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St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2017-04-02
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St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (908) 968-4004
  • Fax:
  • (908) 968-4002
  • Street Address:

  • 85 Voorhees Corner Road,

  • Flemington, NJ 08822


Contact Information






Services Schedule

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.


Past Bulletins


Saints and Feasts

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April 02

Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt

The memory of this Saint is celebrated on April 1, where her life is recorded. Since the end of the holy Forty Days is drawing nigh, it has been appointed for this day also, so that if we think it hard to practice a little abstinence forty days, we might be roused by the heroism of her who fasted in the wilderness forty-seven years; and also that the great loving-kindness of God, and His readiness to receive the repentant, might be demonstrated in very deed.


Lazarus
April 08

Lazarus Saturday

Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary, the friends of the Lord Jesus, had given Him hospitality and served Him many times (Luke 10:38-4z; John 12:2-3). They were from Bethany, a village of Judea. This village is situated in the eastern parts by the foothills of the Mount of Olives, about two Roman miles from Jerusalem. When Lazarus - whose name is a Hellenized form of "Eleazar," which means "God has helped," became ill some days before the saving Passion, his sisters had this report taken to our Saviour, Who was then in Galilee. Nonetheless, He tarried yet two more days until Lazarus died; then He said to His disciples, "Let us go into Judea that I might awake My friend who sleepeth." By this, of course, He meant the deep sleep of death. On arriving at Bethany, He consoled the sisters of Lazarus, who was already four days dead. Jesus groaned in spirit and was troubled at the death of His beloved friend. He asked, "Where have ye laid his body?" and He wept over him. When He drew nigh to the tomb, He commanded that they remove the stone, and He lifted up His eyes, and giving thanks to God the Father, He cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth." And he that had been dead four days came forth immediately, bound hand and foot with the grave clothes, and Jesus said to those standing there, "Loose him, and let him go." This is the supernatural wonder wrought by the Saviour that we celebrate on this day.

According to an ancient tradition, it is said that Lazarus was thirty years old when the Lord raised him; then he lived another thirty years on Cyprus and there reposed in the Lord. It is furthermore related that after he was raised from the dead, he never laughed till the end of his life, but that once only, when he saw someone stealing a clay vessel, he smiled and said, "Clay stealing clay." His grave is situated in the city of Kition, having the inscription: "Lazarus the four days dead and friend of Christ." In 890 his sacred relics were transferred to Constantinople by Emperor Leo the Wise, at which time undoubtedly the Emperor composed his stichera for Vespers, "Wishing to behold the tomb of Lazarus . . ."


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

You descended from on high, O compassionate One, and condescended to be buried for three days, so that from the passions You might set us free. Our life and resurrection, O Lord, glory be to You.

Apolytikion for Sun. of St. Mary of Egypt in the Plagal Fourth Mode

In thee the image was preserved with exactness, O Mother; for taking up thy cross, thou didst follow Christ, and by thy deeds thou didst teach us to overlook the flesh, for it passeth away, but to attend to the soul since it is immortal. Wherefore, O righteous Mary, thy spirit rejoiceth with the Angels.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Mode

O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the creator most constant: O despise not the voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, O thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Fourth Mode. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 9:11-14.

BRETHREN, when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt
The Reading is from Mark 10:32-45

At that time, Jesus taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and spit upon him, and scourge him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise." And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him, and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant of James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."


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Wisdom of the Fathers

But let no man be troubled at the apostles being in such an imperfect state. For not yet was the cross accomplished, not yet the grace of the Spirit given. But if thou wouldest learn their virtue, notice them after these things, and thou wilt see them superior to every passion.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 65 on Matthew 20, 2,3,4,6. B#54, pp.399-401,403., 4th Century

For with this object He reveals their deficiencies, that after these things thou mightest know what manner of men they became by grace. ... No one shall sit on His right hand nor on His left.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 65 on Matthew 20, 2,3,4,6. B#54, pp.399-401,403., 4th Century

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Ministry News

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TODAY we are blessed with two Chrismations into the Orthodox faith, Tanya Kouretas (taking the name Elizabeth) and Richard Wolfe (taking the name Gabriel).  Congratulations to both of them and their families!

TODAY Fellowship Hour is sponsored by Efthimia (Mimitsa) Balios in memory of her late husband, Ioannis (John) Balios.

TODAY please join us for the Spring General Assembly following Church Services.

We congratulate our St Anna Greek School and Sunday School for two wonderful programs last Sunday.  The Greek School worked very hard put on a lively show in honor of Greek Independence Day.  We commend both the students and the teachers.

Congratulations to the participants of the St John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival, who did a wonderful job sharing their beliefs about their faith and the Church.  We would also like to thank the judges who donated their time and talent for this inspirational event. 

ALL INVITED!!  The St. Anna Paschal Lamb Roast is scheduled for 12:30 pm to 5 pm on Easter Sunday.  All need to contact Fay Vespa (faysvespa@gmail.com) who is sending out a sign up list for additional food items that are needed to supplement the roast.   The Agape Vespers Service on Easter Sunday has a revised start time of 11:30 am.  If anyone is interested in heading up the Easter Egg Hunt for our youth, please see Fr. Anastasios today.  Thank you.

