Welcome to Saint George Church!
"Come and See"
John 1:46b
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Beloved family of St. George on West 54th,
I’m reaching out to you, as a responsible pastor ought to do in times of crisis. You are all aware of the new virus that has spread globally and has claimed over five thousand (5,000) people’s lives thus far. The pandemic called COVID-19 is our new reality and we need to exercise extra caution so that we may stay safe and healthy.
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America has sent out an Encyclical regarding practices to be adopted, which are based on guidelines directed by the WHO (World Health Organization) and/or the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). PLEASE dedicate the time to read it carefully. You may access it online by visiting the following link: https://www.goarch.org/-/encyclical-covid-19-pandemic. Further guidance from the Holy Eparchial Synod can be found here: https://www.goarch.org/-/further-guidance-caronavirus-2020-03-14.
Furthermore, should a parishioner feel that the recommended precautionary measures are not adequate, or has underlying medical issues, or feels that attending Church services will adversely affect the well-being of him/herself or that of other parishioners, then that person should act responsibly towards him/herself and other people and stay at home.
Moreover, given all the school closures in and around NYC, we have decided to cancel Sunday School class for this Sunday.
I follow the developments of the pandemic very closely, to the extent possible and, should need arise, I’ll update you via another communication through email.
Should you have any questions or need to reach me, please do not hesitate to do so.
In Christ,
Fr. Ioannikios
Rev. Hieromonk Ioannikios (Gregoriades)
Archdiocesan Chaplain
Office of the Chancellor
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
8 East 79th Street
New York, NY 10075
Email: frioannikios@goarch.org
Tel: +1 (212) 570-3508 / Fax: +1 (212) 774-0251
MARILENA'S MEALS:
"I was hungry and you fed me."
Matthew 25:35
Our Marilena's Meals program at St. George feeds those in need in New York City. We meet downstairs in the church hall to prepare meals and then travel together to locations in NYC to distribute them. Volunteers are welcome to help with preparation and/or distribution.
Preparation of meals usually runs from 10:15am - 11:00am in the church hall. We aim to leave the church by 11:45am. Distribution of meals takes place from approximately 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm. Volunteers are transported to Penn Station (or another distribution location).
Please see May Vlachos or Marilena Lekas, or email May at marilenasmeals@gmail.com with questions, or to sponsor (or partially sponsor) a month.
Thank you to Bombas socks and Melina Morris for their generous sock donation (www.bombas.com). Socks are one of the number one items that are requested. Thanks to Bombas and Melina, we will be distributing at least one pair of socks with every meal this year.
2019 - 2020 Dates:
Sunday, September 29, 2019 - Sponsored by Ms. Despina Kartson and The Holy Trinity Church in New Rochelle, NY.
Sunday, October 27, 2019 - Sponsored by May Vlachos, in honor of her grandmother (and namesake) May Vlachos and in memory of her grandparents James and Amelia Karitenos and Theodore Vlachos.
Sunday, November 24, 2019 - Thank you to our generous anonymous sponsor.
Sunday, December 29, 2019 - Thank you to our generous anonymous sponsor.
Sunday, January 26, 2020 - Dedicated in loving memory of Athanasios Lolis by Soula Lolis.
Sunday, February 23, 2020 - Dedicated in loving memory of Rita Scandalios, by her son Nick Scandalios and her grandchildren Luke and Kate.
Sunday, March 29, 2020 - Dedicated by Christina Halatsis in honor of her parents Demetri and Joanne Halatsis' 50th wedding anniversary.
Sunday, April 26, 2020 - Dedicated by Lola Hamra and her daughters Marianne Hamra and Mona Kostalas, in loving memory of her husband Chehadeh Hamra. May his memory be eternal.
Sunday, May 31, 2020 - Dedicated in loving memory of our grandparents: Theodore Vlachos, May Vlachos, James Karitenos, Amelia Karitenos, Panagiotis Nictas, Marianthi Nictas, Nicholas Mikedis and Anna Mikedis, by Ted, Maria, Ioanna and Eleni Vlachos.
Sunday, June 28, 2020 - Sponsored with love by Zaphra Reskakis for the health of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren Mason and Parker, and in memory of Evangelos, Caliopi, Mimika, Georgios, Kostas, Eleni and Kostas.
PROSPHORO (offering bread)
A prosphoro (Greek for offering) is a small loaf of leavened bread used in Orthodox Christian liturgies. The term originally meant any offering made to a temple, but in Orthodox Christianity it has come to mean specifically the bread offered at the Divine Liturgy (Eucharist). We are blessed at Saint George that Kyria Dina Manos bakes prosphora for us as needed. This is a very special ministry and we thank God for Kyria Dina's service to our church.
WINE FOR HOLY COMMUNION If you would like to offer wine to be used for the preparation of Holy Communion at Saint George Church, you are welcome to do so. The sweet wine that we use for Holy Communion is Nama Byzantino.