April 2016

On Our Cover

In Psalm 141 we read: “Lord I call upon Thee, hear me.  Hear me O Lord!
Receive the voice of my prayer when I call upon Thee. Hear me O Lord.
Let my prayer rise as incense before you; the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice. Hear  me O Lord!

When we enter an Orthodox Church, we instantly smell something different about the place.  We know at once that we are in a special place. The incense that we smell helps us to become aware of God, it brings us into His presence. We feel different ourselves for we experience God’s Kingdom through our sense of smell.

The above Bible passage was written by King David long ago denoting that the raising of incense was something common to  prayer used by the Jews, It has been used in Christian  worship in general and the words of this psalm are a much sung hymn in Vespers and repeated many time in the Lenten Service of the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy as well.

Smell is especially suited for experiencing an encounter with the Divine. Sweet fragrance invariably indicates divine pleasure and good will both physical and spiritual as concerns divine intention.  In fact the prayer that the priest recites each time he is to raise incense clearly indicates this:

‘We Offer Thee incense, O Christ our God,
as an odor of spiritual fragrance.
Receive it upon Thy heavenly altar and in return,
send down upon us, the grace of The Holy Spirit.”

Dr Susan Ashbrook Harvey (an Orthodox Christian, who teaches at Brown University) writes, that the use of incense (both in church and in the home) carries two primary meanings – the image of prayer rising up to God and the hope of God’s pleasure in return.

She continues saying…in the air that we breathe, there is more than that which we know.  Glimpsing heaven on earth, which is what the liturgy enables us to do. We breathe a fragrance that will become our everlasting breath of life.  As St Isaac the Syrian writes:

“He who lives with love in this creation smells life from God.
He breathes the air of the resurrection.”

May we all have a meaningful Great Lent and a Blessed Pascha ahead!
Fr. Andrew

TWO  STUDY OPPORTUNITIES  IN  LENT

Mondays in Cranston – Orthodoxy 101 with Fr Andrew (the basic history, teachings and traditions of the Orthodox Church – year cycle and life cycle).  March 28, April 4, 11 & 18 running from 7:30-9PM. Please call the parish office if you will attend so as to register….942-4188.

Mondays at Assumption Parish-Pawtucket / “Reflections on thePsalms” and “Reflections on the Sermon of the Mount” – from 6-8PM with John Lysikatos, graduate of the Theological School in Thessaloniki, Greece. March 28, guest presenter will be Fr George Economou on the topic of the 50th Psalm.

LITURGICAL  NEEDS

Donations are sought at this time to purchase new altar boys vestments…cost would be $275 each,  In preparation for Pascha, new red/white altar coverings and the additional pieces associated to it…cost would be about $1,900.  We are currently investigating for a new altar tabernacle as well…cost currently unknown but certainly up there, a thousand plus. Contact the parish office for all of the above items currently on our liturgical wish list.

REFUGEE CRISIS

As a follow up to the special IOCC Information Fund Raising Dinner back in December on  Sunday March 20 at Liturgy, a special collection was taken to benefit the refugee crisis thru the wonderful efforts of the IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities) which has been on the ground in Greece rendering assistance for several months now.This special tray brought in $570.Those who would also like to donate at this time for this special outreach may do so by issuing a check to “Annunciation Church” with memo lone – IOCC-Refugee Crisis.

GREEK PARADE IN BOSTON – Sun April 3

Once again our Parish Council has chartered a bus to make it easy for people to go to the parade.  There is no fee for the bus and a Lenten lunch will be provided on it, BUT RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED.  Contact ageorge711@yahoo.com or by telephone 401-580-0112.  Departure from Cranston at 11am…return around 4/4:30PM.

AT THE END OF APRIL

This year’s flow of dates that designate our Triodion and Pascha Cycle as well as the Menaion observances (set monthly commemorations) is most unique…it puts the celebration of St George (April 23) on the same day as the Saturday of Lazaros (part of the Easter cycle).  This, combined with the glorious entry of our Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) makes for a double joyous April 23/24 weekend.  Then at sun set we of course enter the highlight of our liturgical year leading us to Pascha on Sunday May 1st. The weather should be in our favor throughout and we hope for good attendance!

Odyssey Dance Troupe 2016

Come and join Rhode Island’s finest Greek Dance Troupe! Meet other members who love Greek Dancing! Share in great fellowship and meet some wonderful people! Expose yourself or your child to a wonderful environment and culture!

Elementary Group:  Ages 6-10
Mondays: 6pm-7:30pm           First Practice: April 4, 2016

Junior Group:  Ages 11-13
Mondays: 6pm-7:30pm           First Practice: April 4, 2016

Senior Group:     Ages 14 & up
Thursdays: 6:30pm8:30pm

First Practice: April 14, 2016

CONTACT US if you are interested in joining
odysseydancetroupe@gmail.com
Koula & Savva Rougas

Dr. Mary Despina Lekas Endowment Fund News

Financial Report for the period ending February 2016
Endowment Fund Portfolio $752,226.25
Endowment Fund Checking Account $1,823.28

Additional in Memory of Angelo Maintanis donation made to the Endowment Fund:
by Susan Erinakas

Additional donation made to the Endowment Fund:
By M/M Matthew Massenzio

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

What if?

Since June, 2015, the Endowment Fund Committee has been providing you with interesting “facts and figures” explaining the importance of the Endowment Fund to our Parish as a life-line in achieving financial security.

Now, it is your turn!  What are your thoughts about our Endowment Fund?  What if the Endowment Fund had a windfall large enough to allow for many special projects to take place?  What would you like to see happen that would make our parish life even more meaningful?  What are your dreams for our church?

We would love to hear from you!  No idea is too small or too big!  Remember, nothing is impossible when it involves teamwork!  Please send us your thoughts and ideas to the attention of Mary Samaras, Endowment Fund Secretary, Annunciation Church, 175 Oaklawn Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920 or give Mary a call at 401-781-5528! 

Respectfully Yours,
Mary Samaras, Endowment Fund Secretary

2015 PLEDGE PROGRAM REPORT

Since our last newsletter the following pledges have been received for 2015:
M/M John Loezos

2016 PLEDGE PROGRAM REPORT

We have to 250 parishioners with the pledge of $141,685.00
The actual amount received to date is $97,324.32

Kyriaki Arsoniades, M/M Savvas Arsoniadis, Dr. & Mrs. Elias Awwad, Alexis Biliouris, Dr. & Mrs. Stephen Carr, Constance Georgeadys, Debra Georgeon, Argiri Ghionis, Anna Gountra, M/M Nicholas Hantzakos, George Hantzakos, M/M Demetrios Harritos, Ann Heberg, M/M Joseph Howard, M/M Ernest Kanelakos, Zoe Kazianis, M/M Robert Masiello, M/M Matthew Massenzio, M/M Peter Mihalos, Jean Mihelakos, Dolly Mnayarji, Demetria Moran, M/M Theodore Moran, M/M Christo Pakuris, Theodore Panagiotis, M/M Theodoros Panagopoulos, M/M James Pappas, M/M Arthur Passa, M/M Anthony Piscopio, Dorothy Pliakas, M/M George Promades, M/M Paul Provost, Mary Quinn, M/M David Rawlinson, M/M Nickiforos Revis, M/M Stamatios Revis, Andrew Rougas, Nanci Sarganis, M/M Nikolaos Sifakis, Peter Strekouras, Virginia Strekouras, M/M Edmund Sullivan, Mr. Thompson & Dr. Tryforos, M/M Charles Tsoumakas, Andriana Vanikiotis, Anthony Vanikiotis, Antonia Vanikiotis, M/M Peter Vassilopoulos, Dr. & Mrs. Michael Vezeridis, Antonia Vanikiotis, Adam Vinhateiro, M/M Manuel Vinhateiro, Jr. M/M Charles Xynellis, Maria Zaharakos.

CORPORATE PLEDGE

Thank you to Coclin Associates (M/M George Coclin)

Epitafios Donations

Josephine Aliferakis, Dr. & Mrs. Charles Allendorf, M/M Stephen Antoniou, M/M Dionysius Argeris, M/M Dimitrios Arsenis, Dr. & Mrs. Peter Baziotis, M/M Michael Campopiano (in memory of Pres. Maria George), Rebecca Cardillo, Dr. & Mrs. Stephen Carr, Sue Cimino, M/M George Coclin, M/M Constantinos Dafoulas, M/M Wilfred Demars, M/M James Demetriou, Helen DiMaio, Artemis Frangos, Argiri Ghionis, M/M Constantine Grammas, M/M Carl Hague,  M/M Michael Haralambides, Christopher Heberg, M/M Nicholas Janikies, M/M Arthur Kazianis, M/M William Lehourites, Jason Maintanis in memory of Despina Maintanis, Elizabeth Marses, Marianthi Mastriano, M/M Emmanuel Mihailides, M/M George Mihailides, Jean Mihelakos, M/M Andrew Mitrelis, Theodore Nicolopoulos, Evangelia, Papaioannou, M/M Ernest Pappas, M/M Constantinos Perdikakis, Mary Pereira, Thomai Petropoulos (in memory of Arthur Petropoulos), M/M Polydoros Petrou, M/M Anthony Piscopio, M/M Carroll Promades, Anna Raleigh, M/M Nickiforos Revis, Mary Samaras, Nanci Sarganis, M/M James Silva, M/M Michael Sotirakos,  M/M Peter Stasinopoulos (in memory of Georgia Woods) Elle Strekouras, Ethel Strekouras, Virginia Strekouras, M/M Edward Tarbox, M/M Soterios Tsimikas, Antonia Vanikiotis (in memory of George Vanikiotis) M/M Theodore Vaphiades, Carol Xanthakis, James Vose Katherine Xiarhos, Leona Zachos, M/M Socrates Zafiriades, Jr., Maria Zaharakos.

Annunciation Luncheon Thank You’s

A full house attended our recent Sunday Observance of our parish name day on March 20th— Thank You to all who came and all who cooked.  We especially thank our food donors—Athanasios & Lena (Zafiriades) Meltsakos and the desert donors, Dr. Ken & Myrto Morrissey and Sotiri Mioni, in memory of Dr. Jacques & Eva Mioni.  We thank as well Dean Perdikakis for donating the new flags used in the Flag Raising Ceremony on our church grounds. The generous parishioners of our parish make us who we are today.  Congratulations to the children of our Greek Language Program who entertained and inspired us all with their program to our teachers and the parents and grandparents!

SCHEDULING FOR CONFESSION DURING LENT
Wednesdays of Lent / by appointment with Fr Andrew
Friday April  22 / by appointment with Fr Andrew
Other days and other times can also be arranged with either Fr Andrew or Fr Emanuel by calling the parish office.

 

APRIL’S SR. CITIZENS MEETING—Thursday April 7 WILL FEATURE a DVD ENTITLED “Protect Your Health”

This 35 minute DVD will present simple, common-sense steps that can strengthen our immune system.  This DVD will show how to get better sleep, eat a healthy diet, discuss supplements, how to reduce stress and finding the right exercise.  Thursday April 7th, at 12 noon, following the monthly luncheon.  This months lunch is sponsored in memory of George & Bessie Trambukis by their daughter Kathy Coyne and she and her 2 sisters (Joanne Laferrier and Marion Panichas) will be in attendance to serve.

OUR PARISHONERS

Congratulations to Ketty Senerchia she did it again at the RI Flower and Garden Show, she received 15 blue ribbons, 10 red ribbons, 2 yellow ribbons also received 2 National Awards.

Maria Vose is very active with gymnastics and has consistently come in 1st 2nd or 3rd  place the gymnastic competition season…just last week at the states competition at RI college she came in7th place overall, and is moving on to the regional in Shrewsbury MA.

Renee Beaudoin (Poulos family) has opened “Renee’s Boutique” from her home is making diaper cakes, tutu sets, tutu pillow cases, costumes, center pieces, barefooted sandals, hair pieces, costume T shirts for adults & children, party favors and much, much more.  Personalized included if needed.  Also any color, team characters or just a creative idea you like.  Newborn items for that special time.  Products may also be shipped if needed.

Floral Icon Donors

M/M Michael Haralambides (in memory of Angelina Katsetos). Argiri Ghionis (in memory of husband Peter). Kenneth & Marie White (in memory of Angelos Maintanis), Fr Andrew (in memory of Presvytera Maria)  THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.

RECENT DEATHS

Dennis Maliangos, age 67, of Warwick, RI,  passed away on 3/9/16.  His funeral and burial was held on 3/14/16. The brother of our parishioners Antonia Vanikiotis & Argiri Ghionis passed away in Canada. The sister of our parishioners Sofia Arsenis & Zambeta Xiarhos passed away in Greece.  The father-in-law of our parishioner Charlie Tsoumakas (Robert Resnick) passed on here in RI. The father of parishioner Antonis Gavrielides (Haralambos) passed on in Cyprus. The mother of parishioner  Dina Stamatelopoulos (Efrosini Kondilis) passed on recently in Greece.

~May their Memory be Eternal~

GREEK FOOD FAIR 2016– SAVE THE DATE!

Invite your family, friends and neighbors and come enjoy the same great food as our festival! Our traditional menu will include gyro, souvlaki, lamb dishes, pastries and Greek coffee.

GIFT CARDS FROM THE GREEK FESTIVAL WILL BE HONORED! CARDS ARE ALSO CURRENTLY ON SALE FROM THE PARISH OFFICE

Saturday, May 14th, 11am – 7pm   /   Sunday,    May 15th 11am – 5pm

We ask you to offer your time and talent to this parish event!  Submit the sign-up form below to the parish office by designating your preferred work area and suggested shift schedule OR contact Elaine Crabtree at (401) 821-1058 / emcrabtree21@aol.com with your choice of date (s) and times.  Flexible shift hours will be accommodated!  Thank you for your support!

Lazaros Saturday to Pascha

Sat.,      April 23                                                                                                                                   Saturday of Lazaros / Church School Communion                                                                                                                                                                        8:15 am   –   Orthros                                                                                                                                                            9:20 am   –   Forgiveness Prayers                                                                                                                        9:30 am   –   Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Sun.,     April 24                                                                                                                                    Palm Sunday / Entrance to Jerusalem                                                                               8:15 am   –   Orthros
9:20 am   –   Forgiveness Prayers                                                                                                                                                          9:30 am   –   Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom with distribution of Palms

Sunday Evening:                                                                                                                            7:00 pm   –   8:15 pm—  Nymphios Service

Mon.,    April 25                                                                                                                                    7:00 pm   –   8:30 pm—  Nymphios Service/Forgiveness Prayers afterwards

Tues.,    April 26                                                                                                                                    7:00 pm   –   8:45 pm—  Nymphios Service/Forgiveness Prayers afterwards

Wed.,   April 27                                                                                                                                             The Sacrament of Holy Oil (Euchailion)                                                                                                                                                            4:00 pm   –   5:15 pm—  Followed by anointing                                                                                                                                                            (especially for families w/ children)                                                                                                                                                            7:00 pm   –   8:45 pm—  Nymphios Service — Followed by anointing

Thurs.,  April 28                                                                                                                                    Commemoration of the Mystical Supper
6:00 am   –   7:45 am—   Vesper  / Liturgy of St. Basil                                                                                                                                                            Communion to be distributed within the proper context of the liturgy

THE PASSION OF OUR LORD / SERVICE OF THE CRUCIFIXION
(Thursday Evening)                                                                                                                        7:00 pm    –   10:00 pm  Reading of the 12 Gospel Narratives and Procession of                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    the Crucifixion

Fri.,      April 29                                                                                                                                    Holy and Great Friday                                                                                                                                                            10:00 am   –   11:45 am-  Service of the Royal Hours (Teens as readers)
Simultaneously the decoration of the Tomb                                                                                                                                                            4:00 pm   –    5:15 pm—  Service of the Descent from the Cross                                                                             7:30 pm   –   10:30 pm— Service of the Lamentations w/Procession

Sat.,      April 30                                                                                                                                    Holy & Great Saturday / Discovery of the Empty Tomb
9:00am   –   10:45am—  Vesper / Liturgy of St. Basil                                                                                                                                                            Communion will be distributed within the proper context of the liturgy                          11:00 pm— Chanting of the Paschal Canon

Please arrive early giving yourself time to park your car and enter the Church which will take extra time due to the large number of people who normally attend.                                                                                                                                                11:45 pm   –   2:15 am   –  Paschal Orthros & Resurrection Liturgy

Sun.,    May 1                                                                                                                                      Holy Pascha (Easter Sunday)
Noon—1:00 pm—Agape Vespers                                                                                                                                                             (Gospel Read in Various languages of the World)                                                                                                Children’s Easter Egg Hunt follows at 1:00 PM

ODYSEEY DANCE TROUPE RESUMES IN APRIL

Our much respected and enjoyed Odyssey Dance Troupe will begin their new season of practices in April……Tues April 4 (for the youth aged 6-13 and on Thur. April 14 (for those aged 14 and older).  New members are welcomed.  See flier elsewhere in this issue for all the details.

GOYA LOCK IN—Sat April 9

On Saturday April 9th to Sunday, April 10th we will be holding the first lock in of 2016. The lock-in starts at 1 pm on Saturday and will conclude Sunday before Church. We will be going Mini Golfing as part of the program on Saturday. More details and prices to come. RSVP with CJ Mitrelis at 401-632-8752

HOPE AND JOY EVENT—Fri April 22

Join Hope and Joy as we attend the Providence Children’s Museum on Friday April 22. We will be meeting at the church at 3pm. If your child has a Feinstein Card please bring for free admission. More details to come. RSVP with CJ Mitrelis at 401-632-8752

Why Is Orthodox Easter so Late This Year

This may be a common question asked to our youth by non-Orthodox youth this year..   Here is the answer in brief that our Orthodox youth can share with their non-Orthodox friends in a polite manner…

– The difference is based on the fact that the Orthodox Church uses both a different calendar and a different calculation formula to determine the date of Easter.  In essence it is the calendar that was used when Jesus was on earth (and not the one used now).

– The process is also based on the observance of the Jewish Passover, known as the “legal passover” – meaning the formula the Jews used at the time of Christ, to set the date for Passover, which is not the formula used today.  The reason for this is to keep the historical pattern in place that Jesus’s death coincided with the Jewish Passover.

Oratorical Festival Review

Congratulations to all our speakersElementary Division were—Juliana Mihailides & George Grammas, Junior Division—were Anastasia Coclin, Constantine Coclin, Leticia Lekos, Katerina Mihailides, Katherine Mitrelis, Nathaniel Nichols & Demetri Petrou, Senior Division were—Alexis Arsenis, Eleni Mihailides, Alexandra Nichols & Sophia Sarkis.

Those Ranked:

Junior Division
1st Place—Nathaniel Nichols
2nd Place—Katherine Mitrelis
3rd Place—Demetri Petrou

Senior Division
1st Place—Alexandra Nichols
2nd Place—Eleni Mihailides
3rd Place—Sophia Sarkis

Concerning Parish Scholarships

Since 2010 the various named parish awards (Christelis Goya, Stella Pappas, George Pakuris and Andrew/Helen Vican) are now under the heading of “Annunciation Scholarship”.  There is now an application process that includes the submittal of the academic transcript and the writing of an essay.  Those desiring to apply can request an application form after April 15.  The scholarship is available to graduating high school seniors and continuing college students.

The Savvas Savvides Scholarship is a separate standing application process administered by a different committee as it has been for the past 40 plus years.  These applications will also be available after April 15 and also requires an academic transcript.

NEW “Spring Camp Weekend” in NH

Our Metropolis Camp is holding a first ever Spring weekend for teens —April 15 (Fri evening thru Sun).  Get details at <www.mbcamp.org> or call 603-746-2132.

Cranston week at the Metropolis Summer Camp this year will be the 5th session (July 25th week).  Our youth may go on the week best for them, but Fr Andrew plans to attend the July 25th week.

PHILOPTOCHOS ANNUNCIATOR – APRIL, 2016

We are in the middle of our Lenten Journey, and Philoptochos will be very busy with many activities leading up to Pascha:

EASTER BREADS:  Orders will be taken for Easter Breads on Sundays at the Coffee Hour following Divine Liturgy.  Helen Quinn Argeris and Mary Quinn will be taking your orders.  Please call Helen at 1-508-337-3697 to place your order.  Price per loaf is $10 and will be ready for pick up on Palm Sunday, April 24 following Divine Liturgy.

EASTER VISITATIONS:  The following Philoptochos members will be accompanying Father Andrew  and Father Manny as they visit our housebound and nursing home parishioners during the Easter season– Carol Rothemitch, Diane Mitrelis, Bessie Papigiotis, Josie Aliferakis, Kate Silva, Ann Heberg and Georgia Pappas.  Those desiring a communion visit at home who are unable to come to church should be sure to call the parish office.  Preparing the gifts for these parishioners are Ann Heberg and Ginger Pappas.  This is truly the work of Philoptochos in action.

EASTER EGGS FOR DYEING:  We will distribute eggs, netting, ribbon and dye on Saturday of Lazarus and Palm Sunday and ask that you take a dozen or two and dye them for distribution by Father Andrew at the Anastasi (Resurrection) Saturday night.  Please return to the Church Holy Friday.  Please follow the directions on the egg dye package to be sure the eggs are fully boiled.  Thank you so very much.

EPITAFIOS DECORATION:  We invite all women to come and assist with the decoration of the Epitafios.  It looks beautiful each year, and we thank Koula Rougas for undertaking the organizing of the Epitafios for many years.

DONATIONS AND OBLIGATIONS:  Since the beginning of 2016, the following has been expended: to the national Philoptochos obligations– Social Services-$350, Cancer Fund-$300, Autism Assistance-$100, St Photios Shrine-$100. Metropolis of Boston Philoptochos FOS Program-$100,  Direct to our parish: $5,000, Greek School-$1,000, Sunday School-$1,000, Savvas Savvides Scholarship-$300. To Providence Ronald McDonald House-$50, American Cancer Society-$100, Assistance to a parishioner-$710.

Our next Philoptochos meeting will be held on Monday April 18, 6:15PM Board Meeting and 7PM General Meeting.  We invite all ladies to join us and help Philoptochos continue on our mission which is to help those less fortunate and in need of our help. A blessed Great Lent to all and a glorious Easter ahead!

Georgia Pappas, President
Karen Drager, Corresponding Secretary

FASTING & FEASTING

Parishioners regularly ask their priest about the kinds of food from which they should abstain; also how much fasting they should exercise during Great Lent.  The Fathers of the Church tell us that Lent should be more than a time of  fasting; it should also be a joyous time of feastingLent is a time to fast from certain things and to feast on others.

It is a season in which we should:

FAST from discontent……………………………….FEAST on gratitude.
FAST  from anger……………………………………FEAST  on patience.
FAST from complaining………………………..FEAST  on appreciation.
FAST from bitterness…………………………….FEAST  on forgiveness.
FAST from suspicion…………………………………….FEAST on trust.
FAST from idle gossip……………………………..FEAST on purposeful                                                                                silence.
FAST from words that pollute……………………FEAST on phrases that                                                                                                   purify.
FAST from hate and resentment………………FEAST  on love and good                                                              will.

 +Fr. Kyriakos V. Saravelas (retired)