St. Basil the Great, January 1st Receive and Share the ...1).pdf · blessing season and will resume again in February AGAPE Bible Study This monthly group, led by Fr. Veronis, offers

Receive and Share the Light of Christ!

St. Basil the Great, January 1st

Father Hector’s Message 1

Spiritual Message 2

Parish Study Groups 3

Parish News 4

Youth Page 5

Theophany House Blessings

Schedule & Message 6 & 7

Christmas Pointsettia

Donations 8 & 9

Pictures 10 &11

Philoptochos/ Preschool 12

Apokriatiko Glendi 13

Parish News Events in Greek 14

Greek Spiritual Message 15

Spiritual Message 16

Insert

January Calendar

~ IN THIS ISSUE ~

January 2020

Church Office Email Addresses

Office Email ……………………office @agochurch.com

Fr. Hector Firoglanis………..…[email protected]

Fr. Alexander Veronis……………[email protected]

Fr.Theodosios Palis………[email protected]

Eleni Mamas………………………[email protected]

David Gammache………………[email protected]

Mary Sakellaris……………………[email protected]

Sunday Worship Hours

8:15 AM - Orthros

9:30 AM - Divine Liturgy

Contacts

Sunday School…………………..………..Sally Stratigos

Dan Soukas, Jonathan Troop

Organist....…………….……………..Zaferula Yelagotes

Philoptochos……………..…………………..Effie Hogan

Joanne Martin

GOYA..………….…………………..……….Luke Bartlett

GOYA Dance………………..………….Despina Proithis

JOY Dance…………….……………..…....Angie Hessen

Evzonakia Dance……………………….Jenna Ioannidis

Lambrynee Maillis

Greek School PTO……………........Panagiotis S. Billis

AHEPA………………...…………… George Georges

Daughters of Penelope….…………..Wendy Voulopos

Kathy Granbois

Pan-Coan Society……….……………...….Maria Barron

Chiotiko Society…………….............Panagiotis S. Billis

Webmaster…………….…………...………..Kim Keares

Bazaar Committee………………………Kosta Kontanis Alexandra Schramm

Bookstore……………………………..Paul & Kay Benos

ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

64 Hershey Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17603

Phone: 717-394-1735 Fax: 717-394-0991

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.annunciationorthodox.org

Office Hours: Monday—Friday, 8:00 AM—4:00 PM

The Annunciator is the monthly newsletter of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.

Submissions for consideration are due the 15th of each month.

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church is under the jurisdiction of:

His Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholemew

His Eminence, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America

His Eminence, Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

Parish Administration

Clergy

Rev. Hector Firoglanis, Pastor

Rev. Theodosios Palis, Assistant Pastor

Rev. Alexander Veronis, Pastor Emeritus

Rev. Alexander Goussetis, Mission Parish Pastor

Parish Council

Dr. Spencer Phillips, President

George Soukas, Vice President

John Stauffer, Treasurer; Kali Karomfily, Assistant Treasurer

Secretary, Kim Keares Keith Bartlett Steve Marinos

Panagiotis S. Billis Maria Querry

Manny Firoglanis Jonathan Speros

Helen Hazatones Artemis Tsoflias

Nicolas Kambouroglos Nicholas Veronis

Nicholas Karamanos

Board of Elders

Tina Georges Dan Soukas

Dr. Nikitas Zervanos

Church Staff

Office Administrator…………………..……………...Eleni Mamas

Office Assistant…………………………………… Mary Keares

Office Assistant…………………………………..Mary Sakellaris

Building Supervisor…………...….………… .David Gammache

Assistant Building Supervisor……………………….Daniel Blain

Sexton………………………………………………..Alex Mountis

Cantors………………………………………………. Daniel Blain

Nicholas Billis

Nicholas Belessis

Jonathan Troop

Choir Director……………………………………...John Scanlon

Ecclesiarchs………………………………….……….Aaron Blain

Luke Tsoflias

F a t h e r H e c t o r ’ s M e s s a g e

www.annunciationorthodox.org The Annunciator/2019 PAGE 1

Equality in the Church

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). In the Church we are all free and equal, but not the way the world understands freedom and equality: we are not free to do whatever we want, and we are not equal in that we are all the same. Rather, we are free to be holy, and we are equal by God’s grace in that we all have an equal oppor-tunity to achieve our purpose of becoming like God.

We see this in our saints throughout the centuries. We have saints who are men and women. We have saints who are educated and illiterate; wealthy and poor; black and white; married and unmarried; old and young. We are all free and we all have an equal opportunity to achieve our ultimate purpose of growing towards holiness, growing towards God’s likeness, growing towards greater self-control, humility, goodness, forgiveness, kind-ness, generosity, peace, and love. Ultimately, what else matters in life more than this?

Elder Efraim of Arizona, who recently fell asleep in the Lord, had the following enlightened words to offer about equality:

There is a lot of talk these days about the equality of the genders—men and women. But the fight for women’s equality and the so-called feminist movement are late. Christianity already solved this problem twenty centuries ago. How? It destroyed the differences! It gave women equal honor to men. And what’s more—it gave one woman such honor that not a single man has had, has, or will have. This woman is the Most Holy Theotokos.

In Christianity, in the Church, people are evaluated not on the basis of gender, so-cial position, level of education, financial means, giftedness, and so on. People are distinguished and evaluated on one single basis—holiness. For God there is neither man nor woman. There are only sinners and penitents (those who are repenting).

In the world there will always be unrest, anger, despair, and sadness due to the inherit inequality and inability to achieve the worldly promises of a comfortable life, liberty from the consequences of the Fall (including exploi-tation of the weak and vulnerable, corrupt governments, the scourges of poverty, illness, and inner brokenness), and the pursuit of happiness through material prosperity — opportunities of which are not equally distributed to all people.

In the Church, however, there is peace, goodness, and joy, since a person is not measured by their power, posi-tion, influence, or worldly success. Rather, all — and I mean All people — have equal opportunity by the grace of God to achieve their divine calling to transcend their fallen human nature and become like God... to become holy, good, compassionate, full of grace, kindness, hope, and love. Children, the elderly and sick who are for-gotten in nursing homes and hospitals, a man, a woman, poor or wealthy, free or slave, Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, or other: all have equal opportunity in the Church to accept God’s invitation to pursue a path to holiness.

The paradox in the Church is that the path towards holiness is actually wider for those who are weak, forgotten, exploited, and in a general position of weakness in the eyes of the world. This is verified by two holy images: the Son of God as a vulnerable child lying in a manger, and the Suffering Servant hanging on a cross. God’s grace and strength is made perfect through our weakness, and this is why true equality exists not in the world but in the life of the Church, where the Saints — the members of the spiritual Hall of Fame — come from all backgrounds and walks of life to achieve our ultimate purpose in life, which is to become holy like God and to reign with Him for eternity in His Heavenly Kingdom.

S p i r i t u a l M e s s a g e


Mother Gavrilia: The Language of God

Once when I was there where I was, some foreign mission-ary came and said to me, “You may be a good woman, but you’re not a good Christian.”

I said, “Why?”

“Because you have been here so long and you only go about speaking English. What local languages have you learned?”

I said to him, “I haven’t managed to learn any of the local languages, because I travel a great deal from place to place. As soon as I learn one dialect, they start speaking another. I’ve only learned ‘Good morning’ and ‘Good evening.’ Nothing else.”

“Bah, you’re no Christian. How can you evangelize? All the Catholics and Protestants learn all the local dialects in order to . . .”

Then I said, “Lord, give me an answer for him.” I asked it with all my heart, and then I said, “Ah. I forgot to tell you. I know five languages.”

“Really? What are these five?”

“The first is the smile; the second is tears. The third is to touch. The fourth is prayer, and the fifth is love. With these five languages I go all around the world.”

Then he stopped and said, “Just a minute. Say that again so I can write it down.”

With these five languages you can travel the whole earth, and all the world is yours. Love everyone as your own–without concern for religion or race, without concern for anything.

Everywhere are people of God. You never know if the one you see today might tomorrow be a saint.

From the Book: “Mother Gavrilia: The Ascetic of Love.”

www.annunciationorthodox.org The Annunciator/ 2019 PAGE 3

Parish Study Groups

Learn Your Faith! Our parish is blessed to offer a variety of Bible Studies and discussion groups to help inform and inspire our parishioners and visitors. Check the weekly bulletin, the monthly Annunciator, and the parish website for specific dates and times of the following groups.

PLUGGED-IN GROUP

This study group meets in the Library

after Liturgy and is led by Dr. Tom Miller and other lay

leaders of the parish. They will be focusing on short

inspirational reflections & discussion on how our Orthodox

Faith impacts our daily life.

Sunday, January 5, 12, 19 & 26 - Library

11:30am—12:15pm

Women’s Bible Study This group, led by Presvytera Pearl Veronis, meets

weekly on Tuesday mornings. Bible

Studies and other resources are used for

inspiration and education of the Orthodox faith.

TBA

Evening Orthodox Study Group

A study group, led by Fr. Hector, which meets

Wednesday evenings throughout the year. This

group will be taking a break during the house

blessing season and will resume again in

February

AGAPE Bible Study This monthly group, led by Fr. Veronis, offers a fellowship and

study in the Greek language. Refreshments will be offered by

the women’s bible study group.

Tuesday, January 21

10:00 AM

Women’s Orthodox Book Study

This women’s study group meets weekly and during

the month of January will continue to focus on the

book, “Everyday Saints”

Thursday, January 2, 9, 16 & 23 - 10:00 AM

Thursday, January 30 - 11:00 AM - Room 7

A Study of the Ancient Church Fathers

This study group, led by Ed Blain, will

focus on the readings of the Ancient Christian

writers of the second century, especially St. Clement

of Alexandria & St. Justin, Martyr, among others.

TBA

Recommended Reading for Parents

“Parenting toward the Kingdom” Orthodox Christian Principles of Child-Rearing

By Dr. Philip Mamalakis

Available at:

https://holycrossbookstore.com/

P a r i s h N e w s


Sacraments

Baptism

Dec. 21 Stamatios Mihalopoulos, child of Antony and

Cleopatra (Nacopoulos), with Sponsor,

Presvytera Katerina Firoglanis.

Wedding

Dec. 8 Shayne Rothweiler & Liz Steiner, with

Sponsor, Nicholas Karpouzis

Funerals

Nov. 27 Stamatia Monahas (87)

Nov. 30 Dimitrios Papadopoulos (60)

Dec. 11 Demetria Baker (76)

Dec. 19 Harry Hazangeles (91)

Altar Candles & Flowers Altar Candles Dec. 8 In loving memory of Nicolas Agouridis by his wife Koula, children & grandchildren. Dec. 25 In loving memory of husband, Spyros Tsoflias, & son, John Tsoflias, by Kalliopi Tsoflias. Altar Flowers

Dec. 1 In loving memory of our mother, Nena Valavanes, from her children. Dec. 8 In loving memory of Nicholas M. Valudes, by Dr. George & Zaferula Yelagotes. Dec. 25 In loving memory of Mary & Michael Efstration, by Gary & Angie Efstration and family.

Candelabra Candles Dec. 1 In loving memory of yiayia, Nena Valavanes, from her grandchildren. Dec. 8 In celebration of our son, Shayne’s & Liz’s wedding, from Phyllis & Brian Rothweiler. Dec. 25 In loving memory of Spyros & John Tsoflias, by Gary & Angie Efstration and family.

Christmas Card 2019

Additional names that didn’t make our

Christmas Card and would like to extend their

Holiday wishes to all parishioners

Maurice & Sam Fokas

Georgia, Jonathan, Dolly & Paige Price

2020 Pledges

Snyder Funeral Home

Elections were held on Dec. 1, 2019

Members elected to Parish Council were incumbents:

Keith Bartlett, Helen Hazatones, Kim Keares,

Kali Karomfily, Steve Marinos, Artemis Tsoflias &

Niko Veronis

Newly elected member:

Ed Drogaris

Board of Elders:

Tina Georges, Dan Soukas & Dr. Nikita Zervanos

Parish Council Oath of Office and Election of Officers

will be held at 11:00AM, Sunday, Jan. 12th

Parish Council Elections Epiphany Home Blessings

It is a joy and privilege for the clergy to be welcomed into your homes during the Epiphany season to offer a house blessing. It is a unique opportunity to connect with the beloved families of our parish in a more personal setting as we bring the Grace of Theophany into your homes. If you wish to have your home blessed this year, please sign up in the Breezeway for an afternoon (before 4pm) or evening (after 4pm) time slot on the day we will be in your area (see schedule on page 6). Or you may call/email the church office to set up a time. We will come to your house for a blessing only if you sign up ahead of time or with an appointment.

A note concerning “tips” for the priest: A small tip for the priest is not necessary nor expected during a house blessing, but will be received with a spirit of gratitude if offered. Any “tips” given to the priest will be used for charitable purposes — so that the gift may be returned to you and your family as a spiritual blessing. A check may be made payable to “Annunciation Church Altar Fund.”

Please remember to turn in your Stewardship Pledge!!

Pledges received: 171 Total dollars pledged: $351,976 Our Pledge Goal is: $580,000

Thank You, once again, to Snyder Funeral Homes for sponsoring the 2020 Ecclesiastical Calendars that are included with this Annunciator mailing.

The Annunciator/2019 PAGE 5 www.annunciationorthodox.org

Y o u t h P a g e

T h e o p h a n y H o u s e B l e s s i n g S c h e d u l e


2020 THEOPHANY HOUSE BLESSING SCHEDULE

One of the great blessings of the Epiphany season is to bring the Grace of this great Feastday of the Church into your homes. If you wish to have your home blessed during the month of January,

please sign up in the Breezeway or call the church office to schedule a time slot (afternoon or evening) for the day our clergy will be in your area as listed on the schedule below.

DATE (2020) THE HOMES IN THE FOLLOWING AREA

Monday, January 6 North of Walnut and East of Queen Street

Tuesday, January 7 Fruitville Pike Area

Wednesday, January 8 School Lane Hills and Marietta Avenue Area

Thursday, January 9 North of King Street, South of King Street, and West of Queen Street

Friday, January 10 Abbeyville Rd. Area, School House Rd., Columbia Pike Area

Saturday, January 11 Millersville and Washington Boro

Monday, January 13 Silver Springs & Marietta

Tuesday, January 14 East of Queen Street, Lincoln Highway, & Lampeter Strasburg

Wed. & Thurs., January 15 & 16 Park City, Centerville, & Landisville

Friday, January 17 Millersville Pike Area

Saturday, January 18 Blossom Hills, Bloomingdale and Overlook Heights Area

Monday, January 20 Landis Valley Area and Mondamin

Tues. & Wed., January 21 & 22 Grandview Heights, Eden and Eden Rd. Area

Thurs. and Friday, January 23 & 24 Neffsville and Lititz

Saturday, January 25 Denver, Ephrata, Akron, Stevens, New Holland, Leola,

Brownstown, Rothsville, Talmage

Monday, January 27 Gordonville, Honeybrook, West Chester, Coatesville, Downingtown

Tuesday, January 28 Willow Street, Conestoga, New Providence, Holtwood, Peach Bottom,

Oxford, Kirkwood

Wednesday, January 29 East Petersburg, Manheim, Lebanon

Thursday, January 30 Mount Joy, Elizabethtown, Harrisburg

Friday, January 31 Columbia, Wrightsville, York, Mountville Area


T h e o p h a n y H o u s e B l e s s i n g s

Why Do We Have Our Homes Blessed? by Phyllis Meshel Onest, M.Div.

The Feast Of Theophany

The Feast of Theophany (or Epiphany) commemorates the Baptism of our Lord in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. We know from the troparion of the day that "the Trinity was made manifest" to us. But there's more to it than this. "When Jesus descends into the depths of the river, there occurs a profound upheaval. It is not the one baptized who is purified, for he is spotless; but it is the water that is transfigured and illumined. This water, which was believed to be transparent and purifying, is in fact polluted, inhabited by evil spirits, servants of the old gods. … By purifying the elements, by sanctifying matter, Jesus frees the cosmos from the powers of evil." (The Incarnate God, Vol. I, Catherine Aslanoff, French edition editor, translated by Paul Mey-endorff, p.163.)

The Great Blessing of Water and the Home

The Great Blessing of Water takes place at the end of that day's Liturgy. Since our homes cannot be brought to the Church, the Church - through the priest and cantor - go to the homes. There the service of blessing, which began in the church, is finished with the sprinkling of water in the home. Traditionally, in most Orthodox par-ishes, the priest personally visits all his parishioners each year to pray with them in the place where they live, and to bless their surroundings with the newly sanctified water of Theophany (January 6/13). By sanctifying our living quarters, our private place, we extend the grace of God to our individual dwellings. (In very large parishes a yearly visit may not be possible. In areas of the country where the winter is harsh, I know of at least one parish where houses are blessed at the beginning of the ecclesiastical year in September.)

We also bring the blessed water to our homes to use throughout the year to bless our homes and to drink whether we are ill or as part of our daily prayer life. "There are many occasions in family life when a sip of holy water can help to remind us of the blessing that was given 'to bestow sanctification', 'unto healing of soul and body', 'to be a fountain welling forth unto life eternal', as the priest prayed in the litany of Epiphany day." (Little Falcons: Water, Vol. 5, No. 2, 1998, p.33.)

Weaving Christ into Our Lives

The blessing of homes by these holy waters maintains the spiritual association between the 'family church' and the parish, as well as again providing for the sharing of God's spiritual gifts. … This annual blessing is not as elaborate as the blessing of the new dwelling, but because of this it should not be overlooked, for it is in this way that the grace of God is extended to individual dwellings." (Marriage and the Christian Home, p.25.)

If the priest comes to bless the home when the children are present, they have the opportunity to see the par-ish priest in a different and personal situation. If the priest permits, they can lead the way through the house, or hold a candle. They can show him their rooms or pets or favorite toys. They receive a blessing with water. For children, the house blessing shows the connection of the Church to the home.

In Summary

What does it mean to ask God to bless something? All things in the world have been spoiled right along with us. God must bless His world again in order for it to be the way that He wants it to be. For this reason God sent His Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit to the world: to bless everyone and everything that He made, to make all things good again. When the priest comes to bless our homes, he asks God to have mercy on the house, to rid it of every evil and to fill it with every blessing. What a wonderful way to begin the New Year!

Christmas Pointsettias and Decorations for the 2019 Christmas Season

www.annunciationorthodox.org The Annunciator 2019/Page 8

For the Glory of God from Fr. Hector & Presvytera

Katerina Firoglanis & Family ___

For the Glory of God from Fr. Theodosios & Presvytera

Elizabeth Palis & Family _________

For the Glory of God from Fr. Alexander & Presvytera

Pearl Veronis & Family __________________

In Loving Memory of Archbishop Iakovos from

Louis & Helen Nicozisis ___________

In Honor of all OCMC Missionaries from Louis &

Helen Nicozisis ___________

In Honor of Fr. & Presv. Hector Firoglanis from

Louis & Helen Nicozisis ___________

In Honor of Fr. & Presv. Alexander Veronis from

Louis & Helen Nicozisis_______________________________

For the Glory of God and in Thanksgiving from


In Loving Memory of Areti Hazangeles from her

husband Paschali, children & grandchildren _____

In Loving Memory of Arthur & Helen Moshos from

John & Patty Baldwin & Family ___________

In Loving Memory of Gust & Koula Manis from

John & Irene Beake ____

In Loving Memory of Joachim & Manto Beake

from John & Irene Beake ____

For the Glory of God from Dottie Berberian ____

In Loving Memory of Gust & Bessie Diamantoni and

Alexandra Michalopoulos from James & Martha Diamantoni

In Loving Memory of our parents and our relatives

from Christos & Andriana Firoglanis ____

In Loving Memory of Gust & Koula Manis from

John & Irene Beake _____

In Loving Memory of Joachim & Manto Beake

from John & Irene Beake _____

In Loving Memory of Gust & Bessie Diamantoni and

Alexandra Michalopoulos from James & Martha Diamantoni

In Loving Memory of Angelica Baxewanis and

Dr. Frank Essis from Terry & Frank Essis ____

In Loving Memory of our parents and our relatives

from Christos & Andriana Firoglanis ____

For the Glory of God from Greg & Amber Firoglanis ____

In Loving Memory of Thea Panagiota and Thea Areti

from Kyriakos & Helene Firoglanis & Family ___________

In Loving Memory of my husband John from Artemis Flouras

In Loving Memory of Thomas Georgallis from

Maria Georgallis & Family _____

In Loving Memory of Stephen Georgeadis and

Jacob & Eva Lascarides from Betsy L. Georgeadis _____

In Loving Memory of Paul, Pamela & Katerina Karpouzis

and Andrew Georges from George & Tina Georges __

In Loving Memory of Nicholas & Kalliopi Kambouroglos,

Sophia Kouros, Panayiotis & Adamandia Giourtis from

Kosta & Demetra Giourtis__________________________

In Loving Memory of my parents Angelo & Catherine

Poneros from Athena Hasik ______________

In Loving Memory of Panagiotis Iliadis from David

& Angie Hessen _

In Loving Memory of Areti Hazangeles from David

& Angie Hessen _

In Loving Memory of Charles Hugh Hogan from

Effie B. Hogan ________

In Honor of Charles Hogan and Nina Hogan Sellers

from Effie B. Hogan _

In Loving Memory of my husband Thomas, parents

Nick & Anthi Hondras, Christ & Mary Bisbikis &

sister Helen Lewis from Irene B. Hondras _

In Loving Memory of my husband Panagiotis

Iliadis from Mersini Iliadis & Family _

For the Glory of God from Elias & Stella Kambouroglos _

In Loving Memory of Paul, Pamela & Katerina Karpouzis

from Kyvele Karpouzis ______________

In Loving Memory of parents Nicholas & Fotini Skiadas

and Petros, Evangelia & Maria Keares from

Harry & Irene Keares_____________________________

In Honor of Our Wonderful Parents from Diane Koken

& John Herr ______________

In Loving Memory of Panagiotis Iliadis & John

Karomfily from Mr. & Mrs. Michael Karomfily ________

In Loving Memory of Our Parents Nicholas, Kalliopi &

John and sister Sophia from Diane & Mark Kostaris _


Tom & Ginny Lausch & Family ________

In Loving Memory of Demetrios & Stamatia Madonis

by Chris & Eleni Madonis & Family ______________

In Loving Memory of Nicholas & Evdoxia Hadgis from

Chris & Eleni Madonis & Family ________

In Loving Memory of Areti Hazangeles, Anonymously _

In Loving Memory of Michalis & Ekaterina from

Vasilios Maillis & Family _

In Loving Memory of Dr. Constantine Mamas from

his wife Eleni & children Mariah, Anna & Costas _

In Loving Memory of Stavros Mamas from his

daughter-in-law Eleni & grandchildren Mariah,

Anna & Costas Mamas____________________________

In Loving Memory of Stefanos & Angeliki Billis from their

daughter Eleni & grandchildren Mariah, Anna &

Costas Mamas___________________________________

In Loving Memory of husband, Stavros Mamas, & son,

Dr. Constantine Mamas from Joanna Mamas ________

Christmas Pointsettias and Decorations for the 2019 Christmas Season


In Loving Memory of my husband Angelo Manolas

from Mary Louise Manolas ______

In Loving Memory of Our Parents from Mr. & Mrs.

George Maragakes ______


Mr. & Mrs. Gregory A. Moshos & Familly ______

In Loving Memory of George & Esther Moshos from

Kathy Moshos_______________________________________

In Honor of Our Beloved Annunciation Church Family

from Kathy Moshos ____________

For the Gloryof God from Kathy Moshos _____

In Loving Memory of Art, Helen & Melannie Moshos

from Nick Moshos ____________

In Loving Memory of Michael Mavrides from


In Honor of Despina & Brian Snyder & Family from

Louis & Helen Nicozisis __________________

In Loving Memory of Haralambos, Christofilena Grigoriades

and Dimitri & Kidonia Papadimitriou from Stelios & Maritsa

Papadimitriou & Family_______________________________

In Loving Memory of John, Aspasia, Ernest, William, Matthew,

Mark & James Papavasilion and Aspasia & Clarence Buck

from Tom & Vasso Papavasilion _____

In loving Memory of our Parents and Grandparents

from Arthur & Mary Jane Pavlatos & Family ___________

For the Glory of God from Dolores X. Perezous ___________

In Loving Memory of the Hon. Michael J. Perezous

from Dolores X. Perezous _____

In Loving Memory of John & Lucille Perezous from

Dolores X. Perezous ____________

In Loving Memory of Christopher & Lula Xakellis from


In Loving Memory of James & Anna Malamatis from


In Loving Memory of my husband James Pikolas and

daughter Katina Patitsas from Clara Pikolas ____________

In Loving Memory of Catherine Poneros Vekios and Mark &

Helen Mamalakis from Peter & Kathy Poneros ____________

In Loving Memory of our Dad, Capt’n Gus Karpouzis,

Love Brian, Phyllis & Nick ___________________

In Loving Memory of our Parents, Robert & June Rothweiler,

Love Brian & Phyllis ___________________

In Loving Memory of our Grandparents, Gus Karpouzis,

Nena Valavanes and Robert & June Rothweiler, Love

Brandon, Caroline, Shayne, Liz, Brittany & Kyle ______

In Loving Memory of our Thea Nena Valavanes,

Love Brian, Phyllis & Nick ______

In Loving Memory of Nouno Paul Karpouzis, Love

Brian & Phyllis ____________

In Loving Memory of Nouna Kathy Karpouzis, Love Brittany__

In Loving Memory of Father & Grandfather Theodore

Papademetriou from Pat & Nancy St. Clair & Family _____

In Loving Memory of Godparents Stelios & Katina Gerovasilis

from Pat & Nancy St. Clair __________________

In Loving Memory of my Godmother Sophia Kouros from

Tad St. Clair __________________

In Loving Memory of Evangelia, Alexandros, Stella,

Kostandinos & Constantine from the Saxinger Family _____

In Loving Mamory of James & Katina Speros from

Spencer & Janet Speros ___________

In Loving Memory of Leonidas Spyropoulos from

Renate & Popi Spyropoulos____________________________

In Loving Memory of Mary Rossos from Anthea,

Matthew & Dora Stathis _____

Im Loving Memory of Nicholas Stathis from

Anthea, Matthew & Dora Stathis _____

In Loving Memory of Chris & Sophie Pavlides

from Ron & Linda Stepanchick ___________

For the Glory of God from Maria Topoulos ____

In Loving Memory of Vasso & Gust Valudes from

Pat & Spiros Valudes ____

In Loving Memory of Sadie Valudes Koutsougianis

from Pat & Spiros Valudes ____

In Loving Memory of our Parents from the Vekios

and Dianastasis Families ____

In Loving Memory of Jolie K. Voulopos from

Dennis J. Voulopos___________________________________

In Loving Memory of Paul S. Voulopos from Kanella Voulopos

In Loving Memory of Paul Voulopos from Steve,

Wendy & Kristian Voulopos _____

In Loving Memory of Michael, Maritsa and Nicholas Valudes

from Lula & George Yelagotes _________________________

In Loving Memory of James & Despina Yelagotes and

Dawn Giordas from Lula & George Yelagotes ___________

In Loving Memory of our son-in-law Gabriel Gatti

from Lula & George Yelagotes ___________


Pictures /Chi ldren ’s Chr is tmas Program


Pic tures /Carol ing, Preschool & Spir i tua l Retreat

P h i l o p t o c h o s / P r e s c h o o l


PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS

Highlights….

Thank you for supporting our Fasoulada Fundraiser! $500 was donated to Millersville Meals on wheels

Keeping you posted…

January 14th - Business meeting @ 1:00 pm in Room 4/5. Guest speaker, Executive Director, Christine Duncan of Milagro House.

February 9th - Godparents Luncheon following the Liturgy.

February 11th - Business meeting @

1:00pm.

Join Philoptochos!

We are the right hand of the church.

Maked checks payable to: “Philoptochos” mail to: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church 64 Hershey Avenue, Lancasater, PA 17603.

Minimum dues of $25/year, of which, $10 is sent to the Metropolis Philoptochos, and $15 is sent to the National Philoptochos Society. Any amount over $25 will be retained for our chapter charities and obligations.

“Friends of the Poor”

Our dedicated group of women, along with our members, will continue to work to fulfill the mission of Philoptochos, which is:

To promote charitable, benevolent and philan-thropic outreach, to preserve the sanctity of life

and family, and to perpetuate and promote our Orthodox faith and tradition.

Reminder: Enjoy a meal at either Park City Diner or Knight & Day Diner and support Philoptochos! 10% of your check will be donated to Us.

The Preschool at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

“Talk more to God about your children, than to your children about God.”

The Nativity The Christmas Season is an opportunity to experience and share the unconditional love of Christ. On Friday, Dec. 20th, our preschool children enacted the story of the Nativity of our Lord during their Christmas Program. The shepherds, wise men, and angels received the Holy Family proclaiming: “Christ is Born. Glorify Him”!

In the Classroom January Activities: This month we will be learning about

self-control, and the blessing of acquiring this virtue. Along with celebrating the Feast of Theophany, we will be learning about liquids and solid forms of water.

Religious Focus: The children will attend the Divine Liturgy for

Holy Theophany on Monday, January 6th, and on Thursday, January 30th for The Three Hierarchs.

ANNUAL VASILOPITA To Benefit St. Basil’s Academy. Come

join us for a delicious Beef Tips over rice meal with green beans and

pizza for the children. Adults $8, Children 10yrs & under $3.

Contact one of the officers for tickets.


A p o k r i a t i k o G l e n d i

The Hellenic Culture Committee

of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox

Church invites you to celebrate

Apokriatiko

Glendi Saturday, February 22, 2020

Philoptochos Hall / Dinner 6:30 pm

Live traditional Greek music with

Yiannis Roussos / santouri

Zacharias Horiatis / bouzouki

Demosthenes Giamouridis / bouzouki

Yiorgos Papazekos / kithara

and Special Guest

Mavrodis Kontanis / outi / violi

64 Hershey Avenue, Lancaster PA

Nisiotika / Dimotika

Laika / Rebetika

Paradosiaka /

Adults $30 • BYOB

Children 11-17 $15

10 & under FREE

N e w s & E v e n t s i n G r e e k


ΙΕΡΕΣ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΕΣ ΙΑΝΟΥΑΡΙΟΥ

Τετάρτη, 1 Ιανουαρίου: Αγίου Βασιλείου 8:45πμ... Ορθρος

10:00πμ....Θεία Λειτουργία Παρασκευή, 3 Ιανουαρίου 9:00 πμ............Βασιλικές Ωρες Θεοφάνειων

Κυριακή, 5 Ιανουαρίου

8:15πμ... Ορθρος 9:30πμ....Θεία Λειτουργία

11:00πμ...ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΓΙΑΣΜΟΣ ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΩΝ

7:00μμ....Μεγας Εσπερινός

Δευτέρα, 6 Ιανουαρίου ΑΓΙΑ ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΑ

8:30πμ... Ορθρος 9:30πμ....Θεία Λειτουργία

11:00πμ...ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΓΙΑΣΜΟΣ ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΩΝ

Τρίτη, 7 Ιανουαρίου Αγίου Ιωάννη Βαπτιστή

8:30πμ... Ορθρος

9:30πμ....Θεία Λειτουργία

Παρασκευή, 17 Ιανουαρίου Αγίου Αντονίου



Πέμπτη, 30 Ιανουαρίου Τρίων Ιεραρχών



ΕΣΠΕΡΙΝΟΣ

7:00 μμ .....Σάββατο 4, 11, 18 & 25 Ιανουαρίου

ΚΥΚΛΟΙ ΜΕΛΕΤΗΣ ΑΓΙΑΣ ΓΡΑΦΗΣ

«Ο λόγος σου είναι φώς στην οδον μου»

Κύκλος ΑΓΑΠΗΣ Αγίας Γραφής

Τρίτη, 21 Ιανουαρίου στις 10:00 πμ με τον Πατέρα Αλέξανδρο Βρυώνη.

Κύκλος Πνευματικής Μελέτης Γυναικών

Πέμπτη, 2, 9, 16 & 23 Ιανουαρίου στης 10:00 πμ Πεμπτη, 30 Ιανουαρίου στης 11:00 πμ

ΜΥΣΤΗΡΙΑ ΤΗΣ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣ ΜΑΣ

Βαπτίσης

Δεκ 21 Σταμάτιος Μιχαλόπουλος, γιός του Αντόνη & Κλιοπάτρας ( Νακόπουλου), με Αναδοχό, Πρεσβυτέρα Κατερίνα Φιρογλάνη

Γάμος

Δεκ 8 Σέην Ροθγαηλερ & Λήζ Σταινερ, με

Αναδοχό, Νικόλαο Καρπούζη

Κηδείες

Νοε. 27 Σταματία Μονάχα (87) Νοε. 30 Δημήτριος Παπαδόπουλος (60) Δεκ. 11 Δημητρία Μπεηκερ (76) Δεκ. 19 Χαράλαμπος Χαζανγελή (91)

ΣΗΜΕΙΩΣΗ ΑΠΟ ΤΟΝ ΠΑΤΕΡΑ ΕΚΤΟΡΑ ΓΙΑ ΤΟΥΣ ΑΓΙΑΣΜΟΥΣ ΣΤΑ ΣΠΙΤΙΑ

Ως Ιερείς, είναι χαρά και προνόμιο να είμασται ευπρόσδεκτη στα σπίτια σας κατά τη διάρκεια της περιόδου των Θεοφανίων για αγιασμό. Είναι μια μοναδική ευκαιρία για να σας επισκεφθούμε και να συνδεθούμε με τις οικογένειες της ενορίας μας.

Αν θέλετε να έρθούμε στα σπίτια σας για αγιασμό παρακαλώ όπως εγγραφείτε στις λίστες που βρίσκονται προς στην αίθουσα Φιλοπτώχου για ένα απόγευμα (πριν τις 4 μμ) ή το βράδυ (μετά τις 4μμ) την ημερομηνία που θα είμαι στην περιοχή σας. Οι ημερομηνίες και οι περιοχές βρίσκονται στη

σελίδα 6. Μπορείτε επίσης να τηλεφωνήσετε στο γραφείο της εκκλησίας. Θα έρθόυμε στα σπίτια σας για αγιασμό ΜΟΝΟ αν εγγραφείτε.

Επίσης μια σημείωση σχετικά με τα λεφτά που δίνονται όταν έρχεται ο ιερέας για αγιασμό -

δεν είναι αναγκαία ούτε αναμένονται, αλλά λαμβάνονται με πνεύμα ευγνωμοσύνης.

Οποιεσδήποτε χρηματικές εισφορές δίνονται στον ιερέα θα διατεθούν για φιλανθρωπικούς σκοπούς έτσι το δώρο θα επιστραφεί σε εσάς και την οικογένειά σας ως μια πνευματική ευλογία.

ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΒΑΣΙΛΟΠΙΤΑΣ ΦΙΛΟΠΤΩΧΟΥ

Κυριακή, 12 Ιανουαρίου μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία με γεύμα και παρουσίαση προγράμματος από τα χορευτικά μας συγκροτήματα. Τα εισιτήρια είναι

$8.00 για Μεγάλους και $3.00 για παιδιά. Ολα τα έσοδα είναι για βοήθεια της Ακαδημίας Αγίου

Βασιλείου.

ΓΕΥΜΑ ΑΝΑΔΟΧΩΝ/ ΒΑΠΤΙΣΤΙΚΩΝ:

Κυριακή 9 Φεβρουαρίου μετά τη Θεία Λειτουργία.

Εισιτήρια είναι $8.00 για μεγάλους, $3.00 για παιδιά (10 ετών και κάτω).

ΑΠΟΚΡΙΑΤΙΚΟ ΓΛΕΝΤΙ:

Σάββατο, 22 Φεβρουαρίου στις 6:30 μμ. Ελάτε να γιορτάσουμε τις Απόκριες!

Εισιτήρια $30 για μεγάλους;

$15 για νέους; Δωρεάν για παιδιά κάτω 10 ετών.

Γέυμα και Μουσική

G r e e k S p i r i t u a l M e s s a g e


Ὁ ὅσιος Σεραφεὶμ τοῦ Σάρωφ (1759-1833)

Σύντομες διδασκαλίες τοῦ ἁγίου

Α. Περὶ Θεοῦ.

Ὁ Θεὸς εἶναι φωτιὰ ποὺ θερμαίνει καὶ φλογίζει τὴν καρδιά. Ἂν νοιώσουμε λοιπὸν στὴν καρδιὰ μας ψυχρότητα, ἂς

ἐπικαλεσθοῦμε τὸν Κύριο γιὰ νὰ ἔρθει νὰ μᾶς θερμάνει ἐμπνέοντάς μας ἀγάπη πρὸς Αὐτὸν καὶ πρὸς τὸν πλησίον.

Οἱ πατέρες ἔλεγαν: Ἀναζήτησε τὸν Κύριο, ἀλλὰ μὴν ἐρευνᾶς περίεργα ποῦ βρίσκεται. Ὅπου βρίσκεται ὁ Θεός, ἐκεῖ δὲν

ὑπάρχει κακό. Ὅσα προέρχονται ἀπὸ τὸν Θεὸ εἶναι εἰρηνικὰ καὶ ὠφέλιμα καὶ ὁδηγοῦν τὸν ἄνθρωπο στὴν αὐτομεμψία

καὶ τὴν ταπείνωση.

Ὁ Θεὸς φανερώνει τὴν φιλανθρωπία Του ὄχι μόνο ὅταν κάνουμε τὸ καλό, ἀλλὰ καὶ ὅταν Τὸν προσβάλλουμε καὶ Τὸν

παροργίζουμε μὲ τὶς ἁμαρτίες μας. Πόσο μακρόθυμα ὑπομένει τὰ παραπτώματά μας! Ἀλλὰ καὶ ὅταν τιμωρεῖ, μὲ πόση

συμπάθεια τιμωρεῖ!

Ὁ Θεὸς εἶναι βέβαια δίκαιος, ἀλλὰ συνήθως ἡ δικαιοσύνη Του δὲν φαίνεται στὴ ζωή μας… Ὁ Δαβὶδ τὸν ὠνόμαζε

δικαιοκρίτη. Ὁ Υἱὸς Του ὅμως μᾶς ἔδειξε ὅτι ὁ Θεὸς εἶναι περισσότερο ἀγαθὸς καὶ εὔσπλαγχνος. Ἂν καὶ εἴμαστε

ἁμαρτωλοί, ἦρθε καὶ σταυρώθηκε γιά μᾶς!

