THE ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 13th Sunday of Luke/Leave-taking of the Presentation of the Theotokos/ St. Catherine Saint Catherine, who was from Alexandria, was the daughter of Constas (or Cestus). She was an exceedingly beautiful maiden, most chaste, and illustrious in wealth, lineage, and learning. By her steadfast understanding, she utterly vanquished the passionate and unbridled soul of Maximinus, the tyrant of Alexandria; and by her eloquence, she stopped the mouths of the so-called philosophers who had been gathered to dispute with her. She was crowned with the crown of martyrdom in the year 305. Her holy relics were taken by Angels to the holy mountain of Sinai, where they were discovered many years later; the famous monastery of Saint Catherine was originally dedicated to the Holy Transfiguration of the Lord and the Burning Bush, but later was dedicated to Saint Catherine. According to the ancient usage, Saints Catherine and Mercurius were celebrated on the 24th of this month, whereas the holy Hieromartyrs Clement of Rome and Peter of Alexandria were celebrated on the 25th. The dates of the feasts of these Saints were interchanged at the request of the Church and Monastery of Mount Sinai, so that the festival of Saint Catherine, their patron, might be celebrated more festively together with the Apodosis of the Feast of the Entry of the Theotokos. The Slavic Churches, however, commemorate these Saints on their original dates. Rev. Fr. Joseph Gingrich, Parish Priest NOVEMBER 25, 2018 Altar Boys All Available Ushers On Duty 1 Epistle Reading Galatians 3:23-29; 4:1-5 Gospel Reading Luke 18:18-27 HYMNS AFTER THE SMALL (GOSPEL) ENTRANCE TODAY S DIVINE LITURGY HYMNS AND SCRIPTURE READINGS: RESURRECTIONAL APOLYTIKION IN THE FIRST MODE When the stone had been sealed by the Jews and the soldiers were guarding Thine immaculate Body, Thou didst arise on the third day, O Saviour, granting life unto the world. Wherefore, the powers of the Heavens cried out to Thee, O Lifegiver: Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ. Glory to Thy Kingdom. Glory to Thy dispensation, O only Friend of man. Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος ὑπὸ τῶν Ἰουδαίων, καὶ στρατιωτῶν φυλασσόντων τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα, ἀνέστης τριήμερος Σωτήρ, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὴν ζωήν. Διὰ τοῦτο αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν οὐρανῶν ἐβόων σοι Ζωοδότα Δόξα τῇ ἀναστάσει σου Χριστέ, δόξα τῇ Βασιλείᾳ σου, δόξα τῇ οἰκονομίᾳ σου, μόνε Φιλάνθρωπε. APOLYTIKION FOR APODOSIS OF THE ENTRY IN THE FOURTH MODE Today is the prelude of God's good will and the heralding of the salvation of mankind. In the temple of God, the Virgin is presented openly, and she proclaimeth Christ unto all. To her, then, with a great voice let us cry aloud: Rejoice, O thou fulfilment of the Creator's dispensation. Σήμερον τής ευδοκίας Θεού τό προοίμιον, καί τής τών ανθρώπων σωτηρίας η προκήρυξις, Εν Ναώ τού Θεού τρανώς η Παρθένος δείκνυται, καί τόν Χριστόν τοίς πάσι προκαταγγέλλεται, Αυτή καί ημείς μεγαλοφώνως βοήσωμεν, Χαίρε τής οικονομίας τού Κτίστου η εκπλήρωσις. APOLYTIKION FOR GREAT MARTYR CATHERINE IN THE PLAGAL FIRST MODE Let us praise the all-lauded and noble bride of Christ, the godly Catherine, the guardian of Sinai and its defence, who is also our support and succour and our help; for with the Holy Spirit's sword she hath silenced brilliantly the clever among the godless; and being crowned as a Martyr, she now doth ask great mercy for us all. Τήν πανεύφημον νύμφην Χριστού υμνήσωμεν, Αικατερίναν τήν θείαν καί πολιούχον Σινά, τήν βοήθειαν ημών καί αντίληψιν, ότι εφίμωσε λαμπρώς, τούς κομψούς τών ασεβών, τού Πνεύματος τή μαχαίρα, καί νύν ως Μάρτυς στεφθείσα, αιτείται πάσι τό μέγα έλεος. DISMISSAL HYMN FOR THE ANNUNCIATION IN THE FOURTH MODE
