GLAD TIDINGS

“Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” Luke 2:10

ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 146 West Utica Street Buffalo, NY 14222-2085 716.882.9485 (24 Hours) 716.886.9151 fax www.greekorthodoxchurchbuffalo.org

SUMMER 2016 VOL 48/NO. 6

THANK YOU FOR A GREAT FESTIVAL!

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PARISH COUNCIL

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IN THIS ISSUE

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Proistamenos - Rev. Dr. Christos B. Christakis

[email protected] 716.882.9485 (church) 716.839.0495 (h) 716.319.0099 (c)

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Assistant Priest - Rev. John Sakellariou

[email protected] 716.882.9485 (church)

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President - Paula Schembri Vice President - Dean Vallas Treasurer - Patrick Markey Secretary - Maria Papafagos

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716-730-1982 (c)

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St. Timothy Camp

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Youth News

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Land Committee

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GreekFest

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George Danakas Douglas Davis Peter Hiczewski Thomas Jousma Fotini Koutsandreas Dean Mellas Dina Turecki

PARISH ORGANIZATIONS

Choir Directors Adult Byzantine (689.2464) Youth Protopsaltis (689.2464) Altar Boys Advisor (681.5841) Sunday School Coordinator Cultural Committee (694.8201) Greek Language School Principal (568.0371) P.T.O. Presidents Buffalo GreekFest (882.9485 church) Hellenic Senior Club (885.1729) Women’s Philoptochos Committee Youth Council JOY/HOPE GOYA YAL Orthodox Action (565.3630) OCF (Orthodox Christian Fellowship) Campus Ministry Orthodox Book Shop (688.5816) Orthodox Gift Shop

Fr. Christos’ Message

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Calendar

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Community Register

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Church Picnic

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Greek School

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Library

George Marinides Lea Cervi George Marinides Brian Cervi Pres. Athena Gousios Ellene Phufas Ria Andreadis Niki Varvakis, Angela Klentos Jeff Gianiodis

Barbara Kelly Fotini Koutsandreas Lea Cervi Ben Rossiter Irini Faltas Mary Danakas John Mellas Tina Colaizzo-Anas, Coordinator

Helen Giokas, Litsa Koutsandreas, Diane Schlabig, Alexandra Gravas, Joanne Leon, Jane Semertzides, Lynda Mermigas

Wedding and Baptism Accessories Lynda Mermigas Martyrikca (lapel pins) & Lambathes (decorated candles) Jane Semertzides (845) 264-3770 Library (688.8036) Aglaia Polisson, Coordinator Pat Papafagos Church Secretary (882.9485 (O) or [email protected]) Ria Andreadis

SERVICES

Sunday Services: 9:00 a.m. Orthros (Matins)/10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy Sunday School: Begins following Communion until 12:00 p.m. Weekday Services: 9:00 a.m. Orthros (Matins)/10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy 2

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Book Discussion

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Adult Choir

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Women’s Philoptochos

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Orthodox Action

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Graduates

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OCF Real Spring Break

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Glad News

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Living Water

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Scholarship Trust

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Church Event Photos

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Daily Bible Readings

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Memorials

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Glad Tidings is published by the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church monthly in January, February, March, April, May, June/July/August, September, October, November, and December. Editor Fr. Christos B. Christakis Designer Jennifer Gogos

Contributing Photographers Presvytera Lisa Christakis, Sylvia Koutsomitis, John C. Mellas

FR. CHRISTOS’ MESSAGE Dear Faithful of our Church,

The feasts of the Orthodox Church help us during the ecclesiastical year to focus on the various events in the history of salvation. As I am writing this message to you, we have celebrated the Feast of Pentecost, the birthday of the church. It is a great time to remember the beginnings of our church; the magnificent story of the birth and mission of the Church. It is also important to remember that we are also disciples of Christ, like the twelve and the seventy disciples. We also received the gift of the Holy Spirit on the day of our chrismation and we have also been charged with the task of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to all nations.

Our festival this year was again a great success. Thousands of people visited our church grounds and hundreds of volunteers helped prepare and run the festival. The festival was very profitable providing funds for the numerous ministries of our church. More importantly, the festival provides a great opportunity to share our faith and heritage with our neighbors in our great city of Buffalo. Even more significant is the impact of our festival operation has in building up our church community. This year especially it was felt by many that the spirit and attitude of all who helped was very positive and enthusiastic. Thank you to Jeff Gianiodis who chaired the festival and to all those who assisted him as the chairs of the various booths and all those who volunteered in any capacity. May God bless you for your hard work and love of your church.

On June 20th the Town board of Lancaster approved unanimously and enthusiastically the plans for the Family Life Center of our church. We are getting closer and closer to the start of this great project of our church! One by one all the steps that are necessary were taken so that construction would start in July. This has proven to be a quite complex process, but the committee has done a great job in executing all the tasks. Having received the blessing of our Metropolitan, the guidance of our priests and the approval of the General Assembly of our church, now we are ready! Let us pray that God will be with us and assist us in expanding His Church in the Buffalo area.

I pray that you enjoy the summer. Buffalo has the best summers for sure! Enjoy the break and vacations and let's get ready for another blessed church year in September; beginning with our outdoor Divine Liturgy and church picnic on September 4th at our Lancaster Campus. In Christ, Fr. Christos

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YOUTH NEWS

Fr. John Sakellariou | 716-730-1982 | [email protected] Dear Youth, I would like to thank all the youth and parents who helped with this year’s Greek Fest!

Aug 6-12 Aug 15 Sept 4 Sept 10 Sept 11

The start of summer also brought to a close another great year of Sunday School. We would like to congratulate all the Sunday School students, especially our graduating seniors.

Just a reminder, St. Timothy Camp will take place August 6-12. This year, the age group of eligible campers has been expanded from the 8-18 range to also include college aged Orthodox Christians. To register for camp, please visit www.sttimothycamp.org or pick up a registration packet on the table which is located outside of the bookstore (financial aid is also available for campers who qualify.) We are also in the process of trying to arrange bus transportation to and from camp. Once something is confirmed, we will let you know.

UPCOMING EVENTS

St. Timothy Camp

Dormition of the Theotokos - Divine Liturgy

Church Picnic Greek School Resumes Sunday School Resumes

Please check Facebook and greekorthodoxchurchbuffalo.org

hesitate in asking me.

Please check Facebook or the chursh web site for updates on youth related events such as camp. Have a great and safe summer!

If you have any questions on this important event, please don’t

Sunday School graduates and their proud parents were honored at a dinner at the Eagle House in May.

CONNECT WITH US!

Don’t forgot to join our Youth Facebook page to stay up to date on all our current and upcoming events. If you do not happen to have a Facebook account, please provide me with an email address and I will add you to our youth mailing list (for all families with kids 2-18.) 4

Continued on page 5

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THE LANCASTER CAMPUS LAND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Andrea T. Manyon, Co-Chairperson

Good News on the Lancaster Campus Project of our Annunciation Church!

On Monday, June 20, the Lancaster Town Board at the recommendation of the town’s Planning Board, unanimously approved of our Suburban Family Life Center and Chapel Project. In a separate motion they also unanimously gave their approval for the site work to start. A few days earlier, we had submitted the architectural designs and the business plan to our Metropolis. We are waiting for the return of our Metropolitan Nicholas from the Great Synod of the Orthodox Church taking place in Crete for these plans to be reviewed. As he has stated, there will be no delays in the approval of our project. Site work will start shortly, hopefully in a few weeks as soon as the contractor is ready.

We are looking forward to announcing details about the Groundbreaking Ceremony and Aghiasmo Service.

BUFFALO GREEKFEST 2016 Jeff Gianiodis, Chairperson

dinating admissions; the Sylvia Koutsoumitis and our GOYA Dancers for their wonderful performances, all those who helped promote the festival on social media; and, to everyone who lent a hand — coming in early, staying late many days before, during and after festival and doing whatever needed to be done.

Thank you to our Annunciation community for a job well done! My thanks to the members of the Festival Planning Committee, and everyone who volunteered to work and make our 40th festival a success.

I wish to especially acknowledge the following people who went above and beyond to make our festival a success: Karoline Faltas for handling the difficult task of scheduling volunteers, and coor-

A full report will be given at our Fall General Assembly meeting, so for now enjoy some festival memories on pages 24 & 25.

THE END OF ALZHEIMERS DISEASE STARTS HERE Please Donate to the Alzheimer’s Association on behalf of LUCY ARTEMAS

Alzheimer’s disease is the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death. An estimated 5.4 million Americans are living with the disease and nearly 15 million are acting as caregivers. It’s time to take action and change the course of this epidemic! That’s why I’m taking the field with the Association Blondes vs. Brunettes®, a nationwide women’s flag-football league created to advance the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer's Association. My teammates and I are training and preparing for game day, but win or lose, our true goal is a world without Alzheimer’s. I need your support to do my part! Please make a donation to help the Alzheimer's Association advance research to discover methods of prevention, treatment and ultimately, a cure for Alzheimer’s. For the millions already affected by the disease, the Association offers care, education, support and resources in communities nationwide. Thank you in advance for your generosity – together, we can tackle Alzheimer’s disease. 6

SUPPORT ME! Brunettes Team Page alz.org or 1.800.272.3900

u! o Y k n a Th xoxo

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-9/10:00am - Matins/Divine Liturgy - Library Story Time

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-9/10:00am - Matins/Divine Liturgy

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- Vacation Church School

-9/10:00am - Matins/Divine Liturgy

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Monday

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-9/10:00am - Matins/Divine Liturgy

JUNE

Sunday

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- Vacation Church School -12:00 pm- WPC English Tea - PC Meeting

Tuesday

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Sts Peter & Paul -9/10:00am - Matins/Divine Liturgy - Vacation Church School

Wednesday

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- Vacation Church School

Thursday

JULY

-Nativity of John

Friday

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-11:00am – 12:15pm Orthodox Action Soup Kitchen

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-Hellenic Angels Ride for Roswell -11:00am – 12:15pm Orthodox Action Soup Kitchen

Saturday

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-9/10:00am - Matins/Divine Liturgy

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Dormition of the Theotokos -9/10:00am - Matins/Divine Liturgy -12:00pm - Krolick’s BBQ

- 6:00pm – Paraklesis to Theotokos - St. Timothy Camp

-9/10:00am - Matins/Divine Liturgy - 5:00pm - Great Vespers to the Dormition

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-9/10:00am - Matins/Divine Liturgy

AUG

Monday

Dormition Fast begins - 6:00pm – Paraklesis to Theotokos

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-9/10:00am - Matins/Divine Liturgy - GOYA Meeting

Sunday

- St. Timothy Camp

Tuesday

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27

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- 6:00pm – Paraklesis to Theotokos - Book Discussion - St. Timothy Camp

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- 6:00pm – Paraklesis to Theotokos

Wednesday

- St. Timothy Camp

Thursday

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- 6:00pm – Paraklesis to Theotokos - St. Timothy Camp

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- 6:00pm – Great Vespers

Friday

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-11:00am – 12:15pm Orthodox Action Soup Kitchen

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Transfigutration -9/10:00am - Matins/Divine Liturgy - St. Timothy Camp

-11:00am – 12:15pm Orthodox Action Soup Kitchen

Saturday

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Monday

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September 11 - Sunday School Resumes

September 10 - Greek School Resumes

BACK TO SCHOOL!

- Church Picnic - Liturgy On-Site at Lancaster Campus

-9/10:00am - Matins/Divine Liturgy

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-9/10:00am - Matins/Divine Liturgy

Sunday

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Wednesday

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SEPT

Thursday

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Friday

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-11:00am – 12:15pm Orthodox Action Soup Kitchen

Saturday

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Limit articles, reports and features to ONE page. All articles should be submitted in electronic format as a Word document or a text file. Digital photographs, graphic arts and advertisements should be submitted in electronic formats as a jpeg, tiff or pdf file. Printed photos should be originals, no photocopies will be accepted. If you do not have camera ready art, we can set up artwork for you at a minimal charge. Materials submitted for publication may be edited for brevity, space and errors. All materials must be received by the deadline to be included in the next issue. Materials received after the dealine will be published on a best effort basis.

Deadline for the next issue: August 10, 2016

Contact the church office at 882.9485 or office.hoca@ gmail.com to submit your ad.

Advertising rates for ten (10) issues are: Full page: $500.00 Quarter page: $250.00 Half page: $350.00 Business Card: $150.00

Business advertising in Glad Tidings is patronized by members and friends of our Greek community.

HOW TO SUBMIT ARTICLES, TEXT, PHOTOS AND ADVERTISEMENTS FOR GLAD TIDINGS

Tuesday

CHURCH PICNIC

SEPTEMBER 4, 2016 AT THE

LANCASTER CAMPUS

DIVINE LITURGY WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE PICNIC AT 11:00AM MUSIC, DANCING, FOOD & GAMES - ADMISSION IS FREE!

DIRECTIONS TO THE PROPERTY

Travel East on Route 33 (Genesee Street). The land is located on the left side, about 5 miles East of Transit Road, just past Gunville Road and Pavement Road. Signs will be posted on Genesee Street to direct you. The driveway to the land is between 5990 and 5994 Genesee St.

EVERYONE IS INVITED TO ATTEND Any questions, please contact the Church Office at 882-9485

COMMUNITY REGISTER BAPTISMS Efthimia Doherty - May 22, 2016 Godparent: Amalia Katsinis

WEDDINGS

Jonathan Hoyler & Vanessa Haddad - May 28, 2016

Isla Czajkowski - May 22, 2016 Godparents: John & Sarah Siradas

DEATHS

Leontios Bahas & Megan Moran - May 28, 2016

Eugenia M. Peppas - May 31, 2016

Alexandra Frick - June 12, 2016 Godparent: Christina Semertzides

John Apostolakos - June 17, 2016

Elizabeth Kaminski - June 25, 2016 Godparent: Michael Theodorou

Memory Be Eternal! 10

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LIBRARY

Aglaia Polisson As summer approaches, we’re all gearing up for the extra hours of sunlight the warm weather months bring. While we have the same 24 hours in the day, somehow those slow sunsets let us play more, take life a little easier and have more time to relax and read.

Summer months are also filled with weddings, graduations and festivals. Visit the church library and you will find a variety of books for children and adults in both Greek and English for all your summer reading. June reading list for Marriage and Family

• Preparing for Marriage - An Orthodox perspective for the preparation of the Sacrament of marriage.

• The Journey of Marriage in the Orthodox Church - Preparing couples for marriage.

• Greek Orthodox Faith in Poetry - by Mary Ramos. A collection of over 250 poems expressing several major themes of the Orthodox faith. Like the psalms, poems ex press a faith that has been experienced and lived. Excellent for meditation. Inspiring! • World of Faith and Freedom - Thomas Farr’s excellent and wide – ranging book demonstrates that promoting religious freedom around the world is not just a good thing in itself, but an indispensable foundation for a just and sane foreign policy. Even better , his book is firmly based on years of first hand experience within government dealing with these very issues. LIBRARY EVENTS

• Attending to Your Marriage - A must for every Christian!

Vacation Kits: The Church Library will prepare vacation Kits during the summer months for those families taking trips. Hand picked books appropriate for the ages of the children. Bible quizzes and riddles. Also, we will include a family read-together book. Please let us know one week before your trip.

• The Early Years of Marriage - This book gives ground work for a lasting relationship.

• St. John Chrysostom on Marriage and Family Life

• My Forty Day Blessing Book

• Child of Light - The Greek Orthodox Baptismal Book.

Orthodox Book Discussion Group: Please check Hocalibrary. blogspot.com for information on our next book presentation.

Summer Reading

• Evlogeite! - A Pilgrim’s Guide to Greece - This book takes you on a fascinating journey through two thousand years of Greek Christian history. It includes historical and cultural notes on each site, along with detailed lives of the saints associated with them. Color photos, maps.

• A Faith Fulfilled - A biography originally published in England about a former Anglican priest, Michael Harper, and how he left the Church of England for the Orthodox Church. This book was an invitation to all believing Britains to find the same joy he has in the changeless worship of the Orthodox Church.

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Orthodox Book Discussion Group August 10, 2016 | Church Courtyard Following the 6:00 P.M. Paraklesis Service The Global War on Christians

For the third consecutive year, the book discussion group has committed to selecting one book that focuses on the plight of the most persecuted group in the world, Christians. The selection this year is The Global War on Christians. This book is timely for many reasons, the newest reason being the introduction of Ramadan prayers in Hagia Sophia. From the bookseller: One of the most respected journalists in the United States and the bestselling author of The Future Church uses his unparalleled knowledge of world affairs and religious insight to investigate the troubling worldwide persecution of Christians. From Iraq and Egypt to Sudan and Nigeria, from Indonesia to the Indian subcontinent, Christians in the early 21st century are the world's most persecuted religious group. According to the secular International Society for Human Rights, 80 percent of violations of religious freedom in the world today are directed against Christians. In effect, our era is witnessing the rise of a new generation of martyrs. Underlying the global war on Christians is the demographic reality that more than two-thirds of the world's 2.3 billion Christians now live outside the West, often as a beleaguered minority up against a hostile majority-- whether it's Islamic fundamentalism in the Middle East and parts of Africa and Asia, Hindu radicalism in India, or stateimposed atheism in China and North Korea. In Europe and North America, Christians face political and legal challenges to religious freedom. Allen exposes the deadly threats and offers investigative insight into what is and can be done to stop these atrocities. “This book is about the most dramatic religion story of the early 21st …century,: The global war on Christians,” writes John Allen. “We’re not talking about a metaphorical ‘war on religion’ in Europe and the United States, fought on symbolic terrain such as whether it’s okay to erect a nativity set on the courthouse steps, but a rising tide of legal oppression, social harassment and direct physical violence, with Christians as its leading victims.” Join us for a discussion of the very important book. The discussion will be held Wednesday, August 10 after the Paraklesis Service to the Theotokos. For more information visit: www.hocalibrary.blogspot.com.

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WOMEN’S PHILOPTOCHOS COMMITTEE Michele Hiczewski, Vice President

Summer is finally here, but Philoptochos never stops, so here are some things we have planned for the upcoming months!

National Philoptochos Biennial Convention This is a part of the National Clergy-Laity Convention, being held in Nashville, TN, July 3-8. Beside myself, this year’s Delegates are Marge Manos, and Barbara Kuvshinoff, who is also a Delegate on the Metropolis Board. We will be giving a recap of our two-year “Chapter Challenge”, and sharing information on our partnership with Jericho Road this past Christmas (which brought in donations of nearly $5k in new baby products), as well as how we will be assisting victims of Domestic Violence in the upcoming months.

the Raffle, or on dates when there will be cooking, baking, or setup. We will also need items for baskets, so check with Priscilla as to what is needed.

New Servers for Fellowship Hour We are looking for any parishioners who would be interested in volunteering to serve coffee at our Fellowship Hour periodically. If you think you might be interested, please see Marge Manos, or call her at 649-8478. MAY EVERYONE HAVE A SAFE AND BLESSED

Krolick’s Chicken BBQ - August 15 Chicken dinners will be available at 12 noon, after Liturgy. Meals include ½ chicken, potato salad, noodle salad, roll & butter, and cookies. Cost is $10, and pre-order forms will be available shortly, in the weekly bulletin. We will also be pre-selling to Children’s Hospital, Roswell, and the Delaware Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Please plan on attending and enjoying a mini Panayia Festival!

SUMMER SEASON!!

Midas Touch IV Going to Press! We have sold out of our 3rd edition of the Midas Touch cookbook, and before the 4th edition goes to press, we want to add some new recipes, especially those that are geared toward Fasting. Deadline for submitting your recipe is August 1st. You can submit your recipe to Michele, by e-mail, at [email protected], or by mail to the Church Office Taste of Greece Luncheon and Basket Raffle Saturday, October 22 Specific details are not available at this time, but please make a note of the date, and be prepared to help out either the day of

ADULT CHOIR The members of the ADULT CHOIR express their gratitude for the Memorial donations received In Loving Memory of the following: Harry Lantzas Adult Choir Tony & Susan Barbopoulos Penelope Bellas Nicholas Chickos Dean & Georgia Colis The Crassidis Family Mr. & Mrs. Manoli Andros

Demetra Curtis Wanda M. Economou Mary Eyler Cathy Fabiatos Effie George Barbara Gianiodis Sotirios & Joanna Gogos Melvin & Sally Grubka

Demetrios & Carol Hatzinerantzis Andrew & Jackie Hennas Dr. Constantine & Mrs. Nitsa Karakousis The Liolios Family Margaret M. Manos Patricia Papafagos 14

John T. Revelas Valentino & Sophia Salonikis Chester & Helen Smith George & Virginia Staddel Sophia Sykas Betty J. Thomas Ted & Athena Tsembelis

Anthony & Barbara Veanes George & Katherine Vergos Gregory & Elaine Weber Eugenia Mastor Peppas Tom Krestos

ORTHODOX ACTION Mary Danakas

“Share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless and poor into your house.” Isaiah 58:7 You don’t have to look far to find people who are struggling here in Buffalo. It’s amazing how powerfully a hurting heart can be touched when someone shows they care.

One of our Saturday Soup Kitchen guests recently commented to me, It’s really good to know that there are people like you here at the Church who care and haven’t forgotten about us. It’s easy to understand that in their circumstances people can feel lost, discouraged and even hopeless. But God can, and does, make a significant difference in a person’s life when we allow Him to work through us by doing simple acts of kindness, such as taking the time to give a smile, a couple of nice words, and a hot, hearty meal to a person who feels forgotten. Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day. We, as Orthodox Christians, are encouraged to look beyond our own needs and meet the needs of others. We (must) believe that there is something greater than being blessed. The greater life is to be a blessing.

because our Lord did it first for us, and He set the model for us to imitate!

We must always incarnate God’s Divine Love to those in need. And, if we are going to err – err on the side of generosity! Err on the side of helping others in as generous a way as possible! Let us visit Christ whenever we may - let us care for Him, feed Him, clothe Him, welcome Him, and honor Him. The Risen Lord asks for mercy, so let us then show Him mercy in the persons of the poor and needy who come twice a month to our Orthodox Action Soup Kitchens. Make this a special summer and join us as we bring God’s love and hope to the hopeless in the Buffalo metropolitan area.

To volunteer, please call or text Mary Mastoras, our Volunteer Coordinator at 440-2130. Volunteers are needed from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM. We serve on the second and last Saturday of every month in the Demakos Community Center. Thank you and God bless you for your generosity and for caring!

The secular voice says we can live our faith on Sunday mornings for ninety minutes, or even among our few Christian friends, but warns us to not talk about our Christianity in the workplace, or in the neighborhood, or in any public setting. Such a faith has nothing to do with authentic Orthodox Christianity! Orthodoxy is a way of life, a holistic worldview, an existence that one can’t compartmentalize. And central to this way of life is loving the other through humble service. We serve not to be praised, not to be acknowledged, not to be lifted up, but we lovingly and humbly serve others simply because such action reflects our nature as disciples of Christ. We love and serve and even sacrifice for the other

A Special Thank You from Orthodox Action to: • We would like to thank Jeff Gianiodis and the GreekFest Committee for once again providing us with vouchers which included complimentary admission, a chicken souvlaki and a soda for the guests we hosted from the WNY Veterans Housing Coalition! You helped to make it a very special afternoon for them and for us! God bless you for your kindness! • Thank you also for the wonderful (post) GreekFest donation of beef souvlaki, Greek salad and pita break that was used at our Saturday June 11, 2016 Soup Kitchen - it was a truly delicious treat enjoyed by everyone!! May God bless you all for your service and generosity!

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OCF REAL SPRING BREAK Alex Kuvshinoff

Spring Break is often a highlight of a college student’s career. Filled with beaches, parties, and friends it is when students can take a step back from classes and work and enjoy their time as a young adult. Orthodox Christian Fellowship, the national campus ministry body for Orthodox students in America and Canada, offers a different kind of step back from everyday campus life. OCF Real Break offers orthodox students an alternative spring break based on the faith. Several trips go to Romania, Jerusalem, Alaska, New Orleans, and more. Thanks to your support, for my senior spring break I went to the Orthodox orphanage of San Miguel del Lago in Guatemala.

ects. At the orphanage, our team refurbished a playground for the children that had fallen into disarray. We also had time to sit and talk with the nuns about the faith. It was amazing to hear how they saw the world. Things were so simple to them, often situations we grapple with in society were just so clear to the nuns. It was a good refresher of how the Orthodox Church views topics like college, family, and career. If you are in college, or have a child in college, consider Real Break in 2017. The trips run over a period of 5 weeks and cover several parts of the world. I raised the money from my parish at a single coffee hour. With the grace of God and support of your parish, family, and friends, it is possible to fund your way to Real Break. The orphanage was in all honesty a wake-up call in the midst of my last college semester. It took the focus off papers, job applications, and graduation. Instead, my focus was on God and his works in this world.

The orphanage is placed away from the city, in a rural area and situated on a large lake. It is a calm place for the 30 or so children to attend school and service twice a day. I was shocked by the willingness of the children to participate in the faith. Service started every day between 6-7am. No one forced the children to go, the nuns had matins with or without them. However, every child was always in attendance, standing reverently in their assigned seats, split into male and female. The girls all wear head coverings, and men pants. The chapel looks out over the lake, and birds soar by as the hymns sail out the windows over the lake. Directly behind the icons sits a volcano, sending what looks like incense up to the sky throughout the service. After, everyone goes to breakfast, where we have small, simple, and mostly quiet meals. Then the children go to school, and we go to work.

I truly appreciate the support that the community at Annunciation provided so that I could participate in this mission trip, and grow in my Orthodox faith while serving others. Please pray for the community in Guatemala and consider supporting other students for REAL spring break in the future.

Some real break trips are pilgrimages, others are work proj-

Clockwise from bottom left: San Miguel del Lago orphanage; repairing the playground; the Orthodox Church where we attended services. 16

CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES! My name is Melina Kesidis and I am a senior at Lancaster High School. This fall, I am attending the University at Buffalo to study Biomedical Sciences, and hopefully continue on to attend UB's School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Throughout my years in high school, there were innumerable clubs I was involved in, such as Spanish, Science and National Honor Society, Student Union, Sophomore Steering Committee, Junior Class Board, Senior Class Executive Board, Leadership Academy, and Wind Symphony. I have enhanced my leadership skills while obtaining multiple leadership roles as an active participant in these clubs and organizations, as well as completing an internship at Buffalo Pharmacies Inc., and more than 400 community service hours by volunteering at the church's Soup Kitchens, Habitat for Humanity,

and the SPCA. This year, I took the "Leadership in Action" class where I had the privilege of running events such as the Fall Blood Drive, and Bald for Bucks; saving over 300 lives with the help of the American Red Cross and raising over $18,000 for cancer research at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. In addition, I challenged myself by enrolling in rigorous Advanced Placement courses and earning college credit, while maintaining a 3.9 GPA and being ranked 51 out of 496 students in the graduating class. The AP courses I took have had a great influence on my college major. Finally I would like to thank my family and friends for supporting everything I am involved in and would like to congratulate all the seniors graduating this year!

GLAD NEWS

Theologia Ladas graduated from St John Fisher College with a Bachelor of Science dual major in Childhood Education and Special Education. She has also received New York State Initial Teaching Certification in both Childhood Education and Students With Disabilities. Theologia will be attending SUNY Buffalo State to pursue a Masters in Education as a Literacy Specialist.

HELLENIC SENIOR CLUB

SCHOLARSHIP TRUST

Barbara Kelly

The Committee thanks the following who have donated to the Church’s Scholarship Fund. We can think of no better way for our Church, in a tangible way, to show its appreciation to the members of our parish for their hard work, dedication, and devotion.

The Annual Seniors Picnic (July 26) is CANCELLED due to apparent lack of interest, my own time constraints and health issues.

The Church Scholarship Committee Rev. Dr. Christos B. Christakis • Dean Mellas (Parish Council President) • Dean Pavlakis • Boris Kuvshinoff

$

John M. Apostolakos Nicholas and Priscilla Candiliotis

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LIVING WATER For this summer issue of the Glad Tidings we will return to the wisdom of Abba Poemen from the ancient times of Christian monasticism. 21. A brother questioned Abba Poemen saying, ‘If I see a brother whom I have heard is a sinner, I do not want to take him into my cell, but when I see a good brother I am happy to be with him.’ The elder said, ‘If you do a little good to the good brother, do twice as much for the other. For he is sick. Now, there was an anchorite called Timothy in a coenobium. The abbot, having heard of a brother who was being tempted, asked Timothy about him, and the anchorite advised him to drive the brother away. Then when he had been driven away, the brother’s temptation fell upon Timothy to the point where he was in danger. Then Timothy stood up before God and said, “I have sinned. Forgive me.” Then a voice came which said to him, “Timothy, the only reason I have done this to you is because you despised your brother in the time of his temptation.”

it shows very clearly the faith of the ancient Fathers in the divinity of Christ). 26. Abba Poemen said, ‘A monk does not complain of his lot, a monk does not return evil for evil, a monk is not angry.’

27. Abba Poemen said, ‘If a man accuses himself, he is protected on all sides.’ 28. A brother said to Abba Poemen, ‘If I fall into a shameful sin, my conscience devours and accuses me saying: “Why have you fallen?” ‘ The elder said to him, ‘At the moment a man goes astray, if he says, I have sinned, immediately the sin ceases.’ 29. A brother asked Abba Poemen, ‘Why should I not be free to do without manifesting my thoughts to the elders?’ Abba replied, ‘Abba John the Dwarf said, “The enemy rejoices over nothing so much as over those who do not manifest their thoughts.”

22. Abba Poemen said, ‘If you take little account of yourself, you will have peace, wherever you live.’ 23. He also said, ‘When self-will and ease become habitual, they overthrow a man.’

30. A brother said to Abba Poemen, ‘My heart becomes lukewarm when a little suffering comes my way.’ The elder said to him, ‘Do we not admire Joseph, a young man of seventeen, for enduring his temptation to the end? And God glorified him. Do we not also see Job, how he suffered to the end, and lived in endurance? Temptations cannot destroy hope in God.’

24. He also said, ‘If you are silent, you will have peace wherever you live.’ 25. A brother asked Abba Poemen, ‘If a brother is involved in a sin and is converted, will God forgive him?’ The elder said to him, ‘Will not God, who has commanded men to act thus, do as much Himself and even more? For God commanded Peter to forgive till seventy times seven.’ (Cf. Matt. 18.22, where it is our Lord Jesus Christ who commands Peter so; the way Fr. Poemen phrased

31. Abba Poemen said, ‘Life in the monastery demands three things: the first is humility, the next is obedience, and the third which sets them in motion is the assigned work in the monastery.’

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SUNDAY SCHOOL GRADUATION

Sunday School graduates were honored on Sunday, May 15th. At left: Fr. Christos,Adam Smolka, Natalie Marinides, Christina LaRussa, Nathan Woldu, Katerina Schlabig, Rebecca Chilelli and Presvytera Athena Gousios. Below, left: Theodore G. and Freda Danakas Scholarship winner Basil Christakis; below, right: Church Scholarship winners Basil Christakis and Katerina Schlabig.

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Our 40th annual festival took place on June 3, 4, & 5, 2016. Thanks to our volunteers of all ages who helped make the weekend a success!

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MEMORIALS

We gratefully acknowledge donations received by our memorial funds in loving memory of the following: Catherine Falkides Antoulinakis

Harry Lantzas

Anthony and Barbara Veanes John T. Revelas George and Katherine Vergos

Joseph, Katina, and Ariana Kovacevic

Evan G. Antoulinakis, PhD Joseph, Katina, and Ariana Kovacevic

Artemis Pappas “Arte” Likoudis

Ms. Helen Peacock and Jane Bielan Louis and Deanna Diakos John T. Revelas Cathy, Dionne and Lee Fabiatos

Connie Brown - Massachusetts

Cathy, Dionne and Lee Fabiatos

Polixeni Manolitsas – Rochester

Angelo Butera

(Mother-in-law of Maria Diakos-Manolitsas)

Cathy, Dionne & Lee Fabiatos

Louis and Deanna Diakos Cathy Fabiatos

Josephine Camana

Helen Coran Don and Mary Posch Mary Jarosik Joanne and Darryle Hamilton Linda Revelas John T. Revelas

Marian Daskalakes Tassy

John T. Revelas Cathy Fabiatos Frances Spanos

Emanuel and Mary Truman

Anthony and Diana Lemper

William and Stella Pappas

Cathy Fabiatos

Maria and Ken Bork and Family Diana Pappas and Gerald Aquilina and Family Dean Pappas Arthur and Michele Pappas and Family

Roula Katsinis Cassiol (Alex Katsinis’ daughter)

Frances Spanos

Antonios G “Tony” Pitliangas

Dean and Georgia Colis Nicholas and Priscilla Candiliotis

Spyridon and Dimitra Kavathas

Joseph, Katina, and Ariana Kovacevic

Frank Przybycien

Nellie Konst

(Father-in-law of George Kallas) Cathy Fabiatos

(mother of Harry Konst)

Cathy, Dionne and Lee Fabiatos

Sotere “Louis” and Vaciliki Lemper

Anthony and Diana Lemper

Loukas “Loui” Kouimanis – Florida

Louis and Deanna Diakos

Helen G. Niforos Revelas

Peter B. Pullman – Niagara Falls, ONT

Cathy Fabiatos and Family Helen Coran and Family

Christos Razoglou

Koliva Services

If you are in need of koliva for memorials, you may contact the following individuals for assistance: Priscilla Candiliotis - 716-634-0117 Maria Gogos - 716-695-2760

Suzanna Vasiliadis - 716-715-1749

Valentinos & Sophia Salonikis

May their Memories be Eternal Please remember: All memorial donations must be received by the 10th of every month to appear the following month.

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DAILY BIBLE GUIDE

Researched from: http://www.goarch.org/en/resources/dailyreadings/index.asp 6/20/2016 ...........Epistle: Ephesians 5:8-19; Gospel: Matthew 18:10-20 6/21/2016 ...........Epistle: Romans 1:1-7, 13-17; Gospel: Matthew 4:23-25; 5:1-13 6/22/2016 ...........Epistle: Romans 1:18-27; Gospel: Matthew 5:20-26 6/23/2016 ...........Epistle: Romans 1:28-32; 2:1-9; Gospel: Matthew 5:27-32 6/24/2016 ...........Matins: Luke 1:24-25, 57-68, 76, 80; Epistle: Romans 13:11-14; ...........................14:1-4; Gospel: Luke 1:1-25, 57-68, 76-80 6/25/2016 ...........Epistle: Romans 1:7-12; Gospel: Matthew 5:42-48 6/26/2016 ...........Matins: Matthew 28:16-20; Epistle: Hebrews 11:33-40; 12:1-2; ...........................Gospel: Matthew 10:32-33; 37-38; 19:27-30 6/27/2016 ...........Epistle: Romans 2:28-29; 3:1-18; Gospel: Matthew 6:31-34; 7:9-11 6/28/2016 ...........Epistle: Romans 4:4-12; Gospel: Matthew 7:15-21 6/29/2016 ...........Matins: John 21:14-25; Epistle: II Corinthians 11:21-33; 12:1-9; ...........................Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19 6/30/2016 ...........Epistle: I Corinthians 4:9-16; Gospel: Matthew 9:36, 10:1-8 7/1/2016 .............Epistle: I Corinthians 12:27-31; 13:1-8; Gospel: Matthew 10:1, 5-8 7/2/2016 .............Epistle: Hebrews 9:1-7; Gospel: Luke 1:39-49, 56 7/3/2016 .............Matins: Mark 16:1-8; Epistle: Romans 2:10-16; Gospel: Matthew ...........................4:18-23 7/4/2016 .............Epistle: Romans 7:1-14; Gospel: Matthew 9:36-38; 10:1-8 7/5/2016 .............Epistle: Galatians 5:22-26; 6:1-2; Gospel: Matthew 11:27-30 7/6/2016 .............Epistle: Romans 8:2-13; Gospel: Matthew 10:16-22 7/7/2016 .............Epistle: Galatians 3:23-29; 4:1-5; Gospel: Mark 5:24-34 7/8/2016 .............Epistle: I Timothy 4:9-15; Gospel: Luke 6:17-19, 9:1-2, 10:16-22 7/9/2016 .............Epistle: Romans 3:28-31; 4:1-3; Gospel: Matthew 7:24-29; 8:1-4 7/10/2016 ...........Matins: Mark 16:9-20; Epistle: Romans 5:1-10; Gospel: Matthew ...........................6:22-33 7/11/2016............Matins: Mark 5:24-34; Epistle: II Corinthians 6:1-10; Gospel: Luke ...........................7:36-50 7/12/2016 ...........Epistle: Romans 10:11-21; 11:1-2; Gospel: Matthew 11:16-20 7/13/2016 ...........Epistle: Hebrews 2:2-10; Gospel: Matthew 11:20-26 7/14/2016 ...........Epistle: Romans 16:1-16; Gospel: Matthew 11:27-30 7/15/2016 ...........Epistle: I Corinthians 13:11-14; 14:1-5; Gospel: Matthew 17:24-27; ...........................18:1-4 7/16/2016 ...........Epistle: Romans 6:11-17; Gospel: Matthew 8:14-23 7/17/2016.............Matins: Luke 24:1-12; Epistle: Titus 3:8-15; Gospel: Matthew 5:14-19 7/18/2016 ...........Epistle: Romans 12:4-5, 15-21; Gospel: Matthew 12:9-13 7/19/2016 ...........Epistle: Romans 14:9-18; Gospel: Matthew 12:14-16; 22-30 7/20/2016 ...........Epistle: James 5:10-20; Gospel: Luke 4:22-30 7/21/2016 ...........Epistle: Romans 15:17-29; Gospel: Matthew 12:46-50; 13:1-3 7/22/2016 ...........Epistle: I Corinthians 9:2-12; Gospel: Luke 8:1-3 7/23/2016 ...........Epistle: Romans 8:14-21; Gospel: Matthew 9:9-13 7/24/2016 ...........Matins: Luke 24:13-35; Epistle: Romans 10:1-10; Gospel: Matthew ...........................8:28-34; 9:1 7/25/2016 ...........Epistle: Galatians 4:22-27; Gospel: Luke 8:16-21 7/26/2016 ...........Epistle: Galatians 3:23-29; 4:1-5; Gospel: Mark 5:24-34 7/27/2016 ...........Epistle: II Timothy 2:1-10; Gospel: John 15:17-27; 16:1-2 7/28/2016 ...........Epistle: Acts 6:1-7; Gospel: Matthew 13:36-43 7/29/2016 ...........Epistle: I Corinthians 4:5-8; Gospel: Matthew 13:44-54 7/30/2016 ...........Epistle: Acts 15:35-41; Gospel: Matthew 9:18-26 7/31/2016 ...........Matins: Luke 24:36-53; Epistle: Romans 12:6-14; Gospel: Matthew ...........................9:1-8 8/1/2016 .............Epistle: Hebrews 11:33-40; 12:1-2; Gospel: Matthew 10:16-22

8/2/2016 .............Epistle: Acts 6:8-15; 7:1-5, 47-60; Gospel: Mark 12:1-12 8/3/2016 .............Epistle: I Corinthians 7:12-24; Gospel: Matthew 14:35-36; 15:1-11 8/4/2016 .............Epistle: I Corinthians 7:24-35; Gospel: Matthew 15:12-21 8/5/2016 .............Epistle: I Peter 1:1-25; 2:1-10; Gospel: Matthew 15:29-31 8/6/2016 .............Matins: Luke 9:28-36; Epistle: II Peter 1:10-19; Gospel: Matthew ...........................17:1-9 8/7/2016 .............Matins: John 20:1-10; Epistle: Romans 15:1-7; Gospel: Matthew ...........................9:27-35 8/8/2016 .............Epistle: I Corinthians 9:13-18; Gospel: Matthew 16:1-6 8/9/2016 .............Epistle: Acts 1:12-17, 21-26; Gospel: Matthew 16:6-12 8/10/2016 ...........Epistle: I Corinthians 10:12-22; Gospel: Matthew 16:20-24 8/11/2016............Epistle: I Corinthians 10:28-33; 11:1-8; Gospel: Matthew 16:24-28 8/12/2016 ...........Epistle: I Corinthians 11:8-23; Gospel: Matthew 17:10-18 8/13/2016 ...........Epistle: Romans 13:1-10; Gospel: Matthew 12:30-37 8/14/2016 ...........Matins: John 20:11-18; Epistle: I Corinthians 1:10-17; Gospel: ...........................Matthew 14:14-22 8/15/2016 ...........Matins: Luke 1:39-49, 56; Epistle: Philippians 2:5-11; Gospel: Luke ...........................10:38-42, 11:27-28 8/16/2016 ...........Epistle: I Timothy 3:13-16; 4:1-5; Gospel: Luke 9:51-57, 10:22-24, ...........................13:22 8/17/2016 ...........Epistle: I Corinthians 13:4-13; 14:1-5; Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16 8/18/2016 ...........Epistle: I Corinthians 14:6-19; Gospel: Matthew 20:17-28 8/19/2016 ...........Epistle: I Corinthians 14:26-40; Gospel: Matthew 21:12-14; 17-20 8/20/2016 ...........Epistle: Romans 14:6-9; Gospel: Matthew 15:32-39 8/21/2016 ...........Matins: John 20:19-31; Epistle: I Corinthians 3:9-17; Gospel: ...........................Matthew 14:22-34 8/22/2016 ...........Epistle: I Corinthians 15:12-19; Gospel: Matthew 21:18-22 8/23/2016 ...........Epistle: Philippians 2:5-11; Gospel: Luke 10:38-42, 11:27-28 8/24/2016 ...........Epistle: I Corinthians 16:4-12; Gospel: Matthew 21:28-32 8/25/2016 ...........Epistle: Titus 1:1-5; 2:15; 3:1-2, 12-15; Gospel: Matthew 5:14-19 8/26/2016 ...........Epistle: Hebrews 6:9-12; Gospel: Matthew 22:23-33 8/27/2016 ...........Epistle: Romans 15:30-33; Gospel: Matthew 17:24-27; 18:1-4 8/28/2016 ...........Matins: John 21:1-14; Epistle: I Corinthians 4:9-16; Gospel: ...........................Matthew 17:14-23 8/29/2016 ...........Matins: Matthew 14:1-13; Epistle: Acts 13:25-33; Gospel: Mark ...........................6:14-30 8/30/2016 ...........Epistle: II Corinthians 2:14-17; 3:1-3; Gospel: Matthew 23:23-28 8/31/2016 ...........Epistle: Hebrews 9:1-7; Gospel: Luke 10:38-42, 11:27-28 9/1/2016 .............Epistle: I Timothy 2:1-7; Gospel: Luke 4:16-22 9/2/2016 .............Epistle: II Corinthians 4:13-18; Gospel: Matthew 24:27-33, 42-51 9/3/2016 .............Epistle: I Corinthians 1:3-9; Gospel: Matthew 19:3-12 9/4/2016 .............Matins: John 21:14-25; Epistle: I Corinthians 9:2-12; Gospel: ...........................Matthew 18:23-35 9/5/2016 .............Epistle: II Corinthians 5:10-15; Gospel: Matthew 24:13-28 9/6/2016 .............Epistle: Hebrews 2:2-10; Gospel: Luke 10:16-21 9/7/2016 .............Epistle: II Corinthians 6:11-16; Gospel: Mark 1:23-28 9/8/2016 .............Matins: Luke 1:39-49, 56; Epistle: Philippians 2:5-11; Gospel: Luke ...........................10:38-42, 11:27-28 9/9/2016 .............Epistle: Galatians 4:22-27; Gospel: Luke 8:16-21 9/10/2016 ...........Epistle: I Corinthians 2:6-9; Gospel: Matthew 10:37-42, 11:1 9/11/2016............Matins: Matthew 28:16-20; Epistle: Galatians 6:11-18; Gospel: ...........................John 3:13-17

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www.olympicrestaurants.com

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ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 146 West Utica Street Buffalo, NY 14222-2085 “ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED”

1098 Elmwood Avenue next to Cole’s (382-4687)

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Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

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Buffalo, NY Permit No. 3358