On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for
fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them: "Peace be with you." When He had said
this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said
to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when He had said this,
He breathed on them, and said to them: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are
forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples
told him: "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them: "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails,
and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in His side, I will not believe."
Eight days later, His disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut,
but Jesus came and stood among them, and said: "Peace be with you." Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger
here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing."
Thomas answered Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to Him: "Have you believed because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but
these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may
have life in His name.
APOLYTIKION AND KONTAKION HYMNS
Sunday of Thomas
The Orthodox Church observes the Sunday of Thomas one week following the celebration of the Sunday of
Holy Pascha. The day commemorates the appearance of Christ to His disciples on the evening of the Sunday
following Passover. It also commemorates the appearance of the Lord to His disciples eight days later when
Thomas was present and proclaimed “My Lord and my God” upon seeing the hands and side of Christ.
This Sunday is also called Antipascha (meaning “in the stead of Pascha,” not “in opposition to Pascha”)
because with this day, the first Sunday after Pascha, the Church consecrates every Sunday of the year to the
commemoration of Pascha, that is, the Resurrection. We hear these words every year in the Pascha season. For
the 40 days of the feast we drop the normal How are you! or Hi! or Good day! and we salute each other with:
Christ is risen! Truly He is risen! For 40 days we remember every single day that this has indeed happened;
that Christ our true God has died for us, but in His death He has trampled death by death, bestowing life on
each one of us, as we lie in our symbolic earthly tombs, taking care of many other things but our souls and
our salvation.
Second Sunday of the Paschal Season, Thomas Sunday
Hymn of the Feast
Christ has risen from the dead, by trampling down deathby death, and on those in the tombs
has bestowed life.
With the tomb sealed securely, O Christ the life, you rose from the grave, and with the doors tightly
closed, you came to your Disciples, O Resurrection of all, renewing in us a right Spirit through them,
according to your great mercy.
Though you descended in the grave, O Immortal one, yet you destroyed the power of Hades; and you rose as
victor, O Christ our God ; to the Myrrh-bearing Women you said: Rejoice! And to your Apostles you granted
your peace, the One who grants resurrection to the fallen ones..
PARISH NEWS AND EVENTS
TODAY
40 Day Blessing
We welcome baby Casey Constantina for her 40 day blessing proud parents Alexandra & Joseph Krol
PARISH NEWS
GOYA FOOD DRIVE
Please help by donating non-perishable food items in order to provide food to thousands of hungry &
homeless. We are collecting for St. Augustine Church and will deliver on May 27th. Please place the items
in the box located in the hallway between the hall and the church.
Attention Greek School, High School & College Graduates
We would like to honor all graduates for their achievements to be highlighted, in the June issue of the
Vision. We need, your Name, School/College you will graduate from, Honors and awards received, School you
plan to attend, and Intended Major. Please email the church office by May 15th. PLEASE BE SURE TO FORWARD
A PICTURE!
Fundraising Activities
Please be advised that any and all fundraising activities that are done at the Annunciation Greek
Orthodox Church need to have prior approval from Fr. Dean. If approval is granted, the name, address, and
contact person from the charity must be on file with the church office.
FESTIVAL PREPARERS NEEDED
We will be preparing food every Tuesday and Wednesday starting Tuesday, February 5th We may need your
help on certain evenings. We ask if you would come and help prepare for the festival from 9 am until 3pm and
some evenings until 7pm.
FESTIVAL DONATIONS NEEDED
We are seeking food items and cash donations for the Festival. If you would like to make a donation,
please contact Mrs. Eleni Karadimas or call the Church office at: 216-816-0116
YOUTH NEWS
PAN-ORTHODOX SPORTS TOURNAMENT
May 17-19
All Orthodox young adults invited to join in a meet & greet bonfire, round robin soccer & cornhole
tournaments, Saturday night dancing to live band, and Sunday BBQ.
Host co-sponsors Akron Clergy Assoc.Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, St. George Antiochian Orthodox
Church, St. Elias Orthodox Church.
Location: Presentation of Our Lord Orthodox Church, 3365 Ridgewood Rd., Akron. Ph: 216 282-7973
For more info go to www.PanOrthodoxUnited.org or email PanOrthox2013@gmail.com
IONIAN VILLAGE
The Archdiocese’s Summer Travel Camp program in Greece is now open for registration
(www.ionianvillage.org)
Session 1
June 23-July 12 & Session 2: July 20-Aug. 8. (Both open to Grades 7-12.)
May 30-Jun 9. Spiritual Odyssey to Cyprus & Crete, for ages 19-28:
General Information
NEW CALLING SYSTEM
We ask everyone to please fill out the Family Information form. We will soon have every member on a
calling system that allows our church to communicate with you. If there is a cancelation of church services
due to the weather or any other information, this system will call you or email you. We ask everyone to
update your information with us.
HOSPITAL VISITATIONS
Please remember that due to new HIPPA privacy laws Fr. Dean is not made aware of hospitalized parishioners
unless the hospital has been given permission to contact him. Therefore, please call the church office
directly to schedule a hospital visit or ask the hospital to contact the church at 216-861-0116 to arrange
a pastoral visit. Your wishes will be honored, but hospitalized parishioners or a family member must make the
request.
STEWARDSHIP
PLEASE MAKE YOUR 2013 STEWARDSHIP PLEDGE TODAY
We are collectingthe 2013 Stewardship pledge cards. If you have not yet made your Stewardship commitment,
please complete the card located by the candle stand.
We want to thank everyone who is participating in the Stewardship program of The Annunciation for 2012.
Your Participation in the Stewardship expresses your love and priorities to our Church and allows us to
embrace one another as we work in the vineyard of the Lord
Stewardship is not about calculations or portions or percentages. It can’t be reduced to a number of hours
of service or dollars offered. Stewardship is a way of life. As Orthodox Christians, we are called to a new
way of seeing things – a new way of life. Our stewardship is obedience to the greatest commandment to “Love
the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.” We are called to bring others to commit their lives
to Jesus Christ in such a way that leads to the joy of knowing Him personally and profoundly.
ICONOSTASIS
The Iconostasis was freshly painted by an artist, to enhance the beauty of our church. This work was
part of the Holy Altar restoration in preparation and celebration of our church’s 100th anniversary. We
kindly ask everyone to respect the church, and refrain from adding any hooks, nails, or tape around the
icons. No votive candles should be placed against the wood. At one time, we experienced a fire many years
ago to the Iconostasio, we do not want this to happen to our church again. If you would like to clean or add
anything to the church you must speak to Fr. Dean. Please respect the position and the responsibility of
the priesthood we are a loving community working together for the Glory of God. We all enjoy the beauty of
the Mother church, want to preserve her beauty, and keep her well for the next 100 years.
What is a “member” of the Church?
Use of the term “Member” in this situation is not the same as being a member of a club or civic group or
fraternal organization. The Church is the “Body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:12). Therefore, to be a member
of the Church is to be a part of the living body of Christ. If you have not done so yet, please send in your
pledge card this week. Extra cards are available at the Pangari (Candle Stand). Anyone who is out of
college and working is encouraged to become a supporting steward of our parish.
I can do all things in Him Who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
We are Called to Bear Fruit
At the Last Supper, as we read in Chapter 15 of the Gospel of John, Jesus instructed His disciples, “I
Am the Vine; you are the branches.” He was telling us that the purpose of abiding in Him is that we may bear
fruit for God in the world. “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit…” (John 15:8). Just as
the vine bears fruit only through its branches, so Jesus has chosen to work in the world through us. We are
the members of His body-the branches through which the Vine must bear fruit. We bear fruit when we serve and
support God and His Church.
