The Resurrection of christ

ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH Monthly Bulletin May 2013 Inside this issue: The Resurrection of christ Clergy Message Spiritual Wisdom Calendar Greek Message Sacraments Donations President s Message Parish News Youth News Other Ministries Christos Anesti! Christ is Risen! Church Services Saturdays Great Vespers 6:00pm Sundays Orthros 8:45am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Weekdays Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Σαββατα Μεγας Εσπερινος 6:00µµ Κυριακες Ορθρος 8:45πµ Καθιµερινες Ορθρος Θεια Λειτουργια Θεια Λειτουργια 10:00πµ 9:00πµ 10:00πµ

Page 2 M ay 2013 Annunciation Church M onthly Bulletin Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Reverend Presbyter Anthony Evangelatos George Stavropoulos, Chanter - Heidi Mason, Choir Director - Ona Calogrias, Organist PARISH COUNCIL Executive Board John Karolemeas, President Stephen Passias, 1st Vice President Administration John Papadopoulos, Vice President of House & Grounds Ethel Savas, Treasurer Nicholas Alexiou, Assistant Treasurer Joanna Stellakis, Secretary Members of the Board Jon Buterbaugh, Jr. George P. Costas Charles Efremides Tulla Giannaros Steve Lainas Thomas A. Sedell Katerina Tsiantoulas Philip Tsionis Avraam Vardaxis PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY Executive Board Despina Papadopoulos, President Heido Barbas, 1st Vice President Penny Kazis, 2nd Vice President Ethel Savas, Recording Secretary Tina Boutas, Corresponding Secretary Lori Stasiewski, Treasurer Liz Karolemeas, Assistant Treasurer Members of the Board Peggy Cuilla Helen Holevas Ann Marie Horne Soultana Kotsiopoulos Kelly Scappatticci Eleni Stamboulidis Vasiliki Syrniotis Sophia Terzakis Tina Tsarhopoulos EMAILS Father Anthony priest@annunciationbrockton.org Demetra Orfanos, office mgr office@annunciationbrockton.org OTHER MINISTRIES Sunday School Tina Boutas Dina Coon Rhoda Economos Tina Boutas Greek School Sofia Trikalas Konstantinia Goudanas GOYA Jon Buterbaugh Jr. GOYA Suzanne Barrus JOY & HOPE Irena Mroz Paula Tsitsopoulos Adult Greek Classes Arthur Krikis Koliva Ladies Philoptochos Coffee Hour Bertha Weinberg Shut-In Visitations Soultana Kotsiopoulos Basketball Stephen Passias Dance Group Jon & Penny Buterbaugh Junior Choir Corinne & Heidi Mason Oratorical Festival Rhoda Economos Bookstore Joanna Stellakis, Stephen Savas, Linda Sakelaris Poole

Annunciation Church M onthly Bulletin M ay 2013 Page 3 FROM METROPOLITAN METHODIOS OF BOSTON Metropolitan Methodios represented the Greek Orthodox Church at the Interfaith Prayer Service following the Boston Marathon tragedy This past Monday, a day rich with symbolism, an horrific act of terrorism wounded the heart and soul of our city and our nation. Thousands from throughout the world were in Boston as participants and spectators of the marathon which, as we all know, recalls the run of Phillipides from the ancient city of Marathon to Athens to announce the victory of Greece over the forces of an empire that devalued freedom, human dignity and democracy. The Boston marathon always coincides with Patriots Day, when we commemorate the battles of Lexington and Concord, the first of the American Revolution. Sadly it was on Patriot s Day when we celebrate the values of freedom and democracy, and the fiercely independent spirit of America that evil reared its ugly head once again and countless innocent men, women and children fell victim to a senseless and unspeakable act of brutality. But we know that bombs of terrorism may kill and injure, but they cannot crush the American spirit. Today we thank Cardinal O Malley for opening the embrace of his Cathedral to all of us to President Obama, to Governor Patrick, to Mayor Menino; to all who are in the public service; to the religious leaders of the Commonwealth; to every citizen, regardless of creed. We gather as a community as brothers and sisters in the household of God to bow our heads in solemn prayer for the repose of the souls of three innocent victims whose lives were violently taken, and for the countless victims who will bare painful wounds for the rest of their lives. We come today to thank God for the police and firefighters, the National Guard, the doctors and nurses for all who responded selflessly and courageously. We pray that our gracious, loving, compassionate and merciful God, the Healer of our souls and bodies watch over us and comfort us in our hour of pain. May He who is the Prince of peace bring peace to our souls and to our community. And may almighty God bless America!

Page 4 M ay 2013 Annunciation Church M onthly Bulletin FROM FATHER ANTHONY The following is taken from the April 2009 edition of the Annunciation bulletin. It doesn t seem like that long ago when Easter seemed like Easter, as we know it in the Orthodox Church. What I mean by this, is that growing up in San Francisco in the 60 s, I clearly recall when Western Easter still had to do with the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Yes, there were Easter bunnies back then, but that wasn t the central part of the celebration. A hill near our house had a cross made of lights that was lit for Western Holy Week and Easter week. On Western Palm Sunday, Holy Friday, and Easter Sunday, Christians of various denominations dressed up in their best church clothes and went to church with their families. Even though it wasn t our Holy Week, my mother would tell us that we should respect what other Christians were doing, especially on Holy Friday. I even remember television stations on Holy Friday during station identification, displaying the Cross with flowers in the background. Also during Holy Week, a variety of biblical movies where aired. Where has all that gone now? What has changed with Christians today? Are we Orthodox also affected by today s attitudes? One thing that I believe has led to the demise of a more religious celebration of Easter, is the overshadowing of the Christmas season. Even though Easter is the most important and holiest Christian holiday, Christmas has become a much more visibly recognizable and celebrated feast. Of course, we know what has also happened to the Christmas holiday season, which is an entirely separate topic! Other reasons for the loss of the spiritual significance of Easter are more complicated sociological issues which go beyond our purpose in this article. As Western Easter approaches, you begin to see familiar items appearing in the stores Easter baskets, fake grass, plastic eggs, lots of candy, and Easter bunnies. Easter eggs are a colorful and fun diversion for small children, having no real religious significance. The general focus is obviously on children, as if adults have somehow outgrown Easter. In our politically correct world, we talk about spring break, not Easter break. With many people, any discussion of Easter takes on a vague theme of renewal a safe theme that can apply to various cultures and religions. Because the Orthodox Church has maintained its clear emphasis on the preparation for, and celebration of Easter, the actual theme is not at all lost in an ambiguous cloud of empty, feel good talk. We Orthodox worship and celebrate Christ crucified and risen. This Feast of Feasts is so important in the liturgical calendar, that exactly 18 weeks are related to the celebration of Easter, or Pascha as we refer to this greatest of feasts. This includes the three week pre- Lenten period, Great Lent, Holy Week, the forty-day celebration of Pascha ending with the Ascension, the 10-day preparation for Pentecost, plus the week of celebrating Pentecost, which brings us to the Sunday of All-Saints. This equates to 4-1/2 months of the year! This amount of time in itself demonstrates the centrality of the feast of Pascha in the life of the Church, and our own spiritual lives. Beloved in Christ, let us make it a point to keep our children well connected and involved with the true, complete, and grace-filled celebration of the New Passover Pascha, which is derived from the Hebrew word Pesach, which means Passover. Let them be clear on what we celebrate as Orthodox, and why. I m not insinuating that having Easter egg hunts with multi-colored eggs, and buying a child an Easter bunny are wrong things to do. These things can be done as supplements to the Orthodox celebration of Pascha. The point is not to let the influence of a de- Christianized Easter permeate our homes and spiritual lives. A personal habit of mine is never referring to Orthodox Easter by that name. I prefer calling it Pascha, instead of a name that has nothing to do with the feast, but rather, a pagan spring festival. In addition to what we call the feast, we should always strive to keep the Orthodox celebration of Pascha unique and deeply meaningful, as it should be. Of course, if we want our children to come to love and appreciate Holy Pascha, we need to bring them to as many Holy Week services as possible. Children truly love and connect with our beautiful and meaningful rituals. The time to plant these seeds is while they are still young little spiritual sponges soaking in the grace of the Holy Spirit. Everything we Orthodox do related to the celebration of Pascha, from the Church s venerable traditions down to the symbolic traditions kept in our homes, will be in our children s hands to perpetuate throughout the coming generations. Let us all assist in preserving and passing on these venerable traditions, that have become so much a part of who we are as Orthodox Christians. In the love of the Crucified and Risen Lord, +Fr. Anthony

Annunciation Church M onthly Bulletin M ay 2013 Page 5 SPIRITUAL WISDOM From the Holy Fathers The following is taken from the writing of St. John of Damascus, regarding the Resurrection of Christ. The deified soul went down into hell so that, just as the Sun of Justice rose upon those on earth, so also might the light shine upon them under the earth who were sitting in darkness and the shadow of death; so that, just as He had brought the good news of peace to those on earth, so also might He bring that of deliverance to captives and that of sight to the blind And thus, having loosed them that had been bound for ages, He came back again from the dead and made the resurrection possible for us. After His resurrection from the dead He put aside all His passions, that is to say, ruin, hunger and thirst, sleep and fatigue, and the like. For even though He did taste food after His resurrection, it was not in obedience to any law of nature, because He did not feel hunger, but by way of dispensation that He might confirm the truth of the resurrection by showing that the flesh which had suffered and that which had risen were the same. Moreover, He did not put aside any of the elements of His nature, neither body nor soul, but kept possession of the body and the rational, intellectual, willing and acting soul. And thus He sits at the right hand of the Father and wills our salvation both as God and as man. And, while He acts as God by working the providence, preservation, and government of all things, He acts as man in remembering His labors on earth and in seeing and knowing that He is adored by all rational creation. Memorial Day Cemetery Visits In Appreciation From Father Since this edition is going to print prior to Holy Pascha, I would like to make the following acknowledgments in advance. My sincere gratitude goes to the many volunteers who once again, have contributed to the beautiful services and preparations during all of Great Lent, Holy Week, and Holy Pascha. This includes our chanters, choir, altar boys, readers, decorating committee, Parish Council and Philoptochos members, and the many behind the scenes dedicated individuals who continually contribute to the life of our parish. May the Crucified and Risen Lord bless all of you and your families during this most holy time of the ecclesiastical year! On Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, Fr. Anthony will be at the following cemeteries: Melrose Cemetery 10:00 am Evergreen Cemetery, Stoughton 10:45 am Knollwood Cemetery, Canton 11:30 am Canton Corner Cemetery, Canton 12:15 pm Please be ready to hand Father Anthony your list of names of your loved ones. Thank you.

Page 6 M ay 2013 Annunciation Church M onthly Bulletin Metropolis of Boston Clergy Brotherhood A Message from Fr. Constantine Newman Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Newburyport, MA The Victory of Life and Love The Services of Holy Week and Pascha in the Orthodox Church form the core of our liturgical year. Most Orthodox, even those who only attend church sporadically are familiar with the moving services of the Lamentations and the Anastasi. But the Mystery of Holy Week is so much more than that; the Church invites us to journey with our Lord from the triumph of the raising of Lazaros, through His confrontations with the religious authorities, to the cross and, finally, to the victory of the Resurrection. The services of Holy Week tell one complete story; only by following each one can we truly understand the depths of love which God has for us. The story which the services of Holy Week tells is the cosmic battle which began in the Garden in the beginning. In order to defeat death, and its agent sin, God Himself not only entered our world, but confronted death face-to-face. By journeying into the very heart of evil, He triumphed over it and destroyed it from within. The power of death which held us captive from the beginning was broken. We feel the power of this truth at midnight of Pascha as we wait in the dark, waiting for the one flame to come forth, Life coming forth from the tomb, and for this Light of Life to come to each of us, until the whole Church is aglow with the Light of the Resurrection. Then, in this celestial brightness, we can say with St. Paul, O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory? (1Corinthians 15:55) But this light will be an empty experience if we have not walked the long and difficult path of the Cross. If the Resurrection is the victory of life, the Cross is the victory of love. The two form one eternal whole, inviting into the very life of the Trinity. The life of the Trinity expresses itself entirely in self-sacrificial love. Which brings us back again to the services of Holy Week. By living each service, by contemplating the meaning of each day, we are drawn ever closer to the love of God who chose to empty Himself in every way in order to love us. What better way can there be of spending our time, making the smallest effort of love on our part in response to God s infinite love for us. Floral Needs for 2013 This year we will solicit icon decoration for major feasts through the Bulletin instead of announcements in church, in order to avoid confusion and duplications. Please note that the decoration of an icon will cost $60, unless otherwise indicated. Floral needs for Great Lent, Holy Week and Pascha are included in this announcement. If you would like to make any of these donations, please call the church office at 508-559-0910 and coordinate with our Office Manager Demetra Orfanos. We thank all our donors in advance and ask God s blessings upon them. Donors will be acknowledged in the Bulletin at the appropriate time. Feasts of Christ & the Theotokos ($60) 6/13 Ascension 6/23 Pentecost 8/6 Transfiguration (taken) 8/15 Dormition of the Theotokos (taken) 9/8 Nativity of Theotokos (taken) 9/14 Elevation of the Holy Cross (taken) 11/21 Entrance of the Theotokos 12/25 Nativity of Our Lord 1/6/2014 Holy Theophany (taken)

Annunciation Church M onthly Bulletin M ay 2013 Page 7 May 2013 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Please see your illustrated Archdiocesan Calendar for daily Scripture readings and fasting guidelines. For Holy Week services, please refer to program sent by mail, or on our website. Για τις ακολ ουθιες της Μεγ. Εβδοµαδος, βλεπετε το ειδικο δελτιο που λαβατε ταχυδροµικως. 1 Holy & Great Wednesday 2 Holy & Great Thursday 3 Holy & Great Friday 4 Holy & Great Saturday 5 HOLY PASCHA ΤΟ ΑΓΙΟΝ ΠΑΣΧΑ 6 Renewal Monday (no fasting during Renewal Week) 7 Renewal Tuesday OPA Gathering 12:00 noon 8 Renewal Wednesday 9 Renewal Thursday 10 Renewal Friday Life-Giving Spring of the Theotokos Orthros & Lit. Της Ζωοδοχου Πηγης 11 Renewal Saturday Thyranoixia of new St. Demetrios Church In Weston 6 pm 12 Sunday of Thomas Του Θωµα (Αντιπασχα) 13 14 Parish Council 6 pm 15 Small Vespers 7 pm followed by adult relig. education 16 17 18 Great Vespers 6 pm Philoptochos Food Festival 19 Sunday of the Myrrhbearers Των Μυροφορων Philoptochos Food Festival 20 21 Sts. Constantine & Helen Orthros & Lit. Των Αγιων Κωνσταντινου & Ελενης 22 Small Vespers 7 pm followed by adult relig. education 23 24 25 Great Vespers 6 pm 26 Sunday of the Paralytic Του Παραλυτου 27 Memorial Day (see entry for schedule of cemetery visits) 28 29 Mid-Pentecost Small Vespers 7 pm followed by adult relig. education 30 31

Page 8 M ay 2013 Annunciation Church M onthly Bulletin SACRAMENTS, DONATIONS FUNERALS 4/8 Sophia Vemis DONATIONS Decoration of Icon of Panayia-4th Salutations Ona Calogrias; Akathist Hymn George Theodossiou IMO Anastasia Theodossiou Bay Laurel Leaves for Palm Sunday and Holy Saturday Elizabeth Tsianakas Decoration of Icon of the Nymphios Elizabeth Tsianakas Wreath for the Holy Cross Soultana Kotsiopoulos Icon of the Resurrection George Panagoulopoulos IMO Stavroula Panagoulopoulos Banner of the Resurrection Toula Nacopoulos, IMO her father, Elias Tsougas James Jamoulis, $250 MEMORIAL DONATIONS In memory of Maria Fitopoulos, $360 Soultana & Chris Kotsiopoulos, $50, in memory of Maria Fitopoulos In memory of Aliki Handras, $100 Panagiota Papadopoulos, $100, in memory of Elias Papadopoulos Andrea Cicalis, $25, in memory of Alex Gikas Fotios & Phyllis Pouliopolos, $100, in memory of their parents Dimitrios & Despo, Thomas & Helen Katherine Danis, $100, in memory of Chris Tsaganis Georgia Petropoulos, $50, in memory of Theocritos Petropoulos Georgia Petropoulos, $50, in memory of Giorgios & Agoritsa Parafesta, Konstantinos & Giannoula Petropoulos Vaios Antonopoulos, $100, in memory of Dimitrios Antonopoulos Victoria Hatsiopoulos, $50, in memory of George Hatsiopoulos Victoria Hatsiopoulos, $50, in memory of Stavroula Panagoulopoulos In memory of Sophia Vemis, $470 The Giannakopoulos Family, $50, in memory of Sophia Vemis Soultana Kotsiopoulos, $30, in memory of Sophia Vemis ROOF REPAIR DONATIONS James Zaros, $300