 
   

 

 

CHURCH CALENDAR

Monday, April 3:  Great Compline Service, 5:30 to 6:30 pm

Wednesday, April 5:  9th Hour followed by Presanctified Liturgy, 6 pm

Thursday, April 6:  Great Compline Service, 6 to 7 pm

Friday, April 7:  9th Hour followed by Presanctified Liturgy, 9 am

             

Holy Week Schedule

Saturday, April 8:            Lazarus Saturday.    Orthros 9 am, Divine Liturgy 10 am.

Sunday, April 9:             Palm Sunday.           Orthros 8:15 am, Divine Liturgy 9:15 am.  

                                    Palm Sunday Luncheon Fundraiser to follow.

                                    Bridegroom Service.  7 pm

Holy Monday, April 10:    Presanctified Liturgy. 9 am

                                      Bridegroom Service.  7 pm.

Holy Tuesday, April 11:     Presanctified Liturgy. 9 am.

                                      Bridegroom Service.  7 pm.

Holy Wed., April 12:         Presanctified Liturgy. 9 am.

                                     Holy Unction. 4 pm and 7 pm (please attend one)

Holy Thursday, April 13:   Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil. 9 am

                                      Holy Passion Service. 7 pm.

Holy Friday, April 14:        Royal Hours.              9 am

                                        Apokathelosis Service (Descent of Christ from the Cross) 3 pm.

                                        Lamentations Service. 7 pm.

Holy Saturday, April 15:      Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great. 9 am.

                                        Resurrection Services: Orthros and Liturgy. 11:15 pm.

Easter Sunday, April 16:    Agape Vespers Service. 11:30 am.

                       

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.

Junior Greek Dance:  Practice TODAY following Church services.

Philoptochos News: General Member Meeting – TODAY - brief member meeting to vote on 2017 budget and Philoptochos Honoree for Clergy/Laity Assembly and Philoptochos Convention. Please meet in the Sunday School Grade 3-4 Classroom at 11:15 am before the General Assembly meeting.

Saturday of Lazarus:  Please join fellow parishioners in the making of palm crosses in the Community Center following Church services.  A Lenten lunch will be provided.

YiaYia's Attic Saturday, May 20, 8 am - 1 pm.  Please consider donating used clothing, household items, children's toys, and odds and ends that can help us raise monies for Philoptochos charities.  Donations can be dropped off starting Sunday, April 30. Contact:  Margaret Panageas

Easter Bread:  Tsourekia available for pick-up next Sunday, April 9 (Palm Sunday). 

PC Corner: Palm Sunday Luncheon next Sunday April 9: $12 for adults and any children who order the fish plate (other children option spaghetti for $5). Register at Fellowship Hour.  

Remember we need additional GOYA Advisors and HOPE & JOY advisor.  St Anna GOYA is one of the most vibrant programs of our Community and needs advisors to work with our Youth.  Please consider and see Father Anastasios if you can help.

"Destiny Fulfilled" Appreciation Celebration May 7 - Update

Invitations have been distributed either in person or through paper mail. Please check that you have received yours. Approximately 450 invitations have gone out. It is very important to confirm your attendance and your table party so that food preparations can be made.  If you know with whom you would like to sit, such as another parish family, please indicate their names on the back of the response card.  This will help with seating arrangements.

We need responses by April 22.  Responses should be mailed as envelope indicates to Cathy Sakellos.

Any questions, or if have not received your invite, please contact Diana Grina dianakg2003@yahoo.com

Education Meeting on Sunday, April 30 after Church services.  This meeting is for all families with children to ensure that we understand your expectations for our Educational programs, the Greek School program in particular.  We appreciate your ideas to improve our programs and increase participation. 

Spring Wine-n-Dine:  Theme: Inspirations from the Mediterranean. The evening will be dedicated to exploring new white and red wines from Spain, Italy and Greece complimented by a variety of Mediterranean inspired food pairings served reception style (flyer uploaded to e-bulletin)

Date and time: Saturday, June 3 at 6:30 pm

Where: Parishioners Penny and Rich Wolfe residence (12 Eyring Road, Hillsborough, NJ)

Cost: $75 per person. Payments received by Christi Staikos or can be mailed to her at

43 Fox Grape Rd, Flemington, NJ 08822.

Unique opportunity to see our parish youth perform and support the purchase of new Greek Dance costumes!  Come to AP Motion Dance Company's Spring Gala 2017 and see the classical ballet Paquita and other works. Our own Stefania Ferreira is starring as Paquita, Elena Andriopoulos as a soloist, and Anastasia Sutherland as a Jr. Corps member. Stefania and Elena also have original pieces of choreography that are presented in the 2nd Act. Ask Joanna Andriopoulos or Angela Ferreira for a coupon that will donate 20% back to the St Anna Greek Dance costume fund from your ticket purchases! Tickets online at www.tututix.com/apmotiondance for $18 or $22 at the door.

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. 

 

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Bulletin Inserts

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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 98 Pledges totaling $152,010 for an average of $1,551 and $70,814 received to date.  We also have 7 families who have contributed $4,090 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 the remaining 2016 stewards give at the same level as last year we could exceed our budget and reach a record high number of stewards.

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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