Saints and Feasts

June 18

2nd Sunday of Matthew

June 24

Nativity of the Forerunner John the Baptist

He that was greater than all who are born of women, the Prophet who received God's testimony that he surpassed all the Prophets, was born of the aged and barren Elizabeth (Luke 1: 7) and filled all his kinsmen, and those that lived round about, with gladness and wonder. But even more wondrous was that which followed on the eighth day when he was circumcised, that is, the day on which a male child receives his name. Those present called him Zacharias, the name of his father. But the mother said, "Not so, but he shall be called John." Since the child's father was unable to speak, he was asked, by means of a sign, to indicate the child's name. He then asked for a tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And immediately Zacharias' mouth was opened, his tongue was loosed from its silence of nine months, and filled with the Holy Spirit, he blessed the God of Israel, Who had fulfilled the promises made to their fathers, and had visited them that were sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, and had sent to them the light of salvation. Zacharias prophesied concerning the child also, saying that he would be a Prophet of the Most High and Forerunner of Jesus Christ. And the child John, who was filled with grace, grew and waxed strong in the Spirit; and he was in the wilderness until the day of his showing to Israel (Luke 1:57-80). His name is a variation of the Hebrew "Johanan," which means "Yah is gracious."

June 24

Elizabeth, Mother of the Forerunner

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Mode

The stone had been secured with a seal by the Judeans, * and a guard of soldiers was watching Your immaculate body. * You rose on the third day, O Lord * and Savior, granting life unto the world. * For this reason were the powers of heaven crying out to You, O Life-giver: * Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ; * glory to Your eternal rule; * glory to Your dispensation, only One who loves mankind.

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.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. First Mode. Psalm 32.22,1.
Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 2:10-16.

Brethren, glory and honor and peace for every one who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality. All who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. When Gentiles who have not the law do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

Gospel Reading

2nd Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 4:18-23

At that time, as Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left their boat and their father, and followed him. And he went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.

Wisdom of the Fathers

But mark both their faith, and their obedience. For though they were in the midst of their work (and you know how greedy a thing fishing is), when they heard His command, they delayed not, ... but "they forsook all and followed," ... Because such is the obedience which Christ seeks of us, as that we delay not even a moment of time.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 14 on Matthew 4, 4th Century

Prayer, fasting, vigil and all other Christian practices, however good they may be in themselves, do not constitute the aim of our Christian life, although they serve as the indispensable means of reaching this end. The true aim of our Christian life consists in the acquisition of the Holy Spirit of God.

St. Seraphim of Sarov

The Acquisition of the Holy Spirit: Chapter 3, The Little Russian Philokalia Vol. 1; Saint Herman of Alaska Brotherhood pg. 79, 19th century

Ministry News

Happy Fathers Day to all of our Fathers, Grandfathers, Godfathers, and Uncles!

Church Calendar:

Thursday, June 29: Saints Peter and Paul Feastday - Orthros / Divine Liturgy, 9 am

Friday, June 30: Holy Apostles - Orthros / Divine Liturgy, 9 am

Saturday, July 1: Sts. Cosmas and Damianos - Orthros / Divine Liturgy, 9 am

OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA

The St. Anna Community is vibrant throughout the summer months, not only because of our Feast Day (the Dormition of St. Anna on July 25), but also because of our OPA Festival! We look forward to the fun and fellowship of the OPA Festival all summer long and it is rapidly approaching!

This year's OPA festival takes place on September 8-10. Sponsor commitments help cover our fixed costs and are very important to the overall financial success of the event. There are sponsor opportunities for budgets large and small. Businesses, families, and individuals can sponsor. This year we have sponsorship forms for those who sponsored before in addition to forms for those who never sponsored. Both sponsor forms and cover letters provide all the details and are available on our festival website www.opafestival.com. Please help by approaching businesses, especially those you frequent, and asking for a sponsorship. Contact the Sponsor Chairperson Elaine Markos (pmarkos2@verizon.net) as well as John Douvris (jsdouvrispc@gmail.com) and Nik Kritharis (nikolaos.kritharis.dmd@gmail.com) with any questions or for more information on your efforts to help.

In addition, the initial Festival food preparation dates are as follows:

Monday, July 10 -Baklava baking - 6 pm, St. Anna kitchen

Tuesday, July 11 - Galaktoboureko - 6 pm, St. Anna kitchen

Wednesday, July 12 - Galaktoboureko - 6 pm, St. Anna kitchen

Friday, July 14 - Ravani baking - 6 pm, St. Anna kitchen

Tiuesday, July 18 - Spanakopita- 6 pm, St. Anna kitchen

Look for the Sign-up Genius in your email to sign up.

OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA*OPA

St. Anna will be conducting its “Pave the Way” Fundraiser all summer long. You can become a part of our legacy by purchasing commemorative pavers to line the walkway to our Church. The brochure with all details can be found at the Pangari. Deadline for orders is September 30, so that we can install them before the winter months. Contacts: Evan Sakellos and John Douvris.

Byzantine Music Workshop and Choir: For confirmation of meeting times, please contact our cantor Stathis directly or through email (stathisleon@gmail.com) with subject matter "Byzantine Choir.”

Education Programs: Registration forms for the next school year will be available beginning July 1.

Sunday School: There will be a Sunday School Teachers meeting on Sunday, June 25 following Church services to review the past year and to start planning for the next school year. We are in need of Sunday School teachers for next year - please consider taking part in this very important ministry! Any interested parties are welcome to attend our Teachers’ meeting, or they can contact Father A or Joanne Diver at sjdiver@verizon.net.

Greek School: We are also in need of Greek School teachers for the next school year. IF ANYONE KNOWS OF ANY POTENTIAL GREEK SCHOOL TEACHERS IN THE AREA, PLEASE LET FR. A OR JOANNE DIVER KNOW ASAP. Registration forms for the next school year will be available beginning July 1. Greek School students who register early (by July 31) will once again be offered a tuition discount this year of $50/student.

Summer Youth Programs: Registration for Camp Good Shepherd 2017 at the Linwood MacDonald YMCA Center in Branchville, NJ closes on June 20. The following sessions are offered:

JOY (ages 8-12): July 9-15.

GOYA week #1 (ages 13-18): July 16-22.

GOYA week #2 (ages 13-18): July 23-30. GOYA Campers can register for one or both sessions.

Please call Father A if you have any questions about the camp, and please and send him an email at frakousoulas@gmail.com if you plan to register your children. Father A will be at camp for GOYA #2 (week of July 23).

For additional information, contact the Metropolis Youth Office by phone (908) 301-0500 or by email dnphilotheos@nj.goarch.org.

Fellowship Hour sponsors needed for the fall! Please sign up outside the Church office, or contact Dr. Nikolaos Kritharis at nikolaos.kritharis.dmd@gmail.com or 201-572-3420.

Bulletin Inserts

OPA Festival Sponsor packet - Previous Supporters

For use with those that have supported our OPA Festival in the past (not new supporters)

OPA Festival Sponsor Packet - New Supporters

For use with new Festival Sponsors

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.

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