Annunciation Church M onthly Bulletin M ay 2013 Page 9 GREEK MESSAGE 5 Μαΐου 2013 Ἅγιον Πάσχα Ἑορτή Ἑορτῶν Νῦν πάντα πεπλήρωται φωτός, οὐρανός τε καὶ γῆ καὶ τὰ καταχθόνια ἑορταζέτω γοῦν πᾶσα κτίσις τὴν ἔγερσιν Χριστοῦ, ἐν ᾗ ἐστερέωται. (Ὕμνος τοῦ Κανόνος τοῦ Πάσχα) Πρός τούς Σεβασμιωτάτους καί Θεοφιλεστάτους Ἀρχιερεῖς, τούς Εὐλαβεστάτους Ἱερεῖς καί Διακόνους, τούς Μοναχούς καί Μοναχές, τούς Προέδρους καί Μέλη τῶν Κοινοτικῶν Συμβουλίων, τά Ἡμερήσια καί Ἀπογευματινά Σχολεῖα, τίς Φιλοπτώχους Ἀδελφότητες, τήν Νεολαία, τίς Ἑλληνορθόδοξες Ὀργανώσεις καί ὁλόκληρο τό Χριστεπώνυμον πλήρωμα τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς Ἀμερικῆς Προσφιλεῖς Ἀδελφοί καί Ἀδελφές ἐν Χριστῷ, Στήν ἔνδοξη αὐτή Ἑορτή Ἑορτῶν, γεμάτη ἀπό λαμπρό φῶς καί ἀνείπωτη χαρά τήν ὁποία ἀνακαλύπτουμε στήν παρουσία τοῦ Ἀναστάντος Κυρίου μας, διακηρύσσω μαζί σας, Χριστός Ἀνέστη! Καθώς συγκεντρωνόμεθα νά λατρεύσουμε καί νά εὐχαριστήσουμε τόν Θεό γιά τήν ἀπέραντη χάρη Του καί τήν ἐκδήλωση τῆς δυνάμεώς Του στήν κατανίκηση τοῦ θανάτου καί τήν ἀποκατάστασή μας στήν ζωή, ἐπιβεβαιώνουμε μέ ὕμνους καί λόγους τόν παγκόσμιο ἀντίκτυπο τῆς Ἀναστάσεως τοῦ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. Μέ ὕμνους ἀπό τόν Κανόνα αὐτῆς τῆς Ἁγίας Ἑορτῆς τοῦ Πάσχα καί τίς ἀκολουθίες τῆς Πασχαλινῆς περιόδου, διακηρύσσουμε, Νῦν πάντα πεπλήρωται φωτός, διότι Χριστὸς, ὁ Σωτὴρ τοῦ κόσμου ἐπλήρωσε τὰ σύμπαντα εὐωδίας. Ὄντως, τά σύμπαντα πεφώτισται τῇ ἀναστάσει σου, Κύριε. Μέσα ἀπό τήν δύναμη τῆς Ἀναστάσεως τοῦ Κυρίου μας καί τῆς ἀποκα-λύψεώς Του ὡς Πηγῆς τῆς ἀληθινῆς καί αἰώνιας ζωῆς, ὅλη ἡ δημιουργία ἔχει γεμίσει μέ τήν παρουσία τῆς χάριτος τοῦ Θεοῦ. Τό φῶς τῆς Ἀναστάσεως πλημμυρίζει τά πάντα καί ἐξαφανίζει πλήρως τό σκοτάδι. Μέσα σ αὐτό τό φῶς, τίποτε δέν παραμένει κρυφό οἱ συνέπειες τῆς ἁμαρτίας γίνονται φανερές καί ὁ θρίαμβος τοῦ Σταυροῦ ἀποκαλύπτεται παγκοσμίως. Σέ ὁλόκληρο τόν κόσμο προσφέρεται τό γλυκύ ἅρωμα τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου διά τῆς Ἀναστάσεως τοῦ Ἰησοῦ. Εἶναι ἄρωμα ζωῆς. Εἶναι δροσερό καί νέο καί διαποτίζει τήν δημιουργία μέ ἐλπίδα. Εἶναι βάλσαμο τό ὁποῖο μετατρέπει τήν ἀπόγνωση σέ προσμονή, προσφέρει εἰρήνη ἐν μέσῳ μεγάλης ἀναταραχῆς καί τραγωδίας καί ὑπόσχεται ἀνανεωμένη δύναμη καί σωτηρία γιά τό παρόν καί γιά τήν αἰωνιότητα. Στό φῶς καί τό ἄρωμα τῆς Ἀναστάσεως τοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὅλα τά πράγματα γεμίζουν μέ φῶς. Ἀποκαλύπτεται ἡ ἀλήθεια. Ὑποδεικνύεται ἡ ὁδός τῆς ζωῆς. Ἡ Ἀνάσταση καλεῖ ὅλους τούς ἀνθρώπους νά δοῦν τήν δύναμη τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐπί τοῦ θανάτου καί νά λάβουν ἐν πίστει τήν χάρη τοῦ Θεοῦ. Ὁ Κύριος ἐξεπλήρωσε τήν ὑπόσχεσή Του νά λυτρώσῃ τά δημιουργήματά Του. Ὅλοι οἱ ἄνθρωποι καλοῦνται νά ἀνοίξουν τά πνευματικά τους μάτια καί νά δοῦν τήν ἀπόλυτη δύναμη τοῦ Σταυροῦ καί τῆς Ἀναστάσεως. Τήν εὐλογημένη αὐτήν ἡμέρα μποροῦμε νά δοῦμε καί νά ἀναγνωρίσουμε καθαρά τήν ἐπίδραση τῆς Ἀναστάσεως καί τῆς Ἑορτῆς τοῦ Ἁγίου Πάσχα στίς ζωές μας. Μέσα ἀπό τόν ἑορτασμό καί τήν πίστη μας στόν Ἀναστάντα Κύριο, γεμίζουμε ἀπό τό θεῖο φῶς Του καί βλέπουμε τήν ἀλήθεια σχετικά μέ τήν ἀνάγκη μας γιά λύτρωση καί σωτηρία. Τό γλυκύ ἄρωμα τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου μᾶς γεμίζει μέ ἐλπίδα καί προσφέρει ἴαση. Στόν ὁλοκληρωτικό καί τέλειο θρίαμβο τοῦ Κυρίου μας πραγματοποιοῦνται οἱ ὑποσχέσεις τοῦ Θεοῦ. Κάθε μέρος τοῦ εἶναι μας, κάθε πτυχή τῆς ζωῆς μας, κάθε σχέση, κάθε σκέψη καί λόγος συναντᾶ τόν Ἀναστάντα Κύριο. Καθώς ἑορτάζουμε χαρμόσυνα τήν Ἑορτή αὐτή, ἄς ἀγκαλιάσουμε τόν Ἀναστάντα Κύριο καί ἄς λουσθοῦμε στό φῶς τῆς Ἀναστάσεως. Εἴθε νά ἀντιληφθοῦμε ὅτι ἡ δύναμη τῆς Ἀναστάσεως ἔχει τεράστια ἐπίδραση στό σύμπαν, στόν κόσμο μας, καί στίς ζωές μας. Καί εἴθε νά λάβουμε τήν χάρη καί τήν ζωή πού μᾶς προσφέρει ὁ Χριστός ἔτσι ὥστε νά ὁδηγηθοῦμε μακριά ἀπό τήν ἁμαρτία καί τόν θάνατο καί νά εἰσέλθουμε στήν εὐλογημένη καί αἰώνια ζωή μέσα στήν ἔνδοξη παρουσία Του. Σέ σᾶς, στίς κοινότητές σας καί στίς οἰκογένειές σας εὔχομαι μία ὑπέροχη καί θαυμάσια Ἑορτή πλημμυρισμένη μέ τό φῶς καί τήν χαρά τοῦ Πάσχα. Χριστός Ἀνέστη, προσφιλεῖς μου Χριστιανοί Μέ πατρική ἀγάπη ἐν Κυρίῳ Ἀναστάντι, ὁ ἈρχιεπίσκοποςἈμερικῆς Δημήτριος

