We are, as we know, in the throws of the basketball season. Our Junior Varsity Basketball games began January 15, and have been played at the various gyms of the parishes belonging to the OYAA (Orthodox Youth Athletic Association), as well as at the Annunciation Cathedral. Annunciation’s last Junior Varsity game will be played on Sunday, March 5. Annunciation Boys B team and St. Nicholas Antiochian will play at the Cathedral, at 2:15 p.m. Meanwhile, we are gearing up for the Varsity season. A schedule of games will be disseminated among the players as soon as it comes out. It will also be available on the information rack, located in the vestibule, just outside the pangari. Finally, Annunciation is pleased to host the playoff games for the Junior Varsity. The games will be played in our Korinthias Gym Saturday, March 11, beginning at 11 a.m.

PONTIC GLENDI - A GREAT SUCCESS

The evening of Saturday, February 11 was truly amazing. Over 500 people attended the Pontic Glendi, which was hosted by Aretymata (our combined group of dancers from Arete and Kymata, which performed at the Folk Dance Festival in San Diego a week later). The key to its success was that the event was put on entirely by our young people, with assistance from their parents. (Usually, it’s the other way around.) Those who attended agree that the future of our community is a promising one: the energy and commitment of our young people is engaging as it is inspiring. The future, after all, belongs to them, and, from what we saw on February 11, it is a bright one. That evening was, truly, a glendi -- a celebration. All who attended, as well as all who contributed, are to be thanked for their generosity and for their support.

Some $10,000 was raised that evening, which enabled the group to compete in San Diego in the Advanced Senior Category. Incidentally, they performed those most difficult dances, from the region known as Pontus, very well. They have every reason to be proud of their accomplishment. The money will also help support the program, which involves workshops, practices, costumes, travel, and instrumentation. It’s money well spent.

ANNUNCIATION’S ORATORICAL FESTIVAL - MARCH 19

Our parish oratorical festival will be held, as noted above, on Sunday, March 19, following the Divine Liturgy. (There will be no homily offered by the clergy that Sunday. This will enable the program to begin at 11:30 a.m., rather than at 12 noon.) The winners of the our parish festival will go on to represent the Cathedral at the district festival. The district festival will take place at the Holy Cross Church in Belmont on April 30th. The winners of that festival will go on to represent the Metropolis. The Metropolis festival will be held at St. Nicholas Ranch May 5th - 7th.

This year Annunciation Cathedral will host the Archdiocese Festival, with finalists from throughout the Archdiocese of America, June 2nd - 4th. Wouldn’t it be something if one of the participants at the Archdiocese Festival is a young person from the Cathedral?! In any case, many volunteers will be needed to help us host this event. If you can help with greeting, setting tables, or other jobs that will be necessary, please contact Denise Yeilding or Father Stephen.

As a result of the Archdiocese Oratorical Festival, this year's graduation ceremony and luncheon will be held June 11th (Pentecost Sunday). Please mark your calendars for this great family event!

TOO EARLY TO THINK OF SUMMER CAMP?

Not for the organizers of this year’s camp at Ionian Village. In fact, they are offering a $200 credit for early registrants. Two programs are offered. One is the Summer Travel Camp, for those in grades 7 through 9, and Byzantine Venture, for those in Grades 10 through 12.

For further information, please call 646 519-6190 or e mail ionianvillage@goarch.org.

YOUTH: WHAT’S GOING ON? By Mike Canellos

As youth advisor for our Annunciation Cathedral, I am frequently asked to attend our monthly Parish Council meeting to present a brief, but hopefully informative report as to the status of our programs. Although this past month I was not scheduled on the agenda to participate, I nevertheless felt compelled to attend the meeting due to the scope and dynamics being discussed. Not only are preparations for our 2006 Festival well underway, preliminary plans for our 85th birthday celebration too, have begun. As our dance groups fervently prepare for their annual FDF performance in San Diego, the overwhelming success of their recent Glendi continues to resonate throughout the parish. Our youth basketball program continues to flourish with all our teams in contention for the March 10 - 13 OYAA playoffs. (The High School and Senior division teams are scheduled to begin on Sunday March 20th).

Our GOYA with its energetic new leaders continue to nervously prepare for their March 4th "Philoptochos Appreciation Dinner."

This year, the 85th birthday of our inception seems to have brought a renewed spirit of fellowship and dedication that is reflected throughout our Cathedral and its numerous ministries. It has manifested itself in many ways: through the smile and energy of our new Festival Chairperson, Foula Vasiligiorgis, in the restored vigor and health of Sunday School Vice Principal and Coffee Hour Coordinator, Effie Vellis, through the continued hard work and dedication of our Sunday School teachers, Parish Council, Stewardship Committee, Bible, dance, and athletic instructors, and the continuous philanthropic work of our incomparable Philoptochos.

Yet, rather than rest upon past laurels and successes, our Parish Council is currently in the process of initiating some new and dynamic additions. Under a new format, the Cathedral will soon be resuming its catering and hall rental program. A new janitorial service has been contracted to meet our custodial needs at a fraction of the previous cost. The money saved from this previous expenditure will enable the Annunciation to engage the diverse and multi talents of John Boyer on a full time basis. John, who currently has been serving the Annunciation as Cantor, will not only be assisting Father Stephen with liturgical operations, but will also be directly working with our various ministries to insure their continued success. Before concluding their meeting, the Parish Council announced that Phil Chiappari had agreed to accept the position of "Maintenance Supervisor". It is only fitting that our Annunciation also be given a new glow to match the one on its parishioners' faces.

As the meeting concluded with a prayer of thanks and continued health, I began to walk down the hallway where I casually glanced through the windows overlooking our beautiful Korinthias Hall. It was almost 11:00pm, and to my surprise there were over 20 young adults still practicing basketball.

As I paused for a moment to observe them, I could feel in my heart that our Lord truly has bestowed upon his Annunciation a special blessing for her 85th birthday.

SUNDAY SCHOOL DATES UNTIL JUNE

Please note the following Sunday School schedule for the next few months. Meanwhile, we thank our teaching staff,, our parents, and our children, for your continued participation and support.

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March 2006 Herald
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral