Dear St. George Family,
Please know we are here for you during this uncertain time in our nation. Feel free to contact me or Presbytera to share any needs or prayer requests you might have while we are unable to meet at the church. Here is how to reach us (as a quick reminder)
Fr. Leo 207 385 3000 57frleo@gmail.com
Pres. 207 949 2913 doxa141@gmail.com
If you want to take communion, we can arrange to meet at the church on an individual basis. It may be better that I not come to your home, so that we don’t introduce “all that I have” to your house.
I encourage you all to pray at home. Tonight (Friday, March 20), you can read the third stanza of the Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos (download from here) http://www.stgeorge.me.goarch.org/Daily/AKATHIST_HYMN_eg.doc. Please ask for this text if you would like to have it. We can pray together (while yet apart) if we all start reading at 7PM. This will be our offering this evening since we cannot conduct services at this time.
We can also pray the Paraklesis to St. George at 7PM, Saturday evening. http://stgeorge.me.goarch.org/Daily/ParaklesisGeorge.html
On Sunday morning, we can read the Orthros and also the Typica (http://www.stgeorge.me.goarch.org/Daily/Sun.html) at home, beginning at 9AM. Again we can offer this together, while we are yet apart. Some might prefer to watch the church broadcasts suggested by the Archdiocese: https://www.goarch.org/live-broadcasts. If these churches are not able to broadcast at some point, we will still be able to offer prayers at home. Remember that prayer is both a protection and a weapon—a weapon against sin and evil. In a very real way we are soldiers in God’s army. We have the imagery in the Epistle to the Ephesians, chapter 6, verse 11 and following.
While we are not able to assemble physically, let us consider strongly assembling at home at common times with mutual spiritual goals. This is not a requirement, but a suggestion and a help for our spiritual community. Please consider taking part as you feel led. We are going through an unprecedented time right now and this is an extraordinary suggestion to help ourselves and others spiritually through it. You are welcome to participate, but it is not required that you do so.
It is easy to give way to fear in times of uncertainty.
Let us not do that.
Let us pray for one another, for our nation, our leaders, and our world.
Our prayers matter.
GOD IS WITH US.
This Sunday is Cross Veneration Sunday – the midpoint of Great and Holy Lent. Honor the Holy Cross. If you can, adorn your Cross at home. Sing the troparion of the day, “Save O Lord, Thy People,” and remember our victory is in the Power of the Cross. Jesus Christ gave His life as a ransom to death that we might have life everlasting! The Cross is our glory and protection. It is our strength in times of weakness, our consolation when there is fear or sorrow.
If you want service texts, please let me know. If you have other needs or want to otherwise reach out, we are here for you.
I pray for all of you daily.
+Fr. Leo & Pres. Candace