Welcome | Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

Welcome to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

"Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." - Romans 15:7

2187 W. 14th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44113 email: office@annunciationcleveland.net

Annunciation Cleveland Greek Orthodox Church

To make a donation click=> Give Now (onrealm.org)

Our church is moving to a new record-keeping software called Realm, which will improve administrative tasks and enhance connectivity within our church community. The Realm Connect App will replace the EasyTithe Church App, providing 24/7 access to your giving history online. All current members with an email on file will receive an invitation from Realm. After creating your account, please update your profile to ensure all your information is correct. Reach out to Niko Semertsidis or Linda Karadimas if you have any questions. Let's embrace this exciting change together! Click on the link above.

Stewardship Recommended Reading: Wounded By Love, The Life and the Wisdom of St. Porphyrios “He who loves little, gives little. He who loves more, gives more. And he who loves beyond measure—what has he to give? He gives himself!” — St. Porphyrios, Wounded by Love

Christian stewardship begins in the heart. When we love Christ and His Church, our giving naturally becomes an offering of gratitude rather than an obligation. As St. Porphyrios teaches, true love cannot help but overflow into self-giving. In this spirit, our stewardship is not measured merely by dollars, but by the sincerity with which we offer ourselves—our time, our talents, and our resources—for the glory of God and the life of our parish. May our gifts reflect the depth of our love for Him who has given everything to us.

«Αυτός που αγαπά λίγο, προσφέρει λίγο. Αυτός που αγαπά περισσότερο, προσφέρει περισσότερο. Κι αυτός που αγαπά χωρίς μέτρο—τι έχει να δώσει; Προσφέρει τον εαυτό του!» Άγιος Πορφύριος,

Τραυματισμένοι από την Αγάπη Η χριστιανική διακονία ξεκινά από την καρδιά. Όταν αγαπούμε τον Χριστό και την Εκκλησία Του, η προσφορά μας γίνεται ευχαριστιακή πράξη και όχι υποχρέωση. Όπως μας διδάσκει ο Άγιος Πορφύριος, η αληθινή αγάπη ξεχειλίζει και οδηγεί στη θυσιαστική προσφορά. Έτσι και η διακονία μας δεν μετριέται μόνο οικονομικά, αλλά με την προθυμία να προσφέρουμε τον χρόνο, τα τάλαντα και τους πόρους μας για τη δόξα του Θεού και την ενίσχυση της ενορίας μας. Είθε οι προσφορές μας να αντικατοπτρίζουν την αγάπη μας προς Εκείνον που μας χάρισε τα πάντα.

Reminders

You should have received your 2026 Stewardship Pledge Card by mail.
Please bring your completed card to church on Sunday, December 14th, when all pledge cards will be collected.
Please review and complete any outstanding 2025 stewardship balance.
If you use Realm auto-payment, please remember to stop or adjust your 2025 recurring payment as needed

All Sunday Services begin - Orthros 8:30 a.m. Liturgy 9:30 am

This Week: Monday, January 19, 2026 *NO Greek School Lessons

Wednesday, January 21, 2026 Greek School Lessons 5:30pm - 7:30 pm Bible Study 6:00 p.m.

Friday, January 23, 2026 Epiphany Swim 5:00 until 7PM at the Broadview Hts. Rec Center

Sunday, January 25, 2026 15th Sunday of Luke Orthros & Liturgy with Fr. Ivan & Dcn. John

We welcome 2 Babies for their 40 Day Blessings. Baby: Gina Proud Parents Kelly & Joe Provenzano & (Private Blessing) Baby: Anastasia Proud Parents: Stefani & Andrew Olsen

Greek School Open House and Greek Letters Program in the church banquet hall.

THEOPHANY HOUSE BLESSING SCHEDULING

What is Theophany? Each year on January 6 we celebrate the great feast of the Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, where God is revealed to the world as Trinity. At the Theophany, Christ is baptized in the Jordan River by St. John the Baptist, and we are presented with a great mystery: “He who is the Mast of all is baptized by a servant, and He give mankind cleansing through water.”

Blessing of Homes: After the Blessing of the Water Service on January 6, Fr. Ivan will begin blessing the homes of our parish with holy water.

What Do I need to do?

Please prepare a list of your family members names and an icon for the blessing.
You will be asked to guide the priest throughout your home.
Kindly ensure a quiet environment by turning off televisions and silencing cell phones.

If you would like Fr. Ivan to bless your home, please contact the church office to schedule a visit. 216-861-0116 or email us at office@annunciationcleveland.net

Oratorical Education Sunday: Join us on January 25 as we celebrate Education Sunday. At the end of the Divine Liturgy, Pammy Boulas Evans will share a few words about the Oratorical Festival and the importance of religious education. A second basket will be passed to support the Metropolis Oratorical Festival scholarships. Thank you for helping us encourage and support our youth!

This year our Metropolis Oratorical Festival will be held on May 2, 2026, at the new Metropolis Center! We will not be holding District Festivals so parish finalists will proceed directly to the Metropolis Festival. In addition to our Speech Divisions our Metropolis Festival will once again include Poetry, Essay & Iconography Divisions. We are also pleased to announce the St. Romanos Music Festival. The purpose of the Saint Romanos Music Festival is to give youth the opportunity to learn and sing Orthodox hymnography. The goal is to help them increase their knowledge and mastery of the rich and varied hymns in Greek Orthodox services. This will be replacing our standard Vocal Competition and will take place at the same date and location of our Oratorical Festival: May 2 at the New Metropolis Center. The Topic Lists and guidelines for the Poetry, Essay, Iconography & Vocal Festival are attached to this email and are also available on our Metropolis website.

Our goal for 2026 is to increase participation among our parishes and youth. With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Savas we are encouraging all our parishes to make discussion of Oratorical topics a part of their Sunday School Curriculum. Parishes in our Metropolis who have done this have seen increases in their participation. Since most parish festivals are held in March the beginning of the new year is a perfect time to begin topic discussion in Sunday School. One suggestion is for Sunday School teachers who teach 7-12th graders to review one topic a week leading up to their parish festival. The students and teacher can brainstorm possible approaches to each topic. Teachers of students in grades 4-6th can also discuss possible topic choices for the elementary division to encourage those students to participate.

In addition, we have declared January 25th to be Oratorical Sunday. Once again with the blessing of His Eminence we are asking that on this day, in addition to topic discussion in Sunday School, all parishes pass a special tray to benefit the Metropolis of Pittsburgh Oratorical Scholarship Fund named in memory of Archon Peter Clyde Nicholas Papadokos. Proceeds from these trays will be used to award cash scholarships to the top finalists in each Division at our Metropolis Oratorical Festival on May 2nd. We would also suggest that Parish Oratorical Chairs address the congregation on that day to advise them of the upcoming festival dates (Parish, Metropolis and National), the various divisions as well as the scholarship fund.

Urgent Request- St. Mary of Egypt Food Distribution is in urgent need of dry goods due to an increase in the number of new families they are serving. They are currently seeking donations of the following items: Cereal, Oatmeal, Instant mashed potatoes, Brown or White Rice (Boxed or Bagged), Pasta (Boxed or bagged), Egg Noodles, Dry Beans (Any Variety), and any variety of dry or canned goods. Please note: No Glass Jars- plastic containers only. Your generosity makes a real difference. Thank you and may God bless you and your families for your continued support!

TREMONT GREEK FEST

Greek School Upcoming Events:

3 Hierarchs January 25th Celebration

Apokries Greek February 21th Carnival

Greek Independence March 22nd Day Program

Graduation May 17th Celebration

Confessions:

SIMPLE GUIDE FOR ORTHODOX CONFESSION by — † Fr. George Popovich.

“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.”

(Matthew 9:12)

Confession is not something to fear.

It is something to run toward.

In the Orthodox Church, confession is not about shame or punishment—it is about healing, restoration, and coming home to God.

What Is Orthodox Confession?

Orthodox Confession is a holy encounter with Christ Himself.

The priest stands before you not as a judge, but as a witness and physician of the soul. Christ stands invisibly present, receiving your confession and granting forgiveness.

Confession is:

• Not therapy

• Not a courtroom

• Not a formality

It is the place where truth meets mercy.

We do not confess because God does not know our sins.

We confess so that our hearts may be opened and healed by grace.

Why Do We Confess?

We confess because sin is not merely a mistake- it is a wound.

Sin:

• Clouds the heart

• Weakens the will

• Breaks communion with God and others

Confession restores what was broken.

It renews baptismal grace.

It prepares us to receive Holy Communion with peace, not fear.

Christ gave this gift to the Church because He knows that we fall, and He desires that we rise again.

When Is the Right Time to Confess?

Confession should never be rushed or treated as a last-minute obligation.

It should not normally be done hastily right before the Divine Liturgy, when there is no time for reflection, stillness, or spiritual guidance.

The Traditional Time: Saturday Evening

In the Orthodox tradition, one of the most fitting and natural times for confession is Saturday evening, after Vespers or the Vigil service, according to each parish’s schedule.

Why Saturday evening?

• You have lived the full week

• You have struggled, prayed, and examined your heart

• You approach Sunday already reconciled with God

This allows the faithful to receive Holy Communion peacefully and reverently, without anxiety or haste.

How Often Should We Confess?

There is no strict numerical rule in the Orthodox Church.

Confession is not governed by legalism, but by spiritual need.

The Basic Orthodox Principle

You should confess whenever you feel the need to confess - when your conscience is burdened, when sin disturbs your peace, or when you feel distant from God.

The Minimum: Four Times Per Year

Traditionally, the minimum expectation for an Orthodox Christian is four confessions and four communions per year, connected to the major fasting seasons and feasts of the Church:

• Nativity (Christmas) Fast

• Great Lent and Pascha

• Apostles’ Fast

• Dormition (Theotokos) Fast

These four moments correspond to the liturgical and Eucharistic rhythm of the year, reminding us that repentance and communion are woven into the Church’s life.

The Ideal: Monthly Confession

For Christians who are actively living the Orthodox life, a monthly confession is highly beneficial and often ideal.

Monthly confession:

• Keeps the conscience sensitive

• Prevents sins from becoming habits

• Allows steady spiritual growth

• Strengthens preparation for frequent Communion

As a pastoral recommendation:

Once per month is a healthy and balanced rhythm for serious Christian life.

The Importance of the Spiritual Father

Confession is inseparable from spiritual fatherhood.

A spiritual father:

• Knows your soul over time

• Discerns patterns, not just individual sins

• Applies the Church’s canons with mercy and wisdom

• Helps heal without crushing the spirit

Spiritual obedience is not control—it is medicine.

Growth comes through trust, stability, and humility.

How Do We Confess?

Confession is simple and honest.

You do not need beautiful words.

You do not need explanations.

You do not need to blame anyone.

You simply say:

“I have sinned…”

Confess clearly.

Speak plainly.

Take responsibility.

Desire repentance.

Truth spoken humbly opens the door to grace.

Preparing the Heart for Confession

Before confession:

• Pray quietly

• Ask God to show you your sins

• Examine your conscience honestly

Do not try to remember everything.

Confess what weighs most heavily on your heart.

A Gentle Reminder of Sins

Sins Against God:

• Neglect of prayer

• Forgetting God in daily life

• Doubt, fear, or lack of trust

• Complaining against God

• Taking God’s mercy for granted

Sins Against Faith and the Church:

• Irregular church attendance

• Neglect of fasting

• Disrespect toward holy things

• Judgment of the Church

• Receiving Holy Communion unworthily

Sins of Pride:

• Pride and self-righteousness

• Judging others

• Vanity

• Refusal to admit fault

• Spiritual arrogance

Sins of Thoughts and the Heart:

• Impure thoughts

• Hatred and resentment

• Envy and jealousy

• Fantasies of revenge

• Despair and hopelessness

Sins of Words:

• Lying

• Gossip

• Slander

• Harsh or cruel speech

• Cursing

Sins in Relationships:

• Lack of forgiveness

• Anger toward family members

• Neglect of spouse or children

• Disrespect toward parents

• Indifference to others’ suffering

Sins of the Body:

• Sexual impurity

• Lack of self-control

• Addiction or excess

• Laziness

Sins Against Love and Mercy;

• Indifference to the poor

• Hardness of heart

• Selfishness

• Refusal to reconcile

What Confession Is - and What It Is Not

-Confession is not about perfection.

-It is about honesty.

-Confession is not about humiliation.

-It is about freedom.

-Confession is not the end.

It is the beginning of healing.

Come Without Fear

Do not fear confession.

Fear remaining wounded.

Christ does not wait to accuse you.

He waits to heal you.

One sincere tear, one honest word, one humble confession—is enough to open heaven.

Fr. Ivan is available for confessions on Saturdays from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM We kindly ask that you schedule an appointment with the Church office so that Fr. Ivan can be available for you.

Tremont Festival Meeting

On Sunday, February 1, following the Divine Liturgy, please join us for a Festival Meeting located in the downstairs social hall of the church.

We are looking for dedicated volunteers to help make our festival a huge success. Come lend a hand, meet our community, and participate in the best fellowship around while having fun along the way! Many hands make for faster work, and this is a wonderful opportunity to meet fellow parishioners, make new friends, and build lasting connections while serving our church.

As you know, our Greek Festival takes place Memorial Day Weekend and is the largest fundraiser of the year for our parish. It takes many volunteers every hour to make this event happen, and we truly need your help in the weeks and months ahead.

Weekly Baking Schedule will be held in our (Small Social Hall) :

Wednesdays: 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Saturdays: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Pre-prep days will be announced via One Call & Realm)
Dolmathes Prep Dates:
Wednesday, February 4 | 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM Rice Dolmathes – ingredient prep, chopping & organizing
Saturday, February 7 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Rice Dolmathes – continued prep
Wednesday, February 11 | 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM Start of Beef Dolmathes

We look forward to meeting with you and discussing the very important event. Please feel free to speak with us if you have any additional questions we would love to hear from you! With love in Christ, Steven Boukis, Aphrodite Ganotis Festival Chairpersons

SATURDAY OF THE SOULS ΨΥΧΟΣΑΒΒΑΤΟΝ Orthros 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.

With humble hearts and in the light of Christ’s Divine love, we will offer a Memorial Service for the response of the souls of our beloved brothers and sisters in Christ who have fallen asleep in the Lord

The faithful are encouraged to bring koliva and to prepare a list of names of their departed loved ones. We ask that you please contact the church office to provide the names which will be typed and given to the priest.

If you are unable to prepare koliva, please call Vivian 440-915-2070 or Eleni Mastrokosta 440.390.8143 who have graciously offered to prepare a dish on your behalf.

May the Lord grant rest to the souls of His servants and eternal memory.

Ψυχοσάββατα ~ 14, 21, και 28 Φεβρουάριου παρακαλούμε να τα ονόματα και ένα πάτο κόλλυβο. Παρακαλούμε επικοινωνήστε με το γραφείο της Εκκλησίας για να μας παραδώσετε τα ονόματα, τα οποία θα δακτυλογραφηθούν και θα δοθούν στον Ιερέα να μνημόνευση.

Όσοι δεν μπορούν να ετοιμάσουν κόλλυβα, παρακαλούνται να επικοινωνήσουν με τη Παρασκευή Κυριαζή 440-915-2070 η την Ελένη Μαστροκώστα 440,390,8143.

Αιωνία η μνήμη