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St. George Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2017-02-05
Bulletin Contents
Hymns of the Day
Saints and Feasts
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News
Message from His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios
Fr. Rick's Sermon
News and Events
Bulletin Inserts
Publphar
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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

Priest Rev. Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews

fatherrick@stgeorgegoc.org

Administrative Assistant Julie Delton

office@stgeorgegoc.org

Bookstore Steve Arsenault


bookstore@stgeorgegoc.org

Newsletter- Glad Tidings Julie Delton

gladtidings@stgeorgegoc.org

Youth Minister Nathaniel Kostick

nathaniel@stgeorgegoc.org

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 4th Mode

From on High did You descend, O merciful Lord, for us did You endure, three days in the tomb that we may be, released from passions in this world, You who are our resurrection and our life Glory unto You O Lord.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Presentation in the 1st Mode

Hail Virgin Theotokos full of Grace, for Christ our God, the Sun of Righteousness, has dawned from you, granting light to those in darkness. And you, O Righteous Elder, rejoice, taking in your arms, the Deliverance of our souls, who grants us Resurrection.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 4th Mode

Let us flee from the boasting of the Pharisee and learn through our own sighs of sorrow the humility of the Publican. Let us cry out to the Savior, "Have mercy on us, for through You alone are we reconciled."
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Saints and Feasts

Publphar
February 05

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today

The Pharisees were an ancient and outstanding sect among the Jews known for their diligent observance of the outward matters of the Law. Although, according to the word of our Lord, they "did all their works to be seen of men" (Matt. 23:5), and were hypocrites (ibid. 23: 13, 14, 15, etc.), because of the apparent holiness of their lives they were thought by all to be righteous, and separate from others, which is what the name Pharisee means. On the other hand, Publicans, collectors of the royal taxes, committed many injustices and extortions for filthy lucre's sake, and all held them to be sinners and unjust. It was therefore according to common opinion that the Lord Jesus in His parable signified a virtuous person by a Pharisee, and a sinner by a Publican, to teach His disciples the harm of pride and the profit of humble-mindedness.

Since the chief weapon for virtue is humility, and the greatest hindrance to it is pride, the divine Fathers have set these three weeks before the Forty-day Fast as a preparation for the spiritual struggles of virtue. This present week they have called Harbinger, since it declares that the Fast is approaching; and they set humility as the foundation for all our spiritual labors by appointing that the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee be read today, even before the Fast begins, to teach, through the vaunting of the Pharisee, that the foul smoke of self-esteem and the stench of boasting drives away the grace of the Spirit, strips man of all his virtue, and casts him into the pits of Hades; and, through the repentance and contrite prayer of the Publican, that humility confers upon the sinner forgiveness of all his wicked deeds and raises him up to the greatest heights.

All foods are allowed the week that follows this Sunday.

Agatha
February 05

Agatha the Martyr

This Martyr, who was from Panormus (that is, Palermo) or perhaps Catania of Sicily, was a most comely and chaste virgin. After many exceedingly harsh torments, she gave up her spirit in prison at Catania in 251, because she did not consent to the seductions of Quintian, the Governor of Sicily. At her burial, an Angel placed a stone tablet on her grave inscribed with the words, "A righteous mind, self-determining, honor from God, the deliverance of her father-land." The following year this was fulfilled when Mount Etna erupted, spewing forth violent fire from which Catania was manifestly saved by Saint Agatha's prayers. The holy Martyr Agatha, the protectress and chief patroness of Sicily, is, with perhaps the exception of Saint Agnes of Rome, the most highly venerated Virgin Martyr of the West. Saint Damasus, Pope of Rome, and Saint Ambrose of Milan both wrote in praise of her.

Allsaint
February 05

Polyeuktos, Partriarch Of Constantinople

Allsaint
February 05

Antonios the New Martyr of Athens

Allsaint
February 05

Theodosios, Archbishop of Chernigov

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February 05

Afterfeast of the Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple

Allsaint
February 05

Theodosios of Antioch

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Eleventh Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 21:14-25

At that time, Jesus revealed himself to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." A second time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go." (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, "Follow me."

Peter turned and saw following them the disciple whom Jesus loved, who had lain close to his breast at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!" So, the word went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die; but Jesus did not say to him that he would not die. He said, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?" This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal 4th Mode. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15.

TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at lconion, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
The Reading is from Luke 18:10-14

The Lord said this parable, "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

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Wisdom of the Fathers

It is possible for those who have come back again after repentance to shine with much lustre, and oftentimes more than those who have never fallen at all, I have demonstrated from the divine writings. Thus at least both the publicans and the harlots inherit the kingdom of Heaven, thus many of the last are placed before the first.
St. John Chrysostom
AN EXHORTATION TO THEODORE AFTER HIS FALL, 4th Century

When lately we made mention of the Pharisee and the publican, and hypothetically yoked two chariots out of virtue and vice; we pointed out each truth, how great is the gain of humbleness of mind, and how great the damage of pride.
St. John Chrysostom
CONCERNING LOWLINESS OF MIND., 4th Century

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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

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Public Schedule of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Feb. 5-19, 2017

02/03/2017

http://www.goarch.org/news/adschedule-02-03-2017
MEDIA ADVISORY Contact: PRESS OFFICE Stavros Papagermanos pressoffice@goarch.org
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Message from His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for the Feast of Saint Photios and Saint Photios National Shrine Day - February 6, 2017

02/03/2017

http://www.goarch.org/news/stphotiosencyclical2017
On our annual celebration of the Feast of Saint Photios the Great, Patriarch of Constantinople, and our recognition of the witness and ministry of the Saint Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine in St. Augustine, Florida, we are blessed this year to observe the 35th anniversary of the dedication of the Shrine. The dedication in February of 1982 followed years of work and offerings of many Greek Orthodox faithful led by His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos.
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News and Events

ST. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

REV. FR. RICHARD DEMETRIUS ANDREWS, PRESBYTER

www.stgeorgegoc.org

February 5, 2017                     SUNDAY OF THE PUBLICAN & PHARISEE       TRIODION BEGINS

 

TODAY’S EVENTS: Godparent & Godchild Sunday;Greek School, Youth Ministry meeting 12pm; Youth Bball Practice at SPA 12:30pm; Men’s Practice at St. Mary’s GOC 2:30pm;Serve-a-Meal at FOCUS 4pm.

 

Epistle Reader: Stephen Kanavati                                                      Prosfora: Krisandrea Ballas-Rylander

Fellowship: Anastasia & Jon Maier Family                                       Head Usher: Bill Clemons

 

Monday       02-06     Loaves & Fishes at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church                                                     4:30PM

                                      Catechism Class: Christ II - His Work & Teachings w/ Fr. George Dokos                   7:00PM

Tuesday       02-07     Philoptochos meeting                                                                                             1:30PM

Thursday     02-09     MEOCCA meeting at St. Mary’s GOC                                                                    11:00AM

                                      OCF at University of St. Thomas                                                                             12:00PM

Friday          02-10     GOYAL Basketball Tournament in Rochester, MN (through 02-12)

Saturday      02-11     VESPERS                                                                                                               5:00PM

Sunday         02-12     ORTHROS (8:15 am) & DIVINE LITURGY – PRODIGAL SON                                 9:30AM

                                      Greek School, Choir Practice, Acolyte Training                                                     12:00PM

                                      Serve-a-Meal at FOCUS MN                                                                               4:00PM

                                      Greek Dance Practice                                                                                          4:30PM

Monday       02-13     Catechism Class: Church I-Birth, Mission, Structure w/ Fr. Ted Wojcik                    7:00PM

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Welcome! To all our godparents and godchildren today as we celebrate this most important spiritual relationship. Please gather in the social hall after liturgy for a group photo. God bless everyone!

Sympathies & Condolences to: Dimitra Kaniamos, whose mother, Ekaterini Papaconstantinou, fell asleep in the Lord January 21st in Tithorea, Greece. Ekaterina is also the sister of Fr. John Angelis. She was 93 years old.

   And Maria Andrews, whose brother Lefteris Vasakis, fell asleep in the Lord on Jan. 4th in Heraklion, Crete.

Thank you! to everyone who expressed sympathies and condolences to Presvytera Jane for the passing of her mother. We appreciate the prayerful support given during this difficult time of loss.

Baptism Invitation: the Elioufamily would like to extend an open invitation to members of the parish for the baptism of Eleanore Pendeli Eliou on Saturday, February 18th at 11-1:00 pm. Food and drinks will be served in the social hall following the service. Please RSVP only if attending by calling Pendy & Jeanne at 651-245-0750 or by emailing jeliou@comcast.net.

Think About It: Guard your mind and you will not be harassed by temptations. But if you neglect to guard it, accept patiently whatever trial comes your way.                                St. Hesychius the Priest (+433)

Triodion Begins Today: This is a friendly liturgical notice from the Church to let us know that Great Lent is approaching in three weeks. Thus, we should start preparing by planning our schedule around worship services, getting ready for the Sacrament of Confession and fasting according to our Tradition.

Lost & Found Items: Please check the box near the coat rack, and also the kitchen counter near the microwaves, for items that may belong to you. Items not claimed by Feb. 10 will be donated.

Basketball Banquet: Everyone is encouraged to support our sister parish of Holy Anargyroi Greek Orthodox Church in Rochester as they host the annual GOYAL Family Basketball tournament. Even if not playing, coaching or parenting, everyone can attend the Grand Banquet this Saturday Feb.11th

Tournament Time! The 2017 Western Region Family Basketball Tournament will be held next weekend, 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; Book your rooms now at Hilton Garden Inn, using discount code GOC. http://greekbball.org/upcoming_tournament.asp

The Church Fathers Speak: Why do you worry and grieve more than necessary for various incidents and trials? We are not outside of Divine Providence. Neither are we directed by mere chance. Therefore, whatever happens to us happens with God’s knowledge and thus is not beyond our strength. Elder Ephraim of Arizona

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!

Youth: GOYA will meet at the Depot in Minneapolis on Saturday, February 18 at 7pm, immediately following Vespers. Our annual Oratorical Festival is February 26, after Divine Liturgy. For materials or questions, please see your child's Sunday School teacher or Nathaniel Kostick.

Wisdom from the Church Fathers: I prefer a sinful man who knows he has sinned and repents, to a man who has not sinned and considers himself righteous.                                           St. Sarmatas of Thebaid (+357)

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 73 pledge cards for 2017 with a total of $127,761and an average of $1,750. 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%.

Roselawn Cemetery Lots: are still available for parishioners at a 15% discount off list prices. 2017 discounted prices are: Monument Lot (2 graves) $5,865.00; Flat Lot A (2 graves) $3,485.00; Flat Lot B (1 grave-limited availability) $2,040.00. If interested in learning more or to purchase a lot, please contact the church office.

Patristic Wisdom: With the mental eyes of my heart I see how I mentally breathe Christ into my heart, how He enters into it, and suddenly tranquilizes and rejoices it.                         St. John of Kronstadt (+1908)

Holy Land/Russia Pilgrimage Fall 2017: next upcoming meeting at St. Mary's OCA Sunday February 26, 11:00am. Holy Land portion of the tour is 9 days and costs approximately $1,300.00 plus air, travel insurance and tips with a minimum of 20 participants. Russian portion of the pilgrimage is before Holy Land trip, cost TBA. Several options available. Pilgrimage hosted by Icon Art Studios under the leadership of Tom Rudquist at abousean39@gmail.com and Deb Korluka akorluka@aol.com.  Registration meeting in March of 2017.

Save the Date! The St. George Greek Festival will be August 19-20. 2017. A Festival Committee meeting date will be announced in the next few weeks. More volunteers are always needed to serve on committees; if you are interested, please contact Jon Kennedy, Phyllis Kapetanakis or Alexis Bighley.

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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