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St. George Church
Publish Date: 2020-01-19
Bulletin Contents
News, Events and Announcements
GENERAL INFORMATION
Icons of St. George Church
Telephone Caregiver Support Group for Orthodox Christians
Saints and Feasts
Hymns of the Day
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News
Metropolis of Boston News
Lepers
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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

Parish Priest Fr. Leo Schefe

57frleo@gmail.com | 207 385-3000

Services Schedule

ORTHROS: 9:00

LITURGY:  10:00

Past Bulletins


News, Events and Announcements

Geo

THIS IS THE THEOPHANY SEASON Fr. Leo will be glad to visit your home to bless it with holy water from the recent great feast. All you need do is call him at 207-385-3000.

BLESSED NEW YEAR 2020 TO ALL! Church wall calendars are available in the narthex. Please take one or more calendars, according to your needs.

BIG THANK YOU TO ALL PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS for your consistent, faithful and prayerful service in our St. George community. Installation of members will occur this month.

SUNDAY SCHOOL No formal Sunday School class today. We will be cutting the parish Vasilopitas in honor of the miracle of this bread. Students are encouraged to help serve Vasilopita and Presbytera will share the history of the feast during the fellowship time. This will remind and help us appreciate the miracle of the bread that much more.
The Fascinating History of the Greek Orthodox Community of Bangor, Maine Thanks to our Pat C., of the Greek Reporter, for sharing this great article which recently appeared on-line: https://usa.greekreporter.com/2020/01/03/the-fascinating-history-of-the-greek-orthodox-community-of-bangor-maine/

TODAY IS SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE SUNDAY across our nation. In the USA, the third Sunday of January is known as Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. It is a day that Christians and all those with a God prompted conscience are reminded of the necessity to remember and champion the unborn.
What is the Christian teaching about the unborn? From one of the most ancient documents of the Church, The Didache, the Teaching of the 12 Apostles, “The second commandment of the teaching: You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not seduce boys. You shall not commit fornication. You shall not steal. You shall not practice magic. You shall not use potions. You shall not procure [an] abortion, nor destroy a newborn child,” (Didache 2:1-2 [A.D. 70]). http://otftd.blogspot.com/2012/12/commemorating-14000-holy-innocents.html
Does the Orthodox Church care about the unborn and women with crisis pregnancies? Yes, we do! All are called to pray and tangibly support, according to God’s leading within, the ministries which give direct assistance to women and their unborn babes. Visit here to learn about a beautiful, effective, Orthodox Christian ministry in the Chicago area, the Martha and Mary Maternity House: https://www.marthamarychicago.org/ Good news! You needn’t live in Chicago to undergird this work. On their site they have a Get Involved page which lists many options to actively help this Orthodox Christian ministry. It consistently makes a difference in the lives of vulnerable women and their babies. Please consider supporting them.

BE SEEN AND BE COUNTED Orthodox Christians Walking Together at the March for Life in Washington, DC, Friday, January 24: https://www.oclife.org/events

ZOE FOR LIFE is yet another Orthodox Christian pro-life organization that practically ministers to women with crisis pregnancies and their babes. They are located in Ohio and Michigan, currently. If you shop on Amazon, you can set up an Amazon smile account to support their ministries with your purchases. See https://zoeforlife.org/

THE ONES WHO HAVE LEFT US ARE STILL COUNTED Since the passage of Roe Vs Wade in 1973, they United States, alone, has lost nearly 62 million people through abortion. It’s sobering and should be. One can follow the statistics by visiting http://www.numberofabortions.com/

Mary and Elizabeth

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Apostoliki Diakonia
Diptixa 2020 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. 

ROUTINE SERVICE TIMES AT ST. GEORGE 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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Icons of St. George Church

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Telephone Caregiver Support Group for Orthodox Christians

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Saints and Feasts

Lepers
January 19

12th Sunday of Luke

January 19

Macarius the Great of Egypt

Saint Macarius the Great was from the Thebaid of Egypt, a disciple, as some say, of Saint Anthony the Great. He was born about 331 and struggled in asceticism in the desert at Scete. Although young, he was called "the child elder" because of his great wisdom and austere manner of life. He was ordained presbyter and reposed in 391, at the age of sixty. There are fifty homilies ascribed to him.

It is said of Saint Macarius that he became as a God upon earth, for even as God protects the whole world, so did he cover the faults he saw as if he did not see them. Once he came back to his cell to find a thief taking his things and loading them on a camel. Macarius' non-possessiveness was so great that he helped the thief load the camel. When the camel refused to rise, Macarius returned to his cell and brought a small hoe, said that the camel wanted the hoe also, loaded it on, and kicked the camel telling it to get up. The camel obeyed Macarius' command, but soon lay down again, and would not move until everything had been returned to Macarius. His contemporary, Saint Macarius of Alexandria, was so called because he came from Alexandria and was therefore of that Greek-speaking colony; while Saint Macarius the Great is also called "of Egypt," that is, he belonged to the ancient race native to Egypt, the Copts.

Markephesus2
January 19

Mark, Bishop of Ephesus

The great teacher and invincible defender of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, Saint Mark, was the offspring and scion of the imperial city, Constantinople. Reared by most pious parents, and instructed in secular and spiritual wisdom, he became preeminent in both. Saint Mark lived as an ascetic on the Prince's Islands and later in the monastery of Saint George Magana in Constantinople. He passed through all the degrees of the priesthood, and was finally advanced to the dignity of Archbishop and the lofty throne of the Metropolis of Ephesus. At the insistence of Emperor John Paleologos, the Saint was sent to the council of the Latins in Florence, to unite the churches that had been divided for so many years. He astounded the papal teachers with the divine wisdom of his words, and was the only one who did not sign the blasphemous decree of that false council. Because of this, the Holy Church of Christ has ever honored this great man as a benefactor, teacher, sole defender, and invincible champion of the Apostolic Confession. He reposed in 1443.

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Sixth Tone

Angelic powers appeared at Your tomb, and those guarding it became like dead, and at Your grave Mary was standing, seeking Your most pure body. You plundered Hades, not being tempted by it; You encountered the virgin, granting life. O Lord, who rose from the dead, glory to You!
Ἀγγελικαὶ Δυνάμεις ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμά σου, καὶ οἱ φυλάσσοντες ἀπενεκρώθησαν, καὶ ἵστατο Μαρία ἐν τῷ τάφῳ, ζητοῦσα τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα. Ἐσκύλευσας τὸν ᾍδην, μὴ πειρασθεὶς ὑπ' αὐτοῦ, ὑπήντησας τῇ Παρθένῳ, δωρούμενος τὴν ζωήν, ὁ ἀναστὰς ἐκ των νεκρῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.

Apolytikion for Macarius the Great of Egypt in the First Tone

Thou didst prove to be a citizen of the desert, an angel in the flesh, and a wonderworker, O Macarius, our God-bearing Father. By fasting, vigil, and prayer thou didst obtain heavenly gifts, and thou healest the sick and the souls of them that have recourse to thee with faith. Glory to Him that hath given thee strength. Glory to Him that hath crowned thee. Glory to Him that worketh healings for all through thee.
Τής ερήμου πολίτης, καί εν σώματι Άγγελος, καί θαυματουργός ανεδείχθης, θεοφόρε Πατήρ ημών Μακάριε, νηστεία, αγρυπνία, προσευχή, ουράνια χαρίσματα λαβών, θεραπεύεις τούς νοσούντας, καί τάς ψυχάς τών πίστει προστρεχόντων σοι, Δόξα τώ δεδωκότι σοι ισχύν, δόξα τώ σέ στεφανώσαντι, δόξα τώ ενεργούντι διά σού πάσιν ιάματα.

