Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal First Tone

Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.

Apolytikion for Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the Second Tone

When Thou didst descend unto death, O Life Immortal, then didst Thou slay Hades with the lightning of Thy Divinity. And when Thou didst also raise the dead out of the nethermost depths, all the powers in the Heavens cried out: O Life-giver, Christ our God, glory be to Thee.

Apolytikion for Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the Second Tone

The noble Joseph, taking Thine immaculate Body down from the Tree, and having wrapped It in pure linen and spices, laid It for burial in a new tomb. But on the third day Thou didst arise, O Lord, granting great mercy to the world.

Apolytikion for Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the Second Tone

Unto the myrrh-bearing women did the Angel cry out as he stood by the grave: Myrrh oils are meet for the dead, but Christ hath proved to be a stranger to corruption. But cry out: The Lord is risen, granting great mercy to the world.

Apolytikion for the Church in the First Tone

As a liberator of prisoners, and as a guardian of the poor, a doctor of the sick, a defender of kings. Trophy bearer, O Great Martyr George. Intercede to Christ our God, and save our souls.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Tone

Though You went down into the tomb, You destroyed Hades' power, and You rose the victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, "Hail!" and granting peace to Your disciples, You who raise up the fallen.

Saints and Feasts

May 12

Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women

About the beginning of His thirty-second year, when the Lord Jesus was going throughout Galilee, preaching and working miracles, many women who had received of His beneficence left their own homeland and from then on followed after Him. They ministered unto Him out of their own possessions, even until His crucifixion and entombment; and afterwards, neither losing faith in Him after His death, nor fearing the wrath of the Jewish rulers, they came to the sepulchre, bearing the myrrh-oils they had prepared to annoint His body. It is because of the myrrh-oils, that these God-loving women brought to the tomb of Jesus that they are called the Myrrh-bearers. Of those whose names are known are the following: first of all, the most holy Virgin Mary, who in Matthew 27:56 and Mark 15:40 is called "the mother of James and Joses" (these are the sons of Joseph by a previous marriage, and she was therefore their step-mother); Mary Magdalene (celebrated July 22); Mary, the wife of Clopas; Joanna, wife of Chouza, a steward of Herod Antipas; Salome, the mother of the sons of Zebedee, Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus; and Susanna. As for the names of the rest of them, the evangelists have kept silence (Matt 27:55-56; 28:1-10. Mark 15:40-41. Luke 8:1-3; 23:55-24:11, 22-24. John 19:25; 20:11-18. Acts 1:14).

Together with them we celebrate also the secret disciples of the Saviour, Joseph and Nicodemus. Of these, Nicodemus was probably a Jerusalemite, a prominent leader among the Jews and of the order of the Pharisees, learned in the Law and instructed in the Holy Scriptures. He had believed in Christ when, at the beginning of our Saviour's preaching of salvation, he came to Him by night. Furthermore, he brought some one hundred pounds of myrrh-oils and an aromatic mixture of aloes and spices out of reverence and love for the divine Teacher (John 19:39). Joseph, who was from the city of Arimathea, was a wealthy and noble man, and one of the counsellors who were in Jerusalem. He went boldly unto Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus, and together with Nicodemus he gave Him burial. Since time did not permit the preparation of another tomb, he placed the Lord's body in his own tomb which was hewn out of rock, as the Evangelist says (Matt. 27:60).

May 12

Epiphanius, Bishop of Cyprus

Saint Epiphanius was born about 310 in Besanduc, a village of Palestine, of Jewish parents who were poor and tillers of the soil. In his youth he came to faith in Christ and was baptized with his sister, after which he distributed all he had to the poor and became a monk, being a younger contemporary of Saint Hilarion the Great (see Oct. 21), whom he knew. He also visited the renowned monks of Egypt to learn their ways. Because the fame of his virtue had spread, many in Egypt desired to make him a bishop; when he learned of this, he fled, returning to Palestine. But after a time he learned that the bishops there also intended to consecrate him to a widowed bishopric, and he fled to Cyprus. In Paphos he met Saint Hilarion, who told him to go to Constantia, a city of Cyprus also called Salamis. Epiphanius answered that he preferred to take ship for Gaza, which, despite Saint Hilarion's admonitions, he did. But a contrary wind brought the ship to Constantia where, by the providence of God, Epiphanius fell into the hands of bishops who had come together to elect a successor to the newly-departed Bishop of Constantia, and the venerable Epiphanius was at last constrained to be consecrated, about the year 367. He was fluent in Hebrew, Egyptian, Syriac, Greek, and Latin, and because of this he was called "Five-tongued." He had the gift of working miracles, and was held in such reverence by all, that although he was a known enemy of heresy, he was well nigh the only eminent bishop that the Arians did not dare to drive into exile when the Emperor Valens persecuted the Orthodox about the year 371. Having tended his flock in a manner pleasing to God, and guarded it undefiled from every heresy, he reposed about the year 403, having lived for ninety-three years. Among his sacred writings, the one that is held in special esteem is the Panarion (from the Latin Panarium, that is, "Bread-box,") containing the proofs of the truth of the Faith, and an examination of eighty heresies.

May 12

Germanos, Patriarch of Constantinople

Saint Germanos, who was from Constantinople, was born to an illustrious family, the son of Justinian the Patrician. First he became Metropolitan of Cyzicus; in 715 he was elevated to the throne of Constantinople; but because of his courageous resistance to Leo the Isaurian's impious decree which inaugurated the war upon the holy icons, he was exiled from his throne in 715. He lived the rest of his life in privacy, and reposed about 740, full of days. The fore-most of his writings is that which deals with the Six Ecumenical Councils. He wrote many hymns also, as is apparent from the titles of many stichera and idiomela, among which are those for the Feast of the Meeting in the Temple.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Second Tone. Psalm 117.14,18.
The Lord is my strength and my song.
Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 6:1-7.

In those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, "it is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochoros, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaos, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women
The Reading is from Mark 15:43-47; 16:1-8

At that time, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. And he bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud, and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.

And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 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 anyone, for they were afraid.

Wisdom of the Fathers

They [the women] had followed Him ministering to Him, and were present even unto the time of the dangers. Wherefore also they saw all; how He cried, how He gave up the ghost, how the rocks were rent, and all the rest.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 88 on Matthew 27, 4th Century

And these [the women] first see Jesus; and the sex that was most condemned, this first enjoys the sight of the blessings, this most shows its courage. And when the disciples had fled, these were present.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 88 on Matthew 27, 4th Century

Calendar

St. George Calendar

May 12 to May 19, 2019

Sunday, May 12

8:30AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

11:00AM Religious Education

11:30AM Coffee Hour

12:20PM Greeter Narthex Training

Tuesday, May 14

6:00PM Vespers

6:30PM Inquirer Class

Wednesday, May 15

6:00PM Vespers

Thursday, May 16

6:00PM Vespers

7:00PM Parish Council Meeting

Friday, May 17

6:00PM Paraclesis

Saturday, May 18

7:30AM Youth Group Trip to Universal Studios

6:00PM Vespers

Sunday, May 19

8:30AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

11:00AM Religious Education Graduation

11:30AM Philoptochos General Meeting

11:30AM Coffee Hour

12:00PM Book Club Meeting

St. George News and Events

Special Events Happening Today:

Timely Notes:

Ministries:

Philoptochos

MISSIONS POSSIBLE!

Missions Possible 2019 has begun (Great Lent - Pentecost)! The goal of this annual campaign is to educate the faithful about our evangelistic calling and to raise funds for our Metropolis missions, as well as two other worthwhile charities: Project Mexico/St Innocent Orphanage and St Ignatius School in Calcutta, India. Our goal this year is to raise $2000 or more! Please pick up a cup and bring it each week to add your donation to our rising thermometer! Together we can do much for missions work in the US and abroad.

TOTAL COLLECTED AFTER THE END OF WEEK 6: $440.50

SIGN UP FOR DONATIONS!

The Homeless Initiative is back! We have a two-part process this time, on Sunday, May 26th we will be assembling our Blessing Bags and on Sunday, June 2nd we will put together our lunch bags, then go out and deliver the Blessing Bags and Food Bags for the Homeless population near our church.

We will be putting together 120 bags on this date! Please sign up for items and bring them as soon as you can and place them in our bins. Once your items are brought to church - cross your name off and mark DELIVERED! Please deliver items by Sunday, May 19th (everything except Bread and Oranges).

We will need all hands on deck for this endeavor.

From donating items to assembling the bags. Take part!

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. ~Romans 12:13

Philoptochos Dues are being collected - last Sunday!

Thank you to our 58 members who have joined us in helping charities, local and nationally, in bettering our world and doing God's work:

Dan Andrews	Savas Chaffee	Nahla Demestihas	Josh Frazier	Mary Mekhel	Helen Protopapas	Andrea Strategos
Mary Andrews	Presbytera Despina Chaffee	Dimitri Dorlis	Namaz Habroun-Pimentel	Robert Niz	Jeannie Ranglis	Erin Strategos
Stephanie Ansolabehere	Evanthia Chaffee	Justin Dorlis	Olympia Hackleman	Kim Niz	Soula Schoell	Mariana Strategos
Saba Asmeron	Mary Chicklenis	Tom Dorlis	Helen Huntales	Margaret Papadimitrakis	Irene Sinopole	Nicole Strategos
Sahar Ayoub	Joyce Cisneros	Elaine Dorlis	Evanthia Lance	Marianne Pearse	Vicki Spanos	Diana Thabit
Zain Ayoub	Katerina Copeland	Anne Drulias	Pam Liascos	Monica Pegg	Zoe Spanos	Denna Theodore
Anthony Becerra	Angela Dawood	Georgia Drulias	Virginia Liascos	Julie Pierucci	Cody Stevens	Karen Tripp
Angela Becerra	Jenny Dean	Kathy Excharchoulakos	Annette Londquist	Lauren Pierucci	Fotini Stevens	Irene Valos
Natalie Becerra	Kelly Demestihas

If you would like to contribute it is not too late! Sunday, May 12th is the final day!

Philoptochos Elections will be held on Sunday, May 19th. You must be a member in current standing to vote - thank you!

Men’s Group of St. George Church

Next meeting is TBA. Meetings start from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. following Vespers. Attendees are invited to attend Services prior to the meeting starting at 6:00 pm. At this meeting we will be continuing our journey through the "Lionheart" series.

Couples Ministry

Next meeting is June 6th at the home of Tom & Elaine Dorlis. Visit our Couples Ministry resource page for more information and a link to the videos.

Parish Council

Next meeting is May 16th, at 7 p.m.

Sunday School

Sunday school lesson 20. May 19^th is Graduation Day! Bring swimsuits and towels for a fun day to celebrate the end of the school year!

Youth Group/GOYA

Questions please call Michael or Gabriella Ryan at 219-3421.

HOPE/JOY

Next meeting to be announced.

Book Club

Our parish book club is currently concluding Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives: The Life and Teachings of Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica. Our next gathering is Sunday, May 19th during coffee hour. We will be discussing Part Two, chapters 14 through 16. Our next book club selection beginning in June is Becoming a Healing Presence by Albert S. Rossi. All are welcome to join! For more details, call or text Monica (Cassiana) 337-0566 or email mejiamoe@gmail.com.

Bookstore

Bookstore is open Sundays during coffee hour or by appointment. Lots of new arrivals including icons and books! 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.

Prosphora Schedule

5/12 Elaine Dorlis, 5/19 Basema Madain, 5/26 Nahla Demestihas, 6/2 Olympia Hackleman, 6/9 Sahar Ayoub, 6/16 Elaine Dorlis, 6/23 Mary Mekhel, 6/30 Basema Madain. 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. If you want to learn more about how to make Prosphora, you can visit our Prosphoro site under the "Resources" tab on our website. Thank you.

Evangelism and Outreach

Questions please call Michael Ryan at 747-1603.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Follow and join us on Facebook!

St George Orthodox Christian Church of Bakersfield: www.facebook.com/StGeorgeOrthodoxBakersfield

St George Orthodox Community of Bakersfield (Facebook Group): www.facebook.com/groups/175227557308

General Announcements:

Legacy

Leave your mark!

Consider naming St. George Church as a beneficiary on your life insurance policy. It's a great legacy gift to your parish and very easy to do...just ask your provider for the change beneficiary form and complete and return to them. The legal name for the church is Hellenic Community St. George Church Tax ID #95-3575365 God bless you.

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.

Text Notifications

If you would like to be part of our system, please provide your phone number to Sahar (stgeosecretary@gmail.com).

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.

Stewardships Envelopes

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

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.

Father Joseph's Hours

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

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.

Church Beautification

Church beautification/Capital Improvements Fund collections as of April 11th are $6,850.00. Once more funds are collected we can begin Phase II.

Hall Reservation System

To reserve the hall for any church functions or activities please communicate with 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: Daniel(Moses).
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-Kaliope,Lorece Noel,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,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	$2,000/week	$2,828.56
Candles & Tray	$500/week	$377.00

Anniversaries

5/4 Luis & Angela Becerra
5/20 Yohannes & Fantanesh Mesfin
5/31 Stephen & Nicole Strategos

Birthdays

5/1 Georgia Drulias
5/2 Nick Dukellis
5/2 Eva Lance
5/3 Dimitri Dorlis
5/9 Shea Dean

5/17 Yannis Exarchoulakos
5/18 Eleni Southerd
5/19 Kosmas(Cody) Stevens
5/19 Elpida Chaffee
5/25 Lorece Cisneros
5/26 Elaine Dorlis
5/26 Mattie Dean
5/26 Samuel Mesfin
5/27 Anne Drulias
5/29 Tanya Al-Sheikh

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.

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins

Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal First Tone

Apolytikion for Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the Second Tone

Apolytikion for Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the Second Tone

Apolytikion for Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the Second Tone

Apolytikion for the Church in the First Tone

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Tone

Saints and Feasts

Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women

Epiphanius, Bishop of Cyprus

Germanos, Patriarch of Constantinople

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Gospel Reading

Wisdom of the Fathers

Calendar

St. George Calendar

May 12 to May 19, 2019

St. George News and Events