St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church

08/15/2026

Blessed Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos!
Neither the grave nor death could contain the Theotokos, the unshakable hope, ever vigilant in intercession and protection. As Mother of life, He who dwelt in the ever-virginal womb transposed her to life. - Kontakion

Χρόνια Πολλά to all who celebrate today!

08/13/2026

With deep sadness, yet with hope in the resurrection, we share the news of the falling asleep in the Lord of our sister in Christ, Lilyan Shepardson.

Our collective hearts go out to Lilyan’s family during this challenging time.

We encourage all who are able to attend the funeral on Monday as we gather in prayer, asking God to grant His servant Lilyan rest with the saints.

May her memory be eternal.

View Lilyan P. Shepardson's complete obituary, share memories, and explore 2 tribute posts from the community.

08/10/2026

By Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey

08/07/2026

Yesterday we celebrated the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ. May the Lord enlighten us with his everlasting light and have mercy on us.

08/02/2026

07/28/2026

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America has announced the appointment of Rev. Protopresbyter Gregory Gilbert as the new Dean of the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York, New York, effective September 1, 2026. Currently serving as Chancellor of the Metropolis of New Jersey, Fr. Gregory brings to the Cathedral and its ministries a wealth of academic, liturgical, and pastoral experience, together with a deep love for the Orthodox Christian faith and the life of the Church.

Archbishop Elpidophoros has also announced the appointment of Reverend Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Elias Villis as Acting Chancellor for the Metropolis of New Jersey, effective August 16, 2026, to continue the pastoral and administrative care of the Metropolis. Fr. Elias will also continue to serve as Chancellor of the Archdiocesan District.

07/25/2026

FUNERAL NOTICE FOR THE REV. PROTOPRESBYTER JOHN MANUEL
MAY HIS MEMORY BE ETERNAL 💙

07/22/2026

Communiqué of the Holy Eparchial Synod, July 22, 2026:

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros presided today over an extraordinary session of the Holy Eparchial Synod, convened by videoconference following the joyful announcement of the election of His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey as Archbishop of Canada.

The Archbishop and the members of the Holy Eparchial Synod expressed their profound gratitude to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and to the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Mother Church for the selection of one of the Hierarchs of our Sacred Archdiocese and a member of the Holy Eparchial Synod as the successor to Archbishop Sotirios in this most significant Eparchy of the Ecumenical Throne.

Accordingly, the procedure prescribed by the relevant provisions of the Charter of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America was initiated. With the concurrence of the members of the Holy Eparchial Synod, the Archbishop was appointed Locum Tenens of the now-vacant Holy Metropolis of New Jersey. The matter of electing a new Metropolitan for the Holy Metropolis will be discussed at a forthcoming session of the Holy Eparchial Synod.

Finally, effective immediately, the clergy of the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey are instructed to commemorate, in accordance with the prescribed ecclesiastical order, the venerable name of the Ecumenical Patriarch at all divine services and sacred rites.

From the Chief Secretariat

GRE 🇬🇷

Ο Σεβ. Αρχιεπίσκοπος κ. Ελπιδοφόρος προήδρευσε σήμερα στη συνεδρία της Ιεράς Επαρχιακής Συνόδου, συγκληθείσα, εκτάκτως μέσω τηλεδιάσκεψης μετά την αναγγελίαν της χαρμοσύνου ειδήσεως της εκλογής του μέχρι τούδε Σεβ. Μητροπολίτου Νέας Ιερσέης κ. Αποστόλου εις ΑρχιεπίσκοπονΚαναδά.

Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος και τα μέλη της Επαρχιακής Συνόδου εξέφρασαν την ευγνωμοσύνην των προς την Α. Θ. Παναγιότητα τον Οικουμενικόν Πατριάρχην κ. κ. Βαρθολομαίον και την περί Αυτόν Αγίαν και Ιεράν Σύνοδον της Μητρός Εκκλησίας δια την επιλογήν ενός εκ των Ιεραρχών της Ι. ημών Αρχιεπισκοπής και μέλους της Επαρχιακής Συνόδου ως διαδόχου του Αρχιεπισκόπου Σωτηρίου εις την τόσον σημαντικήν επαρχίαν ταύτην του Οικουμενικού Θρόνου.

Κατόπιν τούτου, εκινήθη η προβλεπομένη εκ των οικείων διατάξεων του ισχύοντος Συντάγματος της Ι. Αρχιεπισκοπής διαδικασία, και ως Τοποτηρητής της χηρευούσης πλέον Ι. Μητροπόλεως Νέας Ιερσέης, κατόπιν διαγνώμης των μελών της Ι. Επαρχιακής Συνόδου, ορίσθη ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος, ενώ το θέμα της πληρώσεως της Ι. ταύτης Μητροπόλεως θα συζητηθεί είς προσεχή συνεδρίαν.

Τέλος, από σήμερον καλούνται οι ιερείς της Ι. Μητροπόλεως Νέας Ιερσέης όπως μνημονεύουν εις απάσας τας ιεράς ακολουθίας και ιεροπραξίας, κατά την τάξιν, του σεπτού ονόματος του Οικουμενικού Πατριάρχου.

Εκ της Αρχιγραμματείας

07/22/2026

The Very Reverend and Reverend Clergy of the Sacred Metropolis of New Jersey,
The Members of the Metropolis of New Jersey Council,
The Members of the Metropolis of New Jersey Philoptochos Society,
and All the Faithful of the Sacred Metropolis of New Jersey
extend our most heartfelt congratulations to His Eminence, Archbishop-Elect Apostolos of Canada, upon his election and elevation by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

With one voice, we proclaim:

ΑΞΙΟΣ! ΑΞΙΟΣ! ΑΞΙΟΣ!

We are deeply grateful that, in elevating him to this distinguished ministry, our Mother Church has recognized the tireless dedication, pastoral care, and faithful service of this devoted Hierarch. Over the past three years, we have been blessed to know His Eminence as a true Spiritual Father and Chief Shepherd of our Sacred Metropolis, whose wisdom, compassion, and steadfast leadership have enriched the lives of our clergy and faithful alike.

While this is a bittersweet moment for the Sacred Metropolis of New Jersey, we offer His Eminence our heartfelt prayers and best wishes as he begins this new chapter of his hierarchical ministry. May our Lord continue to strengthen him with abundant wisdom, unwavering faith, fatherly love, and every spiritual gift as he shepherds the faithful of the Holy Archdiocese of Canada.

Once again, we joyfully proclaim:

ΑΞΙΟΣ! ΑΞΙΟΣ! ΑΞΙΟΣ!

07/22/2026

ΑΧΙΟΣ!!

With profound joy, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to my beloved brother in Christ, His Eminence Archbishop-elect Apostolos of Canada, upon his elevation by the Great Church of Christ to shepherd the Sacred Archdiocese of Canada.

As he begins this new chapter of his archpastoral ministry, I pray that His Eminence serves with unwavering devotion, pastoral sensitivity, compassionate wisdom, and steadfast fidelity to our Mother Church, the Ecumenical Patriarchate. May he strengthen the clergy and faithful entrusted to his care, respond with love and discernment to the needs of the Greek Orthodox community throughout Canada, and advance the sacred mission of the Church with humility and resolve.

I pray that our Lord will grant him abundant strength, wisdom, and every heavenly blessing as he undertakes this sacred responsibility. May his archpastoral ministry be fruitful and enduring, to the glory of God, the advancement of the Church, and the service of the Ecumenical Throne.

Ἄξιος!

(His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America with His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos at the dinner commemorating the 10th anniversary of Metropolitan Apostolos’ episcopal ordination, January 13, 2025. Photo by Orthodox Observer/Dimitrios Panagos)