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St. George Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2017-01-15
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St. George Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (651) 222-6220
  • Fax:
  • (651) 225-9276
  • Street Address:

  • 1111 Summit Avenue

  • Saint Paul, MN 55105


Contact Information












Services Schedule

Sunday Morning Orthros/Matins 8:15am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am; Saturday Great Vespers 5:00pm (October thru May); Weekday Services (see Online Calendar, Sunday Bulletin & Monthly Newsletter); Confession (by appointment).


Past Bulletins


Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 1st Mode

Eternal with the Father and the Spirit is the Word, Who of a Virgin was begotten for our salvation. As the faithful we both praise and worship Him, for in the flesh did He consent to ascend unto the Cross, and death did He endure and He raised unto life the dead through His all glorious resurrection.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 1st Mode

Your birth sanctified a Virgin's womb and properly blessed the hands of Symeon. Having now come and saved us O Christ our God, give peace to Your commonwealth in troubled times and strengthen those in authority, whom You love, as only the loving One.
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Saints and Feasts

Lepers
January 15

12th Sunday of Luke


Jkalyvitispaulthebes
January 15

Paul of Thebes

Saint Paul, first among hermits, was born about 227 in the Thebaid of Egypt. In 250 he fled into the wilderness because of the persecution raging at that time under Decius. Having lived a solitary life in a certain cave for ninety-one years, he reposed in 341, at the age of 114, and was buried by Anthony the Great, who had been directed thither by God several days before the Saint's repose.


Jkalyvitispaulthebes
January 15

John the Hut-Dweller

Saint John, who was from Constantinople, was the son of illustrious parents -- Eutropius the Senator and Theodora. At twelve years of age he departed secretly from his home and went to the Monastery of the Unsleeping (see Dec. 29). Aflame with longing for his parents, he returned after six years to his father's home in the guise of a pauper and beggar. Living in a small hut at the gates of his parents' house (wherefrom he is called "hut-dweller"), he remained unknown therein for many years, and suffered mockery at the hands of those who had been his own servants. Foreknowing his death, he revealed himself to his parents, and within a few moments reposed, about the year 450.


Allsaint
January 15

Pansophios the Martyr of Alexandria


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Eighth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:11-18

At that time, Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that He had said these things to her.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal 1st Mode. Psalm 11.7,1.
You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians 3:4-11.

BRETHREN, when Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now put them all away; anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all.


Gospel Reading

12th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 17:12-19

At that time, as Jesus entered a village, He was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices and said: "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." When He saw them He said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus's feet, giving Him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then said Jesus: "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" And He said to him: "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."


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Wisdom of the Fathers

Having met the Savior, therefore, the lepers earnestly besought Him to free them from their misery, and called Him Master, that is. Teacher. No one pitied them when suffering this malady, but He Who had appeared on earth for this very reason, and had become man that He might show pity to all, He was moved with compassion for them, and had mercy on them.
St. Cyril of Alexandria
Commentary on the Gospel of St. Luke, Homilies 113-116. B#42, pp. 465-466, 4th Century

And why did He not rather say, I will, be you cleansed; as He did in the case of another leper, but commanded them rather to show themselves to the priests? It was because the law gave directions to this effect to those who were delivered from leprosy (Lev. 14-2); for it commanded them to show themselves to the priests, and to offer a sacrifice for their cleansing.
St. Cyril of Alexandria
Commentary on the Gospel of St. Luke, Homilies 113-116. B#42, pp. 465-466, 4th Century

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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

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Public Schedule of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Jan. 5-18, 2017

01/05/2017

MEDIA ADVISORY
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Fr. Rick's Sermon

God’s U-Turn: Repentance (1-8-2017)

   How many of us, in driving towards a destination, miss the turn off the road? Then realizing it, we want to turn around but at every intersection there is a NO U TURN sign. Sometimes, when driving to a place we have never been before, we just get lost. Instead of just turning around, we keep on driving thinking we’ll find an alternate route or a road that we’re familiar with. The spiritual life is similar to driving. Sometimes we take the wrong turn, we make a mistake, we fall, we sin. Sometimes we get lost in life, not knowing what path to take. Jesus has an answer or a solution when this happens. He says, “Repent!”

   That’s what He said in today’s Gospel reading (Matthew 4:12-17) from the Sunday after Theophany. After Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River He begins to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Repent means take a U-TURN immediately. In other words, turn your life around to go back towards God. The devil of course, does not want us to go back to God. So he puts up all sorts of NO U TURN signs in our life. These Satan-signs are messages he puts out either through false teachings in society or just simple thoughts he sends us to think about, what the Church Fathers call ‘logismoi.’ These messages, teachings and thoughts can vary. For example, the sign will say, “There is no way you can go back after this sin. It’s too big. It’s too bad. God will never take you back.” Or the sign might say, “You’re going to want to keep this one to yourself. It’s pretty embarrassing. Imagine what others will think when they find out.” Or the sign might say, “Destination this way. Keep going you’re on the right path.”

   Fr. Anthony Coniaris, in his book, “Message of the Sunday Gospels vol.1” (p.107) gives us several examples of people who made tremendous U-TURNS in their life. The first is Saul, a persecutor of Christians in the first century, who probably directed or at least encouraged executions and murders. When he was traveling on the road to Damascus, Jesus Christ appeared to him and asked him, “Why are you persecuting Me?” (Acts 9:4). Saul made the U-TURN and became Paul the Apostle who wrote thirteen epistles in the New Testament.

   The second person is Peter the fisherman whom Jesus invited to follow Him. Peter was one of the closest disciples to Christ but when Jesus was arrested, he denied Him three times. Peter made the U-TURN, weeping bitterly for his betrayal and then become a most powerful Apostle like St. Paul.

   The third person is Zaccheaus the dishonest tax collector (publican). When Jesus saw him and came to his home, Zaccheaus made the U-TURN and repented saying, “I will give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will restore it four-fold” (Luke 19:8).

   The fourth person is the thief on the cross, crucified next to Jesus. While his fellow thief reviled Christ, this thief made the U-TURN right before his own death saying, “Jesus, remember me in your kingdom. And Jesus said to him, ‘Today you will be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:42-43).

   The fifth person is King David who lusted after Uriah, the wife of another man. Not only did he have an affair with her but he essentially killed her husband by ordering the soldier into the forefront of a fierce battle. When David’s friend Jonathan pointed out his sin to him, he made the U-TURN, repented and became one of the greatest kings of Israel but more importantly became a prophet, writing the 150 Psalms including the Psalm 50/51, the Psalm of Repentance.

   It is no coincidence that the Gospel containing Jesus’ exhortation to repent on the Sunday after Theophany comes on virtually the first Sunday of the New Year every year. In fact, there are no coincidences in the kingdom of heaven—only providence. With all our new year’s resolutions to change things in our life, do any of them have to do with God’s U-TURN signs that He places in our lives?

   The great Christian writer of the 20th century, C.S. Lewis wrote, “We all want progress. Progress means getting nearer to the place you want to be. And if you have taken a wrong turn, then to go forward does not get you an nearer. If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; and in that case the person who turns back the soonest is the most progressive.” How many of us are on the wrong path but because we are progressing on it (i.e. getting promoted, getting paid more, getting accolades, getting awards, etc.), we think we are on the right path?

   Another problem with our life is our attitude about sin. We might be the rich young ruler who asked Jesus how to inherit eternal life (Mark 10:17-27). Jesus told him to follow the Ten Commandments. The rich man said that he had followed them. Jesus replied, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me” (v.21). In other words, as Fr. Coniaris says, “we can keep the commandments, attend Divine Liturgy, say prayers, light candles, make the sign of the cross, yet there may be one door in our life that is still closed to Jesus.” One thing can keep us from eternal life. We must ask ourselves, “what is that one thing in my life?” For many of us that one thing is money and finances, the thing we do not allow Jesus to help us make a U-TURN towards tithing.

   One more example of a great U-TURN is the prodigal son, who realized is life was a mess and made the U-TURN of repentance, going back to his father, who is an image/typos of God the Father. Notice with all our examples of persons who made U-TURNS, it was not just about feeling sorry about their sins. They took action. U-TURN means turning completely around. It does not mean a slight painless adjustment in the course of our life. God does not usually say, “Turn towards Me” but rather, “Return to Me.”

   Of many instances of this in the Old Testament I quote from three prophets who speak for God.

     9but if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name.' (Nehemiah 1:9)

   22I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, And like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you." (Isaiah 44:22)

3Therefore say to them, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Return to Me," says the LORD of hosts, "and I will return to you," says the LORD of hosts. (Zechariah 1:3)

   In conclusion today, how important is repentance in the realm of all things pertaining to God? St. John Climacus/Ladder, a monk from the sixth century wrote, “We shall not be condemned at the end of our lives because we did not perform miracles; nor because we failed to theologize…nor because we have failed to have a divine vision…but because of one reason only: that we did not repent continuously.”

   Again, Fr. Coniaris exhorts us: “Make the U-TURN of repentance in your life. Turn back from self to God, from hatred to love, from hell to heaven, from death to life. Turn from self-service and self-concern to God-service and God-concern. Turn from your pride, smugness, complacenancy, self-appointed goodness; Turn to a total dependence on God, on His grace and power.” Amen!

 

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News and Events

ST. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

REV. FR. RICHARD DEMETRIUS ANDREWS, PRESBYTER

www.stgeorgegoc.org

January 15, 2017                                                                                 12TH SUNDAY OF LUKE

 

TODAY’S EVENTS: Choir Practice and Youth Ministry Meeting 12pm; Youth Basketball Practice at SPA 12:30pm; Men’s Basketball Practice at St. Mary’s GOC 2:30pm;Serve-a-Meal at FOCUS MN 4:00pm; Greek Dance Practice 4:30pm.

 

Epistle Reader: Stephen Kanavati                                       Prosfora: anonymous

Fellowship: Sue & Peter Boosalis, Greg Boosalis              Head Usher: Jon Kennedy

 

Monday       01-16     Martin Luther King Holiday- office closed

                                      Catechism Class: God-Holy Trinity with Fr. Jason Houck                                       7:00PM

Tuesday       01-17     Parish Council Meeting                                                                                            6:30PM

Thursday     01-19     Glad Tidings Mailing (volunteers needed)                                                              10:00AM

                                      AHEPA Meeting                                                                                                      7:00PM

Friday          01-20     Pan-Orthodox Young Adults at Gasthof Zur Gemutlichkeit                             7:00PM

Saturday      01-21     Prison Ministry Reunion Breakfast                                                                          10:00AM

                                      VESPERS                                                                                                                5:00PM

Sunday         01-22     ORTHROS (8:15 am) & DIVINE LITURGY –15th SUNDAY OF LUKE                      9:30AM

                                      Serve-a-Meal at FOCUS MN (St. George hosts)                                                     4:00PM

Monday       01-23     Catechism Class: Mankind-Creation, the Fall, Messiah w/ Dcn. Ketz                        7:00PM

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Parish Council Officers 2017: Congratulations to our new officers! President: Jon Kennedy; Secretary: Steve Arsenault; Treasurer: John Simon; Assistant Treasurer: William Clemons.

Share the Light Sunday: The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA has designated today as Orthodox Christian Network "Share the Light Sunday." See insert for details.

Think About It: Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself. Leo Tolstoy

Thank you! to everyone who made stewardship contributions in 2016 and helped us exceed our goal of $237,000. Let us continue to grow and mature in our personal giving to God and His Church!

Intro to Orthodoxy- the cooperative catechism program of classes began on January 9th and will continue on Monday evenings 7-9pm for twelve weeks. This is an excellent opportunity to refresh the knowledge of our Orthodox Christian Faith. Classes are open to everyone but required for those planning to convert. For more info and to register online, visit www.meocca.org.

Youth News: GOYA will meet at the Mall of America @ SMAAASH following Vespers at 5:00pm. Details will be sent through email. St George Oratorical Festival will be held on February 26. Please take plenty of time to prepare beforehand. Details will be given during Sunday School via teachers. In previous months, Nathaniel has been updating his contacts to better serve the community in relaying information. If you or someone you know is not receiving the notices you should, please see or email him ASAP so this problem can be fixed.

Basketball Practice -12:30-3pm Sundays through February 5, at SPA, 1150 Goodrich Ave Campus; everyone is welcome. You do not need to be attending the tournament to participate. Even our Men's team is welcome to warm up/get schooled by our youth prior to their 2:30pm practice at St. Mary's GOC.

The Church Fathers Speak: There will come a time when, not the persecutions but, money and material goods will take people far from God. Then many more souls will be lost than in the time of the persecutions.                    St. Seraphim of Viritsa (+1949)

Tournament Time! The 2017 Western Region Family Basketball Tournament will be held the weekend of February 10-12, 2017, hosted by Holy Anargyroi Sts. Cosmas and Damianos Greek Orthodox Church in Rochester, MN. Players can register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2017-greek-bball-player-registration-registration-30563365850. Each player/coach must purchase a weekend meal package at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2017-greek-bball-meal-registration-registration-30647399196; early discount expires Jan 18. Our group is staying in the DoubleTree Hotel, 150 South Broadway, Rochester. Book your rooms now at http://doubletree.hilton.com/en/dt/groups/personalized/R/RSTDTDT-GOC-20170209/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG#hotel, using discount code GOC. Email Dan Simon if you need help.

