St. George Church
Publish Date: 2024-04-07
Bulletin Contents
St. George Church
General Information
- Phone:
- (207) 945-9588
- Email:
- church@mestgeorge.net
- 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
- Publish Date:
- 2024-03-31
- Publish Date:
- 2024-03-24
- Publish Date:
- 2024-03-17
- Publish Date:
- 2024-03-10
- Publish Date:
- 2024-03-03
- Publish Date:
- 2024-02-25
News, Events and Announcements
VENERATION OF THE HOLY CROSS The explanation of this beautiful, holy feast is available in the Saints and Feasts section of this bulletin. At the conclusion of this morning's Orthros service (10AM), please come forward to venerate the Cross and be refreshed in Spirit. Receive fresh basil and flowers at that time to take home with you. Good strength to all!
SERVICES THIS WEEK There will be a Pre-Sanctified Divine Liturgy this Wednesday evening beginning at 6PM. The fourth Salutations service to the Most Holy Theotokos will be prayed this Friday, April 12, at 7PM.
WEEKLY SERVICES AT ST. GEORGE DURING GREAT LENT Pre-sanctified Divine Liturgy every Wednesday evening at 6PM, please fast from noon to receive Holy Communion. Friday evening Salutations service to the Mother of God, 7PM, on 4/12. Full Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos, at 7PM on Friday evening, 4/19.
SUNDAY SCHOOL IS IN SESSION Every Sunday right after Holy Communion, Mrs. Bucklin teaches a letter of the Greek alphabet and the life of a corresponding Saint. We are so grateful for her faithful ministry! This class is suitable for ages 6-12 although youngers are welcome, too! Class meets in the fellowship hall--snacks are provided.
PRAYER REQUESTS Please lift up prayer for parishioners, their loved ones and friends: Pat Egan is to undergo surgery on her left eye on Monday, the 22nd. She asks everyone's prayers for a very good result! We all know how precious our eyesight is. Kindly keep Jaye Goulet in your prayers who is recovering from a stroke. She was taken off a ventilator recently but finds it hard to communicate and is a bit disconcerted. Please pray for peace to come upon Jaye, that no fear nor confusion ensue as she tries to rest. Sleeping has been difficult in recent days. Pray that she sense the love of God envelop her and many prayers of family and friends. Her family is very grateful for all the prayers being offered on her behalf. Seraphima (Maria Flanzala's daughter) is recovering from a stroke at home under the care of her loved ones. She's improving nicely! Sasha's father, Dimitri, recently suffered a fall resulting in a broken hip, requiring surgery. He's recovering at home now. He's also undergoing treatment for cancer--radiation therapy to be augmented with chemo soon. Please keep him and all the family in your prayers. God grant him both strength and grace to recover. Pres. Candace suffered a distal radius fracture to her left wrist on March 16. She's recovering at home. Your prayers are appreciated for a quick recovery as she is mostly sidelined at this point. Thank you!
A LENTEN OFFERING -- AN ORTHODOX FAMILY (SINGLE PARENT) NEEDS HELP Fr. Leo and Pres. know an Orthodox family being cared for by a single mother. She has three young ones and is caring for them the best she can but there are some ways they could really use extra support. Members for a dedicated prayer support group as a form of extra spiritual shelter would be appreciated for this family. On a material point, the family vehicle recently stopped working and needs to be replaced. The mother is a hard worker and responsible, she's simply fallen into unexpected hardship and is coping as best she can. If you are willing and can assist, please let Fr. or Pres. know. Thank you.
MEMORY ETERNAL! Jon P. Predaris, 79, passed away on March 22, 2024 in Massachusetts. Jon was the son of former parishioner Georgia Paul and the brother of George Predaris. Jon grew up in Bangor and was active in the Church until graduation from college and moving to Massachusetts. God grant His servant, Jon, eternal memory!
BLESSINGS TO ALL OUR PSALM READING GROUP MEMBERS Individually, our readers completed a full reading of the Book of Psalms as of yesterday (Saturday). We will do this one more time, concluding on Friday, April 26. God bless all our readers making this offering this season!
ASK MONA & ANTHONY how great God is!
A BEST GADGET FOR THE LENTEN SEASON Organic tofu (extra firm) is a great source of protein during the fast. One good way to enjoy it is to press out its moisture, slice or cube it, dust with cornstarch and fry it (coconut oil works well) to add to rice dishes or to serve with a sauce. It's quite tasty and gluten free. The question is--how to drain tofu's moisture adequately? A worthy gadget known as Tofubud will remove the excess moisture within a relatively short time with little hassle. You'll be amazed at how easy this is and how versatile tofu can be during the fasting season. You can also drain blocks of frozen spinach using the Tofubud when making spanakopita. It's one of the best systems for the price on the market at this time. Find it here: https://tofubud.com/
VEGAN MEAT BALLS Tasty and versatile! https://gatherednutrition.com/easy-vegan-gluten-free-meatballs/.
HERE'S A RESOURCE FOR THE SEASON Stay on track during the weeks of this sacred season with "Our Journey to Pascha," https://www.bulletinbuilder.org/system/pdfs/journey-to-pascha-2024-0.pdf?1706130893
PLEASE HELP ST. GEORGE RAISE A BIT OF EXTRA INCOME by turning in bottles and cans for redemption at Damon's Beverage and Redemption Center at 700 Hogan Road in Bangor. Last year St. George received just shy of $400 for the year by this redemption method--every little bit helps. Thank you!
FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE - Donations can be made online.
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 Ἑβραίους 4:14-16, 5:1-6.
Ἀδελφοί, ἔχοντες οὖν ἀρχιερέα μέγαν, διεληλυθότα τοὺς οὐρανούς, Ἰησοῦν τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ θεοῦ, κρατῶμεν τῆς ὁμολογίας. Οὐ γὰρ ἔχομεν ἀρχιερέα μὴ δυνάμενον συμπαθῆσαι ταῖς ἀσθενείαις ἡμῶν, πεπειραμένον δὲ κατὰ πάντα καθʼ ὁμοιότητα, χωρὶς ἁμαρτίας. Προσερχώμεθα οὖν μετὰ παρρησίας τῷ θρόνῳ τῆς χάριτος, ἵνα λάβωμεν ἔλεον, καὶ χάριν εὕρωμεν εἰς εὔκαιρον βοήθειαν. Πᾶς γὰρ ἀρχιερεύς, ἐξ ἀνθρώπων λαμβανόμενος, ὑπὲρ ἀνθρώπων καθίσταται τὰ πρὸς τὸν θεόν, ἵνα προσφέρῃ δῶρά τε καὶ θυσίας ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν· μετριοπαθεῖν δυνάμενος τοῖς ἀγνοοῦσιν καὶ πλανωμένοις, ἐπεὶ καὶ αὐτὸς περίκειται ἀσθένειαν· καὶ διὰ ταύτην ὀφείλει, καθὼς περὶ τοῦ λαοῦ, οὕτως καὶ περὶ ἑαυτοῦ, προσφέρειν ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν. Καὶ οὐχ ἑαυτῷ τις λαμβάνει τὴν τιμήν, ἀλλὰ καλούμενος ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ, καθάπερ καὶ Ἀαρών. Οὕτως καὶ ὁ Χριστὸς οὐχ ἑαυτὸν ἐδόξασεν γενηθῆναι ἀρχιερέα, ἀλλʼ ὁ λαλήσας πρὸς αὐτόν, Υἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε. Καθὼς καὶ ἐν ἑτέρῳ λέγει, Σὺ ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδέκ.
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 Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6.
BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek."
Gospel Reading
Sunday of the Holy Cross
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 8:34-38, 9:1
Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· Εἴ τις θέλει ὀπίσω μου ἐλθεῖν, ἀπαρνησάσθω ἑαυτὸν καὶ ἀράτω τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀκολουθείτω μοι. ὃς γὰρ ἂν θέλῃ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ σῶσαι, ἀπολέσει αὐτήν· ὃς δ᾿ ἂν ἀπολέσῃ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχὴν ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ καὶ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, οὗτος σώσει αὐτήν. τί γὰρ ὠφελήσει ἄνθρωπον ἐὰν κερδήσῃ τὸν κόσμον ὅλον, καὶ ζημιωθῇ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ; ἢ τί δώσει ἄνθρωπος ἀντάλλαγμα τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ; ὃς γὰρ ἐὰν ἐπαισχυνθῇ με καὶ τοὺς ἐμοὺς λόγους ἐν τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ μοιχαλίδι καὶ ἁμαρτωλῷ, καὶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐπαισχυνθήσεται αὐτὸν ὅταν ἔλθῃ ἐν τῇ δόξῃ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ μετὰ τῶν ἀγγέλων τῶν ἁγίων. Καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι εἰσί τινες τῶν ὧδε ἑστηκότων, οἵτινες οὐ μὴ γεύσωνται θανάτου ἕως ἂν ἴδωσι τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐληλυθυῖαν ἐν δυνάμει.
Sunday of the Holy Cross
The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1
The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."
Saints and Feasts
April 07
Sunday of the Holy Cross
With the help of God, we have almost reached the middle of the course of the Fast, where our strength has been worn down through abstinence, and the full difficulty of the labour set before us becomes apparent. Therefore our holy Mother, the Church of Christ, now brings to our help the all-holy Cross, the joy of the world, the strength of the faithful, the staff of the just, and the hope of sinners, so that by venerating it reverently, we might receive strength and grace to complete the divine struggle of the Fast.
April 07
Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and Enlightener of North America
Born in 1865 in the region of Pskov, our Father among the Saints Tikhon was tonsured a monk in 1891 and ordained to the priesthood in the same year. In 1897 he was consecrated Bishop of Lublin, and a year later appointed Bishop of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, with his see extending to all of North America from 1900 onwards. He did much to unite the Orthodox Christians of a great many ethnic backgrounds in North America, so that there was indeed one flock under one shepherd. In 1907 he was made Archbishop of Yaroslavl and Rostov, and in 1913, Archbishop of Lithuania.
In 1917, when he was Metropolitan of Moscow, he was elected to be the first Patriarch of Russia in over 200 years, in times that could not have been more difficult. After the Revolution of 1917, the persecution of the Russian Church by the atheist government grew more bold and more fierce with every year. By nature a meek and peace-loving man, Tikhon sought to determine, while giving only to God that which is God's, what could be given to Caesar to preserve peace and avoid the shedding of blood. At his departure on the feast of the Annunciation in 1925, Saint Tikhon made the sign of the Cross thrice, pronouncing the words, "Glory to Thee, O God!" Because of the many unspeakable sufferings he endures as Patriarch, he is honoured as a Confessor.
Note: St. Tikhon's repose was on the Feast of the Annunciation according to the Old Calendar (March 25), but on the New Calendar his repose falls on April 7.
April 07
Kalliopios the Martyr, Roufinos the Deacon and Akylina the Martyr in Sinope
The holy Martyr Calliopius was from Perga in Pamphylia, brought up in piety by his godly mother Theocleia. When the persecution of Maximian broke out, Saint Calliopius presented himself of his own accord before the Governor Maximus in Pompeiopolis of Galatia. After he had suffered many torments, his mother visited him in prison and encouraged him in his martyrdom. After this, his thrice-blessed mother, upon learning that he was to be crucified on Holy and Great Thursday, bribed the tyrants to defer it one day, that he might imitate the Lord's Crucifixion on the same day that He suffered it. The holy Martyr Calliopius received the crown of martyrdom on Holy and Great Friday in the year 304, being crucified upside down.
Hymns of the Day
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Tone
Let the heavens rejoice; let the earth be glad, for the Lord has shown the mighty power of His arm. He trampled down death by death and became the firstborn of the dead. From the depths of Hades, He delivered us and granted to the world great 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 Sun. of the Holy Cross in the First Tone
Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth.
Σώσον Κύριε τόν λαόν σου καί ευλόγησον τήν κληρονομίαν σου, νίκας τοίς Βασιλεύσι κατά βαρβάρων δωρούμενος καί τό σόν φυλάττων διά τού Σταυρού σου πολίτευμα.
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 Eighth Tone
To you, defender and commander in a time of war, I, your City, offer gratitude for victory, for you rescued me from suff'rings, O Theotokos. Since the power you possess is unassailable, from all dangers I entreat you to deliver me, that I may cry to you: Rejoice, O unwedded Bride.
Τὴ ὑπερμάχω στρατηγῶ τὰ νικητήρια, ὡς λυτρωθεῖσα τῶν δεινῶν εὐχαριστήρια, ἀναγράφω σοὶ ἡ Πόλις σου Θεοτόκε, Ἀλλ' ὡς ἔχουσα τὸ κράτος ἀπροσμάχητον, ἐκ παντοίων μὲ κινδύνων ἐλευθέρωσον, ἵνα κράζω σοί, Χαῖρε νύμφη ἀνύμφευτε.