Ὅσο ὁ ἄνθρωπος προχωρεῖ στὴν ἀρετή, τόσο περισσότερο βαδίζει στὰ ἴχνη τοῦ Κυρίου, ὁ ὁποῖος στὸν μέλλοντα αἰώνα

θὰ τοῦ φανερώσει τὸ πρόσωπό Του. Οἱ δίκαιοι, ὅσο ζοῦν σ’ αὐτὴ τὴ γῆ, Τὸν βλέπουν σὰν σὲ κάτοπτρο. Στὴν ἄλλη ὅμως

ζωὴ θὰ Τὸν δοῦν ὅπως ἀκριβῶς εἶναι.

Ἂν δὲν γνωρίσεις τὸν Θεό, δὲν θὰ μπορέσεις νὰ Τὸν ἀγαπήσεις. Γιὰ νὰ Τὸν ἀγαπήσεις πρέπει νὰ Τὸν γνωρίσεις. Γιατί ἡ

γνώση τοῦ Θεοῦ προηγεῖται τῆς ἀγάπης Του.

Ὅταν εἶσαι χορτάτος, μὴ συλλογίζεσαι τὰ ἔργα τοῦ Θεοῦ. Πῶς μπορεῖς μὲ γεμάτο στομάχι νὰ ἐξιχνιάσεις τὰ θεία

μυστήρια;

Β. Ἡ ἀγάπη πρὸς τὸν Θεό.

Ὅποιος ἀπέκτησε τὴν τέλεια ἀγάπη πρὸς τὸν Θεό, ζεῖ σ’ αὐτὴ τὴ ζωὴ σὰν νὰ μὴν ὑπάρχει. Εἶναι ξένος γιὰ τὰ γήϊνα καὶ περιμένει ἀνυπόμονα τὰ αἰώνια. Ἔχει ἀλλοιωθεῖ ὁλόκληρος ἀπὸ τὴν ἀγάπη τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ δὲν δεσμεύεται ἀπὸ καμία

ἄλλη ἀγάπη.

Ὅποιος ἀγαπᾶ τὸν ἑαυτό του, δὲν μπορεῖ νὰ ἀγαπᾶ τὸν Θεό. Ὅποιος χάριν τῆς ἀγάπης τοῦ Θεοῦ δὲν ἀγαπᾶ τὸν ἑαυτό

του, ἐκεῖνος ἀγαπᾶ τὸν Θεό.

Αὐτὸς ποὺ ἀγαπᾶ πραγματικὰ τὸν Θεὸ θεωρεῖ τὸν ἑαυτὸ του ξένο καὶ πάροικο στὴ γῆ αὐτή. Καὶ τοῦτο, γιατί

προσπαθώντας νὰ ἑνώσει νοῦ καὶ καρδιὰ μὲ τὸν Θεὸ ἀφοσιώνεται μόνο σ’ Αὐτόν.

Ψυχὴ ποὺ ἀγάπησε ὁλοκληρωτικὰ τὸν Θεό, κι ὅταν ἀκόμη χωρίζεται ἀπὸ τὸ σῶμα, δὲν θὰ φοβηθεῖ τὸν ἐναέριο

ἄρχοντα. Θὰ πετάξει μαζὶ μὲ τοὺς ἀγγέλους σὰν ἀπὸ ξένη χώρα στὴν οὐράνια πατρίδα της.

Spiritual Message


The feasts of Christmas and Epiphany were known in the early Church as “The Feast of Lights,” since both feasts revealed Jesus Christ to the world. Our Lord is the true light that enlightens the entire world!

Christ’s entrance into the world is a new beginning for all people. No longer do people have to live in the darkness of ignorance, in the darkness of fear, in the darkness of hatred, in the darkness of evil and sin, and even in the darkness of death. The true light of God has been revealed, and now those who choose to enter into that light, who allow the light of Christ to shine brightly within their hearts and minds, may see the world from an entirely new and fresh perspective!

The light of Christ lifts us up from our fallen, distorted nature – our tendency to hate, to be jealous, to be proud and arrogant, to be self-centered, to be unkind, unforgiving and unloving. The light of Christ shows us the path to an abundant life of godly peace and joy, divine love and mercy, contagious compassion and kindness, and ultimate meaning and purpose.

At Christmas, God takes on human flesh and reveals himself as the perfect God-man, fully divine yet fully human. Simultaneously, at the Baptism of our Lord, Theophany, God again reveals Himself to the world as the Holy Trinity – God the Father speaking from the cloud, God the Son in Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus in the form of a dove. Both events help the world come to a clearer and better understanding of who God is, and how He has dramatically entered into our world to help humankind!

We can understand this idea from this hymn we sing on January 6: “You appeared to the world today, and Your light, O Lord, has left its mark upon us. With fuller understanding we sing to You, “You came, O unapproachable Light, and made yourself known to us!”

In memory of Christ’s baptism, when He sanctified all the waters of the world, the Orthodox Church follows an ancient tradition of holding the SERVICE OF THE BLESSING OF THE WATERS on January 6. The Church asks God’s blessing to come upon the water, which we then share with all believers. Through this water the grace of God comes upon us!

In preparation for this special blessing, Orthodox Christians hold January 5 as a strict fast day. Our fasting is a tool which, when properly used, helps us focus more clearly on God and prepares us to enter into the celebration of the feast in a more intimate manner.

Following the service, the priest blesses all the believers in the Church with the holy water and offers them a bottle to take home and drink each day, or whenever they feel a special need for God’s grace. The Church also has the beautiful tradition of the priest taking the holy water into the homes of the believers to bless their home. Through this ritual we ask for God’s blessings to come upon the household for the new year. If you wish to have your home blessed during this month, please sign up in the breezeway or contact the church office to schedule a time for Fr. Hector to come to your home. Look on page 9 for the Blessing Schedule.

EPIPHANY—The Feast of Lights

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Documents

St. Basil the Great, January 1st Receive and Share the ...1).pdf · blessing season and will resume again in February AGAPE Bible Study This monthly group, led by Fr. Veronis, offers