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St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2023-10-01
Bulletin Contents
Parish News
Saints and Feasts
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Hymns of the Day
Wisdom of the Fathers
Bulletin inserts
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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

St. Anna Office staff

stannagoc@gmail.com | (908) 968-4004

Protopresbyter Fr. Anastasios Kousoulas


frakousoulas@gmail.com | mobile (908) 528-1077

Services Schedule

Sunday Services:  Orthros 8:30 am; Divine Liturgy 9:30  am.  

Weekday Services:  See parish website calendar link for updates.

 

Past Bulletins


Parish News

Memorial Services: 1-year Memorial for Ioannis (John) Hatzikalfas, brother of Anastasia Vlahakes.
Louis and Anastasia Vlahakes will be hosting the fellowship hour in memory of her brother. 

Also, today, the 40-day Memorial for Helen Koehler. May their memory be eternal!

SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, Oct. 8, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm. We are happy to announce that our youth in grades K-12 are invited to a team-building Fall Field Day to kick off our youth ministries. This is a FREE event. It will be an afternoon of outdoor field day games and refreshments. Please see Nikol Toulatos or Maria Tattoli during fellowship hour to register your youth and/or to volunteer for the event. Or you may email Nikol Toulatos at nikoltoulatos44@gmail.com. RSVP deadline is TODAY. You don’t want to miss out on this fun event!  Feel free to invite a friend. (See bulletin insert)

SUNDAY SCHOOL: TODAY IS THE 1ST DAY OF CLASSES.  Welcome back to all our students!  If you have not registered yet, please email Nikol Toulatos at nikoltoulatos44@gmail.com.

GREEK SCHOOL: The first day of our YOUTH Greek School classes was MONDAY, SEPT. 25.  We are excited for a productive and fun school year! Please email Maria Sfondouris at msfondouris@gmail.com if you are interested in registering your child.

ADULT GREEK SCHOOL is also back beginning OCT. 9 via Zoom. The classes will run each Monday from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. by our wonderful volunteer teacher, Katerina Toulatos. If you are interested or have any questions, please email Maria Sfondouris at msfondouris@gmail.com. 

GOYA:  There is a GOYA meeting TODAY at 11:00 a.m.  All teens in grades 7-12 are invited and encouraged to attend.  Please see Larisa Trumpy to register.

TEEN SAFETY NIGHT:  Our parish is hosting this Flemington community event on Friday, Oct. 20 from 7 to 9 p.m. Hunterdon Prevention and One Voice will run this informative and fun evening.   Please save the date.  More info to follow (Teens are asked to invite friends.)  

HOPE & JOY:  Please see Kristen Diagelakis during fellowship hour to register our youth in grades K-6.

GREEK DANCE:   The first day of Greek dance classes was on MONDAY, SEPT. 25.  Please see Larisa Trumpy or Fr. A to join the Dance Troupe.  We are hoping to add to our numbers as we continue to grow this ministry.  All are welcome!

COLLEGE CARE PACKAGES: If you have a college-aged child living at home or away at school, let us know so we can connect with them this school year with 1-2 care packages.  The objective of this ministry is to stay connected with our St. Anna youth and to gently remind them that church is home.  Please email Maria Tattoli at mtattoli@gmail.com to include your child.  Deadline: Oct. 15. 

YOUNG ADULT LEAGUE (YAL): For Orthodox Christians ages 18-35.  The Metropolis of Pittsburgh is hosting a YAL conference on Oct. 13-15 at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown.  Registration is open. For more details, go to: https://y2am.pittsburgh.goarch.org/ya/2023-yal-conference

Regional YAL: Orthodoxy on Tap, Wed., Oct. 18 at 7 pm.  The Tavern on George, 361 George St., New Brunswick, NJ.  Guest Speaker: Sam Williams, Pastoral Asst at St. George GOC, Piscataway. Theme: "Orthodoxy in a Roman Catholic and Protestant World." 

Orthodoxy on Tap upcoming schedule: Nov. 13 and Dec. 20. More info and locations to come.  See Fr. A.

PARISH COUNCIL: The fall Parish Assembly is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 19 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM.  The Stewardship Appreciation Luncheon will follow for all.
 
PHILOPTOCHOS:  SAVE THE DATE!!  Saturday, November 11th from 7 pm to 11 pm for our first annual Paint & Sip! Join us for an enjoyable evening of fellowship, food, and fun while you make a beautiful painting with family and friends and enjoy appetizers, wine (non-alcoholic drinks for minors), and dessert! $25/person to benefit St. Judes Children's Hospital. 
 
Choir NEWS: Today is National Church Music Sunday and we are honoring all our church musicians for their service. We are also designating October as Choir Membership Month to recruit new members. We are currently planning our Christmas Program and look forward to new members joining. Please see the attached flyer.  Contact Choir Director, Diana Grina dianakg2003@yahoo.com; 908-392-7449.

OCTOBER WINE AND DINE: Be sure to mark your calendars for our Wine & Dine fundraiser on Saturday, October 21 at 6 p.m. For many years prior to the pandemic, this was always a highly anticipated annual fundraiser as it combines fellowship, wine education, and wonderful food and wine pairings in a reception-style, intimate in-home setting. Parishioner George Staikos, who is a sommelier and wine educator, will lead this event with his wife Christi along with the executive chef/co-owner of the Sergeantsville Inn, Daniel Brunina, who will prepare the menu for us that evening. This event will be held in the home of parishioner Dan Vlahakis in nearby Ringoes (Copper Hill Country Club) who has generously offered to host this not-to-be-missed fundraiser. 

ST. ANNA BOOKSTORE NEWS.  Please check out all the new books and religious items in our Bookstore. They make great gifts for Christmas, children, Godchildren, family and friends. We've even put in a special Christmas section to make it easier to browse. 
 
In addition, each month we will be spotlighting a few recommended books. For kids we are featuring an "Orthodox matching game" and the "Children's Bible Reader". For adults, we suggest "A Guide to Greek Traditions and Customs in America", "Gratitude in Life's Trenches: How to Experience the Good Life. . . Even When Everything Is Going Wrong" and "Saint Nektarios: The Saint of Our Century". If you have any questions feel free to ask Angela Ferreira or Aimee Douvris. HAPPY SHOPPING!! 
 
Veterans Day Program: on Sunday, Nov. 12, we will honor our Veterans with a special program after church.  God bless our Veterans as we thank them for their selfless service!

 

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. 
2023 Stewardship Status: we have 151 Pledges totaling $192,050 and $158,440 received to date.  We also have 11 families who have contributed $5,970 to date but have not submitted a stewardship card.  It is important that all families complete a stewardship card to be considered a steward.  Current Stewardship List and other stewardship information is posted in bulletin board by water cooler.
We need everyone’s participation to exceed this year’s stewardship pledge target of $200,000.  If the remaining 52, 2022 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 2023 pledge card as soon as you can.
…Remember a rich man is not one who has much, but one who gives much…..

