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St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church in Flemington, New Jersey celebrated the burning of its church mortgage after its Hierarchical Feast Day Vespers on December 8. This milestone was the first goal on the parish’s “Path to Consecration.”
Leading the joyous event was His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey, accompanied by Proistamenos Reverend Father James Pavlow, 2025 Parish Council President Dean Soteropoulos, and Consecration Program Co-chairs John Kaldes and Diana Grina. The Mortgage Burning Ceremony was conducted on the solea, with over a dozen Metropolis clergy and 150 parishioners attending the Hierarchical Vespers service.
“We are very blessed because of you and your faith, your dedication and contribution to your community of St. Anna. St. Anna will never forget what you have done for this beautiful church in this corner of the Metropolis of New Jersey,” Metropolitan Apostolos said. “I am very excited that in my time as your Metropolitan to be able to act like this, to confirm the last payment. Glory to the Holy Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen!”
The final payoff amount of $300,000 was achieved quickly with the launch of the Consecration Fund in October. The consecration leadership team highlighted the final milestone they are working towards: consecration of the church in 2026. To support this goal, fundraising will continue to purchase the needed ecclesiastical consecration items and fund some building updates.
“Paying off the mortgage removed a barrier to consecration. Now we can work toward sanctifying our lovely parish,” said parish priest Fr. James Pavlow. “Paying off the mortgage removed a barrier to consecration. Now we can work toward sanctifying our lovely parish. When we consecrate the church, we will turn it from a house of worship to truly a Holy House of God.”
Following the ceremony all were invited to a reception and celebration in the Nicholas and Anna Bourias Memorial Hall. The reception culminated with entertainment by the parish choir, Greek School, and GOYA Greek Dance group. Information on “The Path to Consecration” program is posted here.
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St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church was founded in 2002 and is part of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey. The parish began as the Greek Orthodox Parish of Hunterdon County and was granted a permanent charter in 2010, receiving the name of St. Anna. It worshiped in temporary facilities until June 2013, when the new parish on Voorhees Corner Road held its door opening ceremony (Thyranixia). In 2018 the parish beautification project was launched, and new iconography was installed on the parish interior walls. The St. Anna parish has over 150 families and has numerous ministries for all ages from preschool through Senior adults. These include liturgical and concert choir, religious education, Senior Parea, a Young Adult League, HOPE, JOY, GOYA, Greek language School and Greek dance. The philanthropic arm is the parish’s Agia Magdalena Ladies Philoptochos, a chapter of the National Ladies Philoptochos Society. The parish’s Flemington Opa! Festival consistently wins ‘Best Foodie Event in Hunterdon County.’ For more information visit the parish website.
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