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St. George Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2019-02-17
Bulletin Contents
Hymns of the Day
Saints and Feasts
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Calendar
St. George News and Events
Allsaint
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St. George Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (661) 325-8694
  • Fax:
  • (661)325-8694
  • Street Address:

  • 401 Truxtun Avenue

  • Bakersfield, CA 93301
  • Mailing Address:

  • 401 Truxtun Avenue

  • Bakersfield, CA 93301

Contact Information

Website / Email Tom Dorlis


webmaster@ourparish.us | 661-564-2347

Services Schedule

Sundays:

Orthros - 9:00 a.m.

Divine Liturgy - 10:00 a.m.

Weekdays:

Evening Vespers - 6:00 p.m.

Calendar

Past Bulletins


Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal First Tone

Let us worship the Word, O ye faithful, praising Him that with the Father and the Spirit is co-beginningless God, Who was born of a pure Virgin that we all be saved; for He was pleased to mount the Cross in the flesh that He assumed, accepting thus to endure death. And by His glorious rising, He also willed to resurrect the dead.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone

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

Allsaint
February 17

Hermogenes (Germogen), Patriarch of Moscow

Our Father among the Saints Hermogenes (Germogen), Patriarch of Moscow, was born about 1530 in Kazan. While yet a layman, he lived as a clerk in the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Kazan. In 1569, the year that Metropolitan Philip of Moscow was slain in Tver (see Jan. 9), Saint Barsanuphius, Bishop of Tver, fled to Kazan fearing the wrath of Ivan the Terrible. So Hermogenes became a spiritual son of Saint Barsanuphius. He was made priest of the Church of Saint Nicholas in Kazan, and was a witness of the miracles of the newly-appeared icon of our Lady of Kazan (see July 8). Later he became Abbot of the Monastery of the Transfiguration, and in 1589 was consecrated Metropolitan of Kazan, in which capacity he converted and baptized many pagan Tartars and heterodox.

In late 1604, the so-called false Dimitry, a pretender to the Russian throne who claimed to be the son of Ivan the Terrible (who had died in 1584), crossed the Russian border, having the support of the Jesuits and King Sigismund III of Poland, who hoped through Dimitry to force Papism upon the Russian people; a few cities, such as Chernigov, soon surrendered to him. Shaken by these calamities, Tsar Boris Gudonov died suddenly, and in June, 1605, the pretender entered Moscow and took the Russian throne. He then declared his intention to marry a Polish woman without her receiving Baptism in the Orthodox Church; when the authorities and the hierarchy remained silent out of fear, it was Metropolitan Hermogenes alone who fearlessly rebuked him and demanded that she renounce Papism and be baptized according to the rites of Orthodoxy. For this, Hermogenes was banished to Kazan. In 1606 Prince Basil Shuisky led the people in the overthrow of Dimitry, and Basil was elected Tsar in Moscow; Hermogenes was made Patriarch of Moscow. The overthrow of Dimitry did not end the endeavours of the Poles to subject Russia to themselves, and in those times of upheavals, treachery, and bloodshed, the valiant Patriarch Hermogenes showed himself to be a great spiritual leader of the people, and, like Saint Philip of Moscow almost half a century before, the conscience of Orthodox Russia in times of betrayal and terror.

In 1609 King Sigismund succeeded in setting his son upon the Russian throne, and Patriarch Hermogenes again insisted that the new Tsar be baptized in the Orthodox Church, marry an Orthodox Christian, and have no dealings with the Pope. The Poles, together with rebel boyars who supported them, imprisoned Patriarch Hermogenes in an underground chamber of the Chudov Monastery during Holy Week of 1611, where they slowly starved him to death; he gave up his holy soul on February 17, 1612.

In 1653, his holy relics were found incorrupt; in 1812, when Napoleon captured Moscow, the Saint's tomb was desecrated in the search for treasure; when the French withdrew, the Patriarch's holy body was found intact on the floor of the cathedral; in 1883 his holy relics were again found whole. Saint Hermogenes was glorified on May 12, 1913, and added to the choir of holy hierarchs of Moscow, whose feast is celebrated on October 5; at the time of his glorification a multitude of miracles were wrought through his incorrupt relics.

Allsaint
February 17

The Pious Rulers Marcian and Pulcheria

Publphar
February 17

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.

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal First Tone. Psalm 11.7,1.
You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.

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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Calendar

  • St. George Calendar

    February 14 to February 24, 2019

    Thursday, February 14

    Greek Folk Dance Festival

    Sunday, February 17

    Triodion

    9:00AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    11:00AM Religious Education

    11:00AM Religious Education

    12:00PM Coffee Hour

    Tuesday, February 19

    6:00PM Vespers

    6:30PM Inquirer Class

    Wednesday, February 20

    6:00PM Vespers

    Thursday, February 21

    6:00PM Vespers

    6:00PM Mens Group Meeting

    Friday, February 22

    6:00PM Paraklisis

    Saturday, February 23

    6:00PM Vespers

    Sunday, February 24

    9:00AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    11:00AM Religious Education

    12:00PM Coffee Hour

    12:30PM Youth Group Meeting

    1:00PM Book Club Meeting

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St. George News and Events

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Special Events Happening Today:

 

Engagement

Text Notifications

We are in the process of establishing a text notification service for our parish.  This service will only be used to notify parishioners of any changes to service times or to provide information on events or occurences that affect the entire parish.  We see this as being used infrequently but feel that we need to an effective way to communicate important information quickly. 

In the upcoming weeks we will send a test message to parishioners for whom we have a mobile phone number.  If you would like to be part of this test (or are not sure if we have your mobile number), please send an email to Sahar (stgeosecretary@gmail.com).   

House Blessings

Father will be blessings homes through the end of February. Please contact Sahar or Presbytera to schedule.

Stewardships Envelopes

Each family is asked to sign off on a box of envelopes.  Please see Julie in the bookstore.

Men’s Group of St. George Church

Next meeting is February 21st from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. following Vespers.  Attendees are invited to attend Vespers prior to the meeting starting at 6:00 pm.  At this meeting we will begin our journey through the "Lionheart" series. 

Couples Ministry

Friday, March 8th, from 7:00 -8:15 p.m. at the home of Tom & Elaine Dorlis, 8813 Bridlewood Lane 93311.  We will discuss fasting using the Trench episode "Death by Fasting". Visit our Couples Ministry resource page for more information and a link to the video.  Also, we ask that all couples bring one or two of their favorite Lenten recipes.  We will combine the recipes into a "cookbook" which we will send to meeting attendees and add to our Lenten Resource site. 

Items on the Bar in the Hall

We are asking all parishioners--young and old--to help clean the hall clutter.  Many items are frequently left in the bar area, kitchen and back room.  Beginning in January, any clothing, books, decorations, office supplies, etc. will be saved for two weeks.  After that time all remaining items will be gathered and donated to local charities.

Please check the hall every Sunday to claim your family's items and take them home. 

Thank you for helping keep our hall neat and clean.   

Parish Council News

The Parish Council has implemented safety and security measures for the hall.  The front hall doors will remain closed during church services.  Please see a Parish Council member for access to the hall and/or restrooms during services.  On Sundays, the front doors will be opened after Holy Communion.

Thank you for your understanding as we want to keep our facilities secure. 

Also note: Please contact a Parish Council member or usher if anyone is loitering in the hall during services. 

Thank you.

Father Joseph's Hours

Father Joseph will be in the office Tuesday and Thursday from 11:00 to 3:00. Wednesday and Friday available at the church by appointment. Confessions appointments can be made with Sahar or Presbytera.

Appointments with Father Joseph

If you need to meet with Father please make appointments during the week. Sunday should be left for Father to have time to visit with parishioners during coffee hour. Please give him the time to do so unless it is an emergency. Thank you for your understanding.

Women’s Prayer Group

There will be a stand in the Narthex for you to leave your prayer request to be added to the list our prayer list.  We need women’s prayer group partners.  Please see or call Irene Sinopole at 832-1871.  

Parish Council 

Next meeting is February 28th, at 7 p.m. 

Prosphora Schedule 

2/17 Elaine Dorlis, 2/24 Mary Mekhel, 3/3 Nahla Demestihas, 3/10 Olympia Hackleman, 3/17 Sahar Ayoub, 3/24 Elaine Dorlis, 3/31 Mary Mekhel. Thank you.Please make arrangements with Sahar or Despina to bring the offering Saturday night either to the church or Father's home.  We are looking for more people to make the blessed bread. Please approach Father Joseph if interested.Thank you.

Sunday School

No Sunday school.  Anyone in grades 5th and up who is interested in having their children participate in the monthly skits please see Zain or Hana Ayoub..

Youth Group/GOYA Questions please call Michael or Gabriella Ryan at 219-3421.

HOPE/JOY

The next HOPE JOY meetup will be February 16th at 1:30. The place will be announced shortly. 

Book Club 

Our parish book club is currently reading Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives: The Life and Teachings of Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica. Our next gathering is Sunday, February 24th during coffee hour. We will be discussing Part Two, chapters 5 to 9. All are welcome to join! For more info call or text Monica (Cassiana) 337-0566 or email mejiamoe@gmail.com

Bookstore

The church bookstore is open Sundays during coffee hour. For more info, special ordering, or questions please call or text Julie Pierucci (661) 342-2407.

Inquirers Class

Every Tuesday at 7:10 p.m. there will be an inquirers class for information regarding the Orthodox faith. We meet at the hall side door on U Street. Class is approximately 40 to 45 minutes. We are currently going through the “Journey of Faith” program by Fr. Barnabas. For more information please call Michael Ryan 661-747-1603.

Coffee Hour

Hosted by the Chaffee and Brits Families.

Church Beautification

Church beautification/Capital Improvements Fund collections as of February 15th  are $6,850.00. Once more funds are collected we can begin Phase II.

Charity

Homeless Initiative Meeting Recap and Reboot for Lent

Please join us on Sunday, February 17th following Divine Liturgy to recap our November event with a pros and cons analysis as well as planning a future date for a Spring Initiative. Hope you can join us!

Philoptochos Announcements

Dues are being collected!  

We will be collecting dues now through the end of February for 2019. Last year we had 57 members - this year we would love 60. So far we are at 37. Join us as $40 helps our charities! 

Anyone (male or female or non-orthodox) who is 18 years of age or older may join. We encourage our High School Seniors to join as well as a way of giving back to others.

LOCAL WINTER GIVING PROJECT - PLEASE BRING DONATIONS!

Our local giving project for this winter is for the Kern Autism Society. Please bring your items in and put them in the bins in the hall.

We will be collecting the following 12 different items (per their request) now until the end of February: 

  • Small drinking water bottles
  • Non-toxic paints
  • Non-toxic markers
  • Construction Paper
  • Craft Supplies of all sorts
  • Play-Doh-non toxic
  • LEGO kits in boxes new-all ages are appreciated
  • Puzzles (large size pieces)
  • Coloring books
  • Toys-sensory learning type-all ages
  • Children's picture books
  • Printer Paper 8.5 X 11 

Outreach 

Evangelism and Outreach

Questions please call Michael Ryan at 747-1603.

Legacy

Scrip Cards

Scrip gift cards are now accessible online. You choose the card (cards) you would like and St. George Church receives a percentage of each sale. If you choose e-cards you will receive them same day in your email. If you choose gift cards, we will receive a notice and the order will be delivered to the church. Best to select e-cards so no shipping fee. Use this link and code when purchasing online. www.shopwithscrip.com, Code:42A1521E58345. 

Endowment

Honor your loved ones birthday and or anniversary by making a contribution to the Endowment Fund in their name. Make checks payable to St. George Church and write Endowment Fund on the memo line. Distributions from the fund will benefit the youth and maintenance needs of the Parish. For more information contact a Parish Council Member. 
Thank you.

Please Note: 

About Communion

If you are a visitor and planning to take Holy Communion, please inform one of our ushers in the Narthex ahead of time. During Communion, parents with infants, and Sunday School Teachers should be first in line to receive Communion. All Christians Orthodox and Non-Orthodox are invited to come up to receive Blessed Bread (Antidoron) at the end of the service. However, present Church guidelines allow that only baptized and confirmed Eastern Orthodox Christians (who have properly prepared) may approach to receive Holy Communion. Thank you.

Dear Parishioners, 

Sundays should be set aside for quality time with God, our Church and Family.  This is true for the Priest, Parish Secretary and Parish Council.  Please let us try to address church business and make appointments during the week during office hours, and not wait until Sunday to address these matters.  For the generous providers of Coffee Hour, please arrange all meal preparation so that everyone is attending Divine Liturgy. The hall will always be open at least one hour before Divine Liturgy begins, as well as the evening before from 6:30 to 7:30.

Hall Reservation System

To reserve the hall for any church functions or activities please communicate with Annette or Sahar if you will be using the hall anytime to be placed on the calendar. This includes groups that meet on a regular basis or for any event. Thank you for your cooperation.

Anyone using the hall during the week, please make sure you turn off all lights, coffee maker and the hall is left clean.

Welcome New Parish Members

Prayers/Thanksgiving

Glory to God for His Bountiful Blessings

Please add to your daily prayers for: 

Catechumens: Walter (George), Daniel (Porphyrios), Joshua (Michael). 

Holy Cross Seminarian Anthony Cornett and family (Anna, Miriam, and Zoë).

Our brothers & sisters unable to attend: 

Marika Psihoundas, Mary Valos, Zoe Spanos & Beverly Balasis.

Healing: Marika, Victor, Helen K., Irene, Mary, Mary, Serephima, and others in our parish.

Those who are traveling

Orthodox-Edward, Nicholas, Elaine, Mary C., Sophia,Virginia, Petros, Panagi, Elle, Eva L., Nicholetta Y., Dan S., Monica, Yorgos K, Giorgos, Anna,Angela, Antonia, Stelios, Petros, Anne, Anna, Leonid, Mariyka, Archalia,Natalie, Eva,Eleni K.,Efstratios, Ourania, Christopher, Alice, Suha,Abla, Jennifer, Tom, Gabriela,Ion,Danny,Nadia, Niko, Musa Daoud, Vasiliki, Theodore, Achilles, Vasiliki, Elizabeth, Labrini, Bert & Louise Moosios,Olympia,Margarita, Seraphim, Mary, Tika,Maria Sporaa, Athina, Helen, Gerry Collis, Nektarios,Marika,Bessie Mattly, Noah A., Nick A.,Nick K., Kyriaki, Fred, Hannah, Irene Sinopole, Helen Protopapas, Candess Strategos,Gene, Kathy, Sofia, Clemy (Clementina), Jane, and Matthew.

Non-Orthodox -Angelica, David, Nancy, Bud Lung,Julie, Pamela Y., Debbie, Emmitt, Donna,Steve, Richard,Donald, Christina, Eva, Dominic,Gaby Garcia,Romona, Elea, Graysen Astumian, Marie,Michelle, Irma,  Julie, Greg, Allyson, Margaret, Valerie, Martha Rogers, Joseph, Stephen, Elizabeth,Ellen, Ling, Richard, Christine & David, Debby.

 Financials               Budgeted                    Actual

Stewardship

$4,750/week

$1,352.43

Candles & Tray

$250/week

$245.00

Anniversaries

  • 2/3  Gregory & Mary Fotis

Birthdays  

  • 2/1 Lucas Jennings
  • 2/3 Ailish Grens
  • 2/4 Osama Dawood
  • 2/14 Isaiah Murray
  • 2/14 Demtrios Demestihas
  • 2/16 Fr. Joseph Chaffee
  • 2/16 George Demestihas
  • 2/17 Theodore Chaffee
  • 2/20 Eleas Exarchoulakos
  • 2/21 Robert Niz
  • 2/22 Allison Yanney
  • 2/24 Helen Protopapas
  • 2/24 Will Shackleford

 

Please note:  All bulletin announcements must be received each week by 3:00 pm Tuesday to be included in the Sunday bulletin for that week. 

 

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