Parish News

2021 Stewardship Status: we have 108 Pledges totaling $160,975 and $90,910 received to date. We also have 9 families who have contributed $7,100 to date but have not submitted a stewardship card. It is important that all families complete a stewardship card to be considered a steward. The current Stewardship List and other stewardship information is posted on the bulletin board by the water cooler.

*2021 Stewardship List*
* Contributed but have not submitted stewardship card				*Report Date: Apr 15, 2021*
1	*Agrapides, Peter & Stella*	65	*Mulcahy, Dr. Wayne and Mary*	*129*
2	*Angelus, James&Elizabeth*	66	*Nelson, Stephanie*	*130*
3	*Archimedes, Alexander & Debbie*	67	*Paitakes, John&Linda*	*131*
4	*Argiropoulos, Anthony & Amy*	68	*Panageas, Bill & Margaret*	*132*
5	*Balios, Efthimia*	69	*Panayote, William & Deborah*	*133*
6	*Bongiovanni, Robert & Michele*	70	*Pelios, Georgia*	*134*
7	*Bozzo, Daniel&Maria*	71	*Peppe, George & Demetra*	*135*
8	*Bunce, Daniel & Marianne*	72	*Petromelis, Christopher & Georgette*	*136*
9	*Collett, Martin & Adriane*	73	*Petromelis, Phyllis*	*137*
10	*Costalas, Paul & Josephine*	74	*Procyk, Eugenia*	*138*
11	*Coutros, George & Lana*	75	*Rentoulis, Nikolaos*	*139*
12	*Coutsouridis, John & Denise*	76	*Roupas, Daniel & Mary*	*140*
13	*Demetriou, Dorothy&James*	77	*Sacalis, John*	*141*
14	*Diamantis, Ioannis & Gerasimoula*	78	*Sakellos, Evan & Catherine*	*142*
15	*Disla, Mark & Anastasia Pappas*	79	*Sakellos, George*	*143*
16	*Diver, Sean & Joanne*	80	*Sfondouris, John & Maria*	*144*
17	*Douvris, John & Aimee*	81	*Shepardson, Lilyan*	*145*
18	*Fallon, Tom & Anna*	82	*Sideris, Leonidas & Elizabeth*	*146*
19	Fearon, TJ & Colette *	83	*Soteropoulos, Dean & Elizabeth*	*147*
20	*Ferreira, Jorge & Angela*	84	*Soteropoulos, Marisa*	*148*
21	*Gacos, Chris & Frances*	85	*Stathopulos, Peter&Julan, Adriana*	*149*
22	Gatanis, Michael & Angela *	86	*Stavrakis, Michael & Sophia*	*150*
23	*Georgeles, George & Maria*	87	*Stellakis, Stanley & Kathleen*	*151*
24	*Giambrone, Charles J*	88	*Stieglitz, Alexander*	*152*
25	*Gianakos, Michael & Dianne*	89	*Stieglitz, Robert & Katerina*	*153*
26	*Giannouris, John & Tracey*	90	*Stier, Benjamin & Eleftheria Tsatsos*	*154*
27	Gianos, Irene *	91	*Sutton, David & Maria*	*155*
28	Gilman, Cliff & Karen *	92	*Tattoli, Larry & Maria*	*156*
29	*Giotis, John & Karen*	93	*Tattoli, Mark*	*157*
30	*Grina, Peter & Diana*	94	*Tattoli, Steven*	*158*
31	*Halkiadakis, John & Vassie*	95	*Ticas, Alexia*	*159*
32	*Hawes, Ashlynn*	96	*Ticas, Cesar&Areti*	*160*
33	*Hawes, Brian & Allison Faches*	97	*Toulatos, Polixenia*	*161*
34	*Hawes, Carrick*	98	*Trumpy, Fred & Larisa*	*162*
35	*Heinke, Michael & Simone*	99	Tsentas, Constantine & Eugenia *	*163*
36	*Ibrahim, Robert&Doniki*	*100*	*Tsokas, Lorraine*	*164*
37	*Iliopoulos, Christos & Anna*	*101*	*Tsokas, Spyros*	*165*
38	*Jaghab, Danny & Delmy*	*102*	*Tzovolos, Olympia*	*166*
39	*Johnson, Gloria*	*103*	*Vaporakis, Efharis Karise*	*167*
40	Kalamaras, Stella *	*104*	*Vaporakis, John & Kim*	*168*
41	*Kaldes, John & Zoi*	*105*	*Vaporakis, Kaliope*	*169*
42	*Kamnitsis, Constantine & Nancy*	*106*	*Vaporakis, Mihail*	*170*
43	*Kazantzis, Sava & Nancy*	*107*	*Varas, Alexander Pericles*	*171*
44	*Kefalas, Carrie*	*108*	*Varas, Loukas Michael*	*172*
45	*Kehayes, Peter & Helen*	*109*	*Varas, Michael & Elaine*	*173*
46	*Kehayes, Stephen & Beth*	*110*	*Veneman, Ryan & Polyxeni-Tolis*	*174*
47	*Kika, John & Tina*	*111*	*Vespa, Paul & Fay*	*175*
48	*Kizoulis, Menas & Antonia*	*112*	*Vlahakes, Louis & Anastasia*	*176*
49	*Kosoglou, Teddy and Roula*	*113*	*Vlahakis, Dan*	*177*
50	*Kousoulas, Constantine*	*114*	*Wolfe, Richard & Penelope*	*178*
51	*Kousoulas, Fr. Anastasios & Presv. Nektaria*	*115*	*Wygera, Walter & Constance*	*179*
52	*Kousoulas, Panayiotis*	*116*	*Zajac, Pegi*	*180*
53	*Kubu, James & Evangeline*	*117*	*Zanidakis, Theodore & Charlotte*	*181*
54	*Kypridakes, Michael & Asimina*	*118*		*182*
55	*Logothetis, Nikita & Sophia*	*119*		*183*
56	*Loukedis, Alexander & Jennifer*	*120*		*184*
57	*Mardakis, Arge*	*121*		*185*
58	*Mariani, Anthony & Kristen*	*122*		*186*
59	Markos, Peter & Elaine *	*123*		*187*
60	*Martin, Stephen & Despina*	*124*		*188*
61	*Mavrode, Michael & Demetra*	*125*		*189*
62	*Mazza, Emily & Costa & Poulis, Renee*	*126*		*190*
63	McElroy, Stephanie *	*127*		*191*
64	*Millett, Matthew & Maria*	*128*		*192*

Myrrophores (Young lady Myrrh-Bearers for Holy Friday Evening):

From Sofia Manoussakis: Please ask anyone interested to send me an email with their child(ren) name and age at s_manoussakis@yahoo.com or a text a 732-947-8289. I will confirm receipt and communicate specifics such as dress, time to meet, etc.

From Your Parish Council President

UPDATE - COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments

If you are a New Jersey resident 55+ or an individual of any age with a disability 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 those 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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St. Anna Scholarship:

Available to all St. Anna high school seniors who qualify. See more information on our website: stannagoc.org. The deadline is April 30, 2021. God bless all our graduating HS Seniors! We are so proud of you and all your accomplishments, especially during these challenging times.

Students of St. Anna's Youth Greek School are continuing to learn remotely during the pandemic.

We are also happy to announce that our Adult Greek School for beginners 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

April 25

Mark the Apostle and Evangelist

Mark was an idolater from Cyrene of Pentapolis, which is near Libya. Having come to the Faith of Christ through the Apostle Peter, he followed him to Rome. While there, at the prompting of Peter himself and at the request of the Christians living there, he wrote his Gospel in Greek, and it is second in order after Matthew's. Afterwards, travelling to Egypt, he preached the Gospel there and was the first to establish the Church in Alexandria. The idolaters, unable to bear his preaching, seized him, bound him with ropes, and dragged him through the streets until he, cut to pieces on rocks, gave up his soul. It is said that he completed his life in martyrdom about the year 68. He is depicted in holy icons with a lion next to him, one of the living creatures mentioned by Ezekiel (1:10), and a symbol of Christ's royal office, as Saint Irenaeus of Lyons writes.

If April 25 falls on or before Great and Holy Pascha, the Feast of St. Mark is translated to Bright Tuesday.

April 25

Palm Sunday

On Sunday, five days before the Passover of the Law, the Lord came from Bethany to Jerusalem. Sending two of His disciples to bring Him a foal of an ass, He sat thereon and entered into the city. When the multitude there heard that Jesus was coming, they straightway took up the branches of palm trees in their hands, and went forth to meet Him. Others spread their garments on the ground, and yet others cut branches from the trees and strewed them in the way that Jesus was to pass; and all of them together, especially the children, went before and after Him, crying out: "Hosanna: Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel" (John 12:13). This is the radiant and glorious festival of our Lord's entry into Jerusalem that we celebrate today.

The branches of the palm trees symbolize Christ's victory over the devil and death. The word Hosanna means "Save, I pray," or "Save, now." The foal of an ass, and Jesus' sitting thereon, and the fact that this animal was untamed and considered unclean according to the Law, signified the former uncleanness and wildness of the nations, and their subjection thereafter to the holy Law of the Gospel.

April 26

Basil the Holy Martyr Bishop of Amasea

This Saint was Bishop of Amasia in Pontus, in the days of Licinius (reigned 308-324), fellow Emperor and brother-in-law of Saint Constantine the Great. Licinius' wife Constantia, sister of Saint Constantine, had as handmaid a virgin named Glaphyra. When it became known that Licinius had conceived a sinful desire for her. Constantia secretly sent Glaphyra away to the East. Coming to Amasia, she took refuge with Saint Basileus. When Licinius learned of this, he furiously commanded that both be brought before him. When the soldiers came for them, however, Saint Glaphyra had already departed to the Lord; she is also commemorated this day. Saint Basileus was taken alone to Nicomedia, where he was beheaded. His body was cast into the sea, but through divine revelation was found again and brought back to Amasia.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 117.26,1.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Verse: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His mercy endures forever.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians 4:4-9.

BRETHREN, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.

Gospel Reading

Palm Sunday
The Reading is from John 12:1-18

Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazaros was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazaros was one of those at table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, "Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."

When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazaros, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazaros also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" And Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!" His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazaros out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.

Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for Palm Sunday in the First Mode

In confirming the common Resurrection, O Christ God, Thou didst raise up Lazarus from the dead before Thy Passion. Wherefore, we also, like the children, bearing the symbols of victory, cry to Thee, the Vanquisher of death: Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.

Apolytikion for Palm Sunday in the Fourth Mode

As by baptism we were buried with Thee, O Christ our God, so by Thy Resurrection we were deemed worthy of immortal life; and praising Thee, we cry: Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Second Mode

In Heaven, He is seated upon a Throne and on earth He rides upon a foal. O Christ our God, accept the praise of the Angels and the hymn of the Children who cry out to You, "Blessed are You who comes to recall Adam."

Archepiscopal Message

Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Lent

04/18/2021

I am so delighted to be with you, in this magnificent Cathedral in Richmond, as we prepare to soon enter into the most sacred and solemn week of our faith. Today, we celebrate one of the greatest Saints of the Church, Mary of Egypt, whose life was completely changed by her experience of Jerusalem and the power of the Holy Cross in the Church of the Anastasis

https://www.goarch.org/-/homily-richmond-lent

Wisdom of the Fathers

But observe the wisdom of the Evangelist, how he is not ashamed to parade their former ignorance. That it was written they knew, that it was written of Him they knew not. For it would have offended them if He being a King were about to suffer such things, and be so betrayed.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 66 on John 12, 2. B#58, p.245., 4th Century

Besides, they could not at once have taken in the knowledge of the Kingdom of which He spake; for another Evangelist saith, that they thought the words were spoken of a kingdom of this world. (Matt. xx. 21.)