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St. George Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2017-02-19
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
Lastjudgement1
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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 2nd Mode

When you descended to the realm of death You as life immortal rendered to Hades a mortal blow by Your all radiant divinity. And when You from infernal depths and the darkness below did raise the dead. All the hosts of heaven's powers did proclaim and cry out, O life giving Christ and our God we give glory.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 1st Mode

O God, when You come upon the earth in glory, the whole world will tremble. A river of fire will bring all before Your Judgment Seat and the books will be opened, and everything in secret will become public. At that time, deliver me from the fire which never dies, and enable me to stand by Your right hand, O Judge most just.
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Saints and Feasts

Lastjudgement1
February 19

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)

The foregoing two parables -- especially that of the Prodigal Son -- have presented to us God's extreme goodness and love for man. But lest certain persons, putting their confidence in this alone, live carelessly, squandering upon sin the time given them to work out their salvation, and death suddenly snatch them away, the most divine Fathers have appointed this day's feast commemorating Christ's impartial Second Coming, through which we bring to mind that God is not only the Friend of man, but also the most righteous Judge, Who recompenses to each according to his deeds.

It is the aim of the holy Fathers, through bringing to mind that fearful day, to rouse us from the slumber of carelessness unto the work of virtue, and to move us to love and compassion for our brethren. Besides this, even as on the coming Sunday of Cheese-fare we commemorate Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight -- which exile is the beginning of life as we know it now -- it is clear that today's is reckoned the last of all feasts, because on the last day of judgment, truly, everything of this world will come to an end.

All foods, except meat and meat products, are allowed during the week that follows this Sunday.

Allsaint
February 19

The Holy Apostles of the Seventy Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, and Onesimus

Philemon, who was from Colossae, a city of Phrygia, was a man both wealthy and noble; Apphia was his wife. Archippus became Bishop of the Church in Colossae. All three were disciples of the Apostle Paul. Onesimus, who was formerly an unbeliever and slave of Philemon, stole certain of his vessels and fled to Rome. However, on finding him there, the Apostle Paul guided him onto the path of virtue and the knowledge of the truth, and sent him back to his master Philemon, to whom he wrote an epistle (this is one of the fourteen epistles of Saint Paul). In this epistle, Paul commended Onesimus to his master and reconciled the two. Onesimus was later made a bishop; in Greece he is honoured as the patron Saint of the imprisoned. All these Saints received their end by martyrdom, when they were stoned to death by the idolaters. Saint Onesimus is also commemorated on February 15.

Philothea
February 19

Philothei the Righteous Martyr of Athens

Saint Philothei was born in Athens in 1522 to an illustrious family. Against her will, she was married to a man who proved to be most cruel. When he died three years later, the Saint took up the monastic life and established a convent, in which she became a true mother to her disciples. Many women enslaved and abused by the Moslem Turks also ran to her for refuge. Because of this, the Turkish rulers became enraged and came to her convent, dragged her by force out of the church, and beat her cruelly. After a few days, she reposed, giving thanks to God for all things. This came to pass in the year 1589. She was renowned for her almsgiving, and with Saints Hierotheus and Dionysius the Areopagite is considered a patron of the city of Athens.

Allsaint
February 19

Niketas the Younger

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Second Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Mark 16:1-8

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint Jesus. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back, for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to any one, for they were afraid.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 4th 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 St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 8:8-13; 9:1-2.

Brethren, food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol's temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother's falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall.

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Gospel Reading

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)
The Reading is from Matthew 25:31-46

The Lord said, "When the Son of man comes in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

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Wisdom of the Fathers

He indicates the dispositions of each, calling the one kids, the other sheep, that He might indicate the unfruitfulness of the one, for no fruit will come from kids; and the great profit from the other, for indeed from sheep great is the profit, as well from the milk, as from the wool, and from the young, of all which things the kid is destitute.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily on Matt. XXV, 4th Century

For when one has pity on the poor, he lends to God; and he who gives to the least gives to God--sacrifices spiritually to God an odour of a sweet smell.
St. Cyprian of Carthage
The Lord's Prayer, 33. B#41, p.102, 3rd century

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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

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41st Annual FDF Brings Together Faith, Culture and Philanthropy

02/13/2017

http://www.goarch.org/news/fdf2017-02132017
he sights and sounds of the 41st Annual Folk Dance and Choral Festival (FDF) will fill the Town and Country Resort in San Diego from February 16 – 19, 2017. His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Geron of America will once again join this celebration of faith and culture. This exceptional ministry of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco, under the leadership of His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, will bring together over 3,000 people in celebration of Faith, Dance and Fellowship...
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News and Events

ST. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

REV. FR. RICHARD DEMETRIUS ANDREWS, PRESBYTER

www.stgeorgegoc.org

February 19, 2017                                                                                                             MEATFARE SUNDAY

 

TODAY’S EVENTS: Greek School 12pm; Serve-a-Meal at FOCUS 4pm; Greek Dance Practice 4:30pm.

 

Epistle Reader: Stephen Kanavati                                       Prosfora: Irene Loudas

Fellowship: Irene Loudas Family                                        Head Usher: Alexis Bighley

 

Monday       02-20     Catechism Class: Church II- Councils, Creeds, Bible, Tradition w/ Fr. Houck          7:00PM

Tuesday       02-21     Parish Council meeting                                                                                            6:30PM

Thursday     02-23     Glad Tidings Mailing (volunteers needed)                                                              10:00AM

                                      OCF at University of St. Thomas                                                                           12:00PM

Saturday      02-25     VESPERS                                                                                                               5:00PM

Sunday         02-26     ORTHROS (8:15 am) & DIVINE LITURGY – CHEESEFARE SUNDAY                    9:30AM

                                      Oratorical Festival                                                                                                 11:30AM

                                      Greek School                                                                                                        12:00PM

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

                                      Greek Dance Practice                                                                                             4:30PM

Monday       02-27     GREAT COMPLINE (by readers)                                                                               6:00PM

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Meatfare Today: the last day to eat meat and meat products as we prepare to enter Great and Holy Lent next week on Clean/Pure Monday, February 27th. Thus, we should be preparing our schedule around worship services, getting ready for the Sacrament of Confession and fasting according to our Orthodox Tradition.

Thank you! To American Legion Hellenic Post 129 who donated $1,500 to St. George youth athletic programs. We appreciate their consistent support of our youth over the years.

Basketball Tournament: Congratulations to all the participants and thanks to Milam Paraschou for coaching the boys team and George Mastrogiorgis for coaching the JOY team which won third place. Thanks to our sister parish of Holy Anargyroi Church in Rochester, MN for hosting the tournament. Congrats also to them on the recent construction of their beautiful new social hall and classroom wing!

Think About It: There is no joy in this world without God.             St. Justin Popovich of Chelije (+1979)

Lenten Retreat: Fr. Barnabas Powell will lead our 12th annual Lenten Retreat on March 10-11. The theme will be "Normal Orthodox--Healthy Church: Knowing the True Faith in Order to Practice it Truly." On Friday evening come and hear how a former Protestant Pentecostal pastor learned about and embraced the Orthodox Christian Faith. On Saturday, learn from his insights about how to help our parishes become healthier and grow and mature.

Lenten Lectures: Our 16th annual Lenten Lectures series' themes will be "Modern Heresies" on Wednesdays and "The Torah-Pentateuch" on Fridays. Fr. Rick will speak on Weds. about secularism, humanism, rationalism, pluralism and phyletism. On Fridays various presenters will speak about the first five books of the Old Testament, also known as the Law of Moses and their relevance for modern readers today.

Missions Sunday: Like parishes around the country, we will highlight the work of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) on Cheesefare Sunday, February 26th. The goal and purpose of Orthodox Missions is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Ladies of the Philoptochos will receive a special offering to benefit OCMC that day. Please support Orthodox missions, especially Nathan Hoppe and his family in Albania.

The Church Fathers Speak: If someone has repented of a sin, and again does the same sin, this is a sign that he or she has not been cleansed of the causes of the sin. As from a root, the shoot springs forth again.               St. Basil the Great (+379)

Fresh Phyllo-for your holiday baking. Philoptochos is once again taking orders for FRESH phyllo following

liturgy todayand February 26. Fresh phyllo will be ready for pick up March 12. If you have any questions, please contact Presbytera Jane at janedono1@gmail.com.

Youth: Our annual Oratorical Festival is next Sunday, February 26, after Divine Liturgy. Collection baskets have been placed in each Sunday School class for children's participation. Parents now have the option to donate after Divine Liturgy, or send their generous donations with their child to Sunday School, where their child can actively be involved in giving to the church.

Next Philoptochos Meeting: is scheduled for Sunday, March 5, following liturgy, in the conference room.

Wisdom from the Church Fathers: The fruits of the Holy Spirit are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. In contrast to these dispositions are the vices or passions: pride, vanity, selfishness, anger, hatred, envy, idleness, sensuality, gloom and despair. These are the sources of the evil deeds that ruin us. And each person has at least one that all others entwine themselves. We must seek it out to understand the structure of our heart. It is easy to correct deeds. The heart however, cannot be transformed and corrected all at once. A struggle lies ahead.                        St. Theophan the Recluse (+1894)

Lenten Meals: please see sign-up sheet in social hall. You can volunteer individually or with a group.

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 78 pledge cards for 2017 with a total of $134,316 and an average of $1,722. 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: The soul that has come to know God fully no longer desires anything else, nor does it attach itself to anything on the earth. And if you put before it a kingdom, that soul would not desire it, for the love of God gives such sweetness and joy to the soul that even the life of a king can no longer give it any sweetness.                          St. Silouan the Athonite (+1938)

Holy Land/Russia Pilgrimage: Sept.27 – Oct.11 2017. Holy Land trip is first 9 days and costs $1,300/ person. Russian trip is afterwards for 6 days at $1,550/person. Prices do not include air, travel insurance and tips. Several options available. Next info meeting at St. Mary's OCA Feb. 26, 11am. Pilgrimage hosted by Icon Art Studios under the leadership of Tom Rudquist at abousean39@gmail.com and Deb Korluka akorluka@aol.com.

Lost & Found Items: Please check the box near the coat rack, and the kitchen counter near the microwaves, for items that may belong to you. Items not claimed by March 1 will be donated.

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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