Fr. Anargyros, the President of the Parish Council Mr. Andrew Hios and its members, the President of the Philoptochos and its members, the President of the PTO and its members, the teachers of the Greek and Sunday Church Schools, the Church staff and all the Parish Organizations wish all the parishioners a Glorious Resurrection and a very…
Happy Easter ! – Xristos Anesti!
ΠΑΣΧΑΛΙΝΕΣΕΥΧΕΣ
Ο πατήρ Ανάργυρος, ο πρόεδρος του Εκκλησιαστικού Συμβουλίου κ. Ανδρέας Χίος και τα μέλη του, η πρόεδρος της Φιλοπτώχου και τα μέλη της, η πρόεδρος του Συλλόγου Γονέων και Διδασκάλων και τα μέλη του, οι διδάσκαλοι των Σχολείων Ελληνικού και Κατηχητικού, το προσωπικό της Εκκλησίας μας και όλοι οι οργανισμοί της ενορίας μας, εύχονται σε όλους…
As we approach Holy Week we wanted to share important information and link to make it easier for you to participate in Church services. Of course, we will continue to stream online. The Holy Week schedule is published online at our website. We continue to be operating under restrictive Covid guidelines. We have a limited capacity with spacing requirements – PLEASE WORK WITH US AND BE PATIENT. There is more information available on our website at https://stathanasiosnj.org
All individuals must register using our online system available on Eventbrite at http://stathanasiosnj.eventbrite.com. Only if you are unable to use a computer to register, please call the Church office, as we are operating on limited hours. Links are provided in the table below to each service as well. We are also providing online help files to guide you through how to register for different sections. Many services will sell out quickly so we will require online registration to simplify the admission process. You need to register for each event separately and ensure to provide the name of every individual in your group.
Registration opens 4 days in advance of each service – for example, on Wednesday at 3pm, registration opens for Palm Sunday service. See the table below for information for each service with a registration link.
In order to ensure your seats you must a) reserve in advance and, b) arrive no later than the times specified below in the “Must Arrive By” column. After this time reservations are cancelled and we go to a first come first served basis, but you will still require to register all your name(s) at the door.
Lighting Candles or Receiving Sacraments
This refers to Palms on Sunday, the Holy Unction on Wednesday, Flowers on Friday, or The Light on Saturday.
For those of you that would like to receive these items or light a candle without attending service or if you are unable to obtain a seat, we will accommodate people that line up outside and bring them in one at a time while maintaining 6ft of spacing. Please be patient with us as we need to maintain safety for everyone. Everyone should line up outside the entrance near the Church office.
Restrictions
Use the entrance (by the park) next to the Church office to enter.
The entrance next to the Church narthex is closed.
Pews are roped off to provide 6ft spacing between groups.
Only the same household can sit together.
Do Not book seats for your party across different pew rows.
Masks are required at all times inside the building.
Please ensure you bring a mask for everyone.
Those listening to services outside should practice distancing and wear masks
Tickets and Different Sections
There are 4 sections restricted to different use.
Individuals please book 1 seat in the Individuals section.
Couples please book 2 seats next to each other in the couples section.
Families need to book 3-5 people in a single row. Only 1 family per row. If you need a 6th or 7th we can add your additional member at the door.
Strollers: There are only 2 spots for strollers – please register the adult and the child. Do not take the seats on either end.
Seating will be in the church, and in the choir loft. When that is filled, then additional seating will be offered in the gym (for Wednesday 3pm and evening services onward) to watch the live stream on a large screen. Once the gym is filled, there will be speakers outside the church to hear the service if you wish to wait to receive Palms, Holy Unction, Flower from the Epitafio, or receive the light during the Anastasi.
Below is a list of the services for Holy Week.
Event
Date and Start Time
Registration Opens
Must Arrive By
Registration Link
Palm Sunday – Orthros, Divine Liturgy & Blessing of the Palms
On Clean Monday, March 15th, we will begin the Great Lent, a fifty day journey that will bring us to Mt. Golgotha and the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ for our salvation and to the empty tomb of our Lord’s Resurrection.
It is a journey of faith. A pilgrimage during which we will grow in Christ. We commit ourselves to become just like Jesus Christ whose name we bear. We strive to become living icons of our Saviour and Lord.
Joggers and walkers in order to reach peak physical condition submit to rigorous exercise and a sensible diet. And this planned activity helps them to obtain their goal.
Lent is the time for us Orthodox Christians to start our spiritual walk, jog and run to Holy Week and the blessed Pascha (Easter). Through rigorous spiritual exercises we will grow in virtue. Virtue?? Yes! We will beautify our life with humility, mercifulness, patience, faith and courage. How? By reading and living the word of God each day, and through regular talks (prayer) with God. Concerning what? Concerning his will and plans for us.
Our parish was graced by His Eminence Archibishop Elpidophoros of America to celebrate the 2nd Salutations to the Theotokos on March 26 at St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church in Paramus, NJ. Below is a video and photos from the event. Additional video is available at https://fb.watch/4wnSbZIggV/
