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St. George Church
Publish Date: 2020-03-01
Bulletin Contents
Eden
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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

Geo

TODAY IS CHEESE-FARE SUNDAY This is the last day to consume cheese and dairy products before the arrival of Holy Pascha, which will be April 19. A rest from certain foods is good for both soul and body and helps us to engage in the necessary work of repentance during Great and Holy Lent. This has been the teaching of the Church from the early days. Let’s encourage one another in the spiritual journey to Pascha.

IT IS OUR GREAT PRIVILEGE AND HONOR to have his Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Boston with us today, accompanied by his archdeacon. They will be our guests at the meal following morning services. Eis polla eti, Despota!

His Eminence has requested each parish in the Boston Metropolis to offer a Paraklesis to Panagia immediately following the Divine Liturgy today. We will be praying specifically for Fr. Peter Rizos of St. George, Lowell, MA. Fr. Peter was involved in a vehicle accident last week and remains in critical condition. He is married to Presbytera Alexandra and they are parents and grandparents. Please keep them in your prayers. Fellowship hour will follow immediately after.

SUNDAY SCHOOL WILL NOT MEET TODAY

THIS EVENING IS FORGIVENESS VESPERS
Our entry into Great and Holy Lent will begin this evening with Forgiveness Vespers at 6PM. Please come for these prayers, at the end of which, we ask a general forgiveness of one another so we may enter the Lenten season on the right foot.

GREAT LENT BEGINS TOMORROW, MON. MAR. 2
Services This Week
Presanctified Liturgy Wednesday @ 6PM
First Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos Friday @ 7PM
(Yes, the evening services times are different)
Saturday of the Souls Orthros 9AM, Divine Liturgy 10AM, commemorations following. We will remember our departed Orthodox loved ones this Saturday, marking the miracle of St. Theodore and the koliva. This is the day to bring koliva to the church in memory of your Orthodox loved ones. Memory Eternal!

NEXT SUNDAY IS THE SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY
Be sure to bring a portable icon with you next Sunday morning as we honor the Restoration and Veneration of the Holy Icons as confirmed in the 7th Ecumenical Council.

IF FASTING SEEMS HARD FOR YOU For those who have health concerns and feel that a Lenten diet is too strict, we encourage you to look at the Nutritarian eating plan by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. This is an eating plan that allows a person to stay within the Lenten fasting food options and still maintain very good health and oftentimes recover lost health. Dr. Fuhrman’s plan is a healthy plant-based diet and it is not a fad diet. Lots of science backing up the success of this plan. Learn more here: https://hellonutritarian.com/nutritarian/ Dr. Fuhrman has written a number of books, among them The End of Diabetes and Fasting and Eating for Health. We are not advocating that this is a “must do,” rather it is something you can investigate on your own and possibly adopt during the Lenten season. In short, it is a resource for you.

THE BOOKSTORE – There are some worthy reads on the shelves of the bookstore for our Lenten journeys. Please take some time to review what is there. Prayer books will be back in stock as early as next Sunday. We also have some special Lenten/Paschal items coming in the pipeline. Be looking for new things within the next couple of weeks. Thank you for your continued support of the bookstore ministry!

LEE SPERONIS HONORED Needless to say, we are very proud of our Parish Council President who, at the 2020 Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Dinner, was awarded the Arthur Comstock Professional Service Award. https://www.facebook.com/SutherlandWestonInc/videos/

HOUSE BLESSINGS 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.

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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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Saints and Feasts

Eden
March 01

Forgiveness Sunday

The Holy Fathers have appointed the commemoration of Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight here, on the eve of the holy Forty-day Fast, demonstrating to us not by simple words, but by actual deeds, how beneficial fasting is for man, and how harmful and destructive are insatiety and the transgressing of the divine commandments. For the first commandment that God gave to man was that of fasting, which the first-fashioned received but did not keep; and not only did they not become gods, as they had imagined, but they lost even that blessed life which they had, and they fell into corruption and death, and transmitted these and innumerable other evils to all of mankind. The God-bearing Fathers set these things before us today, that by bringing to mind what we have fallen from, and what we have suffered because of the insatiety and disobedience of the first-fashioned, we might be diligent to return again to that ancient bliss and glory by means of fasting and obedience to all the divine commands. Taking occasion from today's Gospel (Matt. 6:14-21) to begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask forgiveness this day, first from God, then from one another and all creation.


Evdokia
March 01

The Holy Righteous Martyr Eudocia the Samaritan

This Saint, who was from Heliopolis of Phoenicia (Baalbek in present-day Lebanon), was an idolater and led a licentious life. Being beautiful beyond telling, she had many lovers, and had acquired great riches. Yet brought to repentance by a monk named Germanus, and baptized by Bishop Theodotus, she distributed to the poor all her ill-gotten gains, and entered a convent, giving herself up completely to the life of asceticism. Her former lovers, enraged at her conversion, her refusal to return to her old ways, and the withering away of her beauty through the severe mortifications she practiced, betrayed her as a Christian to Vincent the Governor, and she was beheaded, according to some, under Trajan, who reigned from 98 to 117, according to others, under Hadrian, who reigned from 117 to 138.


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone

The women disciples of the Lord, having learned from the Angel the joyous news of the Resurrection and having rejected the ancestral decision, then told the apostles elatedly: Death has been stripped of its power; Christ God has risen, granting to the world His great mercy.
Τὸ φαιδρὸν τῆς Ἀναστάσεως κήρυγμα, ἐκ τοῦ Ἀγγέλου μαθοῦσαι αἱ τοῦ Κυρίου Μαθήτριαι, καὶ τὴν προγονικὴν ἀπόφασιν ἀπορρίψασαι, τοῖς Ἀποστόλοις καυχώμεναι ἔλεγον· Ἐσκύλευται ὁ θάνατος, ἠγέρθη Χριστὸς ὁ Θεός, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

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 Sixth Tone

O Master, Prudence, Guide of Wisdom, Instruction to the foolish and Defender of the poor, strengthen my heart and grant it discernment. Give me words, Word of the Father, for behold, I shall not keep my lips from crying out to You, "O Merciful One, have mercy on me who has fallen."
Τῆς σοφίας ὁδηγέ, φρονήσεως χορηγέ, τῶν ἀφρόνων παιδευτά, καὶ πτωχῶν ὑπερασπιστά, στήριξον, συνέτισον τὴν καρδίαν μου Δέσποτα. Σὺ δίδου μοι λόγον, ὁ τοῦ Πατρός Λόγος· ἰδοὺ γὰρ τὰ χείλη μου, οὐ μὴ κωλύσω ἐν τῷ κράζειν σοι· Ἐλεῆμον, ἐλέησόν με τὸν παραπεσόντα.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Προκείμενον. Eighth Tone. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 75.11,1.
Εὔξασθε καὶ ἀπόδοτε Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν.
Στίχ. Γνωστὸς ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ ὁ Θεός, ἐν τῷ Ἰσραὴλ μέγα τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς ῾Ρωμαίους 13:11-14, 14:1-4.

Ἀδελφοί, νῦν ἐγγύτερον ἡμῶν ἡ σωτηρία ἢ ὅτε ἐπιστεύσαμεν. Ἡ νὺξ προέκοψεν, ἡ δὲ ἡμέρα ἤγγικεν· ἀποθώμεθα οὖν τὰ ἔργα τοῦ σκότους, καί ἐνδυσώμεθα τὰ ὅπλα τοῦ φωτός. Ὡς ἐν ἡμέρᾳ, εὐσχημόνως περιπατήσωμεν, μὴ κώμοις καὶ μέθαις, μὴ κοίταις καὶ ἀσελγείαις, μὴ ἔριδι καὶ ζήλῳ. Ἀλλʼ ἐνδύσασθε τὸν κύριον Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν, καὶ τῆς σαρκὸς πρόνοιαν μὴ ποιεῖσθε, εἰς ἐπιθυμίας. Τὸν δὲ ἀσθενοῦντα τῇ πίστει προσλαμβάνεσθε, μὴ εἰς διακρίσεις διαλογισμῶν. Ὃς μὲν πιστεύει φαγεῖν πάντα, ὁ δὲ ἀσθενῶν λάχανα ἐσθίει. Ὁ ἐσθίων τὸν μὴ ἐσθίοντα μὴ ἐξουθενείτω, καὶ ὁ μὴ ἐσθίων τὸν ἐσθίοντα μὴ κρινέτω· ὁ θεὸς γὰρ αὐτὸν προσελάβετο. Σὺ τίς εἶ ὁ κρίνων ἀλλότριον οἰκέτην; Τῷ ἰδίῳ κυρίῳ στήκει ἢ πίπτει. Σταθήσεται δέ· δυνατὸς γάρ ἐστιν ὁ θεὸς στῆσαι αὐτόν.

Prokeimenon. Eighth Tone. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4.

Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand.


Gospel Reading

Forgiveness Sunday
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 6:14-21

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· ᾿Εὰν γὰρ ἀφῆτε τοῖς ἀνθρώποις τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν, ἀφήσει καὶ ὑμῖν ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ὁ οὐράνιος· ἐὰν δὲ μὴ ἀφῆτε τοῖς ἀνθρώποις τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν, οὐδὲ ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ἀφήσει τὰ παραπτώματα ὑμῶν. ῞Οταν δὲ νηστεύητε, μὴ γίνεσθε ὥσπερ οἱ ὑποκριταὶ σκυθρωποί· ἀφανίζουσι γὰρ τὰ πρόσωπα αὐτῶν ὅπως φανῶσι τοῖς ἀνθρώποις νηστεύοντες· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ἀπέχουσι τὸν μισθὸν αὐτῶν. σὺ δὲ νηστεύων ἄλειψαί σου τὴν κεφαλὴν καὶ τὸ πρόσωπόν σου νίψαι,ὅπως μὴ φανῇς τοῖς ἀνθρώποις νηστεύων, ἀλλὰ τῷ πατρί σου τῷ ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ, καὶ ὁ πατήρ σου ὁ βλέπων ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ ἀποδώσει σοι ἐν τῷ φανερῷ. Μὴ θησαυρίζετε ὑμῖν θησαυροὺς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ὅπου σὴς καὶ βρῶσις ἀφανίζει, καὶ ὅπου κλέπται διορύσσουσι καὶ κλέπτουσι· θησαυρίζετε δὲ ὑμῖν θησαυροὺς ἐν οὐρανῷ, ὅπου οὔτε σὴς οὔτε βρῶσις ἀφανίζει, καὶ ὅπου κλέπται οὐ διορύσσουσιν οὐδὲ κλέπτουσιν· ὅπου γάρ ἐστιν ὁ θησαυρὸς ὑμῶν, ἐκεῖ ἔσται καὶ ἡ καρδία ὑμῶν.

Forgiveness Sunday
The Reading is from Matthew 6:14-21

The Lord said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

"And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."


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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

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.

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.

Phidippides Award Bestowed to Archbishop Elpidophoros

02/07/2020

NEW YORK – The 24th Phidippides Award was bestowed last night to His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America for his passionate advocacy of Hellenism and Orthodoxy during the 33rd Anniversary Gala Dinner of the Hellenic Public Radio COSMOS FM 91.5. The event was held at Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadows, NY.

Archbishop Elpidophoros Creates Five Archdiocesan Regions and Appoints Vicars

02/06/2020

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America announces the decision of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, after much consideration and in collaboration with His Eminences’ advisors, to create the following Archdiocesan Regions.

Archiepiscopal Encyclical for the Feast of St. Photios and the Saint Photios National Shrine (02/06/2020)

02/06/2020

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, As we celebrate Saint Photios the Great, Patriarch of Constantinople, throughout our Archdiocese, we also remember our first National Shrine, named in his honor. The Saint Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine, founded by Archbishop Iakovos of blessed memory, commemorates the first known Greeks who came to America in the 18th century, long before their distant cousins would begin arriving nearly one hundred years later.

Responding to the Crisis of Homelessness in the New York Metro Area

02/05/2020

NEW YORK – On February 12, 2020 at 7:00 p.m., the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America will be hosting an event focused on homelessness at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity (337 E 74th St, New York, NY 10021). The event will feature a panel, including His Grace Bishop ...

