CRISTOS ANESTH! CHRIST IS RISEN!

In 2007 Pascha is celebrated by all Christians, Orthodox and non-Orthodox alike, on April 8. (We will celebrate Pascha together next in 2010, on April 4 and again in 2011, on April 24.) Pascha commemorates the Resurrection of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ. For forty days following, until the Ascension, we greet one another with this Christ is Risen. Below are some of the different languages in which this is expressed. For a list of the Resurrection greeting in more than a hundred of the world’s languages and dialects, log onto our web site, www.annunciation.org and link to the web site of the Archdiocese, where you will find the greeting. The web address of the Archdiocese is www.goarch.org.

Greek: Christos anesti ; aléthos anesti.
Arabic : Al'Masiah qam ; haqqan qam.
Slavonic: Hristos vosskresse ; vo iss-ti-nou vosskresse.
Albanian: Krishti u ngjall ; vërtet u ngjall.
Ertirean Tegrinia: Christos tensiu; oue tensiu.
Ethiopian Amharic: Christos tenestwal ; ewnetem tenestwal (or, Christos tanasa; awa tanasa)
Romanian: Hristos a-înviat ; adevarat a-înviat.
French: Le Christ est resusscité; vraiment il est resusscité.
Spanish: Christo ha (o es) resucitado ; en verdad ha (o vertaderamente es) resucitado
German: Christus ist auferstanden ; er ist wahrhaftig auferstanden.
Latin: Christus resurrectus est; vere resurrectus est.
Italian: Cristo è risuscitato ; in verità è risuscitato
Armenian: Christos haryav i mérélotz ; orhnyal é haroutiounen Christossi.
Cantonese: Gaydolk folkwoot leew ; tchan tek, ta folkwoot leew.
Mandarin: Jidu fuhuo liao ; zhende, ta fuhuo liao.
Hawaiian: Ua ala hou ?o Kristo ; ua ala ?i ?o no ?oia.
Hebrew: Ha-Masiah qom ; be-emet qom.
Kurdish: Îsa xwe nav mirya rabe ; erê, raste ew rabe.
Serbian: Hristos váskrse ; vaïstinu váskrse.
Tigre: Eyesus ten-si-ou ; ba-ha-ke ten-si-ou.
Turkish: Mesih dirildi ; gerçekten dirildi.

HOLY WEEK MEDITATION AND STUDY GUIDE

The services of Holy Week transform us into eyewitnesses and direct participants in the awesome events of the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. In readings taken from both Old and New Testaments, in hymns, processions, and liturgical commemoration, we see the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies, and the mighty acts by which God Himself, in the person of Jesus Christ, grants us forgiveness for our sins, and rescues us from the pain of eternal death.

PALM SUNDAY EVENING - Matthew 21:18-43. This evening's service calls to mind the beginning of Jesus' suffering. The gospel describes the plotting of the priests and elders to trap Jesus into convicting Himself as a religious heretic. Through parables, Jesus tells us of His coming betrayal, trial, conviction and execution by crucifixion. The hymns of this service commemorate two things; the first, the prophetic figure of Joseph, who, while virtuous, nonetheless suffered unjustly at the hands of his brothers before being greatly rewarded, and the second, the parable of the fig tree, which in failing to bear fruit, became a symbol of fallen creation, and of our own lives, in which we also have failed to bear spiritual fruit.

HOLY MONDAY EVENING - Matthew 22:15-46; 23:1-39. This evening's theme is the need for watchfulness and preparation, lest we be called unprepared before the awesome judgment seat of Christ to render an account of ourselves. The gospel reading contrasts the efforts of the Pharisees to trick and discredit Jesus, with the forceful resistance which Christ mounts against their evil. The hymns remind us of the parable of the Ten Virgins, in which the faithful Christian is exhorted to vigilance.

HOLY TUESDAY EVENING - John 12:17-50. The need for true repentance is the concern of Tuesday evening's service. This transformation from the life of sin to a life of faith and obedience is exemplified for us in the person of the sinful woman who received the gift for forgiveness when she anointed Jesus with myrrh and washed His feet. The highlight of the service is the hymn written in honor of this woman by St. Kassiani. The Gospel meditation foretells of the coming suffering of Christ and recalls His inner struggles and agony.

HOLY WEDNESDAY EVENING - Epistle readings: James 5:10-16, Romans 15:1-7, I Corinthians 12:27-31-13:1-8, II Corinthians 1:8-11. Galatians 5:22-6:2, I Thessalonians 5:14-23. Gospel readings: Luke 10:25-37, Luke 19:1-10, Matthew 10:1 & 10:5-8, Matthew 8:14-23, Matthew 25:1-13, Matthew 15:21-28, and Matthew 9:9-13. The primary theme of Holy Wednesday is our human need for the healing and forgiveness that comes into our lives when we establish a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We are reminded that the way to this relationship is to be found, above all else, through the life of prayer. In the Sacrament of Holy Unction, the faithful are anointed and thus, healed both physically and spiritually. They are also reconciled to God and one another so that they might receive the gift of the Holy Eucharist instituted by Christ at the Last Supper.

HOLY THURSDAY MORNING - Matthew 26:2-20, John 13:3-17, Matthew 26:21-39, Luke 22:43-45, and Matthew 26:40-27:2. On Holy Thursday morning, we ascend Mt. Zion with Christ and the Twelve, and enter into the upper room. Once there, we witness the awesome moment when, at the Last Supper, Christ abolishes the ritual practice of the Old Covenant and establishes the ritual of the New Covenant, prophesied by Jeremiah, through the Sacrament of Holy Communion. The faithful receive Holy Communion at this Holiest of Liturgies. The Eucharist, which is prepared on Holy Thursday, is retained on the Holy Altar, in the Tabernacle, and is dispensed to the sick and dying, as needed.

HOLY THURSDAY EVENING - In this service, we commemorate the undeserved suffering of Jesus Christ, endured for our sake, so that we might be reconciled anew to God our Father. The Gospel readings witness for us the betrayal and arrest of Jesus, his trial and conviction, and finally his torture, crucifixion and death at the hands of a sinful humanity. This evening's service also includes the procession representing Christ carrying His own cross along the Via Dolorosa, and ends when we see before us the King of Glory crucified. The Gospels are as follows:

1. John 13:31-18:1
2. John 18:1-29
3. Matthew 26:57-75
4. John 18:28-19:16
5. Matthew 27:3-32
6. Mark 15:16-32
7. Matthew 27:33-54
8. 23:32-49
9. John 19:25-37
10. Mark 15:43-47
11. John 19:38-42
12. Matthew 27:62-66

HOLY FRIDAY MORNING On this morning we observe the Service of the Great Hours, which are the earliest expression of Christian prayer, based on the approximate time of the position of the sun. The first hour is, obviously, sunup; the third hour is at midmorning, approximately 9 a.m. The sixth hour is noon, and the ninth hour is just before sundown, approximately at 3 p.m. In the Gospels (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34, Luke 23:44, John 19:27ff) we read that Jesus died at the ninth hour. During the ninth hour, the cantors solemnly intone what was heard Holy Thursday evening (in what is actually the Orthros of Holy and Great Friday) Today is hung upon the tree He who suspended the earth in the midst of the waters…

HOLY FRIDAY AFTERNOON - I Corinthians 1:18-2:2, Matthew 27:1-38, Luke 23:39-43, Matthew 27:39-54, John 19:31-37, and Matthew 27:55-61. In this service, we are once again reverent witnesses to the undeserved suffering of Christ, to his terrible passion and death. What is remembered in a special way through liturgical commemoration and procession, is the faithfulness and love of Joseph of Arimathea who tenderly removed Christ's body from the cross, wrapped it in clean linen, and carried it to his own unused tomb for burial.

HOLY FRIDAY EVENING - Ezekiel 37:1-14, I Corinthians 5:6-8, Galatians 3:13-14, Matthew 27:62-66. On Good Friday evening, the theme is Christ's descent into Hades during which the Gospel of repentance and reconciliation with God is shared with those who died before Christ's saving dispensation in the flesh. The service begins with lamentations sung as we stand before the tomb of Christ commemorating His unjust punishment and the shedding of His innocent blood. But the service ends on a note of joy and hope, with the reading of the Prophet Ezekiel in which he describes his vision of our resurrection yet to come; in the midst of despair, we are told there is hope, for not even death can separate us from the unfailing love and power of God. Death is about to be conquered and faithfulness rewarded.

