Our Parish

Parish History

A Brief History of Saint Anna Orthodox Parish

1998

  • Roseville Greek Orthodox Mission is established with the assignment of Fr. Cosmas Halekakis as the first full-time priest
  • Suite A1, 114 N. Sunrise is rented as worship and fellowship space

2000

  • The faithful selects a parish name, honoring and seeking the intercessions of St. Anna
  • Stone Canyon property is donated

2001

  • First Feast Day is celebrated on July 24 & 25
  • Uniform Parish Regulations and Parish By-laws accepted
  • Temporary worship and office space is expanded into Suite C1

2002

  • JOY and GOYA attend first Lenten Retreat
  • Young Adults attend first National Retreat in Baltimore, MD
  • www.GoSaintAnna.org is launched

2003

  • Rev. Dn. Joseph Ruocco Brown prepares for incardination into Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to be assigned to Saint Anna Church
  • Archangel Gabriel Bookstore founded and staffed. Donation of software and hardware secured from BHD
  • Additional Iconography & Liturgical items are purchased for Church
  • The Site Plan for 1001 Stone Canyon Drive is refined and submitted to Metropolis and City of Roseville
  • Site Plan is approved by Metropolis and by City of Roseville
  • Part-time Secretary is employed by Parish

2004

  • Final Approval is received from the City of Roseville for construction of Phase One
  • Formal Groundbreaking Service is prayed with Metropolitan Anthony of blessed memory
  • Youth and young adult ministries (HOPE, JOY, GOYA, OCF) are further refined

2005

  • Reception of Holy Relic of Saint Anna from the Skete of Saint Anna, Mount Athos
  • Funded iconography program for the Chapel of the Holy Fathers of the Skete of Saint Anna, Mount Athos
  • Annual Parish commemoration of St. Phanourios established
  • Last Greek Festival hosted at Folsom Community Center

2006

  • First Pastoral Visit of Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco Holy Wednesday
  • Capital Campaign initiated to fund current and future construction
  • First Baptism celebrated on site
  • Last Liturgy prayed at 114 N. Sunrise Avenue
  • Dedication of Founder’s Hall to Fr. Demetrius and Presbytera Eleftheuria Dogias and the Founders of our Holy Church
  • Festal Services commemorating the Translocation of the Holy Relic of Saint Anna to America commissioned

2007

  • Certificate of Occupancy granted by the City of Roseville for Founder’s Hall
  • Saint Anna Pre-School and Day Care opened
  • Pan Orthodox Great Vespers for the Sunday of Orthodoxy hosted by Parish
  • 1st Annual Sip & Savor hosted in association with the Dormition of St. Anna
  • Holy Relics of Saints Joachim and Anna gifted by the Theophileon Brotherhood
  • Holy Relics formally presented at the Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament during Solemn Vespers
  • Saint Anna Church distinguished as Metropolis Shrine dedicated to the sanctity of marriage and family
  • Memorial Rose Garden dedicated to V. Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Papageorge
  • First Greek Festival hosted on site
  • Arrival of Festal Icons from Mount Athos and silver liturgical fixtures from Greece

2008

  • Cypriot Department of Agriculture sends Xynesteri and Mavron cuttings to the University of California, Davis for our future vineyard
  • Reception of festal icon commemorating the Translocation of the Holy Relic of Saint Anna to America
  • 10th Anniversary of Parish celebrated
  • First “Pastor’s Report” submitted to Parish and Metropolis