Introducing our Visiting Theological Students for Holy Week

Joining us for the commemoration of the Great and Holy Week of the Church from our beloved Holy Cross School of Theology are Emmanuel Salem and Ivy Tesfay.

Ivy Gabriella Tesfay is from Las Vegas, Nevada, and attended Saint Paul's Orthodox Church, where she grew closer to Christ by singing and chanting hymns to our Lord. She interned at Project Mexico for three summers and had the opportunity to serve with FOCUS Detroit & the Neighborhood Resilience Project in the following summers. She graduated with a bachelor’s in psychology from Hellenic College in 2022 and received a Certificate in Youth and Young Adult Ministry from Holy Cross. She just completed her master’s in theological studies at Holy Cross and is now working as the Assistant Ministry Coordinator at Orthodox Christian Fellowship. 

Emmanuel Salem is from Akron, Ohio. He was similarly raised in a pious Orthodox Christian family. His youthful doubts about his faith were removed when he encountered the miracle-working icon of the Mother of God, Kardiotissa, at Camp Nazareth Summer Camp during his senior year of high school. He attended the University of Akron, where he studied Psychology and Philosophy; during his college years, he maintained an interest in aiding younger children struggling with deep questions. What he found lacking in those studies he found fulfilled in Christ, which led him to Seminary in 2021.  He is currently completing his third year at Holy Cross.

Ivy and Emmanuel met during their studies at HCHC and got engaged in January! Besides looking forward to their marriage, they continue to discern how they can best serve Christ, the Church, and those in the inner city, specifically those who have yet to experience the fullness of our Faith. 

May our Good Lord continue to bless and inspire Emmanuel and Ivy, granting them every good gift from above.

Holy Week Services (Including the Saturday of Lazarus and Palm Sunday)

The Feast of the Raising of Lazarus

Saturday, April 27                   Orthros /Liturgy 9 AM

 

The Feast of The Lord’s Entry into Jerusalem

Saturday, April 27                   Great Vespers, 5 PM

Sunday, April 28                      Orthros /Liturgy 8 AM

                                                       

The Great & Holy Week

Sunday, April 28                  Service of the Bridegroom, 6 PM

Monday, April 29                 Service of the Bridegroom, 6 PM

Tuesday, April 30                 Service of the Bridegroom, 6 PM

Wednesday, May 1              9th Hour/Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, 7 AM

                                                 Holy Unction, 6 PM

Thursday, May 2                   Liturgy of St. Basil, 8 AM

                                                 Reading of the Passion Gospels, 6 PM

                                                  All Night Vigil

Friday, May 3                        Royal Hours, 8 AM                

                                                 Descent from the Cross, 3 PM

                                                 Service of the Lamentations, 7 PM

Saturday, May 4                  Vesperal Liturgy, 8 AM

                                                 Resurrection Matins, 11:30 PM

Sunday, May 5                     Paschal Liturgy, 12 AM

                                                 Agape Vespers, 11 AM

                                                      Paschal Picnic on Church Grounds

Opportunities to donate toward the beautification of the Sanctuary

in addition to our families sustaining our budget through stewardship (over $500K/year) and contributing toward the construction of our Sanctuary (over $5 million gifted), many items have been donated to beautify our Church—woodwork, mosaics, mural paints, stained glass windows, and altar covers, totaling over a million dollars! 

The following items have yet to be donated and will be received or installed by the end of this year (per the artisans).  

Mural Icons (to complete a second barrel vault):

·      Five full-bodied Saints for the barrel vault over the baptistry (the donor selects the Saints), $12,500. 

·      Icon of the Throne of God, $12,500.

Altar Covers (a set includes a cover for the Altar Table, a cover for the Holy Gospel, a cover for the chalice and paten, a bookmark for the Holy Gospel, and the Aer and chalice covers).

 

·      Icy Grey Nea Vatlos Satin (Sundays during Lent), $1,500

·      Red Byzantino Polixromo Satin (Feasts of Christ and St. Anna), $1,800

·      Burgundy Agia Eirini (Feasts of Christ), $2,300.00

·      Purple Velvet Pantocrator (Great Lent), $2,800.00

Woodwork

·      Prothesis (the place in the Altar where the Eucharistic gifts are prepared), $20,000.

·      Diakonikon (the place where the Holy Gospel and icons to be blessed are kept), $20,000.

·      Chairs, $500/each (many of the chairs that we received in March have yet to be donated)

 

To see woodwork or icons (or their placement), please visit https://issuu.com/stannagreekorthodoxchurch/docs/st.annabooklet. Please do not hesitate to contact me about these or other giving opportunities; there will be a price adjustment in 2025 as our artisans have continued to honor their 2021 pricing for us.  At the least, I ask your prayers for our beloved parish of Saint Anna.

Support Saint Vincent de Paul Kitchen & the Launching of the "Seniors in Crisis Program"

In Matthew 25: 31-46, the Lord directs us to feed the hungry. Over twenty years ago, members of our community regularly volunteered at Loaves and Fishes in Sacramento. Then, about fifteen years ago, we shifted our focus to a more local ministry: the SVdP Kitchen (105 Bonita St. Roseville, https://www.placersvdp.com).    If you are over the age of fourteen and would like to help those less fortunate, please contact Annie Moore at 978-473-4756 (text message preferred).

It was recently announced that St. Vincents is launching a "Seniors in Crisis Program.” With the cost of living rising in our region, one crisis can dramatically impact those on a fixed income—bills, medications, food, etc.  Thanks be to God. SVdP is attempting to address this, and we’re invited to help.  Beginning on April 18th and through the "BIG DAY OF GIVING” on May 2nd, monies are being collected so that SVdP can reach an initial goal of  S$50,000 to dedicate to this program.  To donate, please visit  https://www.bigdayofgiving.org/organization/placersvdp. For more information, please contact Anastasia Efstathiu at aefstathiu@gmail.com  or visit www.placersvdp.com.  

Thank you for your prayers and consideration

Tommy Apostolos Fund Dinner Scheduled for April 27 (sponsorship opportunities and tickets available now)

On Saturday, April 27, following Great Vespers, we are invited to gather in support of the Tommy Apostolos Fund at the Grounds, which has provided clothing for children in the Roseville area during the holiday season for over 35 years.  Beginning with just 10 children on our first shopping day in 1998, this philanthropy has grown into an organization that helps over 500 children each year, making the holidays a little bit brighter for these kids. Thanks be to God, our parish continues to be a great support financially and through our volunteers.  

Although the fundraiser falls on the eve of Palm Sunday, it’s truly in the spirit of Lent since it is through this gathering that we help clothe those in need.  The event starts at 6:00 p.m. with fellowship, dinner at 7:00 p.m., and music at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $45 each or $80 per couple.  For more information, to purchase tickets, get sponsor information, volunteer, or speak with a committee member, go to https://tommyafund.com



Thank you for your support of our Feed the Hungry Program

Thank you for your generous contributions to our FEED THE HUNGRY / Easter 2024 fundraiser.

Because of you, we were able to provide monetary gifts and seasonal candy to 75) student families from the Woodbridge, Cirby, Kaseberg, Riego, Diamond Creek, Blue Oaks, Junction, Westbrook, Chilton, Stoneridge, Orchard Ranch, Buljan, Eich and Gates schools--in time for their Spring Break and Western Easter!

The Roseville Unified School District Office and the faculty members from the above schools are so appreciative and grateful for our efforts to help their families experiencing hardship.

Icons and Woodwork for our Holy Sanctuary

Thanks be to God, on 22 March 2024, we received our order from Thessaloniki and the Skete of Saint Anna, Mount Athos, Greece.  The shipment included the icons for the Iconostasis, the Altar Table, the Bishop's Throne, two icon stands, the reliquary cases, candle stands for the Narthex, and 160 seats.  Our gratitude to the Fathers of the Theophileon Brotherhood at the Skete who wrote our icons and George Oikonomides, his family, and their workers for the beautiful woodwork.  May our Lord continue to keep all of them in His care, granting them every gift unto salvation.

Sacred Alaska Showing in Sacramento (Mon Apr 08 at 7:00 pm to 09:00 pm)

Movie - "Sacred Alaska" (Sacramento, CA Premiere)
Join us at the Cinemark Century Arden 14 and XD for a screening of Sacred Alaska, followed by a Q&A with the film's director, Simon Scionka.

**With the blessing of His Grace Bishop Alexei of the Diocese of Sitka and Alaska, all donations and proceeds will benefit the Alaskan priests to travel to the homeland of St Innocent of Alaska’.**

https://sacredalaskafilm.com

Donations are also accepted here.

Sacred Alaska is an award-winning documentary that offers an intimate look into Native Alaskan culture and spirituality. It showcases the profound influence of Orthodoxy, introduced by Russian monks in the late 18th century, on Alaskan society. The film highlights the unique way Alaskans have woven their indigenous beliefs with Orthodox traditions, deeply influencing their worldview. Central to this is the concept of learning to become a "real person." Through beautiful cinematography and powerful storytelling, "Sacred Alaska" underscores the profound, sacred bond between the Alaskan people, their faith, and the formidable landscape they call home.

To order tickets: https://allevents.in/sacramento/movie-sacred-alaska-sacramento-ca-premiere/10000848941897067