Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal First Mode

Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.

Apolytikion for Thomas Sun. in the Grave Mode

Whilst the tomb was sealed, Thou, O Life, didst shine forth from the grave, O Christ God; and whilst the doors were shut, Thou didst come unto Thy disciples, O Resurrection of all, renewing through them an upright Spirit in us according to Thy great mercy.

Apolytikion for Great Martyr George in the Fourth Mode

Liberator of captives, defender of the poor, physician of the sick, and champion of kings, O trophy-bearer, Great Martyr George, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Though You went down into the tomb, You destroyed Hades' power, and You rose the victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, "Hail!" and granting peace to Your disciples, You who raise up the fallen.

Saints and Feasts

April 23

Thomas Sunday

Though the doors were shut at the dwelling where the disciples were gathered for fear of the Jews on the evening of the Sunday after the Passover, our Saviour wondrously entered and stood in their midst, and greeted them with His customary words, "Peace be unto you." Then He showed unto them His hands and feet and side; furthermore, in their presence, He took some fish and a honeycomb and ate before them, and thus assured them of His bodily Resurrection. But Thomas, who was not then present with the others, did not believe their testimony concerning Christ's Resurrection, but said in a decisive manner, "Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe." Wherefore after eight days, that is, on this day, when the disciples were again gathered together and Thomas was with them, the Lord Jesus came while the doors were shut, as He did formerly. Standing in their midst, He said, "Peace be unto you"; then He said to Thomas, "Bring hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and bring hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and be not unbelieving, but believing."

And Thomas, beholding and examining carefully the hands and side of the Master, cried out with faith, "My Lord and my God." Thus he clearly proclaimed the two natures - human and divine - of the God-man (Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-29).

This day is called Antipascha (meaning "in the stead of Pascha," not "in opposition to Pascha") because with this day, the first Sunday after Pascha, the Church consecrates every Sunday of the year to the commemoration of Pascha, that is, the Resurrection.

April 23

George the Great Martyr and Triumphant

George, this truly great and glorious Martyr of Christ, was born of a father from Cappadocia and a mother from Palestine. Being a military tribune, or chiliarch (that is, a commander of a thousand troops), he was illustrious in battle and highly honoured for his courage. When he learned that the Emperor Diocletian was preparing a persecution of the Christians, Saint George presented himself publicly before the Emperor and denounced him. When threats and promises could not move him from his steadfast confession, he was put to unheard-of tortures, which he endured with great bravery, overcoming them by his faith and love towards Christ. By the wondrous signs that took place in his contest, he guided many to the knowledge of the truth, including Queen Alexandra, wife of Diocletian, and was finally beheaded in 296 in Nicomedia.

His sacred remains were taken by his servant from Nicomedia to Palestine, to a town called Lydda, the homeland of his mother, and then were finally transferred to the church which was raised up in his name. (The translation of the Saint's holy relics to the church in Lydda is commemorated on November 3; Saint Alexandra the Queen, on April 21.)

If April 23 falls on or before Great and Holy Pascha, the Feast of St. George is translated to Bright Monday.

April 24

Elizabeth the Wonderworker

Saint Elizabeth was born in Heraclea of Thrace. She lived in virginity and exhausted herself with ascetical labours and every kind of hardship from the time of her youth, and was deemed worthy of the grace of wonderworking from God; she reposed in peace in Constantinople in the middle of the fifth century.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 146.5;134.3.
Great is our Lord, and great is his power.
Verse: Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 12:1-11.

ABOUT THAT TIME, Herod the king laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword; and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. So Peter was kept in prison; but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the Church.

The very night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison; and behold, an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly." And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, "Wrap your mantle around you and follow me." And he went out and followed him; he did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened to them of its own accord, and they went out and passed on through one street; and immediately the angel left him. And Peter came to himself, and said, "Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting."

Gospel Reading

Thomas Sunday
The Reading is from John 20:19-31

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them: "Peace be with you." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him: "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them: "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in His side, I will not believe."

Eight days later, His disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said: "Peace be with you." Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing." Thomas answered Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to Him: "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

Wisdom of the Fathers

For great is the dignity of the priests. ... And hold them very exceedingly in honor; for you indeed care about your own affairs, and if you order them well, you give no account for others; ...

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 86, 4th Century

... but the priest even if he rightly order his own life, if he have not an anxious care for yours and that of all those around him, will depart with the wicked into hell; and often when not betrayed by his own conduct, he perishes by yours, if he have not rightly performed all his part.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 86, 4th Century

Parish News and Events

Follow us on:

Handicap Parking

New blue painted Handicap parking space on U street: You must have either a Special Handicap Placard on display or a Handicap License Plate

Drivers needed to take parishioners to church and return them home. Fr. Joseph has contact information of our beloved shut-ins.

We are in need of a monitor. If anyone has an extra one please donate to the church office.

One Open Seat on Parish Council: If you are interested in serving on the Parish Council this year please see Fr. Joseph or Danny.

Next Parish Council Meeting is May 25th at 7 p.m.

Other News

Mochas for Missions is continuing! Please pick up a marked container (yes, it's a coffee cup) and consider forgoing your coffee at least once each week (or other drink if you do not drink coffee) and placing that money in the container. All money collected goes to our Metropolis Missions and Evangelism programs to help beginning parishes. It is estimated that if every family in our community participates in the program and places $5 a week into the cup - by Pentecost that family will have collected at least $60 if not more. Multiply that by the number of families we have and we could generate $6000 for Missions - not bad from the little community of Bakersfield. Please consider Mochas for Missions as part of your alms-giving for the Pentecostal Seasons.

Coffee Hour Opportunities

The new calendar for coffee hour schedule is up in the hall. Each family please sign up for a Sunday. Several Sundays are available in May.

Philoptochos News

General meeting May 7th for nominations.

The Philoptochos is organizing a trip to Bravoland - this Bravo Farms collection

of shoppes, novelties and BBQ restaurant is located off the 5 Freeway at

Kettleman City located 76 miles north of Bakersfield.

We plan to meet on Sunday May 7th in front of the Strategos Medical Building

located at 9330 Stockdale Highway at 2:00 pm. We should arrive to Bravoland

by 3:30 pm where we will spend a few hours perusing the shops and enjoying

each other's company. At 5:00 pm we will have dinner at their BBQ Facility.

When we finish, we will head back to Bakersfield. We should return sometime

between 7:00 and 7:30 pm.

Please consider joining us for a fun and fellowship filled afternoon.

The new Philoptochos newsletter is available! You can find it on our church website or you can pick up a copy at church. It covers our latest news and events for the coming months.

New Narthex Policy

Please enter the church and find a seat to hear the sermon rather than waiting in the Narthex.

Bookstore

Come by and check out the new merchandise that just arrived from the Holy Land.

Faith Tree Lion Heart

Mens focus group will be at Evangelos Demestihas’ house. Dates are TBA. Please RSVP in order to attend. Meetings will be at 1710 Greenhaven, 93312. Contact Evangelos if interested in attending.

Parishioner Visits

Helen Kemper is currently at Hallmark Homes, 2001 Akers, Room 223. Please find some time to go and visit her. The facility number is 831-7147.

Bakersfield Homeless Center Volunteers

The third Monday of each month, we as a community under the direction of the Philoptochos, will be volunteering to serve on the dinner line at the Bakersfield Homeless Center. This will be a coordinated effort and we ask you to sign up with Elaine Dorlis so we know that enough volunteers will be there. We need 6-8 volunteers each month.
In order to serve, you will need to sign a liability form from BHC (Elaine will have these - 1 per family is all that is needed), volunteers must be 12 years of age or older and our service hours are 4:00-6:00.
We ask that you arrive between 3:45 and 4:00 if possible as the first service is at 4:00 for single men, followed by a 4:30 service for single women, a short 30 min break followed by the family service at 5:30. This is a wonderful opportunity to show service to our greater community at large and help those who are less fortunate just down the street from our church. You can also email Elaine at elainedorlis1@gmail.com. Please sign up for May 15th & June 19th CURRENTLY NO ONE IS SIGNED UP.

Dear Parishioners

Sundays should be set aside for quality time with God, our Church and Family. This is true for the Priest, Parish Secretary and Parish Council. Please let us try to address church business and make appointments during the week during office hours, and not wait until Sunday to address these matters. For the generous providers of Coffee Hour, please arrange all meal preparation so that everyone is attending Divine Liturgy. The hall will always be open at least one hour before Divine Liturgy begins, as well as the evening before from 6:30 to 7:30.

Hall Reservation System

There will be a new system to reserve the hall for any church functions or activities. Everyone must communicate with Annette 599-5455 or Sahar if you will be using the hall anytime to be placed on the calendar. This includes groups that meet on a regular basis or for any event. Thank you for your cooperation.

Anyone using the hall during the week, please make sure you turn off all lights, coffee maker and the hall is left clean.

Prosphora Offering

When making the Prosphora, please make 1 large for the Sunday service and 2 small loaves for mid week. Please make arrangements with Sahar or Despina to bring the offering Saturday night.

Prosphora Schedule

4/23 Jim Southerd, 4/30 Nahla Demestihas, 5/7 Sahar Ayoub, 5/14 Mary Mekhel, 5/21 Olympia Hackleman, 5/28 Basema Madain, 6/4 Nahla Demestihas, 6/11 Sahar Ayoub, 6/18 Elaine Dorlis, 6/25 Basema Madain.

Narthex Ushers

4/23 Youth Group, 4/30 Tom, 5/7 Vago & Annette, 5/14 Osama & Michael, 5/21 Youth Group, 5/28 Manny, 6/4 Danny & Ken, 6/11 James & Mary, 6/18 Tom, 6/25 Vago & Annette. Thank you.

THIS SUNDAY IS THE LAST DAY TO MAKE RESERVATIONS

St George Luncheon Celebration

Sunday April 23rd a free luncheon will be offered to the community immediately following Divine Liturgy where every member of every family should attend. This is everyone's opportunity to come to church, and thank God for His blessings and the intercessions of St George, our patron saint.

A patron saint is an intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, or person. In Greece on the feast day of the saint, a "panayiri" or "party" is held and everyone offers up thanks to their patron saint by donating from the heart, a tithe, that will show their appreciation for the intercessions of our patron saint to God.

It is with that hope that the luncheon offered on Sunday be offered without a specified donation so that parishioners will be able to offer thanks to our patron saint.

Please plan on attending

Save The Date

Saturday May 6,2017

Saint Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church and Shrine

20340 East Covina Boulevard, Covina Ca 91724

Benefit Dinner for the completion of the Monastery’s Extension Project

Endowment

Honor your loved ones birthday and or anniversary by making a contribution to the Endowment Fund in their name. Make checks payable to St. George Church and write Endowment Fund on the memo line. Distributions from the fund will benefit the youth and maintenance needs of the Parish. For more information contact a Parish Council Member.
Thank you.

Services this Week

SUN- 8:30 a.m. Orthros, 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy

MON -Office Closed

TUES-6:30Vespers

WED- Father out of town
THURS- Father out of town
FRI- 6:30 p.m. Vespers

SAT- 6:30 p.m. Vespers

Father Joseph's Office Hours

Tuesday-Thursday from 1:30-7:30

About Communion

If you are a visitor and planning to take Holy Communion, please inform one of our ushers ahead of time. During Communion, parents with infants, and Sunday School Teachers should be first in line to receive Communion. All Christians Orthodox and Non-Orthodox are invited to come up to receive Blessed Bread (Antidoron) at the end of the service. However, present Church guidelines allow that only baptized and confirmed Eastern Orthodox Christians (who have properly prepared) may approach to receive Holy Communion. Thank you.

Religious Education

Sunday School

Sunday school lesson 19.

Youth Group/GOYA

If you have any questions about youth group please contact Stephen and Nicole Strategos.

Greek School

Greek School, with focus on conversational Greek, Greek orthodox hymns, and the Greek culture, held on Sundays will continue through the Summer. Books endorsed by the Metropolis are available but not necessary. Come and join us for fellowship while learning the Greek language. Contact Olympia at 972-0411 with any questions.

Friday Greek school hours are 4:30-6:30. Please contact Kathy Exarchoulakos if interested.

HOPE/JOY

Our next meet up will be April 29th. More information to follow. This group is for kindergartners (5 years old and up) to 6^th graders. Contact Jenny or James Dean for more information.

Theft of Locks

To avoid ongoing theft of our locks on the gates and trash bins, please do not leave them in the unlocked open position hanging on the hook or gate.

Welcome New Parish Members

Prayers/Thanksgiving

Glory to God for His Bountiful Blessings

Prayers needed. Please add to your daily prayers for:

Our brothers & sisters unable to attend:

Becky Valos ,Marika Psihoundas, Mary Valos, Maria Sporaa.Healing: Michael George, Marika, Victor, Helen K., Irene, Mary, Mary, Gus, Serephima, and others in our parish.

Those who are traveling

Orthodox-Dan S., Monica, Yorgos K, Giorgos, Anna,Angela, Antonia, Stelios, Petros, Anne, Anna, Leonid, Mariyka,Helen Leyendecker, Archalia,Natalie, Eva,Eleni K.,Efstratios, Ourania, Christopher, Alice, Suha,Abla, Jennifer, Tom, Gabriela,Ion,Danny,Nadia, Niko, Musa Daoud, Vasiliki, Theodore, Achilles, Vasiliki, Elizabeth, Labrini, Bert & Louise Moosios,Olympia,Margarita, Seraphim, Mary, Tika,Maria Sporaa, Athina, Helen, Gerry Collis, Nektarios,Marika, Louis Strousos,Bessie Mattly, Noah A., Nick A.,Nick K., Kyriaki,Gus Huntalas, Fred, Hannah, Irene Sinopole, Helen Protopapas, Candess Strategos,Gene, Kathy, Sofia, Clemy (Clementina), Jane, and Matthew.

Non-Orthodox -Debbie, Emmitt, Donna,Steve, Richard,Donald, Christina, Eva, Dominic,Gaby Garcia,Romona, Elea, Graysen Astumian, Marie,Michelle, Irma, Julie, Greg, Allyson, Eric, Margaret, Valerie, Martha Rogers, Helen Kemper, Joseph, Stephen, Elizabeth,Ellen, Ling, Richard, Christine & David, Debby.

Catechumen: Paul & Kyriaki.

Anniversaries

4/20 Emmanuel & Erin Strategos
4/26 John & Irene Wilson

Birthdays

4/1 Yasmine Mekhel
4/2 Nickolas Antonaros
4/6 Anthony Michael Cornett
4/7 Miriam Cornett
4/15 Tom Dorlis
4/20 Sahar Ayoub
4/22 Kim Niz
4/23 Jalin Serna
4/25 Joe Sinopole
4/25 Jared Budy
4/25 Max Dean
4/27 Evanthia Chaffee
4/28 Mark Pearse
4/29 Cahon Grens

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins