FDF A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE: BRAVO TO OUR GROUPS

With four groups participating, namely Arete, Kymata, Philadelfakia and Angelakia, Annunciation Cathedral made a good showing at the Folk Dance Festival, held February 17-21 in Ontario (California). New this year were a suite of Cypriot dances, performed by Arete, and a rousing performance of Pontic dances, to live music, by Kymata. Some 105 groups in all participated and, therefore, the competition was stiff. Our groups did not come back with awards, as a result. However, in our opinion, they all performed well and we are extremely proud of them. After all, participation in the program is intended to teach a knowledge of and an appreciation for dance, costuming, and song. Whether or not a prize is awarded (and, in the past, our groups received many awards) is really a secondary matter. We are proud of all our dancers, for their performances, for their demeanor throughout the duration of FDF, and for their resolve to continue to participate in this wonderful program. We commend the parents and the directors for their support and for all their hard work as well. Congratulations!

Meanwhile, a wrap-up party is being planned. Dancers and family will be informed individually as well as through our Sunday bulletin.

ORATORICAL FESTIVAL TO TAKE PLACE APRIL 3RD

Participation in the Saint John Chrysotom Oratorical Festival is one more event to which our young people look forward, for it helps them attain confidence, as they stand up and speak (many for the first time) before an audience. At the Annunciation Cathedral, this event will take place on Sunday, April 3rd, following the Liturgy. The winners will go on to compete in the regional festival, which will take place on Sunday, April 10, at the Nativity of Christ Church in Ignacio. The winners of the regional festival will go on and compete in the Metropolis-wide festival, which will take place at the St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center on Saturday, May 14.

The Festival is named for St. John Chrysostom, who was born in the ancient city of Antioch in 347 AD to a noble and pious family. John studied to be a lawyer and was an exceptional student. He was led to a religious life, where he devoted himself to discipline and spiritual growth.
As a priest, St. John had the innate quality of winning the hearts of his audience, even though many times he would chastise them. He loved his people and would hold back nothing in order to inspire them, challenge them, and paternally lead them into upright living.

Chrysostom was also a great advocate of social justice and procalimed the equality of all people before God. His sermons often spoke of the great disparity between rich and poor, and he placed the blame upon extortioners and the greedy rich. He did not camouflage injustice.

At the age of 49, he became Patriarch of Constantinople. He was an outspoken critic of the imperial court and frequently denounced the Empress Eudokia. After a series of exiles and returns to Constantinople, St. John was again banished in 403, and died two years later.

He earned the title, Chrysostomos, which means “golden mouth,” because of his dynamic and forthright preaching. The Divine Liturgy most often celebrated in our Churches also bears his name, “The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.”

We observe the feast day of St. John Chrysostom on November 13th, and also honor him with St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory the Theologian on January 30th, the feast day known as that of the Three Hierarchs.

As one of our most honored Church Fathers, Patriarchs and Saints, and also because of his bold eloquence, it is fitting that our Archdiocese Oratorical Festival be named after this most celebrated preacher in the history of the Christian Church.

The festival theme for 2005 is, The Triodion. Named after the period just before the Great Lent, the theme invites us to ponder our preparation not only for the Great Lent and Pascha, but also for our life and our salvation. Topics for the Junior Division range from the Parable of the Prodigal Son (about repentance and restoration), to the words of the penitent thief on the cross who asked Jesus to remember him in His Kingdom. For the Senior Division, the six topics range from Jesus’ admonition “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted,” (Luke 18.14), which has to do with the cultivation of humility in our lives when society encourages to “put our self first,” to the Last Supper and how the Eucharist is the primary link between God and man.

We commend our children and this program, which is cultivated and promoted through our Sunday School, and look forward to hearing the proclamation of faith from their own lips.

2005 JUNIOR VARSITY BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

T he remainder of the Junior varsity games involving the Annunciation Cathedral teams is as follows:
Sunday, March 6

Parishioners and friends of the Cathedral are invited to join family members and friends as we cheer on our teams.

For game times and standings, visit the OYAA web site, at http://members.lycos.co.uk/oyaahoops

Meanwhile, the Basketball gym practice schedule is as follows:

Following FDF, since we will not have dance practice for a while, basketball practice will also take place Tuesday nights.

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March 2005 Herald
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral