St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2023-09-03
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

[email protected] | (908) 968-4004

Clergy
Father Jimmy Pavlow

[email protected] | (609) 498-4672

Corresponding Secretary
Paul Vespa

[email protected]

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 Service today - 6 months for Despina Coutros, beloved wife of Peter Coutros and mother of George Coutros.  May her memory be eternal!

Affirmation of Office for our newly elected Philoptochos Board at the end of services.  God bless our Ladies who continually give of themselves to better our church, our community, and all those in need.

Weekday services: Friday, Sept. 8 - the Birth of the Theotokos.  Also, we will honor the memory of Saints Joachim and Anna on Saturday, Sept. 9.  Each day, Orthros begins at 8:30 AM, followed by Divine Liturgy.

The Enthronement of His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey will take place on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at 10:30 a.m.,  at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint John the Theologian in Tenafly, New Jersey. (All are invited to the Enthronement!) The following day, Sunday, September 17, His Eminence will also celebrate his first Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral as the new Metropolitan of New Jersey.  As of now, the Enthronement Luncheon at the Venetian on Sat., Sept. 16 is sold out (waiting list).

DEADLINE APPROACHING: Dinner at Local Greek that will take place on Monday, September 18th, 2023 from 6 to 8 pm at Local Greek Lambertville located at 2 Canal Street in Lambertville, NJ.  We hope that you will join us for this fun-filled evening of delicious Greek cuisine and fellowship with both old friends and new ones. Admission to the event will be $50 a person which includes a selection of appetizers, a  main course, sides, and dessert. Seating is limited so Please Reserve Early. Please visit www.greekdinners.com to purchase your tickets/ reservation. Reservations are needed by September 10th. Please see event chairs Bill Johnson or Diana Grina with any questions.

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 who has generously offered to host this not-to-be-missed fundraiser. 

Stewardship:  Please be sure that you have submitted a Stewardship Commitment Card for 2023.  Also, those 2022 Stewards who have forgotten to submit a card for this year can expect a gentle reminder via email and mail in the coming weeks.  The refinancing of our Mortgage in August is dependent on having a strong stewardship count with all our families participating.  The Stewardship Card is critical for this accounting of our "Committed" Stewards. Please reach out to t[email protected] if you have any Stewardship questions. See the Stewardship update below. Thank you.

SUNDAY SCHOOL:  Please officially sign up for Sunday School year as we plan for another great year.  See Fr. A if you want to volunteer to help this vital ministry. 1ST DAY OF CLASSES IS SUNDAY, SEPT. 24.
 
YOUTH MINISTRY REGISTRATIONS:  Each of our youth ministries will be taking registrations for the 2023-2024 ecclesiastical year.  We encourage all families to sign up now.  Thank you.
 
GOYA: The Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023 event is CANCELLED due to the Enthronement Ceremony in Tenafly that morning.
 
On Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, all NJ parishes ARE NOW OPEN! (The Holy Cross celebration with take place the following week with just the divers expected to attend the St. George Church in Ocean, NJ from the regional churches.)
 
HOPE & JOY:  Grades K-6th. Please see Kristen Diagelakis as we restart these vital ministries of our parish.
 
GREEK DANCE:   Let's get ready for an exciting new year! Please see Larisa Trumpy or Fr. A to be sure that all new teens join the Dance Troupe.  We are hoping to add to our numbers as we continue to grow this ministry.  All are welcome!
 
PHILOPTOCHOS:  Congratulations to the new board that was elected last month!  All are asked to support this vital ministry of loving outreach to those in need.  Brief meeting today after church.
 
Choir NEWS:  As always, the choir looks forward to growing participation. Anyone interested in joining the choir- please contact Choir Director Diana Grina- 908-392-7449, [email protected]
 
Greek School:  Please sign your children up for next year now.  We are excited about another wonderful Greek school year starting in September. (Sept. 25 is the first day of Greek School).
 
Young Adults - Please be sure that Fr. A has the email and cell numbers of all our 18-35-year-olds so that he can reach out to them.