APOLYTIKION FOR ST. GEORGE in the Fourth 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 First Tone

Your birth sanctified a Virgin's womb and properly blessed the hands of Symeon. Having now come and saved us O Christ our God, give peace to Your commonwealth in troubled times and strengthen those in authority, whom You love, as only the loving One.
Ὁ μήτραν παρθενικὴν ἁγιάσας τῶ τόκω σου, καὶ χείρας τοῦ Συμεὼν εὐλογήσας ὡς ἔπρεπε, προφθάσας καὶ νὺν ἔσωσας ἡμᾶς Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός. Ἀλλ' εἰρήνευσον ἐν πολέμοις τὸ πολίτευμα, καὶ κραταίωσον Βασιλεῖς οὓς ἠγάπησας, ὁ μόνος φιλάνθρωπος.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Προκείμενον. Sixth Tone. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 27.9,1.
Σῶσον, Κύριε τὸν λαὸν σου καὶ εὐλόγησον τὴν κληρονομίαν σου.
Στίχ. Πρὸς σἐ, Κύριε, κεκράξομαι ὁ Θεός μου.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Κολοσσαεῖς 3:4-11.

Ἀδελφοί, ὅταν ὁ Χριστὸς φανερωθῇ, ἡ ζωὴ ἡμῶν, τότε καὶ ὑμεῖς σὺν αὐτῷ φανερωθήσεσθε ἐν δόξῃ. Νεκρώσατε οὖν τὰ μέλη ὑμῶν τὰ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, πορνείαν, ἀκαθαρσίαν, πάθος, ἐπιθυμίαν κακήν, καὶ τὴν πλεονεξίαν, ἥτις ἐστὶν εἰδωλολατρεία, διʼ ἃ ἔρχεται ἡ ὀργὴ τοῦ θεοῦ ἐπὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς τῆς ἀπειθείας· Ἐν οἷς καὶ ὑμεῖς περιεπατήσατέ ποτε, ὅτε ἐζῆτε ἐν αὐτοῖς. Νυνὶ δὲ ἀπόθεσθε καὶ ὑμεῖς τὰ πάντα, ὀργήν, θυμόν, κακίαν, βλασφημίαν, αἰσχρολογίαν ἐκ τοῦ στόματος ὑμῶν· μὴ ψεύδεσθε εἰς ἀλλήλους, ἀπεκδυσάμενοι τὸν παλαιὸν ἄνθρωπον σὺν ταῖς πράξεσιν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐνδυσάμενοι τὸν νέον, τὸν ἀνακαινούμενον εἰς ἐπίγνωσιν κατʼ εἰκόνα τοῦ κτίσαντος αὐτόν· ὅπου οὐκ ἔνι Ἕλλην καὶ Ἰουδαῖος, περιτομὴ καὶ ἀκροβυστία, βάρβαρος, Σκύθης, δοῦλος, ἐλεύθερος· ἀλλὰ τὰ πάντα καὶ ἐν πᾶσιν Χριστός.

Prokeimenon. Sixth Tone. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians 3:4-11.

Brethren, when Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all.

Gospel Reading

12th Sunday of Luke
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 17:12-19

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, εἰσερχομένου αὐτοῦ εἴς τινα κώμην ἀπήντησαν αὐτῷ δέκα λεπροὶ ἄνδρες, οἳ ἔστησαν πόρρωθεν, καὶ αὐτοὶ ἦραν φωνὴν λέγοντες· ᾿Ιησοῦ ἐπιστάτα, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς. καὶ ἰδὼν εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· πορευθέντες ἐπιδείξατε ἑαυτοὺς τοῖς ἱερεῦσι. καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ ὑπάγειν αὐτοὺς ἐκαθαρίσθησαν. εἷς δὲ ἐξ αὐτῶν, ἰδὼν ὅτι ἰάθη, ὑπέστρεψε μετὰ φωνῆς μεγάλης δοξάζων τὸν Θεόν, καὶ ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον παρὰ τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ εὐχαριστῶν αὐτῷ· καὶ αὐτὸς ἦν Σαμαρείτης. ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν· οὐχὶ οἱ δέκα ἐκαθαρίσθησαν; οἱ δὲ ἐννέα ποῦ; οὐχ εὑρέθησαν ὑποστρέψαντες δοῦναι δόξαν τῷ Θεῷ εἰ μὴ ὁ ἀλλογενὴς οὗτος; καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ἀναστὰς πορεύου· ἡ πίστις σου σέσωκέ σε.

12th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 17:12-19

At that time, as Jesus entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices and said: "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." When he saw them he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus's feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then said Jesus: "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" And he said to him: "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."

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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America 2019 Yearbook Now Available Online

01/09/2019

Yearbook 2019
https://www.goarch.org/-/greek-orthodox-archdiocese-of-america-2019-yearbook-now-available-online

Archdiocese Unveils New Youth Safety Videos & Resources

07/10/2019

NEW YORK – The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is announcing a new ten-episode video series introducing the faithful to the new Policies for the Safety of Children and Youth. These new resources also include step-by-step checklists designed to help parishioners and communities follow the new guidelines.
https://www.goarch.org/-/archdiocese-unveils-new-youth-safety-videos-resources

Policies for the Safety of Children and Youth are Being Implemented Throughout the Archdiocese and in Every Metropolis

09/05/2019

The implementation and enforcement of the Policies for the Safety of Children and Youth take another step forward towards the goal of ensuring that every ministry and event is physically, emotionally, and spiritually safe and healthy for the children of all Greek Orthodox Churches in America.
https://www.goarch.org/-/2019-09-05-policies-for-the-safety-of-children-and-youth

Archbishop Attends State Department Reception

01/09/2020

WASHINGTON – His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America attended tonight a State Department reception in honor of the Prime Minister of Greece, His Excellency Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
https://www.goarch.org/-/archbishop-attends-state-department-reception

Parathosi 2020 Dance Festival Celebrating Hellenic Culture and Heritage

01/08/2020

The 8th annual celebration of Hellenic Heritage & Dance, PARATHOSI 2020, of the Direct Archdiocesan District of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, will take place on Saturday January 11th, 2020 at the Long Island Marriott in Uniondale, NY.
https://www.goarch.org/-/parathosi-2020-dance-festival

Gov. Cuomo and Archbishop Elpidophoros Announce Construction to resume on St Nicholas

01/02/2020

NEW YORK – Earlier today, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo officially welcomed Archbishop Elpidophoros of America to New York and announced plans to resume the rebuilding of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center. This was the Governor's first meeting with His Eminence since the Archbishop was elected by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as Archbishop of America to succeed Archbishop Demetrios in May. The project will be driven by a new non-profit organization with an independent, 13-member board - the Friends of St. Nicholas. The new entity has been formed to ensure that the sacred space is completed as expeditiously as possible and can begin welcoming visitors from around the world. The Friends of St. Nicholas will aim to resume construction with a two-year target to complete the church
https://www.goarch.org/-/gov-cuomo-and-archbishop-elpidophoros-announce-construction-to-resume-on-st-nicholas

Feast of the Epiphany 2020 in Tarpon Springs

01/06/2020

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, presided for the first time since he became Archbishop last year, at the annual 114th celebration of Theophany (Epiphany), the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy, the Great Blessing Service of the Waters and the Dive for the Cross in Spring Bayou, while many thousands of pilgrims and visitors attended the festivities.
https://www.goarch.org/-/feast-of-epiphany-2020-in-tarpon-springs

Three Hierarchs and Greek Letters Celebrations

01/15/2020

NEW YORK – In commemoration of the Holy Three Hierarchs (Saint Basil the Great, Saint Gregory the Theologian, and Saint John Chrysostom), on January 30th, the Office of Education of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America organizes the following events to celebrate Greek Letters and Arts:
https://www.goarch.org/-/three-hierarchs-and-greek-letters-celebrations
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Metropolis of Boston News

New Publication of The Rev. Fr. George C. Papadimitriou

01/08/2020

http://boston.goarch.org/news/metropolis_news/2019/2069.html
On Tuesday, January 7, 2020 His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios welcomed Fr. George Papadimitriou to the Metropolis headquarters. Fr. George presented His Eminence with his latest publication "Orthodox Christian Views of Other Religions."

Archpastoral Visit to St. Vasilios the Great Parish in Peabody, MA

01/08/2020

http://boston.goarch.org/news/metropolis_news/2019/2068.html
On Wednesday, January 1st, 2020 His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios celebrated the Divine Liturgy for the feasts of the Circumcision of the Lord and St. Basil the Great at the St. Vasilios Paris in Peabody, MA.
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