Saints and Feasts

March 05

Sunday of Orthodoxy

For more than one hundred years the Church of Christ was troubled by the persecution of the Iconoclasts of evil belief, beginning in the reign of Leo the Isaurian (717-741) and ending in the reign of Theophilus (829-842). After Theophilus's death, his widow the Empress Theodora (celebrated Feb. 11), together with the Patriarch Methodius (June 14), established Orthodoxy anew. This ever-memorable Queen venerated the icon of the Mother of God in the presence of the Patriarch Methodius and the other confessors and righteous men, and openly cried out these holy words: "If anyone does not offer relative worship to the holy icons, not adoring them as though they were gods, but venerating them out of love as images of the archetype, let him be anathema." Then with common prayer and fasting during the whole first week of the Forty-day Fast, she asked God's forgiveness for her husband. After this, on the first Sunday of the Fast, she and her son, Michael the Emperor, made a procession with all the clergy and people and restored the holy icons, and again adorned the Church of Christ with them. This is the holy deed that all we the Orthodox commemorate today, and we call this radiant and venerable day the Sunday of Orthodoxy, that is, the triumph of true doctrine over heresy.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Mode

When the women Disciples of the Lord had learned from the Angel the joyful message of the Resurrection and had rejected the ancestral decision, they cried aloud to the Apostles triumphantly: Death has been despoiled, Christ God has risen, granting His great mercy to the world.

Apolytikion for Sun. of Orthodoxy in the Second Mode

We worship Thine immaculate icon, O Good One, asking the forgiveness of our failings, O Christ our God; for of Thine own will Thou wast well-pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, that Thou mightest deliver from slavery to the enemy those whom Thou hadst fashioned. Wherefore, we cry to Thee thankfully: Thou didst fill all things with joy, O our Saviour, when Thou camest to save the world.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!"

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Daniel 3.26,27.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse: For you are just in all you have done.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-40.

Brethren, by faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets -- who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign enemies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated -- of whom the world was not worthy -- wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of Orthodoxy
The Reading is from John 1:43-51

At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and he said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."

Wisdom of the Fathers

Peter, when after so many miracles and such high doctrine he confessed that, "Thou art the Son of God" (Matt. xvi. 16), is called "blessed," as having received the revelation from the Father;

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 21 on John 1, 1. B#58, pp. 72, 73, 4th Century

... while Nathanael, though he said the very same thing before seeing or hearing either miracles or doctrine, had no such word addressed to him, but as though he had not said so much as he ought to have said, is brought to things greater still.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 21 on John 1, 1. B#58, pp. 72, 73, 4th Century

Ministry News

TODAY is the Sunday of Orthodoxy.

TODAY, Gerard Pelletier is proud to host Fellowship Hour in honor of St. Joseph the Bethrothed and the 2nd anniversary of his Chrismation on March 8, 2015.

CHURCH CALENDAR

Weekly Services During Lent

Mondays (5:30 to 6:30 pm): Great Compline Service

Wednesdays (6 pm) and Fridays* (9 am): 9th Hour followed by Presanctified Liturgy.

(*No Pre-Sanctified Liturgy on Friday, March 24)

Thursdays (6 to 7 pm): Great Compline Service.

Fridays (7 to 8 pm): Salutations Service * Akathyst Hymn on Friday, March 31

(*Great Vespers of Annunciation, on March 24 with the 4th Stanza).

Byzantine Music Workshop and Choir

Meetings are usually on Saturdays following Liturgy. For confirmation, please contact our cantor Stathis directly or through email (stathisleon@gmail.com) with subject matter "Byzantine Choir."

Education: Sunday School: Today is the Sunday of Orthodoxy. Sunday School students (grades pre-K to 9) should report to their classrooms after Communion, and then will participate in the procession of icons. The Senior Sunday School class (grades 10-12) has no formal class today. Senior students are requested to report to the Community Center and assist with and participate in the icon procession.

The St. Anna Sunday School and Community are invited to take part in an Almsgiving project for the Lenten season. We are collecting the following items for the Hunterdon County Family Success Center (www.hcfsc.com). Look for collection station in the hallway to the Community Center.

Large size diapers (greatest need for sizes 3 and 4) and wipes,

ANY personal care items such as shampoo and conditioner for children and adults, toothpaste and brushes, deodorant, detergent for clothes,

$20 gift cards for gas or for Shop Rite

The Hunterdon County Family Success Center provides families in need with ways of strengthening families and empowering individuals to acquire knowledge and skills to raise healthy and happy children through family-centered activities, educational workshops, and access to resources.

Please consider helping us support this worthy cause. Donations will be received through April 9. If you have any questions, please contact Aimee Douvris at aimeedouvris@gmail.com.

Grades 7 through 12 are requested to begin preparing for the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival which has bee rescheduled for Sunday, March 26 after Church. List of questions can be found at (http://www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/religioused/sjcof).

Greek School: Reminder that our Greek School Independence Day program will take place following services on Sunday, March 26.

Philoptochos News:

Easter Bread

Pre-orders are being taken for Easter Tsourekia the next few Sundays. Cost $17 (price increase reflects the cost increase from bakery - Agia Skepi Monastery). Tsourekia will be available for pick-up on Sunday, April 9 (Palm Sunday). See Aimee Douvris after Church services in the Fellowship Hall or contact Aimee at 908-339-2511 or aimeedouvris@gmail.com.

Holy Cross Luncheon

On Sunday March 19, the Philoptochos will sponsor a pot-luck, free offering luncheon to benefit the College of the Holy Cross. Please see sign-ups for contributions of Lenten dishes during Fellowship hour or via Sign-up Genius.

Spring Yia Yia's Attic

Spring is near and that means it's time to clean out those closets, basements, and garages for donations to the Saturday, May 20 Yia Yia's attic. This will be the only Yia Yia's attic for the year, so don't put it off! Donations will be collected starting the week of the event. See Margaret Panageas with any questions or contact at 908-246-7527.

PC Corner:

Key Dates for 2017

• April 2 - Spring General Assembly

• May 7 - Hall Dedication, Donor Recognition

• June 3 - Wine –n- Dine (Date confirmed)

• September 8,9,10 - OPA Festival

• October 28 - Taverna Night

• November 5 - Fall General Assembly

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.

Scholarship News: The Hellenic University Club of NY Annual Scholarship offers scholarships to deserving Greek-American students who have exemplified high scholastic achievement. Applications due on April 1, 2017 . http://www.hucny.com/ (letter uploaded to e-bulletin).

Heritage Greece: Greece (HG) is a two-week cultural and educational immersion odyssey for accomplished Greek American college students that share their experience with a peer group of exceptional students from the American College of Greece (ACG) in Athens, Greece. Applications are due on March 15, 2017. http://www.nationalhellenicsociety.org/program-overview.html.

Bulletin Inserts

Metropolitan Encyclical on Great Lent

Encyclical

Hellenic Club of NY Scholarship

Letter

Byzantine Music concert

Cherry Hill church

Easter Federation GOC Concert

Lenten Concert

Stewardship

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 89 Pledges totaling $144,160 for an average of $1,620 and $53,957 received to date. We also have 6 families who have contributed $ 850 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…

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