Beloved parishioners and friends of the Annunciation Church,
As we make final preparations for our Consecration Weekend on October 9 and 10, 2010, we want to inform all parishioners and friends of the special church schedule and other priority arrangements that have been put in place for Consecration Vespers on Saturday evening and the Consecration Services on Sunday morning.
In order to make sure that we can all fully enjoy this special weekend, this letter sets out the schedule of events that will take place, so that we can make appropriate plans.
CONSECRATION VESPERS - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2010
Hierarchical Vespers Service and Artoklasia - 7:00 pm.
To initiate the Consecration Services His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios will deliver to our Church three Holy Relics of martyred saints.
Consecration Vespers Reception by the Annunciation Ladies Philoptochos Society.
Immediately after Vespers, the Annunciation Ladies Philoptochos Society will host a festive, gala reception in honor of His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios, our other special guests and all the friends of the Annunciation parish.
CONSECRATION SERVICES - SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2010
Sunday morning’s Church service is divided into three parts: the Orthros, the Consecration Service and the Divine Liturgy.
Orthros - 8:30 am.
Outside Procession to begin the Consecration Service - 9:30 am.
We would like everyone to be present and participate in the procession. We will be filming a DVD during the ceremony, both inside and outside the Church, and we would like as many parishioners present as possible. All of our children are asked to be a part of the procession; therefore, you should remember to be at Church well before 9:30 am.
Divine Liturgy - Immediately following the Consecration Service.
Following the Consecration Service, the Divine Liturgy will take place. After the Liturgy, each parishioner will receive a small piece of the Savanon (a white linen garment) worn by Metropolitan Methodios while washing and anointing the altar table to keep as a Phylachton, a blessed keepsake of the Consecration.
Consecration Luncheon at the Massasoit Conference Center - 2:00 pm.
We hope that you can all join us for our Consecration Luncheon to honor His Eminence, and to rejoice in this blessed event in the life of our parish. Tickets for the Luncheon are available through the Church Office, $50 for adults and $20 for children under 12. Reservation deadline is October 3, 2010.
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR CONSECRATION WEEKEND
Submitting your family’s first names to be sealed in the Altar with the Holy Relics
According to a beautiful Orthodox Church tradition of the Consecration Service, parishioners may submit the names of their beloved family members - both living and deceased - to be sealed in the altar with the Holy Relics. In this way, the parishioners, as members of the undivided Body of Christ, are sealed together with the martyrs for all ages.
If you would like to participate in this tradition, please submit your list of names (first names only) to the Church
Office no later than Sunday, October 3, 2010.
Special Parking Arrangements / Restrictions on Sunday
In order to ensure that there is adequate room for all to proceed safely around the Church during the outdoor procession, it is necessary to restrict handicap parking to the far side of the side parking lot. Please note that there will be NO PARKING on the building side of the side parking lot, nor in the handicap spaces in front, on Sunday morning.
Still Time for Submissions to our Consecration Commemorative Album
We have been extremely gratified by the enthusiastic response from parishioners, as well as many friends of our community, who have submitted messages and ads to be included in the Consecration Album. In order to extend the opportunity to those of you who have not yet decided how to participate, the Consecration Committee will have a table at the Greek Festival from Thursday, September 16th through Sunday, September 19th, 2010. We hope you take advantage of this opportunity to submit a special message, or photo, or both. The deadline for the Album submittals is September 30, 2010.
We thank you for your attention to these special requests and arrangements, and we look forward to sharing a blessed and memorable Consecration Weekend with you on October 9 and 10, 2010.
Sincerely,
Father Anthony Evangelatos,
Presbyter
George Alexis,
President, Parish Council
Christos Tsaganis, Honorary Chairman, Consecration Committee
Thalia Lingos, Christy J. Mihos, Irakli Savas, Co-Chairmen, Consecration Committee