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STEWARDSHIP: Stewardship is the sharing of the talents and treasures that God has provided for us. Remember a rich man is not one who has much, but one who gives much…..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 148 Pledges totaling $190,930  and $154,428 received to date.  We also have 8 families who have contributed $3,570 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.

2023 Stewardship List
* Contributed but have not submitted stewardship card  
1 Alexandros and Mary Zervos 69 Loukedis, Alexander & Jennifer 137 Vaporakis, Efharis Karise
2 Archimedes, Alexander & Debbie 70 Manoussakis, Stamati & Sofia 138 Vaporakis, John & Kim
3 Arvanitidou, Evangelia 71 Manteo, Michael & Gramatiki 139 Vaporakis, Kaliope
4 Balios, Efthimia 72 Mardakis, Arge 140 Vaporakis, Mihail
5 Bulzacchelli, Thomas & Valerie 73 Mariani, Anthony & Kristen 141 Varas, Alexander Pericles
6 Bunce, Daniel & Marianne 74 Martin, Stephen & Despina 142 Varas, Loukas Michael
7 Callanan, Ryan & Christina Roros 75 Martini, Matt & Meropi, Louis 143 Varas, Michael & Elaine
8 Collett, Martin & Adriane 76 Martini, Nicole+Emilio Verrillo 144 Veneman, Ryan & Polyxeni-Tolis
9 Connell, William & Nikki 77 Mavrode, John Steven 145 Vespa, Paul & Fay
10 Costalas, Paul & Josephine 78 Mavrode, Michael & Demetra 146 Vlahakes, Louis & Anastasia
11 Coutros, George & Lana 79 Mavrode, Ouania (Ronnie) 147 Vlahakis, Dan
12 Coutros, Peter 80 Mavrode, William & Vanessa 148 Wolf, Chad and Jennifer
13 Coutsouridis, John & Denise 81 McElroy, Stephanie 149 Wolfe, Richard & Penelope
14 Diagelakis, Gerasimos & Kristen 82 Millett, Matthew & Maria 150 Wygera, Walter & Constance
15 Diamantis, Ioannis & Gerasimoula 83 Missios, Michael & Popi 151 Xenakis, Matthew & Vasiliki
16 Diver, Sean & Joanne 84 Montalvo, Alex&Maria 152 Zacharatos, Jerry & Justine Raspanti *
17 Doty, James & Kathy 85 Mulcahy, Dr. Wayne and Mary * 153 Zajac, Pegi
18 Douvris, John & Aimee 86 Nelson, Anna 154 Zanidakis, Theodore & Charlotte
19 Fallon, Tom & Anna 87 Nelson, Stephanie 155 Zannikos, Peter & Amy
20 Ferreira, Jorge & Angela 88 Nicolaou, Nicolaos & Kaliopi 156 Zavitsanos, Anna
21 Finley, Thomas & Antoinette 89 Olsen, Richard & Kattia * 157  
22 Foglia, Katina 90 Paitakes, John&Linda 158  
23 Gabriel & Ioana Patuleanu Swift 91 Paliatsos, Mary 159  
24 Gacos, Christopher & Escarlen 92 Panageas, Bill & Margaret 160  
25 Gatanis, Michael & Angela * 93 Panayote, William & Deborah 161  
26 Georgeles, George & Maria 94 Pappas, Demitrios & Stacy 162  
27 Giambrone, Charles J 95 Patel, Kesha * 163  
28 Gianakos, Michael & Dianne 96 Pelios, Georgia 164  
29 Gianakos, Phillip & Arianna 97 Peppe, George & Demetra 165  
30 Giannouris, John & Tracey 98 Perris, Emanuel E. 166  
31 Gianos, Irene 99 Peter Allen 167  
32 Gimbel, Maria 100 Petromelis, Christopher & Georgette 168  
33 Giotis, John & Karen 101 Petromelis, Phyllis 169  
34 Glynos, Peter & Cindy 102 Polychronis, Cary & Chara 170  
35 Grigsby, Thomas & Alexandra Pogogeff 103 Procyk, Eugenia 171  
36 Grina, Peter & Diana 104 Roros, Constantine (Dean) 172  
37 Gus and Anna Kodersha 105 Rosengarth, Derek & Sara Marin 173  
38 Hawes, Ashlynn 106 Roupas, Daniel & Mary 174  
39 Hawes, Brian & Allison Faches 107 Rudy, George & Sofia 175  
40 Hawes, Teagan 108 Sacalis, John 176  
41 Hindle, Irene * 109 Sakellos, Alexandra 177  
42 Iliakostas, Vasilis & Konstantina * 110 Sakellos, Evan & Catherine 178  
43 Iliopoulos, Christos & Anna 111 Sakellos, George 179  
44 Jaghab, Danny & Delmy 112 Sauma, Abdo & Gladys 180  
45 Jimenez, Lee&Deanne 113 Sfondouris, John & Maria 181  
46 Johnson, Bill 114 Sheehan, Katherina 182  
47 Johnson, Gloria 115 Shepardson, Lilyan 183  
48 Kaldes, John & Zoi 116 Sideris, Leonidas & Elizabeth 184  
49 Kamnitsis, Christopher & Heather 117 Soteropoulos, Dean & Elizabeth 185  
50 Kamnitsis, Constantine & Nancy 118 Soteropoulos, Marisa 186  
51 Kanterakis, Anthony & Maria 119 Staikos, George & Christi 187  
52 Karazoupis, Vasilios & Panayiota 120 Staikos, Nicholas, Eirini Daskalakis 188  
53 Kazantzis, Sava & Nancy 121 Stathopulos, Peter&Julan, Adriana 189  
54 Kefalas, Carrie 122 Stellakis, Eileen 190  
55 Kehayes, Peter & Helen 123 Stier, Benjamin & Eleftheria Tsatsos 191  
56 Kehayes, Stephen & Beth 124 Sullivan, Mary 192  
57 Kosoglou, Arianna * 125 Tattoli, Larry & Maria 193  
58 Kosoglou, Teddy and Roula 126 Tattoli, Steven 194  
59 Kousoulas, Constantine 127 Ticas, Cesar & Areti 195  
60 Kousoulas, Demetrios 128 Toulatos, Katerina M 196  
61 Kousoulas, Evangelos 129 Toulatos, Nikoleta 197  
62 Kousoulas, Fr. Anastasios & Presv. Nektaria 130 Toulatos, Polixenia 198  
63 Kousoulas, Panayiotis 131 Trumpy, Fred & Larisa 199  
64 Kubu, James & Evangeline 132 Trumpy, Grace 200  
65 Kypridakes, Michael & Asimina 133 Tsatsos, Costa & Maria 201  
66 Lambrianakos, George&Helen 134 Tsokas, Lorraine 202  
67 Lappen, Justin&Danielle 135 Tzovolos, Demetri and Arete 203  
68 Logothetis, Nikita & Sophia 136 Tzovolos, Olympia 204  
 
 
 
                
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Regional News:  Greek Festival at St. Demetrios GOC, Union, NJ. Sept. 7 to 10.  See times on Flyer on Bulletin Board near office.
 
Save the date!  The Flemington Area Food Pantry's main fundraiser is happening this year on Friday, September 29th at the Pantry from 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM.  "The Empty Bowl" is an annual drive-up lunch event that raises funds to provide food and personal care items to approximately 1,600 income-qualified Hunterdon County families who are food insecure.
 This year's $30 donation will provide a delicious take-out lunch with a restaurant soup, a mini sandwich, a dessert,  water, and a handcrafted bowl.  Purchase your ticket online and just drive up to the Food Pantry, located across the parking lot from the Flemington Walmart, and your tasty lunch and unique bowl will be delivered right to your car.  More than 80% of the Pantry's income is derived from contributions of monetary donations and groceries.  For more information, visit https://flemingtonfoodpantry.org/empty-bowl.  Tickets will be available in late August.  Please check back as participating restaurants are confirmed.
 
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.
(See Fr. A for more info). Thank you.
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Saints and Feasts

September 03

Anthimus, Bishop of Nicomedea

After the death of the 20,000 Martyrs of Nicomedia, their Bishop Anthimus fled to a certain village to care for his remaining flock. The Emperor Maximian sent men in search of him. When they found him, he promised to show Anthimus to them, but first took them in as guests, fed them, and only then made himself known to them. Amazed at his kindness, the soldiers promised him to tell Maximian that they had not found him. But Anthimus went willingly with them, and converting them by his admonitions, baptized them on the way. He boldly confessed his Faith before Maximian, and after frightful tortures was beheaded in the year 303 or 304.

September 03

Holy Father Theoctistus and his fellow struggler Euthymius the Great

Saint Theoctistus, a monk at the Palestinian lavra of Pharan, embraced a more severe life in the wilderness with his friend Saint Euthymius the Great. They founded a monastery, of which Theoctistus was the abbot. He reposed in deep old age in 451.

September 03

Translation of the relics of St. Nectarius the Wonderworker, Bishop of Pentopolis

September 08

The Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary

According to the ancient tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was born of barren and aged parents, Joachim and Anna, about the year 16 or 17 before the birth of Christ. Joachim was descended from the royal line of David, of the tribe of Judah. Anna was of the priestly tribe of Levi, a daughter of the priest Matthan and Mary, his wife.

September 09

Saturday before Holy Cross

September 09

The Holy & Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna

Today, the day following the Nativity of the most holy Theotokos, we celebrate the synaxis of Saints Joachim and Anna, honouring them as her parents.

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 4th Tone. Psalm 103.24,1.
O Lord, how manifold are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 16:13-24.

Brethren, be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. Now, brethren, you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints; I urge you to be subject to such men and to every fellow worker and laborer. I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicos, because they have made up for your absence; for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such men. The churches of Asia send greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. All the brethren send greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. If any one has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Gospel Reading

13th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 21:33-42

The Lord said this parable, "There was a householder who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and dug a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to tenants, and went into another country. When the season of fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants, to get his fruit; and the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first; and they did the same to them. Afterward he sent his son to them, saying 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.' And they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" They said to him, "He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons." Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the scriptures: 'The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?'"

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 4th Tone

Having learned the joyful proclamation of the Resurrection from the Angel, and having cast off the ancestral condemnation, the women disciples of the Lord spake to the Apostles exultantly: Death is despoiled and Christ God is risen, granting great mercy to the world.

Apolytikion for Hieromartyr Anthimus in the 4th Tone

As a sharer of the ways and a successor to the throne of the Apostles, O inspired of God, thou foundest discipline to be a means of ascent to divine vision. Wherefore, having rightly divided the word of truth, thou didst also contest for the Faith even unto blood, O Hieromartyr Anthimus. Intercede with Christ our God that our souls be saved.

Apolytikion for Righteous Theoctistus and Euthymius in the Plagal 4th Tone

With the streams of thy tears, thou didst cultivate the barrenness of the desert; and by thy sighings from the depths,thou didst bear fruit a hundredfold in labours; and thou becamest a luminary, shining with miracles upon the world, O Theoktistos our righteous Father. Intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 4th Tone

In your holy birth, Immaculate One, Joachim and Anna were rid of the shame of childlessness; Adam and Eve of the corruption of death. And so your people, free of the guilt of their sins, celebrate crying: "The barren one gives birth to the Theotokos, who nourishes our life."
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Wisdom of the Fathers

Many things does He intimate by this parable, God's providence, which had been exercised towards them from the first; their murderous disposition from the beginning; that nothing had been omitted of whatever pertained to a heedful care of them;...
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 68 on Matthew 21, 4th Century

And observe also both His great care, and the excessive idleness of these men for what pertained to the husbandmen, He Himself did ... and He left little for them to do; to take care of what was there, and to preserve what was given to them.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 68 on Matthew 21, 4th Century

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Bulletin inserts

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