May 2020

Truly He is Risen!

Αληθώς ανέστη! (Greek)

Adevarat a Înviat! (Romanian)

Hakken Kahm! (Arabic)

Voistinu Voskrese! (Slavonic)

Dear parishioner or friend of the Annunciation parish family, The fullness of time has arrived and again we are filled with unequaled joy of the good news of His glorious third-day Resurrection and we recite, pray and sing: Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. Filled with this joy, I greet you..

Christ is Risen!

Χρήστος ανέστη! (Greek)

Hristos a Înviat! (Romanian)

El Messieh Kahm! (Arabic)

Christos Voskrese! (Slavonic)

(Father Ciprian’s Message Continued on Page 4)

9400 WEST CONGRESS STREET MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN 53225 PH: 414.461.9400 www.annunciationwi.org

Message from Fr. Ciprian Sas

CELEBRATING HOLY WEEK AT HOME

ANNUNCIATION STREAMING PICTURES --- Please send pictures of yourself and/or your family members as/while you stream our services on our Church’s Facebook Page. You can email your pictures to info@annunciationwi.org or upload your pictures using this link https://forms.gle/hPKPK2UA3wDJXUQDA -

Father Ciprian’s Message

KOINONIA

Continued from Page 1 In His Homily for the Di-vine Liturgy of the First Resurrection The Vespers of Holy and Great Satur-day on April 18, 2020 His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros said that “[i]n willingly dying upon the Cross, He made it possible

for each and every human person to be reborn with Him by His Resurrection from the dead. He made it possible for our lives to be utterly trans-formed. He made it possible for us to live in the highest potential of our created form, as loving, merciful, compassionate, forgiving and altruistic persons.”

Our potential and struggle to be Christ-like is re-alized through those very adjectives, those char-acter attributes, those virtues – love, mercy, com-passion, forgiveness and altruism. These fruits of the spirit give birth to good deeds and alms giv-

ing which necessitate a recipient, a beneficiary other than ourselves. Christ suffered in the flesh, sacrificed, died and resurrected not for Himself but for us and our own benefit. Therefore, being truly Christ-like means that someone else will benefit from our good deeds and our alms giving, someone else will be the beneficiary of our love, mercy, compassion, forgiveness and altruism. These interactions between us are meant to mod-el the interactions between the three persons of our Trinitarian God – we were created for this and have that potential. Thus, filled with the joy of His Resurrection, I greet you again with “Christ is Risen!” and eagerly await and pray for the next time I will interact with you face-to-face.

May your households be blessed with an abun-dance of fervent personal prayer and may God protect each member of your households during these difficult times.

Christ is Risen!

With love in Christ,

Fr. Ciprian Sas, Parish Priest

SACRAMENTS & SPECIAL SERVICES

SACRED GIFTS—ALTAR CANDLES

Baptisms / Chrismations / Weddings

None this month

Funerals & Memorial Services:

May their souls rest in peace among the saints and their memory be eternal! - Emmanouel Maheras fell asleep in the Lord on Thu, April 9, 2020. His funeral service was held at Annuncia-

tion on Fri, April 23 and interment was at Pinelawn Memorial Park.

- Norma Bruss fell asleep in the Lord on Wed, April 15, 2020. Her funeral service was held at Annunciation

on Fri, April 23. Interment was at Oak Knoll Cemetery in Mukwonago.

- 1-year Memorial Service for Jerry Avros offered by Tim & Joanna Mistrioty (April 5)

- 3-year Memorial Service for Tom (Athanasios) Domanos offered by Ioanna, George, Peter & Eleni and

grandsons (April 5)

- 1-year Memorial Service for Nikki (Nicoletha) Marquardt offered by her family (April 26)

- 1-year Memorial Service for Thomas Katrichis offered by his wife, Kathryn, children and grandchildren.

(April 26)

- 40-day Memorial Service for Tessie Leon by the Leon and Janis families. (April 26)

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Altar Candles offered in loving memory of:

- Dr. Thomas Pagedas, my dearest brother offered by Athena Pagedas (April 5)

-Savas and Haritlea, my parents and Stephen offered by Ann Papastefan (April 12)

- James and Marika Kougeoures, Sofia Kougeoures by Connie Contos (April 17)

- Harry, Mary Magdalene and George Spelius offered by Elaine Spelius (April 18)

- Penny Cavins offered by her family (April 19)

- Dr. George Batayias by loving wife Jacque in honor of his name day (April 23)

- George Lenardos by his family in honor of his name day (April 23)

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PRESVYTERA MAGGIE’S MESSAGE

Christ is risen!

There were many moments dur-ing this year’s Resurrection ser-vice when my tears of joy were joined by tears of sadness be-cause of how much we miss you, our Annunciation Family! The tealight candles were placed in your seats to help us all feel like you were there with us, and to symbolize each of you much like the Prosforon, which is always “baked to represent each one of us” in unity.

These times of separation bring many difficulties, but they also bring beautifully humane interac-tions. I would like to share with

you a poem I started writing years ago, when I wit-nessed how devastation, while at first shocking and par-alyzing us, can set the human soul in motion similarly to how fire scorches then opens the tough cones of the Knobcone Pinetree, to allow its seeds to scatter.

Like Fire to the Knobcone Pinetree

Choking black smoke and scarlet flame Engulf life on land and in the air: raging wildfire is to blame for devastation and despair.

Bewildered we gasp for air as we stare, begging to understand its senseless glare. We blame, we question, refusing to wait, Soot covering our hope and our faith.

In a miserable state of fear and haze, forgetting to trust God's Holy ways, hearts become too self-absorbed for Providential Care to unfold.

Tormenting thoughts boil in our mind, with ultimatums to God, to rewind, to stop the suffering, or answer "why?" - disillusioned, our scorched souls cry.

When deep afflictions hurt our lives, and we believe the evil lies,

they will only hurt and torture us, as we choose to doubt and not to trust:

Lies, that God's love would lack and fail, if He allowed suffering and pain; that if He loved, He would intervene, and allow His miracles to be seen.

This is a true tale about God's mystery, and how He tramples down death and misery, with hidden blessings that sometimes bloom out of a fire's destructions and awful doom:

Locked inside pinecones year after year, in shells so tough they would dull any spear, the Knobcone Pine Trees' idle seeds remain, as branches strangle them, their lives in vain.

Only fire that burns the trees themselves produces force strong enough to pry the Knobcone’s hard and spiky shells, allowing its seeds to freely fly.

So are our lives, as we suffocate in a miserable state: angered or dismayed, as we refuse God's care and hide our face, in hardened 'knobcones,' without a trace;

Until our hearts, once idle in a stone-shell, when charred by life’s fire mirroring hell, let our seeds of patience, faithfulness and peace - fruits of the Holy Spirit - finally release.

And while our bodies might quiver or melt, our souls feel compassion we have never felt, scattering seeds of the Fruits from Above, radiating gentleness, like a dove.

When we respond to life's fires like a Knobcone Pine and allow our hard shells to open to what's Divine, even in times of torments and fright, we'll reflect God's Grace and Holy Light.

It is this light that will serve as a guide to the Truth that while Christ too suffered and died, He has risen even for Peter who denied, And for Paul who then cried: In Christ all shall be made alive!

May His light illuminate our lives as we are facing the challenges of this pandemic all around us. We are think-ing of you, our Annunciation Family and everyone with love and prayers! We also thank those of you on the front lines, saving lives and serving in many different ways. When you are putting other people’s needs ahead of your own, you are sharing the Fruits of the Holy Spir-

it and scattering the seeds of care, compas-sion and gratefulness, reflecting God’s love for us all!

Truly He is Risen!

With Christ’s Love, Pres. Maggie

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PRESIDENT’S CORNER

TASTE OF GREECE—2020 A sincere THANK YOU and CONGRATULA-TIONS to everyone who volunteered their time and talents at the 2020 Taste of Greece. Together, we set another record for Gross Profit AND Net Income! As reported in the March Koinonia, we eclipsed our previous Gross Profit record by nearly 35%! More importantly, we had another record turn-out for volunteers. The fellowship that occurred at every corner of the fundraiser was truly inspiring to see and experience! Thank you to the Hellenic Dancers for putting on a wonderful show for our guests. For the first time we had both the Adults and the Youth groups per-form! Thank you to our Tour Guides for again show-casing our beautiful Annunciation Church and Ortho-dox Faith. Numerous individuals contributed to this TEAM event. The financial statement for Taste of Greece is included for your review.

Nicholas Ganos

Greg Papachristou

Taste of Greece Co-Chairmen

Dear Annunciation Family,

I pray that you all had a beautiful, blessed Easter. I also want to thank everyone for supporting and connecting

with our church in every way. Please know that we are working with Metropolitan Nathaniel, Father Ciprian

and the Chicago Metropolis to keep our beautiful Orthodox faith, it’s family, and the Annunciation Milwaukee

parish as a whole, strong in every way. With many challenges, come many blessings... Count your blessings

and give glory to God as much as possible. Acknowledging all our blessings, I believe, is the path to happi-

ness.

On behalf of Father Ciprian and the entire Parish Council, we love you and we look forward to gathering in

church together as a family as soon as possible.

Kind regards,

Michael N. Stavropoulos

Parish Council President

Dear Annunciation Family,

Christos Anesti! Christ is Risen!

I hope everyone had a pleasant Easter, even though it was a

very different experience for all of us. While it was heart-

breaking that we couldn’t participate as usual, we thank Fa-

ther Ciprian, Presvytera Maggie, and our Chanters, Nick

and Sarah, who orchestrated and celebrated all the beautiful

services for us online so that we could all pray together.

I thank everyone who donated to the Philoptochos Covid 19

Relief Fund. Many thanks, also, to all who answered our call

to sew protective face masks to deliver to health care work-

ers. Bless you all!

I do want to stress that Philoptochos is here for anyone who

needs financial help during this crisis. If you, or someone

you know, need help, please do not hesitate to call Father

Ciprian or Dena Taff. Annunciation Philoptochos follows

the same confidential guidelines and procedures as the Me-

tropolis and National Philoptochos. Father Ciprian can be

reached on his cell phone 309-863-5375 and Dena Taff can be

reached at 414-861-0757.

HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS - Please remember to submit the

Registration Form (found in this Koinonia) for the Philopto-

chos Graduation Gift

I sincerely hope that we can all be together again soon.

Truly He is Risen!

Evelyn Pappas Philoptochos President

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PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS

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AHEPA SCHOLARSHIP

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES Our local community needs our help. Please consider assisting these two vital outreaches.

CALLING ALL BLOOD DONORS! COVID-19 restrictions have affected the Versiti Blood Center of

Wisconsin’s ability to keep up with demand by area hospitals over the last

two months. Annunciation Blood Drive chairs Tasa Stavropoulos and De-

metra LaGalbo will be organizing a blood drive at the Annunciation Cul-

tural Center as soon as Wisconsin’s Safer at Home restrictions have been lifted.

In the meantime, if you are comfortable leaving your home and interested in donating blood on an indi-

vidual basis, you can schedule an appointment through the Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin’s website:

https://donor.bcw.edu/donor/schedules/centers

The Milwaukee Rescue Mission is a faith-based rescue who provides shel-

ter and services for thousands of our neighbors and fellow community

members. Each year the Rescue Mission provides over 300,00 meals,

73,000 items of clothing, and 98,000 nights of shelter. COVID-19's impact

effects all of us, including those that were already struggling. If you are

able, please consider making a donation of sealed food items. High de-

mand items include:

Donations may be made directly at the Mission, Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm. 830 N. 19th St., Milwaukee,

WI. 53233. More information, including other ways to support this ministry can be found here:

https://milmission.org/itemsofneed

Canned Fruit & Vegetables Mac & Cheese, Other Kid Friendly Meals

Canned Soup, Ravioli, Stew Loaves of Sliced Bread

Milk Lunch Meat

Cereal Peanut Butter & Jelly

Fresh Fruit Breakfast Bars

Dear Fanari Family,

Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen! After much deliberation with the Fanari Camp Leadership Team and medical and public safety professionals, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chica-go announced today the cancellation of the 2020 Fanari Summer Camp program. While not an easy decision to make, the Metropolis believes this is the right deci-sion to keep our children, their families, and our faithful safe. Please look below for information on CPR donation opportunities, and the 2020 Fanari Camping Ministries' Virtual "Together in Spirit" summer program and more. In the coming days, the Fanari Camp Leadership Team will be in touch with 2020 Fanari Summer Camp registrant refunds.

In Christ, Father Kosmas Kallis

Director, Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministries of Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago

KOINONIA

LENTEN DECORATIONS 2020 to everyone who donated towards the Lenten/Holy Week

Decorations.

Saluations Icon Decoration donated by

George Sanidas.

Akathist Icon Decoration donated by Tim &

Dena Taff for the health and well-being of our

children and grandchildren.

Ikonostasis Annunciation Icon donated by Pe-

ter & Evelyn Pappas.

Annunciation Icon donated by Peter & Rose-

mary Petroll.

Palm Strips & Emeralds & Palm Décor donated

by Philoptochos Ladies Society.

Palm Sunday Icon donated by Tim & Dena Taff

in memory of Louis & Louise Demetral and

Duane & Marian Taff.

Bay Leaves donated by George Markopoulos.

Last Supper Icon donated by Kathi Katrichis in

loving memory of my husband, Thomas Kat-

richis.

Candles donated in loving memory of Louis &

Louis Demetra offered by their children,

grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Crucifixion Icon donated in loving memory of

Arthur & Demetra Gamouras offered by their

children and grandchildren.

12 Gospel Candles donated by Victor and Patti

Frangopoulos for continued health and well-

being for Gabriella, Matthew and Nicholas

Frangopoulos.

Crown of Thorns donated by Tom and Tia Ton-

gas.

Wreath at Base of Cross donated by Ted &

Dorothaya Sarandos.

Epitaphio Cross donated by Mary Alex.

Epitaphio Flowers donated by Cynthia Chris-

topoulos.

Candles for Epitaphio for the living offered by

Renee Alex.

Rose Petals for Myrrh Bearers donated by

Vasliki Liapis.

4 Rose Waters donated by Joan Andropolis.

Gardenias for Epitaphio for the Health and

Well-being of the Greg Papachristou family.

Holy Saturday Bay Leaves donated by the

Wudy, Baumann, Brice and Arthur families.

Resurrection Icon in loving memory of Tom,

son-in-law.; Connie, daughter; Jim, husband

and other family members who have passed on be-

fore us offered by Helen Mahos.

Solea Arrangement donated by Cathy Spyres.

Lily Plant donated in memory of our family

members Dr. Thomas Pagedas, Gust and

Elizabeth Pagedas from Athena, Mrs. Elaine

Pagedas, and Dr. and Mrs. Anthony Pagedas.

Lily Plant donated in memory of our Aunt and Uncle

Peter G. and Anna Sarantos from Athena, Mrs. Elaine

Pagedas, and Dr. and Mrs. Anthony Pagedas.

Pascal Candle for Clergy donated by Dr. Frank

and Mrs. Stergiades.

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STAY CONNECTED WITH YOUR PARISH FAMILY Stay Connected with your Parish Family:

Click Like & Follow our Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/annunciationchurch/

Stream our services & prayers Live or On-Demand --- Remember, No Facebook account is need-ed to LIVE STREAM (view) the services. If prompted to Log in or Create New Account, you can simply click Not now and then keep watching. Older previously streamed services & other videos are available too. Direct link to live streams and videos is: www.facebook.com/annunciationchurch/videos/

Subscribe to our Listserv, and encourage others to do the same, at the bottom of our website homepage www.annunciationwi.org

Print, Complete & Send the FAMILY INFORMATION FORM, located at https://tinyurl.com/annunciation-fam-info - We are in the process of updating and expanding our database.

Video Chats hosted by Fr. Ciprian --- Pre-register & receive Zoom Link by email https://forms.gle/H7LDEAeUKRyDRvvJ9

- Kids (5:30pm), Children (6:00pm), Teenagers (6:30pm) & Young Adults (7:00pm) – Every Tues-day at their respective time

- Online Bible Study – Every Wednesday at 10:00am

- Virtual Fellowship (Coffee Social) for ALL AGES – Every Sunday at 4:00pm

Again, please stay in touch via phone with those whom you know do not use computers/phones and social media.

Separate but United --- https://chicago.goarch.org/separate-but-united

The Metropolis asks the faithful for their continued prayers for our first responders, doctors, nurses, and for the people under their care. This initiative is meant to serve as spiritual nour-ishment for everyone during these difficult times, as we are now separated but still united as the Body of Christ. This webpage contains sermonettes, prayers, reflection or stories from the clergy members and others of the Metropolis and new one is posted daily.

Interactive Resources for Youth & Young Adults --- www.y2am.org/athome

Milwaukee & MKE County Resources --- https://tinyurl.com/covid-19-mke-resources

This useful document has been compiled and is kept current by Rachel Contos and it contains an amazing amount of resources of all kinds available right here in our area.

Financial, Groceries, Gas & other Assistance --- If you are facing financial or other hardship due to Covid-19, call the Church Office as have some resources available internally and through the Metropolis of Chicago as well.

COVID-19 RESOURCES

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SPONSOR OUR KOINONIA At the end of 2019 we were faced with having to print the Koinonia in house.

Many of us have come to love this monthly publication and look forward to receiving it in order to learn

about our parish life and, therefore, we are committed to use this opportunity to improve

the quality of the Koinonia and expand our outreach by growing our database.

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buying an ad space of your desired size.

Once you choose your ad size and color option,

contact the church office - we can prorate the current

year & help finalize your ad content (text or artwork).

Monthly payments are available if preferred.

Tel: 414-461-9400

Email: info@annunciationwi.org

NOTE: All new ads or donations need to arrive at

church by the 20th day of the previous month.

Another option is to Become a SPONSOR of our

KOINONIA publication by making a one-time

donation of $120 or higher per calendar year and

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SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS May 2020

Christos Anesti!

Each year as we approach Holy Week, we have the opportunity to attend the beautiful and rich services that follow Christ’s journey to the Cross. This year, although we were unable to physically gather as one church family, as one church family we watched the services online. Participating in Christ’s glorious resurrection together was very healing for the soul. During these unprecedented and uncertain times let us be encouraged that there are many constants and definites in our lives. Let us be confident that God is always with us, that God is all powerful and merciful, that God hears our prayers and that Christ con-quered death and is TRULY RISEN. Christ dying on the cross has given us the promise of eternal life to all believers. Let us not be fearful during this Covid19 Pandemic. The Bible contains 365 references of God telling His people to “fear not.” Let us take comfort in this-Fear not. Although the days can seem long, I hope you take the chance to look for blessings. Teach your children to find the blessings in all situations with a grateful heart. Encourage your child to help others, perhaps making pictures to be dropped off in a friends mailbox, and remember to teach, demonstrate and reinforce the power of prayer. Teach them to prayer for the sick, for the healthcare workers, for first responders and those that are on the front lines of this battle ,for the unemployed, for the vulnerable, for our leaders, for their families and friends, and for churches and ministry leaders. I pray that this message fills your heart as we are apart. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be trou-bled, neither let it be fearful.” John 14:27

This past Sunday School year has been filled with so many blessings. Thank you Father Ciprian, Presbytera Maggie, and their family for the beautiful church services during this Great Lenten period. Thank you to Sarah Roumas, Nick Roumas for beautifully chanting during the Great Lenten services and during our services each week. Thank you to Curtis Dowling for guiding and teaching the altar boys and for your service in altar. Thank you to Diana Papachristou, Angie Panagiotopoulos, Katina Pepera, Helene Tzougros, Demetra LaGalbo, Kim Mamalakis for organizing this year’s youth events. Thank you to Kim Mamalakis, Alexis Ganos and Erica Edquist for organizing and directing this year's Christmas

Pageant. Thank you to all those that have stepped up to substitute teach, to provide a snack, to help a teacher during class or to assist in other areas of need. Thank our wonderful Sunday School teachers for the amaz-ing lessons they provided their students each week. The love and compassion you give to your students is truly ap-preciated and heartwarming.(Jessica Kuluras, Vanessa Flynn, Tracey Carson, Jenny Arendt, Kim Mamalakis, Eliz-abeth Dowling, Cassie Zwart, Michelle Thompson, Fay Kolster, Curtis Dowling, Bill Zaferos, Helene Tzougros, Katina Pepera, and Demetra LaGalbo). Thank you to Kim Mamalakis for co-directing with me our beautiful Sunday School program. Thank you to the Sunday School families for all your sup-port with the Youth Ministry Programs.

THANK YOU!

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SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

High School Seniors This year’s seniors are: Gabriella Tzougros, Eleni Tzougros, John Sardo, George Schmidt, Demtra(Mia) Lia-copoulos, and Jack Johnson. We are very proud of you. As you start the next chapter of your life, remember that success is measured by more than an occupation. We need no more to make us happy, than to know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. By continuing to pray, serve those in need, and be a witness to others in your daily life you keep Christ’s light bright and are on your way to being the kind of person that we all aspire to become. Remember that we, at the Annunciation, will always be your family. Good luck and God Bless. Final Thoughts On behalf of the Sunday School teachers and youth leaders, we would like to say that while this was not how we thought or hoped the year would end, we had a great year. We are eagerly looking forward to when we can all worship and join in fellowship together again. We miss all the families, especially the students. Be safe and hope to see you soon.

Jack Theodore Johnson

WCTC

Demetra Belle Liacopoulos

(Mia)

University of Alabama

John Anthony Sardo

WCTC—Business/Marketing

Washington County Technical College

George Dimitrios Schmidt

WCTC—Mechanical Engineering

Eleni Corinne Tzougros

Butler University, Indiana

Gabriella Ann Tzougros

Butler University, Indiana

2020 HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES

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SPONSORS OF THE KOINONIA Donors who have made a minimum one-time donation of $120 for the current calendar year—thank you!

Your name will be listed on a this page, alphabetized by last name, for the remainder of that year.

1. Barbara Alex

2. Joan Andropolis

3. Marlene Ego

4. John & Pat Galanis

5. Elaine Ganos

6. Arthur & Chrys Labros

7. Dr. Tom & Elaine Pagedas

8. Anastasia Papageorge

9. Peter & Rosemary Petroll

10. Philoptochos Society

11. Ted & Dorothaya Sarandos

12. Fr. Ciprian and Pres. Maggie Sas

13. Elaine Spelius

14. Ted & Betty Ticoras

15.

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

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Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53225

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