Archbishop Elpidophoros Meets Catholic University of America Officials

02/04/2020


Encyclical of Archbishop Elpidophoros for Holy and Great Lent 2020

02/26/2020

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Today we commence our journey of the Great Lent that leads us inexorably to the Holy Passion of the Lord and the Pascha of unending joy. It is a time of determination and concentration, one in which we are encouraged to abstain from certain foods and drink, to practice more active charity and philanthropy, and to look within at the values and principles by which we live our lives.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Give Commencement Address at Notre Dame

02/25/2020

NEW YORK – His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America expressed his delight and pride that His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will give the University of Notre Dame’s 175th commencement address on May 17, 2020, at the conclusion of his Apostolic Visit to the United States.
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Metropolis of Boston News

Sermon for the Feast of Saint Athansios the Great - The Rev. Demetrios Mott

01/22/2020

This evening we gather to celebrate the memory of a saint and hierarch of our church who was and remains a blazing lamp of Orthodoxy- Saint Athanasios the Great. From a young age, he had a remarkable theological understanding and an exceptional knowledge of sacred Scriptures. He attended the First Ecumenical Council of Nicea in 325 as a deacon, accompanying the Patriarch of Alexandria, Alexander. The following year, before his death, Patriarch Alexander appointed Athanasios His successor.

Let Us Be Attentive: Reflections on the Sunday and Feastday Scripture Readings of the Orthodox Church

01/21/2020

In the book of 162 reflections on the Scripture passages of each Sunday, Feastday and Holy Week, Rev. Fr. Stavros N. Akrotirianakis, writes in "common language" that the regular church-goer will understand.

His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios Visits the St. John Parish in Boston, MA

01/24/2020

On Sunday, January 12, 2020, His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Saint John Parish in the South End of Boston together with the Chancellor of the Metropolis and pastor of the community Fr. Ted Barbas and Archdeacon Dionysios Papiris. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy His Eminence offered the affirmation of office for the members of the parish council. 

Archpastoral Visit to Saint Vasilios the Great Parish in Newport, NH

01/24/2020

On Sunday, December 29 th , 2019 His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios, accompanied by seminarian Jesse Kroger, made an Archpastoral visit to Saint Vasilios Parish in Newport, New Hampshire.

Εορτή των Ελληνικών Γραμμάτων 2020 - Ιερά Μητρόπολις Βοστώνης

01/27/2020

Την Κυριακή, 26η Ιανουαρίου 2020 επ’ ευκαιρία της εορτής των Τριών Ιεραρχών ο Σύνδεσμος Ελλήνων Εκπαιδευτικών της Ιεράς Μητροπόλεως Βοστώνης, παρουσίασε την ετήσια εορτή των Γραμμάτων.

Archpastoral Visit to St. Gregory the Theologian in Mansfield, MA

01/27/2020

On Sunday January 26, 2020 His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios visited the St. Gregory Parish in Mansfield, MA on the occasion of their feast day.

2020 Triodion and Lenten Resource Guides

02/26/2020

The Triodion marks the beginning of a time of preparation for the spiritual journey of Great and Holy Lent, a time for Orthodox Christians to draw closer to God through worship, prayer, fasting, and acts of charity. The Triodion is the liturgical book that contains the services from this Sunday, the tenth before Pascha (Easter), to Great and Holy Saturday.

Catechetical Homily at the opening of Holy and Great Lent 2020 ✠ His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

02/26/2020

We offer hymns of thanks to the God of love as once again we enter Holy and Great Lent, the arena of ascetic struggle, fasting and abstinence, of vigilance and spiritual awareness, of guarding our senses and prayer, of humility and self-knowledge. We are commencing a new and blessed pilgrimage toward Holy Pascha, which has “opened for us the gates of paradise.” In Church and as Church, as we behold the Risen Lord of glory, we all journey together along the way of deification by grace that leads to the heavenly goods “prepared by God for those who love Him” (1 Cor. 2:9).

Metropolis of Boston Camp GOYA Winter Camp 2020 - A Great Success!

02/26/2020

From Friday, February 14 – Monday, February 17, 2020 the Metropolis of Boston Camp held its annual GOYA Winter Camp. The over 200 campers and staff were able to have a weekend retreat surrounded by the picturesque winter landscape on New Hampshire.
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