2023 Stewardship List
* Contributed but have not submitted stewardship card Report Date: Sept. 23, 2023
1 Archimedes, Alexander & Debbie 69 Lappen, Justin&Danielle 137 Trumpy, Grace
2 Arvanitidou, Evangelia 70 Logothetis, Nikita & Sophia 138 Tsatsos, Costa & Maria
3 Balios, Efthimia 71 Loukedis, Alexander & Jennifer 139 Tsokas, Lorraine
4 Bulzacchelli, Thomas & Valerie 72 Manoussakis, Stamati & Sofia 140 Tzovolos, Demetri and Arete
5 Bunce, Daniel & Marianne 73 Manteo, Michael & Gramatiki 141 Tzovolos, Olympia
6 Callanan, Ryan & Christina Roros 74 Mardakis, Arge 142 Vaporakis, Efharis Karise
7 Collett, Martin & Adriane 75 Mariani, Anthony & Kristen 143 Vaporakis, John & Kim
8 Connell, William & Nikki 76 Martin, Stephen & Despina 144 Vaporakis, Kaliope
9 Costalas, Paul & Josephine 77 Martini, Matt & Meropi, Louis 145 Vaporakis, Mihail
10 Coutros, George & Lana 78 Martini, Nicole+Emilio Verrillo 146 Varas, Alexander Pericles
11 Coutros, Peter 79 Mavrode, John Steven 147 Varas, Loukas Michael
12 Coutsouridis, John & Denise 80 Mavrode, Michael & Demetra 148 Varas, Michael & Elaine
13 Diagelakis, Gerasimos & Kristen 81 Mavrode, Ouania (Ronnie) 149 Veneman, Ryan & Polyxeni-Tolis
14 Diamantis, Ioannis & Gerasimoula 82 Mavrode, William & Vanessa 150 Vespa, Paul & Fay
15 Diver, Sean & Joanne 83 McElroy, Stephanie 151 Vlahakes, Louis & Anastasia
16 Doty, James & Kathy 84 Millett, Matthew & Maria 152 Vlahakis, Dan
17 Douvris, John & Aimee 85 Missios, Michael & Popi 153 Wolf, Chad and Jennifer
18 Fallon, Tom & Anna 86 Montalvo, Alex&Maria 154 Wolfe, Richard & Penelope
19 Ferreira, Jorge & Angela 87 Mulcahy, Dr. Wayne and Mary * 155 Wygera, Walter & Constance
20 Finley, Thomas & Antoinette 88 Nelson, Anna 156 Xenakis, Matthew & Vasiliki
21 Foglia, Katina 89 Nelson, Stephanie 157 Zacharatos, Jerry & Justine Raspanti *
22 Gabriel & Ioana Patuleanu Swift 90 Nicolaou, Nicolaos & Kaliopi 158 Zajac, Pegi
23 Gacos, Chris & Frances * 91 Olsen, Richard & Kattia * 159 Zanidakis, Theodore & Charlotte
24 Gacos, Christopher & Escarlen 92 Paitakes, John&Linda 160 Zannikos, Peter & Amy
25 Gatanis, Michael & Angela * 93 Paliatsos, Mary 161 Zavitsanos, Anna
26 Georgeles, George & Maria 94 Panageas, Bill & Margaret 162 Zervos, Alexandros and Mary
27 Giambrone, Charles J 95 Panayote, William & Deborah 163  
28 Gianakos, Michael & Dianne 96 Pappas, Demitrios & Stacy 164  
29 Gianakos, Phillip & Arianna 97 Pappas, Vivian Schiavone 165  
30 Giannouris, John & Tracey 98 Patel, Kesha * 166  
31 Gianos, Irene 99 Pelios, Georgia 167  
32 Gimbel, Maria 100 Peppe, George & Demetra 168  
33 Giotis, John & Karen 101 Perez, Alex & Eleni Panas 169  
34 Glynos, Peter & Cindy 102 Perris, Emanuel E. 170  
35 Grigsby, Thomas & Alexandra Pogogeff 103 Peter Allen 171  
36 Grina, Peter & Diana 104 Petromelis, Christopher & Georgette 172  
37 Gus and Anna Kodersha 105 Petromelis, Phyllis 173  
38 Hawes, Ashlynn 106 Polychronis, Cary & Chara 174  
39 Hawes, Brian & Allison Faches 107 Procyk, Eugenia 175  
40 Hawes, Teagan 108 Rentoulis, Dino & Chrisa * 176  
41 Hindle, Irene * 109 Roros, Constantine (Dean) 177  
42 Iliakostas, Vasilis & Konstantina * 110 Rosengarth, Derek & Sara Marin 178  
43 Iliopoulos, Christos & Anna 111 Roupas, Daniel & Mary 179  
44 Jaghab, Danny & Delmy 112 Rudy, George & Sofia 180  
45 Jimenez, Lee&Deanne 113 Sacalis, John 181  
46 Johnson, Bill 114 Sakellos, Alexandra 182  
47 Johnson, Gloria 115 Sakellos, Evan & Catherine 183  
48 Kaldes, John & Zoi 116 Sakellos, George 184  
49 Kamnitsis, Christopher & Heather 117 Sauma, Abdo & Gladys 185  
50 Kamnitsis, Constantine & Nancy 118 Sfondouris, John & Maria 186  
51 Kanterakis, Anthony & Maria 119 Sheehan, Katherina 187  
52 Karazoupis, Vasilios & Panayiota 120 Shepardson, Lilyan 188  
53 Katogiritis, George & Kalliopi 121 Sideris, Leonidas & Elizabeth 189  
54 Kazantzis, Sava & Nancy 122 Soteropoulos, Dean & Elizabeth 190  
55 Kefalas, Carrie 123 Soteropoulos, Marisa 191  
56 Kehayes, Peter & Helen 124 Staikos, George & Christi 192  
57 Kehayes, Stephen & Beth 125 Staikos, Nicholas, Eirini Daskalakis 193  
58 Kizoulis, Menas & Antonia * 126 Stathopulos, Peter&Julan, Adriana 194  
59 Kosoglou, Arianna * 127 Stellakis, Eileen 195  
60 Kosoglou, Teddy and Roula 128 Stier, Benjamin & Eleftheria Tsatsos 196  
61 Kousoulas, Constantine 129 Sullivan, Mary 197  
62 Kousoulas, Demetrios 130 Tattoli, Larry & Maria 198  
63 Kousoulas, Evangelos 131 Tattoli, Steven 199  
64 Kousoulas, Fr. Anastasios & Presv. Nektaria 132 Ticas, Cesar & Areti 200  
65 Kousoulas, Panayiotis 133 Toulatos, Katerina M 201  
66 Kubu, James & Evangeline 134 Toulatos, Nikoleta 202  
67 Kypridakes, Michael & Asimina 135 Toulatos, Polixenia 203  
68 Lambrianakos, George&Helen 136 Trumpy, Fred & Larisa 204  




