Feast of the Holy Dormition

Ευαγγελισμός της Θεοτόκου Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Reverend Father Dean J. Dimon Proistamenos 2187 West 14th Street, Cleveland, OH 44113 216-861-0116 August 13, 2017 10th Sunday of Matthew Feast of the Holy Dormition On August 15th of each year (new calendar), the Orthodox Church celebrates the Dormition of the Theotokos, or "The Falling Asleep of the Mother of God." Her departure from this earthly life is spoken of in this fashion because death is thought of as a transitory or "sleep-like" state in which the soul remains until the general resurrection and final judgment. Although the particulars surrounding the death of the Theotokos are not found in the Holy Bible, we have learned about them, as the Fifth Century Patriarch of Jerusalem, St. Juvenal, has said, from our Holy Tradition. The Falling Asleep of the Mother of God is found in the writings of Dionysius the Areopagite in the 1st century, as well as those of St. Epiphanius of Cyprus in the 4th century. And the accountof her bodily ascent to Heaven was written of by Meliton, Bishop of Sardis, in the 2nd century. During one of her many visits to Jesus' tomb on Golgotha, where she went to pray, the Virgin Mary was visited by the Archangel Gabriel, who told her of her impending repose. The Apostle John was mystically transported from Ephesus, answering her prayer, to be at her side. Many of the disciples unknowingly answered the Lord's call to be at her side. The Apostle Paul, together with his disciples and many others of the Seventy Apostles, were miraculously gathered some transported by clouds from far away places where they were preaching and evangelizing to be with Mary. Christ descended from Heaven at the appointed time, accompanied by Angels, Archangels and Heavenly Hosts and surrounded by the Divine Light, and carried her soul to Heaven. Epitaphio Flowers The Ever-Virgin Mary was buried in the family tomb in the Garden of Gethsemane. The "wise providence" of God saw to it that all but one Apostle was not present at the repose of the Theotokos Thomas, the one in the same who denied that Christ had risen from the dead and had appeared before him in the flesh. Thomas, arriving three days later, was deeply saddened. He wept at the entrance to her tomb and asked that he be permitted to see the Mother of God one final time. Her tomb was found empty, however, except for a few items: the Theotokos' sash and burial garments... and the most beautiful flowers, which filled the tomb with a sweetly fragrant scent! For a most informative and authoritative record of the Dormition from the Holy Tradition of the Orthodox Church, please click on the following links from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, The Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America and the Orthodox Church in America. The last two links have text, photos and video from the Church of the Dormition, in Jerusalem. From the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese: The Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary Feast of the Dormition of our Most Holy Lady, The Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary From the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America: Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary From the Orthodox Church in America: The Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary From the OCA: Sermon on the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, Saint Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica From "Mystagogy", the Weblog of John Sanidopolous: Text, photos & YouTube video of The Feast of he Dormition at the Tomb of Mary in Gethsemane Parish Council Members Emmanuel Ermidis President Konstantinos Almiroudis Vice President Jim Ganotis Treasurer Panagiota Petratos Secretary Eleni Karadaglis Michael Manak Irene Scordos Christopher Sheely.Athanasios Anagnostos Sam Zizis From the OrthodoxWord: The Tomb of the Most Holy Virgin, Jerusalem The Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos

Epistle Gospel St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 4:9-16 Prokeimenon. Mode 4. Psalm 18.4,1 Their voice has gone out into all the earth. Verse: The heavens declare the glory of God. The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 4:9-16 Brethren, God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill-clad and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the offscouring of all things. I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me. You were transfigured on the mountain, O Christ our God, showing to your Disciples, your glory as far as they could understand; shine upon us the sinners as well, your everlasting light, by the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Giver of Light, glory to you. With the stone sealed by Judeans, and the soldiers guarding your undefiled body, you rose, O Savior, the third day, to all the world granting life. For this reason, the heavenly powers cried to you, the giver of life: glory to your resurrection, O Christ, glory to your kingdom, glory to you dispensation, O only true friend of man. 10th Sunday of Matthew The Gospel According to Matthew 17:14-23 At that time, a man came up to Jesus and kneeling before him said, "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; for often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him." And Jesus answered, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me." And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move hence to yonder place,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. But this kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting." As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day." 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 Upon the mount you were transfigured, and your Disciples beheld your glory, as far as they were able to do, O Christ our God; so that when they would see you crucified, they would know that you suffered willingly; and thus proclaimed to all the world: that you are truly the one, who is Father's radiance. 2

Ἀπόστολος Προκείμενον. Ήχος δ'. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 18.4,1 Εἰς πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν ἐξῆλθεν ὁ φθόγγος αὐτῶν. Στίχ. Οἱ οὐρανοὶ διηγοῦνται δόξαν Θεοῦ. Πρὸς Κορινθίους α' 4:9-16 τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα είναι απο Ἀδελφοί, ὁ θεὸς ἡμᾶς τοὺς ἀποστόλους ἐσχάτους ἀπέδειξεν ὡς ἐπιθανατίους ὅτι θέατρον ἐγενήθημεν τῷ κόσμῳ, καὶ ἀγγέλοις, καὶ ἀνθρώποις. Ἡμεῖς μωροὶ διὰ Χριστόν, ὑμεῖς δὲ φρόνιμοι ἐν Χριστῷ ἡμεῖς ἀσθενεῖς, ὑμεῖς δὲ ἰσχυροί ὑμεῖς ἔνδοξοι, ἡμεῖς δὲ ἄτιμοι. Ἄχρι τῆς ἄρτι ὥρας καὶ πεινῶμεν, καὶ διψῶμεν, καὶ γυμνητεύομεν, καὶ κολαφιζόμεθα, καὶ ἀστατοῦμεν, καὶ κοπιῶμεν ἐργαζόμενοι ταῖς ἰδίαις χερσίν λοιδορούμενοι εὐλογοῦμεν διωκόμενοι ἀνεχόμεθα βλασφημούμενοι παρακαλοῦμεν ὡς περικαθάρματα τοῦ κόσμου ἐγενήθημεν, πάντων περίψημα ἕως ἄρτι. Οὐκ ἐντρέπων ὑμᾶς γράφω ταῦτα, ἀλλʼ ὡς τέκνα μου ἀγαπητὰ νουθετῶ. Ἐὰν γὰρ μυρίους παιδαγωγοὺς ἔχητε ἐν Χριστῷ, ἀλλʼ οὐ πολλοὺς πατέρας ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ διὰ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου ἐγὼ ὑμᾶς ἐγέννησα. Παρακαλῶ οὖν ὑμᾶς, μιμηταί μου γίνεσθε. Εὐαγγέλιον Ἐκ τοῦ Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 17:14-23 Εὐαγγελίου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐλθόντων αὐτῶν πρὸς τὸν ὄχλον προσῆλθεν αὐτῷ ἄνθρωπος γονυπετῶν αὐτὸν καὶ λέγων Κύριε, ἐλέησόν μου τὸν υἱόν, ὅτι σεληνιάζεται καὶ κακῶς πάσχει πολλάκις γὰρ πίπτει εἰς τὸ πῦρ καὶ πολλάκις εἰς τὸ ὕδωρ. καὶ προσήνεγκα αὐτὸν τοῖς μαθηταῖς σου, καὶ οὐκ ἠδυνήθησαν αὐτὸν θεραπεῦσαι. ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ιησοῦς εἶπεν ὦ γενεὰ ἄπιστος καὶ διεστραμμένη! ἕως πότε ἔσομαι μεθ ὑμῶν; ἕως πότε ἀνέξομαι ὑμῶν; φέρετέ μοι αὐτὸν ὧδε. καὶ ἐπετίμησεν αὐτῷ ὁ Ιησοῦς, καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἀπ αὐτοῦ τὸ δαιμόνιον καὶ ἐθεραπεύθη ὁ παῖς ἀπὸ τῆς ὥρας ἐκείνης. Τότε προσελθόντες οἱ μαθηταὶ τῷ Ιησοῦ κατ ἰδίαν εἶπον διατί ἡμεῖς οὐκ ἠδυνήθημεν ἐκβαλεῖν αὐτό; ὁ δὲ Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς διὰ τὴν ἀπιστίαν ὑμῶν. ἀμὴν γὰρ λέγω ὑμῖν, ἐὰν ἔχητε πίστιν ὡς κόκκον σινάπεως, ἐρεῖτε τῷ ὄρει τούτῳ, μετάβηθι ἐντεῦθεν ἐκεῖ, καὶ μεταβήσεται, καὶ οὐδὲν ἀδυνατήσει ὑμῖν. τοῦτο δὲ τὸ γένος οὐκ ἐκπορεύεται εἰ μὴ ἐν προσευχῇ καὶ νηστείᾳ. Αναστρεφομένων δὲ αὐτῶν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὁ Ιησοῦς μέλλει ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοσθαι εἰς χεῖρας ἀνθρώπων καὶ ἀποκτενοῦσιν αὐτόν, καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἐγερθήσεται. καὶ ἐλυπήθησαν σφόδρα. Μετεμορφώθης ἐν τῷ ὄρει, Χριστέ ὁ Θεός, δείξας τοῖς Μαθηταῖς σου τήν δόξαν σου καθώς ἠδύναντο λάμψον καί ἡμῖν τοῖς ἁμαρτολοῖς τό φῶς σου τό ἀΐδιον, πρεσβιαῖς τῆς Θεοτόκου, Φωτοδότα δόξα σοι. Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος ὑπό τῶν Ἰουδαίων, καί στρατιωτῶν φυλασσόντων τό ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα, ἀνέστης τριήμερος Σωτήρ, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τήν ζωήν. Διά τοῦτο αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν οὐρανῶν ἐβόων σοι Ζωοδότα Δόξα τῇ Ἀναστάσει σου Χριστέ, δόξα τῇ βασιλείᾳ σου, δόξα τῇ οἰκονομίᾳ σου μόνε Φιλάνθρωπε. 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. Ἐπί τοῦ ὄρους μετεμορφώθης, καί ὡς ἐχώρουν οἱ Μαθηταί σου, τήν δόξαν σου, Χριστέ ὁ Θεός, ἐθεάσαντο ἵνα ὅταν σε ἴδωσι σταυρούμενον, τό μέν πάθος νοήσωσιν ἑκούσιον, τῷ δέ κόσμῳ κηρύξωσιν, ὅτι σύ ὑπάρχεις ἀληθῶς, τοῦ Πατρός τό ἀπαύγασμα. 3

Join us for coffee and fellowship in the lower level of our church social hall. During the Summer Months the Ladies of Philoptochos will not host the coffee hour. The coffee hours are potluck style, so bring something to share we will also need coffee and refreshments. Coffee and fellowship will take place in the lower lever of the Church Social Hall Panagia s Vespers and chanting of the Lamentations to the Panagia on Mon., Aug 14 at 7 PM. Followed by coffee and loukoumades On Tues., Aug. 15th Orthors at 8:30 a.m. and Divine Liturgy at 9:30 a.m. Artoklasia - Ώρα καφές δίνεται στην Μικρή αίθουσα κάτω από την εκκλησία. Κατά τους καλοκαιρινούς μήνες οι Κυρίες του Φιλοπώχου δεν θα προσφέρουν το καφέ τις Κυριακές. Ο καφές θα δίνεται στην μικρή αίθουσα κάτω από την εκκλησία και ζητάμε αν οποίος θέλει να προσφέρει ένα πιάτο γλυκό για τον καφέ. The Ladies the of Philoptochos will be serving a chicken dinner cost of $15.00 We ask if you can help decorate Panagia s epitaphio on Mon., Aug. 14th 9:00 a.m. Εσπερινός Κοίμησης της Παναγίας Δευτέρα 14, Αυγούστου 7μμ αρτοκλασία. Ρωτάμε αν μπορείτε να βοηθήσετε να στολίζουμε το Επιταφίου της Παναγιάς, 14 Αυγούστου 9πμ Η Φιλόπτωχο Θα έχει γεύμα κοτόπουλο στην μεγάλη αίθουσα της εκκλησίας $15 το άτομο. Κοίμησης της Θεοτόκου Τρίτη 15 Αυγούστου Όρθρος 8:30 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 9:30 π.μ. Artoklasia 4

The Orthodox Church views all Church services as sacred. As such, we each have a duty as serious worshipers to see that a respectful decorum and atmosphere are maintained so that the congregation can pray sincerely, peacefully without distractions, and meaningfully. Please note these guidelines: When entering the Church, especially during services, remember that you are in God s House. Be reverent and mindful of others engaged in prayer. This also is an expression of your faith and awareness of God s Presence. Refrain from any conversations, chit chat in the Narthex or in any part of the Church. Wear modest and appropriate attire. Common sense and good judgment should prevail. Refrain from chewing gum. Avoid wearing lipstick when venerating the icons and receiving Holy Communion. During the Church Service, please do not move about during these parts. They are: Procession of the Priest and Altar Boys with the Gospel-Little Entrance Reading of the Epistle and Gospel Cherubic Hymn and the Great Entrance with the Holy Gift The Nicene Creed The Hymn Se Ymnoumen and the Consecration of the Holy Gifts Lord s Prayer Holy Communion Sermon or Homily Dismissal Prayer Any special services-memorials, Precession of Icons, Artoklasias, etc. Stop, wait, and stand reverently, One basic rule: Whenever the priest faces the people or is outside the altar on the Solea either censing or blessing, everyone should stand wherever he is. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OF THINGS WE SHOULD KNOW WHILE WE ARE IN CHURCH UPON ENTERING THE CHURCH The time to arrive at church is before the service starts, but for some unknown reason, it has become the custom - or rather the bad habit to arrive late. If you arrive after the Divine Liturgy begins, you must enter the church quietly and observe what is happening. If in doubt, check with a member of the Parish Council to see if it is a good time to be seated. On some Sundays, it almost seems like a revolving door in the back of the church. Conversations are going on, parishioners are wanting names to be given in the Alter, votive candles to be placed in front of icons, Artoklasia breads are being brought. All these and countless other requests are being made and almost being demanded. The practice is disruptive and shows a lack of respect to those parishioners who are in prayer and especially to clergy who must remain focused on the Liturgy. Let all of us remember, that entering the Church, we are entering the House of God. Reverence and good manners are required so as not to disturb those who are already engaged in prayer, but more importantly, as an expression of sincere faith and awareness of the presence of the Lord. NO irrelevant conversations would ever take place, either in the Narthex or any other part of the Church. Request to take names to be commemorated in the Altar, should be done prior to the start of the Liturgy. Messages and request should be handled at the appropriate time. In other words, before the Liturgy begins. LIGHTING CANDLES Lighting candles is an important part of Orthodox worship. We light them as we pray, making an offering to accompany our prayers. As is our custom, we light candles when coming into the Narthex and that is usually the best time to light them, but there are times when candles should not be lit. There are many parishioners who wish to have Votive candles taken to the Solea to be placed in front of the Icons. It is not proper to light candles during the Epistle or Gospel reading, during the Small or Great Entrances, the sermon, and most times when the faithful are standing. If in doubt, please follow the directives of the Parish Council. LEAVING BEFORE THE DISMISSAL Leaving church before the Dismissal, besides being rude, deprives us of a blessing. Worship has a beginning ( Blessed is the Kingdom ) and an end ( Let us depart in peace ). To leave immediately after Communion is to treat church like a fast food restaurant where we come and go as we please. We live in a fast-paced world where we seem to be hurrying from place to place. But in God s presence, we need to make every attempt to fight this pressure to move on to the next thing on the day s agen- 5

da. We deprive ourselves of blessings by not being still and participating in God s holiness. Eat and run at McDonald s but stay in church and thank God for His precious gifts. BLOT THAT LIPSTICK Have you ever looked at an icon in just the right light and see the lip prints all over it? Its not a very pretty sight and its disrespectful. Lipstick may look fine on lips, but it looks horrible on icons, crosses, the communion spoon and the priest s hand or bishop s hand. Icons that are on canvass have been ruined by lipstick. Icons made of metal, laminated ones or mosaic chips, communion spoons and crosses can usually be cleaned after everyone venerates it, however, it just isn t considerate to others to impose your lipstick on them. The answer to all of this is to blot your lips well before venerating an icon, taking communion or kissing the hand of a priest or bishop. Please try and remember God is not impressed with how attractive you look externally - your make-up or clothing but how attractive you are internally, your adornment with good works are piety. VENERATING ICONS When you enter the church, it is traditional to venerate the icons in the Narthex or you may also want to venerate the icons on the Solea. When venerating (kissing) an icon, pay close attention to where you kiss. It is not prober to kiss an icon in the face. When you approach an icon to venerate it, kiss the gospel, the scroll or had cross in the hand of the person in the icon, or kiss the hand or foot of the person depicted. As you venerate an icon, show proper respect by kissing in the appropriate place. SUNDAY DRESS I remember growing up in the 50 s when people put on their Sunday best to go to church. It was referred to as Sunday clothes. Times have changed and church clothes have become casual. The Orthodox tradition is that we should always offer Christ our best and the same is true for our dress. We should offer Christ our Sunday Best. We should dress modestly, not in a flashy way that would bring attention to ourselves. Our dress sould always becoming of a Christian, especially at Church. Use your best judgement and good taste when dressing for church. What we wear to attend a wedding reception or a night out on the town are two different dress codes. While in church, you go and meet to worship God. TO CROSS OR NOT TO CROSS Anyone who has looked around on a Sunday morning will notice that different people cross themselves a different people cross themselves at different times and sometimes in different ways. To a certain extent, when to cross oneself is according to personal piety and not an issue of dogma. But there are times when you should not. TO CROSS: When you hear the phrase, Father, Son and Holy Spirit during the liturgical petitions, when you enter or exit the church, at the time before or after Holy Communion, or when passing in front of the Holy Altar; before venerating an icon, the Cross or Gospel Book. NOT TO CROSS: When the Priest or bishop blessing saying Peace be to all bow slightly and receive the blessing from a bishop or priest, kissing the right hand of the bishop or priest is appropriate but not making the sign of the cross. HANDLING THE HOLY BREAD/ANTIDORON After taking Holy Communion at the end of the liturgy, it is traditional to eat a piece of holy bread/antidoron, the bread that was left over after Holy Communion was prepared. While antidoron is not Holy communion, it is blessed bread and as such should be eaten carefully so that crumbs don t ball on floor. After taking Communion or kissing the Cross at the end of the Divine Liturgy, the priest or bishop will give you a piece of Antidoron. You should always kiss the right hand of the Bishop or Priest. A FINAL THOUGHT Society in the 21st century is rather casual in it approach to life. Don t allow this prevailing attitude to enter into your Orthodox Christian piety. Much of church etiquette is based on common sense and showing respect for God and others. Always remember that you are in church to worship God, the Holy Trinity. During every liturgy the Priest says, With the fear of God and faith and love, draw near. Let this be the way you approach all services of the church. If you do, you will probably have good church etiquette. KAI TO THEO DOXA 6

The Georgia Pappas Hellenic Cultural School of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Calendar Meeting - Mon., Aug. 21, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the lower level church social hall. Dear parents, If you like your child to participate in our exams in order to skip the grade, you should sign them up and pay for the upcoming school year till 21st of august. The written exams are on 31st of August at 7o clock. For further information you can call (440) 317-3193 Evangelia Koukouras Αγαπητοί γονείς Όσοι από σας επιθυμείτε να συμμετάσχουν τα παιδιά σας στις γραπτές εξετάσεις ώστε να προβιβαστούν στην επόμενη τάξη, Παρακαλείσθε να τα εγγραψετε για το επόμενο σχολικό έτος και να δηλώσετε συμμετοχή έως τις 21 Αυγούστου. Οι γραπτές εξετάσεις θα λάβουν χώρα στις 31 Αυγούστου στις εφτά το απόγευμα στις αίθουσες του ελληνικού σχολείου. Περισσότερες πληροφορίες στο τηλέφωνο (440)317-3193 Ευαγγελία Κούκουρας Registration Sunday August 27th following the Divine Liturgy. Lower level church social hall Road Trip Friday, September 8, 2017 Nativity of the Theotokos 121 St. Elias Lane, Saxonburg, PA Cost $27.00 for details please call Vivian Kyriazis 440-915-2070 Ένα ταξίδι με το λεωφορείο στο Μοναστήρι της Γέννησης της Θεοτόκου 8, Σεπτεμβρίου 2017 121 Αγ. Ηλίας Lane, Saxonburg, PA παρακαλούμε επικοινωνήστε με το Βιβή Κυριαζής 440-915-2070 7

STS. CONSTANTINE & HELEN GREEK FESTIVAL Aug. 24-27 at Sts. Constantine & Helen Cathedral, 3352 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland Heights. ST. PANTELEIMON BOWLING Fri., Aug. 18, 6-8:30 p.m. at Yorktown Lanes, 6218 Pearl Rd., Parma Heights. $15/adult & $10/child includes pizza & pop. Shoe rental at bowler s expense. All proceeds to benefit St. Panteleimon Orthodox Christian Outreach, ministering to those in NE Ohio nursing homes. To sign up, call 440-941-4850 or email Gerald@stpanteleimon.com YOUNG ADULT PICNIC Sun., Aug. 27 at St. Matthew Orthodox Church Pavilion, 10383 Albion Rd., North Royalton at 4:00 p.m. (Rain or shine.) Main dish and drinks provided; please bring a side dish to share. Dress for volleyball and wiffleball. Call Sam Harmon (216-598-9230) NATIVITY OF THE THEOTOKOS BENEFIT Sat., Sept. 9, is the 4 th annual dinner in memory of Gerontissa Taxiarchia at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Pittsburgh. 3 p.m. Vesper service; 4 p.m. banquet. $100/ticket (fish or chicken entrees) RSVP: 2017DinnerBanquet.eventbrite.com YOUNG ADULT CONFERENCE Sept. 1-4, Orthodox young adults (ages 19-32) from across the US will gather in Houston, Texas. Kick off on Friday with a comedy show by SoTiri, Saturday workshops and fun western event. Sunday Divine Liturgy, followed by a pool party and then a grand banquet with Basil the Comedian. For information, registration, and hotel accommodations, visit: http://youth.denver.goarch.org/events/2017-events/2017-nationalyoung-adult-conference; or share: Facebook.com/2017NGOYAC/ ~ Twitter.co/ngoyac2017 ~Instagram.com/ngoyac2017 ATHENIAN VASE PAINTING is the focus of the 2017 annual Collis Lecture on Sun., Sept. 24 at the Cleveland Museum of Art, 2:00 PM. The Berlin Painter & His World: Athenian Vase-Painting in the Early Fifth Century B.C. by Dr. J. Michael Padgett. Free tickets required for lecture and are available August 1. Early reservations ensure choice seating 216.421.7350 or online at engage.clevelandart.org. Hellenic Preservation Society private reception immediately following the lecture $12 per person. For more information contact Renee Steffas 216.287.5628 or reneesteffas@gmail.com or Gary Thomas 440.823.9011 orgary@vecsa.com AN AUTHORS LUNCHEON DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE ICARUS CHAPTER NO. 31 CLEVELAND Sunday, Sept. 10th at 12:00 p.m. at St. Demetrios Cultural Center 22909 Center Ridge Rd., Rocky River 44116 $25 Advance ticket sales only - no tickets will be sold at the door. Contact a member of the Daughters to secure your ticket today! Call Jan Voiklis 440-503-3946 hihobandit@yahoo.com or Jeanne Burpulis 440-356-1746 1burpe1@att.net ST. NICHOLAS GREEK FESTIVAL Sept. 8-10 at St. Nicholas 2000 Tower Blvd., Lorain 44053 stnlorain@yahoo.com or call 440-960-2992, DESPINA VANDI IN CONCERT Fri., Oct. 6 in Pittsburgh, with Giorgos Lianos. For ticket information go towww.greekconcertstatus.com or email GreekPittsburgh@gmail.com 8

PLEDGED STEWARDS 2017 "NO ONE SHALL APPEAR BEFORE THE LORD EMPTY- HANDED, BUT EACH OF YOU WITH AS MUCH AS HE CAN GIVE, IN PROPORTION TO THE BLESSINGS WHICH THE LORD, GOD HAS BE-STOWED ON YOU." (DEUT. 16:10, 16-17) Agelidakis, Georgios & Victoria Alex, George & Becky Alex, Jerry Alex, Jerry & Kim Alex, Stefo & Loula Alex, Taso & Eleni Alexandrou, Angie Allison, John & Nancy Almiroudis, Konstantinos & Kelli Ameres, Kostas & Markia Anagnostos, Athanasios & Linsey Anagnostos, Jim Anezinis, Michael & Melissa Antonaklas, Steve & Evangelia Arabian, Allen & Agnes Baltas, Emely Benicos, Ecaterini Bibidakis, Evangelos & Eftychia Boukis, Constantine Boukis, Gary & Mary Boulas, Dimitrios & Evegenia Boyeas, Mike & Christine Boyeas, Stelios & Judy Bozas, Pete & Maria Calogeras, Ellen Castros, Nick & Rosalie Costaras, William & Natalia Coutris, Stephen & Penelope Croff, Maro Dallas, Maria Davis, Lambrini Del Vecchio, Giuseppe & Angela Demopoulos, William Diamantis, Arygro Dimon, Dean & Presvytera Dines, Philipp & Niki Drosos, Angeliki Efpraxias, Georgio Efstathiou, Emmanouil & Irene Ermidis, Christina Ermidis, Emmanuel & Marina Ermidis, John & Yulia Ermidis, Venizelos & Bessie Erwin, Edward & Vasiliki Foradis, Militsa Fourtounis, Emmanuel & Marika Fourtounis, George & Elaine Fourtounis, Mark Ganotis, Dimitrios & Aphrodite Geanneses, Antoinette Gemelas, Themistoklis & Clio Genin, Jason & Cynthia Georgekopoulos, George & Effie Georgiadis, Debbie Giovanis, Angelo & Popi Gountis, Vasilios & Audolina Griveas, Peggy Gromek, Stanley & Angie Hadgis, Sidor & Agrio Harris, Despina Hatzopoulos, Kriti Hlepas, James & Kathy Hliatzos, Peter & Katina Jamison, Oliver & Eleni Kafantaris, George & Sophia Kakias, Michael & Vicky Kalevakis, George & Vicki Kalevakis, Mike & Dora Kamenos, Stella Kanaris, Anna Kanaris, Nick & Artie Kanis, Gus & Vaso Kanis, John Kantzios, George & Eleni Kapolis, Thanos & Anthie Karadaglis, Elias & Eleni Karadimas, Chris & Vivian Karadimas, George Karadimas, John & Helen Karadimas, John & Linda Karakostas, Eleftherios & Helen Karakoudas, Caliope Karavokirakis, Dimitra Karavokirakis, Gramatiki Karnavas, Sophia Karras, John & Ismini J. Karris, Demetra Katsantonis, George L. & Sandra Keating, Dale & Helen Kefalos, Panayiotis & Fotini Kellis, John Klonaris, Joanne Konstantinos,Nikolaos & Vasiliki Konstas, Evangelos & Fani Kontos, Michael & Evangelia Kontos, Spiros & Areti Kopasakis, John Kostakis, Tom & Eleni Kotsanis, Nicholas & Christina Koukouras, Nikolaos & Evangelia Kowalsick, Ruby Kozana, Margarita Kozanas, John & Vasiliki Kutrubs, Nick Kyriazis, Dimitri Likos, Eugenia Maggos, Anastasios & Christina Makris, Thomas Mallis, Mike & Maria Manak, Michael Markou, Mike & Victoria Maroulis, Kathy Maroulis, Paraskevas Marountas, Nck & Denna Mastrokostas, George & Eleni Matheou, Demetrios & Lillian Matheou, Dimosthenis & Nicole Matheou, Georgia Mathews, James & Mary Mathiellis, Athena Mathiellis, Paul & Carol Mavrakis, Bill & Zoe Mavrakis, John & Rebecca Mavrakis, Lefteris & Kleoniki Mavroidis, Mavroidis McDonald, James & Anastasia Michaels, Gregory & Vasiliki Moshos, Shawn Moulagianis, Vasalios & Stamatia Moulagiannis, Kathy Nakhel, Anis & Maria Konstas Neumeyer, Ryan & Margarita Nickas, Vasiliki Nimorakiotakis, George & Maria Nimorakiotakis, Nick & Antigoni Paliobeis, Irini Panagiotou, Serafiem & Anna Panos, Pete & Mary Pantelatou, Sophia Papadakis, Adamandios & Despina Papadakis, Polycronis & Pamela Papadatos, Pavlos &Toula Papadatos, Steven & Dawn 9

Papadopoulos, Alex Papadopoulos, Dimitrios E. & Dionira Papakonstantinou, Fotios & Spyroulla Paparizos, Theodoiti Pappas, Georgia Pappas, Ted Pappas, William & Susan Parianos, George & Maria Pateras, Steve & Maria Paul, Barbara T. Petratos, Kosmas & Panagiota Petropouleas, Peter & Panagiota Petsas, Demetra Petsas, Dimitri & Deanna Pikakos, Mary Pikakos, Nick & Dawn Piperis, Fotini Plataniotis, Nick & Elisavet Pyros, Gus & Koula Rakopoulos, Stella Regas, Alex & Thea Regas, George & Soula Regas, Strates Riedel, Joseph & Popi Rodopoulos, Evelyn Rokas, Efthihia Rokas, Iosefis & Kym Rokas, John & Lucy Sack, David & Katherine Salamalekis, Evangelos Salamalekis, Gus & Kristen Salloumis, Paul Salouros, Paul & Maria Sarantopoulos, Athanasios & Despina Saridakis Jr., Frank Saridakis, Frank & Anastasia Saviolis, Nick & Chrisoula Sboukis, Andrew & Marcella Sboukis, Peter & Panayiota Scordos, John & Irene Sdrakas, Gregory & Popi Semertsidis, Niko & Despina Sevastos, George Sevastos, Gust & Jane Sheely, Christopher & Panagiota Shinas, Dean Siakantaris, Stella Sioulas, Katina Sisamis, George & Anna Sisamis, John G. & Irene Skourlis, John & Maria Skoutas, Mike & Ellie Smith, Robert & Eugenia Soeder, Jeffery Spanos, Niko & Koula Stefanopoulos, Polixeni Stefanopoulos, Sokratis & Ourania Stefou, Antonios & Stella Stilianos, Steve & Anna Tantsios, Vasiliki Tasiouras, Evanthia Thanos, Athanasios & Anna Thanos, Dion & Courtney Theodore, Neste & Artemis Trihas, Ermioni Trihas, John A. & Suzanne Tsakalos, Steve & Vicki Tsambounieris, Manoli & Sofia Tsambunieris, Vasilis & Sophia Tsardoulias, Aris & Stella Tsardoulias, George & Diamonto Tsigas, Angie Tsigas, Demetrios & Shelly Tsikles, Tasos Tsiourtsiouris, Maria Tsirambidis, Tim & Julie Tsirikos- Karapanos, Nikolaos & Chrysoula Tuleta, Anthony & Elenny Valsamidis, Chris & Eleni Maria Vangelos, Zenos & Julie Varlamos, Matrona Vaselakis, John & Kiki Vasilakes, Mike & Mary Vassilakis, Freda Vassilakis, George & Irene Vassilaras, Plousia Velkos, Joseph & Maria Velkos, Nick & Irene Verikakis, Georgia Verikakis, John Vianos, Constantino Vianos, John & Diamanto Vianos, Nicholas & Eleni Vitakis, Stelios & Tsabika Voiklis, Asimo Voiklis, Emmanuel & Janet Vourlis, Antonetta Vourlis, Rose Vrettos, Bessie Walsh, Edward & Calliope Whitlock, Marie Yeager Sr., James Zampunis, George & Kalliopi Zeleniuch, Christina Zeleniuch, Mary Ellen Zeleniuch, Stefan Zembillas, Antoni & Mikhaila Zizis, Stamatios & Ellen If we have mistakenly left your name off the 10

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Event/Liturgy Calendar 2017 All Sunday & Week Day 8:30 AM Orthros / 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy AUGUST 2017 Sun 13 10th Sunday of Matthew Mon 14 Great Vespers Dormition 7pm Tues 15 Feast Day of the Dormition Sun 20 11th Sunday of Matthew Mon. 21 Calendar Meeting Sun 27 12th Sunday of Matthew Mon 28 Great Vespers St. John 7pm Coffee and refreshments in the lower level social hall of the church. Tues 29 Feast Day of the Beheading of St. John Αποτομής της Τίμιας Κεφαλής του Αγίου Ιωάννου του Προδρόμου 28 Αυγούστου 7:00 μμ. Μ. Εσπερινός Αρτοκλασία Ώρα καφέ δίνεται στην μικρή αίθουσα κάτω από την εκκλησία. Αποτομή Τιμίας Κεφαλ. Προδρόμ - 29 Αυγούστου Όρθρος 8:30πμ Θ. Λετ. 9:30πμ If you have not been receiving church material/mailing /phone messages or e-mails, please contact the church office at 216.861.0116 or email 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 216.861.0116 ή στο email office@annunciationcleveland.net. Please visit our website: www.annunciationcleveland.com 11

office@annunciationcleveland.net Dear Friends of the Community, In an effort to defray the cost of publishing our Weekly Bulletin, & V ision, the Parish Council would like to invite anyone who wishes to support the Community to offer a small donation of $250.00 for a business card sized ad which will be placed on the back inside pages of each publication for the calendar year, 2017. 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 $250.00. Dino Sevastos Agent AUTO.BUSINESS.HOME. LIFE 500 W. AURORA RD STE 115 SAGAMORE HILLS, OH 44067 Tel 440.508.0056 Fax 440.512.7132 csevastos@farmersagent.com www.farmersagent.com/csevastos HARSOULAS GARAGE DOORS Service & Installation Garage Doors & Openers Saki Harsoulas 216.276.1522 Vivian Kyriazis Diples, Pastries Bread Koliva 440-915-207 12