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Annunciation Church M onthly M ay 2013 Page 11 Stewardship Update As of March 31, Stewardship pledges total $35,095. As a friendly reminder, we need everyone to contribute early and generously in order to maintain the operating expenses of our Church. Stewardships are the greatest source of income for our church. Please remember your pledge for 2013. Σας παρακαλούµε µη ξεχάσετε να αποτείλετε την ετήσια προσφορά σας για το παρόν (τούτο) το έτος 2013. Η ετήσια προσφορά σας αποτελεί τη βασικώτερη πηγή εισοδήµατος για τη συντήρηση και τις καθηµερινές ανάγκες της Εκκλησίας µας. Σας ευχαριστούµε θερµά. 2013 Calendar of Events 169 Hungry Friends Dinner Thurs, May 9 Greek School Graduation Sat, May 11 Philoptochos Food Festival Sat-Sun, May 18-19 Sunday School Graduation Sun, May 19 Golf Tournament Mon, July 8 Summer Picnic Sun, Aug 18 Annual Food Festival Thurs-Sun, Sep 19-22 Fall General Assembly Sun, Nov 17 Parish Council Elections Sun, Dec 8 Parish Council Oath of Office, Election of Officers Sun, Dec 22 Parish Council Meeting Schedule for 2013 Don t Forget This past winter season, we exceeded our snow removal budget by $5,000. These costs could not be foreseen and are unsustainable to our financial budget. We ask that all parishioners help us with the costs by donating $25 per family. Collectively, we can make a difference. May 14 June 11 July (no meeting) August 13 New! September 10 October 8 November 12 December 10 As always we thank the faithful for their continuous support of our Church and we are truly blessed to have these facilities. Our Church was built by our parents, grandparents, friends and relatives with much hard work and dedication. It is our duty to maintain these grounds for our children. Parishioners can now make donations using our website! Our Online Bill Pay option works like this: Go to our church website at http://www.annunciationbrockton.org Scroll down the home page. Select (left click) one of the 4 Bill Pay options listed and follow links for more information and options. You can fulfill your Stewardship or make other payments by credit card, including Roof Donations. If you have any questions, please contact the church office for assistance.

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Page 14 M ay 2013 Annunciation Church M onthly Bulletin PHILOPTOCHOS We have Lenten items Lenten service books such as Service of the Akathist Hymn, Great Compline, and the classic black Holy Week book. Great Lent by Alexander Schmemann Pamphlet about Confession Pocket prayer books, $5 Easter story cube for preschool children New - Just published! Orthodox Christian Parenting Cultivating God's Creation A collection of Orthodox Christian guidelines for raising children within our faith and in the modern world. Philoptochos annual Spring Festival will be May 17-18, starting at 11 a.m. See you there! For Koliva, please call the church office at 508-559-0910. We would appreciate one week s notice in advance of the memorial service to prepare your koliva. The cost is $85 and checks should be made payable to the Ladies Philoptochos Society. If you are interested in sponsoring a coffee hour, please call Bertha Weinberg at 508-586-1030 or contact the Church office. Might be a nice gift. Free Item Basket Basket of donated items, service books, prayer books other Orthodox items of interest. Come and visit our store every Sunday after Church Annunciationbrockton.bookstore@gmail.com Anyone who would like a visit from the ladies of Philoptochos, or knows of someone who would like some company, please contact our chair-lady Soultana Kotsiopoulos at 508-584-8338. Bake Sale! Sunday, May 12 The Pan-Macedonian Ladies Group will hold a bake sale during the coffee hour after Liturgy. Come and visit!

Annunciation Church M onthly Bulletin M ay 2013 Page 15 PARISH NEWS Our Dance Group at the Greek Independence Day Parade in Boston Eleftheria I thanatos!

Page 16 M ay 2013 Annunciation Church M onthly Bulletin YOUTH NEWS Holy Friday Activities for All Youth Sunday School Sunday school classes are held following Holy Communion. May: May 5, Pascha/family worship May 12, regular class schedule May 19, classes 10:15, graduation-awards Parents who would like to register their children for Sunday school may contact Dina Coon at coon005@aol.com or call 781-871-5343 Children of all ages are welcome to stay in Church all day on Holy Friday, May 3. Father Anthony will provide all with a note for an excused absence. After the 10:00 am service, we will all enjoy a pot luck lunch. For those who are staying until the evening service, a pot luck supper will also be served. Please remember to bring food that follows the Lenten guidelines and is peanut -free. After lunch, we will work together to clean the church and get it ready for the afternoon and evening services. We will also take time to watch a movie about Jesus. Parents and children are welcome to spend the day. We will need some parental support Greek School Greek School Graduation will be held on Saturday, May 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. We ask for the support of the Greek School families and parish to help make this a successful event.

Annunciation Church M onthly Bulletin M ay 2013 Page 17 YOUTH NEWS Our GOYANS at the Greek Independence Day Parade in Boston. GOYA Schedule Sun May 12 - Monthly Meeting We have many important things to discuss, so please come! GOYANS in the news Andreas Evangelatos preformed in his high school play, The Sound of Music. He was Captain Von Trapp. Also, Dimitra Efremidis, Chris Constantinou, Ariana Buterbaugh and Peter Buterbaugh will be performing in the Great East Competition with their school, Easton Middle School. In addition, Chris Constantinou and Dimitra Efrimidis will be representing EMS in SEMSBA May 4-5.

Page 18 M ay 2013 Annunciation Church M onthly Bulletin ΟΠΑ! ΟΠΑ! Get Together Date: May 7, 2013 Tuesday 12:00-2:00 pm Please join us for...... Lunch And an afternoon of BINGO for fun and prizes We will be organizing a day trip to Astoria, NY On Sunday, June 30, 2013. Registration and payments will be taken at this meeting.

Annunciation Church M onthly Bulletin M ay 2013 Page 19 Annunciation Ladies Philoptochos Presents Weekend Greek Food Festival May 18-19 Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church 457 Oak Street Brockton Featuring Authentic Greek food, appetizers and delicious pastries Come dance with us! Festivities begin at 11 a.m. For more information, call 508-559-0910

Page 20 M ay 2013 Annunciation Church M onthly Bulletin More photos from our GOYANs at the Greek Independence Day Parade in Boston!

Annunciation Church M onthly Bulletin M ay 2013 Page 21

We are now reserving space in our monthly bulletin for advertising purposes in order to defer from the high costs of publishing. You can now advertise your business for a small cost. The following are the advertising costs ¼ Year ½ Year 1 Full Year Full Page Inside Front Cover $525.00 $1,000.00 $1,500.00 Full Page Inside Back Cover $525.00 $1,000.00 $1,500.00 ½ Page Outside Back Cover $525.00 $1,000.00 $1,500.00 Full Page $420.00 $ 800.00 $1,200.00 ½ Page $210.00 $ 400.00 $ 600.00 Business Card Size $105.00 $ 200.00 $ 300.00 Space is limited and will be available On a First Come, First Serve Basis. The deadline for including your advertisement will be on the 10 th of each month. If you have any questions and are interested in an opportunity that will support our Church, please contact the Church Office.

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church 457 Oak Street Brockton, MA 02301 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Brockton, MA Permit No. 258 Phone 508-559-0910 Fax 508-584-8679 Email office@annunciationbrockton.org We re on the Web! www.annunciationbrockton.org DATED MATERIAL PLEASE EXPEDITE Nicholas H. Babanikas Stephen S. Ziedman John J. King Konstantinos J. Babanikas Thomas J. Dinopoulos* Praven Shency Louis debenedictis Aleksandra Magdziak Lopes *Also admitted to Rhode Island and Florida Babanikas, Ziedman & King, P.C. 1247 Belmont Street Brockton, ma 02301-4432 (508) 588-7000 Telecopier (508) 559-2775 bzklaw.com Richard T. Mallen Of Counsel Boston Office 27 School Street, Suite 400 Boston, MA 02108 (617) 248-0448 New Bedford Office 355 Union Street New Bedford, MA 02740 (508) 996-1116 Concentrating in Personal Injury law Social Security Workmen s compensation wills and trusts product liability real estate law