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St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2021-04-04
Bulletin Contents
Parish News
Saints and Feasts
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Hymns of the Day
Archepiscopal Message
Wisdom of the Fathers
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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

Proistamenos Rev. Fr. Anastasios Kousoulas

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

Services Schedule

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.

Past Bulletins


Parish News

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 97 Pledges totaling $144,425 and $63,592 received to date.  We also have 8 families who have contributed $6,500 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 $190,000.  If the remaining 77, 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. It can be emailed to: treasurer@StAnnaGOC.org


…Remember a rich man is not one who has much, but one who gives much…..
   
   
   
   

We need everyone’s participation to exceed this year’s stewardship pledge target of $190,000.  If the remaining 85, 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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ORATORICAL FESTIVAL

On Saturday, March 27, our parish was blessed with wonderful speeches from our youth.  Today, Sofia Douvris (Sr. Div.) and Andreas Kousoulas (Jr. Division) will offer their speeches for all to hear.  We will take turns on Sundays so that all the speeches will be heard in church.  Great job by all!
 
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ST. ANNA SCHOLARSHIP FOR HS SENIORS IS NOW ON OUR WEBSITE

With the blessings of another kind, generous and anonymous donation, our parish will once again be offering scholarship assistance to those High School Seniors who qualify and submit an application by April 30, 2021.
Students can get the information from our web page stannagoc.org

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From Your Parish Council President                                                    

 
COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments
 
If you are a NJ resident 65+ and in need of help scheduling yourselves for a Covid-19 vaccine, please register at www.wgirls.org/requestforhelp and someone will be in touch ASAP to pair you with a vetted volunteer.  These are dedicated volunteers who have been able to help secure hundreds of appointments for seniors who are struggling with the tech-heavy process.  As a reminder, NO volunteer will ever ask you for your Social Security Number or insurance details.  Good luck!
 
- John S. Douvris, Parish Council President

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GOYA VIRTUAL LENTEN RETREAT -with Steve Christoforou (Bee the Bee) on Saturday, April 17 at 7:30 pm!

Sign up here:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4ba4af2da75-state

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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 started on 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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Saints and Feasts

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April 04

Sunday of the Holy Cross

With the help of God, we have almost reached the middle of the course of the Fast, where our strength has been worn down through abstinence, and the full difficulty of the labour set before us becomes apparent. Therefore our holy Mother, the Church of Christ, now brings to our help the all-holy Cross, the joy of the world, the strength of the faithful, the staff of the just, and the hope of sinners, so that by venerating it reverently, we might receive strength and grace to complete the divine struggle of the Fast.

Allsaint
April 04

George the Righteous of Maleon

This Saint took up the monastic life from his youth, and went to Mount Maleon, where a community of monks gathered about him. He foretold his death from three years before, and reposed in an odour of sanctity.

Allsaint
April 04

Righteous Plato the Studite

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6.

BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek."

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Holy Cross
The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1

The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Mode

When You descended unto death, O Lord who yourself are immortal Life, then did You mortify Hades by the lightning flash of Your Divinity. Also when You raised the dead from the netherworld, all the Powers of the heavens were crying out: O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory be to You.

Apolytikion for Sun. of the Holy Cross in the First Mode

Save, O Lord, Thy people and bless Thine inheritance; grant Thou unto the faithful victory over adversaries. And by the power of Thy Cross do Thou preserve Thy commonwealth.

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!"
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Wisdom of the Fathers

And see how He also makes His discourse unexceptionable: not saying at all, "whether you will, or no, you must suffer this," but how? "If any man will come after me."
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century

"I force not, I compel not, but each one I make lord of his own choice; wherefore also I say, 'If any man will.' For to good things do I call you, not to things evil, or burdensome; not to punishment and vengeance, that I should have to compel.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century

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