Today is the crown of our salvation and the revelation of the Mystery that is from all eternity. The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin, and Gabriel announces this grace. Let us join Him and cry out to the Theotokos: Hail, you who are full of grace, the Lord is with you. Σήμερον της σωτηρίας ημών το κεφάλαιον και του απ αιώνας μυστηρίου η φανέρωσις, Ο Υιός του Θεού, Υιός της Παρθένου γίνεται, και Γαβριήλ την χάριν ευαγγελίζεται. Διό και ημείς συν αυτώ τη Θεοτόκω βοήσωμεν. Χαιρε, κεχαριτωμένη, ο Κύριος μετά σου. SEASONAL KONTAKION IN THE FOURTH MODE Today, the most pure temple of the Savior, the precious bridal chamber and Virgin, the sacred treasure of God, enters the house of the Lord, bringing the grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God praise her. She is the heavenly tabernacle. Ο καθαρώτατος ναός τού Σωτήρος, η πολυτίμητος παστάς καί Παρθένος, τό Ιερόν θησαύρισμα τής δόξης τού Θεού, σήμερον εισάγεται, εν τώ οίκω Κυρίου, τήν χάριν συνεισάγουσα, τήν εν Πνευματι θείω, ήν ανυμνούσιν Άγγελοι Θεού, Αύτη υπάρχει σκηνή επουράνιος. EPISTLE READING PRIEST: Let us attend. READER: God is wonderful among his saints. Bless God in the congregations. PRIEST: Wisdom READER: The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 3:23-29; 4:1-5. PRIEST: Let us attend. READER: Brethren, 23 before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, locked up to wait for the faith which would later be revealed. 24 Hence, the law was our tutor which was to bring us to Christ, so that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor, 26 and you are all God s children, through faith in Christ Jesus! 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you are Christ s, then you are Abraham s seed and heirs according to the promise. Here is my point: as long as the heir is a child, he is no different than a slave, although being the owner of everything. 2 The heir is under tutors and trustees until the day appointed by the father. 3 Likewise, when we too were children, we were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 so that he might redeem those who were under the law and so that we might receive adoption as children. LUKE 18:18-27 18 A certain ruler asked him, Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19 Jesus asked him, Why do you call me good? No one is good, except one God. 20 You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and your mother. 21 The ruler replied, I have observed all these things from my youth. 22 When Jesus heard these things, he said, You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have, distribute it to the poor, and you will have a treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me. 23 But when the man heard these things, he became very distressed because he was very rich. 24 Jesus, seeing that he had become very distressed, said, How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter into the Kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for someone who is wealthy to enter into the Kingdom of God! 26 Those who heard this exclaimed, Then who can be saved? 27 But Jesus replied, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2018 MATINS AND DIVINE LITURGY 8:15 AM ARTOKLASIA offered in health for Panagiotis, Vasiliki and Maria Panagouleas. EXTEND, O LORD, YOUR MERCY AND PROTECTION UPON YOUR SERVANTS Please pray for the health and salvation of your brothers and sisters in Christ during today s Divine Liturgy and throughout the week: Konstantinos Haritos, Mary Saloom, Mike Mokas, Katherine Xidas, Magdeline Tisinger, Peter Mihalislis, Stephanie Michaelson, Mary Leakas, Maria Polychronis, Alex Gounaris, Athie Zavakos, Stephen
Fricioni, John Wagner, Marilyn Lusa, Cynthia Yonts, Margie Polites, Toula Stamm, Don Hanel, John Moraites, Bob Cade, Berdi Kakas and Sarah Petrick MEETING AND EVENT SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 26 TH Date Event Time Location Mon. 26 th Greek School 5:30 PM Community Center Tue. 27 th Adult Catechism Class 6:30 PM Athenagoras Room Wed. 28 th Marian Prayer 3:00 PM Church Choir Rehearsal 6:30 PM Church Fri 30 th OPA Meeting 6:30 PM Athenagoras Room Divine Liturgy, Apostle Andrew Patron of the Ecumenical Patriarchate 9:30 AM Church COMMUNITY PARISH EVENT AHEPA - INVITES EVERYONE TO A FREE LUNCHEON AND PRESENTATION DATE: Today, Sunday, November 25 th after Divine Liturgy TOPIC: Defending Our Arteries, Protecting Our Lives, and Preserving Our Happiness in The Era of Obesity and Diabetes PRESENTED BY: Best Selling Author Anthony Pothoulakis, M.D.
FROM FATHER JOSEPH -Sunday Divine Liturgy. The only people who should be in the community center during Sunday Divine Liturgy are those setting up for coffee hour. All others are expected to be worshipping the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the church. Fellowship and socializing is appropriate after Divine Liturgy. -Adult Catechism Class. Adult Catechism Classes will be on Tuesday s at 6:30 PM on the following dates: Nov. 27, Dec. 4, Dec. 11, Dec. 18. The books being used will be the four-volume The Orthodox Faith by Fr. Thomas Hopko and can be ordered through St. Vladimir s Seminary Press. All classes will cover new material as we will begin where we ended in the text. For the Nov. 27 class please read pages 146 to 181 from Volume 2. -In Need. If you are a parishioner in need there are limited funds available through AHEPA. All requests to Fr. Joseph will be kept in strict confidence. -Holy Land Trip. I m considering planning a trip to the Holy Land June 15 to June 25, 2020. The cost with airfare, hotels, and two meals a day would be around $3,500 a person. I m in the process of calling travel companies that have come recommended to me by other priests. If interested, please come and see me. In order to make this work we would need at least 24 people. A deposit will be required for all reservations. -March for Life. Those interested in attending the March for Life January 17 and 18 in Washington D.C. should contact Tom Federle at: tfederle@siebenthaler.com ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE MAINTENANCE STAFF Please excuse the dust as we work to make our church beautiful again. The scaffolding for the plaster and paint will be here for up to 4 weeks, so please be careful as you exit church. PHILOPTOCHOS CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON Celebrate St. Nicholas at the Divine Liturgy on Thursday, December 6, followed by our Christmas Luncheon at Moraine Country Club. Remember to bring pajamas and books for the children at Schneider House of Hope, Homeless Center. Your $22 check to Philoptochos is your Reservation. Reservations Chairs are Mary Caudell and Liz Limber. AIF COMMITTEE MEMBER APPOINTMENT FOR 2019-2023 The Parish Council is now accepting resumes to fill the 2019-2023 AIF committee member position. The AIF committee members are appointed by the Parish Council. Each year a new member is appointed and serves a fiveyear term. Interested candidates should email a resume/questions to Maria Abboud at mmabboud13@gmail.com or Fr. Joseph at Frjosephgingrich@gmail.com no later than December 1, 2018. COMMUNITY CARE MINISTRY The CCM for November is Hats & Mittens for Edison School. We will be collecting hats, gloves, mittens and scarves for students at Edison School. Chairpersons are Katina Tsatalis and Nadine Shamma. DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BOOSALIS BAKING AND CAFÉ It is that time of year to start planning for your Christmas meal. The Daughter s of Penelope, along with Boosalis Baking are teaming up again to offer Tsourekia to make your Christmas table complete. We will be accepting
orders now through Monday December 10. The bread will be ready for pick up at the Community Center Saturday December 15 and Sunday December 16 from 11:00 am-1:00 pm. Please contact Melissa DeBernardi Smith at 412-512-5242 or email myguiness14@hotmail.com to place your order. COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CARD AND POINSETTIAS The parish is preparing a Community Christmas Greeting Card to offer you the opportunity to share your wishes for a spiritually rewarding Christmas season and a blessed New Year with your church friends and members. We invite every family to participate and have your name included in this year s Community Christmas Card. A minimum donation of Twenty dollars ($20) is required to include your name on this attractive card. Also, many of you look forward to donating poinsettia plants for our church during the Christmas/New Year Season. The cost is $20.00. Forms are available on the information table in the Community Center Hallway and one is included in November issue of the True Vine. Deadline for the card and poinsettia is today, Sunday, November 25, 2018. SAVE THE DATE 2019 VASILOPITA LUNCHEON SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 2019 Philoptochos invites you to our Annual Vasilopita Luncheon that benefits St. Basil s Academy. Join us Sunday, January 6, 2019. There will be a silent auction of pitas and the popular children s bidding table, and as always, monetary donations are welcome. Menu: Greek Roast Beef, Rice Pilaf, Capri Blend Vegetables, Rolls and Butter, Spinach Salad w/ a citrus vinaigrette, Cheese Cake Assortment; Menu for Children: Chicken Tenders, Macaroni & Cheese, and Applesauce, Coffee, Lemonade, and Iced Tea. Tickets go on sale November 18, 2018. Deadline for prepaid reservations is Sunday, December 30, 2018. No ticket sales on the day of the event! COST: Adults $12/Children $6. All tables will have a Vasilopita. RESERVE A TABLE AND BRING THE ENTIRE FAMILY. For ticket sales, contact: Christa Bishop (513) 304-9128 or Angie Retzios (513) 594-5485 SAVE THE DATE - DECEMBER 2, 2018 FRAUD AWARENESS PRESENTATION Investigators from the Montgomery County Prosecutor s Office will present a fraud awareness presentation. Topics will include fraud case examples worked by their office, prevention methods and in the case of victimization; what steps you can take to help report/recover from being a victim. They will explore cases involving identity theft, grandparent schemes, telemarketer schemes, internet fraud, power of attorney theft, contractor fraud and others. Please join us for this very informative program on Sunday, December 2, 2018 after church. A light lunch will be provided. The program is sponsored by the Annunciation Investment Fund. If you have any questions, please contact Tina Haubrock at 885-9410.