Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

Tradition suggests that when Saint Ignatius of Antioch (the transfer of whose relics the Church celebrates on January 29) was a little boy, the Savior hugged him and said: Unless you turn and become as little children, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven (Mt. 18:3). The saint was called God-Bearer (Theophoros), because he bore God in his heart and prayed unceasingly to Him. He also had this name because he was held in the arms of Christ, the incarnate Son of God.

Dear Parishioners and Friends, Yesterday, I emailed our Church community about a phone texting scam that has been targeting some of our parishioners for the last few days. I am repeating that email here, and adding some more information. Parishioners have reported that they receive a text message from someone using the name "Father Christos B. Christakis," requesting money to purchase iTune cards, or some other item, to help a fellow parishioner who is in need. These message...s are not from me -- no member of our Church staff or administration would ask for money, a credit card purchase, or information, with a text message. This is a fraud. Do NOT respond to these texts and never send gift cards or money to anyone who is asking in this way. It might be helpful for you to call or contact your friends or family members who do not receive the Church's emails, and let them know they should be aware. You could forward this email to any of those friends, for example. If you ever want to verify any request, please contact me directly through the Church's office phone number, 716-882-9485, or email address, [email protected]. You can also call me on my mobile phone number at any time. Most importantly, speak directly to me. If you feel you have been a victim of these scammers, please contact me or the Church office to let us know. I hope we can work together to stop this fraud and prevent this from happening again in the future. Fr. Christos Christakis

Commemorated on January 24 Saint Xenia lived during the eighteenth century, but little is known of her life or of her family. She passed most of her life in Petersburg during the reigns of the empresses Elizabeth and Catherine II. Xenia Grigorievna Petrova was the wife of an army officer, Major Andrew Petrov. After the wedding, the couple lived in St Petersburg. St Xenia became a widow at the age of twenty-six when her husband suddenly died at a party. She grieved for the los...Continue reading

Fr. George Livanos is a priest with a heart as great as his soul. I honor his courage and faith; we are all better Christians because of his work to profit our relationship with Christ that profits our Salvation.

Among the Saints commemorated by the Orthodox Church on JANUARY 21 is our Righteous Father MAXIMOS the Confessor.

The International Commission for AnglicanOrthodox Theological Dialogue (ICAOTD) Communique for 2020 meeting The annual plenary meeting of the International Commission for the AnglicanOrthodox Theological Dialogue (ICAOTD) due to take place in Greece in October 2020 was cancelled because of Covid restrictions. Instead, the commission gathered for a video conference on Monday 19 October 2020. The Co-Chairs of the Dialogue are Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium (Ecumenical ...Patriarchate) and The Rt Revd Dr Richard Clarke, retired Archbishop of Armagh (Anglican Communion). During the meeting the members of the Commission brought news from their Churches and requests for prayer. The Commission also heard news that their agreed statement on ecology, Stewards of Creation: A Hope-Filled Ecology had been published on 19 October 2020. An update was received on the drafting of a statement on ethical issues surrounding the end of life. The Commission joined together in prayer and continue to pray with hope for the Church and the World in difficult times. Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul. (Acts 4.32) The Commission will reconvene in Greece between 18 and 25 October 2021.

Today we celebrate our Venerable Father among the Saints, Gerasimos of Cephalonia. Saint Gerasimos grew up a pious young man and travelled to Mount Argos to become a monk. He then visited the Holy Lands, where he became an attendant at the Holy Sepulchre. Here, he was ordained a deacon and priest by Patriarch Germanos of Jerusalem. For forty days, Saint Gerasimos struggled in the desert beyond the Jordan, just like his namesake Saint, and then requested a blessing to live a l...ife of solitude on the island of Zakynthos. Having spent much time in prayer and fasting, Saint Gerasimos felt a calling to travel to the nearby island of Cephalonia where he lived in a cave. He built a women's monastery where he lived in asceticism for thirty years. Here, he achieved the heights of spirituality, being granted the gifts of wonderworking and healing. At the age of 71, the venerable one reposed in the Lord on August 15th. Because this is the feast of the Dormition, his celebration was moved to August 16th, but is more commonly celebrated on October 20th on the uncovering of his holy relics which were found incorrupt. May the Venerable Gerasimos intercede for us. See more

Today, October 18th, we celebrate the memory of the Holy and Glorious Apostle Luke the Evangelist. St. Luke was a doctor by trade and came to Palestine when he heard of the teachings of Jesus Christ. Having left everything to follow Him, St. Luke became one of the 70 Apostles being sent out to preach the Word of God. He is also the Luke mentioned in the Gospel to whom Christ appeared while he was with Cleopas on the road to Emmaus. The Evangelist wrote not only the Gospel bearing his name, but also the Acts of the Apostles - a continuation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He also painted the very first icons of the Most Holy Theotokos, whom she herself blessed them, some of these icons surviving even until today. May he intercede for us always.

Please share with our Youth in grades 7-12.

Tornado Hits Ionian Village Dear IV family, On Monday, October 13, 2020 at approximately 1 AM, a tornado ripped through the camp, causing most significant damag...e to the cafeteria (Trap) and the pool. Several trees behind the cabins were also uprooted and launched hundreds of feet. No one was on site during the tornado, and no one was injured. The Archdiocese is currently working with both construction professionals and engineers to not only assess the visible damage, but also to further investigate any further structural damage. We are grateful that no one was injured as the tornado made its way through the camp. Our teams, at the Archdiocese and in Greece, are working diligently to assess damages and renew the campsite. We are awaiting a full report and cost estimate for all damage, said Fr. Gary Kyriacou, Director of Ionian Village. In 2016, a large tornado blew through the camp causing over $1M in damages and reconstruction. While less significant, Monday’s tornado still caused many damages to the camp which are currently being evaluated while insurance claims are being submitted. What is clear is that financial assistance for reconstruction will be most needed. For those who have been at camp since 2017 or seen images of the renewed IV, they know the beauty and construction of the camp was made possible by donations from alumni and supporters of Ionian Village. In a tumultuous year, Ionian Village once again asks for assistance from its alumni and supporters. Donations can be made through the following link: https://www.ionianvillage.org/donate