ANNE AND ANGELO MOUNTANOS LEAVE $5 MILLION TO SAN FRANCISCO’S ANNUNCIATION CATHEDRAL

Following is a release sent out on May 5, announcing the bequest of the late Angelo and Anne Mountanos:

San Francisco’s Greek Orthodox Annunciation Cathedral recently learned that its Building Fund is poised to receive approximately $5 million, based on asset values, in accordance with the terms of the Angelo T. Mountanos and Anne Psaltis Mountanos 1999 Revocable Living Trust, as amended. A portion of the proceeds will devolve to the Cathedral from the Angelo T. Mountanos Exemption Trust, while most of the of the proceeds will come from the Anne Psaltis Mountanos Survivor’s Trust. The majority of the funds were invested in San Francisco real estate. Life-long residents of San Francisco, and pari-shioners of the Annuncia-tion Cathedral, Angelo died in San Fran-cisco on Septem-ber 5, 2002, while Anne died in New York on August 7, 2004, after attending the Clergy-Laity Congress and National Philoptochos Convention, to which she was a delegate.

Married for nearly forty years, Angelo and Anne shared many hobbies together, including reading, stamp collecting, traveling as well as investing in and maintaining real estate.

Upon making the announcement of the bequest, just prior to Pascha (Easter) services (This year Orthodox Christians celebrated Easter on May 1.), the Reverend Stephen H. Kyriacou, Dean of the Cathedral, asked worshipers to pray for the repose of their souls as they acknowledged Angelo and Anne as Grandest Benefactors of the Cathedral. The bequest is the largest in the Cathedral’s history, and will significantly enable the rebuilding of the Cathedral’s church, lost to the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake.

Angelo Mountanos was born in San Francisco in 1923 to Anastasios (Tasos) and Erasmia Mountanos. After his primary education in San Francisco schools, Angelo attended Stanford University, from which he was graduated in 1947, with a degree in journalism. While at Stanford, Angelo became business manager of the Stanford Daily. His experience and, in general, his education, enabled him to expand his father’s periodical, California, which served the Greek American Community. The following year, Angelo inaugurated the daily Greek American Radio Hour, which ran for thirty-seven years.

Together with Anne, whom he married on February 2, 1963 at the Annunciation Cathedral, Angelo was proprietor for several decades of Greek Imports, a business begun by his father (then known as Mountanos Imports). In 1949, the business was moved to Eddy Street, where “Greek town,” a cluster of Greek-owned businesses, were relocating, from the south of Market. Greek Imports featured Greek food items, music, clothing, Greek novelty items, and Greek Orthodox religious items, as icons, censers, marriage wreaths (stefana), wedding and baptism favors, and the like

For decades, Greek Imports also supplied these items at festivals sponsored by the various church communities in the Bay Area and beyond, as well as in state fairs throughout the Western States.

Angelo served his country, as a member of the U.S. Navy, which stationed him in the Philippines during the Second World War. He also served the local community and, in particular, the Church, as President of the Cathedral’s Parish Council, the St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center, in Dunlap, California, as a member of its Board, and as a member of the Diocesan Board, an advisory body to the Bishop. In addition, Angelo served as President of the Golden Gate Pacific Chapter #150 of the Order of AHEPA (American Hellenic Educational and Progressive Association), Past District Governor of the Order of AHEPA, District #21, Past Supreme Governor and Past Supreme Treasurer of the Order of AHEPA.

He was also a member of Columbia Lodge #388 F&AM and Scottish Rite Bodies, the Yerba Buena Angling Club, SIRS #4, a Veteran of WW II and a member of the American Legion Hellenic Post #, the World Trade Club and the Olympic Club.

Anne Psaltis Mountanos was born in San Francisco August 3, 1925 to Vasilios and Evdoxia (Malliaris) Psaltis. She was also known as Anna Protopsaltis. Her godfather was Spyridon Calofonos, an early founder of the Cathedral. Her mother was one of Annunciation’s first Sunday School teachers.

Anne attended St. Agnes Elementary School and graduated from Lowell High School in 1944. She received her BA degree and elementary credential in 1953 from San Francisco State College. She also attended City College of San Francisco and the University of California. In 1952 she attended Carnegie Institute of Technology, taking courses in piano. She received her Masters of Arts degree in 1959 from Columbia University in New York City. Anne began teaching in 1953 at Emerson Elementary, but spent most of her years teaching at Cobb Elementary School.

Anne was a member of many organizations, including the Kytherian Society, the Daughters of Penelope, the Annunciation Cathedral Ladies Philoptochos (women’s auxiliary, lit. friend of the poor), where she served as President of the Board for two terms, the Saints Constantine and Helen Church, in Vallejo, where she served as President of its Parish Council, the Olympic Club, and the World Trade Club. She also served as Chairperson of the Cathedral’s scholarship and nominating committees. Anne would also accompany the priest on visits to shut-in and home bound parishioners and was perhaps best known for her passion for Roberts Rules of Order and their application to church meetings on local as well as national levels.

Anne was very fashionable, loved color, and was fond of hats. We all have memories of Anne in her hats, and perhaps remember a personal favorite. A number of her hats were featured at the Luncheon and Fashion Show, sponsored by the Annunciation Cathedral Ladies Philoptochos, in the Cathedral’s Korinthias Hall on May 7. The event was billed as, “Hats off to Anne.”

The Annunciation Cathedral has completed construction of its ancillary facilities. It is now undertaking the process of designing the sanctuary, as well as an on-site parking facility for 150 vehicles. Located in San Francisco’s historic Mission District, the Cathedral serves as the ecclesiastical center of the Metropolis of San Francisco. The Metropolis of San Francisco, together with the Direct Archdiocesan District, headquartered in New York, together with the Metropolises of Chicago, Pittsburgh, Boston, Denver, Atlanta, Detroit and New Jersey, comprise the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. His Eminence Gerasimos, who was enthroned April 2, 2005, following the death on Christmas Day, 2004 of Metropolitan Anthony, is Metropolitan of the Metropolis of San Francisco, which has jurisdiction over the seven Western States.

On Sunday, June 5, the Annunciation Cathedral community will bid farewell to the Honorable Consul General of Greece and Mrs. Touloupas, and their family, as they leave San Francisco for Ankara, Turkey, where the Consul General will take up his new post. The coffee hour following the Divine Liturgy, jointly sponsored by the Cathedral Ladies Philoptochos and the Parish Council, will be held in honor of the Touloupas family.

Parishioners and friends of the Cathedral are invited to attend and bid “eis to epanidein” (“until we see one another again”) to this special family.

STAVROULA “LILLIAN” HAMBERIS PROCLAIMED 2005 MOTHER OF THE YEAR

Saturday, May 7 was a beautiful day. The Cathedral’s Korinthias hall was filled with over 300 guests, eager to attend the annual Mother’s Day Luncheon and Fashion Show, sponsored by the Cathedral’s Ladies Philoptochos. The lunch was wonderful, as were the fashions, the raffle prizes, and many hats and other wardrobe items of the late Anne Mountanos, billing the event as “Hats Off to Anne.”

As we got underway, and before Father Gregory Ofiesh rose to offer the invocation, Father Stephen Kyriacou proclaimed our 2005 Mother of the Year. She is Stavroula “Lillian” Hamberis. As she came forth, to a resounding applause, to receive her plaque from Philoptochos President Angie Leventis, Stavroula thanked everyone for the honor and reminded us that, above all, thanks is due to the greatest of mothers, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.

Stavroula is a woman of great faith. She also has a very interesting story. She was raised, as her entire family was, before her, way up in the Timphristos Mountains of Central Greece, near Karpenisi, in a village named Aghios Flaxena. She was the second oldest of eight children. However, Stavroula was not born in Greece; she was actually born in Fayetteville, North Carolina—the only member of her family to be a natural American citizen. Before the outbreak of World War I, her mother left Greece for America, she met up with her husband, who himself had left Greece earlier to find work, as so many Greek men did in those days. She gave birth to Stavroula. This providential birth later helped save her life as well as the lives of members of her family.

When Stavroula was two years old, her mother, missing her home and family in Greece, took Stavroula and moved back to her village in the mountains, where Stavroula lived for the next eighteen years, helping her mother raise her family. Because of the outbreak of the Second World War and the destruction of many of the nearby regions by the Germans, Stavroula was able to use her American citizenship to flee her war-torn village and make safe passage back to Fayetteville. Later, she brought her younger siblings, sparing them from the fate of many in the area who were killed or starved to death due to the ravages of the War.

In 1942, while attending a wedding in Fayetteville, Stavroula met Gus Hamberis, her future husband, who had been visiting from San Francisco for the marriage of his brother.

A year later, he returned and asked Stavroula’s father for her hand in marriage. During their thirty-five years together, Stavroula and Gus owned and operated a number of cafes and restaurants in San Francisco, with their children working right along with him. After Gus’ passing in 1976, Stavroula sold the business and retired to take care of her home in the Inner Sunset and the commercial and residential rentals that went along with the building. Since 1976, Stavroula was able to do some traveling, to places such as Brazil, Argentina, Costa Rica, Panama, Egypt, Canada, parts of Europe and Africa, Greece, and her favorite, the Holy Land, which she visited four times. Since then, she has enjoyed her grandchildren and her church, from which she is seldom absent.

Stavroula has four children, seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, with two more on the way, and is Godmother to six people, here and in Greece. Since 1943, she has been a member of the Annunciation Cathedral, where all four of her children and a number of her grandchildren were baptized. Stavroula supports many charitable organizations. She has many friends, of different faiths, ages, colors and nationalities, and is loved for, among other things, her great sense of humor. AXIA!

Mother's Day Snapshots

PARISH ASSEMBLY CONVENES, ELECTS NOMINATING COMMITTEE, RECEIVES REPORT OF BOARD OF AUDITORS

On Sunday, May 15, the Annunciation Cathedral convened its first Parish Assembly for 2005. In addition to hearing various reports on the status on progress of our community, the Assembly also elected three members to the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee will identify individuals who are qualified and willing to run for Parish Council for the next two years. Eight members will be elected. Elections will take place on Sunday, December 11. The members of the committee are: George Mattis, Susan McLaughlin, and Ted Leventis. The members will also form the Board of Elections, which will oversee the December 11 elections.

In addition, the Assembly received a report from the church’s Auditing Committee. This committee reported: “Overall we find the accounting system and general procedures to be in good order.” It also made the following recommendations:

1. Scan all invoices so they can be filed on a monthly basis to enable the audit committee to have a better paper trail;

2. Write off all checks that are over six months old that have not been cashed by recipients; and

3. All employees who have access to cash should be bonded.

Angie Leventis and Nick Svetcoff comprise the Board of Auditors. The work of compiling and auditing on an ongoing basis is overseen by Tarlson Associates.

The second Parish Assembly will take place on Sunday, November 20, following the Divine Liturgy.

PHILOPTOCHOS ELECTS BOARD/NEW OFFICERS

On May 19, 2005, the Cathedral Ladies Philoptochos elected a new Board for the years 2005-2007. The Board consists of Patricia Aleck, Ackie Argyres, Mauna Arnzen, Mariam Arsinoos, Nan Cusulos, Katherine Dermitzakis, Patricia Destein, Anna Dricos, Despina Kokalis, Angie Leventis, Helen Markanton, Susan McLaughlin, Helen Nicklas, Teia Nuris, Tessie Obester, Connie Panagotacos White,

Efstratia Soultanakis, Foula Vasilogiorgis, and Georgia Vouchilas. Following the administration of the oath of office by Father Stephen on May 25, the Board elected its officers for the next two years. They are: President: Angie Leventis; First Vice President: Katherine Dermitzakis; Second Vice President: Efstratia Soultanakis; Recording Secretary: Ackie Argyres: Corresponding Secretary: Patricia Destein; Treasurer: Mauna Arnzen; Assistant Treasurer: Tessie Obester; and Advisor to the Board: Connie Panagotacos White.

