2022 Archepiscopal Encyclical for Christmas - December 25 (ENGLISH).docx

Dear beloved stewards and parishioners of the Annunciation Cathedral of Baltimore 

 

2022 has been a wonderful year of liturgical celebrations and events that have honored our Cathedral’s history and given us a bright future for our 

ministries. We continue to pray for His Grace Bishop Constantine of Sassima and pray that God grants him many years in the Metropolis of Denver. We also, with much joy, have welcomed Fr. Anastasios Bourantas and his family and look forward to his service as our spiritual father.

 

We are grateful for all our generous families who have supported our cathedral throughout the years. As this year comes to a close we kindly ask you to consider fulfilling your stewardship or go above and beyond your pledge. 

 

Wishing you and your families a blessed Christmas and spirit filled New Year. 

 

 

Geli Ioannou 

Parish Council President 

Greetings in Christ, After extensive investigation and analysis by third-party experts, receipt of the recommendations of the Building & Maintenance and the Real Estate Committees, the approval of Parish Council, and concurrence of the General Assembly at its meeting on November 20, 2022, the Cathedral filed an application with the Baltimore City Commission for Historic and Architectural Preservation (CHAP) to request approval to demolish five (5) vacant townhouses at 35-43 W. Preston Street (the “Properties”). The Properties were acquired by the Cathedral in the mid-1990s and early 2000s and were already in a state of disrepair at that time. The Cathedral, being a responsible steward in the operation and maintenance of its facilities, has invested at least $90,000 to repair and preserve the Properties. Despite these efforts, they have continued to deteriorate to a point where they have lost their structural integrity, cannot be preserved, and do not serve the Cathedral’s religious mission; nor is it economically feasible to salvage and restore them to a usable state. A recent report from a licensed structural engineer confirms that the structures are damaged beyond reasonable repair and should be demolished. In light of the tragic death of three firefighters earlier this year in a vacant structure, the Cathedral is deeply concerned about the hazard the existing structures pose to the public and wishes to utilize the Properties in a manner more consistent with, and in furtherance of, its religious mission (such as a prayer garden, and outdoor space for the Cathedral’s religious ministries and faith-based gatherings). The Cathedral will be meeting with neighbors and stakeholders to further explain the comprehensive process it conducted for the Properties, hear any concerns, and discuss its proposed future plans. Any parishioners with any questions should feel free to contact the Parish Council via email at parishcouncil@annunciationbaltimore.org.

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 107:1

Dear Beloved Faithful of the Annunciation Cathedral of Baltimore,

One of the most beautiful and powerful words that gives us hope is “Thanks”. It shows gratitude, appreciation and cooperation with the person that offers it and the person that receives it. During this season of thanksgiving that we celebrate all that God has graciously granted to us, let us recognize everything that we have and perhaps at times take for granted.

As your spiritual father I am grateful for my health, grateful for my Presvytera Nicoletta and our amazing girls Corina, Christina and Gabriella. I am grateful for my priesthood so I can serve our Lord. I am so grateful for this blessed community of the Annunciation Cathedral that I cherish as my own family. I am grateful for all the wonderful and committed people that I have had the honor to meet so far these past two months. I am inspired by our promising youth and young adults who have shown all of us that our future is bright here at our Cathedral. I see the mission of our church to “love one another” in our organizations, as a Christian witness in our Baltimore community.

It is my utmost prayer that our Christ-centered community of the Annunciation Cathedral grants all of us and our families a blessed Thanksgiving Day. May we celebrate the gathering of our families and our commitment to our Lord, and in the same mindset, be conscious of those who are hungry, struggling and alone. In the next few months, let us address those who are less fortunate. Let us help them, so they too may see some goodness here on earth.

With many blessings and sincere thanks unto our Lord, as your priest and spiritual father, I wish you a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!

Fr. Anastasios Bourantas

Sunday School's Advent Giving Tree

Please select new items to donate for the children who visit the Franciscan Center:

Children

Coast, Sweatshirts, Sweatpants, Sweaters, Shirts, Skirts, Pants, Hats, Gloves, Scarves, Thermals, Undergarments, Socks, Boots and Shoes

Babies

Coats, Winter Clothing, Diapers, wipes, Baby Formula and Baby Food

Personal Care Items for Children

Soap, Body Wash, Lotion, Wash Cloths, Shampoo, Conditioner, Deodorant, Toothbrushes and Toothpaste

Place unwrapped donations out the church office

by Sunday, December 11, 2022

If you have any questions, contact Diane Boia at 410-227-6906

or snorkelcayman97@yahoo,com

Thank You and Have a Blessed Christmas!

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

generalassembly2022agenda.pdf