The Messenger Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

OCTOBER 2015

St. Demetrios, the Myrrh Streamer October 26

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

October 2015 Rev. Fr. Matthew Carter Proistamenos

Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Church Website: www.annunciationgoc.org Office Phone: 850-433-2662 Office Fax: 850-549-4943 Office Email: [email protected] Fr. Matthew’s cell phone: 850-889-3919 Fr. Matthew’s Email: [email protected] or [email protected] 2015 PARISH COUNCIL OFFICERS President James Mohamed (850) 684-1282 Vice-President Henry Bressack (850) 377-7884 Secretary George Apostle (850) 433-6420 Treasurer Gary Tringas (850) 934-4321 Assistant Treasurer Michael Stamitoles (850) 432-5836 Angelo Alexakos Dr. Peter Kantrales Peter Roumbos

(850) 375-7899 (850) 932-2067 (850) 484-3723

Heidi Silivos Sissy Watson Doug White

(850) 438-9756 (850) 476-4646 (850) 474-9072

CHURCH STAFF Office Manager. . . . . . .Kathy Hamilton Webmaster . . . . . . . . . . .Kathy Hamilton Altar Boy Director . . . . . .Philip Brown Prosforo Coordinator . . . Phyllis Pagonis

Subdeacon . . . . . . . . . Emmanuel Zangas Choir Director……..Vangie Anastopoulo Choir Assistant Director . . . Eli Pagonis Organist . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tina Varvouris

PARISH ORGANIZATIONS Stewardship Committee. . . . . . . . . . . Doug White Ladies Philoptochos……… .Vassiliki Montgomery Community Outreach…………….…Sissy Watson LOVE/HOPE/JOY…………….Elizabeth Gilmore GOYA Advisors . . .. … . Joe & Panayiota Whisler Wilson White SS Joachim & Anna……………Becky MacArthur

HARA Dancers……………… …Elizabeth Gilmore Glentzethes Dancers………………Daphne Pagonis AHEPA……………………..Dr. Charles Stamitoles Daughters of Penelope……..…Vangie Anastopoulo

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

October 2015

From the Desk of Fr. Matthew My brothers and sisters in Christ, this month we will be celebrating our 56th annual Greek Festival, and I’m looking forward to another wonderful year of service to our Church and fellowship with one another. The Greek Festival is a labor of love for our community and gives us the opportunity to share our Hellenic culture and Orthodox faith with our guests. The Festival is also the biggest fundraiser for our Church. We have a lot of volunteer opportunities before, during, and after the Greek Festival, and I hope you and your family will make every effort to participate during this wonderful event. As Orthodox Christians, when we offer hospitality to strangers, we practice φιλοξενία (philoxenia). Philoxenia is a compound word from the Greek words φιλία (filia), which means friendship, love, and affection, and ξένος (xenos), which means stranger. Philoxenia is a wonderful Christian tradition that has its roots in the bible. In chapter 18 of Genesis, God appeared to Abraham in the form of three strangers. Abraham quickly greeted these strangers with hospitality, offering them food and water. St. Paul reminds us of the significance of this event in chapter 13 of Hebrews: “Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some of unwittingly entertained angels.” Let us always remember that during our Greek Festival, we are the hosts. We are opening our doors to everyone in Pensacola and inviting them to join us in fellowship. Here are a few things to keep in mind about Philoxenia as we prepare for our Greek Festival this month:

1. Remember to smile People remember first impressions. Smile and greet everyone you see. Remember that you are an ambassador of Jesus Christ. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). 2. Pace yourself The Greek Festival is a wonderful weekend event, but it can be stressful. Fatigue and stress often lead to poor decisions and regretful words and actions. Please remember to pause periodically to enjoy this celebration. I would also encourage everyone to attempt to sit in one of our Church tours. It’s refreshing to see others appreciate the beauty of our Orthodox faith! 3. Go the extra mile If you see someone who has his hands full, offer to carry his food to the table. Walk around and pick up litter. Say hello to people and thank them for coming to support our Church. I pray that we have a wonderful celebration for our 56th annual Greek Festival, and may our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ continue to bless our Annunciation community. With love in Christ, +Fr. Matthew

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

October 2015

From James Mohamed, Parish Council President 56th Greek Festival Dear Fellow Parishioners: We have held many work days in preparation for our 56th Greek Festival. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have come out and donated your time and talent to this major undertaking. We have volunteer sign-up sheets each Sunday in the Fellowship Hall and you can stop by during the week to sign up as well. We are reaching out and encouraging our new members as well as those who have grown up in the church to step forward and help with this wonderful event. The Festival Committee is working hard to make sure that this year will run as smoothly as last year. We published dates for cooking and preparing the many dishes that go into this event. Please come out and support your church on these dates. If you have questions about how you may help please be sure to ask any of the Parish Council members. We now have a commercial cleaning company servicing the church, hall, bathrooms, classrooms, and office every Monday. During the rest of the week we need everyone to pick up after themselves. With this in mind please be sure to contact the office for janitorial support for any activity that you may need to schedule. In November we will be having a Senior Luncheon. This will be a full traditional Thanksgiving meal. We will be moving the date from the third Tuesday to the second Tuesday which is November 10th. This will allow all to enjoy the meal as the Nativity Fast begins on November 15th. This luncheon will be hosted by Heidi Silivos, Kris and me. Always be sure to contact the church office to schedule any event in order to ensure proper support when needed and no conflicts with other events. The church office hours are 9am to 3pm. If you need assistance after hours please be sure to contact the office and set up an appointment. Again, thank you all for your continued help and support. Working together we can accomplish all things through God.

James R. Mohamed President

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

October 2015 Sunday, October 4th, 2nd Sunday of Luke 9:30 am Orthros 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Epistle: II Corinthians 9:6-11/ Gospel: Luke 6:31-36 Readers: Katherine Petrelis and Jason Callonas Prosforo: Anna Maria Gallaher

ALTAR BOYS Yianni Whisler (Captain) Pete Staviski (Co-Captain) Christopher Astudillo Jackson Barrineau Garrett Cole Zachary Verzwyvelt Zachary Whisler Joshua White Altar Boys are asked to report to the Altar by 9:45 a.m. on Sunday mornings. All young men, ages 9-18, are encouraged to join our Altar Boy Team. Please call Philip Brown, Altar Boy Director, if you are interested in joining.

OCTOBER NARTHEX USHERS Angelo Alexakos George Apostle Henry Bressack James Mohamed Sissy Watson

Sunday, October 11th, 7th Ecumenical Council 8:30 am Orthros **Please note earlier start 9:00 am Divine Liturgy time due to Greek Festival** Epistle: Titus 3:8-15 /Gospel: Luke 8:5-15 Readers: Katherine Petrelis and Martin Stephenson Prosforo: Sophia Katsaros Sunday, October 18th, St. Luke the Evangelist 9:30 am Orthros 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Epistle: Colossians 4:5-11, 14-18/Gospel: Luke 10:16-21 Readers: Katherine Petrelis and Jason Callonas Prosforo: Mahi Fotopolous Friday, October 23rd, James (Iakovos) the Apostle, brother of Our Lord 9:30 am Orthros 10:00 am Maria Thagouras Sunday, October 25th, 6th Sunday of Luke 9:30 am Orthros 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Epistle: Galatians 2:16-20/Gospel: Luke 8:26-39 Readers: Katherine Petrelis and Martin Stephenson Prosforo: Kitty Randall Monday, October 26th, St. Demetrios the Myrrh Streamer 9:30 am Orthros 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Prosforo: Mahi Geeker

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

“I was sick and you visited me” (Matthew 25:36) If a family member is ill, in the hospital, or in a rehabilitation center, please call the office, a Parish Council Member or Fr. Matthew so Fr. Matthew can make a pastoral visit to them.

Senior Luncheon Senior Luncheon is on Tuesday, November 10 at 11:30 am. To celebrate Thanksgiving the menu will be a full traditional Thanksgiving meal. We are moving the date to the second Tuesday (11/10) which allows everyone to enjoy the meal before the Nativity Fast begins on November 15. The luncheon is hosted by Heidi Silivos, Kris & Jim Mohamed.

Bookstore

Letay Teclehaimanot

We now have a supply of icons, candles for baptisms & weddings, adult and children books, incense, charcoal, and cookbooks – anything you might need. If we do not have what you are looking we will be happy to order for you directly. If you are interested in purchasing any items from the bookstore please contact Letay, 850-475-7856.

Philoptochos

Vassiliki Montgomery

We all admire people who do acts of kindness and help others. Philoptochos is giving us this opportunity to do that. As we all know Philoptochos is a philanthropic organization which is supporting numerous charities. I want to believe that we all want to be part of it. I am asking all ladies who are 18 and older to join us, give us an hour of your time every month by coming to the meetings, getting to know what is going on in our community, be informed of the charities we support and take part in it. When you come, you encourage others to participate too!

October 2015 We need your ideas, your talents, your help and your support. Everybody's opinion is very important and we value it. When we work together we can achieve great things. I would like to thank all the women who stayed after church for the meeting. It was so nice to see many of you. I hope and pray that you will continue to be there for Philoptochos. Next board meeting will be October 18th and the general meeting will be October 25th.

St. Thomas Support Group Our St. Thomas Support Group meets every Wednesday at 4:00 pm. We focus on prayer and support for anyone who is experiencing the loss of a loved one or family crisis. As we continue to prepare for our annual Greek Festival, we will either meet in the church hall or one of our upstairs Sunday School classrooms. Please contact Agnes Stergion-Willis for more information.

Orthodox Lecture Series Fr. Matthew will be offering four lectures after the Greek Festival on different aspects of our Orthodox faith. These lectures will be advertised during our church tours as a way of reaching out to our guests and inviting them to learn more about Orthodoxy. This series is a great opportunity to invite friends and family who are not Orthodox to come and learn more about our Church. It’s also a great opportunity for the faithful to come and be reminded about the importance of Orthodoxy. The lectures will be offered in the sanctuary at 6:00 pm on the following evenings: •

Friday, October 16 Scripture and Tradition

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Monday, October 19 Church History

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Friday, October 23 Saints and Feastdays

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Monday, October 26 Orthodox Worship

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

Introduction to Orthodoxy Classes Anyone who wishes to become an Orthodox Christian or who desires to learn more about our Orthodox Christian faith is invited to participate in our Introduction to Orthodoxy classes on Wednesday evenings. For October, we will meet on Wednesday, October 7 and Wednesday, October 28 at 5:00 pm.

GOYA

Joe & Panayiota Whisler, Wilson White

Greek Festival Oct. 9-11th: GOYAns will be helping with the Baklava Sundaes between dance sets again. Parents let me know when you can help what days and times to put you down. Oct. 18th Volleyball Practice begins for Winter Youth Rally. Attention Parents!!! Please let Advisors know no later than Nov.1st if your GOYAn will be attending Winter Youth Rally so that the proper transportation is reserved and to ensure we have a volleyball and Bible Bowl team. Parents will be informed of the final price breakdown after the Baklava Sundae sale. Winter Youth Rally will be held December 27 30, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. Individual Registration - $250 price before fundraising (not including transportation or team fee). Oct. 25th Youth activity after Divine Liturgy for all GOYAns (6th -12th grade)

October 2015

Sunday School We’ve got the School year off and running. Thanks to generous donations to GOYA/Sunday School we’ve got furniture, a TV, and Apple TV unit, and the upstairs classroom looks better than ever. Our middle and high schoolers are learning about our Patron Saints, Name Days, Hymns of our Patron Saints, and we’re working up towards a multi-media presentation to offer to the faithful in Pensacola. These presentations will showcase how our young people are learning about their faith and illustrate the importance of our patron saints.

Greek Festival 2015 Please join us after church on Sunday, October 4, for Pastry Cutting Work Day. Wear comfortable work clothes for church and come to the hall immediately following the Liturgy. Lunch will be provided for all workers. Thank you for your help, Brett and Stella Verzwyvelt As a reminder, services will start one hour earlier on Sunday, October 11, so our volunteers have the opportunity to attend the Divine Liturgy and prepare for our last day of the Greek Festival. Orthros will begin at 8:30 am, and the Divine Liturgy will start promptly at 9:00 am.

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

October 2015

Thank you

Please Note

Thank you to Gus and Susie Argeris for donating furniture to our GOYA classroom!

All articles for the monthly newsletter should be submitted in writing to the office by the 15th of each month. Articles received after the 15th may be included in the following month’s newsletter. If you have any questions please contact the Church office. Thank you.

Thank you to Dr. Greg and Athena Staviski for donating new tv, wall mount and Apple tv to our GOYA classroom in memory of Athena’s father, Nicholas Stamatelos.

Icon restoration Last month, we had two of our historical icons, the icon of the Theotokos and the icon of St. John the Evangelist on top of the iconostasis, restored and dedicated in memory of Jack Dasinger and George and Irene Pallas. Thank you to Debbie Dasinger, as well as Dean and Karen Pallas, for sponsoring this restoration in memory of their loved ones.

If you would like to sponsor Sunday coffee hour in memory or honor of a loved one (birthday, anniversary, etc), please contact the office.

Diakonia Retreat Center Fundraiser Update Thank you to everyone who supported our August 21 fundraiser for the construction of the new Panagia Chapel for our Metropolis of Atlanta’s Diakonia Retreat Center! Once completed, this chapel will be used by all the faithful of the Metropolis throughout the year. We had participation from the following parishes of our Western Conference: Pensacola, Ft. Walton, Panama City, Gulf Shores, and Mobile. We were able to raise over $32,000 through the combined effort of our dinner dance, as well as anonymous donations from several parishes! A special thank you to our parish council, Gus Silivos, AHEPA, and Daughters of Penelope chapters for all of their hard work and dedication. Bravo!

Mobile Greek Festival Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Mobile will hold their annual Greek Festival: Thursday, October 15 - 11:00 am - 10:00 pm Friday, October 16 - 11:00 am - 10:00 pm Saturday, October 17 - 11:00 am - 10:00 pm Please visit their website: w w w. g r e e k f e s t m o b i l e . o rg f o r m o r e information.

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Parishioners Who Would Like a Visit or Phone Call George Alexakos Southern Oaks Rehabilitation 600 W. Gregory Street Pensacola, FL 32502 437-3131 Magda Chicouras Bayside Manor 4343 Langley Avenue Pensacola, FL 32504 477-4550 Mary Giouzelis Specialty Care Center, Rm. 358 6984 Pine Forest Road Pensacola, FL 32526 430-6190

Christine Parliaris Arcadia Health and Rehabilitation Center, Rm. 44
 10095 Hillview Drive Pensacola, FL 32514 479-4000 Thalia Silivos Life Care Center, Rm. 238 3291 E. Olive Road Pensacola, FL 32514 471-5400 Angela Stamitoles Pacifica Senior Living at Creekside, Cottage 7 9015 University Pkwy. Pensacola, FL 32514 462-4563

Praying for the health of the servants of God: Peter Adamopoulos George Alexakos Perry Baniakas Chris & Catina Bithos Gregory Booros Amanda Brown Nathaniel Brown Ethel Catranis Magda Chicouras Evie Dampier Chris Fotopoulos

Gregory Gill Mary Giouzelis William Langford Christine Parliaris Harry Pieratos Helen Bouth Propst Gus J. Silivos Thalia Silivos Irene Silivos-Tiblier Fr. Eusebius Stefanos Rene Thames Dorothy Zissis

October 2015 October Birthdays Constantine Alexakos 10/1 Auna Arredondo 10/2 Jayden Arredondo 10/2 Crystal Shoulders 10/2 John Georgiades 10/3 Brett Verzwyvelt 10/3 Magdaline Pappas 10/4 Phyllis Tringas 10/4 Jeffrey Charles Gallo 10/5 Tina Gill 10/5 Chloe Bressack 10/8 Bill Cowling 10/8 Abigail Thames 10/8 Mandy Miller 10/9 Photini Pihakis 10/9 Zachary Whisler 10/9 Amelia Kazakos 10/10 Vangie Anastopoulo 10/11 Katherine Geeker 10/12 Maria Koulianos 10/12 Nicholas Skoufis 10/13 Christo Bithos 10/15 Greg Varvouris 10/18 Daphne Pagonis 10/19 George Pagonis 10/19 Toula Sampanis 10/19 Giles “Skip” Brown 10/20 Johnathan Argeris 10/23 Caleb Mack 10/26 Baylee Mack 10/28 Greg Thames 10/31 Rose Thames 10/31 Gia Tringas 10/31 October Anniversaries Andy & Sissy Watson 10/3 Marty & Despina Stephenson 10/8 Tony & Chrisoula Hulion 10/19 Cecil & Helen Sakalarios 10/25 Charles & Faye Stamitoles 10/25

Many Years to all who celebrate!

Steve Adams Bill & Barbara Agall Nick & Katherine Agall Angelo & Chrissy Alexakos George & Deb-b Alexakos Arthur & Vangie Anastopoulo Gary Angelopoulos George Apostle Constantine & Susie Argeris Ellen Argeris Speros & Maria Athanasios Perry & Claude Baniakas Fran & Jack Barker Gloria Betcher Christ & Catina Bithos Peter & Megan Bithos Mary Blanos Fotios Bokas George & Aspasia Bokas Harry & Sia Booros Henry & Christy Bressack Brian & Stavroula Brock Giles & Marianthe Brown Paul & Tammy Brown Philip & Paula-Maria Brown Jason & Agnes Callonas Fr. Matthew & Emily Carter Dan & Connie Cassidy Georgia Chestnut Bill & Sandy Cowling John Crechale Nick Crechale Lewis & Robin Culver Chet & Evie Dampier Bill & Maria Daughdrill Nina Dickson Achilles & Betty Farsolas

Maggie Felts Maria Fivgas Jeff & Hollie Fletcher Dr. Allan & Andrea Ford Chris & Mahi Fotopolous Jeffrey Gallo Patricia M. Gavallas John & Donna Gaynor Katherine Geeker Mahi Geeker Stasi Geeker John Georgiades Hanna Ghirmay Tina Gill Erik & Elizabeth Gilmore Bennie & Dena Goble Nina Gomenis Pete Gomenis Ernest Harageones Frank & Martha Hicks Jay & Dawnmarie Ingwell Theodora V. Ioannidis Mary Kastanos Sophia Katsaros Dr. Peter & Sophia Kantrales Krissy Kritselis Nicholas Kritselis Edward Korolenko Maria Koulianos Maciek Kosta & Marta Kuzimski Nick & Damaskini Lagouros Bill & Mache Langford Charles & Linda Liberis Gloria Lind Dr. George & Sophia Lukes Rebecca MacArthur Ruth Magoulas

Stella Malamo Helen Milukas Catherine Mitchell James & Kris Mohamed Jim & Vassiliki Montgomery Demetra M. Morres Gene & Betty Murphy George & Linda Nikolopoulos Joe & Despina O’Neil Eli & Dina Pagonis Phyllis Pagonis Magdalene Pappas Patricia Pappas Christine Parliaris Nicholas & Andrea Patitsas Katherine Petrelis Harry & Natalie Pieratos Anna Sophia Pihakis Photini Pihakis Tom Psaltis William & Katherine Randall Nadejda Revena Peter & Diane Roumbos Richard & Tina Russell Joseph & Louelio Sabata Cecil & Helen Sakalarios George A. Sakellariou Spero & Toula Sampanis Hugo & Elena Sanchez Adam Sanders Georgia Scapin Evie Silivos Gus J. Silivos Gus & Nancy Silivos Heidi Silivos Dr. Elias & Alice Skoufis Maria Stamatelos

2015 STEWARDS Nina Stamatelos Peter Stamatelos Dr. Charles & Faye Stamitoles Michael & Martha Stamitoles Giannoula Stamoulis Dr. Peter & Francis Stangas Georgia Stanton Sia Stanton Greg & Athena Staviski Martin & Despina Stephenson Agnes Stergion TrishAnna Ta Letekidan “Letay” Teclehaimanot Sotiri Thagouras Maria Thagouras Jonathan & Eran Thames Rose Thames Gary & Gia Tringas Phyllis Tringas Styke & Margie Valmus Sava Varazo Stavros & Tina Varvouris Stelios & Alice Vatsolakis Brett & Stella Verzwyvelt Lee & Mahi Watson Bill & Maria Weisnicht Ted Werthmuller Joe & Panayiota Whisler Angela White Wyatt Douglas & Rose Mary White Leo Wilson White Michael & Anna Wright Emanuel & Rita Zangas

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11 8:30 am Orthros 9:00 am Divine Liturgy

25 8:30 am Orthros 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Philoptochos general meeting GOYA activity

18 8:30 am Orthros 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Philoptochos board meeting GOYA volleyball practice begins

TUESDAY

13

6

Festival Set Up 14 4:00 pm St. Thomas support group

7 4:00 pm St. Thomas support group 5:00 pm Introduction to Orthodoxy 6:30 pm Glentzethes dance practice

WEDNESDAY

6:00 pm Lecture Series: Orthodox Worship

26 St. Demetrios 9:30 am Orthros 10:00 am Divine Liturgy

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15

6:30 pm Glentzethes dance practice

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1

THURSDAY

5:00 pm Introduction to Orthodoxy

4:00 pm St. Thomas support group

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Fr. Matthew attending Metropolis Clergy Retreat Diakonia Center - Salem, SC

4:00 pm St. Thomas support group

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Fr. Matthew attending Holy Cross alumni board meeting Holy Cross - Brookline, MA

6:00 pm Lecture Series: Church History

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5

Greek Festival 12:00 - 6:00 pm

MONDAY

FEED THE HUNGRY Please bring non-perishable items to the food donation basket located in the Narthex. Thank you!

4 9:30 am Orthros 10:00 am Divine Liturgy HARA dance practice Festival Workday: pastry cutting

SUNDAY

OCTOBER 2015

6:00 pm Lecture Series: Saints & Feastdays

23 St. James (Iakovos) 9:30 am Orthros 10:00 am Divine Liturgy

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10

Festival Workday

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SATURDAY

31

24

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56th Annual Greek Festival 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

6:00 pm Lecture Series: Scripture & Tradition

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FRIDAY

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church 1720 West Garden Street Pensacola, FL 32502 Address service requested

Apolytikion of the Annunciation Today is the beginning of our salvation. And the revelation of a mystery which was hidden from eternity. The Son of God becomes the Virgin’s Son. And Gabriel announces the grace of this good news. Let us also join with him, calling to the Theotokos: Rejoice, O woman full of grace. The Lord is with you.

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