 

******************* 
Volunteer Opportunity: Would you like to work around horses in a special ministry setting? Mythos Farm (www.Mythosfarm.org) in Ringoes, run by St. Anna parishioner Dr. Maria Katsamanis and her husband Michael,  is home to the nonprofit Friends for Pegasus(www.friendsforpegasus.org).   Their mission is to promote ethical and compassionate training for horses and education for their humans to ensure they are both physically and mentally well.  The transformations that occur here are not only with the horses. People change when they learn how to hear and co-exist with their horses.  a volunteer that might enjoy working on a farm and doing some routine chores.  Main help needed is housecleaning of the barn and pasture cleaning. See Fr. A if interested.  Thank you.
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Saints and Feasts

18_lukewriting
October 01

2nd Sunday of Luke

Romanosmelodist
October 01

Romanos the Melodist

Saint Romanos flourished during the reign of Anastasius (491-518). He was from Emesa of Syria, and apparently was born of Jewish parents, for a hymn written in his honour in Greek says he was "of Hebrew stock," and it has furthermore been noted that he uses many Semitic idioms in his writings. He was baptized an Orthodox Christian, and at some time became a deacon in the Church of Beirut. He was the first composer of the kontakia, the foremost of which is that of the feast of Christ's Nativity, On this day the Virgin .... In composing many of his kontakia. Saint Romanos was inspired by the hymns of Saint Ephraim of Syria.

Pokrov
October 01

The Holy Protection of the Theotokos

The Feast of the Protection commemorates the appearance of the most holy Theotokos in the Church of Blachernae in Constantinople in the tenth century, as recorded in the life of Saint Andrew the Fool for Christ's sake. While the multitudes of the faithful were gathered in church, Epiphanius, the friend of Saint Andrew, through the Saint's prayers, beheld the Virgin Mary above the faithful and spreading out her veil over them, signifying her unceasing protection of all Christians. Because of this we keep a yearly feast of gratitude, imploring our Lady never to cease sheltering us in her mighty prayers.

The Feast is celebrated on October 1. In the 1950s, the Church of Greece began to observe the Feast on October 28.

Thomas
October 06

Thomas the Apostle of the 12

The name Thomas means, "twin." He was one of the Twelve, a Galilean by birth. Sophroneus (not the famous Patriarch of Jerusalem [7th Century, celebrated March 11], but a friend of Jerome's), quoted also by Jerome, says that Saint Thomas preached to the Parthians, Pesians, Medes, Hyrcanians, Bactrians, and neighbouring nations. According to Heracleon, the Apostle died a natural death; according to other accounts, he was martyred at Meliapur His tomb was known by Saint John Chrysostom to be at Edessa in Syria, to which city his holy relics may have been translated from India in the fourth century.

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal 4th Tone. 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 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.

Gospel Reading

2nd Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 6:31-36

The Lord said, "As you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful."

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 4th Tone

From on high didst Thou descend, O Compassionate One; to burial of three days hast Thou submitted that Thou mightest free us from our passions. O our Life and Resurrection, Lord, glory be to Thee.

Apolytikion for Ananias of the 70 in the 3rd Tone

O Holy Apostle Ananias, intercede with the merciful God that He grant unto our souls forgiveness of offences.

Apolytikion for Romanos the Melodist in the Plagal 4th Tone

In thee the image was preserved with exactness, O Father; 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 Romanos, thy spirit rejoiceth with the Angels.

Apolytikion for St. Anna (Dec. 9) in the 4th Tone

Today the bonds of childlessness are loosed; for God hearkened to Joachim and Anna. And though it was beyond hope, He clearly promised them that they should bear a divine child, from whom was born the Uncircumscribable One Himself Who became a mortal, and through an Angel commanded them to cry unto her: Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, the Lord is with thee."

Seasonal Kontakion in the 2nd Tone

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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Wisdom of the Fathers

There are three things that impel us towards what is holy: natural instincts, angelic powers and probity of intention. Natural instincts impel us when, for example, we do to others what we would wish them to do to us (cf. Luke 6:31), or when we see someone suffering deprivation or in need and naturally feel compassion. Angelic powers impel us when, being ourselves impelled to something worthwhile, we find we are providentially helped and guided. We are impelled by probity of intention when, discriminating between good and evil, we choose the good.
St. Maximos the Confessor
Second Century on Love no. 32, Philokalia Vol. 2 edited by Palmer, Sherrard and Ware; Faber and Faber pg. 71, 7th century

Every work which does not have love as its beginning and root is nothing.
St. John Chrysostom
Unknown, 4th century

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Bulletin inserts

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