A reflection on our state of affairs

For the past several months we had to battle covid-19 (we are actually still doing so). Now, sadly, after months of isolation from the threat of this disease, we are again confronted with another isolating disease that has to one degree or another plagued humanity, almost from its beginning. 

As His Eminence clearly stated in His pastoral writing, it is the disease and sin of racism. Thanks be to God, it’s not inherent to our personhood, yet at times it does plague humanity. For this reason we must never forget that as Christians we too proclaim as did St. Paul, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” 

Logically although sadly, there are times that we might need to be reminded that all of us were created in God’s image; there isn’t one individual upon the face of the earth who wasn’t created so. Moreover, those of us who were baptized in His name become brothers and sisters in Christ - we proclaim the same Orthodox faith; we gather in the same churches and; we receive from the same chalice. And let us not forget that together we commemorate and petition His Holy ones, the Saints, who in each and every generation were well pleasing to Him - young and older, male and female, those who persevered in virginity and those who married, those who died naturally and those who were martyred, those who were poor and those who were wealthy, all of whom were of particular lands and spoke various tongues yet embraced the same Orthodox Christian Faith. 

It is therefore fitting for us to begin the erinika (the first set of petitions) with the petition “In peace let us pray to the Lord.”  In this first of the eleven petitions, we beseech the Prince of Peace for peace in the world, not a peace of this world.  The peace we long for is an internal peace.  It is a peace which reaches the depths of the human heart and cleanses it from evil passions, making each of us truly free and joyful as citizens of the Kingdom that is here and now, but also not yet.

As the world (and each of us living in it) may continue to struggle with a myriad of sins, may we never cease from gazing upon the Holy and Life-giving Cross. For it was upon this Cross, His Cross, that the peace from above was sealed for us once and for all and that we find healing from every disease. 

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, and good will towards all!”  

+fr. Christopher 

Thank you to the Stewards of our Parish

Christ is Risen!

Continued gratitude to Fr. Seraphim, Dn, Joseph, our Parish Council, Morfoula and all of our stewards for the blessings of our Saint Anna Parish. Thanks be to God, even in the midst of a pandemic, we gather for prayer (granted, online), minister to one another through phone calls and social media, continue to study our Faith, bring our youth together in virtual fellowship, provide benevolence/funding for those in need - fellow parishioners, individuals within our region - and support the work of our Metropolis, our Archdiocese and our beneficiaries, all unto the glory of God.

Thank you for your acclimating to this reality (which, thanks be to God is only temporary)!

Thank you for your faithfulness and for your prayers!

Thank you for creativity ministering unto others! 

Thank you for supporting the ministries of our Parish, Metropolis and Archdiocese!

Thank you for your love of Christ and His Church!

Thank you for the joys that are realized in being attached to this blessed Parish! 

May God, keep each of you in His care, 

Christ is Risen! 

+fr. christopher

Holy Thursday All Night Psalm Reading Vigil

Please follow the link below and sign up for the time slot that you'd like:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040B49AEA72CA6FF2-allnight

Since this is not going to be done through Zoom, you may begin anywhere that you like, following the guidelines posted below: 

The Psalms are read, not in a normal reading tone, but in a kind of "recitative" or monotone, which may most easily be executed by beginning as if to sing on one note which is convenient for one's voice, and then continuing to read on this same note. No particular expression should be given to any words or phrases, and the voice should not drop at the end of any phrase, but should remain always at about the same level, yet without any attempt to pronounce every word in an artificially uniform or featureless manner. The reading should be slow enough that the words can be understood, but not so slow that an effect of "dragging" is created. This traditional church reading, which with practice comes to seem very natural, is immediately distinct from worldly reading (as of newspapers), and helps set the proper tone in which the sacred words can enter one's heart. At the end of every section of every kathisma, (8 Psalms)  the following words are read in the same tone of voice, or actually sung on one note: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia glory to Thee, O God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. Alleluia, alleluia alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Then the next section is begun.  

Again, our thanks to all for your understanding, flexibility and heartfelt prayers for everyone at St. Anna's and the greater world beyond our walls as well. 

May God's grace ever continue to cover us as we make our procession with Him towards His crucifixion, burial and Glorious Resurrection on the Third Day.

Supporting the Ministries of St. Anna Parish

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Even though we are unable to physically attend services together, we can and must still labor to achieve the high calling of our Orthodox Christian Faith – to put God first, to provide for the ministries of His Church, and to provide for others.

To access the app/website to make your contributions:

  1. Click on App Store on your mobile phone.

  2. Choose search and type in Church Center App.

  3. Click “get” on Church Center App and follow directions.

  4. When the app is opened, scroll down to or search for St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church, click and follow directions.

Currently, there are five categories of giving, specific to the Season:

  1. Stewardship – Funds in support of our operational budget.

  2. General - Our regular Sunday offerings that are used for general purposes.

  3. Candles -  Candles will be lit for those who donate to this line.

  4. Benevolence - Monies designated for parishioners / community members in financial need.

  5. Philoptochos “Friends of the Poor” – Supporting the philanthropic work of our Philoptochos.

If you wish to donate without downloading the app, simply put in the amount and text it to 84321. Follow the prompts, providing the requested information for the initial set-up.  After this, we can automatically text amounts to give and send to 84321.

For those without a mobile phone, the giving site can be accessed at: https://saintanna.churchcenter.com 

Thanks be to God for such technologies that allow us to support our Parish and our ministries.  May we continue to navigate these days of Great and Holy Lent with wisdom, with Grace, with love, and with hope unto healing and salvation. 

Saint Anna Parish Music Ministry

We recently purchased new hymnals produced by the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Associated text was approved by the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Given we’re unable to gather together in one location to begin learning the new arrangements, we will instead make use of technology to help move us forward. 

George Papailias will utilize a music notation software application to enter music notation from the new hymnal. With this capability, he can send both hymn recordings and associated music scores to those interested in learning the music. This way, when we do gather together again to glorify God, we will be that much closer in making our transition.

Having a photocopy of each hymnal page, coupled with the associated recordings, allows us to learn the music together. Period ZOOM meetings will also be scheduled so we can discuss how things are going, what challenges we’re experiencing, as well as hear suggestions. 

If you’re interested in learning to sing from our new hymnal now, please email George at gpapailias@me.com stating that you want to be included in the music ministry email distribution list (during this time). 

Bonhoeffer on Christian fellowship

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Dietrich Bonhoeffer, (born February 4, 1906, Breslau, Germany [now Wrocław, Poland]—died April 9, 1945, Flossenbürg, Germany), German Protestant theologian important for his support of ecumenism and his view of Christianity’s role in a secular world. His involvement in a plot to overthrow Adolf Hitler led to his imprisonment and execution. His Letters and Papers from Prison, published posthumously in 1951, is perhaps the most profound document of his convictions.