Some are pictured below . . .

FATHER’S DAY LUNCHEON

On Father’s Day, Sunday, June 19, 2005, we will be hosting a luncheon and we will also be honoring the Father of the Year for 2005. Please plan to attend this wonderful event to honor not only the Father of the Year, but all Fathers. The donation for this luncheon is $10 for adults and $5 for children.

PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY ANNUNCIATION CATHEDRAL SCHEDULE – 2005 **Revised**

METROPOLIS CLERGY-LAITY ASSEMBLY

With Metropolitan Gerasimos presiding, our Metropolis Clergy-Laity took place at the St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center May 23 and 24. Our community was represented by Father Stephen and Pat Aleck, who are also members of the Metropolis Council. Noteworthy were: the financial reports for both the Metropolis and the Archdiocese and the adoption of the Metropolis budget for 2005; the reading of the new regulations of our Archdiocese, which govern the Metropolises, the parishes, and the institutions of our Archdiocese; the reports of the work and progress of our various Metropolis ministries, including Church Music Federation, Commission for Orthodox Mission and Evangelism, Folk Dance Festival, Metropolis Philoptochos, Stewardship Ministries, and Youth Ministry. The creation of a new Ministry on Marriage the Family is an exciting undertaking, inasmuch as it will be concerned with the stabilizing dynamics of the sacredness of marriage and of our Orthodox Christian families.

A new provision, put forth by the new Regulations, is the requirement that representation at the Metropolis Clergy-Laity include two community members elected at the Parish Assembly. The next Metropolis Clergy-Laity is scheduled to take place at the St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center, Monday, February 27 and Tuesday, February 28, 2006. The two delegates from our Cathedral, in addition to the Priest and the Parish Council President, who automatically represent the parish, will be elected at the November 20, 2005 Parish Assembly.

FESTIVAL 2005 WE INVITE YOUR INVOLVEMENT AND SUPPORT

Before you know it, it’s Festival time. September 16, 17 and 18, 2005 are the dates for this year’s Festival. Tessie Obester. who chaired last year’s Festival, will chair this year’s festival, along with Paul Sogotis, who will lead the effort during the time that Tessie will be in Greece. A meeting of the festival co-chairs (heads of all the aspects of the festival, as enumerated in our last two issues of the Herald) will take place at the Cathedral on Wednesday, June 1. Once again, the assistance of the entire community is being requested. Think of areas where you would like to be involved. Following is a list of the committees and the names of the committee chairs: Ad Book: Fr. Stephen, Angie Leventis, Pat Aleck, Presbytera Aliki Kyriacou; Wine Tasting: John Sooklaris; Raffle: Tom Nuris; Tavernas: Justin Kyriacou, Dr. George Ambadiotakis, Tom Moulas; Gyro: Athena Stavrakaras; Deli: Peter Manetas, Nick Kontonis; Octopus: Niko Stathopoulos; Pastries: Cathedral Ladies Philoptochos; Food Line: Tatiana Kyriakides; Cashiers: Genie Mantzoros; Vendors: Tessie Obester; Underwriters/Donors: Paul Sogotis; Volunteers: Caroline Pappajohn; Public Relations: Sia Sooklaris; Entertainment: Tessie Obester; Web Site Upkeep: Jim Lucas; Cooking Schedule/Cooking: Paul Sogotis/Tatiana Kyriakides; Paidakia: Phil Chiiappari; Set-up & Layout (heavy equipment/soft materials): Tessie Obester; Procurement of Supplies: Paul Sogotis; Dance Group Relations: Irene Kyriacou; The following still need chairpeople: Merchandising; To Go Booth; Guest Invites; Admissions; Car Raffle.