HOLY SATURDAY MORNING - Romans 6:3-11, Matthew 28:1-20. On Holy Saturday morning we celebrate the theme of faithfulness receiving its reward. The crucifixion is over, Christ is buried, the twelve apostles and other disciples are scattered and defeated. And yet, three myrrh-bearing women come in faithfulness to perform the last act of love--to anoint Jesus according to the Jewish burial custom. Their unwavering devotion is rewarded--they are the first to share in Christ's triumph over evil and death. They are the first witnesses to the Resurrection. This joy is commemorated through the scattering of bay leaves and rose petals by the priest.

HOLY SATURDAY EVENING - PASCHA - Mark 16:1-8. The lamentations of the previous night are repeated and the church is plunged into darkness to symbolize the despair and defeat experienced before the dawn of Christ's victory over the Enemy of our salvation. Precisely at midnight, a single light emerges from the altar representing the victory of Christ over death, the defeat of the Prince of Darkness by Jesus, the Light of the World. As the light is passed from person to person, it pushes back the darkness of the church and defeats it completely. The Resurrection is proclaimed in song and triumphant procession, and after the Liturgy, its light is carried into our homes so that they too might be filled with its light and warmth and triumph.

EASTER SUNDAY MORNING - John 20:19-25. Christ's Resurrection and victory is affirmed in this morning's theme. The Gospel is read in several languages to illustrate the universality of the Good News of the Resurrection and its proclamation to the very ends of the earth. Love, forgiveness, reconciliation, triumph and joy--these are the gifts which we receive because Christ lived and died and triumphed for our sake.

GODPARENTS SUNDAY APRIL 22

Every year, for twenty years, “Godparents Sunday” is observed at the Cathedral. On Godparents Sunday, we pay special attention to those who “brought us out of the Baptismal Font” and who, therefore, pledged to be our guides in the Orthodox Faith—our Godparents. We come to church together. We recite our baptismal vows together—We renounce Satan…We join Christ…We have renounced Satan…We have joined Christ. We receive Holy Communion together. In recent years, our Stewardship Committee offers us a meal—a brunch or whatever—an opportunity to “break bread” together, to renew the sacred bond that exists between Godchildren and their Godparents. And church has been overflowing on Godparents Sunday. It’s because this bonding speaks to the very core of our being, to that which is sacred, and holy, and of God. Typically, Godparents Sunday is held during the Great and Holy Lent. However, because Pascha is early this year (it falls on April 8), we opted to hold it following Pascha. And, so, it will take place on Sunday, April 22. We urge you to contact your Godparents/Godchildren, plan to worship together on that Sunday, and rejoice in our high calling, as parents in and as children of God.

OFFICIAL PARISH ASSEMBLY SUNDAY MAY 6

Parishioners of the Cathedral, who are in good standing, as defined by the Parish By-Laws and the Archdiocese Regulations, are invited to attend the first Parish Assembly for 2007, which will take place on Sunday, May 6, following the Divine Liturgy. The agenda for the Assembly, timed so as to last no more than one hour, is as follows:

Opening Prayer
1. Election of Assembly Chair
2. Minutes of the October 22, 2006 Parish Assembly
3. Treasurer’s Report
4. Other Reports:
   a. Stewardship
   b. Youth
   c. Metropolis Clergy-Laity
   d. Board of Auditors
   e. Estate of Anne and Angelo Mountanos
   f. Phase 2
5. Election of Nominating Committee/Board of Elections
6. Old and New Business
Closing Prayer

(As noted in the Regulations of the Archdiocese, only parishioners in good standing may participate in the Parish Assembly. A quorum consists of 12 members of the Parish Council, 12 additional parish members, plus the Dean. If 12 members of the Parish Council are not present, then a quorum consists of a total of 75 parishioners in good standing, whether or not they serve on the Parish Council.)

THE CATHEDRAL SALUTES EFFIE AND ANDREW VELLIS ON THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Among the many wonderful people who make up the Annunciation Cathedral family are Effie and Andrew Vellis. Over the years, they have been involved in Sunday School, Boy Scouts, Summer Camp, the Book Store, the Festival, Parish Elections, Acolytes (boys and girls), Lunches, Dinners—you name it. And, for many years, Sunday after Sunday, they put on the coffee hour. That’s buying supplies, setting up, serving, cleaning up. And all this, as volunteers! On Sunday, April 22, Effie and Andy celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. We have a lot going on that Sunday, to be sure, including Oratorical Festival and Godparents Sunday. (We also had Parish Assembly that Sunday, which was moved to May 6th, the next available Sunday.) Because it’s such a major day in the life of the Vellis family, and in the life of the Annunciation Cathedral family, we wanted to pause and salute Effie and Andy, and to acknowledge them on that day. We are confident you will all be with us to help us celebrate this special day. Below are two photographs of the anniversary couple. You’ll notice: they haven’t changed a bit!

DINNER TO RAISE FUNDS FOR ARIANA KALLAS SET FOR JUNE 2

Parishioners and friends of the Cathedral are cordially invited to attend a dinner, at the Cathedral, Saturday evening, June 2, as we celebrate “Ariana Kallas Day” (see flier following). The dinner will help raise funds to help this youngest of our parishioners, who was diagnosed with Morquio Type A syndrome. Morquio is a progressive disorder, stunting growth and causing severe skeletal disease in young children. It is a very rare, genetic disease. Because of the many symptomatic bone deformities, these children end up having frequent surgical operations, usually before the age of five. The progressiveness of this disease leads to a shortened life span and typically places the child in a wheelchair by the age of ten. With hope, a wonderful miracle is just around the corner. A primary researcher, Dr. Shunji Tomatsu, who has been working on Morquio Type A related research for over 17 years, has isolated and created the enzyme that will completely stop the progression of this terrible disease in young children. In fact, Dr. Tomatsu believes he is close to providing the necessary treatment that would completely eliminate the symptoms of this disease. Dr. Tomatsu is Associate Professor at the St. Louis University School of Medicine, Pediatric Research Institute, in St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Tomatsu will speak to us on the progress and challenges facing Morquio research.

TOM HANKS, RITA WILSON RESPOND TO APPEAL FOR ARIANA

Moved by the Cathedral’s efforts to raise funds for Morquio research, actors Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have send autographed DVDs of various movies, as well as a “Wilson Ball,” featured in the movie Cast Away, to be auctioned at the fund raiser to be held at the Cathedral Saturday, June 2. A number of other celebrities and well known personalities have been contacted to help in this undertaking (a complete list of the Auction items will appear in our May 2007 Herald.) Our goal is to raise $100,000 toward Morquio research, $50,000 from the dinner alone. To date, some $10,000 has been forwarded. This speaks volumes about our human capacity to reach out and help in a time of need and, especially, when it comes to children. This is why Jesus told his disciples, “Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 18:3-4) A meeting of the volunteers to help plan the June 2 dinner and coordinate the silent auction will take place in the Cathedral’s second floor conference room Wednesday, April 25, beginning at 7 p.m. We invite your participation.

MOTHERS DAY LUNCHEON AND FASHION SHOW

This year’s Mother’s Day Luncheon and Fashion Show, entitled A Mother’s Day Garden Party, will take place in the Cathedral’s Korinthias Hall on Saturday, May 12, with cocktails at 11:30 a.m., and lunch at 12:30 p.m. The fashions by Simi will feature clothing for mothers and daughters, including some of the Bay Area’s hottest items. The donation, which covers the cost of the luncheon and assists the Cathedral Ladies Philoptochos with their many philanthropic activities (see list below), is $45 per person. To reserve seating, please complete the applicable portion of the Mother’s Day Luncheon and Fashion Show flier (pdf) and return it to the Ladies Philoptochos, 245 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA 94103, or call the Cathedral, at 415 864-8000.

PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS - WE THOUGHT YOU’D LIKE TO KNOW

What does the Ladies Philoptochos do? How do they raise their money? How much money do they raise? And how do they spend it? To help you better understand the work of this wonderful organization, and to encourage your participation and continued support, we provide the following breakdown of the money raised and distributed during the year 2006:

Our Fund Raisers:
The Vasilopita
Crab Feed
Easter Bake
March 25th Luncheon
Mother’s Day Luncheon and Fashion Show
Father’s Day/Scholarship Recipients Brunch
Thanksgiving Day Luncheon, Honoring our Seniors
The Angel Tree Project: a Christmas program for disadvantaged children in the Bay Area

The above events raised $27,880. In addition, Philoptochos also prepares and serves the makaries (memorial meals following funerals). This brought an additional $12,852. Together with $2,000 in special donations, Philoptochos raised $42,732 in 2006.

This enabled the Philoptochos to distribute to several philanthropic programs at the National level and the Metropolis level, inaddition to local philanthropic programs.
Our Distributions:

National Philoptochos Programs/Obligations $4,630
Metropolis Philoptochos Programs/Obligations 5,214
Philanthropic – local 2,500
IOCC Appeal 700
Scholarships 1,500
Funeral Expense for a deceased parishioner 3,256
85th Anniversary Sponsor 5,000
Food Festival underwriter 3,000
Archdiocese Oratical Festival donation 500
Leukemia & Lymphoma Donation 300
Retired Clergy Donation 1,300
Laguna Honda 200
Angel Tree Project 3,000

Total Funds disbursed $31,100

For a volunteer organization, 2006 was a very successful year. Philoptochos pledges to continue in its endeavors to be a true “friend of the poor” (this is what the name Philoptochos means). Philopothcos thanks its many members and supporters, who work tirelessly to help it achieve its goals, in light of its noble and lofty mission.

A DAY TRIP TO CALISTOGA

The Cathedral Ladies Philoptochos cordially invite you to join them on Tuesday, April 17 for a beautiful spring day trip to Calistoga. We will leave the Cathedral, by bus, at 8 a.m. We will visit the Monastery of the Holy Assumption (OCA) in Calistoga. We will have lunch at the Monastery. In the afternoon, we will tour local wineries. We hope to have time to visit two wineries, for wine tasting, etc. And, we plan to return to the Cathedral at 6 p.m. The price of $40, per person, includes transportation and lunch. Helen Markanton is handling reservations. Please contact her by email at elenim@dslextreme.com.

COMMUNITY LINK

Community Link, now in its third year, is a Cathedral ministry, which consists of monthly visitations by volunteers to seniors, shut-ins and folks in distress. Community Link invites you to be a part of its “team.” It meets at the Cathedral the third Saturday of each month at 9:00 a.m. Following prayer and visit arrangements, we begin our visits by 10:00 a.m., and we conclude by noon. A few hours, well spent! To become a part of Community Link, or for further information, please contact Caroline Pappajohn at cpappajohn@yahoo.com. Our next visitation will take place on Saturday, April 21, 9 a.m. to noon. For the remainder of 2007, we will meet on May 19, June 16, July 21, August 18, September 15, October 20, November 17, and December 15. We look forward to welcoming you.

AGAPE DINNER TO BE HELD AT CATHEDRAL WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11

The Daughter of Penelope of San Francisco will hold their traditional "Agape Dinner" at the Annunciation Cathedral 245 Valencia Street, San Francisco, on Wednesday, April 11, 2007. This tradition of an “Agape Dinner” began in 1988 and has been very successful ever since.

A traditional Easter meal, consisting of Psito Arni (roasted lamb), Manestra (Orzo), Salata, Kokina Avga (red eggs), warm Tsoureki (Easter sweet bread), just out of the oven, wine, coffee and dessert. All for only $35.00 per person. What a deal!

Come join us and help celebrate Pascha as a family by cracking the red eggs and enjoying a home cooked meal. This event has been very popular all these years, so please make your reservations as soon as possible s that we may accommodate everyone. The event is chaired by Mary Chicos and Foula Vasilogiorgis and their committee. Make your reservation by mailing your check, made payable to Daughters of Penelope, EOS #1 and sent to Stella Kyriakis, 215 Loyola Drive, Millbrae, CA 94030. For further information you may contact Vaso Moulas.

SACRAMENTS AND SERVICES

BAPTISM
Francesco, son of Michele Bernardini and Alexandra Panagiotopoulos was baptized on March 3. His sponsors are George and Dimetra Panagiotopoulos.

CHRISMATIONS
Michelle Helen Munguia was received into the Church by the Sacrament of Chrismation on February 24. Her sponsor is Annette Eliopoulos

Alexander George, son of Michael George Kozak and Eileen Louise Kozak was received in to the Church by the Sacrament of Chrismation on February 25. His sponsor is Nektarios McKnight.

Na maz zisoun! (Long life)

FUNERAL
Tryphon Nichols, who fell asleep in the Lord on February 27, was buried March 6. He is survived by his wife, Vasso Nichols and his children, Christina Mandanis and Dr. Christopher Nichols, and their families.

Aionia I mnimi. (Memory eternal.)

April 2007 Herald
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral.