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).
As the deliverer of captives, and the protector of the poor; a physician of the sick, the defender of kings; O Great Martyr St. George Victorious, intercede to Christ our God, to save our souls.
These Martyrs, sisters according to the flesh, were from Bithynia. They lived in virginity on a mountain near the Pythian hot springs of Bithynia, devoting themselves to asceticism and prayer. Betrayed to the local governor, Fronto, they were subjected to frightful tortures, and so gave up their holy souls into the hands of God. They contested for the Faith during the reign of Maximian, in the year 304.
Third Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Mark 16:9-20
When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.
After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.
Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they sat at table; and he upbraided them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."
So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen.
Prokeimenon. Plagal 2nd Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18.
Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
Sunday before Holy Cross
The Reading is from John 3:13-17
The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios Geron of America announced that with regret, he has accepted the resignation of Mr. Jerry Dimitriou, the Executive Director of Administration, effective today, September 8, 2017.
Jesus is the Rock/Cornerstone! (9-3-2017)
With all the rain and flooding due to Hurricane Harvey that struck south Texas and Houston this past week, some places received over 50 inches of rain, we are reminded of the great flood at the time of Noah as recorded in Genesis 6-7. We are also reminded of Jesus’ parable of the houses built on the sand and the rock in Matthew 7:24-27. Probably many people in Houston said “I built my house on high ground.” But of course this wasn’t a ten year or a fifty year flood. This was the all-time record for rainfall—literally a flood of biblical proportions.
Let’s go back and read Jesus’ short parable about the foundation of homes.
24"Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall." (Matthew 7:24-27)
So we see that Jesus is not talk about a literal house but rather how a person lives his or her life. We can hear Jesus words and commandments, just like we are today, right now in His Church. But the key question is: “Are we going to do them?”
Building our house on the rock of Jesus relates to His words in today’s Gospel from the 13th Sunday of Matthew (21:33-42). Some call it the Parable of the Vineyard. Others name it the Parable of the Evil/Wicked Servants. The owner of the vineyard leases it out (v.33) and then sends his servants to collect the rent. The lessees or renters, instead of paying beat, kill and stone a succession of the owner’s servants. Finally, the owner sends his son but the renters kill him also. Those listening to Jesus tell the parable would likely have remembered passages from
2Chronicles 24:20-22; 36:11-16 Stoning of Zechariah and Rejection of other Prophets
20Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood above the people, and said to them, “Thus says God: ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, He also has forsaken you.’” 21So they conspired against him, and at the command of the king they stoned him with stones in the court of the house of the Lord. 22Thus Joash the king did not remember the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but killed his son; and as he died, he said, “The Lord look on it, and repay!”
11Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. 12He did evil in the sight of the Lord his God, and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke from the mouth of the Lord. 13And he also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear an oath by God; but he stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the Lord God of Israel. 14Moreover all the leaders of the priests and the people transgressed more and more, according to all the abominations of the nations, and defiled the house of the Lord which He had consecrated in Jerusalem.
15And the Lord God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place. 16But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, till there was no remedy.
Jesus closes the parable with a quote from Psalm 118:22 saying, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.” To those familiar with the sacred Scriptures at the time of Jesus, they would have immediately remembered other specific prophecies:
16Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily. (Isaiah 28:16)
34While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them. 35Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were broken to pieces at the same time and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. But the rock that struck the statue become a huge mountain and filled the whole earth.44In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set-up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.(Daniel 2:34-35,44)
And he will be a sanctuary; but for both houses of Israel he will be a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare. (Isaiah 8:14)
No doubt, Christ was making a clear connection between Himself and the cornerstone, between Himself and the Son of the vineyard owner which is God the Father. The Apostles emphasized this connection in their letters.
In his Gospel, the Evangelist Luke recounts the prophecy of the Elder Simeon to Jesus’ mother:
34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35so the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”(Luke 2:34-35)
Luke further expounds on this in the Book of Acts,:
10let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' 12Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:10-12)
The Apostle Paul writes to the Church in Ephesus:
19Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone, 21in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19-22)
The Apostle Peter, before quoting the same Prophecy of Isaiah, said:
4Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame." (1Peter 2:4-6)
In case anyone does not understand the point, Peter continues:
7Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone," 8and "A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense." They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. (1Peter 2:7-8)
In every Divine Liturgy, right before the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, the clergy recite Psalm 18:1-2 as they reverence the Holy Gifts, 1I will love You, O LORD, my strength. 2The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. This is sung as a hymn by the choir/chanters when the bishop is presiding.
So, after hearing all these biblical passages, who is our rock? Is it the Lord Jesus Christ and His teachings or is it something else? Who is the cornerstone of our life, upon which everything else is built? And how do we treat the Lord’s prophets today? Do we ignore them with stony hearts and hears? Do we beat them with criticism to deflect attention away from our lack of faithfulness and commitment? Do we kill them and how?
As we conclude, let us be mindful of how Christ Himself brings home the point ever so clearly and powerfully in the verses just after today’s Gospel passage. He says,
43“Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. 44And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.”45Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them.
According to St. John Chrysostom, this saying illustrates the two ways of destruction. Those falling on the stone are people who suffer the consequences of their sins while yet in this life, whereas those on whom the stone falls are unrepentant people who will suffer utter destruction in the final judgment. My brothers and sisters, the Lord has placed us in the vineyard of this life and His glorious Church. Let us give Him His fruits in due season with thanksgiving and glorification. Let us also share those fruits with the poor and needy, especially those who are suffering in Houston. IOCC.org has mobilized and is helping. Let us hear the words of the Lord and do them by joining in the effort. 46The LORD lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let the God of my salvation be exalted. (Psalm 18:46). Amen !
ST. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
REV. FR. RICHARD DEMETRIUS ANDREWS, PRESBYTER
September 10, 2017 SUNDAY BEFORE HOLY CROSS
TODAY’S EVENTS: Youth ministry meeting 12pm; Acolyte training 12pm; Taste of Greece at St. Mary’s GOC 12pm; Serve-a-Meal at FOCUS MN 4pm.
Epistle Reader: Andrew Hattling Prosfora: anonymous
Fellowship: Alice Kappos Family Head Usher: Jim Theros
Tuesday` 09-12 Catechism Class- Intro to Orthodox with Father Richard Andrews 7:00PM
Website Committee meeting 7:00PM
Wednesday 09-13 VESPERS- ELEVATION OF CROSS 6:00PM
Thursday 09-14 ORTHROS (8am) & DIVINE LITURGY- ELEVATION OF CROSS 9:00AM
Saturday 09-16 Armenian Festival at St. Sahag Armenian Church in St. Paul 11:00AM
Sunday 09-17 ORTHROS (8:15am) &DIVINELITURGY- SUNDAY AFTER HOLY CROSS 9:30AM
Sunday School classes begin 11:00AM
Parish Picnic here at St. George Church 12:00PM
LOMCP Fundraising Gala in Stillwater 4:00PM
Serve-a-Meal at FOCUS MN 4:00PM
Greek Dance practice 4:30PM
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Youth Ministry Meeting: today after liturgy. All parents and anyone interested are invited to discuss issues relating to youth activities and Sunday School. We will also do some planning.
A Taste of Greece: Final day of Minneapolis Greek Festival at St. Mary’s GOC, today, noon-6pm.
Think About It: Distress reminds the wise of God, but crushes those who forget Him. St. Mark Ascetic (5th c.)
No Parking Westbound Summit Today: 8am-12noon due to the St. Paul Classic Bike Tour. Roads are open to traffic, but no parking allowed on north side – cars parked in posted no parking zones will be tagged and towed.
Philoptochos Elections Today: Elections for board Members and officers in the conference room after liturgy. Please attend this important meeting. You will be able to vote if you have paid your fair share offering. Currently there are 25 paid members, so check with treasurer Tina Sageotis denaki26@msn.com to confirm if you’re a paid member. $21 per member goes to National & Metropolis office. Also please note there will be NO Philoptochos meeting on Tuesday, September 12 as stated in Glad Tidings calendar.
