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St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2022-03-13
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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






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

 

 

2022 Stewardship Status: we have 96 Pledges totaling $124,445 and $67,608 received to date.  We also have 14 families who have contributed $5,980 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 are posted on the bulletin board by the water cooler.                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                                     

 

2022 Stewardship List

 
 

* Contributed but have not submitted stewardship card

Report Date: Mar 11, 2022

 
 

1

Agrapides, Peter & Stella

65

Mariani, Anthony & Kristen

129

   
 

2

Angelus, James&Elizabeth

66

Markos, Elaine *

130

   
 

3

Archimedes, Alexander & Debbie

67

Martin, Stephen & Despina

131

   
 

4

Argiropoulos, Anthony & Amy

68

Mazza, Emily Connelly & Costa & Poulis, Renee

132

   
 

5

Balaskas, Alexander & Meagan Maguire

69

McElroy, Stephanie

133

   
 

6

Bunce, Daniel & Marianne

70

Millett, Matthew & Maria

134

   
 

7

Bunce, Evangelos & Brittany

71

Moshnas, Nektaria

135

   
 

8

Collett, Martin & Adriane

72

Olsen, Richard & Kattia

136

   
 

9

Connell, William & Nikki

73

Paitakes, John&Linda

137

   
 

10

Costalas, Paul & Josephine

74

Panayote, William & Deborah

138

   
 

11

Coutros, George & Lana

75

Pappas, Vivian Schiavone

139

   
 

12

Coutros, Peter *

76

Pelios, Georgia

140

   
 

13

Demetriou, Dorothy&James

77

Peppe, George & Demetra

141

   
 

14

Diamantis, Ioannis & Gerasimoula

78

Petromelis, Christopher & Georgette

142

   
 

15

DiAndrea, Leoni

79

Petromelis, Phyllis

143

   
 

16

Doty, James & Kathy *

80

Procyk, Eugenia

144

   
 

17

Douvris, John & Aimee

81

Radzicki, Martin & Katie

145

   
 

18

Douvris, Nikolas

82

Rentoulis, Nikolaos

146

   
 

19

Fallon, Ellie

83

Roupas, Daniel & Mary

147

   
 

20

Fallon, Tom & Anna

84

Sacalis, John

148

   
 

21

Fania, Michael & Vicky

85

Sakellos, Evan & Catherine

149

   
 

22

Fearon, TJ & Colette *

86

Sakellos, George

150

   
 

23

Ferreira, Jorge & Angela

87

Sfondouris, John & Maria *

151

   
 

24

Foglia, Katina

88

Shepardson, Lilyan

152

   
 

25

Georgeles, George & Maria

89

Sideris, Leonidas & Elizabeth

153

   
 

26

Giambrone, Charles J

90

Soteropoulos, Dean & Elizabeth

154

   
 

27

Gianakos, Michael & Dianne

91

Staikos, George & Christi *

155

   
 

28

Giannouris, John & Tracey

92

Stathopulos, Peter&Julan, Adriana *

156

   
 

29

Gianos, Irene

93

Steubing, Michael & Maria Katsamani

157

   
 

30

Giotis, John & Karen

94

Stevenson, Michael & Joanna *

158

   
 

31

Grina, Peter & Diana

95

Stier, Benjamin & Eleftheria Tsatsos

159

   
 

32

Halkiadakis, John & Vassie *

96

Ticas, Cesar & Areti

160

   
 

33

Hawes, Ashlynn

97

Toulatos, Katerina M *

161

   
 

34

Hawes, Brian & Allison Faches

98

Trumpy, Fred & Larisa

162

   
 

35

Hawes, Carrick

99

Tsentas, Constantine & Eugenia

163

   
 

36

Heinke, Michael & Simone

100

Tsokas, Lorraine

164

   
 

37

Heinke, Zoe & Andy Riley *

101

Tsokas, Spyros

165

   
 

38

Higueros, Jorge & Katerina Douvris

102

Tzovolos, Olympia

166

   
 

39

Iliakostas, Vasilis & Konstantina

103

Vaporakis, John & Kim

167

   
 

40

Iliopoulos, Christos & Anna

104

Vlahakes, Louis & Anastasia

168

   
 

41

Jaghab, Danny & Delmy

105

Vlahakis, Dan

169

   
 

42

Johnson, Bill

106

Vlahakis, Peter *

170

   
 

43

Johnson, Gloria

107

Wygera, Walter & Constance

171

   
 

44

Kaldes, John & Zoi

108

Ypsilantis, Peter & Antonia *

172

   
 

45

Kamnitsis, Christopher & Heather

109

Zajac, Pegi

173

   
 

46

Kamnitsis, Constantine & Nancy

110

Zanidakis, Theodore & Charlotte

174

   
 

47

Karazoupis, Vasilios & Panayiota *

111

 

175

   
 

48

Kazantzis, Sava & Nancy

112

 

176

   
 

49

Kehayes, Peter & Helen

113

 

177

   
 

50

Kehayes, Stephen & Beth

114

 

178

   
 

51

Kosoglou, Teddy and Roula

115

 

179

   
 

52

Kousoulas, Constantine

116

 

180

   
 

53

Kousoulas, Demetrios

117

 

181

   
 

54

Kousoulas, Evangelos

118

 

182

   
 

55

Kousoulas, Fr. Anastasios & Presv. Nektaria

119

 

183

   
 

56

Kousoulas, Panayiotis

120

 

184

   
 

57

Kousoulis, Theodore & Ayotte, Dawn

121

 

185

   
 

58

Kubu, James & Evangeline

122

 

186

   
 

59

Kypridakes, Michael & Asimina

123

 

187

   
 

60

Logothetis, Nikita & Sophia

124

 

188

   
 

61

Loukedis, Alexander & Jennifer

125

 

189

   
 

62

Manoussakis, Stamati & Sofia

126

 

190

   
 

63

Manteo, Michael & Gramatiki

127

 

191

   
 

64

Mardakis, Arge

128

 

192

   
       
         

192

   
 
A blessed Sunday of Orthodoxy to all!  (Daylight Saving Time - spring forward!  This note was added so when you read this on Saturday you think about the hour lost between 2 and 3 am on Sunday. Here's to longer sunshiny days ahead!)
 
PROCESSION OF ICONS - 1ST SUNDAY OF LENT: On this Sunday of Orthodoxy, we ask all youth to stay in church for the annual Procession of Icons as we recall the 7th Ecumenical Council and reinstallation of icons - the Triumph of Orthodoxy.
 
SPECIAL 2nd TRAY:  Today, the Ladies Philoptochos will be passing a tray for the Metropolis Philoptochos Emergency Social Services Fund. We pass this tray each year on the Sunday of Orthodoxy.   Funds collected for the Social Service Program are meant to improve the quality of life for those in need of assistance within the Orthodox community and are provided in a way that maintains the dignity and self-determination of the individual.  All funds are extended throughout the five regions of the Metropolis, to better serve those in need. Thank you for your support.
 
MEMORIAL AND FELLOWSHIP HOUR.  The Fellowship hour this week is sponsored by the Kalamaras family in memory of Stella (Styliani) Kalamaras.  The 6-month memorial will be offered in her memory.  May her memory be eternal!
 
Falling Asleep of Teddy (Theodore) Kousoulis - our dear brother in Christ, Teddy, fell asleep in the Lord this week.  The Funeral Service will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 16 at 12 PM.  Viewing times at the Wright Ford Funeral Home on Rte. 31 are from 10 AM to 11:30 AM prior to the funeral.  May his memory be eternal!

Holy Services: This 2nd Week of Lent:

Monday, Great Compline 530 pm. 

Presanctified Liturgy:  Wednesdays at 6 pm.

Thursday at 6 pm - Great Compline. 

Fridays: Presanctified Liturgy at 8:30 AM.  Salutations at 7 pm.

(Remember:  Next Sunday is the parade in Philly!  We need to fill the bus with 52 people!  Please see Parish Council or Fr. A today to be on the list! See details below in PC Corner.)  

 
PC CORNER
 
SAVE THE DATE! SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13 - 20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION!  His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America is expected to preside at services this day along with other clergy.  We are planning a wonderful 20th Anniversary Luncheon locally for all to celebrate our 20th Anniversary together!  More details soon...
 
CHURCH BEAUTIFICATION: The pew kneelers were installed on Monday, Feb. 27.  Also, stained glass has been ordered and installation will begin soon.  Thank you to all the donors who have made this possible.
 
LAST CALL!  WE NEED YOU! PARADE IN PHILLY: We will attend the Greek Independence Day parade in Philadelphia on March 20. The world-famous Evzones, the Presidential Guard of Greece, will march in the parade this year. Additionally, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, His Grace Bishop Apostolos of Medeia, and many other dignitaries will be in attendance.  It will be an honor for our St. Anna community to march in the parade to not only celebrate the Centennial of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America but also the 20th anniversary of our parish!  Please note there MAY NOT be a parade in NYC this year.  The cost for us to travel together as a parish on a rental bus will be $25 per person and will include a small bagged lunch. Please sign up today in the fellowship hall to proudly represent St. Anna and participate in our first parade in many years!
 
PARISHIONER IN NEED:  With the commencement of Lent, as Orthodox Christians, we are called to strengthen our prayer life, intensify our fasting, and commit ourselves to almsgiving.  When we think of almsgiving, we tend to associate it with supporting those who are in financial need.  However, we can think in broader terms and consider helping those who have different types of needs.
 
Andrea Kalliaras is a parishioner within our Metropolis who has a health need. She has been diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia that can only be cured by a stem cell transplant. We have an opportunity to help Andrea by volunteering to take a test to determine donor suitability. This 10-second cheek swab test can be done in the convenience of one's home and is free of charge. We ask that you please include Andrea in your prayers and consider participating in the donor process.

Please use the following link to learn more about Andrea's situation and to find the instructions for ordering a test kit. www.swab4andrea.com.

Thank you.

Philoptochos

Philoptochos has been reinvigorated to continue outreach where we can be of service to our St. Anna family as well as to our Hunterdon County community.  Many parishioners (old and new friends) are Philoptochos members and enjoy this very important ministry of the church.  If you are not a current member, Philoptochos invites you to become a member and welcomes your talents and support.  For membership information and an enrollment form, please contact either Maria Tattoli at mtattoli@gmail.com or Arge Mardakis at mardakis@co.somerset.nj.us.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Philoptochos is having a Tsoureki sale from March 13- until  April 3rd. There is a sign-up sheet after church during fellowship. Round bread is $17 and braided bread is $12.  If you would like to order you can also  contact Aimeedouvris@gmail.com 

Also from March 13 through April 3rd the Ladies Philoptochos will be partnering with the United Way of Flemington by collecting the following items.  These items will be dispersed to our local food pantries and agencies throughout Hunterdon county. A day of packaging the donations TBD.
Baby diapers size 6
Baby wipes, baby wash, baby lotion, baby shampoo
pull-ups, any size
Desitin, vaseline
feminine care products
incontinence products
 
If people would like to make a monetary donation please visit:
 
"Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him.." Psalm 41:1
 
Please contact Aimee Douvris with any questions:
 
 
Book Study:  All are still welcome to join!  Weekly one-hour Book Study through Lent (Starting Thursday, March 10 at 7 pm).  Please respond ASAP.  We will be discussing the book, "Thirty Steps to Heaven."  Please order your book today: https://www.amazon.com/Thirty-Steps-Heaven-Vassilios-Papavassiliou/dp/1936270897 and let Fr. A know if you are interested.  Thank you.

Book Study Reading Schedule (7 to 8 pm each of these Thursdays via Zoom - please email Fr. A for the Zoom link.)
March 17 - pgs 35-51, 62-75

No Class March 24 (Annunciation Feastday begins)

March 31 - pgs 86-93; 109-113
April 7 - pgs 171-179; 188-196
April 14 - pgs 218-237

 
Sunday School.  Procession of Icons today! Please bring your children to this vital ministry as they learn more about their faith.  All 7th to 12th graders are encouraged to participate in the parish Oratorical Festival!  See note below.

Oratorical Festival: Our Parish Festival will be on Saturday, March 26. Please see Fr. A regarding details.  Start time planned for 10 AM and concluding with lunch and awards.  Topics can be found online at: https://www.goarch.org/-/st-john-chrysostom-oratorical-festival. PARENTS, PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILDREN TO PARTICIPATE.  FR. A IS AVAILABLE FOR ASSISTANCE.  All Seniors that plan to apply for the St. Anna Scholarship in the spring must participate as part of the Scholarship requirements.  Thank you.

Each parish participant must register online: https://religioused.formstack.com/forms/sjcof_participant

Key dates for Sunday School:  Sunday, March 13:  Sunday of Orthodoxy (1st Sunday in Lent) - Procession of icons.   Saturday, March 26 - Parish Oratorical Festival.  Sunday, April 10: Walk Through Holy Week Retreat (during Sunday School and Fellowship Hour for all to enjoy).  Saturday of Lazarus, April 16 (Palm Folding and Fellowship after services).  May 22: Last Day of Sunday School.  High School Senior Recognition Day.

GREEK SCHOOL: Dear St. Anna family, we are aiming to begin an Adult Greek school class. The class will potentially meet on Monday nights from 7:00-8:00. If you are interested in enrolling or have any questions please email Maria Sfondouris. msfondouris@gmail.com, Greek School Director.  Thank you.

Beginning on Wednesday, March 9th, the remote classes started 30 minutes earlier. The 5:00 class will start at 4:30 pm and end at 5:30 pm. Additionally, the 6:00 class will start at 5:30 pm and end at 6:30 pm.  This time change will be in effect from 3/9/22 through 4/13/22. 

GREEK DANCE: We have the opportunity to have a paid Greek Dance Instructor on Mondays after Greek School for 7th to 12th graders.  See Fr. A today if interested.

If you would like to Greek Dance for the festival or just learn to dance, the first dance instruction by our dedicated Larisa Trumpy will be today, March 13th after Sunday School. (11:30-12:30).  Please contact Larisa or Fr. A for more information (OPA! Festival is always the 2nd weekend in September.)

 Kidney Donor Needed for 18-year-old: Melina Galias of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Egg Harbor Township, NJ has been on dialysis since June 2021.  She has been accepted to Drexel University but needs a kidney transplant.  Please register with VirtualHealth Kidney Donor Program on behalf of Melina.  A donor must be older than 18 and in good overall health.  A living donor is sought with O or B blood types. For more info re: registration --> virtua.org/KidneyDonation or call Jennie Roggio at 856-796-9376.  Thank you.

 

 

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Saints and Feasts

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March 13

Sunday of Orthodoxy

For more than one hundred years the Church of Christ was troubled by the persecution of the Iconoclasts of evil belief, beginning in the reign of Leo the Isaurian (717-741) and ending in the reign of Theophilus (829-842). After Theophilus's death, his widow the Empress Theodora (celebrated Feb. 11), together with the Patriarch Methodius (June 14), established Orthodoxy anew. This ever-memorable Queen venerated the icon of the Mother of God in the presence of the Patriarch Methodius and the other confessors and righteous men, and openly cried out these holy words: "If anyone does not offer relative worship to the holy icons, not adoring them as though they were gods, but venerating them out of love as images of the archetype, let him be anathema." Then with common prayer and fasting during the whole first week of the Forty-day Fast, she asked God's forgiveness for her husband. After this, on the first Sunday of the Fast, she and her son, Michael the Emperor, made a procession with all the clergy and people and restored the holy icons, and again adorned the Church of Christ with them. This is the holy deed that all we the Orthodox commemorate today, and we call this radiant and venerable day the Sunday of Orthodoxy, that is, the triumph of true doctrine over heresy.


Allsaint
March 13

Removal of the relics of Nicephorus, Patriarch of Constantinople

The main feast day of this Saint is June 2. The translation of his holy relics took place in 846, when Saint Methodius (see June 14) was Ecumenical Patriarch.


Allsaint
March 13

Pouplios the Martyr, Bishop of Athens


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 4th Tone. Daniel 3.26,27.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse: For you are just in all you have done.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-40.

Brethren, by faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets -- who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign enemies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated -- of whom the world was not worthy -- wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of Orthodoxy
The Reading is from John 1:43-51

At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and he said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 1st Tone

Let us worship the Word, O ye faithful, praising Him that with the Father and the Spirit is co-beginningless God, Who was born of a pure Virgin that we all be saved; for He was pleased to mount the Cross in the flesh that He assumed, accepting thus to endure death. And by His glorious rising, He also willed to resurrect the dead.

Apolytikion for Sun. of Orthodoxy in the 2nd Tone

We worship Thine immaculate icon, O Good One, asking the forgiveness of our failings, O Christ our God; for of Thine own will Thou wast well-pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, that Thou mightest deliver from slavery to the enemy those whom Thou hadst fashioned. Wherefore, we cry to Thee thankfully: Thou didst fill all things with joy, O our Saviour, when Thou camest to save the world.

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 Plagal 4th Tone

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

Peter, when after so many miracles and such high doctrine he confessed that, "Thou art the Son of God" (Matt. xvi. 16), is called "blessed," as having received the revelation from the Father;
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 21 on John 1, 1. B#58, pp. 72, 73, 4th Century

... while Nathanael, though he said the very same thing before seeing or hearing either miracles or doctrine, had no such word addressed to him, but as though he had not said so much as he ought to have said, is brought to things greater still.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 21 on John 1, 1. B#58, pp. 72, 73, 4th Century

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