Weekly Services
(Please note schedule subject to change. Please call church office to confirm times.)
Sunday Services: Orthros 8:15 am; Divine Liturgy 9:15 am. Followed by Sunday School and Fellowship Hour in our Community Center.
Weekly Feastday / Major Saint Day Liturgies: 9 am Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy.
This common feast of these three teachers was instituted a little before the year 1100, during the reign of the Emperor Alexis I Comnenus, because of a dispute and strife that arose among the notable and virtuous men of that time. Some of them preferred Basil, while others preferred Gregory, and yet others preferred John Chrysostom, quarreling among themselves over which of the three was the greatest. Furthermore, each party, in order to distinguish itself from the others, assumed the name of its preferred Saint; hence, they called themselves Basilians, Gregorians, or Johannites. Desiring to bring an end to the contention, the three Saints appeared together to the saintly John Mavropous, a monk who had been ordained Bishop of Euchaita, a city of Asia Minor, they revealed to him that the glory they have at the throne of God is equal, and told him to compose a common service for the three of them, which he did with great skill and beauty. Saint John of Euchaita (celebrated Oct. 5) is also the composer of the Canon to the Guardian Angel, the Protector of a Man's Life. In his old age, he retired from his episcopal see and again took up the monastic life in a monastery in Constantinople. He reposed during the reign of the aforementioned Emperor Alexis Comnenus (1081-1118).
When the most pure Mother and Ever-Virgin Mary's forty days of purification had been fulfilled, she took her first-born Son to Jerusalem on this, the fortieth day after His birth, that she might present Him in the temple according to the Law of Moses, which teaches that every first-born male child be dedicated to God, and also that she might offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons, as required by the Law (Luke 2:22-24; Exod. 13:2; Lev. 12:6-8). On this same day, a just and devout man, the greatly aged Symeon, was also present in the temple, being guided by the Holy Spirit. For a long time, this man had been awaiting the salvation of God, and he had been informed by divine revelation that he would not die until he beheld the Lord's Christ. Thus, when he beheld Him at that time and took Him up into his aged arms, he gave glory to God, singing: "Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Master. . ." And he confessed that he would close his eyes joyfully, since he had seen the Light of revelation for the nations and the Glory of Israel (Luke 2:25-32). From ancient times, the Holy Church has retained this tradition of the churching of the mother and new-born child on the fortieth day and of the reading of prayers of purification.
The Apodosis of the Feast of the Meeting in the Temple is usually on the 9th of February. This, however, may vary if the Feast falls within the period of the Triodion. Should this occur, the Typicon should be consulted for specific information concerning the Apodosis of the Feast.
Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 28.11,1.
The Lord will give strength to his people.
Verse: Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory.
The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 6:16-18; 7:1.
BRETHREN, you are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will live in them and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God.
Sunday of the Canaanite
The Reading is from Matthew 15:21-28
At that time, Jesus went to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon." But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." And he answered, "It is not fair to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table." Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly.
TODAY Fellowship Hour is sponsored by the Zannikos family
CHURCH CALENDAR
Please don’t forget to contact Father Anastasios on his mobile phone to schedule House Blessings this month. Note that Father A will be out of town Jan 30 – Feb 1 on the Metropolis Clergy Retreat in Annapolis, MD. You can reach him on his mobile phone.
January 30: Three Hierarchs - Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 9 am
February 2: Presentation of our Lord to the Temple - Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 9 am
Apokriatiko Glendi – February 18, 2017, 7 pm – 11 pm
REGISTER NOW!! The Parish Council and Philoptochos are jointly sponsoring St. Anna’s Apokriatiko Glendi (Mardi Gras), an evening of music, dancing, food and family fellowship. Please support this fundraiser for our beloved St. Anna, as it is part of our parish’s history on our path towards continuing growth. Tickets are $50 for adults, $25 for children under 18 and free for children under five. You have choices to sign up to attend – every Sunday after church or contact Margaret Panageas at 908-246-7527 or Arge Mardakis at 908-253-0484. We look forward to hearing from you.
Jr. Greek Dance: Practice TODAY after Sunday School.
PTO: Canvas Painting Party to be held on Friday, February 10 from 6:30-9pm. Join us in the Community Center for a night of laughter, light snacks and brush strokes to create your very own masterpiece! Adults $35, Children (ages 5-13) $25. Register 2 or more people for a $5 discount. Please see Kirsten Diagelakis or Sofia Manoussakis to register (deadline, February 5t.
Philoptochos News: General Membership Meeting - Today following Fellowship Hour all ladies of parish are invited to the first Philoptochos meeting of the year. Plans to discuss budget for 2017 year, membership renewal, and outreach activities. Meeting to be held in a Sunday School classroom.
Social Service Assistance - A primary function of Philoptochos is to offer help to Orthodox Christians who are in need. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance due to issues of unemployment, medical problems, difficulty paying utility bills, or other unforeseen crisis, contact Philoptochos social service liaison, Margaret Panageas at 908-246-7527 or stannaphiloptochos@gmail.com. All social service help is kept confidential.
PC Corner:
Key Dates for 2017.
• February 18 - Mardi Gras (PC and Philoptochos run event)
• April 2 - Spring General Assembly
• May 7 - Hall Dedication, Donor Recognition
• June 3 - Wine –n- Dine (Tentative Date - to be confirmed)
• September 8,9,10 - OPA Festival
• October 28 - Taverna Night
• November 5 - Fall General Assembly
The PC is focused on making the Mardi Gras and other events successful. Please plan to attend and bring family members and friends. We will have excellent food and music - at perfect combination for fun!
GOYA: Congratulations to our boys basketball team for playing a very tough game Friday night against Asbury Park with only 5 players and no one to sub in. Although they will not advance to the next round of the playoffs, they played with heart and represented St. Anna proudly and with good sportsmanship.
Congratulations to our girls volleyball team in their win against Piscataway last Sunday! They advance to the championship found of the playoffs to be held Friday evening, February 3, at St. George Ocean.
Sports Luncheon: On February 5 GOYA will host a Sports Recognition Luncheon to recognize our volleyball and basketball players. We will recognize our Seniors at the Luncheon as well. The luncheon will be open to the entire community. Please contact Maria Georgeles at maria_georgeles@yahoo.com if you are available to help.
Bridges: We will be attending sandwich making for Bridges on Friday, February 10 at St. Barbara, Toms River. All GOYANs are welcome to come and help make over 400 bagged lunches and personal hygiene kits for the needy to be distributed on Saturday, February 11. If you are in Grades 10-11-12 and have not been on a Bridges run, please sign up with Mrs. Coutsouridis at cdc3@comcast.net.
Valentine's Dance: Friday February 17 St. Andrew Randolph. RSVP to Mrs. Trumpy by February 1.
Fellowship Hour sponsors needed! Please sign up outside the Church office, or contact Dr. Nikolaos Kritharis at nikolaos.kritharis.dmd@gmail.com or 201-572-3420.
Please join us for fun, food, and fellowship
Our Metropolis is starting a marching band
STEWARDSHIP: Stewardship is the sharing of the talents and treasures that God has provided for us. An Orthodox Christian Steward is an active participant in the life of the Church. The parish encourages all who accept the Orthodox Faith to become practicing Stewards.
2017 Stewardship Status: We have 76 Pledges totaling $136,750 for an average of $1,799 and $35,716 received to date. We also have 5 families who have contributed $ 575 to date but have not submitted a stewardship card. It is important that all families complete a stewardship card to be considered a steward.
We need everyone’s participation to exceed this year’s stewardship pledge budget of $175,000.
If you have not done so already, we ask that you prayerfully consider your stewardship commitment and submit a 2017 pledge card as soon as you can.
…Remember a rich man is not one who has much, but one who gives much…