Sundays and Feast Days Divine Liturgy 9:30 am
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Green Hymnal
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Kevin Lawrence
This Saint, who was a contemporary of the Apostles, had Antioch as his homeland, where he was guided to the Faith of Christ by Peter, the Chief of the Apostles. Later, he came to Sicily, where he brought many to the Faith, and was finally put to death by the pagans.
The Forty-five Martyrs of Nikopolis contested during the reign of Licinius, in the year 315. After many torments, they were burnt alive.
After the Crucifixion of our Lord, His most precious robe was obtained by lot by a certain Elioz, a Georgian soldier who took part in the execution. He in turn brought it to Georgia where it remained until that land was overrun by the Persians. Shah Abbas, seeking to establish good relations with Tsar Michael Feodorovich, sent the Robe to Moscow as a gift for the Tsar and Patriarch Philaret. This took place in March of 1625, and was appointed to be celebrated on this day in July.
Saint Anthony, who was born in the province of Chernigov, was tonsured in the Monastery of Esphigmenou on the Holy Mountain, Athos, from whence he was sent by his abbot to Kiev to plant the monastic life in 1013, two years before the death of Saint Vladimir, Great Prince of Kiev. Dwelling at first as a hermit, the Saint gradually drew to himself others wishing to emulate his way of life. When the number of the brethren grew, a wooden church in honour of the Dormition of the Theotokos was built, thus laying the foundation of what was to become the renowned Kiev Caves Lavra. Refusing the abbotship, Saint Anthony entrusted this to his disciples, first to the blessed Barlaam, then to Saint Theodosius (See May 3), and his whole life struggled as a cave-dwelling hermit. He reposed in peace in 1073 at the age of ninety.
In 451, during the reign of the Sovereigns Marcian and Pulcheria, the Fourth Ecumenical Council was convoked in Chalcedon against Eutyches and those of like mind with him. After much debate, the Fathers who were the defenders of Orthodoxy, being 630 in number, agreed among themselves and with those who were of contrary mind, to write their respective definitions of faith in separate books, and to ask God to confirm the truth in this matter. When they had prepared these texts, they placed the two tomes in the case that held Saint Euphemia's relics, sealed it, and departed. After three days of night-long supplications, they opened the reliquary in the presence of the Emperor, and found the tome of the heretics under the feet of the Martyr, and that of the Orthodox in her right hand. (For her life, see Sept. 16.)
Saint Olga, renowned for her wisdom and sobriety, in her youth became the wife of Igor, Great Prince of Kiev, who ruled during the tenth century. After her husband's death, she herself ruled capably, and was finally moved to accept the Faith of Christ. She traveled to Constantinople to receive Holy Baptism. The Emperor, seeing her outward beauty and inward greatness, asked her to marry him. She said she could not do this before she was baptized; she furthermore asked him to be her Godfather at the font, which he agreed to do. After she was baptized (receiving the name of Helen), the Emperor repeated his proposal of marriage. She answered that now he was her father, through holy Baptism, and that not even among the heathen was it heard of a man marrying his daughter. Gracefully accepting to be outwitted by her, he sent her back to her land with priests and sacred texts and holy icons. Although her son Svyatoslav remained a pagan, she planted the seed of faith in her grandson Vladimir (see July 15). She reposed in peace in 969.
These Martyrs contested in Ancyra in 106, during the reign of the Emperor Trajan. Saint Proclus was seized as a Christian and, confessing his faith, was burned on his sides and belly, was hung upon a beam with heavy stones tied to his feet, and finally was taken away to be shot with arrows. As he was being led forth, his nephew Hilary encountered him and greeted him, and was himself seized. After his uncle had been slain with arrows, Hilary, because he would not deny Christ, was tormented, then beheaded.
Fifth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:13-35
At that time, two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see." And he said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 103.24,1.
O Lord, how manifold are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 10:1-10.
BRETHREN, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but it is not enlightened. For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law, that every one who has faith may be justified. Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on the law shall live by it. But the righteousness based on faith says, Do not say in your heart, "Who will ascend into heaven?" (that is, to bring Christ down) or "Who will descend into the abyss?" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart (that is, the word of faith which we preach); because, if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved.
5th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 8:28-34; 9:1
At that time, when Jesus came to the country of the Gergesenes, two demoniacs met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one would pass that way. And behold, they cried out, "What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" Now a herd of many swine was feeding at some distance from them. And the demons begged him, "If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of swine." And he said to them, "Go." So they came out and went into the swine; and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and perished in the waters. The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, and what had happened to the demoniacs. And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood. And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city.
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Prayer List:
Please pray for our brothers and sisters: Gloria, Niko, Christina, Kostas, Malina, John, Simona, Louise, Pete, Vincent, Rose.
Liturgy times: Summer services will start promptly at 9:30 a.m. in order to finish by 11:00 a.m. Please plan accordingly.
Council Members on duty today: John Housianitis and Tina Papadopoulos
Prosphoro baking suspended until further notice in order to make space in the freezer. Thank you to all the volunteers who did such a wonderful job since Easter!!!!
Food Festival Committee Meeting: Monday, July 10th 7:00 pm
All Hands on Deck! We are just 3 weeks away from our annual Greek Food Festival and our second annual Greek Gyro Cart on Inn Street and we need your help! Please take a moment to click on the links below and choose a couple of spots to volunteer. Many hands make for light work and there is much to do! Our success relies deeply on the participation of both our parishioners and friends. Sign-up sheets will also be available in the Narthex and will both will be updated accordingly. Please share the link and invite your friends to join you and help us make this year's biggest fundraiser the best ever!
Greek Food Festival Sign-Up:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f044da5ab2aabf58-greek
Greek Gyro Cart Sign-Up:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f044da5ab2aabf58-gyro
Sunset Boat Cruise scheduled for Sun. August 13, 6 – 8 pm, boat ramp at end of Plum Island point (near lighthouse). The boat cruise is kindly donated by the Charos family, and meant as a “Thank You” for all those that assist in the GFF and Inn St. efforts. All are welcome!
The Giving Tree – Can you help our tree grow? The Giving Tree is a way to raise money needed to cover the many costs of our very successful Greek Food Festival. A donation sheet and list of needed items is located in the Narthex. Once you make your donation, be sure to place your name on a flower or butterfly from the Narthex display and attach it to the tree found there. If mailed, we will do this part for you. Watch our tree grow with your generosity! We are grateful for any donation large or small.
UPCOMING FESTIVAL WORKSHOPS:
Green Beans: 7/10, 7/11 (Charlie Neos)
Kourambethes and Finikia: 7/14 10:00 am—5:00 pm (Gina Dussi)
Lamb Shanks: 7/15 9:30 am (Christos Patrinos)
Rice Pudding: 7/26 (Eric Hansen)
Galotaboureko: 7/27 during the day (Andrea Jones and Maria Andriotakis Connor)
Plaki: 7/27 5:00 pm (Gina Dussi and Melinda Patrick)
The dates for the 2017 Greek Food Festival are Friday, July 28th--Sunday, July 30th.
Remember to visit our Gyro Cart on Inn Street!
“GREEK NIGHT ON INN STREET”
Thursday, August 3, 6-8 PM
Greek Music, Dance & Food
Come one, come all!
The 100th Anniversary Cookbook Committee needs your recipes! Please fill out a recipe form found in the Narthex OR go to www.typensave.com to type in your recipe following the simple instructions. User name is AGOC and the password is eggnog847. Questions should be directed toward Andrea Jones (andreajones1@comcast.net) or Ruth Riley (rsrileyfineart@gmail.com). We hope to have one recipe for every parishioner. Thank you!
Summer at St. Basil’s Ministries: Saint Basil’s Ministries offers its Monday Meal to all those who enter our church doors. The need for a hot meal or for companionship is constant; it knows no season. This ministry belongs to everyone at Annunciation Church. Consider coming just one Monday to help out. The children of the parish are welcome to come and help too. Cleaning out those closets? Saint Basil’s Ministries works directly with the Lighthouse Thrift Shop in Salisbury. We will take any bags of clothing or household items you bring to church to the thrift shop for you. The proceeds go to local charities.
Food Pantry Needs: We do operate a small food pantry for our guests or anyone in need. Most of the food in the pantry comes from donations we receive from the Merrimack Valley Food Bank. Our great need is for small personal items like wrapped bars of soap, shampoo, tooth paste, deodorants and other personal care items. Of course, we are grateful for food donations also.
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Center for Family Care: Our archdiocese has developed a family program called SOAK UP the SON. Each week a new activity is presented so you and your family can stay in contact with God. This is especially important during the summer months when there are no Sunday School classes. You can access SOAK UP the SON at this web address: www.family.goarch.org.
Annunciation Online: Please "Like" our Facebook page so that you may be kept up on services, events and activities: https://www.facebook.com/AnnunciationGreekOrthodoxChurch/
Thermostat settings: The Parish Council has determined an acceptable temperature range for the thermostats in the building complex. 60-75 in winter, 65-80 in summer. Please respect these settings!
Fr. Costin and Church youth at Metropolis Camp - office closed
Monday, July 10: 9:00 am: Green Beans workshop (Charlie Neos)
11:00 am: St. Basil's Lunch, all are welcome!
7:00 pm: Festival meeting
Tuesday, July 11: 9:00 am: Green Beans workshop (Charlie Neos)
Friday, July 14: 10:00 am: Kourembiedes and Finikia workshop (Gina Dussi)
Saturday, July 15: 9:30 am: Lamb Shanks workshop (Christos Patrinos)
Fellowship Hour:
We enjoy visiting with our Church Family over a cup of coffee and treats following Sunday Liturgy. Please sign up to host a Fellowship/Coffee Hour and keep the coffee brewing every Sunday.
We are in need of hosts! The Fellowship Hour Coordinator has prepared a calendar scheduling out though the end of the summer of 2017. Please email AndreaJones1@Comcast.net, phone at home 978 465-1021or text cell 978 621-6123 to schedule your coffee hour.
Sunday, July 9: Dollas/Dubus Memorial for George Dollas
Sunday, July 16: Chris and Mary Malonis
Sunday, July 23: Open
Sunday, July 30: Greek Food Festival (no coffee hour)
Card used in the pews to recite the Creed in Greek on the first Sunday of the month
Bulletin Insert in half-legal format on the Sunday of the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council with Resources for Couples and Families provided by the Center for Family Care of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
request for donations for Greek Food Festival.
Events and persons in charge, monthly calendar
information about the Food Festival