From Connecticut

Directions to Saint Anthony Orthodox Church

385 Ivy Lane

Bergenfield, New Jersey 07621

Location for GPS users:
North 40.91215° West 73.98459°

Starting from the West End of the Connecticut Turnpike (Interstate 95)

 

These directions make use of both odometer readings and mileage markers. Mileage markers are the small signs at the side of the road that indicate in miles and tenths of miles, the distance, in the case of Interstate 95 on the Connecticut Turnpike, the distance from the New York State line, and in the case of the New York State Thruway, the distance from the New York City Line.

 

When you pass Exit 1 on the Connecticut Turnpike (Interstate 95 in western Connecticut) move to the right hand lane. Mile 0 will be in the center of a small bridge as you enter New York State. Immediately after entering New York State the Interstate 287 ramp will cut off up and to your right.

 

Odometer measurements start from the bottom of the ramp.

 

Miles	Kilometers
0.0	0.00	Exit 21. Exit to the right onto the ramp.
0.2	0.32	The ramp splits at this point. Take the left split that says: "Cross Westchester Expressway". Proceed onto the expressway.
10.9	17.54	You pass Exit 1 of the Cross Westchester Expressway. Don’t take it, there is still another ramp to go.
11.2	18.02	Take the right hand ramp with the sign that says: 87 287 (In Interstate shields) Albany Tappan Zee Bridge

 

You have now left the Cross Westchester Expressway and are on the New York State Thruway. You are still on Interstate 287 but have picked up Interstate 87 North as well. Note that there are mileage markers on the right side of the Thruway. We will use them.

 

13.2	21.24	You will enter the Tappan Zee Bridge at this point and cross the Hudson River. There is no toll in the direction you are going.
16.3	26.23	You will leave the Tappan Zee Bridge. Just stay on the Thruway. If the traffic is heavy, start working your way to the right hand lane.
18.0	28.96	At mileage marker 17.9 there will be a warning sign saying: Exit 12 303 West Nyack 1 Mile Move to the right hand lane if you haven’t already done so.
18.8	30.25	At mileage marker 18.6 the Exit ramp begins. Stay to the right on the ramp as it affords you the opportunity to do so. When the lane opens up to the right, take it.
19.1	30.73	At the traffic light at the top of the ramp, turn right.
19.2	30.89	Another traffic light. Turn right again. You are now on New York State Route 303 South. This has no other name, it is simply Route 303.

 

At this point you are simply going to go straight for 12 miles to the traffic circle (rotary if you’re from New England, roundabout if you’re from Old England) in Cresskill. It’s the only circle you will encounter, and it is marked by a monument resembling the Washington Monument except nowhere near as tall. Don’t worry, you won’t miss it. What follows here is simply to reassure you that you are still on the right road, since the state you are in will change once, the route number once, and the name of the road twice.

 

23.8	38.29	Cross over the Palisades Interstate Parkway on an overpass. Keep going straight.
25.3	40.71	Enter New Jersey at Northvale. New York State Route 303 ends. The road narrows to a county road and becomes Bergen County Route 505, better known locally as Livingston Street. (Most Bergen County residents are unaware of county route numbers.) You will remain on Route 505 until you reach Ivy Lane, the street Saint Anthony’s is on.
26.4	42.48	Enter Norwood.
28.3	45.53	Cross Harrington Avenue which will cross on a diagonal. On the far left corner there is an Exxon Station. At this point Livingston Street becomes Knickerbocker Road. However it is still Route 505. Keep going straight.
29.4	47.30	A sign on the left hand side of the road will indicate that you are entering Demarest.
29.7	47.79	Pass Northern Valley Regional High School Demarest on your left. A large sign on the wall of the building will say that.
30.4	48.91	A sign on the left hand side of the road will indicate that you are entering Cresskill.

 

 

You can’t miss the monument at the upcoming traffic circle. It appears to be right in the middle of the road and looks like a short version of the Washington Monument.

 

31.2	50.20	Enter the monument traffic circle. Go one half way around the circle so that you resume the direction you were going.
31.8	51.17	You will pass under a blinking yellow light. The name of the street you cross will be Hickory Avenue. Keep going straight.
32.2	51.81	You will pass a traffic light. The name of the street is Riveredge Road. Keep going straight.
32.4	52.13	You will pass a traffic light. The name of the street is West Clinton Avenue. Keep going straight. You will be turning right at the next traffic light.
33.2	53.42	You will arrive at a traffic light. The name of the street is Ivy Lane. Turn right. You leave Route 505 at this point.
33.4	53.74	Saint Anthony’s will come up suddenly on the right. It is just beyond an intersecting street on your left. If you find a golf course on your right you missed it.

 

Starting from the George Washington Bridge

Directions to Saint Anthony Orthodox Church

385 Ivy Lane

Bergenfield, New Jersey 07621

Location for GPS users:
North 40.91215° West 73.98459°

Starting from the George Washington Bridge

Miles	Kilometers
0.0	0.00	Head west on the upper deck across the George Washington bridge from Manhattan. The 0.0 point for measuring distances is the East bound toll booth on the Upper deck. As you enter the plaza area at the west end of the bridge, stay in the center lane and go straight. Follow the signs that direct you onto New Jersey State Route 4. New Jersey State routes are identified as a black numeral on a solid white circle. Many routes leave the bridge plaza, so this will require close attention.
3.5	5.63	Follow Route 4 to the exit at Teaneck Road. You will wish to head toward Bergenfield (North). While the warning sign for Teaneck Road is easily visible, the actual turn, only a short distance beyond the warning sign, is obscured by trees, and is a 90° right turn onto a downward sloping ramp, not a cloverleaf. Proceed straight ahead off the ramp onto Teaneck Road.
4.9	7.88	At a traffic light just as you emerge from a residential area into a business district Liberty Road will be on your right. Turn right onto Liberty Road. Note that the business buildings on the corner give way to apartment houses almost immediately after the turn. Note: If you notice that Teaneck Road has become South Washington Avenue you have passed the turn and must go back. The turn for Liberty Road is at the exact point that the name of the road changes.
5.2	8.37	You will come to a fork in the road. Take the left fork which will be Ivy Lane.
5.3	8.53	The apartments on your left will give way to a golf course.
5.4	8.69	You will pass a border sign telling you that you are entering Englewood. Don’t panic, it is only Englewood on the side of the street that you’re on. The left side of the street is Bergenfield, the town in which Saint Anthony’s is located.
5.6	9.01	The first building on your left at the end of the golf course is Saint Anthony’s. The church has a parking lot around it.

 

Starting from Eastbound Interstate 80

Directions to Saint Anthony Orthodox Church

385 Ivy Lane

Bergenfield,  New Jersey 07621

Location for GPS users:
North 40.91215° West 73.98459°

Starting from Eastbound Interstate 80

 

Getting to Saint Anthony’s from the Eastbound lanes of Interstate 80 is quite straightforward except for leaving Interstate 80 itself. For that you need to pay close attention to these directions.

You can relax until you pass the City of Paterson. In addition to the signs for it the city itself will be visible on your left, distinguished by the domed Passaic County Court House. A couple of miles beyond that Interstate 80 divides into express and local lanes. Take the local lanes which will be the right fork.

Now you can relax again until you have passed exit 65. The best strategy here is to get into the third lane from the left. Sometimes this will be the rightmost lane, sometimes it won’t. I’m giving you plenty of time here, but traffic on this portion of Interstate 80 can be quite heavy so you may need the time.

The tricky part here is that the right exit and the wrong one are only separated by one overpass, and the most prominent signs are for the wrong one. This is because the wrong one is the New Jersey Turnpike which is fine if you’ve decided to go to Philadelphia or Washington D.C. instead of Saint Anthony’s.

The Wrong one is exit 68A. The right one is Exit 70. The sign for Exit 68A will say Exit 68A South to NJTP, 46, Sports Complex, each inside their appropriate logo. There will also be signs for Exit 68B. Ignore them. As you approach Exit 68A you will see:

An overpass with two signs, one saying 80 Ends 95 Begins, the other is another sign for Exit 68A

Exit 68A itself which will cut off to the right from the third lane, the one you should be in. Ignore it stay in the third lane.

Another overpass immediately beyond the cut off for Exit 68A.

As you pass under this overpass you will see Exit 70 immediately on your right. Take this exit.

Proceed along the ramp. You will come to another overpass with two more exit signs for Exit 70A and Exit 70B. Take the 70B one which will also say Teaneck. To do this go under the overpass and take the ramp just beyond it. There is a hidden stop sign at the top of the ramp. Go to the second traffic light and turn right. You will be on Teaneck Road. Odometer measurements start from this traffic light.

From here you simply head straight north until you get to your next turn, Liberty Road on the Teaneck-Bergenfield border. This is a distance of 2.7 miles.

Miles	Description
0.0	Entry onto Teaneck Road
1.3	You will pass under an overpass at this point. The road on the overpass is New Jersey State Route 4.
2.7	At a traffic light just as you emerge from a residential area into a business district Liberty Road will be on your right. Turn right onto Liberty Road. Note that the business buildings on the corner give way to apartment houses almost immediately after the turn. Note: If you notice that Teaneck Road has become South Washington Avenue you have passed the turn and must go back. The turn for Liberty Road is at the exact point that the name of the road changes.
3.0	You will come to a fork in the road. Take the left fork which will be Ivy Lane.
3.1	The apartments on your left will give way to a golf course.
3.2	You will pass a border sign telling you that you are entering Englewood. Don’t panic, it is only Englewood on the side of the street that you’re on. The left side of the street is Bergenfield, the town in which Saint Anthony’s is located.
3.4	The first building on your left at the end of the golf course is Saint Anthony’s. The church has a parking lot around it.

Starting from the Northbound New Jersey Turnpike

 

Directions to Saint Anthony Orthodox Church

385 Ivy Lane

Bergenfield, New Jersey 07621

Location for GPS users:
North 40.91215° West 73.98459°

Starting from the Northbound New Jersey Turnpike

 

Getting to Saint Anthony’s from the northbound lanes of the New Jersey Turnpike is quite straightforward except for leaving the turnpike itself. For that you need to pay close attention to these directions.

Proceed north on the New Jersey Turnpike all the way to Exit 18, the last exit number on the turnpike. It’s not actually an exit, you still have over 4 miles to go on the turnpike. Don’t worry about divisions in the turnpike, they will come back together again before you have to do anything about getting off. As you move along the turnpike note that there are mileage markers on the side of the turnpike every tenth of a mile showing the distance from the south end of the turnpike.

After you leave the toll booth at Exit 18 there will be more exits but for historical reasons they will have much higher numbers and will not be consecutive with Exit 18. Work your way over to the right so that you are in the right hand lane by the time you reach milepost 118.

Exit 70, the exit you will be using, requires that you take a ramp to your right twice within 4 tenths of a mile. Get off at the first one at milepost 118.3. Stay to your right and get off again at the second one at milepost 118.7. The ramp will curve gently to your right then join another one coming in from your left which is coming off Interstate 80.

Proceed along the ramp. You will come to an overpass with two more exit signs for Exit 70A and Exit 70B. Take the 70B one which will also say Teaneck. To do this go under the overpass and take the ramp just beyond it. There is a hidden stop sign at the top of the ramp. Go to the second traffic light and turn right. You will be on Teaneck Road. Odometer measurements start from this traffic light.

From here you simply head straight north until you get to your next turn, Liberty Road on the Teaneck-Bergenfield border. This is a distance of 2.7 miles.

Miles	Description
0.0	Entry onto Teaneck Road
1.3	You will pass under an overpass at this point. The road on the overpass is New Jersey State Route 4.
2.7	At a traffic light just as you emerge from a residential area into a business district Liberty Road will be on your right. Turn right onto Liberty Road. Note that the business buildings on the corner give way to apartment houses almost immediately after the turn. Note: If you notice that Teaneck Road has become South Washington Avenue you have passed the turn and must go back. The turn for Liberty Road is at the exact point that the name of the road changes.
3.0	You will come to a fork in the road. Take the left fork which will be Ivy Lane.
3.1	The apartments on your left will give way to a golf course.
3.2	You will pass a border sign telling you that you are entering Englewood. Don’t panic, it is only Englewood on the side of the street that you’re on. The left side of the street is Bergenfield, the town in which Saint Anthony’s is located.
3.4	The first building on your left at the end of the golf course is Saint Anthony’s. The church has a parking lot around it.

 

 

From Canada and Upstate New York via the New York Thruway (Interstate 87)

 

Directions to Saint Anthony Orthodox Church

385 Ivy Lane

Bergenfield, New Jersey 07621

Location for GPS users:
North 40.91215° West 73.98459°

From Canada and Upstate New York via the New York Thruway (Interstate 87)

 

These directions make use of both odometer readings and mileage markers. Mileage markers are the small signs at the side of the road that indicate in miles and tenths of miles, the distance from the New York City Line.

 

Take the New York State Thruway South and East. Interstate 87, coming south from Montreal, joins the New York State Thruway at Albany, New York. If you are coming from Ontario or western New York State and prefer to take New York State Route 17, you can join the Thruway at Harriman, New York.

 

Follow the Thruway to Exit 12 which is at mileage marker 19.6. The ramp exits to the right. Stay in the left hand lane of the ramp. It will curve to the right and come to a traffic light. Signs at the light will point to New York State Route 303. Turn left at the light and move to the right hand lane. Follow the ramp to the next light which is where the ramp intersects Route 303.

 

Odometer measurements start from this intersection. Turn right.

 

0.0

0.00

You are now on New York State Route 303 South. This has no other name, it is simply Route 303.

 

At this point you are simply going to go straight for 12 miles to the traffic circle (rotary if you’re from New England, roundabout if you’re from Old England) in Cresskill. It’s the only circle you will encounter, and it is marked by a monument resembling the Washington Monument except nowhere near as tall. Don’t worry, you won’t miss it. What follows here is simply to reassure you that you are still on the right road, since the state you are in will change once, the route number once, and the name of the road twice.

 

Miles	Kilometers
4.4	7.08	Cross over the Palisades Interstate Parkway on an overpass. Keep going straight.
5.9	9.49	Enter New Jersey at Northvale. New York State Route 303 ends. The road narrows to a county road and becomes Bergen County Route 505, better known locally as Livingston Street. (Most Bergen County residents are unaware of county route numbers.) You will remain on Route 505 until you reach Ivy Lane, the street Saint Anthony’s is on.
7.0	11.26	Enter Norwood.
8.9	14.32	Cross Harrington Avenue which will cross on a diagonal. On the far left corner there is an Exxon Station. At this point Livingston Street becomes Knickerbocker Road. However it is still Route 505. Keep going straight.
10.0	16.09	A sign on the left hand side of the road will indicate that you are entering Demarest.
10.3	16.57	Pass Northern Valley Regional High School Demarest on your left. A large sign on the wall of the building will say that.
11.0	17.70	A sign on the left hand side of the road will indicate that you are entering Cresskill.

 

 

You can’t miss the monument at the upcoming traffic circle. It appears to be right in the middle of the road and looks like a short version of the Washington Monument.

 

11.8	18.98	Enter the monument traffic circle. Go one half way around the circle so that you resume the direction you were going.
12.4	19.95	You will pass under a blinking yellow light. The name of the street you cross will be Hickory Avenue. Keep going straight.
12.8	20.60	You will pass a traffic light. The name of the street is Riveredge Road. Keep going straight.
13.0	20.92	You will pass a traffic light. The name of the street is West Clinton Avenue. Keep going straight. You will be turning right at the next traffic light.
13.8	22.20	You will arrive at a traffic light. The name of the street is Ivy Lane. Turn right. You leave Route 505 at this point.
14.0	22.52	Saint Anthony’s will come up suddenly on the right. It is just beyond an intersecting street on your left. If you find a golf course on your right you missed it.

 

Parish Council Members

Father Joseph Allen	Pastor
Ellen Thomsen	Chairman
Jim Vagias	Vice Chairman
Judy Tirakis	Corresponding Secretary, Women's Guild
Tamara Tarby	Recording Secretary, Choir
Chris Takla	Treasurer
James Tweel	Assistant Treasurer
Cathryn Banu	Member
Helen Chimel	Member
Lisa Fares	Member
John Gakos	Member
Carol Giffen	Member
Barbara Lockhart	Member
John Meyer	Member
Robin Robinson	Member
Spiro Black Steve Fardy	House and Grounds
Nike Bach	Church School
Cathy Giffen	Teen SOYO
Stratos Mandalakis	Choir
Shawn Wittenburg	Fellowship

Parish Organizations

Saint Anthony’s Parish Organizations

Altar Boys

Boys from grade 4 are invited to join the altar boy teams which assist the priest at all the church services. To serve as an altar boy, please see Father Joseph or Deacon Peter.

Chanters

The chanters are made up of volunteer members of our parish who like to chant at Matins, Vespers, and various other church services. Please see Stratos Mandalakis if you are interested in being a chanter.

Choir

Saint Anthony’s choir is made up of volunteer members from our parish who enjoy singing and praising God at the same time. Any one who can carry a tune is welcome to sing in the choir. No sight reading ability is necessary. If you are interested in being a member of our choir, please see Stratos Mandalakis. Everyone is welcome!

Church School

The Church School has classes from September through the beginning of June for children in the Nursery through grade seven. The younger children in the nursery and the seventh grade class attend Church School from 10 AM until it is time to go up to Church and receive Holy Communion with their parents. Children in Pre Kindergarten and Kindergarten also start Church School at 10 AM, but they come back down with their classes after Holy Communion for refreshments and the rest of their class activities. Children in grades one through six start Church School immediately following Holy Communion, except on special 10 o’clock days which are announced periodically. To register your child for Church School or help in the Church School, please see Nike Bach. More Information. To view the 50th Jubilee Picture of the Church School teachers, go to the Church School page.

The Fellowship of Saint John The Divine

The Fellowship is made up of adults in our parish who want to be involved with the spiritual and social aspects and activities of our church. See Sean Wittenburg if you are interested in joining.

The Women's Guild

The ladies in our church are involved in many spiritual and fund raising activities for the benefit of its members and our church. The Women's Guild is open to all adult women in our parish. If you are interested in becoming a member, please see Helen Chimel. More Information. To view the Golden Jubilee Picture of the Women's Guild, go to the Women's Guild page.

The Library

Our church is blessed to have a wonderful library filled with many books about Christianity and specially about the Orthodox Church. The library includes, but is not limited to books about history, books about what we believe, and biographies. There is also an excellent selection of children’s books and Bibles. The library is located in the Church School. Nicholas Nagorny is the librarian and catechist. See him with your questions.

The Order of St. Ignatius

The members of The Order of Saint Ignatius join with other members throughout our archdiocese to try to put Saint Ignatius’ teachings into action by committing themselves to witness to our faith by their involvement in services to others. The Order dedicates its funds to many different pursuits in order to make a different in the world in which we live today. If you are interested in joining The Order, please see Ed Assile.

 

The Parish Council

The Parish Council is the governing board of the business affairs of our parish. Adult members of our church who are in good standing may be elected to the council. Elections are held at our Annual Meeting in December. Members are elected for a three year term. The parish priest and representatives from each parish organization, as well as the church secretary are also members of the council. If you have any questions about The Parish Council, please ask Ellen Thomsen. To view the Golden Jubilee picture of the Parish Council, go to the Parish Council Page.

Teen SOYO

The Teen SOYO (Society of Orthodox Youth Organization) is made up of all the teens in our parish. It is a very active group. They are involved in many aspects of church life, including: spiritual, social, charitable, and fun activities. If you are interested in becoming a member of Teen SOYO, please see Daniel Bethancourt, advisor. More Information. To view the Golden Jubilee Picture of the Teen SOYO, go to the Teen SOYO page.

The Video Library

The church has an ever growing video library on topics of Christian education. It is includes cartoons and movies which are appropriate for everyone, from the little children to the adults in our parish. Videos may be borrowed for a week at a time. The Video Library is located in the Church School. See Irene Kavountzis for information.

Church School

Church School Information

2007-2008 Church School Staff

Where more than one teacher is listed, teachers are sharing the responsibility for the class. Parents should check with their child's teacher for their teaching schedule.

Toddlers	Cindy Paspalas, Marissa Borgis, & Alex Banu
Pre-K/K	Rose Robinson & Jaclyn Wittenburg
Second/Third/Fourth Grad	Jen Deraney & Barbara Lockhart
Fifth Grade	Debbie Nagorny & Nike Bach
Sixth Grade
Seventh Grade	Tina Luchkiw & John Mitros
Eighth Grade	Jim Tweel
Parent Auxilary	Jen Deraney
Registrar & Audio-Visual Coordinator	Irene Kavountzis
Craft Coordinator	Cindy Paspalas, Jen Derany & Nike Bach
Substitutes	Dana Bach, Adrienne Deraney, Karen Deeb, John Gakos, Vicky Tweel, Nike Bach, & Dimi Habib
Librarian	Nicholas Nagorny
Church School Director	Nike Bach

* Teen Assistants

Registration
Church School is offered to toddlers through 7th grade.
All students must register. If you have yet done so, please see Irene Kavountzis downstairs in the Church school.

Hours
Church school for grades 1-7 normally begin after communion, and conclude around 12 noon . Toddlers, Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten classes meet at 10AM and come upstairs for communion. The toddlers stay upstairs with their parents while the Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten go back downstairs until around 11:45 AM. Schedule changes will be listed in The Desert News calendar, on the web site and on the sign in the narthex.

Attendance
Students can earn a good attendance award by not missing more than 4 classes without an excuse. There are “excused” absences! Speak to Irene Kavountzis for more info.

Altar Boys
Boys, fourth grade and older, are eligible to serve in the altar. See Deacon Peter for a schedule. When church school is scheduled for 10 AM, altar boys are expected to attend class.

2007-2008 Church School Staff
Where more than one teacher is listed, teachers are sharing the responsibility for the class. Parents should check with their child's teacher for their teaching schedule.

Teen SOYO

Teen SOYO

2007-2008

Teen SOYO Officers

Co President	Rose Robinson
Co President	Jaclyn Wittenburg
Vice President	Daniel Thomas
Secretary	Marissa Bogris
Senior Delegate
Treasurer	James Tweel
Advisor	Daniel Bethancourt

 

List of Upcoming Events:

Parish History

 

St. Anthony Orthodox Church:

The History Of The First Pan-Orthodox Parish In The Antiochian Archdiocese

OUR EARLY HISTORY

St. Anthony Orthodox Church has a unique history within the story of Orthodox Christianity in North America.

On July 3, 1956 the late Metropolitan Antony Bashir presented a charter for a new Church to seven founders. The founders’ mission was unique -- to create a Pan-Orthodox parish comprised of Orthodox Christians from the traditional cultures of Eastern Christianity such as Greek, Serbian, Slavic, and Middle Eastern. Services would be conducted in English. The founders were Mitchell Moore, Theodore Maloof, Abraham G. Debs, George Shamyer, Alex Sahadi, Edward Deeb, and George A. Hatab. The new Church was placed under the patronage of St. Anthony the Great, the Father of Monasticism for the entire Christian World, East and West. It was hoped that the missionary zeal of St. Anthony's would galvanize and bond together the parish’s various cultures as it embraced all who would look for the truth of Orthodox Christianity.

However, St. Anthony's parish has not always had easy sailing; many years of hard work, dedicated service, committed families, outstanding personalities, and tribulations of various kinds, have helped to shape this parish into one of the most illustrious communities in the Orthodox "oikoumene" (ecclesiastical world). This would be no surprise to anyone who knows this vibrant and action-filled community.

In 1961, and with much debate, the growing parish acquired two parcels of land, approximating one acre, at the crossroads of three Bergen County towns: Bergenfield, Englewood and Tenafly. In November, architects Harsens and Johns were selected to construct a Church Building, budgeted for $135,000, that would blend Byzantine tradition with the New World. The property, at 385 Ivy Lane, also included an existing residential building. The new Church Building was dedicated in 1964. Metropolitan Antony Bashir and all the local Orthodox Clergy celebrated the first Divine Liturgy.  That same year the dedication was featured on a nationally broadcast TV program, “Lamp Unto My Feet”.

OUR PASTORS OVER THE YEARS

 In 1965, Father Ashie, our first permanent pastor (see below),  left St. Anthony’s to serve another English-speaking Pan-Orthodox Church in California. Father Michael Irwin became the next priest. After two years, Father Michael Irwin left to serve as a missionary in Alaska and as Assistant to Bishop Theodosius, of the Orthodox Church in America (0CA).

Our third and present pastor, Father Joseph Allen came to St. Anthony's in 1967. Except for a brief two year period when Father Daniel Daly served us, Father Joseph has faithfully guided our parish. Father Joseph, who holds a Doctorate Degree in Theology (Th.D), has been a professor at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Brookline, MA from 1977 to 1984 and St. Vladimir Orthodox Seminary in Crestwood, NY from 1978 to 1992. He has written and edited eleven books on Orthodox Theology and many articles in various publications. He currently is the Director of the Department for Theological and Pastoral Education in our Archdiocese and National Chaplain of the Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch. He is also Director of the Antiochian House of Studies and St. Stephen's Course of Studies in Orthodox Theology.

MOVING TOWARD PERMANENCE

Although it would be absolutely impossible to name the many outstanding lay- chartered families - still we can trace the efforts of the years through noting the various clergy who offered leadership to the fledgling community. In the same year of the charter, 1956, the Episcopal priest, Father Jim Mitchell welcomed the original group, small as it was, to worship at St. Paul's Chapel in Englewood, New Jersey. On May 13, 1956, the young seminarian Raymond Ofiesh, now Father Gregory, conducted the first Typica Service at St. Paul's. These continued until September 30^th, when Father Joseph Kreta from the Russian Orthodox Cathedral in New York celebrated the first Divine Liturgy. Other priests who celebrated Divine Liturgy in the early days were: Father Alexander Schmemann, Father Peter Sayama (the first Japanese Orthodox priest ordained in the U.S.), Father Daniel Hubiak, Father John Psillas, and Father Stephen Lyashevsky. It was our good fortune that Father Lyashevsky was able to serve the parish until a full-time priest was found who was more suitable to our particular needs. In the Spring of 1957, Sub-Deacon Gabriel Ashie was sent by Metropolitan Bashir to assist Father Lyashevsky and our parish. This was the first sign of our permanence as an Orthodox Christian Church.

With the growth of the Church's membership, we overcrowded St. Paul's facilities and on December 1, the move was made to the Masonic Lodge on Palisades Avenue in Englewood. At this point, there were thirty active families in regular attendance. Father Lyashevsky, for the most part, continued serving on Sundays at the Masonic Hall until Deacon Gabriel Ashie was ordained in September of 1958 and became our full time Priest. This was a time of rapid growth, spiritual revelation and joy in the growth of the movement. At the Masonic Lodge, we were permitted use of the premises on Sundays and Wednesdays only. It was therefore necessary to have a portable Iconostasis which had to be put up and taken down every Sunday, along with folding chairs.

THE 60s and 70s

As St. Anthony’s grew during the late 1960s and 1970s, it became apparent that the parish’s physical plant had to expand. Thus in 1976, we broke ground for our present Church Hall, including a kitchen, stage and bathrooms. This opened up the possibilities for an increased social calendar in which we no longer had to reserve and rent outside locations to celebrate our various social functions. When the beautiful Church Hall was finally completed we began to hold such occasions as Spring Soirées and Fall Dances, as well as Wine Fests and Art Auctions. But by far the greatest undertaking was our International Festival which draws large crowds to our various ethnic foods and the opportunity for pre-Christmas shopping. First held in the new Church Hall in 1977, most every parishioner participates today in the preparation and work in this major fundraiser.

Over fifty years of community life has produced many annual events and parish ministry teams. Outreach Sunday, in January, celebrates our patronal feast day and also serves as way to welcome new parishioners and reconnect with old ones. Christian Education includes preschool to Adult Education. Teen Ministry includes Koinonia discussion sessions, lock-ins, and a full schedule of activities, both social and humanitarian. The Ladies’ Guild, now called the Women’s Guild, organizes fundraising drives for humanitarian causes and hosts a variety of parish activities.  We have a committed Choir and Chanters. The Fellowship provides a number of social events including a Lenten Communion Breakfast, Pre-Lent Mardi-Gras, spring golf outing and Parish Picnic. Finally, the Archdiocese’ Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch is well represented, with our community, boasting one of the highest percentages of parishioners who are members of the Order.

THE 90s TO OUR  GOLDEN JUBILEE

Over our fifty years, St. Anthony’s has been blessed with the presence of many seminarians, who studying Orthodox theology, have gained practical and pastoral practice at our parish. In fact, many have been ordained here and currently serve as priests and pastors throughout our Archdiocese. Two of those seminarians have advanced to the Office of the Hierarchy, Bishop Basil (Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America) and Bishop Alexander (Diocese of Ottawa, Eastern Canada and Upstate New York).

In 1989, St. Anthony’s embarked on a Beautification Program, which improved the Sanctuary, Narthex, and the Nave. The effects of this program are visible with its icons and dramatic lighting. Eleven years later it initiated Expansion 45, called in recognition of the church’s 45^th Anniversary. The community purchased a parcel of land from its rear neighbor in order to create more parking spaces, a new multi-purpose room and offices, barrier-free access via an elevator, and a vesting room. The kitchen, storage, church school, and altar (prothesis) and library were expanded. Architect Romeo Aybar was retained for this project, with construction commencing in March 2002. The project also included the purchase of new pews, with kneelers for the first time, modernizing the sound system for the Church and hall, new carpeting in the Church and the hall, and curtains for the stage in the Fellowship Hall. The North Complex, as it is called, was dedicated by Bishop Antoun in June 2002.

In November 2005, St. Anthony’s became the first Antiochian parish to utilize solar technology to reduce energy costs and take advantage of a renewable energy source. An array of 134 panels were installed on its roof by SunFarm network

On the occasion of our Golden Jubilee, celebrating 50 years of our charter, the bold experiment envisioned by its founders has been a success. Indeed, our parish has served as the prototype of many subsequent Pan-Orthodox parishes in North America. It is a vibrant community of diverse Orthodox cultures into which many converts have been joyfully received. It is a community that celebrates and recognizes diverse heritages while gaining strength and love from the fullness of the Orthodox Faith. On this foundation and with God’s grace, we proudly anticipate the next 50 years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Women's Guild

 

St. Anthony's Orthodox Church Women's Guild

2007-2008

President	Helen Chimel
Recording Secretary	Sylvia Betsh
Corresponding Secretary	Irene Kavountzis
Treasurer	Jackie Kosinas
Vice President	Lisa Fares
Publicity
Membership
Sunshine
Gift Booth	Fran DeBellis
Gift Booth	Stella Vagias
AOCWNA

Schedule of Religious Services

 

Saint Anthony Orthodox Church 

Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

385 Ivy Lane

Bergenfield, NJ 07621

Very Reverend Joseph J. Allen, Th.D., Pastor

Deacon Peter Boulukos

 Services

Father Joe

April 10, 2005

ST. 
ANTHONY 
ANTIOCHIAN 
ORTHODOX 
CHURCH

385 Ivy Lane,  Bergenfield, NJ 
07621

                                           April 10, 2005

PARISH

PHONE:    (201) 568-8840        V. Rev. Joseph Allen,  Pastor

FAX:          (201) 568-6933       Dn. Peter Boulukos, Assistant

         St. Anthony’s web page: http://www.stanthonysorthodox.org

Antiochian Archdiocese web page: http://www.antiochian.org

 

FOURTH SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT                                                 

 

Epistle: Hebrews 6:13-20                                                   St. John Climakos                     

Gospel: Mark 9:17-30                                                          

Tone: Four  

                                                                                

THE EPISTLE

 

Prokeimenon:  The Lord will give strength to his people.

                            Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory.

 

The reading is from
Saint Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews.

 

BRETHREN, when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore to himself, saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you." And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

 

THE EUCHARISTIC OFFERINGS

 

The Holy Oblations are offered at the Offertory of the Great Entrance today for the health and welfare of those living members, and for those departed this life in Christ, of the Tsoukaris Family.

 

The Coffee and Reception in the Church Hall is offered today by the Tsoukaris Family. NOTE: Please do not wait to sign up for offering the Coffee Reception held every Sunday after Liturgy. The chart is posted in the hall, as well as the list of responsibilities and items needed.

 

PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

1.       Today there will be a Memorial Service for the late servant of God +STYLIANOS (Stellios) TSOUKARIS (Five Years), husband of our parishioner Johanna Tsoukaris. MEMORY ETERNAL!

2.       LENTEN SCHEDULE.

A.       This Wednesday, April 13^th,  is our fifth PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY, beginning at 6:45 PM.

1.       We PREPARE to receive the Presanctified Gifts through Abstinence (fasting) and prayer. A small snack is allowed after school, but please eat lightly after 12:00 Noon.

2.       DO NOT WAIT UNTIL HOLY WEEK TO RECEIVE THE SACRAMENT OF REPENTANCE! Confessions are heard before and after the Presanctified Liturgies, and every parent, teen, and child should plan to receive this sacrament during Lent.

B.       This Friday, April 15^th  is the fifth AKATHIST HYMN to Our Lady, the Blessed Theotokos and Virgin Mary, beginning at 7:30 PM.

1.       Please remember that Confessions are scheduled only BEFORE this service.

2.       After the Akathist Hymn this Friday, we will continue our Spring Adult Educational Program. This year’s program is based on the GOSPEL OF ST. LUKE, an award winning presentation which you will not want to miss. Lenten REFRESHMENTS will be prepared by the Ladies’ Guild. We thank them once again for their dedication.

3.       NEXT SUNDAY, APRIL 17^th, we are honored to welcome to St. Anthony’s His Grace Bishop THOMAS (Joseph). Bishop THOMAS is one of the three new bishops recently consecrated to serve in our new Self-ruled Archdiocese. He currently lives in
Ligonier, PA, where he will preside over the Diocese of Oakland, PA and the East.

4.       Also next Sunday, our Fellowship sponsors our Annual COMMUNION BREAKFAST. All parishioners, including all TEENS and CHURCH SCHOOL STUDENTS should be present to welcome and greet the new Bishop to our parish.

5.       GREETING A BISHOP IN THE ORTHODOX TRADITION: When addressing a bishop (Hierarch), he is called “Your Grace.” If it is our Archbishop, he is called “Your Eminence.” Thus, when greeting Bishop THOMAS, and receiving his blessing, we address him as “Your Grace,” (while when referring to him, we say “HIS Grace.” The proper way to greet any Orthodox Hierarch is to kiss his hand, since by his hand ordination and consecration guarantees the continuance of the Church (“Laying on of hands”).

6.      
CHURCH 
SCHOOL.

A.       We thank our Church School Director Nike Bach and the entire staff for preparing the “Bishop’s Program” next week.

B.       PARENTS: please remember that the Church School EGG HUNT is scheduled to follow the Liturgy on
St. Lazarus Saturday, April 23^rd (also St. George Feast Day). Other activities, including the Palm Crosses and Palm preparation, will also take place on that day.

7.       FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY CAMPAIGN. All parishioners throughout the Archdiocese should have received, or soon will receive, their FFHP Packets. This is part of our Lenten “discipline,” that is to do the “works of charity” during this season! You may return these envelopes at any time to the Church. (Please remember, these are NOT your weekly stewardship pledge to our parish!).

8.       The Ladies’ Guild will again be decorating Ukrainian/Russian Easter Eggs on Tuesday, April 12^th at 7 PM. More to follow.

9.       Friday, April 22^nd, our Annual Lenten Supper prepared and hosted by our TEEN SOYO. Let us plan to be here and support our kids. This will follow the Small Compline Service at 7 PM.

10.    HOLY WEEK FLOWERS: As we enter deeper into the second half of Great Lent, we begin to plan for HOLY and PASSION WEEK, that period from PALM SUNDAY to HOLY PASCHA, when Our Lord entered
Jerusalem. In so doing, we begin to plan the adorning of the Ikonastasis, Altar Area and Epitaphios. Please see Eve Meyer – or return your envelope directly to the Church – to make your contribution for the flowers, etc. with which we do that work. And because this is a way we greet our follow parishioners with the Paschal Greeting that “Christ is Risen,” those names will be printed in the special insert in the Easter Bulletin on Holy Pascha Evening.

11.    Today, Father Joseph, during the Homily time, will discuss the date of Easter, and other “difference” between the Eastern Christian and Western Christian Traditions. This as a result of two factors about which many of our parishioners have been asking: The great distance between the two Easter dates, and the recent death of Pope John Paul II. This will be done in the fashion of one of our Fall Adult Education Sessions, and you will be allowed to ask questions, since we look upon these times as a type of “community discussions.”

12.    The deadline for the May/June  issue of The Desert News is today, April 10, 2005.  Anyone with information they'd like to include should contact Arlene Assile, Carol Giffen, or Alice Ziemba.

13.    The Outreach Committee is searching for those in need of rides to church and volunteers willing to drive these parishioners to church. Please speak with Thelma Dacales, Betty Gakos, or Jim Vagias.

14.    DON’T FORGET TO BUY YOUR SCRIP! With the Easter celebration coming up soon, we should all support our Church and use the scrip to do your grocery shopping. It costs you nothing, and the church makes 5% of your purchases. See Betty Gakos for more information.

April 16, 2006

ST.  ANTHONY ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

385 Ivy Lane,  Bergenfield, NJ 07621

                                           April 16, 2006

PARISH

PHONE:    (201) 568-8840        V. Rev. Joseph Allen,  Pastor

FAX:          (201) 568-6933       Dn. Peter Boulukos, Assistant

         St. Anthony’s web page: http://www.stanthonysorthodox.org

Antiochian Archdiocese web page: http://www.antiochian.org

 

PALM SUNDAY, 2006

 

Epistle: Philippians 4:4-9                                                                                            St. Lazarus        

Gospel: John 12:1-18                                   

Tone: For The Feast Day

                                                                      

THE EPISTLE

Prokeimenon:  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

                          Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His mercy endures for ever.

 

The reading is from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Philippians.

BRETHREN, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do: and the God of peace will be with you.

 

THE EUCHARISTIC OFFERINGS

 

The Holy Oblations are offered at the Offertory of the Great Entrance today for the health and welfare of those living members, and for those departed this life in Christ, of the Tsoukaris, Dacales, and Deraney Families.

 

The Coffee and Reception Hour in the Church Hall is offered this morning by the Assile, Dacales, and Eliopoulos Families. HAVE YOU SCHEDULED YOUR FA