“Our Church Family worships the Holy Trinity– Father, Son and Holy Spirit– and every

Sunday, the Lord’s Day, we commemorate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Welcome to the Annunciation Greek

Orthodox Church of Stamford

Your Pastoral Team Saints of the Day

Presiding Priest:
Fr. Evan Evangelidis, Fr.Evan@annunciationofstamford.org Χριστός Ἁνέστη29th,
MARCH - Christ
2020is Risen!
Parish Council President:
Chris Vlahakis, cvlahakis@gmail.com 29η ΜΑΡΤΙΟΥ 2020
MAY 10th, 2020
School Committee President:
Paraskevi Radis, pdr0331@gmail.com
FOURTH10η
SUNDAY
MΑΙΟΥOF2020
GREAT LENT
Philoptochos President: SUNDAY OF ST. JOHN CLIMACUS
Barbara Pappas, tpappas@123optonline.net TheFOURTH
Holy Martyrs Agapios
SUNDAY & Manuel.
OF EASTER
Greek School Director: SUNDAY OF THE PARALYTIC
Penelope Venetsanos, Kladielias@yahoo.com The HolyΔ’Apostle
ΤΩΝ ΝΗΣΤΕΙΩΝ
Simon the Zealot
Sunday School Director:
Patty Bakes - Servos, pattybakesservos@yahoo.com
Τῶν Ἁγίων Δ’
Μαρτύρων
ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ Ἀγαπίου καί Μανουήλ.
ΤΟΥ ΠΑΣΧΑ
Hall Rentals:
Larry Karipides, larry.karipides@outlook.com ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΤΟΥ ΠΑΡΑΛΥΤΟΥ
GOYA: Tοῦ Ἁγίου Ἀποστόλου Σίµωνος τοῦ Ζηλωτοῦ.
Stacey Karipides, skaripides@optonline.net
HOPE & JOY:
Irene Tournas, irenetournas@hotmail.com
P.T.A.: Sunday Orthros 8:45 - 10:00 AM
Yianna Bakes-Dimitroglou, yiannab@aol.com
Lydia Madias, ltshulos@yahoo.com Sunday Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Bingo: Weekday Divine Liturgy 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Christina Ramoglou, cramoglou@yahoo.com
Sunshine Club: Parakleisis & Vespers 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Joannie Philippopoulos, twinkle200@optonline.net Office Hours : Monday - Friday 8:30AM - 4:00 PM
Church Webpage:
Paul Poulos, ppoulos@yahoo.com Tel. 203-322-2093
Church Secretary Web: www.annunciationofstamford.org
Glyka Athanasiou, secretary@annunciationofstamford.org
Church Services & Office Hours Email: secretary@annunciationofstamford.org
 Ο ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ
Πράξεων τῶν Ἀποστόλων τὸ ἀνάγνωσµα. (9:32-42)
Ἐν ταῖς ἡµέραις ἐκείναις, ἐγένετο Πέτρον
διερχόµενον διὰ πάντων κατελθεῖν καὶ πρὸς τοὺς ἁγίους τοὺς
κατοικοῦντας Λύδδαν. Εὗρε δὲ ἐκεῖ ἄνθρωπόν τινα ὀνόµατι
Αἰνέαν ἐξ ἐτῶν ὀκτὼ κατακείµενον ἐπὶ κραβάττῳ, ὃς ἦν
παραλελυµένος. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ Πέτρος· Αἰνέα, ἰᾶταί σε
Ἰησοῦς Χριστός· ἀνάστηθι καὶ στρῶσον σεαυτῷ. Καὶ εὐθέως
ἀνέστη. Καὶ εἶδον αὐτὸν πάντες οἱ κατοικοῦντες Λύδδαν καὶ
τὸν Σάρωνα, οἵτινες ἐπέστρεψαν ἐπὶ τὸν Κύριον. 'Εν Ἰόππῃ
δέ τις ἦν µαθήτρια ὀνόµατι Ταβιθά, ἣ διερµηνευοµένη
λέγεται Δορκάς· αὕτη ἦν πλήρης ἔργων ἀγαθῶν καὶ
ἐλεηµοσυνῶν ὧν ἐποίει. Ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν ταῖς ἡµέραις ἐκείναις
ἀσθενήσασαν αὐτὴν ἀποθανεῖν· λούσαντες δὲ αὐτὴν ἔθηκαν
ἐν ὑπερῴῳ. Ἐγγὺς δὲ οὔσης Λύδδης τῇ Ἰόππῃ οἱ µαθηταὶ
ἀκούσαντες ὅτι Πέτρος ἐστὶν ἐν αὐτῇ, ἀπέστειλαν δύο ἄνδρας
πρὸς αὐτὸν παρακαλοῦντες µὴ ὀκνῆσαι διελθεῖν ἕως αὐτῶν.
Ἀναστὰς δὲ Πέτρος συνῆλθεν αὐτοῖς· ὃν παραγενόµενον
ἀνήγαγον εἰς τὸ ὑπερῷον, καὶ παρέστησαν αὐτῷ πᾶσαι αἱ
χῆραι κλαίουσαι καὶ ἐπιδεικνύµεναι χιτῶνας καὶ ἱµάτια ὅσα
ἐποίει µετ' αὐτῶν οὖσα ἡ Δορκάς. Ἐκβαλὼν δὲ ἔξω πάντας ὁ
Πέτρος καὶ θεὶς τὰ γόνατα προσηύξατο, καὶ ἐπιστρέψας πρὸς
τὸ σῶµα εἶπε· Ταβιθά, ἀνάστηθι. Ἡ δὲ ἤνοιξε τοὺς
ὀφθαλµοὺς αὐτῆς, καὶ ἰδοῦσα τὸν Πέτρον ἀνεκάθισε. Δοὺς δὲ
αὐτῇ χεῖρα ἀνέστησεν αὐτήν, φωνήσας δὲ τοὺς ἁγίους καὶ τὰς
χήρας παρέστησεν αὐτὴν ζῶσαν. Γνωστὸν δὲ ἐγένετο καθ'
ὅλης τῆς Ἰόππης, καὶ ἐπίστευσαν πολλοὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Κύριον.
ΤΟ ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ
Ἐκ τοῦ κατὰ Ἰωάννην ἁγίου Εὐαγγελίου τὸ
ἀνάγνωσµα. (εʹ 1 - 15 )
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ ἀνέβη ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς Ἱεροσόλυµα.
ἔστι δὲ ἐν τοῖς Ἱεροσολύµοις ἐπὶ τῇ προβατικῇ
κολυµβήθρα, ἡ ἐπιλεγοµένη Ἑβραϊστὶ Βηθεσδά, πέντε
στοὰς ἔχουσα. ἐν ταύταις κατέκειτο πλῆθος τῶν
ἀσθενούντων, τυφλῶν, χωλῶν, ξηρῶν, ἐκδεχοµένων τὴν
τοῦ ὕδατος κίνησιν. ἄγγελος γὰρ κατὰ καιρὸν κατέβαινεν
ἐν τῇ κολυµβήθρᾳ, καὶ ἐταράσσετο τὸ ὕδωρ· ὁ οὖν πρῶτος
ἐµβὰς µετὰ τὴν ταραχὴν τοῦ ὕδατος ὑγιὴς ἐγίνετο ᾧ
δήποτε κατείχετο νοσήµατι. ἦν δέ τις ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖ
τριάκοντα καὶ ὀκτὼ ἔτη ἔχων ἐν τῇ ἀσθενείᾳ αὐτοῦ.
τοῦτον ἰδὼν ὁ Ἰησοῦς κατακείµενον, καὶ γνοὺς ὅτι πολὺν
ἤδη χρόνον ἔχει, λέγει αὐτῷ· Θέλεις ὑγιὴς γενέσθαι;
ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῷ ὁ ἀσθενῶν· Κύριε, ἄνθρωπον οὐκ ἔχω, ἵνα
ὅταν ταραχθῇ τὸ ὕδωρ, βάλῃ µε εἰς τὴν κολυµβήθραν· ἐν
ᾧ δὲ ἔρχοµαι ἐγὼ, ἄλλος πρὸ ἐµοῦ καταβαίνει. λέγει αὐτῷ
ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Ἔγειρε, ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ περιπάτει.
καὶ εὐθέως ἐγένετο ὑγιὴς ὁ ἄνθρωπος, καὶ ἦρε τὸν
κράβαττον αὐτοῦ καὶ περιεπάτει. ἦν δὲ σάββατον ἐν
ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡµέρᾳ. ἔλεγον οὖν οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι τῷ
τεθεραπευµένῳ· Σάββατόν ἐστιν· οὐκ ἔξεστί σοι ἆραι τὸν
κράβαττον. ἀπεκρίθη αὐτοῖς· Ὁ ποιήσας µε ὑγιῆ, ἐκεῖνός
µοι εἶπεν· ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ περιπάτει.
ἠρώτησαν οὖν αὐτόν· Τίς ἐστιν ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ εἰπών σοι,
ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ περιπάτει; ὁ δὲ ἰαθεὶς οὐκ
ᾔδει τίς ἐστιν· ὁ γὰρ Ἰησοῦς ἐξένευσεν ὄχλου ὄντος ἐν τῷ
τόπῳ. µετὰ ταῦτα εὑρίσκει αὐτὸν ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ καὶ
εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ἴδε ὑγιὴς γέγονας· µηκέτι ἁµάρτανε, ἵνα µὴ
χεῖρόν σοί τι γένηται. ἀπῆλθεν ὁ ἄνθρωπος καὶ ἀνήγγειλε
τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ἐστιν ὁ ποιήσας αὐτὸν ὑγιῆ.
THE EPISTLE
The reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. (9:32-42)
In those days, as Peter went here and there among
them all, he came down also to the saints that lived at Lydda.
There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedrid-
den for eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him,
"Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed."
And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and
Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Now there was
at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She
was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she
fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid
her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disci-
ples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him en-
treating him, "Please come to us without delay." So Peter rose
and went with them. And when he had come, they took him to
the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping,
and showing tunics and other garments which Dorcas made
while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside and
knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said,
"Tabitha, rise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw
Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and lifted her up.
Then calling the saints and widows he presented her alive.
And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many be-
lieved in the Lord.
THE GOSPEL
The Holy Gospel according to St. John (5:1-15))
At that time, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there
is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called
Bethesda which has five porticoes. In these lay a multitude
of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving
of the water; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain
seasons into the pool, and troubled the water; whoever
stepped in first after the troubling of the water was healed
of whatever disease he had. One man was there, who had
been ill for thirty eight years. When Jesus saw him and
knew that he had been lying there a long time, he said to
him, "Do you want to be healed?" The sick man answered
him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the
water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down
before me." Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your pallet,
and walk." And at once the man was healed, and he took up
his pallet and walked. Now that day was the sabbath. So the
Jews said to the man who was cured, "It is the sabbath, it is
not lawful for you to carry your pallet." But he answered
them, "The man who healed me said to me, 'Take up your
pallet, and walk.' " They asked him, "Who is the man who
said to you, 'Take up your pallet, and walk'?" Now the man
who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus
had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. After-
ward, Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See,
you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you."
The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who
had healed him.
 Memorials & Weekday Church Services
Memorials:
T.B.A.
Weekday Church Services:
T.B.A.
Announcements
Christos Anesti! Despite our church doors being
closed, to public worship, I’d like to thank all of
you that worshiped with us virtually and sent in
your virtual candle requests for Holy Week and Easter.
Thanks to our Parish Council and especially to Paul Dia-
mantis for working hard to provide you with quality live
streamed services. I’d also thank the Christakos Family
for donating the flowers for the Epitafeo and for decorat-
ing it so beautifully. Thank you to Mrs. Georgia
Varvitsiotis for donating the Stephani for the Stavrome-
no. Thanks also to Teddy Giannoukos also donating
flowers for the Epitafeo and to Mrs. Efi Tournas for col-
lecting donations for our beautiful Easter lilies. A special
thanks goes out to our psaltes Peter Panagoulias, Alex
Papadopoulos, Elias Perdikis, Nikoforos Papadopoulos,
and to Christos Perdikis who all chanted beautifully at
every service with grace and care. Lastly, I’d like to
thank you our beloved parishioners who watched our live
streamed services and worshipped from the safety of
your home. Despite the difficult challenges brought on
by the Corona virus, we were still united in prayer and in
thanksgiving celebrating our Lord’s Resurrection
As we navigate through these difficult times to-
gether, our church is welcoming you to light a
virtual candle and to send names to Fr. Evan to
be read during the services. Father Evan will gladly light
as many yellow or red candles as you request. Please
click on http://www.annunciationofstamford.org/misc/
virtual-candle.php for more information. Please support
your church by lighting a virtual candle and praying for
your loved one!
You can now see all our church services live
streamed and in improved quality. Please go to
our church’s Facebook page “Annunciation
Greek Orthodox Church of Stamford” to view our ser-
vices virtually and live streamed!
Even though our church doors are closed to pub-
lic worship, Fr. Evan wants all of you to know
that he is here for you to provide any pastoral
counseling or support during these difficult times. Father
Evan is glad to speak with you either through video con-
ferencing or on the telephone. Please reach out to him
personally if you need too! God bless all of you!!
Saint of the Week: St. Christopher
Saint Christopher was martyred about 250, during
the reign of the emperor Decius (249-251). There are vari-
ous accounts of his life and miracles, and he is widely
venerated throughout the world. Saint Christopher is espe-
cially venerated in Italy, where people pray to him in
times of contagious diseases.
Saint Christopher was a man of great stature and
unusual strength. Christopher once made a vow to serve
the greatest king in the world, so he first offered to serve
the local king. Seeing that the king feared the devil, Chris-
topher thought he would leave the king to serve Satan.
Learning that the devil feared Christ,
Christopher went in search of Him. Saint
Babylas of Antioch told him that he could
best serve Christ by doing well the task for
which he was best suited. Therefore, he
became a ferryman, carrying people across
a river on his shoulders. One stormy night,
Christopher carried a Child Who insisted on being taken
across at that very moment. With every step Christopher
took, the Child seemed to become heavier. Halfway
across the stream, Christopher felt that his strength would
give out, and that he and the Child would be drowned in
the river. As they reached the other side, the Child told
him that he had just carried all the sins of the world on his
shoulders. Then He ordered Christopher to plant his walk-
ing stick in the ground. As he did so, the stick grew into a
giant tree. Then he recognized Christ, the King Whom he
had vowed to serve and became a Christian.
Saint Christopher was brought before the emperor,
who tried to make him renounce Christ. After many fierce
torments, Saint Christopher was beheaded. By his mira-
cles the holy Martyr Christopher converted as many as
50,000 pagans to Christ, as Saint Ambrose of Milan testi-
fies. The relics of Saint Christopher were later transferred
to Toledo (Spain), and still later to the abbey of Saint
Denis in France.
In Greece, many churches place the icon of Saint
Christopher at the entrance so that people can see it as
they enter and leave the building. There is a rhyming cou-
plet in Greek which says, “When you see Christopher,
you can walk in safety.” This reflects the belief that who-
ever gazes upon the icon of Saint Christopher will not
meet with sudden or accidental death that day.
The name Christopher means “Christ-bearer.” This
can refer to the saint carrying the Savior across the river,
and it may also refer to Saint Christopher bearing Christ
within himself (Galatians 2:20). His nameday is celebrat-
ed on May 9th.
 … From Father’s Desk…
Κυριακῆ τοῦ Παραλύτου Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who built it labor in vain. — Psalms 127:1
Στὸ σημερινὸ εὐαγγελικὸ ἀνάγνωσμα εἴδαμε ὅτι ὁ
Κύριος ἐπισκέφθηκε ἕναν τόπο ὅπου ὑπῆρχε πολὺς
My mom’s house was under construction for quite
πόνος, τὴν «κολυμβήθρα» Βηθεσδά, μιὰ δεξαμενὴ δίπλα
some time. Walls and ceilings were taken down and floors
στὴν ὁποία παρέμεναν πολλοὶ ἄρρωστοι. Ἐκεῖ πρόσεξε
were pulled out. But many of the changes were internal
ἕναν ἐγκαταλειμμένο ἄρρωστο ποὺ ἦταν παράλυτος επὶ
improvements that do not show, such as replacing pipes,
38 χρόνια· τὸν πλησίασε καὶ μ᾿ ἕνα πρόσταγμά Του τὸν
electrical wires, damaged wood between the walls and
θεράπευσε. Μὲ ἀφορμὴ αὐτὸ τὸ θαῦμα ἂς μελετήσουμε
old insulation. We know that the internal changes, alt-
μιὰ πολὺ παρήγορη ἀλήθεια, ποὺ ἀκοῦμε καὶ σὲ Εὐχὴ
hough not seen and hard to do sometimes, make for a
τῆς θείας Λειτουργίας: ὅτι ὁ Κύριος ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς
better, stronger and safer home.
εἶναι «ὁ ἰατρὸς τῶν ψυχῶν καὶ τῶν σωμάτων ἡμῶν».
This reminds me of today’s Gospel reading where
Εὐδόκησε ὁ Θεὸς νὰ ἀναπτύξει ὁ ἄνθρωπος τὴν ἐπιστήμη
we hear about the paralytic who was afflicted and struck
τῆς Ἰατρικῆς, ὥστε νὰ ἀνακουφίζεται ἢ καὶ νὰ
down, but not destroyed or forsaken, so that the invisible
θεραπεύεται ὁ ἀσθενής. Γι᾿ αὐτὸ καὶ προτρέπει: «Τίμα
Christ within us - and the promise of His resurrection - can
ἰατρόν… καὶ γὰρ αὐτὸν ἔκτισε Κύριος» (Σ. Σειρ. λη´ [38]
become visible to the world. Ever since the day of our
1). Νὰ ἀποδίδεις τιμὴ στὸ γιατρό, διότι πράγματι ὁ Θεὸς
Baptism when we were Thought of the Week:
τὸν ἔκανε. Εἰδικὰ μάλιστα ἡ θαυμαστὴ πρόοδος τῆς
joined to Christ, we have Will I Let God Transform
Ἰατρικῆς τὶς τελευταῖες δεκαετίες εἶναι ἕνα μεγάλο δῶρο
been in a reconstruction me for the better?
τοῦ Θεοῦ στὸ σύγχρονο ἄνθρωπο ποὺ ζεῖ ἀφύσικη καὶ
period. Little by little, Christ has been remolding the im-
ἀνθυγιεινὴ ζωή. Ὁ Κύριος γνωρίζει ὅλα τὰ βάσανά μας
age of man within us and replacing it with His image.
καὶ ἀναλόγως μᾶς βοηθάει. Αὐτὸς πῆρε τὶς ἀσθένειές
Little by little, our spirit is being renewed by the Holy
μας καὶ βάσταξε πάνω Του τὶς ἀρρώστιες μας. Ἐπιπλέον
Spirit. Little by little we take on God’s characteristics of
συνέστησε εἰδικὸ ἱερὸ Μυστήριο γιὰ τὶς ἀσθένειες, τὸ
patience, charity, strength, mercy, justice, compassion,
ἅγιο Εὐχέλαιο, μὲ τὸ ὁποῖο λαμβάνουμε τὴ θεραπεία
and love. Because God loves us enough to do this, we are
ἀπὸ ὁποιαδήποτε ἀσθένεια, ἂν εἶναι πρὸς τὸ συμφέρον
able to hold up under the pressures of this world - and
τῆς ψυχῆς μας, καὶ ὁπωσδήποτε λαμβάνουμε πλούσια
even to overcome them. And just like the way Jesus used
Χάρι καὶ οὐράνια παρηγοριά
the paralytic’s faith to transform crucifixion into resurrec-
Ὁ Θεὸς ὅμως ἐνδιαφέρεται γιὰ τὴν ὑγεία ὄχι μόνο
tion, we too can do the same through faith and God’s
τοῦ σώματος ἀλλὰ καὶ τῆς ψυχῆς. Ποιὰ εἶναι ἡ ἀσθένεια
help.
τῆς ψυχῆς; Ἡ ἁμαρτία. Ὁ Κύριος τὴν θεράπευσε μὲ τὸ
Reconstruction is hard and messy work. Especially
ἀπολυτρωτικό Του ἔργο: μὲ τὴν ἄφθαστη διδασκαλία
now during these anxious and uncertain times when we
Του, μὲ τὸ πανάγιο παράδειγμά Του ἀλλὰ κυρίως, ὅπως
do not know when our lives will get back to normal and
ἤδη εἴπαμε, μὲ τὴ σταυρική Του θυσία. Κατεξοχὴν ὁ
what kind of normal it will be. But the finished product is
Ἐσταυρωμένος εἶναι ὁ Ἰατρὸς τῶν ψυχῶν μας. «Τὸ αἷμα
well worth it. If we are willing to let Christ renew us day
Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ… καθαρίζει ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης ἁμαρτίας»,
by day - painful as it may be sometimes - we know that in
ἀναφωνεῖ ὁ ἅγιος Ἰωάννης ὁ Θεολόγος (Α´ Ἰω. α´ 7).
the end we will become a better, stronger and more
Ἀλλὰ καὶ ὅλα ὅσα συμβαίνουν στὴ ζωή μας, οἱ
effective spouses, parents, siblings and people of God in
χαρὲς καὶ οἱ λύπες, εἶναι θεραπευτικὰ μέσα, φάρμακα
the world. In God’s care we can feel secure that God
τῆς ἀγάπης τοῦ Θεοῦ, φάρμακα γλυκὰ καὶ φάρμακα
wants only what’s good for us, not harm, and that we can
πικρά. Δὲν εἶναι ὑπερβολὴ νὰ ποῦμε ὅτι ἡ πρόνοια τοῦ
look forward to a bright future that is founded in the
Θεοῦ γιὰ τὸν καθένα μας ἔχει ὡς κύριο σκοπὸ τὴ
hope of His resurrection.
θεραπεία τῆς ψυχῆς μας, δηλαδὴ τὴ σωτηρία, τὸν
ἐξαγιασμό της.
Prayer: Dear God of hope, help us not to fight the chang-
Ὅλα συμβάλλουν στὴν ὑγεία τῆς ψυχῆς μας,
es we need to make as we are transformed into Christ’s
ἀρκεῖ νὰ τὸ θελήσουμε κι ἐμεῖς οἱ ἴδιοι, ἀρκεῖ νὰ
image. In His name we pray. Amen!
συνεργασθοῦμε μὲ τὸν Ἰατρὸ καὶ ν᾿ ἀκούσουμε τὴ
συμβουλή Του, τὴ συμβουλὴ ποὺ ἔδωσε στὸ
θεραπευμένο παράλυτο σήμερα: «Μηκέτι ἁμάρτανε»!
Πηγή: http://kirigmata.blogspot.com/2017/05/7
2017_53.html#ixzz5Dnn3bT4B
 Stewardship Reflection
Why should I give?
Giving is Biblical – “Man shall not appear before the Lord empty handed. Man shall give as he is able, according
to the blessιng that the Lord your God has given you.” (Deuteronomy 16:17)

Giving Connects us with others – “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you
did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40)

Giving establishes priorities – “Store up for yourselves a good foundation for the time to come, so that you may
lay hold on eternal life.” (1 Timothy 6:21)

Giving Energizes – “He who sows generously, reaps generously.” (2 Corinthians 9:6)

Giving Creates Perspective – “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys
and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where our treasure is, there will your heart be al-
so.” (Matthew 6:20)

Giving draws us closer to God’s Character - “For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten
Son.” (John 3:16)

Giving is doable by everyone – “Let each of you give according to what your heart tells you, not reluctantly or out
of a sense of duty, for God loves the one who gives gladly.” (2 Corinthians 19:7)

Everyone is called to be generous!

Did you know people search for three things?

1st – people seek Transcendence (desire to know God).

2nd – people seek meaning and significance.
3rd – people seek community.

Our mission is to know God through the Good News of salvation offered by Jesus Christ our Lord, to journey towards
sanctification by participating in the sacramental, spiritual and ethical life of the Church, building a community that
glorifies God, and does His will to love one another, thereby attaining His Kingdom. Please join us in this sacred mis-
sion! Thank you and God bless you!

2020Stewardship Report
Week 19 Number of pledges Total collected to date Budgeted Stewardship GOAL
$3,400 102 $77,632 $140,000
Our church’s annual budget is $708,000 and that stewardship and our an-
nual festival cover less than 33% of it. With your help, we can do better to
increase community support of our church by its members. Please give
your fair share as an offering of thanks for the many blessings that God
has given you. Also please consider increasing your stewardship pledge to
improve our parish’s financial health. Thank you and God bless you for donating your
time, talent and treasure to continue building, supporting and growing our Annunciation
Church community!
Date: Thursday, May 7, 2020

Holy Eparchial Synod Communique

NEW YORK – On Thursday, May 7, 2020, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America convened
the Holy Eparchial Synod via videoconference, in order to discuss and decide on a process for the reopen-
ing of parishes. During the meeting, the Hierarchs expressed solidarity and empathy for the pain and loss
felt by the Faithful of late, especially the loss of a traditional Holy Week and Pascha.

Based on the current reopening plans that are being executed around the country, it was decided that each
Metropolitan would be responsible for the reopening of his local parishes in accordance with local health
and public safety mandates, which might vary significantly within an individual Metropolis. Noting the im-
portance of recommencing with Holy Communion, each Hierarch will make determinations for parishes in
accordance with local guidelines for social distancing, preparation of the churches and attendant facilities,
and any and all best practices for the local clergy to observe.

It was further decided that the celebration of Sacraments and other services would be allowed in accordance
with the same local health and public safety mandates.

Commenting after the Meeting, the Archbishop said:

“We are all deeply concerned, not only for the health of our Faithful, but for their morale and their spiritual
life. We know that re-opening the Churches with attention to nuance of the facts on the ground is the best
way to proceed. As Shepherds of our flocks, we are committed to reopening, and with an abiding sense of
responsibility for the spiritual health of the Faithful.”

FROM THE CHIEF SECRETARIAT

 Be careful of your thoughts
because they turn into words,

be careful of your words

because they turn into actions,

be careful of your actions

because they turn into habits,

be careful of your habits

because they turn into character,

be careful of your character

because it turns into destiny.

Lastly, be careful of your destiny

because it leads to eternity!
— Anonymous
 “Take up your bed and walk!”
“Let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them, for to such is the Kingdom of Heaven.” Mark 10:14
A Ministry of the
Sunday, May 10, 2020 Volume 8, Issue 19 Orthodox Christian Network
“I am with you always”
Have you ever had to say good-
bye to somebody...and you didn’t want to
say goodbye? Jesus’s disciples did. After Je-
sus rose from the dead, He told His disciples
they had a mission. He told them to go and
teach the whole world what they had learned
about God. That was a big job, and it would
be hard after they had said goodbye to their
Teacher. But Jesus also told them something
else. “I am with you always, forever,” He said.
Today, is the Sunday of the Paralytic. We remember the story of a man Je-
sus healed. This man was paralyzed and hadn’t walked for 38 years. Jesus
listened to him, and the man picked up his mat and walked.
But in the epistle reading today, we hear about another paralyzed man.
This story happened after Jesus had died and risen from the dead. This
happened after He had left for Heaven. Jesus’s disciple, Peter, healed this
paralyzed man.
So we see that Jesus really is “with us always.” And when He said goodbye to
His disciples, it wasn’t for forever. We know that Jesus did all kinds of mira-
cles when He lived on earth. But after He left for Heaven, He is still with us.
The Children’s Word is a weekly bulletin for Orthodox Christian young people. Copyright 2020 Alexandra Houck. He still works miracles—just like He did for the second paralyzed man, and
Email is orthodoxchildrensword (at) gmail.com. Find it each week at myocn.net. just like He does for so many in the world every day!
WORD SEARCH SAINT GLYKERIA OF NOVGOROD
Can you find
S
D
P
A
J
D
M
V
S
F
L
J
L
Y
U
C
P
M
V
M
N
Z
Z
C
Q
G
Y
M
W
Q A STRANGER HELPS!
these words in the C E I Z G K S I U F J L Y N R
Has a stranger ever helped you
L T Z N E K H E F G Y H X W E
jumble? X Y F I T Q P Y L K K X J Y G with something? Maybe somebody helped
O G W J J P E L E C P K S Z N you tie your shoes, or opened the door for you, or
GLYKERIA U A A E W Y E R M G A V G V A even gave you a little money. Maybe this person
GOODBYE W W L Q B I I T N Z R R K D R helped you, and you didn’t even know him or her!
MIRACLES F S K D R A B O E A A H I M T
NOVGOROD B H O S A I N T S R L J Y M S This week we celebrate a saint we don’t know much
PARALYTIC B O S J J N S Y Y G Y J H P H about. We know lots of stories about Saint Nicholas
RISEN G L V T P J Q E W F T G F V O and Saint Nektarios and Saint Katherine. Those
SAINT PETER D O R O G V O N N T I J U M K saints don’t seem like strangers to us; they’re our
SAINTS D E I I G P I X H P C F V U E
friends! This week we celebrate somebody who might seem like a
STRANGER F R D Y B E S A M H R T U B L
stranger to us...but she can still help us!
WALK
Saint Glykeria was from Novgorod, a famous city in Russia. It’s famous
to us Christians, because there are some other special saints from there!
We really don’t know anything about her except that she died in the year
What’s in an icon?
1522. Several years after she died, somebody found where she was bur-
ied. The archbishop of Novgorod brought her coffin into the big church,
On the first page, you can see the and that day, a little four-year old boy was healed when he came to Saint
Glykeria.
icon of Christ healing the paralyzed
man. But here is an icon of Saint After that, lots of people came to pray to this “stranger saint.” Now, we
Peter healing a paralyzed man. can read about lots of miracles that happened because of the prayers of
Saint Glykeria of Novgorod. So, she’s no longer a stranger to us! On her
Do you see how our Lord still helps saint’s day, we also celebrate another Saint Glykeria. We know more
us, even after He left for heaven? about that Glykeria, but they are both close to God and can listen to us!
We remember St. Glykeria of Novgorod on Wed, May 13th (May 26, OC).