Weekly Services (Due to COVID protocols, all services are by invitation only. Contact Fr. A with any questions.)
(Please note schedule subject to change. Please call church office to confirm times.)
Sunday Services: Orthros 8:30 am; Divine Liturgy 9:30 am. (by invitation only)
Weekly Feastday / Major Saint Day Liturgies: 9 am Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy.
Saint Theodore who was from Amasia of Pontus, contested during the reign of Maximian (286-305). He was called Tyro, from the Latin Tiro, because he was a newly enlisted recruit. When it was reported that he was a Christian, he boldly confessed Christ; the ruler, hoping that he would repent, gave him time to consider the matter more completely and then give answer. Theodore gave answer by setting fire to the temple of Cybele, the "mother of the gods," and for this he suffered a martyr's death by fire. See also the First Saturday of the Fast.
According to some, this Saint was born in Rome, but according to others in Tyrrenia (Tuscany), and was consecrated to the archiepiscopal throne of Rome in 440. In 448, when Saint Flavian, Archbishop of Constantinople, summoned Eutyches, an archimandrite in Constantinople, to give account for his teaching that there was only one nature in Christ after the Incarnation, Eutyches appealed to Saint Leo in Rome. After Saint Leo had carefully examined Eutyches's teachings, he wrote an epistle to Saint Flavian, setting forth the Orthodox teaching of the person of Christ, and His two natures, and also counseling Flavian that, should Eutyches sincerely repent of his error, he should be received back with all good will. At the Council held in Ephesus in 449, which was presided over by Dioscorus, Patriarch of Alexandria (and which Saint Leo, in a letter to the holy Empress Pulcheria in 451, was the first to call "The Robber Council"), Dioscorus, having military might behind him, did not allow Saint Leo's epistle to Flavian to be read, although repeatedly asked to do so; even before the Robber Council was held, Dioscorus had uncanonically received the unrepentant Eutyches back into communion. Because Saint Leo had many cares in Rome owing to the wars of Attila the Hun and other barbarians, in 451 he sent four delegates to the Fourth Ecumenical Council, where 630 Fathers gathered in Chalcedon during the reign of Marcian, to condemn the teachings of Eutyches and those who supported him. Saint Leo's epistle to Flavian was read at the Fourth Council, and was confirmed by the Holy Fathers as the Orthodox teaching on the incarnate person of our Lord; it is also called the "Tome of Leo." The Saint wrote many works in Latin; he reposed in 461. See also Saint Anatolius, July 3.
The Pharisees were an ancient and outstanding sect among the Jews known for their diligent observance of the outward matters of the Law. Although, according to the word of our Lord, they "did all their works to be seen of men" (Matt. 23:5), and were hypocrites (ibid. 23: 13, 14, 15, etc.), because of the apparent holiness of their lives they were thought by all to be righteous, and separate from others, which is what the name Pharisee means. On the other hand, Publicans, collectors of the royal taxes, committed many injustices and extortions for filthy lucre's sake, and all held them to be sinners and unjust. It was therefore according to common opinion that the Lord Jesus in His parable signified a virtuous person by a Pharisee, and a sinner by a Publican, to teach His disciples the harm of pride and the profit of humble-mindedness.
Since the chief weapon for virtue is humility, and the greatest hindrance to it is pride, the divine Fathers have set these three weeks before the Forty-day Fast as a preparation for the spiritual struggles of virtue. This present week they have called Harbinger, since it declares that the Fast is approaching; and they set humility as the foundation for all our spiritual labors by appointing that the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee be read today, even before the Fast begins, to teach, through the vaunting of the Pharisee, that the foul smoke of self-esteem and the stench of boasting drives away the grace of the Spirit, strips man of all his virtue, and casts him into the pits of Hades; and, through the repentance and contrite prayer of the Publican, that humility confers upon the sinner forgiveness of all his wicked deeds and raises him up to the greatest heights.
All foods are allowed the week that follows this Sunday.
Prokeimenon. Third Mode. Psalm 46.6,1.
Sing praises to our God, sing praises.
Verse: Clap your hands, all you nations.
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.
2020 Donor statements have been emailed to those with emails on file, please email Treasurer@StAnnaGOC.org if you have any questions or did not receive your statement. Hard copies will be mailed to the remaining donors in the next week.
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.
2021 Stewardship Status: we have 74 Pledges totaling $92,875 for an average of $1,255 and $39,321 received to date. We also have 9 families who have contributed $5,135 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 target of $190,000. If the remaining 93, 2020 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 2021 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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Last Sunday's "Gyro Buffet To Go" fundraiser was a "super" event for our church. Not only did the fundraiser provide much-needed funds necessary to help keep our church running, but it also served as a wonderful opportunity for fellow parishioners to enjoy camaraderie in an otherwise quarantine world we have become all too accustomed to. Huge thanks go to everyone involved to pull off this event. Even a small single-day event requires a tremendous amount of effort. This includes planning, marketing, shopping, preparation, cooking, packaging, serving, and cleaning. So whether you were involved in one of these activities, or you simply ordered and enjoyed the food or shared the event on social media, you all play a significant role in the success of events such as this. It is this kind of teamwork that will allow us to continue to meet any challenges during this difficult time.
-John S. Douvris, PC President
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Students of St. Anna's Youth Greek School are continuing to learn remotely during the pandemic and are currently preparing for the March 25th Celebration.
We are also happy to announce that our Adult Greek School for beginners will start Monday, February 15th. Classes will be held each Monday evening from 7:00-8:00.
Please contact Maria Sfondouris at msfondouris@gmail.com if you are interested in St. Anna's Youth or Adult Greek School programs.
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Nanny position (See Fr. A if interested)
“Our family in Princeton is seeking a full-time, live-out nanny for our two children, ages 2 and 3 months. 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Salary is negotiable and competitive. “