Another way in which you can lend support is by contributing to the Festival Program Book. This book, which features recipes, history, and glimpses into our building program, is a keepsake. The various levels of support are as follows: Outside Back Cover: $4,000 (already spoken for); Inside Front Cover: $1,500; Inside Back Cover: $1,000; Full Page: $500; Half Page: $250; One-quarter Page: $150; and Friends of the Festival: $50 or more. This last category is for individual family names only (not available to businesses); the names will be listed on a separate page, together with other friends. The book will also feature a section for Festival sponsors. The space allotted will be commensurate with the level of sponsorship. For example, a sponsorship of $500 (the minimum level of sponsorship for inclusion in the Program Book) will be acknowledged on a half page.

Look for the contract form, which will be mailed to you shortly. This year, we will endeavor to elicit 100% support from the community. In this way, the Festival will be generate a net of at least $125,000, which is needed both to support our programs and to put into place the plan for our building program.

SAE PRESIDENT CHRISTOS TOMARAS TO SPEAK AT CATHEDRAL ON JUNE 12

Christos Tomaras, who will be in San Francisco to attend the dinner hosted by the United Societies in honor of Consul General and Mrs. Touloupas on June 12, will attend the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral in the morning and will address those interested in matters having to do with registration and taxation of properties in Greece. A number of parishioners of the Cathedral and throughout the Bay Area own property in Greece.

Mr. Tomaras, who is president of the American Region of SAE, is well versed in these matters and will speak to those interested, in the Kytherian Room, following the Divine Liturgy.

FURTHER ON OUR 70th

As previously announced, we are making plans to mark the 70th Anniversary of the founding of the Annunciation. Please mark the date on your calendars: November 11, 2006. This date will most likely also kick off our building program. It will also celebrate a glorious parish history.

Recall that our community began in 1921 as St. Sophia. Following six years in a church at Hayes and Pierce Streets in San Francisco, in 1927, the community acquired the Valencia Street Theater, which it turned into a church. Meanwhile, the community was named as Cathedral Church for the newly established Diocese of San Francisco. (Initially there were four Dioceses which made up the Archdiocese, established in 1922; these were: New York, Boston, Chicago and, of course, San Francisco.) In 1936 the community reorganized and became known as “United Greek Orthodox Community of San Francisco, The Annunciation.” Since then, it has been known, simply, as “Annunciation Cathedral.” Except for a brief period of time when the Cathedral was relocated to the newly constructed St. Sophia in Los Angeles, during the 1950’s, Annunciation has always been the Cathedral Church for the Diocese, now the Metropolis of San Francisco.

St. Sophia in Los Angeles continues to be called a cathedral church, and a number of other churches in the Metropolis have been named cathedral churches (such as SS Constantine and Helen’s in Honolulu, Ascension in Oakland, and Holy Trinity in Phoenix). However, Annunciation is the Metropolitan’s Cathedral Church. The others are, as the late Metropolitan Anthony used to say, “honoris causa,” or “honorary cathedrals.” They have been so named because of their distinguished service in our Metropolis.

The date, once again: November 11, 2006.

WORDS FROM THE FATHERS

As part of the Year of the Family observances, inaugurated by our Holy Archdiocese, a table prayer guide has been published. This table prayer guide is meant to grace the table where the family gathers for its meal. A beautiful publication, the guide contains prayers of various kinds. We call them “words from the Fathers.” From time to time, we will be reprinting one or two in the monthly Herald. Following is a beautiful prayer, found on page 23, entitled simply, “For Marriage:”

O merciful God, we beseech You ever to remind us that the married state is holy, and that we must keep it so. Grant us Your Grace, that we may continue in faithfulness and love. Increase in us the spirit of mutual understanding and trust, that no quarrel or strife may come between us. Grant us Your blessings, that we may stand before the people and in Your sight as an ideal family. And by Your mercy, account us worthy of everlasting life: for You are our sanctification, and unto You we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

EDUCATION

INTRODUCING THE ORTHODOX CHURCH
This course, which has resulted in a number of adult baptisms/chrismations, taught by Father Paul Schroeder, Sunday mornings 9-10 a.m., will be ending for the summer on Sunday, June 12. It will resume Sunday, September 11.

SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY
Our Sunday Bible Study, which this year focused on the relationship of mind/soul/body in connection with salvation and the afterlife, taught by Marina Taylor, will conclude its work on Sunday, June 12. It will resume Sunday, September 11.

