January 2021
ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
THE BLESSING OF THE WATERS BY REV. FR. MATTHEW CARTER My brothers and sisters in Christ, Each year at the beginning of the New Year, we have the opportunity to invite the priest into our homes and have him bless our homes with the blessed waters of Theophany (Epiphany). This is an important tradition for
us as Orthodox Christians and enables us to begin the New Year by confirming that Jesus Christ is the foundation of our lives. The Feast of Theophany gives us two opportunities to participate in the Blessing of the Waters. On January 5, the Eve of Theophany, we 50 S. ANN ST. MOBILE, AL 36604
celebrate a Vesperal Liturgy with a blessing of the waters immediately after the service, and on January 6, we celebrate a Divine Liturgy for the Feast of Theophany with a second blessing of the waters. This feast day is important for us because it commemorates our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s baptism
ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
in the river Jordan by John the Baptist. Christ did not need to be baptized because He was completely without sin, but He permitted St. John the Baptist to baptize Him in order to sanctify the waters for eternity, and to give us the opportunity to have our sins washed away and begin our journey, by God’s grace, toward salvation. Following this great feast, it is customary to invite the priest into your home so he
can bring the blessed waters and sanctify your home and everyone who lives in it through the grace of Jesus Christ. The priest brings the blessed water, and after saying the prayers, goes throughout the house and sprinkles the water of Theophany in each room. We do this in order to have God bless our personal lives and our personal space. As Orthodox Christians, we live our faith in all aspects of our lives. We need God’s grace
and blessing in our homes so we can continue, as St. Paul writes, to “Fight the good fight” against sin and temptation. Having your house blessed is a wonderful opportunity to renew your commitment to Jesus Christ and His Church by receiving sanctification through the blessed waters of Theophany.
Here are a few tips to help you prepare your home for a house blessing: 1. Contact the church office (438-9888) to schedule a house blessing. 2. Because of the continued reality of COVID-19, Fr. Matthew will be wearing a mask and gloves. Unfortunately, he will not be able to stay after for coffee and fellowship. 3. Make a list of first names of those family members you wish to pray for when Fr. Matthew arrives, with the living and deceased in separate columns. 4. On your dining room table (or other designated area), place a lighted candle, an icon of Theophany or of Jesus Christ, a bowl of water, your prayer list, and a sprig of basil. If you have a small censer with incense, please place this on the table as well. 5. Turn on the lights in each room so Fr. Matthew can see where he is going. 6. Turn off all TVs, stereos, and computers. 7. Secure any pets that might jump up, and let Fr. Matthew know where they are so he can bless them. Let’s pray that God continues to bless all of us in the New Year! PAGE 2
50 S. ANN ST. MOBILE, AL 36604
ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
Sunday School Our Sunday School program will continue throughout the month of January with our in-person and virtual classes! In order to promote social distancing, we will be scheduling only one in-person class per month. These classes will give our children the opportunity to see each other and to enjoy their fellowship. Our teachers will communicate with our parish families about the social distancing guidelines for these classes. *Sunday, January 10th —3rd —6th grades *Sunday, January 17th — Middle and High School *Sunday, January 24th — K—2nd grades
Youth Ministry Our Youth Ministry groups—HOPE (K-2nd), JOY (3rd-6th), and GOYA (7th-12th) are joining in fellowship this month to learn more about Theophany. HOPE will meet on January 24th following Sunday School. JOY will meet on January 10th also following Sunday School. GOYA will meet on Saturday, January 16th in the Fellowship Hall for a Charity Game Night, see page 5 for more information .
Stewardship
yet to turn in your signed pledge card please help us reach our goal by returning your card to the church as soon as possible. When we complete the 2021 Stewardship Campaign goal the parish will have replaced the lost Greek Fest 2020 income. The Parish Family is counting on you, please reach out to any member of the Stewardship Committee if you have any questions.
Parish Family John James Papastefan fell asleep in the Lord on December 14. His funeral was held on December 19 at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Mobile, AL. May his memory be eternal! A 40 Day Memorial was offered for Father James Cleondis on December 12 at the Presentation of the Theotokos Church in Malbis. May his memory be eternal! We would love to include you in our Parish Family updates! Please email birthdays, name days, anniversaries, baptisms, weddings, and funeral information to office@annunciation.al.goarch.org by the 15th of each month to be included. We will begin collecting this information now and printing a listing in March (that listing will include January and February information). We look forward to celebrating and supporting each other with these remembrances!
As we enter 2021 the Stewardship committee reports that there are currently 78 pledges for a total of $213,928.00. Please remember that our Parish Stewardship campaign goal is $300.000.00. If you are one of the 150 members of the parish family who are 50 S. ANN ST MOBILE, AL 36604
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ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
SAVE THE DATES! March 24—28 The Parish is planning a series of events to Celebrate
the Bicentennial of Greek Independence and the Feast Day of our Church. Including Lectures on the Fight for Greek Independence, Services to honor the Theotokos, and a Dinner celebrating Greek Food, Dance, and Music.
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50 S. ANN ST. MOBILE, AL 36604
ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
50 S. ANN ST MOBILE, AL 36604
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ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
VASILOPITA SUNDAY We will be celebrating Vasilopita Sunday on January 17th. As is tradition, Philoptochos will send all proceeds from this event directly to St. Basil’s Academy, who provides a safe haven and home for Orthodox children, offering a nurturing environment while attending to the child’s developmental, educational, spiritual and material needs. They admit Orthodox children in need from throughout the United States. Due to current Covid Restrictions we are not able to have our traditional auction. However, several of our parish bakers have offered to bake Vasilopita for pre-orders. While recipes vary from baker to baker, all bakers will be offering a ~ 9 inch loaf/cake. A $20 minimum donation is requested, but remember to be generous as all proceeds benefit St. Basil’s Academy. Checks and donations should be directed to Philoptochos. Loaves will be available for pick-up following the Divine Liturgy on January 17th or during office hours on Monday January 18th.
Please call the office, at 438-9888, on or before January 13th to place your order.
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50 S. ANN ST. MOBILE, AL 36604
ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
MONDAY
TUESDAY
5 Forefeast of Holy Theophany 8:00 am Royal Hours 9:30 am Divine Liturgy and Blessing of the Waters (Malbis)
SUNDAY
4
12
3
11
8:45 am Orthos 10:00 am Divine Liturgy
10 6:00 pm Daughters of Penelope/Philoptochos meeting
January 2021
7 Synaxis of St. John the
THURSDAY
6 Holy Theophany
9:00 am Orthos 10:00 am Divine Liturgy
WEDNESDAY
9:00 am Orthos 10:00 am Divine Liturgy and Blessing of the Waters
14
Baptist
13
20
27
21
28
FRIDAY
1 St. Basil the Great Circumcision of Christ
2
9
9:00 am Orthos 10:00 am Divine Liturgy (Malbis)
8 House Blessings Begin
16
SATURDAY
9:00 am Orthos 10:00 am Divine Liturgy
30 Three Holy Hierarchs
23
6:00 pm GOYA Game Night
15
22
29
Father Matthew is available for House Blessings, contact the church office 438-9888.
26
Father Matthew is available for House Blessings, contact the church office 438-9888.
19
Father Matthew is available for House Blessings, contact the church office 438-9888.
8:45 am Orthos 10:00 am Divine Liturgy 3rd– 6th grades Sunday School & Joy Activity
25
17 St. Anthony the Great 18 Sts. Athanasios and Vasilopita Sunday Cyril , Patriarchs of Alexandria 8:45 am Orthos 10:00 am Divine Liturgy GOYA Sunday School
24 8:45 am Orthos 10:00 am Divine Liturgy K– 2nd grade Sunday School & Hope Activity
31 8:45 am Orthos 10:00 am Divine Liturgy
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50 S. ANN ST MOBILE, AL 36604
ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
50 S. ANN ST. MOBILE, AL 36604
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Apolytikion of the Annunciation
Today is the summary of our salvation, and the revelation of the age-old mystery. For the Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin, and Gabriel announces the good news of Grace. Therefore, let us join him, and cry aloud to the Theotokos: Rejoice, Maiden full of grace! The Lord is with you!