Basketball Scholarships: The parish council approved the family’s request to create the "Christ Kontenakos Memorial Basketball Scholarship Fund" to help needy kids and families participate in the basketball programs of St. George Greek Orthodox Church. The memorials given in his name will be placed in the fund. Christ was very dedicated to our basketball programs including serving as the girls’ team basketball coach for many years. Thank you to everyone who gave donations in his memory. May his memory be eternal!

Wisdom from the Church Fathers: Just as a treasure that is exposed tarnishes and loses its value, so a virtue which is known vanishes. Just as wax melts when it is near fire, so the soul is destroyed by praise and loses all the results of its labor.        St. Syncletica of Alexandria (+350)

Stewardship 2017: Our theme is You are the Voice of Christ in a Changing World: As the Father Has Sent Me, So I Send You (John 20:21). We have received 64 pledge cards for 2017 with a total of $101,711and an average of $1,589. When pledging be sure to increase your pledge, even if only a few dollars. This reflects spiritual growth and overcomes stagnation. We encourage everyone to give a minimum of 2% pledge of gross yearly income to become a self-sustaining community. This is far less than the biblical ideal of tithing, giving 10%.

Giving Options w/ Tax Advantage: There are some simple ways to make stewardship contributions with significant tax savings. One is to transfer appreciated stock to the church claiming full value of donation and avoiding capital gains tax. 2016 has been a very good year in the market and this may be a simple, easy way to fulfill your stewardship pledge early in the year. Transfer forms are available by request. We recommend that everyone consult an accounting and/or tax professional for the best personal advice. Thank you!

Patristic Wisdom: Don’t glue yourselves before the television. Don’t forget that the on button is also the off button. Guard yourselves form this means of mass blinding.        Elder Epiphanios of Athens (+1989)

Game Night: St. George will host the next Orthodox Game League event on Saturday, January 28th at 7pm. Adults 18 and older may bring a munchie and/or dessert to share. Contact Nikki Beauchamp at 612.910.2943.

New Office Hours in 2017: Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm.

Pictorial Directory 2015 One free copy for every family who sat or submitted a photo. Contact Julie to obtain your free copy. Otherwise, $10 per copy with one copy limit per family available in the bookstore.

Welcome Visitors Thank you for joining with us in prayer and fellowship. The worship of the Orthodox Church is deeply rooted in and very similar to that of the early Christian Church. Unique sensory stimuli and mystery are elements that go back even to the liturgy of the Jewish temple. Everything in an Orthodox Christian church communicates the majestic presence of God the Holy Trinity with His Saints. It is literally heaven on earth. It is a sad consequence of the divisions in Christianity that we cannot extend a general invitation to receive Holy Communion. Visitors are invited to receive the blessed bread (antithoron) at the conclusion of the liturgy. We pray and work for the reconciliation and unity of all Christians. If you are interested in learning more about Orthodoxy, please contact Fr. Rick at fatherrick@stgeorgegoc.org. We are proud of our Greek heritage but one does not have to be of Greek descent, nor speak Greek to be a Greek Orthodox Christian.

Note to Orthodox about Holy Communion: Receiving the Body and Blood of Christ is one of the most Holy experiences for a Christian in order to be granted the forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. We are never worthy to partake of Divine Nature. Yet, it is essential that we prepare ourselves for this sacred Communion by constant prayer, reading the Scriptures, regular fasting and periodic Confession. At a minimum, we should fast all morning before Communion, arrive at the beginning of Liturgy, and come for Confession at least once a year. In addition, we should not have separated ourselves from the Church through serious sin. Otherwise, please refrain from Communion to avoid “judgment…not discerning the Lord’s body” (1Cor. 11:29). Contact Fr. Rick for pastoral guidance.

Glad Tidings deadline: The 10th of each month. Glad Tidings email: gladtidings@stgeorgegoc.org  Sunday Bulletin Deadline: Wednesday Noon each week.  Email: office@stgeorgegoc.org

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Bulletin Inserts

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