As our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary today, we give thanks for the blessings of freedom, peace, and opportunity we enjoy as Orthodox Christian Americans. On this historic and truly meaningful day, we express our profound gratitude to the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. It is through the courage, sacrifice, and vigilance of our military service members and veterans that the liberties envisioned by our Founding Fathers have been preserved. We pray that God protects them and grants them strength and wisdom in their service.
The history of Eastern Orthodoxy in North America is a story of a single ancient faith planted on two opposite coastlines by two different cultures, yet fostered by the distinct blessings of America. Religious freedom protected early believers from the state-sponsored constraints they often faced in the Old World, while the American entrepreneurial spirit and democratic landscape empowered immigrants to pool their resources, purchase land, and build churches to the glory of God, planting deep roots, ever adapting and flourishing.
In the East, a small group of Greeks landed in New Smyrna, Florida, in 1768, eventually fleeing to St. Augustine and leaving behind the first Orthodox prayers on American soil. In the West, Russian monks arrived in Kodiak, Alaska, in 1794, integrating with the indigenous Aleut people, establishing a truly unique and local mission. When the U.S. later purchased Alaska, the Russian missionaries moved their headquarters further south to San Francisco and eventually east to New York - also the home of our Greek Orthodox Archdiocese - lining up with the massive waves of Greek and Slavic immigration through Ellis Island.
Over the decades, all of our Orthodox jurisdictions have planted parishes across America. In 1998, for instance, the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation in Sacramento looked northeast, and helped with the planting of a modest storefront mission in Roseville. Formally dedicated to Saint Anna in 2000, our parish quickly became a major spiritual landmark. We received the holy relics of Ss. Joachim and Anna from Mount Athos, were dedicated to the sanctity of marriage and family as a Metropolis Shrine, constructed Founders’ Hall and then opened our Holy Sanctuary in July 2023. Thanks be to God for His steadfast love and to our founders who gifted us Orthodoxy here in Placer County.
While we celebrate our national freedom today, we would be remiss not to look to the Church calendar and honor those who found freedom in Christ. On July 4th, we commemorate St. Andrew the hymnographer who authored the Great Canon of Repentance we chant in Great Lent. We also commemorate Venerable Martha, the mother of St. Symeon of the Wonderful Mountain, whose piety inspires us in our service to our families and the poor.
Parishes like ours represent the beautiful destination of this 250-year American journey: vibrant, multi-ethnic communities where the faith of our fathers and mothers in Christ has become a permanent, living part of the local American fabric. We are profoundly grateful for the unique freedoms of this nation—and the brave defenders who safeguard them—that allow our community to grow and thrive.
May God bless you, our families, our founders, and the United States of America!
1st Saint Anna Blood Drive a success!
Our 1st semiannual blood drive was a success! I want to thank you and let you know that our donors are deeply appreciated for their support and the role they played in making this blood drive a success.
The results from the June 6th blood drive, in addition to those who give regularly:
Projection/Outcome: Successful WB Procedures: 12
Number of First-time donors: 7. CONGRATS!! This is a huge accomplishment!
Total Red Cell Units: 12
With these units collected, over 25 patients will receive blood products to meet their health care needs.
Because of the blood donation, St. Anna’s is now planning to host another blood drive on November 21st, the Feast of the Presentation of the Theotokos to the Temple (Orthros at 8 AM). In keeping with the spirit of giving, let’s make this an even bigger success! The week of Thanksgiving falls during “Critical Days” for blood centers and hospitals. More details will follow. Please mark your calendars!
Founders' Hall Deep Cleaning (Volunteers needed, July 19)
We are so blessed to have an exceptionally beautiful parish home - the Sanctuary, Founders’ Hall, and our grounds. For those newer to the parish, phase one of our construction - the utilities, parking lot, and auxiliary building - was completed in 2006. This is our twentieth anniversary on site! The building, affectionately named “Founders’ Hall” after Fr. Demetrius and Presvytera Ellie Dogias, of blessed memory, and all the founders of our community, has seen several modifications and upgrades over the years. We expanded upstairs, added classrooms, converted our worship space into a fellowship hall and library, and added a covered patio. We have also considered expanding our kitchen, adding more shade over the balcony (overlooking East Roseville Parkway), and adding more meeting spaces and classrooms. Founders’ Hall has provided us with so much and continues to do so.
To keep our parish looking and feeling welcoming, and in preparation for our Feast Day (July 25), we will host a cleaning party on July 19 after Divine Services. Some of our tasks include: powerwashing tables and chairs, wiping down walls, cleaning windows, and deep cleaning. Many volunteers and hands are needed to make light work of it! We have a power washer at the church, but we’re looking for a few more to speed up the work.
For more information about our Parish workday, please contact Sara Jurrens at sarajurrens@gmail.com or 916-296-6465.
First Annual Clothing Swap
The clothing swap is scheduled for after summer/before school starts, intended to help families refresh their wardrobes with church-appropriate attire for men, women, and children. Any clothing that is not taken in the swap will be donated locally.
First Annual Parish Blood Drive (June 6)
Christ is Risen!
Saint Anna’s first annual blood drive is scheduled for Saturday, June 6th. It will be held in Founders’ Hall from 9 am to 1 pm. Jim Alfred with Vitalant will call each person who signed up as a donor. Vitalant also encourages everyone to download their app. There is a lot of information on their site that you may want to review.
After your blood is processed, donors will receive their blood type, blood pressure, cholesterol results, and more. Vitalant serves 111 hospitals across California. Local patients need more than 1,000 pints of blood each day! About 25% of the blood is directed to cancer patients for ongoing treatment. Our blood drive can potentially help 100 patients! And it doesn’t cost a thing, only a bit of yourself!
On behalf of all those in need, thank you! And, if you have further questions or would like to sign up, please contact me at your convenience, IBPENGUIN@aol.com
May our efforts be blessed and bring healing to others,
Marci Pelka
Saint Innocent Orphanage Update - 2026 Casa Cuna Tour
Christ is Risen! Hello, family and friends at Saint Anna's! My time at Saint Innocent's has been as challenging as it has been fulfilling. My time at the orphanage will be limited during my final semester of school so I can complete my clinical practice and graduate. Then it’s back with the children. As mentioned in my video update, the current major needs at the Casa Cuna are:
A few bicycles for 3-5 year olds with training wheels
A second vehicle
If you or someone you know would like to donate a bike or send money to our second-vehicle fund, please contact me at my email address: Isabellaeve99@gmail.com
Rather than submit a written report, I thought I’d provide a video update from Saint Innocent Orphanage and a tour of Casa Cuna.
Again, thank you for your love, prayers, and support.
With continued gratitude and prayers,
- Isabella Pucilowski
St. Stephen Mediterranean Festival (May 23-24)
Become a Hellenic College Holy Cross Advocate
Beautification of the Sanctuary continues!
On Bright Monday, Fausto returned to our community to begin installing the mosaics of Saint Luke the Evangelist and St. John of Kronstadt. Again, Massimo’s work is simply stunning! Next week, he will be joined by our iconographer, Michael, who is traveling from Athens with two co-workers to install our first painted icons. Much of the remaining wood-carved fixtures, including the iconostasis, are en route from Thessaloniki! May the beautification of our Holy Sanctuary and our offerings to fund the project be pleasing to God!
