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St. George Church
Publish Date: 2018-12-09
Bulletin Contents
Bowedwoman
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St. George Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (207) 945-9588
  • Street Address:

  • 90 Sanford St

  • Bangor, ME 04401
  • Mailing Address:

  • 90 Sanford St

  • Bangor, ME 04401


Contact Information




Services Schedule

ORTHROS: 9:00

LITURGY:  10:00


Past Bulletins


News, Events and Announcements

 

Our local church, St. George, is not a charity,
but an extension of our homes

that we all share together.

SPIRITUAL PREPARATION FOR THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST The Advent Fast began November 15 and culminates with the celebration of Christ’s Nativity on December 25. Please abstain from eating meat and dairy products on all days leading up to Christmas. Fish may be eaten all days of the week except Wednesday and Friday. The Church also guides us to abstain from fish as well beginning December 12. Seafood can always be consumed during the lengthy fasting periods. God’s peace and strength to all as we endeavor to honor the Church’s guidelines for our spiritual benefit.

PARISH COUNCIL ELECTION We need to have those who didn’t vote last week to vote this week. We need to keep voting until our candidates win. Thank you.

GROWING SAINTS SUNDAY SCHOOL meets today. This class is suitable for children ages 7-14, parents are welcome to attend the class with their child whenever they’d like. Let us all learn together and glorify God! Today we’ll learn a bit about Ss. Anna & Joachim and the history of the Virgin Mary Theotokos before the Annunciation by the AA Gabriel. Don’t miss it!

ALMSGIVING IN THE SPIRIT OF ST. NICHOLAS Along with our Sunday School, we are collecting items to give to low income/homeless individuals in our area for Christmas. Saving Grace Thrift Shop (Union Street) has a regular outreach to people in our neighborhood and we often coordinate with them to make provisions for gifting. The following items are suggested for stocking stuffers: wrapped hard candies; packages of crackers & peanut butter OR crackers & cheese; small notebooks & sharpened pencils; Chapstick; sample sized toiletries; individually wrapped toothbrushes; packages of playing cards; hats & gloves (men’s, women’s, children’s). Suffice to say all items need to be new. The thrift shop also accepts warm, clean, used clothing that they sell inexpensively and sometimes give away depending on need. So, you can donate other items, as well.
Be sure to take note of the almsgiving collection box in the narthex today. The children of the Clean Slates Sunday School (our youngest class) with Mrs. Smitherman’s help, decorated the box last week. We will also be placing a St. Nicholas almsgiving box downstairs during fellowship hour where you can make a cash donation, if desired. We will be collecting today, Dec 9 and next Sunday, Dec 16 for this purpose. Thanks in advance for your spiritual thoughtfulness!

XRONIA POLLA to all who celebrate Name Days this week—Spyridon on Wednesday, Dec 12 and Lucia on Thursday, Dec 13. Just as a reminder--Fr. is pleased to celebrate weekday Divine Liturgies for anyone’s Name Day at their request. Please let him know at least a couple days in advance to arrange. Thank you!

A VERY SPECIAL OFFER FROM LAMBROS Most of you know that Lambros has operated a successful sailing business, touring the Greek Isles of Sporades each summer aboard his vessel, Alexandros. This summer he is offering a special package deal for six persons from our parish or its friends. Lambros proposes a two-week sailing trip, embarking from Athens in June. Cost would be $2,000 per person, which includes $500 donated to our church (excluding airfare), double occupancy. This is a discounted per person rate. There are just six spots available—some spots are already filled, but he’s not yet fully booked. If you are interested, please talk with him soon. You can read details about the itinerary at www.sailgreekisles.com.

TO OUR STEWARDS & BENEFACTORS Many thanks to all those who’ve increased their financial gifts to maintain the on-going worship and ministries here at St. George. As a gentle reminder, the Church does need increased stewardship to cover our operations as St. George chose not to be involved in the Folk Festival this month. The Folk Festival income had always been our “bump up” funding each year. We will not have that funding this year. We did realize a record $6,956 profit from our Greek Dance.
As of November 18, we are running a $4219.64 overall deficit. Believe that St. George is aware of all those who care about our spiritual house and his prayers are with us. Thank you for your continued stewardship and loving generosity for St. George, Bangor! We are keeping our heads almost above water because a few people have made some special contributions. Thanks again.

NOTE: Average weekly budgeted expenses for us are $1895.39. Our annual budgeted expenses are $98,560.28 which is lower than about 99% of all the other parishes in the GOA. Our budget was made with a “very sharp pencil.” Another observation: 88% through the year, we have spent 80% of the amount budgeted (this is a good thing). We have also received 76% of our budgeted income (let’s do our best to fulfill this commitment before year end).

FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE Donatiions can now be made online.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Apostoliki Diakonia
Diptixa 2018 PDF


 http://www.apostoliki-diakonia.gr/pdf/Diptixa_2018.pdf

FACEBOOK PAGE Pat Claus is happy to receive items you’d like to have posted on the church’s FB page. You can submit items to her at patclaus@roadrunner.com.

IS THIS YOUR FIRST VISIT TO ST. GEORGE? If you are visiting our parish this morning, welcome! Orthodox Church tradition encourages Orthodox Christians in good standing with the Church to approach the Holy Chalice for Communion... however, if you are not Orthodox, we ask that you please refrain. All worshipers are welcome to receive antidoron (a piece of blessed bread) immediately following the Divine Liturgy. Please stay for fellowship hour that we might get to know you.

WORSHIPING THE TRUE & LIVING GOD Worshiping the Living God, the All-Holy Trinity, is a witness of our faith in and love for Him. The Divine Liturgy is the service of thanksgiving to God. The Divine Liturgy is also the service of particular nurture for the Orthodox Christian--Christ is Present in the elements of Holy Communion. He nurtures those who approach with fear (reverence), faith and love. Those who partake of Communion receive God within. This is a great Mystery, not to be taken lightly, but one that the Orthodox Christian is bid to COME. Please avail yourself of the opportunities to worship the Lord and to receive Him in faith.

JOIN US FOR FELLOWSHIP HOUR DOWNSTAIRS Everyone is encouraged to come downstairs after service for refreshments. If you’re visiting, please let us treat you. We’re a family here and we all contribute toward the table weekly. So, thank you to all who have made fellowship time possible again today!

VALET PARKING Some parishioners have difficulty walking distances and find it hard to park near enough to the church on Sunday mornings.  If this applies to you, please do the following: park in the loading zone in front of the church, and come indoors with your car key and ask in the office for someone to park the car for you and you will be assisted.  We are here to help one another.  Please ask for help if needed.  Thank you. 

GREAT VESPERS St. George Church offers Great Vespers at 6PM on any evening before a Divine Liturgy will be served. Each Saturday evening at 6PM, Great Vespers is served in anticipation of Sunday morning’s Divine Liturgy. This will also be true of evenings preceding a major feast. Participation in these services is an opportunity for us to worship corporately and multiply the power of our prayers. If for any reason vespers will not be served, you will receive a message beforehand via the church list-server advising cancellation.

ROUTINE SERVICE TIMES AT ST. GEORGE Great Vespers 6PM (the evening before a Divine Liturgy); Orthros/Matins (morning prayers) 9AM; Divine Liturgy 10AM.

NAME DAYS If you would like to participate in a Divine Liturgy on your Name Day, please let Fr. Leo know to arrange this beforehand.

SPECIAL PRAYER SUPPORT WHEN NEEDED Fr. can meet you here at the church and offer particular prayers for you if you are going to be traveling or are preparing to have medical procedures done (hospitalization, etc.) He is available to make hospital visits and will routinely visit those in convalescent care. Please arrange with him according to need. Thank you.

OCN  Get to know the Orthodox Christian Network
http://myocn.net/

FR. LEO'S CONTACT INFORMATION 
cell: (207) 385-3000, call or text 
Mail: 252 14th St., Bangor ME 04401 
home: (207) 307-7852 
email: 57frleo@gmail.com, frleoschefe@mail.goarch.org
Personal website:glt.goarch.org
Church website & Newsletter: http://www.stgeorge.me.goarch.org/
Weekly Bulletin: http://www.bulletinbuilder.org/stgeorgebangor/current
I am available to parishioners whenever needed; please don't hesitate to contact me. Thank you. +Fr. Leo

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Saints and Feasts

Bowedwoman
December 09

10th Sunday of Luke


Anna
December 09

The Conception by St. Anna of the Most Holy Theotokos

According to the ancient tradition of the Church, since Saint Anna, the Ancestor of God, was barren, she and her husband Joachim remained without children until old age. Therefore, sorrowing over their childlessness, they besought God with a promise that, if He were to grant them the fruit of the womb, they would offer their offspring to Him as a gift. And God, hearkening to their supplication, informed them through an Angel concerning the birth of the Virgin. And thus, through God's promise, Anna conceived according to the laws of nature, and was deemed worthy to become the mother of the Mother of our Lord (see also Sept. 8).


December 09

The Consecration of the Church of the Resurrection (Holy Sepulchre) in the Holy City of Jerusalem

The majestic Church of the Resurrection, built by Saint Constantine the Great and his mother Helen, was consecrated in the year 336. In the year 614, this edifice was destroyed by the Persians, who set fire to it. Modestus, the Abbot of the Monastery of Saint Theodosius, and later Patriarch of Jerusalem, rebuilt the church in 626 and had it reconsecrated. In 637, Jerusalem fell to the Moslems; however, the holy shrines were left intact. But in 934, on the Sunday of Pascha, the Saracens set fire to part of this church. Again in 969, the Moslems set fire to the dome of the church, plundered all the sacred objects that were found therein, and surrendered John IV, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, to the flames. In 1010, the Moslems, under Hakim the Mad, Caliph of Egypt, destroyed the church to its foundations, but in 1028, by the mediation of Emperor Romanus III Argyrus of Constantinople, the church began to be rebuilt on a more modest scale. This third edifice was completed and reconsecrated in 1048. In 1099, the crusaders took Jerusalem and ruled there for eighty-eight years, and during this time they made certain changes in the structure, which, for the most part, has remained unaltered ever since (See also Sept. 13).


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Tone

Let all things above in heav'n rejoice, and let all things below on earth be glad. With all the might and strength of His arm an eternal deed the Lord did perform. Beneath His feet He has trampled down death by death, and first born of the dead has He become. From the womb of Hades has He delivered us, and to all the world has granted His great redeeming mercy.
Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια, ἀγαλλιάσθω τὰ ἐπίγεια, ὅτι ἐποίησε κράτος, ἐν βραχίονι αὐτοῦ, ὁ Κύριος, ἐπάτησε τῷ θανάτῳ τὸν θάνατον, πρωτότοκος τῶν νεκρῶν ἐγένετο, ἐκ κοιλίας ᾅδου ἐρρύσατο ἡμᾶς, καὶ παρέσχε τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Apolytikion for Conception of the Theotokos in the Fourth Tone

Today the bonds of childlessness are loosed; for God hearkened to Joachim and Anna. And though it was beyond hope, He clearly promised them that they should bear a divine child, from whom was born the Uncircumscribable One Himself Who became a mortal, and through an Angel commanded them to cry unto her: Rejoice, thou who art full of grace; the Lord is with thee.
Σήμερον τής ατεκνίας δεσμά διαλύονται, τού Ιωακείμ γάρ καί τής Άννης εισακούων Θεός, παρ' ελπίδα τεκείν αυτούς σαφώς, υπισχνείται θεόπαιδα, εξ ής αυτός ετέχθη ο απερίγραπτος, βροτός γεγονώς, δι' Αγγέλου κελεύσας βοήσαι αυτή, Χαίρε Κεχαριτωμένη, ο Κύριος μετά σού.

APOLYTIKION FOR ST. GEORGE in the First Tone

Ὡς τῶν αἰχμαλώτων ἐλευθερωτής,
καὶ τῶν πτωχῶν ὑπερασπιστής,
ἀσθενούντων ἰατρός,
βασιλέων ὑπέρμαχος,
Τροπαιοφόρε Μεγαλομάρτυς Γεώργιε,
πρέσβευε Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ,
σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.

AS the Liberator of captives,
and the protector of the poor,
a physician for the ill,
he defender of rulers,
O great Martyr, Saint George, victorious,
pray for us to Christ our God
to save our souls.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone

Today the world rejoices in the conception of Anna, wrought by God. For she bore the One who beyond comprehension conceived the Logos.
Εορτάζει σήμερον, η οικουμένη, τήν τής Άννης σύλληψιν, γεγενημένην εν Θεώ, καί γάρ αυτή απεκύησε, τήν υπέρ λόγον, τόν Λόγον κυήσασαν.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

The Conception by St. Anna of the Most Holy Theotokos
Πρὸς Γαλάτας 4:22-27

Ἀδελφοί, Ἀβραὰμ δύο υἱοὺς ἔσχεν· ἕνα ἐκ τῆς παιδίσκης, καὶ ἕνα ἐκ τῆς ἐλευθέρας. Ἀλλʼ ὁ μὲν ἐκ τῆς παιδίσκης κατὰ σάρκα γεγέννηται, ὁ δὲ ἐκ τῆς ἐλευθέρας διὰ τῆς ἐπαγγελίας. Ἅτινά ἐστιν ἀλληγορούμενα· αὗται γάρ εἰσιν δύο διαθῆκαι· μία μὲν ἀπὸ ὄρους Σινᾶ, εἰς δουλείαν γεννῶσα, ἥτις ἐστὶν Ἅγαρ. Τὸ γὰρ Ἅγαρ Σινᾶ ὄρος ἐστὶν ἐν τῇ Ἀραβίᾳ, συστοιχεῖ δὲ τῇ νῦν Ἱερουσαλήμ, δουλεύει δὲ μετὰ τῶν τέκνων αὐτῆς. Ἡ δὲ ἄνω Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἐλευθέρα ἐστίν, ἥτις ἐστὶν μήτηρ πάντων ἡμῶν· γέγραπται γάρ, Εὐφράνθητι, στεῖρα, ἡ οὐ τίκτουσα· ῥῆξον καὶ βόησον, ἡ οὐκ ὠδίνουσα· ὅτι πολλὰ τὰ τέκνα τῆς ἐρήμου μᾶλλον ἢ τῆς ἐχούσης τὸν ἄνδρα.

The Conception by St. Anna of the Most Holy Theotokos
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 4:22-27

Brethren, Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, the son of the free woman through promise. Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not in travail; for the children of the desolate one are many more than the children of her that is married."


Gospel Reading

10th Sunday of Luke
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 13:10-17

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ῏Ην δὲ διδάσκων ἐν μιᾷ τῶν συναγωγῶν ἐν τοῖς σάββασι. καὶ ἰδοὺ γυνὴ ἦν πνεῦμα ἔχουσα ἀσθενείας ἔτη δέκα καὶ ὀκτώ, καὶ ἦν συγκύπτουσα καὶ μὴ δυναμένη ἀνακῦψαι εἰς τὸ παντελές. ἰδὼν δὲ αὐτὴν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς προσεφώνησε καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ· γύναι, ἀπολέλυσαι τῆς ἀσθενείας σου· καὶ ἐπέθηκεν αὐτῇ τὰς χεῖρας· καὶ παραχρῆμα ἀνωρθώθη καὶ ἐδόξαζε τὸν Θεόν. ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ ἀρχισυνάγωγος, ἀγανακτῶν ὅτι τῷ σαββάτῳ ἐθεράπευσεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς, ἔλεγε τῷ ὄχλῳ· ἓξ ἡμέραι εἰσὶν ἐν αἷς δεῖ ἐργάζεσθαι· ἐν ταύταις οὖν ἐρχόμενοι θεραπεύεσθε, καὶ μὴ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τοῦ σαββάτου. ἀπεκρίθη οὖν αὐτῷ ὁ Κύριος καὶ εἶπεν· ὑποκριτά, ἕκαστος ὑμῶν τῷ σαββάτῳ οὐ λύει τὸν βοῦν αὐτοῦ ἢ τὸν ὄνον ἀπὸ τῆς φάτνης καὶ ἀπαγαγὼν ποτίζει; ταύτην δέ, θυγατέρα ᾿Αβραὰμ οὖσαν, ἣν ἔδησεν ὁ σατανᾶς ἰδοὺ δέκα καὶ ὀκτὼ ἔτη, οὐκ ἔδει λυθῆναι ἀπὸ τοῦ δεσμοῦ τούτου τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τοῦ σαββάτου; καὶ ταῦτα λέγοντος αὐτοῦ κατῃσχύνοντο πάντες οἱ ἀντικείμενοι αὐτῷ, καὶ πᾶς ὁ ὄχλος ἔχαιρεν ἐπὶ πᾶσι τοῖς ἐνδόξοις τοῖς γινομένοις ὑπ᾿ αὐτοῦ.

10th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 13:10-17

At that time, Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her, "Woman, you are freed from your infirmity." And he laid his hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, said to the people, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be healed, and not on the sabbath day." Then the Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?" As he said this, all his adversaries were put to shame; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.


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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

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Archdiocesan Cathedral Philoptochos Honors Archbishop Demetrios at Annual Chrysanthemum Ball

11/20/2018

NEW YORK – The Archdiocesan Cathedral Philoptochos Society honored His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Geron of America at their coveted Annual Chrysanthemum Ball held the evening of November 16, 2018, at the prestigious Metropolitan Club.

Hierarchical Divine Liturgy for the Thronal Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle

11/28/2018

NEW YORK – His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Geron of America will preside at a Hierarchal Con-celebration of the Divine Liturgy on Friday Nov. 30, 2018, at the Archdiocesan Chapel of St. Paul

Archdiocese Takes Significant Steps for the Resumption of Construction and Completion of St. Nicholas

11/30/2018

NEW YORK – The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has taken additional significant steps towards the resumption of construction and completion of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine.

Archbishop Demetrios Attends Funeral for George H.W. Bush

12/05/2018

WASHINGTON (Wed., Dec. 5, 2018) – His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Geron of America attended today the funeral service for the 41st President of the United States George H.W. Bush at Washington’s National Cathedral.
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Metropolis of Boston News

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$250,000 PanHellenic Scholarships Available

10/22/2018

The Pan Hellenic Scholarship Foundation is offering $250,000 in Scholarships to eligible college students. The deadline to apply is on January 31, 2019 by visiting www.panhellenicsf.org

The Metropolis of Boston Philoptochos Highlighted in the National Philoptochos Newsletter

11/07/2018

In 2012, under the inspirational leadership of His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios, members of the Boston Metropolis Philoptochos Board visited the largest homeless veterans’ program in the Veterans Administration (VA) New England Healthcare System, based at the VA Bedford Medical Center in Bedford, MA. The visit included a comprehensive tour of the veterans’ living space and a discussion with veterans and Program Officials. It revealed a huge and glaring need for philanthropic support.

2018-2019 Ministries Report of the Metropolis of Boston

11/06/2018

Click Here to View the 2018-2019 Ministries Report of the Metropolis of Boston

Ordination of Fr. Nicholas Lanzourakis to the Holy Diaconate

11/15/2018

On Sunday, November 11, 2018 His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Annunciation Cathedral of NEw England.

Lecture at the Maliotis Cultural Center

12/03/2018

I encourage you to attend this lecture at the Maliotis Cultural Center on Sunday, December 9th at 3:00.

Christmas Tree Lighting with the Metropolis of Boston Dance Group

12/07/2018

The annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at the Metropolis was held on Thursday, December 6th with the parents and children of the Metropolis of Boston Dance Group.
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Assembly of Bishops News

Fast Questions and Fast Answers about the Geography of Orthodoxy in America

12/05/2018

Fast Questions and Fast Answers about the Geography of Orthodoxy in America is the second essay in a group of mini-reports about Orthodox Church life in America. Surprising, stimulating, and, at the same time, important facts about the geographic distribution of Orthodox parishes and church members in America are discussed in this essay.
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