This Thursday evening, September 3, Momcilo Pantovic of the Holy Monastery of Kykkos in Cyprus will offer a talk on the Monastery as well as on the broader theme of Orthodox spirituality in Cyprus, beginning at 7PM (the discussion will last for approximately one hour).

Some years ago, I attended a George Dalaras concert at the Meadowlands.  Considered to be one of the most dynamic international singers of our era, the arena was packed with fans.  I still remember one poignant moment when he paused…and then dedicated a song to the island nation of Cyprus.  The response of the predominately Greek American audience was a passionate ovation.

The Father Emmanuel (”Father Papou”) Memorial Rose Garden was established at our parish in loving memory of Father Emmanuel Papageorge, my maternal grandfather, who often attended services with us, always bringing the faithful to smiles with his wit and humor. Since his passing and the establishment of the Garden shortly thereafter, we have collected names in the Fall for those who wish to add a loved one to the Grden. We then offer memorial prayers for all those departed at the appropriate times in the ecclesiastical year. It’s really a beautify effort in which we landscape our Church campus and continue a prayerful aspect of Fr. Emmanuel’s priesthood…praying for the departed.

The State of California has embarked upon an ambitious program to capture “California of the Past.” What a blessing that two members of our parish family have participated through preparing digital shorts:

- Anastasia Mavrias Kelly’s story is titled “The Helen Papajohn Story”
- Peter Efstathiu’s story is titled “A Church of our Own”

The Feast of the Holy Spirit brings up questions about the difference between secular and the Divine.

What a blessing it was this evening to receive the Holy Relic of St. Basil the Great at our Parish!

This past Tuesday - Thursday, I had the good fortune of attending the OSI Consultation at Hellenic College in Boston, the topic being “Orthodoxy and the University.”

Welcome to Saint Anna Greek Orthodox Church, a Parish of the Metropolis of San Francisco of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.