Saints and Feasts

February 24

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

Through the parable of today's Gospel, our Saviour has set forth three things for us: the condition of the sinner, the rule of repentance, and the greatness of God's compassion. The divine Fathers have put this reading the week after the parable of the Publican and Pharisee so that, seeing in the person of the Prodigal Son our own wretched condition -- inasmuch as we are sunken in sin, far from God and His Mysteries -- we might at last come to our senses and make haste to return to Him by repentance during these holy days of the Fast.

Furthermore, those who have wrought many great iniquities, and have persisted in them for a long time, oftentimes fall into despair, thinking that there can no longer be any forgiveness for them; and so being without hope, they fall every day into the same and even worse iniquities. Therefore, the divine Fathers, that they might root out the passion of despair from the hearts of such people, and rouse them to the deeds of virtue, have set the present parable at the forecourts of the Fast, to show them the surpassing goodness of God's compassion, and to teach them that there is no sin -- no matter how great it may be -- that can overcome at any time His love for man.

February 24

First & Second Finding of the Venerable Head of John the Baptist

The first finding came to pass during the middle years of the fourth century, through a revelation of the holy Forerunner to two monks, who came to Jerusalem to worship our Saviour's Tomb. One of them took the venerable head in a clay jar to Emesa in Syria. After his death it went from the hands of one person to another, until it came into the possession of a certain priest-monk named Eustathius, an Arian. Because he ascribed to his own false belief the miracles wrought through the relic of the holy Baptist, he was driven from the cave in which he dwelt, and by dispensation forsook the holy head, which was again made known through a revelation of Saint John, and was found in a water jar, about the year 430, in the days of the Emperor Theodosius the Younger, when Uranius was Bishop of Emesa.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Second Mode

When the angelic powers appeared at Your grave, the soldiers guarding it feared and became as dead. And standing by the sepulcher was Mary who was seeking Your immaculate body. You devastated Hades, not afflicted by it. You went to meet the virgin, and granted eternal life. You resurrected from the dead. O Lord, glory to You.

Apolytikion for 1st and 2nd Finding of the Head of the Forerunner in the Fourth Mode

The Forerunner's sacred head, having dawned forth from the earth, doth send incorruption's rays unto the faithful, whereby they find healings of their ills. From on high he gathereth the choirs of the Angels and on earth he summoneth the whole race of mankind, that they with one voice might send up glory to Christ our God.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Mode

O Father, foolishly I ran away from Your glory, and in sin, squandered the riches You gave me. Wherefore, I cry out to You with the voice of the Prodigal, "I have sinned before You Compassionate Father. Receive me in repentance and take me as one of Your hired servants."

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 63.11,1.
The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord.
Verse: Oh God, hear my cry.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 4:6-15.

Brethren, it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.

Since we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, "I believed, and so I spoke," we too believe, and so we speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Prodigal Son
The Reading is from Luke 15:11-32

The Lord said this parable: "There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his belly with the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"

Wisdom of the Fathers

He who truly wishes to believe in God must be lifted above himself, his mind, and even the whole world. For this reason, the value of faith is considered higher than the value of man. It is even higher than the value of the whole world. Therefore, the reward of faith should be higher than all of man's possessions along with the glories of this world. The reward of faith is God.

Fr. Matthew the Poor

Orthodox Prayer Life: The Interior Way, p. 74, 20th century

What is it that I love when I love you? Not the beauty of a body or the comeliness of time. Nor the luster of the light pleasing to the eyes, nor the sweet melodies of all manner of songs, nor the fragrance of flowers, ointments and spices, not manna and honey, nor limbs welcome to the embrace of the flesh - I do not love these when I love my God. And yet there is a kind of light, a kind of voice, a kind of fragrance, a kind of foods, a kind of embrace, when I love my God, who is the light, voice, fragrance, food, embrace of the inner man, where there shines into the soul that which no place can contain, and there sounds forth that which time cannot end, where there is fragrance which no breeze disperses, taste which eating does not make less, and a clinging together which fulfillment does not terminate. It is this that I love when I love my God.

St. Augustine

Confessions 10.6 in The Confessions of St. Augustine, p. 244, 5th century

Ministry News

TODAY we welcome all Godparents and Godchildren on Godparents Sunday!

TODAY is the 40-day Memorial service in honor of Anthony Staikos, father of George Staikos, and Papou of Angelica, Anthony and Christopher. May his memory be eternal.

TODAY Fellowship Hour is sponsored by the Staikos family.

Church Calendar:

Please contact Fr. Anastasios before March 1 if you would like your home or business blessed.

Look Ahead

Monday, March 11: Clean Monday (Kathara Deuftera)

Saturdays of Souls: March 2, 9, 16 - 9 am service

Salutations (ΧΑΙΡΕΤΙΣΜΟΙ): March 15, 22, 29, April 5, 12 – 7 pm service

Great and Holy Pascha: April 28

A prayerful plea to all members of my loving family to help my niece, Mary Schiller, defray some of the cost of her lung transplant by contributing to a fund set up in her name at:www.gofundme.com/help-mary-gianos-schiller-breathe-a-sigh-of-relief. Contributions can also be given to me in the form of checks payable to Mark Schiller. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Irene Gianos

Trivia Night: Trivia Night is this Friday, March 1 - there is still availability to join us for an evening of fun, laughter and friendly competition! Bring your own snacks; wine & beer will be sold. Desserts, coffee, tea, water and soda are complimentary. There will be door prizes, a wine pull and 50/50 raffle.

We are pleased to announce the prizes for winning teams:

1st place team wins a private winery tour and sit-down wine tasting for 8 people at Unionville Vineyards. This will include 7 current vintage wines from their portfolio.
2nd place team wins Group Therapy at Beneduce Vineyards. This includes preferred seating for 8 people on a Saturday evening on Beneduce’s beautiful stone patio/lawn with live music.
3rd place team wins white and red Greek wine from the Peloponnese.

Donations are still needed! Baked goods or monetary donations are needed to help with the success of this event. Please contact Sofia Rudy or Christi Staikos if you are able to help or email: StAnnaTriviaNight@gmail.com

With your help we can make this event a great success! Encourage your family, friends and neighbors to attend. We need your help to reach out and help fill the event. The more people, the larger the 50/50 and the more fun to be had by all! Online registration will be open through Thursday, Feb 28.

St. Anna Bookstore: The St. Anna Bookstore would like to welcome all our Godparents with us today! On the way to Fellowship Hour, please check our displays. Books about our faith are always a great gift idea for your Godchildren. We have a great selection for Great Lent and Easter.

St John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival: It’s time to start thinking about the 2019 SJCOF. The Festival is a great way for our teens to explore a deeper knowledge of their Orthodox faith, think critically about current issues, and then speak to a gentle and loving audience. The Junior Division is for Grades 7-9 and the Senior Division is for Grades 10-12. There are awards and scholarships for national finalists. Our Church Festival is Sunday, March 31 after church. Additional information and the list of this year’s topics can be found at www.goarch.org.

Archdiocese Scholarship and Fellowship programs: Applications are now available by visiting www.goarch.org.For more information, email scholarships@goarch.orgor call 212-774-0283. The deadline for submitting all applications is May 3, 2019.

VOTE: Please take a moment to vote for our Flemington OPA! Festival as Best Foodie Event in Hunterdon Happening Magazine. Coming in First Place for the 4th consecutive year would be so important in our marketing campaign as we look for continued support from sponsors and patrons for our 2019 event. Go to the link below to vote. Thank you!
http://hunterdon.happeningmag.com/happeninglist/2019-everything-hunterdon-foodie-event/

“Called to be Free” (Galatians 5:13): The Freedom of Orthodoxy”Lenten Retreatwill be offered on Saturday, March 30 at St George Greek Orthodox Church in Ocean, NJ from 10 am – 3 pm. Guest Speaker: Fr. Barnabas Powell. Contact: George Moutis: 732-233-7987 or gmoutis@scinj.com.

“Why be Orthodox?” Lenten Retreatwill be offered on Saturday, March 9 at the Annunciation/ Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Church in Elkins Park, PA from 8:30 am – 2 pm. Guest Speaker: Aristotle Papanikolau, PhD. Contact: Church office at 215-635-0316 or office@anngoc.org

Fellowship Hour: Please sign up outside the office or contact John Giannouris at (610) 680-7507 or john.giannouris@comcast.netif you are interested in sponsoring Fellowship Hour. Thank you.

FUNERAL NOTICE: With deepest sorrow, we announcethe falling asleep in the Lord of our Beloved Metropolis of New Jersey Philoptochos President, Anastasia Michals, who passed away in the Lord on Thursday, February 21. The Viewing and Funeral will take place at St. George Greek Orthodox Church 1033 West Park Avenue, Ocean, New Jersey 07712

Thursday, February 28: Viewing 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Hierarchical Trisagion 7:00 pm,

presided by His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey and the area clergy.

Friday, March 1: Funeral Service 10:30 am,

presided by His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey and the area clergy.

The Clergy and Laity of our Holy Metropolis kindly request that you attend and pray for the repose of her soul so that the Lord, who she served with grandeur, faith, love and dedication, may receive her into His Heavenly Kingdom, granting her the long desired everlasting life. For further information, please contact the office of St. George Greek Orthodox Church at 732-775-2777

Bulletin Inserts

St. Anna Trivia Night

Come one, come all ! Our 1st Annual Trivia Night - bring your family and friends!

Lenten Retreat - March 9

Elkins Park, PA

Lenten Retreat - March 30

Ocean, NJ

Stewardship

Stewardship is the sharing of the talents and treasures that God has provided for us. An Orthodox Christian Steward is an active participant in the life of the Church. The parish encourages all who accept the Orthodox Faith to become practicing Stewards.

2019 Stewardship Drive: 56 Pledges totaling $82,650 for an average of $1,476 and $37,784 received to date. We also have 9 families who have contributed $4,220 to date but have not submitted a stewardship card. It is important that all families complete a stewardship card to be considered a steward. Current Stewardship List and other stewardship information is posted in bulletin board by water cooler.

We need everyone’s participation to exceed this year’s stewardship pledge target of $170,000.

…Remember a rich man is not one who has much, but one who gives much

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