LEARNING COMMUNITY
Our Thursday evening study, which this year focused on the Psalms, also taught by Father Paul Schroeder, is concluding its work Thursday, June 9. It will resume Thursday, September 29.

PAOI TO HOLD SUMMER INSTITUTE

The Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute will hold its summer institute June 22-25, 2005 at the Institute in Berkeley. The program will feature three intensive courses taught by leading Orthodox theologians in the United States.

Rev. Dr. Thomas FitzGerald will teach the first course, “Jesus Christ: His Church and His World.” The first session of the course will focus on the person and ministry of Jesus Christa and how the Church, from Pentecost to the Seven Ecumenical Councils, came to understand, to express, and to live according to His teachings and example. The second session, “Orthodoxy in America,” will present the development of the Orthodox Churches in the United States, from their establishment in the Russian mission in Alaska, to the development of multiple jurisdictions in the 20th century and the attempts to unify them.

Dr. Kyriaki Karidoyanes FitzGerald will teach the second course, “Saints as Models of Holiness.” This will be a close look at the lives of select women and men in the Orthodox Church who devoted their lives to Christ and the Church for how they might direct the spiritual journey of contemporary Christians. Married saints, male and female deacons, martyrs and others are presented as models for living the Christian life today.

The third course of the Summer Institute is “Happy In the Lord: The Beatitudes and Orthodox Spirituality” which will be taught jointly by the FitzGeralds. This course, more retreat like in its orientation will be an exploration of the eight Beatitudes as they relate to followers of Christ in their everyday experience. Following the model of early commentaries of the Church, this course will discuss the basics of Christian faith, while offering practical counsel for Christian living.

The final course will be taught by the Institute’s own Dr. John Klentos. “In Spirit and Truth: Liturgical Spirituality for the 21st Century” will historical background for what we do and say in Church as well as suggest an Orthodox Liturgical Spirituality. The goal is to help participants better understand and pray the Church’s liturgy in 21st century America.

The program will cost $125 for the entire Institute, with a fee for daily participation. All courses will be taught during the day, allowing out-of-towners to enjoy the Bay Area and local residents an evening at home. It is possible to attend only one course and there are special rate for college students, senior citizens, and parish groups of three or more.

For a detailed schedule and registration information, you can download the Summer Institute packet at: http://orthodoxinstitute.org/files/SummerInstitute2005.pdf

RECENT SERVICES AT THE CATHEDRAL

BAPTISM

Nikolas, son of Brennan Juan Morales and Tracee Ann Joulios, was baptized at the Cathedral May 21. His sponsor is Bertha Maria Kallas.

Na Mas Zisi! (Long Life!)

CHRISMATIONS

Susan Anna Kathleen McLaughlin was received into the Church through the sacrament of Chrismation on April 30. Her sponsors are George Copulos and Gus Vouchilas.

Bertha Maria Flanigan Kallas was received into the Church through the sacrament of Chrismation on May 15. Her sponsor is Alexandra Kallas.

Tracee Ann Joulios Morales was received into the Church through the sacrament of Chrismation on May 15. Her sponsor is Kim Cowden.

Na Mas Zisoun! (Long Life!)

MARRIAGE

The marriage of Paul (Polycarpos) Gryfakis and Valerie Lydia Reyes was celebrated at the Cathedral on May 28. Their sponsor is Stephanie Gryfakis.

Na Mas Zisoun! (Long Life!)

FUNERAL/DEATH

Antonios V. Koutsakis, who fell asleep in the Lord on April 23, was buried April 27. He is survived by his wife, Eleni, their children, Rose and Vasilios, and grandchildren.

Mary Chituras Nichols, who fell asleep in the Lord on May 9, was buried May 12. She is survived by a daughter, Juanita Banis, and four grandchildren, Yvonne Banis, Barbara Smith, and Bill and Mary Vlahos.

Aionia Afton I Mnimi! (Memory Eternal!)

June 2005 Herald
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral.