“General Quarters, man your battle stations”!! Anumber

Volume 23 Issue 1
A publication of
Annunciation Greek
Orthodox Cathedral
Houston, Texas
Inside this Issue
Man Your Battle Stations............... 1
The Bread of Life.......................... 2
Offikion of Oikonomos.................. 3
Why could we not cast it out?...... 3
I was in prison and you came to
me............................................ 5
Youth Ministry............................... 6
Religious Education...................... 8
Parish St. John Chrysostom
Oratorical Festival Finalists... 10
Shoes For Souls...............................11
Graduates.........................................11
Vacation Bible School......................12
Cathedral Calendar...................... 13
Greek School.............................. 14
From Our Library........................ 14
Philoptochos.............................. 15
Senior Citizens........................... 16
Visitations................................... 16
AOS............................................ 17
Sunday of Orthodoxy................. 18
Registry...................................... 19
IOCC Save the Date................... 20
A
Great Lent 2013
“General Quarters,
man your battle stations”!!
number of years ago, I
gave a sermon about what
the Church is, and what it is
not. I talked about this, using ships as
an example, to illustrate my points.
Recently someone in our parish
reminded me of that sermon and our
mission as it relates to Christ and our
Annunciation Cathedral. Allow me
to reiterate the importance of selfdiscipline in the Christian life. We
must always keep the mission and
goal of the Church before us. The
salvation of souls is the mission set
before us as followers of Jesus Christ.
Our Lord established His Church on
this earth to accomplish the mission
of salvation for all people. How do
we see the Church? Is it a place of
worship in our life? Or is it merely a
place to socialize and to be served by
others? Have you “Put on the whole
armor of God, so that you may be
able to stand against the wiles of
the devil” Ephesians 6:11, living
your life as if you were a battleship?
Or are you relaxing as if on a cruise
ship, indifferent to the Christian life?
Christ says in Revelation 3:16, “So
then because you are lukewarm,
and neither cold nor hot, I will spew
you out of my mouth”.
A good way to understand this
proper mission and perspective
might be to compare the Church to
two types of ships – cruise ships and
warships. Think about what happens
on a cruise ship. You need not do
any work. Someone takes care of
every need. Every event is optional.
You have no responsibilities and no
accountability. Unfortunately this
attitude seems to be prevalent in
many of our churches around the
world, with people who claim the
Orthodox faith, but in name only.
Some people wait for the paid
staff or volunteers to come up with
programs. “It is someone else’s job to
do” people say to themselves. They
go to services once or twice a year
and still call themselves “members.”
Even their duty to support the
Church through “stewardship,”
takes a back seat in their lives, with
the person many times offering the
bare minimum in order to maintain
“member” status.
Then there’s the warship or in
our case here in Houston, an aircraft
carrier. The warship has a life or death
mission. Every member of the crew
has a job that must be executed at
the top of his ability. Everyone must
work together because they depend
on one another for the success of the
mission.
A healthy parish should see
Page 2 itself as a warship. The mission of
the Church is life and death. We are
called to bring the Gospel of Christ
to the world and to provide for those
in need. No other mission is as
critical or crucial. Each member of
the “crew” has a calling to do their
part in the life of the parish. And
when members do not work together,
they jeopardize both the work of the
Church and their own salvation.
Anyone who has spent time
aboard a cruise ship and warship
knows that the way of life onboard
these two types of ships are extremely
different. Cruise ship passengers are
relaxed, entertained, eat multiple
times a day. Warship sailors on the
The Annunciator
other hand work long hard hours, are
sleep deprived and are often rough
looking individuals at times. No one
in his right mind would vacation on
a warship. The reality of the situation
is that the Church is not a vacation. It
is not a cruise ship at all. The Church
has a true mission, and that mission
is the preaching of the Gospel and the
salvation of each of us as members
of the body of Christ. The “member”
who puts little or no effort into the
Church is truly unfit to engage in
battles with evil. The Church is a
spiritual warship and each of us
must do our part to insure that the
parish and Church at large survive
to fight another day. We train hard
by attending the services, growing
in our knowledge through religious
education, and by also seeking the
advice of our spiritual father.
There are few things as
satisfying as being part of a focused,
disciplined, hard-working team that
knows its mission, understands and
fulfills its responsibilities, is well
trained, and strives to improve its
knowledge and skills. This is what
each member of our parish must
strive for.
God is calling you to service by
using your time, talent and treasure
for the Glory of His Name. “Share
in suffering as a good soldier of
Christ Jesus” 2 Timothy 2:3
+ Fr. Michael
The Bread of Life
Great Lent has begun. We
have embarked into yet another
spiritual journey to Pascha during
which we will prepare ourselves,
through prayer and fasting, to meet
our Savior at His Resurrection.
However, there is a parallel goal.
Through this preparation we also
want to be ready to join Christ in
His Messianic Banquet, anticipating
the eternal joy in the Kingdom of
God. In the meantime, we thirst for
a foretaste of what is to come, and
need the Holy Spirit to give us the
strength to persevere and finish the
race. In other words, we need the
Eucharist; we need for the Eucharist
to support and sustain us—it is
indispensable.
The Eucharist is best described
by Jesus in His discourse on the
Bread of Life (John 6:30-58). He
begins by reminding us that we
should not concern ourselves “for
food that perishes, rather for the
food that endures forever.” (v.27)
Christ continues in a series of verses
to expound on what it means:
(v.32)…“My Father gives you
the true bread of heaven and gives
life to the world.
(v.33) “For the bread of God is
He who comes down from heaven
and gives life to the world.” In other
words, this refers to Christ Himself.
(v.34) To which the people
responded: “Lord give us this bread
always.” This last statement echoes
the Lord’s Prayer!
(v.35) But Jesus continues
saying: “I AM the bread of Life…
and He repeats a few verses down: I
AM the bread of life (v.48)…
(v.51) I AM the living bread
which came down from heaven. If
anyone eats of this bread, he will
live forever; and the bread that I
shall give is My flesh, which I shall
give for the life of the world.”
And here comes the punch line:
(v.54) “Whoever eats My flesh
and drinks My blood has eternal
life, and I will raise him up at the
last day.” [emphasis is mine]
Jesus could not have made it
any plainer; there is no parable here;
nothing difficult to understand;
the Eucharist is the key. By
approaching Him in faith and by
(continue on page 4)
The Annunciator
Page 3
OFFIKION
of OIKONOMOS
Our Proistamenos, The Reverend Michael J.
Lambakis was bestowed with the Offikion of
Oikonomos by His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah
of Denver on Monday, March 25, 2013, following
the Divine Liturgy, at Annunciation Greek Orthodox
Cathedral in Houston, Texas. AXIOS!
His disciples asked Him privately,
“Why could we not cast it out?” He said to them,
“This kind can come out only through prayer and fasting.”
– Mark 9:28b-29
Recently, I had the privilege of sitting on a panel
at a local college that was hosting a discussion entitled
“The Devil, Demons, and Exorcisms.” The discussion
was genuinely fruitful, allowing each presenter to give
his tradition’s understanding of the nature of this phenomenon. I was amazed at how similar the responses
were.
One of the things that I learned at the discussion
was that there is no Greek word for “demon possession.” The Greek word (δαιμονιζομαι) that is usually
translated as “demon possession,” literally means “to
be demonized.” While a form of daimonizomai may be
used by a New Testament author, usually the text reads
that the person “has a demon” or “has an evil spirit.”
From the context of the above Gospel reading the boy
has an “unclean spirit,” which has made him deaf and
mute, giving him symptoms of epilepsy. When Christ
heals the boy from the spirit, he calls upon it as a “deaf
and mute spirit.”
The devil and his minions have one sole purpose on
this earth, and that is to take us away from God and prevent us from achieving salvation, becoming like God
(θεωσις, theosis). The root word from which daimoni-
zomai comes from means “to divide, or to distribute
destinies.” It seems to me, also, that daimonizomai has
the sense of becoming like a demon or spirit. In this
manner, then, it is the opposite of theosis or the active
verb theopoieo, “to make God.” Therefore, we have on
the one hand “demonization,” but on the other “deification.”
We must ask ourselves, “How much are we like the
demons that oppress and persecute us?” Are we driven
or “possessed” by our passions that drive us away from
God? Are we “sick” as a result of the passions in our
lives that do not allow us to repent and seek the “therapeia (healing)” that comes from the sacramental life of
the Church?
During Great Lent we have an excellent opportunity to allow the Lord to exorcize the demons that torment us, that seek to make us like them, and seek to
divide us from God. But we must cooperate with God
in that process of deification and the purification of our
souls and bodies. Actual possession is quite rare, but we
are all tormented by our passions that are used by the
demons to cause us to sin and drive us far from God.
The Church through Great Lent allows us the time to
Page 4 The Annunciator
repent of our sins and to come close to God once again.
In the cited Gospel passage from Mark, Jesus tells the
disciples that they were unable to cast out the unclean
spirit because this particular spirit could only be exorcized through prayer and fasting. The Church helps us
also today exorcize our demons that possess us (e.g.
pride, greed, lust, gluttony, envy, slander, gossip, adultery, fornication, drunkenness, anger, murder) through
prayer and fasting. Fasting disciplines the body and
calms the passions so that we can reflect on our spiritual
life through prayer and contemplation. The Fast should
simplify our lives, giving us time for repentance and
prayer.
Yet, St. John Chrysostom tells us that prayer and
fasting are worthless without almsgiving. Charity or
love of neighbor also leads to the exorcizing of our demons by taking us out of our selfishness, which is the
basis of all sin. Philautia, self-love, causes us to be narcissistic and wrapped in on our own lives. Charity takes
(The Bread of Life)
us out of our selfishness and focuses on the other and
his or her well-being. We are not to judge, simply love
our neighbor as does God.
One other means by which the demons are exorcized and we are purified is the first step of the Divine
Ladder: detachment. By detaching ourselves from the
things of this world, our material possessions, we are
able to focus more on God and our relationship with
Him. In this way, then, through communion with Him,
we become more like Him. Detachment enables us to
also focus on “the least of these our brethren” by giving charitably of our largesse. Detaching from material
possessions removes the idols in our lives that separate
us from God.
This Lent, then, brothers and sisters, let us refocus
our lives through prayer, fasting, charity, and detachment so that we are free to become more like the One
who first loved us. May God bless us all during the
Fast. Amen.
+ Fr. Daniel
(continued from page 2)
being in communion with Him by partaking of his flesh
and blood, the mystical presence of Christ (as St. John
Chrysostom explained), we will receive eternal life!
This is the reason St. Ignatius of Antioch called the
Eucharist “The Medicine of Immortality.”
This dovetails with and brings us to our central, core
prayer, the one the Lord gave us Himself, the Lord’s
Prayer. What does it say in this respect?
“…give us this day our daily bread.” (Mt 6:11)
But this translation is very misleading—it has been
inaccurately translated. In the original Greek it reads:
τον άρτον ήμών τον επιούσιον δος ημίν σήμερον
Ton epiosion actually means the essence of above,
or above the essence or super substantial. This word
has been mistranslated in almost all languages. Only
in Arabic and Latin is it properly rendered, although
St. Jerome’s, in his Latin, Vulgate edition of the Bible,
is the most accurate. He properly translated the verse
as panem supersubstatialis, the supersubstantial
bread. In Latin, substance means essence and panem
is bread. The Church fathers understood ‘ton arton
imon ton epiousion’ (give us this day our daily bread,
the supersubstantial bread) as the sacramental bread of
the Eucharist. It is not the bread for sustenance of this
earthly life; rather, it is “the bread for the eternal day of
the Kingdom of God.” In other words, we are praying
and saying: Lord, give us a foretaste today of the bread
of life, a foretaste of the eternal life in the Kingdom!
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, the message is
clear, SEEK GOD! Seek the Kingdom of God. Follow
Christ, for He is the Door, the Way, and the Bread of
Life. He who has faith in Christ and partakes of His
body and blood shall have eternal life. Let us unite
ourselves to Christ –be in communion with Him.
Pray to Him by means of the Lord’s Prayer, that He
give us that foretaste of the Messianic Banquet in His
Kingdom. Pray that we be granted eternal life. Let
us, in short, take Christ within us by partaking of the
Eucharist, “the Medicine of Immortality.” As the late
Fr. Alexander Schmemann stated: “the Eucharist is the
partaking of the Kingdom which is ‘joy and peace in
the Holy Spirit’...the ‘heavenly bread,’ and approaching
the Holy Table is truly ascending to heaven.”
+ Fr. Demetri
The Annunciator
Page 5
“I was in prison and you came to me.”
As I was teaching
the Bible in a maximum security prison in
Gatesville, Texas, I was
struck one day regarding the life of Moses.
Here I was speaking
with inmates, some of
whom may have committed murder, about a
murderer. Moses fled
Egypt because he had
killed an Egyptian, and
he was wanted for this crime. Yet, God used Moses as
His prophet, even transforming him by His Divine Light
on Mt. Sinai after he had led the Israelites out of slavery
in Egypt. After the class, one of the inmates came to me
and asked if God could do the same with him. Could
this man be transformed and become a religious leader.
I said to him, “God uses those whom repent and come
to the knowledge of the truth. Yes, God could transform
his life and use him in ways that only He knows, if only
we remain repentant and humble before Him.”
Recently, Annunciation and St. George Orthodox
Church hosted the board of Orthodox Christian Prison
Ministries. Fr. Stephen Powley, of St. John the Baptist
Orthodox Church in Pueblo, Colorado and a former
chaplain at the Federal supermax prison in Florence,
Colorado, and Chaplain Patrick Tutella, the head of
OCPM, presented at several sessions in Houston about
prison ministry and the work of OCPM.
One of several things that struck me as I listened to
their presentations was the work that God does in transforming the lives of men and women who are incarcerated. Chaplain Patrick related to us the profound statistic that in America, more people than anywhere else
in the world are incarcerated. Furthermore, one in four
Americans will serve jail or prison time sometime in
their lifetime. Also, one in ten Americans know or are
related to someone who has done time. This means that
for us, Greek Orthodox Christians, some of our church
family are in prison or will be.
In the Houston area, there are 26 prisons/jails with
thousands of inmates, some of whom are Orthodox
Christians and some who want to become Orthodox.
Under the lay leadership of Daniel Namee at St.
George, we have established a local Orthodox Prison
Ministry that will minister to Orthodox Christian inmates, to their families, and to those desiring to become
Orthodox. We will also be working with authorities to
establish the best means to help these people once they
are released from prison/jail. The recidivism rates drastically decline when they are given the proper support
network once they are released.
Christ tells us that when we visit those in prison, we
are visiting Him. In ministering to those who are incarcerated, we also allow Christ to minister to us. In the
above icon of Christ the Prisoner, we recall that Christ
Himself was a convict, although innocent, He went to
prison, which was the last place on earth that He dwelt
in before His execution. During His day, the cross was
the electric chair or the hypodermic needle used to inject the killing drugs. Let us remember that the Lord
was a prisoner and is still today.
Not all of us are called to enter into a prison unit.
But all of us are called to serve. Our diakonia (service)
to the Lord in prison comes in many ways. I ask all of
you to pray and think about how you can support this
ministry of the Church. Maybe it is through correspondence, maybe serving the families of the incarcerated,
maybe helping with administration, or maybe simply
even a monetary donation to the ministry. During Great
Lent, let us remember those who are the least of these
our brethren, those who are in prison, Christ Himself.
God bless!
+ Fr. Daniel
Page 6 The Annunciator
YOUTH MINISTRY
Our Youth Programs have been very active since the beginning of the new ecclesiastical year. Our HOPE and JOY
children have been giving alms by collecting toys for the
Ronald McDonald House, making sandwich bags to feed the
homeless for SEARCH and making homeless food care kits
for families to distribute to the homeless and hungry we see
daily on the streets.
Our GOYA has also been very active with a Sr. GOYA
trip to St. Basil’s Academy in Garrison, NY, Advent Retreat,
Hang Times, Basketball Games, Lock In’s, Bowling, Lenten
Retreat and Lenten discussion series. Our teens have also
given alms by making sandwich bags to feed the homeless for SEARCH and Christmas Caroling for our seniors
who are living in an assisted living facility. Our teens continue to grow and become more involved in the Church
greatly increasing their Spiritual Wealth of Knowledge and
Understanding of their faith.
Our Youth Ministry programs continue to grow and they
can only do so with a family commitment. It is vital that our
children receive every opportunity to edify and strengthen
themselves through these spiritual programs. Retreats allow
April19-21
March22, 29
April 5, 12
11
26
27
28
April 29–May 4
May5
18
June9-15
16-22
us to strengthen our
armor so that we may
fight the good fight.
Hang Times allows us
to bring the Church to
them and our alms giving teaches our children to help those who
are less fortunate.
We are truly blessed to be living in a community and city
that can afford us the luxury to reach out to our brothers and
sisters who live around us and Love them. Let use live by
what God has instructed us to do:
“Then the King will say to those on His right hand,
‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was
hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave
Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked
and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in
prison and you came to Me.’” ~Matthew 25:34-36
Gaby Gadah
GOYA Spring Retreat (Lenten)
GOYA Lenten Talks (Pot Luck Dinner)
After Salutations in Small Martel Hall
Hang Time in the Sugar Land Area
GOYA Helps make Palm Sunday Crosses At 6:30
HOPE and JOY Lazarus Saturday Retreat
Liturgy at 9:30 followed by Lenten Activities
Palm Sunday
Holy Week Pascha
Graduating Seniors Gathering
Camp Emmanuel Juniors
Camp Emmanuel Seniors
Senior GOYA (Greek Orthodox Youth of America):
Junior GOYA (Greek Orthodox Youth of America):
JOY (Junior Orthodox Youth):
HOPE (Holy Orthodox Primary Education):
High School Grades 9-12
Middle School Grades 6-8
Grades 4-5
Grades K-3
For more information about our Youth Ministries please contact Pastoral Assistant Gaby Gadah at
gabygadah@agoc.org.
The Annunciator
Youth Ministry in Action!
Youth Ministry in Action! Page 7
Page 8 The Annunciator
Religious Education
The Elementary St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival
Poppy Cobanoglu-Padley, Chair
Every year our Elementary School children participate in the Saint John Chrysostom Festival. This Festival
was designed to serve as an avenue for our youth to learn, enhance and share the knowledge of their faith based
on what they have learned in Sunday Church School class. Over the years, the Oratorical Festival has provided
hundreds of children the opportunity to discover the fullness of their Orthodox Faith. It provides them with an
opportunity to learn, to write, speak and communicate about our Orthodox Faith, our Church history as well as
our heritage. By doing this at the elementary level it strengthens the child’s understanding and appreciation of
their identity as Orthodox Christians and cultivates growth and maturity. More importantly, the Festival provides
a tremendous learning opportunity for our children – not only do they research and learn about their faith, they
actually think about it and share their thoughts with others. In so doing, our children deepen their understanding
of their faith, strengthen their tie to their faith and enlighten others with their thoughts. In addition they gain
experience in public speaking.
The Elementary St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival is divided into three divisions: Kindergarten, 1st and
2nd grades; grades 3 & 4; and grades 5 & 6. In Sunday School class, with their teachers’ help, they spend several
weeks going over the topics, discussing their thoughts and writing their presentations and finally, presenting them
onstage.
The children did an excellent job presenting and we are very proud for their participation and their knowledge
of our faith; Thank you parents for bringing your children to Sunday Church School and giving us the opportunity
and privilege to help you teach our Faith to your children. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank
the teachers for their continued love and dedication to our children. We look forward to next year’s Oratorical
Festival. Parents, if your child missed out in participating in the Oratorical Festival this year, we hope to see them
onstage next year.
Parish St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival
Dr. Constantina Michalos, The University of St. Thomas
Mrs. Irene Cassis, Director of Religious Education, and Maria Georgeton, Chair of the Parish Oratorical
Festival at Annunciation Cathedral, asked me to judge the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival a few times,
and I always say yes because I am consistently amazed by the quality of thought, writing and spoken expression
our children demonstrate.
I am an English professor, and I spend many hours correcting papers from undergraduates who should know
better. Our Annunciation kids clearly know better. They choose from several prompts, do research to support
their points, and undertake to articulate their faith in a public forum that includes their families, friends and
priests. This takes courage, but it also takes confidence. They must be confident in their faith; they not only know
about Orthodoxy, they know why they are Orthodox. They must confess their faith sincerely, humbly and firmly.
(continue on page 9)
The Annunciator
(Parish St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival)
Page 9
(continued from page 8)
Participants choose from topics that range from religious persecution to peer pressure to fasting and prayer.
Each presentation requires a seamless integration of scripture, Holy Tradition and personal experience. The
examples speakers use to highlight their points must be compelling and supported by solid research. But they
cannot sound like a grocery list of how to be a better Orthodox Christian. The presentation has to engage the
listener. It must sound like two friends talking, one seeking answers, the other serving as a guide to the Truth.
The speaker must be natural in the most unnatural of circumstances. Teenagers often have difficulty talking to
adults, let alone sharing their inner-most thoughts and preoccupations. Yet this is what we ask of the participants
in the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival. And they have to do research, use an elevated vocabulary, manage
ten typed pages and make eye contact as well. These skills are difficult to teach yet critical for academic success.
Clearly, our children, guided by the Holy Spirit and sustained by their abiding faith, have learned well.
Parish St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival
March 3, 2013 - Rank of the Judges
Middle SchoolHigh School
Despina Matzakos, Grade 8
Anastasia Zavitsanos, Grade 12
Diamantis J. Zavitsanos, Grade 7
Pahno Georgeton, Grade 10
Peggy Polydoros, Grade 7
Eugenia Kakadiaris, Grade 10
Congratulations! St. George Orthodox Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico will be
hosting the Metropolis of Denver St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival, April 12-14.
Despina and Anastasia will be representing Annunciation Cathedral.
If you are clothed in gentleness and in
freedom from anger, you will find it no
trouble to free your mind from captivity.
St. John Climacus
Submit yourselves therefore to God.
Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Draw near to God and he will draw near to
you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and
purify your hearts, you men of double mind.
James 4:7-8
He who is slow to anger is better, than the
mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he
who takes a city….A man without self-control
is like a city broken into and left without
walls.
Proverbs 16:32; 25:28
Page 10 The Annunciator
Parish St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival Finalists
Senior Division
Junior Division




Dear
The Annunciator
Page 11
Join us again during Lent for our Annual Outreach Ministry in support of
Join us again during Lent for our Annual Outreach Ministry in support of
And
And
Annunciation
Orthodox
Cathedral
AnnunciationGreek
Greek Orthodox
Cathedral
Here’s
howcan
youparticipate:
can participate:
Here’s how
you

Buy a pair of Shoes + Socks + Shoelaces (remember, these children are Infant thru Teen; and,
Buy a pair
of cold
Shoes
+ Socks
+ can
Shoelaces
(remember, these children are Infant thru Teen; and,
it gets
there);
or, you
Donate $25.00.
 cold
And,there);
be sure or,
to Write
Special
Note and
place it inside the shoes – as it will be read to that
it gets
youacan
Donate
$25.00.
child
recipient
at
the
Mission
Trip
in
the
fall. it inside the shoes – as it will be read to that
And, be sure to Write a Special Note and place

The Shoes can be Placed in the Drop-Off Box at the Church throughout Lent and Easter
child
recipient
at the Mission Trip in the fall.
(Pascha). Or, the checks, can be left in the Church office, or given to Eric McKiernan, Chair
The Shoes
canSunday
be Placed
in School
the Drop-Off
or The
Church
office. Box at the Church throughout Lent and Easter
(Pascha). Or, the checks, can be left in the Church office, or given to Eric McKiernan, Chair
 Sunday
Finally, remember
please office.
pray for all the orphan children in the world, and thank God for
or The
Church to
School
the many blessings you have in your life.
Finally, remember to please pray for all the orphan children in the world, and thank God for
the many blessings you have in your life.
Dear Parents of High School & College Graduates, Congratulations!
On Sunday, May 19, during the 9 am Divine Liturgy at Annunciation Cathedral, our parish will be
honoring you with a small gift and a reception in the Martel Hall following the Divine Liturgy.
May 19 is also the last Sunday of Sunday Church School and Attendance honors will also be
recognized.
Parents
of High School & College Graduates, Congratulations!
On Sunday,
May
19,
theinformation
9 am Divine
Liturgy
Cathedral,
our parish
will be
Please
email
theduring
following
to Irene
Cassisat
at Annunciation
irenecassis@agoc.org:
name, school
you
graduating
from, plans
for the
fall, and, don’t
forget
to let me
know
if you will
be Divine
at the Divine
honoringare
you
with a small
gift and
a reception
in the
Martel
Hall
following
the
Liturgy.
Liturgy
on
May
19,
at
9:00
am.
Thank
you!
Irene
Cassis
May 19 is also the last Sunday of Sunday Church School and Attendance honors will also be
recognized.
Please email the following information to Irene Cassis at irenecassis@agoc.org: name, school you
Page 12 The Annunciator
Join us (ages 4-12) in ancient Athens and become part of Apostle Paul’s dangerous journey to share
the truth! You’ll travel back into Bible times – without setting foot outside our church campus.
Join us (ages 4-12) in ancient Athens and become part of Apostle Paul’s dangerous journey to share
Experience
hands-on
School
at: Annunciation
the truth! You’ll
travelthis
back
intoVacation
Bible Bible
times
– without
settingGreek
footOrthodox
outsideCathedral
our church campus.
Each day, your family members can become part of history as they see, hear, touch, and even taste
Experience thiswhat
hands-on
Bible
School
at:explore
Annunciation
Orthodox
it was likeVacation
to live in ancient
Athens!
You will
the marketplaceGreek
shops, visit
Paul, take Cathedral
part in games, dance to lively Bible songs and sample tasty tidbits as you discover more about
missionary
adventures.
experiences
God’s Word
come alive
new meaning
yourPaul’s
family
members
can These
become
part make
of history
as they
see,with
hear,
touch,
for all who participate!
Each day,
and even taste
what it was like to live in ancient Athens! You will explore the marketplace shops, visit Paul, take
part in games, dance to lively Bible songs and sample tasty tidbits as you discover more about
So mark these
dates on
your calendar:
10thalive
thru June
Paul’s missionary adventures. These experiences
make
God’s
Word June
come
with new meaning
th
14
for all who participate!
The Adventures starts at 9:30am & will end 12:30pm
Registration per person: $30 by May 3, 2013
Checks made payable to: “AGOC -VBS”
Late Registration after May 31st: $40
So mark these dates on your calendar: June 10th thru June
14th
VBS Co-Directors:
Irene at 713-526-5377 irenecassis@agoc.org;
Susie at 713-666-3216 susiesobchak@yahoo.com
The Adventures starts at 9:30am & will end 12:30pm
Registration per person: $30 by May 3, 2013
Checks made payable to: “AGOC -VBS”
Late Registration after May 31st: $40
VBS Co-Directors: Irene at 713-526-5377 irenecassis@agoc.org;
Susie at 713-666-3216 susiesobchak@yahoo.com
The humility of the Mother of God is
greater than any, wherefore all
generations on earth exalt her, and all
the heavenly hosts serve her; and this His
Mother the Lord has given us to intercede
for us and be our help. There is no better
way than to live in humility and love.
St. Silouan the Athonite
If you wish to attain salvation, renounce
sensual pleasure and learn self-control, love
and how to pray with concentration.
If you wish to be in control of your soul and
body, forestall the passions by rooting out
their causes.
St. Thallassios
The Annunciator
Page 13
CATHEDRAL CALENDAR
April 19 – May 31, 2013
Friday, April 19
Greek School 3:15 & 5:00 pm
Akathist Hymn 7:00 pm
Pot-Luck Lenten Supper after service, Small Martel Hall
GOYA Southern Region Lenten Retreat, Sky Ranch, Van, TX
Saturday, April 20
Philoptochos General Meeting 10:00 am, Martel Hall
Sunday, April 21 – Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt
Orthros 7:45 am/ Divine Liturgies 9:00 & 11:00 am/SCS
Monday, April 22
Great Compline 6:00 pm, St. George Chapel
Tuesday, April 23
Women’s Book Club 9:00 am, Room 230
Wednesday, April 24
Greek School Tsourekia Baking 9:00 am, Boozalis Fest. Cntr.
Presanctified Liturgy 6:00 pm
Thursday, April 25
Greek School Tsourekia Baking 9:00 am, Boozalis Fest. Cntr.
Choir Practice 7:00 pm, Room 121
Friday, April 26
Greek School Tsourekia Pick-Up 3:00-7:00 PM, Boozalis Fest.Cntr.
Greek School 3:15 & 5:00 pm
Palm Cross Making & Lenten Supper 6:00 pm, Small Martel Hall
Saturday, April 27 – Saturday of Lazarus
Orthros 8:30 am / Divine Liturgy 9:30 am
HOPE & JOY Lazarus Saturday Retreat
Sunday, April 28 – PALM SUNDAY
Orthros 7:45 am/ Divine Liturgies 9:00 & 11:00 am
Palm Sunday Fish Lunch following each Liturgy, Martel Hall
Service of the Bridegroom 7:00 pm
HOLY MONDAY, April 29
Service of the Bridegroom 7:00 pm
HOLY FRIDAY, May 3
Royal Hours 9:00 am
Apokathilosis / Descent from the Cross 3:00 pm
Epitaphios Thrinis / The Lamentations 7:00 pm,
HOLY SATURDAY, May 4
Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil 8:00 am
Resurrection Orthros & Divine Liturgy 11:30 pm
HOLY PASCHA, May 5
Agape Vespers 11:00 am
Easter Egg Hunt following Vespers, Courtyard
RENEWAL MONDAY, May 6 – Saint George
Orthros 8:30 am/Divine Liturgy 9:30 am– St. George Chapel
RENEWAL FRIDAY, May 10 –
Feast of the Life-Giving Fountain
Orthros 8:30 am / Divine Liturgy 9:30 am
Senior Citizens Easter Luncheon 10:30 am, Martel Hall
Greek School 3:15 & 5:00 pm
Sunday, May 12 – Sunday of St. Thomas
Orthros 7:45 am Divine Liturgies 9:00 & 11:00 am/SCS
Tuesday, May 14
Women Book Club 9:00 am, Room 230
Senior Citizens Meeting & Lunch 10:15 am, Martel Hall
Friday, May 17
Greek School 3:15 & 5:00 pm
Saturday, May 18
Philoptochos Year-End Meeting 10:00 am, Trophy Room
Sunday, May 19 – Sunday of the Myrrh Bearing Women
ONE LITURGY on MAY 19 – Orthros 7:45am / Divine
Liturgy 9:00 am / Sunday Church School
SCS Attendance Awards & Graduates Honors, following
Liturgy, in the Cathedral
Reception honoring Graduates, Martel Hall
HOLY TUESDAY, April 30
Service of the Bridegroom 7:00 pm
Tuesday, May 21 – Saints Constantine & Helen
Orthros 8:30 am / Divine Liturgy 9:30 am
Senior Citizens Meeting & Lunch 10:30 am, Martel Hall
HOLY WEDNESDAY, MAY 1
Presanctified Liturgy 9:30 am
Sacrament of Holy Unction 3:00 pm
Sacrament of Holy Unction 7:00 pm
Friday, May 24
Greek School 3:15 & 5:00 pm
Greek School Graduation 6:00 pm, Martel Hall
HOLY THURSDAY, MAY 2
Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil 8:00 am
Service of the Passion of Our Lord / Reading of the
Twelve Gospels 7:00 pm
Sunday, May 26 – Sunday of the Paralytic
SUMMER SERVICE SCHEDULE BEGINS – ONE LITURGY
Orthros 8:15 am / Divine Liturgy 9:30 am
Tuesday, May 27
Memorial Day Holiday – Cathedral Office Closed
Page 14 The Annunciator
Annunciation Greek Language & Culture School
713-526-5377 x 257 or 832-242-9527
Maro Yuanidis, Director of Greek School
On Friday, September 14, 2012 the Annunciation Greek Language & Culture School kicked off another school
year with 102 children and 39 adults enrolled in our program. Parents, students and teachers attended a blessing
at the church, offered by Father Michael. This year’s teaching staff includes Poppy Cobanoglu-Padley, Valia
Vamvaka-Geis, Elena Nikolaou, Maria Preka-Sostman, Anna Mylona, Katerina Kontogeorgaki, Gina GourliLiapis, and Charis Tsonis.
Special events so far this school year included OXI day in October, our December Christmas program, the
cutting of the Vasilopita to mark the beginning of the New Year in January, and the Three Hierarchs–Greek
Letters Day dinner and fundraiser this past February.
The Three Hierarchs–Greek Letters Day event was well attended by parents, teachers, students and friends
of the Greek school. Mr. Peter Peropoulos, President of the Macedonian Association of Houston, awarded a
scholarship for academic excellence to Michaela Skaribas. Mr. George Argyros, President of The Hellenic
Professional Society of Texas, awarded scholarships to Nicoletta Varcados & Strataki McGee. We thank both
these organizations for donating these scholarships to our deserving students.
The Greek Independence Day Program was held on March 24. The whole community was invited to our
school’s celebration, which will take place at the Martel Hall at 12:00pm.
Mark Your Calendar
Tsourekia (Easter Bread) Sale: The Tsourekia Sale is another major fundraiser activity that benefits our school.
It takes the effort and contributions of many to prepare our delicious treats. We invite you to come and assist. We
will bake the tsourekia on April 24 and 25 (Wednesday and Thursday), at the Boozalis Festival Center. Please call
Maro Yuanidis to place your orders (ph: 832-242-9257 or e-mail maroyuanidis @agoc.org). Tsourekia pick-up
day will be Friday, April 26, between 3:00PM - 7:00PM at the Boozalis Festival Center.
From Our Annunciation Cathedral Library
From Our Library
We have received and shelved 196 books since our last news. You will find some good reads for
Lent. Please remember to write your phone number on the check-out card. Place the card in the
box by the computer.
The Library is located on the 2nd floor of the Administration wing and is open at all times.
The Annunciator
Page 15
PHILOPTOCHOS
Martha Stefanidakis, President
For over 80 years, countless women and men
have served our Holy Church through the ministry of
Philoptochos. Through our Annunciation Cathedral
chapter, we strive to answer the call to visit the sick
and homebound, to feed the hungry and support the
ministries of our parish, Metropolis and Archdiocese.
In 2012, through the commitment and service of our
community, we were able to support our ministries with
over $98,000 in financial assistance. Of this amount,
over $45,000 supported National commitments,
including St. Basil’s Academy, Hellenic College
Holy Cross, Retired Clergy Association, Clergy and
Presvyteres’ Benevolent Fund, the charities of the
Ecumenical Patriarch, Mission Priests and the Mission
Center, IOCC and many medical causes.
Over $9,500 supported our Metropolis commitments
including the Bishop Anthimos Scholarship fund,
OCF, Social Services, Youth and Religious Education.
Support to our Annunciation and Houston community
included church ministries such as Choir, Sunday
School, Greek School, Annunciation Orthodox School
and others. Our outreach into the community through
EAC, SEARCH, Children’s Assessment Center, has
been far reaching. We also support the monasteries in
Kendalia and Washington on the Brazos.
Although this is just a sampling of our financial
support, we also began a new outreach program this
year which has involved our entire community. Our
Goyans, Festival Governing Board, Greek School
parents and individual families have come together to
prepare 200 sandwiches each month for the SEARCH
center. Our visitation committee continues to outreach
to our seniors who are homebound and in hospitals and
nursing homes. Volunteers are always needed in this
ministry.
Through the National Philoptochos, over $173,000
was raised to aid the people of Greece, who are
suffering with hunger, illness and homelessness. In a
recent initiative, $100,000 additional dollars were sent
to the Greek Chapter of Doctors Without Borders, by
the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, National
Philoptochos and the American Jewish Committee.
Philoptochos has pledged its continued support to the
people of Greece. In addition, Philoptochos immediately
sent funds to the Metropolis of New Jersey and the
Direct Archdiocese District to assist in the devastation
caused by Hurricane Sandy. The support continues for
those suffering that natural disaster.
This year $20,000 was sent to the United States
Fund for UNICEF’s “End Trafficking Project” to end
child trafficking and exploitation in the United States.
All this has been done while Philoptochos also
purchased its permanent home in New York City which
will be blessed by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios
in November of this year!
Without the support of every member of our
Annunciation community and members across this
country, this work could not be accomplished. Please
consider joining this God blessed organization. Women
and men of Annunciation, the time is now. Be a part of
this exciting, innovative and vital ministry!
For more information contact Martha Stefanidakis
or any member of our Cathedral Philoptochos. More
information about Philoptochos can be found at www.
philoptochos.org or find us on Facebook at www.
facebook.com/philoptochos; and through our blog at
www.philoptochos.posterous.com.
Page 16 The Annunciator
SENIOR CITIZENS
Kiki Pantazis and Paula Phocas
Hi, everyone,
We have been going full speed with our Sr. Citizens program and we have been growing and thriving, thanks
to our wonderful sponsors. May God bless each and every one of you for your kindness and generosity.
This is our schedule for the next two months:
APRIL 2
Luncheon is sponsored by Tasoula Zavitsanos.
APRIL 16 Luncheon is sponsored by the honorable Consul of Greece Mr. Georgios Papanikolaou.
MAY 10
Our Easter celebration luncheon is sponsored by the AHEPA and the Daughters of Penelope.
MAY 14
Luncheon is sponsored by our Annunciation Orthodox School.
MAY 21
Luncheon is sponsored by Vangie Barrow and Terri Checkles.
JUNE 4
Will be our last luncheon until OCTOBER
GUIDELINES:
Everyone who is 55 years and older and is a member of the Annunciation Cathedral, please join us in the
senior’s program and enjoy the fun and the fellowship our program provides. To attend our outings you have
to be a regular member of the Cathedral and the Sr. Citizens, with the exception of out of town visitors who are
VERY welcome at any time.
For more information call: KIKI PANTAZIS at 281-218-9418 OR PAULA PHOCAS at 713-661-5017
Visitations
What can I do during this Lenten period to prepare for Pascha? This is the question we
are all asking ourselves as we enter into this time of increased reflection and selfexamination. We have a need within our Annunciation community for people who are
willing to visit parishioners in assisted living and nursing facilities or at their homes.
Please consider committing to visit someone at least once a year, if not more. We can
help match you up with individuals who live near your home or office, or who share
similar interests. We also welcome people who are willing to keep in touch via telephone
calls or letters. Think of this as a great project for the whole family. Please contact Kris
McGee at krisdiane7@yahoo.com or at 713-622-7007 if you would like to help.
One visit, one call, one month -- make a difference in your life and someone else's!
The Annunciator
Page 17
AOS Celebrates Feast of the Annunciation and
Greek Independence Day
His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver visited Annunciation Orthodox School in Houston Texas for
the Feast of the Annunciation and Greek Independence Day Celebration. His Eminence addressed the entire
student body and faculty during the chapel service. His message focused on the free will given to us by God,
and the freedom we have to choose to love Him and follow His teachings. His Eminence used the story of the
Annunciation as an example of how Mary exercised her free will to accept the role of becoming the Theotokos.
He also spoke of the concept of liberty as a God given right, and the significance of the Greeks choosing the
feast day of the Annunciation to declare their independence from the Ottoman Turks, since that is the day that
marks the beginning of our freedom from sin with the promise of the birth of the Messiah. His Eminence noted
that the Greek National Anthem celebrates liberty, not a country or a place, and that the Greeks proclaimed they
would rather live free for one hour than in slavery for 40 years. The students sang the hymn Ti Ipermaho, The
Hymn of the Annunciation and the Greek National Anthem. The celebration concluded with the students dancing
traditional Greek dances.
Annunciation Orthodox School was founded in 1970 by Father Nicholas and Presvytera Diane Triantafilou.
It has an enrollment of 690 students from preschool through the eighth grade.
Page 18 The Annunciator
Sunday of Orthodoxy
The Annunciator
Page 19
REGISTRY
August 6, 2012 – March 31, 2013
WEDDINGS
Alexandra Megan Balzer and
Steve George Caloudas III
Sponsor: Constantine Caloudas
Shelly Samantha Conn and
Michael Gregory Magoulas
Sponsor: Theo Gaitanaros
Lindsey Kile Constance and
Charles Kalas
Sponsor: Dean Zografos
Emily Margaret DeLong and
George Michael Grivon
Sponsor: Alex Grivon
Atiya Eleni Husain and
Theodore Dimitri Petrou
Sponsor: Constantine S. Petrou
Ling Huynh and
Stavros X. Gekas
Sponsor: Apostolos Gekas
Elizabeth Stevenson King and
Thomas Michael Kanarellis III
Sponsor: Jason Kanarellis
Triantafilia Rose Moshou and
Alexander Konstantinos Antzaras
Sponsor: Georgia Christiansen
Alexis Caroline Ninos and
Leo James Payne III
Sponsor: Laura Yeros
Anna Victoria Rogers and
Charles Gerard Schwartzel
Sponsor: Christina Rogers
Stephanie Eleni Vlahakos and
Omer Ihsan Esiner
Sponsor: Elise Dale
Amalia Dawn Voinis and
Marcus Lee Lalumandier
Sponsor: Nick Voinis
Erasmia Moustakis Gardner and
John Christopher Gardner
Sponsor: Eleftheria A. Pekmezaris
Kathryn Louisa Shotwell and
William Earl Maxwell, Jr.
Sponsor: Steve Levendakes
George Dionysis
Parents: Despina and Juan Mann
Godparent: Sophia Ambuehl
Mary Fraley Plumb Senkel and
Nicholas Lawrence Senkel
Sponsor: Natalie Kirklin
John Alexander
Parents: Kathryn and William
Maxwell, Jr.
Godparent: Stephan Selinidis
BAPTISMS
Tomas (Thomas)
Parents: Jackie and Stephen Aczel
Godparent: Terry Eris
Angelica (Angeliki)
Parents: Dimitria Xintavelonis
and Carlos Alonso
Godparent: Elena Xintavelonis
Vasili (Vasilios) Demetri
Parents: Elise and Demetri Dale
Godparents: Katina and Vasilios
Mathews
Lauren Sophia
Parents: Tania and James Gus
Demeris
Godparent: Stephanie Vlahakos
Esiner
Maria John
Parents: Jennifer and John Gus
Demeris
Godparent: Courtney Maria Demeris
Axton Nicholas
Parents: Eleni and Scott Drier
Godparent: Thanassi Varvoutis
Mark Aaron
Parents: Christine and Michael
Fordtran
Godparent: Martin Troy Whitaker
David
Parents: Elena Xintavelonis and
Juan Bautista Iribarren
Godparent: Dimitria Xintavelonis
Christian Alexander
Parents: Amy and Anastasios
Karamitsos II
Godparent: Kleo Karalis Grimland
Catherine Caras
Parents: Mandy and Christopher
Pamphilis
Godparent: Theodora Alexandria
Patsouras
Constantine George
Parents: Pamela and William
Papadopoulos
Godparent: Anna Maria Johnson
Drew Gary (Andrew)
Justine and Mikes Nicholis
Godparent: Borce Ilievski
Ava Xenia (Polyxeni)
Parents: Dora and Richard Dimitrios
Poulis
Godparent: Carol Poulis
Nicholas Allen
Parents: Holly and George Psifidis
Godparents: Kelly and Kyriakos
Exezidis
Osaiah Emmanuel (Isaiah)
Parents: Arianna Garcia and Marco
Salazar, Jr.
Godparents: Susan and Mark
Enterline
Evangelos Christopher
Parents: Eugenia and Szymon
Sawicki
Godparent: Nicholas Breitweiser
Dmitry (Demetrios)
Parents: Ekaterina Sermyagina and
Konstantin Sermyagin
Godparents: Natalia Bogatova and
Dmitry Selivanov
(continued on back page)
THE ANNUNCIATOR
Save the Date
October 19, 2013
IOCC Texas Hoe Down
In Honor of
Dean Triantafilou’s 20 Years of Service to IOCC
(International Orthodox Christian Charities)
Stay tuned for further details!
REGISTRY
continued...
Elise Claire (Elizabeth)
Parents: Lori and Andreas Stamatiou
Godparent: Elias Xanthoulis
Sophia Victoria
Parents: Victoria and Peter Suh
Godparent: Elizabeth Ardeel
Presley Wade (Anna)
Parents: Melissa Wood and
Robert Vaughn III
Godparent: Krista Lee Vaughn
Tatiana Helena
Parents: Teresa and Christopher
Young
Godparent: Kyriacos Agapiou
Niki Foteini
Parents: Ioanna Athanassaki and
Nikolaos Zacharias
Godparent: Elftheria Psarovarkas
Lindsey Kile Constance
Godparent: Anne Kalas Vastakis
Ling (Martha) Huynh
Godparent: Tasoula Zavitsanos
Dora (Theodora) Poulis
Godparent: Alexandra Karantzoulis
Justin (Raphael) Smith
Godparent: Joni Zavitsanos
CHRISMATIONS
Arianna Garcia
Sponsor: Susan Enterline
FUNERALS
Peter James Athas
Peggy Brown
Johnny J. Doxakis
Margaret Krikris Fotinos
Venita “Jean” Gianopulos
Amalia Hronas
Theoni Bessie Kaldis
Helen K. Lazarides
James T. Nicolaou
Juanita M. Papadakis
Maria P. Stamos
Marco (Mark) Antonio Salazar, Jr.
Sponsor: Mark Enterline
Dianne Elizabeth Wells
Sponsor: Irene Cassis
ANNUNCIATION
GREEK ORTHODOX
CATHEDRAL
3511 YOAKUM BOULEVARD
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77006‑4388