Intro to Orthodoxy: a 12-week class on the basics of Eastern Orthodox Christianity will be held this Fall on Tuesday evenings 7-9pm beginning this Tuesday, September 12th. The class is open to everyone, especially inquirers and those interested in converting to Orthodoxy. Classes are held at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Saint Paul, MN. See insert for details; register online atwww.meocca.org.
Sunday School Begins: next Sunday, Sept. 17th. Registration is available on the church website or on paper by speaking to Nathaniel Kostick. Please support our generous teachers by involving your children in classes.
Hellenic College / Holy Cross Day of Giving: Join HCHC on September 14, the Universal Exaltation of the Holy Cross, in support of their campaign #HonorSeptember14 to help educate future priests and lay leaders to answer the call of Christ. Give online at www.hchc.edu/honorseptember14 or by phone at 617.850.1268. Next Sunday, September 17, Philoptochos will receive an offering for seminarian scholarships to Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Patristic Wisdom: It is necessary to repent for not sufficiently loving others and for not being sensitive enough to the misfortunes of others. St. Sergei of Vanves (+1987)
Parish Picnic: next Sunday September 17th after liturgy here on the church grounds rain or shine. Games for kids and fellowship for adults and food for everyone. Contact a parish council member to help.
LOMCP Fundraising Gala: next Sunday, September 17, 4-7pm on the terrace of the Stillwater Public Library, 224 3rd Street N, Stillwater. Tickets for the Lyn Olson Medical Crisis Program Annual Fundraising Gala are on sale for $30 after liturgy (from Fr. Rick or in the bookstore) or at www.lomcp.com. See insert for more information. This year’s theme is donor appreciation. Because of your never-ending support, LOMCP provided many individuals and their families assistance this year for major medical crises in their lives. Thank you!
Youth News: GOYA youth night will be this Saturday, September 16 at 7pm at St. George. Please contact Nathaniel if you would like to receive email notifications about our youth events or to update your contact info.
Wisdom from the Church Fathers: If you believe that God makes provisions for you, why are you anxious and concerned about temporal matters and the needs of your flesh? But if you do not believe God makes provisions for you, and for this reason you are at pains to provide for your needs apart from Him, you are the most miserable of all persons. St. Isaac the Syrian (+700)
Armenian Festival: at St. Sahag Armenian Church, 203 N.Howell, St. Paul this Saturday, September 16 from 11am-7pm. Come celebrate with traditional food, dance and crafts!
Join Greek Dancers of MN: first practice of season is Sunday, Sept 17, then every Sunday 4:30-6:30pm. There is no fee. You do not have to be Greek or Orthodox. Contact Angela at 651-730-1652 or email greekdancersmn.com.
Festival Lawn Signs: thanks to all who advertised the Greek Festival with lawn signs! Please return them to the social hall so that we can place in storage for next year.
Misissippi River Cruise: Join members of Hellenic American Legion Post 129 on a spectacular early autumn leaf cruise. A coach departs St. Mary’s GOC at 10am Saturday, Sept 23, for the landing. Enjoy a Greco-Roman buffet lunch aboard the “Spirit of the Water.” Cost is $20-25. See posting in social hall or contact Don Forchas at aforchas@yahoo.com or 651 484-5778 for details.
Church Fathers Speak: It isn’t merely enough to love one another. We must love the other more than ourselves. Think of a mother who loves her children more than she loves herself. She will stay hungry to feed her children, yet she feels great pleasure than they do. The children are fed materially, but she is fed spiritually. St. Paisios the Athonite (+1994)
Support Taste of Northeast: at St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral, Sept 29-30, 2017. Consider being a Business Sponsor, Personal Sponsor, or Marketplace Vendor. For more information, including forms and deadlines, contact Lynn Bjornnes at 651.492.5390 or fordfam21@comcast.net.
Prosopon Iconography Workshop: October 1-7, 2017 at St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral in northeast Minneapolis. For details on “St. Andrei Rublev, Basic & Advanced Workshop”, see brochure posted in social hall or contact Marilyn Johnson at 612.378.0606 or mjohnson@umn.edu.
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
Liturgy Guide 09-10-2017
Fall 2017 schedule of classes at St. George GOC. sponsored by MEOCCA
September 17, in support of the Lyn Olson Medical Crisis Program