Information from The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Cleveland
                                                             regarding the novel coronavirus COVID-19

Dear Parishioners,

Good afternoon. We would like to update you on the proactive measures our community is
taking to address the challenges our nation is facing regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID19). As always, the health and safety of our parishioners are of utmost priority. As such, myself, our Parish Council leaders, our ministry leaders, and employee staff gathered Thursday evening to discuss and determine our approach to a prevention plan to mitigate the risk of a larger viral
outbreak. We will be updating you often via email, social media and phone calls.

Yesterday the President of the United States declared a national emergency to combat coronavirus. For those of you who may not be familiar with this virus and why it is different from other viruses we have faced, please visit the websites listed below to better educate yourselves.

COVID-19 has now reached Ohio and as of yesterday afternoon has reported 13 confirmed
cases, with two being through “community spread” meaning they did not have any direct contact
with those who had traveled to affected areas. It is estimated that cases will double every six
days.

All social activities including coffee hour, choir, dance group practice, Fish Fry, Sunday School.
Greek School (face to face- teachers to notify students of home study work), festival prep, and
Bible study are cancelled/on-hold until further notice. Father Dean will instruct certain Altar
Boys to serve during liturgies. Please do not follow the previous Altar Boy schedule.
While we have always ensured our approach to cleaning of our physical facility and church, we
have increased our efforts to increase cleaning of our surface areas and will disinfect as per
CDC guidelines as outlined.

We have mobilized a strategic work team who will be following along closely with the nation and
the State of Ohio, and will comply with all recommended guidelines. We will update you as often
as able. We are currently in a prevention mode to decrease transmission of this new virus and
we will be prepared as a church community to escalate to respond to next level actions.
For our healthy individuals, please use this time to reflect in our Lenten season how you can
offer help to your community around you with food needs, grocery runs, childcare, or a simple
prayer.

As you know, I recently returned from the Clergy Retreat with our Metropolitan. Much discussion
took place regarding precautionary steps that need to be implemented regarding this novel
virus.

All weekday Lenten services, and Divine Liturgies will take place as
scheduled until further notice.

The Following Precautions Are Effective Immediately
   There will be no choir singing during services, but the cantors will be chanting.
   There will no longer be books available in the pews, they have been removed,
   and you are encouraged to bring your own book. We will have printed copies, but
   you will be responsible for throwing them away.
   The weekly bulletin that is offered on Sundays are to be thrown away on your
   own. We will supply a trash can.
   An alternative altar boy schedule will be created with details distributed soon.
   There will be no coffee hour after church on Sundays.
   All School doors will be locked.
   Please contact Fr. Dean for visitations due to current nursing home and hospital
   visitor restrictions in place.

WHAT CAN YOU DO:
    1. Basic infection control. These instructions need to be repeatedly stressed as the most
        effective way to avoid infection.

         a. Clean your hands often
         b. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially
             after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or having been in a public place.
         c. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least
            60% alcohol.
         d. To the extent possible, avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places –
            elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking with people, etc. Use a
             tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something.
         e. Wash your hands after touching surfaces in public places.
         f.  Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, etc.
         g. Clean and disinfect your home to remove germs: practice routine cleaning of
             frequently touched surfaces (for example: tables, doorknobs, light switches,
            handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks & cell phones)

    Please use the hand sanitizer that will be placed in the Narthex.
    After lighting your candle, show your honor and respect to the icons and Gospel
    book by only bowing.

    Holy Communion will be distributed as usual
    Fr. Dean will come down to the front pews to distribute Holy Communion
    to the elderly first, rather than them be escorted up on the Altar.
    Antidoron will be handed to the parishioners rather than individually
    grabbing them.

    Use common sense judgment. If you are not feeling well, have a runny nose,
    sneezing, or coughing, please refrain from attending services.
    Elderly and anyone with a compromised immune system should take extra
    precautions.

For those who wish, there are churches that livestream their services.
Please click on this link: www.goarch.org/livebroadcasts

Please enforce the basic public health principles endorsed by the World Health Organization
and the CDC regarding pandemic control.

    1. Encourage and practice primary prevention
        a. Hand washing, self-isolation, avoiding crowds
        b. Proper use of personal protective equipment (masks) to be used for actively sick
            people who are coughing or have a fever. Otherwise, please do not use masks if
            you are well as this decreases availability to those who need it the most for
            protection: healthcare workers, patients, then the community 

       c.   If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
       d.   To the extent possible, avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places –
             elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking with people, etc. Use a
             tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something.
       e.   Wash your hands after touching surfaces in public places.
       f.    Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, etc.
       g.   Clean and disinfect your home to remove germs: practice routine cleaning of
             frequently touched surfaces (for example: tables, doorknobs, light switches,
             handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks & cell phones)

    2.      Avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Your risk of exposure to respiratory
             viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded, closed-in settings with little air
             circulation if there are people in the crowd who are sick.
    3.      Avoid unnecessary travel.

USEFUL INFORMATIONAL LINKS
CDC https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

CDC frequently asked question about children and coronavirus
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/children-faq.html

ODH https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.
As we journey through Great and Holy Lent amidst these challenging times, let us walk with
faith, strengthened by the Lord’s mighty hand and illumined by His Grace and Peace.

With Love in Christ,
Annunciation Coronavirus Strategic Team:

Fr. Dean Dimon
Niko Semertsidis
Julie Tsirambidis
Parish Council

Online Chapel

Saints, Feasts, and Readings for 03/28/2020

Fourth Saturday of Lent

St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 6:9-12

Mark 7:31-37

Hilarion the New; Herodion the Apostle of the 70; Stephen the Wonderworker

Visit the Online Chapel for more daily readings, hymns, a monthly calendar of saints and feasts, and more.