www.byzcath.org Forums News & Events Church News UFO Lands at Annunciation Byzantine Church in Anaheim, CA!!!

Well, not really. It's actually our new dome which is being constructed in the parking lot before it will be hoisted up on the church.

Go to Reznut\'s Webshot Photo Album [community.webshots.com] and select the November album for the Annunciation Building Progress to see Saturday's pictures of our church's construction - including our UFO, err, dome.

In Christ, Michelle

MIchelle,

Very lovely. I'm still searching for your dome. Which picture is it?

Just a question about your icon screen. Is the sanctuary behind it or is the sanctuary in front of it, as it appears? Isn't it supposed to be behind it?

Dan L

Michelle,

Beautiful photos.

Many years,

Neil

CIX!

While on travel for work I had the great pleasure of attending Divine Liturgy at Annunciation on 11/14 and saw their temple under construction. When completed, it will be a magnificent structure. Unfortunatley, I had to hurry off immediately after Liturgy (for work), but the couple of folks I met prior to services were very cordial and welcoming.

There are photo albums named "Annunciation Building Progress" for each month from July to November. The dome is in the November photo album. Can't miss it since it looks like a UFO in our parking lot.

Unfortunately, we do not have the room in our parish hall to create a proper sanctuary so what you see is what you get. There simply is no room to spare. Sundays can get pretty packed to the point of standing room only (which is GREAT!).

In fact, I sit in the very front row on the inside aisle and am usually backing up everytime the acolytes walk by or when parishioners walk away after receiving our Lord. Also, Father George barely has room behind the holy table to walk around while incensing or even to sit behind. The back of the hall where the last row for seating is has an aisle behind it that is only wide enough for strollers and wheel chairs. Some Sundays we have people standing all along the back wall and in the doorway that leads to the kitchen, elevator, and restrooms. So, there really isn't much wiggle room.

Definitely not an ideal set up but we do our best. People keep a respectful distance but, of course, it's not the same as having a proper boundary.

Thank God for the generosity of not only our parishioners, but also other benefactors who are helping us with their prayers and donations so that we can have a proper home for our Precious Lord. We are SOOOOOO excited!!! 35 years in the making!

In Christ, Michelle

Oh, I'm so sorry I did not get a chance to meet you. Yes, I must say that we have some very warm and dear people in our parish, if I may say so.

My first visit was on Aug 11, 2001 (well, my first since my "only curious" visit 20 years ago). It was so wonderful that I keep coming back for 3 years now!

That first visit (in 2001), my mum, brother and I tried to slip out the door and to the parking lot unnoticed after Divine Liturgy but Steve (one of the cantors) lovingly roped us over to the coffee social and began introducing us to people. In fact, during Divine Liturgy when people were lined up for communion, Steve whispered to us how to approach Father for a blessing. That showed caring and we were touched.

I am so happy to hear that you also had a good experience at our church. I hope that you will be able to visit us again and actually have time to join us at the coffee social. If you do, I hope you'd introduce yourself to me.

God bless you.

Your sister in Christ, Michelle

Michelle,

It is a beautiful place thus far. Have you thought of standing instead of sitting? It would certainly offer more room. In fact it about doubles the capacity.

Dan L

Standing in a Byzantine Church? Gee, what a concept!

So, do you want to be the brave soul to reintroduce that in our parish? Although I love my parish, I do admit that some traditions will be hard to sell to many of them. I don't want chairs or pews but, unfortunately ...

Dan, you're preaching to the choir as far as I'm concerned. I would love it if you could fly out to our parish and work on convincing everyone to go back to the way it's supposed to be with no chairs or pews ... apart from a few benches along the walls for those that really need it.

:rolleyes:

Otherwise, I'd rather not start that thread up again.

In Christ, Michelle

Hang on a sec, doesn't Annunciation have pews?

I know that they aren't bolted down on the floor though, so they can be moved because I saw them in a couple different arrangements when I popped in for a visit.

Speaking of Annunciation, has the interior iconography been completed? I have an RC friend who I would like to take over there so as to experience another aspect of his faith, because he has never known anything other than the Latin rite.

In Christ,
Aaron

I just realized that this thread is about another Byzantine Catholic Church that also happens to be named Annunciation.

The one I am referring to is in Homer Glen, IL.

In Christ,
Aaron

I'm sorry, that sounded a bit sharp. I was getting ready to leave work when I posted this and didn't take the necessary time to word it better. Forgive me if I sounded snippy with that post.

By the way, how is ===> an "embarrassed" face? Looks more like it's singing or yawning.

Anyhow, back to the original thread topic ...

Supposedly the dome will be hoisted up by a huge crane next Monday 11/29 around 7-something in the morning. I'm going to see if I can come in to work a wee bit later so I can swing by the church to get photos of it.

Also, our bulletin this week lists that the Church Dedication is tentatively scheduled for July. Hmmm ... Of course, our church will still be a work in progress long after our Dedication.

In Christ, Michelle

S'OK. The Homer Glen Annunciation looks lovely. I have a family reunion coming up in 2006 that will be held in Chicago, so perhaps I can do the drive out to them parts to check out our sister church and attend the Divine Liturgy.

In Christ, Michelle

Michele,

I'd love to come to Southern California and stand for several Sunday in your beautiful temple, unless your priests would rather I not. I've never been to California. It's about time I made the journey.

Aaron,

Yes, we do have some. For a brief time we were loaded with the inhibitors but now we have only a few. There is plenty of room for standing. I think those who stand and those who sit are trying very hard to show love and respect to everyone. There is no compulsion to do either. Though Father has explained why many stand and has indicated that he hopes most of us will eventually choose to do so.

Dan Lauffer

Dan,

Thanks for your reply. I also stood when I was at your church.

So, can you tell me has the interior iconography been completed yet? As I said earlier, I would love to take a friend out there to see it and I'd like to seeit as well.

You are blessed with a very beautiful church. The iconography is is truly inspiring and puts one in a sense of awe as well.

In Christ,
Aaron

Father says that it may never be complete. Most of the interior work is done but he's always adding something. We've begun some exterior iconography but I expect that to stop now until Spring. Besides it being spiritually uplifting it is just physically a delight to go to Church.

Dan L