The Saint Anna Festival

In historically Orthodox Christian regions, a festival is a natural extension of liturgical life. After honoring a great feast day or a parish's patron saint in church, the faithful gather to share the joy of the feast with the wider community through authentic Christian hospitality (philoxenia).

While many parishes traditionally host cultural or ethnic festivals to support their ministries financially, our goal at Saint Anna is to firmly root our celebration in the true spirit and purpose of the Orthodox faith.

A New Chapter: Our September Festival

For over twenty years, our parish festival was held on Memorial Day weekend for practical scheduling reasons. However, following the challenges of the pandemic and the beautiful completion of our new permanent Sanctuary, our parish made an intentional shift.

We now host a two-day festival on the weekend closest to September 9—the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anna (the Holy Ancestors of Christ). While our primary parish feast remains the Dormition of Saint Anna on July 25, this September date allows us to:

  1. Honor Our Treasures: Celebrate the Holy Ancestors of God, whose sacred relics are permanently enshrined in our church.

  2. Celebrate the Holy: Keep our focus on what is sacred, wholesome, and pleasing to God.

  3. Embrace Our Heritage: Honor the diverse Eastern European and Mediterranean cultural traditions that share our common Orthodox faith.

  4. Offer True Hospitality: Welcome the wider Roseville community, introducing them to our beliefs and our spiritual home.

Integrated with Prayer

Because our festival is an extension of our life in Christ, it is completely integrated into the liturgical calendar. Depending on how the weekend falls, we alternate between several beautiful services—especially since September 8 marks the Great Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos (the Virgin Mary).

Throughout the festival weekend, the community gathers for:

  • Great Vespers and Orthros

  • The Divine Liturgy

  • The Agiasmos (Blessing of the Water)

  • The Supplication Service to Saints Joachim and Anna

  • An Akathist of Thanksgiving

Our Prayer for the Community

We pray that our Orthodox Christian faith, warm hospitality, traditional cuisine, and vibrant cultural expressions serve as a true blessing to our neighbors. May our festival always reflect our deep commitment to Christ, His Church, His Saints, and the joy of serving others.

Through the intercessions of Saints Joachim and Anna, may our offering be pleasing and to the glory of God!