Dear Faithful Parishioners of the Annunciation Cathedral of Baltimore,

With deep gratitude to His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and to His Grace Bishop Apostolos of Medeia, I, with a grateful heart, address this historic church of Baltimore. Presvytera Nicoletta and our wonderful girls Corina Catherina, Christina Anastasia, and Gabriella Kerasoula are so pleased to join this amazing Christ-centered community. We are honored to serve you, the faithful of the Annunciation Cathedral, and pray that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will guide all of us to continue the ministry that has been stellar for many decades. Every day I meet committed people that love our Cathedral and show that Christ dwells in their hearts and in the offering they bring for the continued success of our beloved community.

Since October 1st my assignment has been filled with many activities, celebrations, ordinations, festivals, and most of all a vibrant liturgical life that is the foundation of our Orthodox Christian faith. I am committed to the ministries of the Cathedral and all that encompass it. I, with the grace of God and the continued cooperation of the esteemed members of the Parish Council and the leaders and members of all the organizations, will wholeheartedly embrace this Cathedral as not only our family’s home, but as a place where all of us can find peace, joy, comfort, and Christ’s love as we walk through doors of our blessed church.

You have already heard me say as your spiritual father - “I want to meet all of you.” This sincere feeling is important so that we can fulfill the needs of all the faithful. For this reason, even though the traditional ‘blessing of homes’ occurs in January, during the Baptism of our Lord on January 6th, I would like to begin now in blessing your homes and businesses. This way we can introduce ourselves, become acquainted with your families, share ideas, and of course bless your dwellings. You may reach me directly via email to schedule a time for this important opportunity. Fr.Anastasios@AnnunciationBaltimore.org.

I look forward to meeting all of you and know that if there is any need, any concern or thought, I as your spiritual father, am here to listen, to help, and to be with you in your joys and in your sorrows.

As we ready to begin this miraculous season of our Lord’s Nativity, I pray that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Mother of our Lord, and all the Saints guide, protect, and bless our Cathedral, our families, and all of God’s creation.

Paternally,
Fr. Anastasios Bourantas