Our Annunciation Church
The History of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Pensacola, FL
The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church has served the greater Pensacola area for 100 years. The first Greek immigrants that came to Pensacola were seaman that manned sailing vessels in the mid to late 1800s. Some of the crew settled here as fishermen, or established markets, restaurants, and other small businesses. Gradually the stream of immigrants from Greece increased so much that they needed a place to practice their Orthodox Christian Faith. The first Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Pensacola was built in 1910 at the corner of Wright and Reus Street and was the home to this parish until 1954 when the present church on 1720 West Garden Street was constructed. The Annunciation Parish Fellowship Hall was built in 1950 and the Rev. Fr. Eleftherios Education Building was completed in 1961. Our Annunciation Church was consecrated by the late Archbishop Iakovos in 1973.
About the Feast Day of the Annunciation:
Six months after John the Forerunner's conception, the Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth, a town of Galilee, unto Mary the Virgin, who had come forth from the Temple a mature maiden (see Nov. 21). According to the tradition handed down by the Fathers, she had been betrothed to Joseph four months. On coming to Joseph's house, the Archangel declared: "Rejoice, thou Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." After some consideration, and turmoil of soul, and fear because of this greeting, the Virgin, when she had finally obtained full assurance concerning God's unsearchable condescension and the ineffable dispensation that was to take place through her, and believing that all things are possible to the Most High, answered in humility: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." And at this, the Holy Spirit came upon her, and the power of the Most High overshadowed her all-blameless womb, and the Son and Word of God, Who existed before the ages, was conceived past speech and understanding, and became flesh in her immaculate body (Luke 1:26-38).
Bearing in her womb the Uncontainable One, the blessed Virgin went with haste from Nazareth to the hill country of Judea, where Zacharias had his dwelling; for she desired to find Elizabeth her kinswoman and rejoice together with her, because, as she had learned from the Archangel, Elizabeth had conceived in her old age. Furthermore, she wished to tell her of the great things that the Mighty One had been well-pleased to bring to pass in her, and she greeted Elizabeth and drew nigh to her. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, she felt her six-month-old babe, Saint John the Baptist, prophesied of the dawning of the spiritual Sun. Immediately, the aged Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and recognized her as the Mother of her Lord, and with a great voice blessed her and the Fruit that she held within herself. The Virgin also, moved by a supernatural rejoicing in the spirit, glorified her God and Savior, saying: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour," and the rest, as the divine Luke hath recorded (1:39-55)
Apolytikion of Annunciation of the Theotokos in the Fourth Tone
Today marks the crowning of our salvation and the revelation of the mystery before all ages. For the Son of God becomes the son of the Virgin, and Gabriel proclaims the grace. Wherefore, we also cry out with him, "Hail, O full of grace, the Lord is with you."
Kontakion of Annunciation of the Theotokos in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!"
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, http://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints.