mrs. Paul Deligeorges, Mr. & Mrs. George Demetriades, Mr. & Mrs. Evangelos Demos, Mr. & Mrs. Steve Dinopoulos, Mr. & Mrs. John Dosis, Mr. & Mrs. Christos Economos, Miss Irene Economos, Miss Rhoda Ellard, Ms. Anastasia Ferguson, Mr. & Mrs. Scott Fisher, Ms. Jean Fitopoulos, Mr. Theodore Fletcher, Mrs. Diane Frangakis, Ms. Artemida Gagne, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Georgantas, Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Georgeakakis, Ms. Tina Georgeou, Mrs. Phyllis Georgitsis, Mr. & Mrs. Ari Georgitsis, Mr. & Mrs. Peter Giannaros, Mr. & Mrs. Spiros Giannaros, Mrs. Tulla Giannakoulis, Mrs. Pat Giannouloudis, Mr. Tom Gifford, Mr. & Mrs. William Gioulis, Mr. & Mrs. Nondas Ginis, Mrs. Evlambia Ginis, Mr. & Mrs. William Golas, Mrs. Vasiliki Grantsis, Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Habib, Mrs. Violet Hasouris, Mrs. Alexandra Hasouris, Mr. Philip Hatzinikolaou, Mr. & Mrs. Alex Hatzis, Mrs. Ann Holevas, Mrs. Helen Howard, Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Iosifidis, Mr. & Mrs. Antonios Jaramillo, Mr. & Mrs. Sergio Joseph, Mrs. Louise Joyce, Mrs. Katherine Juris, Mr. John Kalaitzidis, Mrs. Nitsa Kallianidis, Mr. Milton Kallis, Mrs. Nikoletta Kampanelas, Ms. Paris Kanellopoulos, Mr. & Mrs. Paul Karaliolios, Mr. & Mrs. Athanasios Karavites, Mr. Peter Kazis, Mrs. Penny Kearns, Mr. & Mrs. Mark Konstatilakis, Mr. & Mrs. Paul Korbas, Mr. & Mrs. Tom Kotopoulos, Mr. Antonios Kotopoulos, Mr. & Mrs. William Kouremetis, Fr. Michael A. & Presv. Cyndy Koutsoumbos, Ms. Sophie Kyranos & Mr. & Mrs. Christos Kyranos, Mr. & Mrs. George Kyranos, Mr. & Mrs. John Landerholm, Mrs. Stephanie Lainas, Mr. & Mrs. Ilias Lainas, Mr. & Mrs. Steve Lapsley, Ms. Sofia Liapis, Ms. Evangeline J. Liolios, Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Lingos-Huser, Mr. Henry & Mrs. Thalia Lingos-Webb, Drs. Andrew & Tania Livanis, Mr. & Mrs. Harry Lucas, Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Lymberopoulos, Mrs. Eleni Maranian, Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Mantalos, Miss Victoria Marathas, Mr. & Mrs. Paul Margaritis, Mr. & Mrs. Timoleon Mihos, Mr. & Mrs. James P Mitchell, Dr. George Mitoulis, Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrios Morosas, Mr. Christopher Nanos, Mr. & Mrs. Odesseas Nenopoulos, Mr. & Mrs. John Nickandros, Mr. & Mrs. George Nicholaides, Mr. & Mrs. Harry Nikolaou, Mr. James Nikopoulos, Mr. & Mrs. Charalampos Ntakoulas, Mr. & Mrs. Ted Odierno, Mr. & Mrs. Randy Orphanos, Mr. & Mrs. John Palantzas, Mrs. Vasiliki Paliaglou, Mr. & Mrs. Iordanis Panagoulopoulos, Mr. George Panico, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Papadogianakis, Mr. & Mrs. Konstantinos Papadopoulos, Dr. Andrea Papadopoulos, Mr. & Mrs. John

9 2018 STEWARDS YTD JUNE 15, 2018 Papadopoulos, Ms. Maria Papadopoulos, Mrs. Panagiota Papadopoulos, Mrs. Paraskevi Papadopoulos, Mr. Tom Papadopoulos, Mr. & Mrs. Tom Papakonstantinou, Mr. Konstantine Papas, Mr. Matthew Papigiotis, Ms. Alexandra Pappas, Mrs. Pauline Passias, Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Passias, Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Perdikis, Mrs. Liberty Petropoulos, Mr. Alkie Petropoulos, Mr. & Mrs. George Petropoulos, Mrs. Georgia Phillips, Mrs. Demetria Pishkin, Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Potsis, Mr. George Potsis, Mr. George Potsis, Mr. & Mrs. Ilias Potsis, Mr. & Mrs. Peter Poulimenis, Mrs. Argyro Pouliopoulos, Mr. & Mrs. Fotios Psikarakis, Mr. Nikolas Psilekaris, Ms. Theodora Psilekaris, Mr. Tom Psychos, Mr. & Mrs. Sam Sakellaris Poole, Mrs. Linda Sarantopoulos, Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Sarantou, Mr. Nikolaos Sarras, Mr. Nicholas Savalis, Mrs. Nickie Savas, Mr. & Mrs. Spyros Savas, Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Savas, Mr. Irakli Scapatticci, Dr. & Mrs. ALbert Sedell, Mr. & Mrs. Tom Sever, Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Siamantours, Ms. Ann Sideropoulos, Mr. & Mrs. Anastasios Siogros, Mr. Steve Skenas, Ms. Jeannette Smiliotopoulos, Mr. & Mrs. Elias Smiliotopoulos, Mr. & Mrs. Yianni Spyropoulos, Mr. & Mrs. George Stavropoulos, Mr. & Mrs. George Stellakis, Ms. Joanna Sullivan, Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Syrniotis, Mr. Sam Syrniotis, Ms. Vicky Targontsidis, Mrs. Nicholas Targontsidis Jain, Mrs. Sonia Tasho, Mrs. Georgia Terzakis, Mr. & Mrs. George Terzakis, Mrs. Sophia Theodossiou, Mr. George Theofilou, Mr. & Mrs. Eleftherios Theofilou, Mrs. Maria Thompson, Ms. Betsy Thompson, Miss Eleni Thompson, Mrs. Jane Tiliakos, Mrs. Gianna Tiliakos, Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel Tiliakos, Mr. Orestis Tsarhas, Mrs. Ourania Tsarhopoulos, Mr. & Mrs. Paul Tsilis, Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Tsionis, Mr. & Mrs. Philip Tsionis, Ms. Stacy Tsitsopoulos, Mr. & Mrs. George Vallas, Mr. & Mrs. Antonios Vallas, Mr. & Mrs. Sakellarios Velissaris, Mrs. Dimitrios Velissaris, Mr. & Mrs. George Venuto, Mr. & Mrs. James Vintzileos, Mr. & Mrs. James Weinberg, Ms. Merri Whowell Family Yaitanes, Ms. Ann Yiotopoulos, Mr. Steven Zaros, Mr. James Zouroulidis, Mr. & Mrs. Adamandios Zouroulidis, Mr. & Mrs. Konstantinos 2018 CALENDAR OF EVENTS Annual Food Festival Thursday, Sept. 20th - Sunday Sept. 23rd Fall General Assembly Parish Council Elections Election of Officers and Oath of Office Sunday School Christmas Pageant New Year s Eve Celebration OFFICE SUMMER HOURS Monday Thursday 8:00 2:00 Closed Fridays PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS July No meeting August 7th September 11th October 9th November 13th December 11th Sunday, November 11th Sunday, December 9th Sunday, December 16th Sunday, December 23rd Monday, December 31st

10 PARISH NEWS MINISTRY AWARDS BANQUET HONORING MR. & MRS. JON BUTERBAUGH

11 PRESIDENT S CORNER Dear Parishioners, On behalf of Father Michael and the Parish Council, I hope that you and your families are having a safe and fun filled summer. More often than not, during these summer months life becomes a series of obligations, outings and vacations. Let us be mindful that the Church needs to continue to be a cornerstone in our daily lives. We should try and make every effort to attend church during the summer months and give thanks to our Heavenly Father for all the good things He provides us with, for He remains watching over us. In past bulletins, I have informed you about the undertaking by your Parish Council regarding the painting of the Church proper. Just recently, we have completed this most necessary and important project. A heartfelt thank you goes out to the members of the Parish Council for their hard work and efforts and to you, the faithful stewards of our church for your thoughtful donations towards the cost of this $30, project. In the early stages of this capital fundraising campaign we have received donations totaling $2, We still have a ways to go in raising the targeted amount of funds needed as outlined above. I am confident that with the assistance from you, our church s 350 families of devoted stewards, we will raise the needed funds to pay for this repair and paint project, just as we have done on past projects over the last three (3) years. This continuous spirit of giving through stewardship will ensure that we will not have to deplete the funds that we all have worked very hard to build up in our church s maintenance reserve account. At the same time with your continued support, we can make needed on-going repairs and upgrades in our house of worship. This is true stewardship at its finest. I d like to thank you for the generosity you have shown to date and look forward to your continued support. I'm pleased to report that the Parish Council over the past six (6) months has been working diligently to identify the current needs of the church. Recently, your Parish Council voted to undertake Four (4) new restoration/ beautification projects at our church. The goal is to have them all completed by the end of August. They are as follows: 1. The repair of the ceilings and painting of the Church Proper; 2. Installation of a wireless thermostat system: in the gym, lounge and downstairs classrooms, in order to better control electrical costs. This will also provide for a pre-set temperature controlled environment, especially during the winter months for individuals arriving for any and all activities at our church; 3. Needed landscaping in front of the church and the cutting back of trees and brush in the large parking lot area; and 4. Removal of the high mounds of dirt and boulders located behind the playground which serves the purpose of bringing the land back to a level grade for easy access to the rest of the property for future use. Together we have made positive strides in beautifying, preserving, and strengthening our church. As you know our biggest and most important fundraiser of the year is our four (4) day festival. This year it will be held on Thursday September 20, 2018 through Sunday September 23, It is my hope that all the Stewards of our church will commit to helping us make this year s Food Festival an all time best, both in enjoyment and profitability. Needless to say, we cannot be successful without you. As such, we will have sign-up sheets at the coffee hour and in the office for you. There are so many ways to help. I encourage and welcome all of you, young and old alike to come forward and join our family of volunteers in Christian fellowship. Please consider signing up and committing some of your time and talent to our upcoming September 2018 festival. "A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love." - Saint Basil Respectfully yours, Nicholas H. Babanikas Parish Council President

12 PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS REMEMBERING OUR VETERANS ON MEMORIAL DAY May 17, 2018 representatives from the Veterans Administration (VA) once again came to our Metropolis to pick up the many generous donations of housewarming items received from our Greek Orthodox community for the homeless veterans. As captured in the photos below, two large vehicles were filled with the much needed items by the veterans. Since 2013 this program has provided help/support to more than 600 veterans thought our Metropolis. In recognition of this outstanding achievement which could not be realized without the kindness, generosity and compassion of all our parish communities, the VA presented the Metropolis with the FRIENDS OF SOCIAL SERVICE award (see photos below). KOLIVA If you are planning a memorial service and would like to order koliva please call the church office. We would appreciate one weeks notice in advance of the memorial service to prepare the koliva. The cost is $100 and checks should be made payable to the Ladies Philoptochos Society. FOOD FESTIVAL BAKING Baking will start on Monday, August 20th 9:00 am This is open to everyone young and old!

13 YOUTH NEWS GREEK SCHOOL Congratulations to Alexandro El-ghadi, Dimitrio Kalaitzidi and Katerina Babanika that graduated after 6 years of Greek School. They were honored and awarded a certificate by Eminence Metropolitan Methodios at the Maliotis Cultural Center, MA. Greek School Announcement This year the start of the Greek School will be on September 8 th, The Greek School s registration for the school year will take place the same day. The Schedule will be announced to you during summer. If you have any question please do not hesitate to contact the teacher: GOYA We elected officers for the upcoming year. Eleni Bellas is President, Nikole Ciulla VP, Katerina Babanikas Secretary, and historians Aristea Tsitsopoulos & Cassie Passias. μπράβο!!! With the help of our GOYANs we have made over 70 IOCC Hygiene Kits to help make life a bit better for someone in need. Special thanks to Dr. Peter Bellas D.M.D. for donating tooth brushes for our kits! i.andreopoulou@hotmail.com Cell phone :( 401)

14 FOOD FESTIVAL NEWS Our Annual Food Festival is fast approaching and we are hoping to have another record breaking year! We are hopeful that all Parishioners will come out in large numbers to volunteer with the cooking, set-up and working during our 4-day festival. Without the support of all Parishioners, we could not achieve success as we have in prior years. We also ask that everyone consider providing some financial support by contributing to the cost of food products and supplies that we must purchase for our festival. We are not asking that you donate the actual items, as we will shop around for the lowest price but rather we are seeking a cash donation to offset our cost. We have prepared a list of the products that you can contribute to with a cash donation. Not all items have been listed yet these are the most important items. Item Description Fresh Chicken Tenders Fresh Boneless Leg of Lamb Fresh Whole Chickens Fresh Pork Tenderloins Fresh Ground Hamburg Gyro Cones Tsatziki Sauce Mousaka Rice - 25 pound bags Pita Bread Granulated Sugar Flour Philo Dough Wesson Oil 5-Gallon Containers Fresh Large Eggs Spinach Frozen Chopped Walnuts Chopped Fresh Cottage Cheese Green Beans - #10 Cans Iceberg Lettuce Fresh Tomatoes Red Onions Cucumbers Donation Quantity 700 pounds 1500 pounds 140 chickens 650 pounds 400 pounds 18 cases 12 cases 33 cases 22 bags 13 cases 160 Pounds 1000 Pounds 8 cases 35 units 200 Dozen 120 pounds 5 cases 300 pounds 35 cases 25 cases 40 cases 6 cases 8 cases GENERAL MONETARY DONATION FOR EXPENSES My Choice $50 $100 $250 Other Name Address Telephone

15 Annual Food Festival Volunteer Sign Up Form Name Telephone # I can work in any department where I am needed for the days and shifts that I have checked below. Work Time Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Anywhere 11 am 3 pm Anywhere 3 pm 8 pm Anywhere 7 pm 10 pm I would prefer to work only in the departments for the days and shifts that I have checked. Please Check Boxes for Shifts that you can work Work Time Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Area Period Set Up 1 pm 3 pm Set Up 3 pm 5 pm Set Up 5 pm 8 pm Registers 11 am 3 pm Registers 3 pm 8 pm Registers 7 pm 10 pm Food Line 11 am 3 pm Food Line 3 pm 8 pm Food Line 7 pm 10 pm Gyro Booth 11 am 3 pm Gyro Booth 3 pm 8 pm Gyro Booth 7 pm 10 pm Bar 11 am 3 pm Bar 3 pm 8 pm Bar 7 pm 10 pm Pastry Booth 11 am 3 pm Pastry Booth 3 pm 8 pm Pastry Booth 7 pm 10 pm Loukoumathes 11 am 3 pm Loukoumathes 3 pm 8 pm Loukoumathes 7 pm 10 pm Kafenio Booth 11 am 3 pm Kafenio Booth 3 pm 8 pm Kafenio Booth 7 pm 10 pm Sunday

16 Annual Food Festival Volunteer Sign Up Form Name Telephone # Work Area Raffle Booth Raffle Booth Raffle Booth Grill Grill Grill Kitchen Kitchen Kitchen Trays/Tables Trays/Tables Trays/Tables Time Period 11 am 3 pm 3 pm 8 pm 7 pm 10 pm 11 am 3 pm 3 pm 8 pm 7 pm 10 pm 11 am 3 pm 3 pm 8 pm 7 pm 10 pm 11 am 3 pm 3 pm 8 pm 7 pm 10 pm Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Breakdown & Cleaning 6 pm 9 pm Please return the completed form to the Church Office as soon a possible so that we can begin the scheduling process. Note: If you sign up for the registers, there will be a 1/2 hour training session on Wednesday at 5:00 pm which everyone needs to take in order to volunteer at that section.

17

18

19

20 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! BABANIKAS, ZIEDMAN & KING, P.C Belmont Street Brockton, MA Phone (508) Fax (508) Nicholas H. Babanikas Stephen S. Ziedman John J. King Konstantinos J. Babanikas Thomas J. Dinopoulos* Praven Shenoy Louis debenedictis Aleksandra Magdziak Lopes *Also admitted to Rhode Island and Florida Richard T. Mallen Of Counsel Boston Office 27 School Street, Suite 400 Boston, MA (617) New Bedford Office 355 Union Street New Bedford, MA (508) Concentrating in: Personal Injury Law - Social Security - Workmen s Compensation Wills & Trusts - Product Liability - Real Estate Law