
Organizations
Altar Boys
The role of the Altar Boy remains a genuine and vital one in the Eucharistic Assembly of the faithful, as well as in other services. He stands ready to serve God in this capacity. It is a stewardship of young men; a service that they offer to God as their regular Sunday offering of talent and ability.
AHEPA
American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) was founded on July 26, 1922, and is the oldest and largest Greek heritage membership organization in the United States. AHEPA's mission is to support Greek-American charities, causes, and communities. AHEPA brings the ideals of ancient Greece: philanthropy, education, civic responsibility, and family and individual excellence to the community. Although a majority of the membership is composed of Americans of Greek descent, anyone who believes in the mission of the organization can apply.
The first Monday of every month, the parish community gathers to make sandwiches for The House of Bread serving needy individuals in Dayton. The supplies needed are sandwich bread, meat and cheese. If you are not able to attend, you may to drop off the supplies in the kitchen.
Catechism School
Our Sunday School program runs from September through May, offering children preschool age through twelfth grade an opportunity to learn and grow in their Orthodox faith. Families will attend the Divine Liturgy and after the reception of Holy Communion, children will exit and attend classes where they are engaged by a curriculum that begins with learning the fundamentals of Orthodoxy and culminates in discussions of ethics and preparation for life as an Orthodox Christian young adult.
Choir
The Annunciation Choir leads the faithful in singing the liturgical hymns and responses during the Divine Services. They are a part of the Mid-Eastern Federation of Greek Orthodox Choirs (MEFGOX) and participate in the annual conference. The choir also makes annual trips to our parish’s shut-ins at Christmas to sing Christmas Carols and Hymns. Our choir consists of voices of all ages, as we encourage our youth to participate in glorifying God through song. Choir Practice is on Wednesdays at 7pm. Contact the church office for details.
Daughters of Penelope
The Daughters of Penelope are to promote Hellenism, education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, family and individual excellence. The organization encourages and promotes loyalty to the country in which they live; cultivates the ideals and traditions of Hellenism; promotes opportunities of education; and promotes the spirit of cooperation and works closely and in harmony with the whole AHEPA Family – AHEPA, Daughters of Penelope, Maids of Athena and Sons of Pericles. The Daughters of Penelope is a leader in philanthropic, educational and cultural activities with local chapters in the United States, Canada, Greece and Cyprus.
Fellowship Lunch Group (formerly GAPA Women)
GAPA, which stands for Greek American Progressive Association was a long existing group that started for men, women, and young women of our parish. Over the years, it became our GAPA women's group. GAPA women was a very active group that held such events as the Mother's Day Tea, cooking shows, many years of the White Christmas Ball and then held several New Year's Eve dances. For 25 years, GAPA women made 150 pans of pastitsio for the festival. They also made and sold trigona each fall. With those proceeds they were able to purchase the draperies for the stage, nursey furniture, kitchen oven, round tables for the community center, lobby furniture and items for the altar. The biggest undertaking was the Athenagoras Room. It took six years of making 500 pans of spanakopita and tiropita to raise money for this major renovation project which cost $61,000.
GAPA Women numbers have declined over the years and the remaining members have decided to disband the group and become the Fellowship Lunch Group which is open to any women in our community. We will be meeting for lunch once a quarter for fellowship & a nice meal together.
GOYA
Greek Orthodox Youth of America (GOYA) was founded as a religious movement for Orthodox teenagers. Its fundamental characteristics are Diakonia (Service), Martyria (Witness), Liturgia (Worship), and Koinonia (Fellowship). Youth Ministry is concerned with the Christ centered experience of the total person. The purpose of GOYA is to direct youth members to become worthy servants of our Lord, Jesus Christ within the Orthodox Christian faith. The fellowship with other GOYANS in religious, educational, service, social, athletic and cultural activities should always reflect our faith and morals.
Greek Dance Groups
Do you enjoy Greek dancing? We have a group for you. The groups perform at many events, but three of the major performances are Greek Independence Day, Dayton's A World Affair, and the Greek Festival.
Groups are:
Evzonakia (ages 5-10) elementary
Levendopeda (ages 10-14) middle school
Nisiotes (ages 14-18) high school
Aegeans, college group
Ellas, adult group
Greek School
Greek language and culture education program for children of ages four through thirteen. There are nine levels of learning including preschool. Curriculum goals include developing vocabulary and confidence in speaking/writing skills, as well as exposing the students to various topics of the Greek culture. Students also attend the computer lab to support classroom learning. Classes take place in the classrooms of the Community Center of our church on Monday evenings, from the end of September to the end of May. Classes meet from 5:30 to 7:30 pm with a brief recess period. To contact the Greek School director, email annunciationgs@gmail.com. To register for the 2023-2024 School Year, click this link: 2023-2024 Greek School Registration.
HOPE/JOY
Holy Orthodox Primary Education, (HOPE) ministers to children in Kindergarten through 2nd grade. Junior Orthodox Youth, (JOY) ministers to children in 3rd through 6th grade. The mission and goal of the HOPE/JOY ministry is to lead our young people into experiencing the Holy Orthodox Faith. By developing a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and becoming active sacramental members of the living church, our young people will be equipped with tools necessary to assist them in their journey toward salvation. By laying a foundation of faith at this age, the young people will have something that will guide and strengthen them as they progress into junior high and high school.
Maids of Athena
Are you between the ages of 14 and 28 with an interest in Hellenism, education, philanthropy and friendship?
The Maids of Athena is an international philanthropic and fraternal organization. The Maids of Athena is a junior order of the Daughters of Penelope, which is the women's affiliate of AHEPA. We have chapters and districts located throughout the United States and Canada. Each chapter is dedicated to promoting Hellenism by strengthening Greek culture through educational and artistic activities. We take great pride in our sponsorship and support of philanthropic activities, leadership conferences, scholarship programs, travel opportunities the arts, athletic tournaments and social functions. The Maids of Athena have opportunities to do everything you could want to do, as well as meet people with whom to share these experiences. Scholarships are awarded, leadership and organizational skills learned and practiced.
Philoptochos
Our mission is to help human suffering, wherever the need arises and minister to those impoverished materially, emotionally and spiritually. Philoptochos emphasizes institutions of the Church, the philanthropies of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and assistance to Greek and Greek Orthodox families. Involvement in social and moral issues encouraged the establishment of several committees to address topics such as child abuse prevention, domestic violence, homelessness, pornography, drug and alcohol abuse and aging. Philoptochos is a group of like-minded women who participate in worthwhile efforts to help others in need. We see the benefit of what we do by raising awareness of a different charity each month through hands on work, financial support and spiritual involvement.
Young-at-Heart
Young At Heart is a social group for senior citizens, which meets for monthly luncheons sponsored by the other Church's organizations. Activities include BINGO, speakers, or other entertainment and involvement in community philanthropies.