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St. George Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2021-09-12
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Exaltation
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St. George Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (973) 779-2626
  • Fax:
  • (973) 777-6946
  • Street Address:

  • 818 Valley Road

  • Clifton, NJ 07013


Contact Information






Services Schedule

ORTHROS/MATINS 8:30AM

DIVINE LITURGY 9:30AM


Past Bulletins


Announcements

PROTOCOLS FOR OUR PARISH:

Parishioners will no longer have to pre-register to attend church services.  Attendance will be on a first come, first served basis. WE ENCOURAGE ALL OF OUR PARISHIONERS TO WEAR MASKS INDOORS. All unvaccinated parishioners must continue to wear protective masks indoors. The last two rows of pews in the church will be reserved as “Social Distance” seating with a mask requirement.

Website Links:  Visit the church's website at www.stgeorgeclifton.org for our online streaming links. To find the prayers for each service and to follow along, go to agesinitiatives.com 

To light a candle or make a donation follow this link https://st-george-greek-orthodox-churchand-the-shrine-of-st-nectarios.square.site/.

The mission of our beloved parish of St. George is to put into practice our Orthodox faith for our spiritual growth while creating fellowship and ministries for all the faithful. It should be our mission to spread the word of the Gospel and build harmony and lovewithin the community and be the example of our Orthodox faith for our youth.   

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America

Remarks at the September 11th Memorial and Lighting of the   

Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine

September 10, 2021

World Trade Center – New York, New York

https://www.goarch.org/-/saint-nicholas-shrine-lights 

 

WE WELCOME EVERYONE TO OUR COMMUNITY!

We are grateful that you have joined us for prayer and worship.  

Please join us after the Divine Services in our DOWNSTAIRS HALL for Hospitality Hour. 

Memorial Services Today For:

Fotini Haniotis – 9 months.  May her memory be eternal.

Liturgical Schedule:

Tuesday, September 14th – Elevation of the Life-Giving Cross...…....Orthros & Div. Lit. 8:30AM

Communion Guidelines:

Baptized and Chrismated Orthodox Christians who have properly prepared, according to the Holy Orthodox Church guidelines, may receive Holy Communion. Please allow families with young children to receive Holy Communion first and wait for the ushers to dismiss your row.   

Sunday Memorials, Artoclasias and Other Blessings: 

Please inform the church office well in advance of Sunday mornings for all memorials, artoclasias, 40 day blessings and other blessings so as not to disrupt the Divine Liturgy. If any requests or lists of names are received after the Great Entrance they will have to wait until the following Sunday.   

****Additionally, in order to preserve the sanctity of the Divine Liturgy, please wait to light candles in the St. Nectarios Chapel at the correct time. If one arrives after the Great Entrance, they will have to wait until the end of Liturgy, while the Andithoron is being given out, to light candles in the Chapel.  

Holy Confession:  

If you wish to partake in the Sacrament of Holy Confession, please feel free to call the Church office or Fr. Peter to arrange a time.  

Mark Your Calendar: 

CANCELLED: Sunday, September 12th ……..Metropolis of NJ Holy Cross Celebration in Asbury Park, NJ – All parishes will be open and celebrating Liturgy

Wednesday, September 15th……Orthodox Life Institute – 7:00pm via ZOOM

Thursday, September 16th ………Greek School Classes Begin

Saturday, September 18th ……...Blessing of the Animals – 10:00am

Sunday, September 19th ………..Ministry Registration Sunday

Sunday, September 26th…………Sunday School Begins 

Thursday, September 30th ……….Adult Bible Study - 7:00pm via ZOOM 

Sunday, October 17th ……………100th Anniversary Gala at the Hanover Manor

100th Anniversary Gala Raffle Tickets: 

Please support our efforts and join us at our 100th Anniversary Gala where the raffle drawing will take place on Saturday, October 17, 2021. Tickets will be sold for $25 each or one book of 5 tickets for $100!  Tickets are available at the church office and during coffee hour.  Winner need not be present.    

Feast Day Flower Donations: 

During the Ecclesiastical year, our Church comes alive with many Liturgical services. It is customary in our faith to decorate icons used during special Feast Day services with flowers. We encourage our parishioners to offer a special contribution for this purpose. Your donation is a unique and appropriate way to remember your departed friends and relatives, as well as an expression of love on behalf of your family and prayers for your beloved ones. Donations are now being accepted for the following Feast Day celebrations:    

  • September 14 – Elevation of the Holy Cross              $100
  • November 9 – St. Nectarios the Wonderworker         $500   

            Thank you in advance for your flower donations.    

New Parish Council Non-Voting Member Positions: 

The Parish Council of St. George announces six new one-year appointments to serve as non-voting members of the Parish Council. Our community has 15 elected members of the Parish Council, but we recognize that there are many others with both the skillset and interest to help our community grow. We hope to identify up to six individuals, 22 years old and above, who would like to serve a one-year term on the Parish Council. Unfortunately, because they are not elected by the community, they are not allowed to vote. However, we believe that their presence, participation, and voice matters. If you would like to be considered, please speak to a Parish Council member and ask for an application.  Applications can be submitted between now and September 10, 2021 to the Church office. The nominating committee will review all applications and make recommendations to the Parish Council for the final decision. 

St. Paraskevi Philoptochos “Adopt a School Initiative”:

We will be collecting/purchasing basic school supplies to support the Dawn Treader Christian School, an underprivileged school, in Paterson for children who are less fortunate. We will be given a closet on the school premise that we hope to fill and keep supplied with the necessary supplies that the students will need during the school year. Some of the supplies that we hope to stock are backpacks, glue sticks, notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, loose leaf paper, 3 ring binders, construction paper, crayons, markers, highlighters, scissors, rulers, protractors, calculators, index cards, basic math flashcards, tissues, hand sanitizer, etc. Your donations will be greatly appreciated and will add to the success of this new initiative. Please drop your school supplies in the hall outside the back-office door in the boxes provided by September 12, 2021. Thank you for your continued support! For more information, contact: Denise Cecchini at 201-406-2827 or Phyllis Magiros at 201-602-0632.  

St. George GOYA 2021 – REGISTRATION IS OPEN: 

We are happy to announce that GOYA registration is now open!  In addition to our returning GOYAns, we look forward to welcoming new members to the GOYA Ministry.  Orthodox Christian teenagers, who are in 7th through 12th grade are eligible and welcome to participate. GOYA (Greek Orthodox Youth Association), is the ministry to Orthodox Christian teenagers for the purpose of fellowship, worship, service, and witness. The goal is to create a place where young people come to learn and grow as Orthodox Christians through a program of athletics, retreats, outreach and social activities.   GOYA families must be stewards of St. George.  GOYAns are required to attend the Divine Liturgy and Sunday Church School regularly and on time at St. George. Our kickoff meeting is scheduled for September 27th.  More information to follow. For questions or to be added to our email list please contact us at:  GOYA@StGeorgeClifton.org 

Adult Bible Study With Fr. Peter Via ZOOM: 

Fr. Peter will resume the Adult Bible study classes on Thursdays at 7:00PM beginning on September 30, 2021.  We will notify everyone through a separate email to join the meetings with a ZOOM invitation so that all the faithful can join us in learning.   

Church School Volunteers: 

We remain indebted and are thankful for our dedicated teaching staff who have stepped up and done an amazing job offering online religious education classes for our students during an unprecedented year.  As we plan ahead and anticipate a more traditional Church School year in September, we are reaching out for volunteers to join our team. No teaching experience is needed to help make a difference in the life of a child!  All are welcome. Please email us at: churchschool@stgeorgeclifton.org if you are interested or would simply like more information. Thank you!  

St. George Greek School:

Classes will begin on Thursday, September 16, 2021 starting with an Agiasmo blessing that day. We will return to in person instruction starting in September, and we are all looking forward to welcoming all of our returning and new students!  Registration forms can be dropped off at the church office or mailed in with your payments.  

Philoptochos Clergy Laity Fundraiser for The Samaritan Women Institute and Shelter: 

On September 20, 2021 the New Jersey Metropolis Clergy Laity and Philoptochos Conference will be held at the Venetian, Garfield, New Jersey. Ms. Linda Blackiston, from the Samaritan Women Institute and Shelter, will be our guest speaker. She will be speaking to us and answering questions about HUMAN TRAFFICKING and its effects on today' s society.  In lieu of giving a customary honorarium to our guest, we are asking each chapter to assist the Samaritan Women with their mission.  We are asking our sisters and fellow parishioners to consider donating to this worthy cause by purchasing a gift card. In their 2021 In-Kind Donations Needs, the following establishments are suggested: Panera, Staples, Walmart, Dunkin Donuts, Chick Fill A, Target, Uber or Lyft gift cards. Recommended denomination of Gift cards is $25.00. However, any amount would be greatly appreciated.  If you choose to donate a gift, there will be a box in the church office available for you to leave your donations.  Please bring the gift cards no later than Sunday, September 19, 2021. Thank you and God bless you all!  For more information, contact: Denise Cecchini at 201-406-2827 or Phyllis Magiros at 201-602-0632. 

Orthodox Life Institute: 

Our classes will begin again on Wednesday, September 15th at 7:00pm via ZOOM. If you are interested in joining us, send your email address and contact information to Lisa Marcopulos at lmarcopul@gmail.com and we will send you the ZOOM invitation.  Dr. Peter Salierno will have the class syllabus available in the church office after September 12th for those who would like to have one.  

Choir News: 

Our St. George Choir is seeking volunteers to join us in September.  So if you love to sing and want to enhance our Sunday services with your voice, please contact Angelo Duvlaris (aduvo@optonline.net) or Yiannis Magiros (yannis52@verizon.net) for more details.  Prior knowledge of Greek is not necessary.  

Sponsor A Day Program: 

As a church community, it is our ambitious goal to meet our operating budget through Stewardship. It is estimated that the operating expenses of our church average to be $1,400 per steward/family. If this average were to be reached, then the Church would be able to pay all its bills only with Stewardship donations. All other funds collected from candles, trays, raffles, fundraisers, etc. could be used towards capital improvements. One way to bridge the gap is through our “Sponsor a Day” program. We encourage our parishioners to select a day that has special meaning to them like a birthday, feast day, anniversary or a memorial and make a $250 donation. Remember that as Orthodox Christians, we are also stewards of our Church family – those with whom we worship, fellowship and serve the community.  In the same way that we care for our immediate family, we also care for our Christian brothers. For more information about the program, speak to one of our Parish Council members, Ministry Leaders or call the church office.   

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Saints and Feasts

Exaltation
September 12

Sunday before Holy Cross


Allsaint
September 12

Apodosis of the Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary


Allsaint
September 12

Autonomos the Martyr

This saint was a bishop in Italy. Fleeing from the persecution of Diocletian in 298, he came to Bithynia, where he went from place to place converting many from the idols to the true God. Because of this, one day as he was celebrating the Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Archangels, they who worshipped wood and stones fell upon him and beat him to death with staves and stones.


Exaltation
September 14

The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross

Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was already advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a journey to Jerusalem in search of the cross, about the year 325. A temple to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha, to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had been suffered. The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite destroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was made perfectly whole. Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, "Lord have mercy." It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen, until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country (see Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian). Late, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem, where he restored it to its place.

Rest from labour. A Fast is observed today, whatever day of the week it may be.


Nikitas
September 15

Nikitas the Great Martyr

This Saint was of high birth among the Goths beyond the Danube River. He was taken by Athanaric, pagan ruler of the Goths, and after being tortured, was burned to death for his confession of Christ. According to some, this took place during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great; according to others, under the Emperor Gratian.


Euthemia
September 16

Euphemia the Great Martyr

Saint Euphemia was from Chalcedon and lived in virginity. According to some, she suffered martyrdom during the reign of Diocletian, in 303; according to others, in 307. Her sacred relics are preserved in the Patriarchate in Constantinople.


Sophia
September 17

Sophia & her three daughters: Faith, Hope, and Love

These Saints were from Italy and contested for the Faith about the year 126, during the reign of the Emperor Hadrian. Faith was twelve years old, Hope, ten, and Love, nine; each was tormented and then beheaded, from the eldest to the youngest. Their mother Sophia mourned at their grave for three days, where she also fell asleep in peace; because of her courageous endurance in the face of her daughters' sufferings, she is also counted a martyr. The name Sophia means "wisdom" in Greek; as for her daughters' names, Faith, Hope, and Love (Charity), they are Pistis, Elpis, and Agape in Greek, and Vera, Nadezhda, and Lyubov in Russian.


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Mode

Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad, for the Lord has shown the power of his reign. He has conquered death by death and become the first born of the dead. He has delivered us from the depths of Hades and has granted 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 Apodosis of Nativity of the Theotokos in the Fourth Mode

Thy Nativity, O Theotokos, hath procliamed joy to the whole world; for from thee hath dawned the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, annulling the curse and bestowing the blessing, abolishing death and granting us life everlasting.
Η γέννησίς σου Θεοτόκε, χαράν εμήνυσε πάση τή οικουμένη, εκ σού γάρ ανέτειλεν ο ήλιος τής δικαιοσύνης, Χριστός ο Θεός ημών, καί λύσας τήν κατάραν, έδωκε τήν ευλογίαν, καί καταργήσας τόν θάνατον, εδωρήσατο ημίν ζωήν τήν αιώνιον.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

In your holy birth, Immaculate One, Joachim and Anna were rid of the shame of childlessness; Adam and Eve of the corruption of death. And so your people, free of the guilt of their sins, celebrate crying: "The barren one gives birth to the Theotokos, who nourishes our life."
Ιωακείμ καί Άννα όνειδισμού ατεκνίας, καί Αδάμ καί Εύα, εκ τής φθοράς τού θανάτου, ηλευθερώθησαν, Άχραντε, εν τή αγία γεννήσει σου, αυτήν εορτάζει καί ο λαός σου, ενοχής τών πταισμάτων, λυτρωθείς εν τώ κράζειν σοι, Η στείρα τίκτει τήν Θεοτόκον, καί τροφόν τής ζωής ημών.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

First Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Matthew 28:16-20

At that time, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age. Amen."

First Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 28:16-20

Οἱ δὲ ἕνδεκα μαθηταὶ ἐπορεύθησαν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν, εἰς τὸ ὄρος οὗ ἐτάξατο αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς. καὶ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ, οἱ δὲ ἐδίστασαν. καὶ προσελθὼν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐλάλησεν αὐτοῖς λέγων· ἐδόθη μοι πᾶσα ἐξουσία ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ γῆς. πορευθέντες μαθητεύσατε πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, βαπτίζοντες αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ ῾Αγίου Πνεύματος, διδάσκοντες αὐτοὺς τηρεῖν πάντα ὅσα ἐνετειλάμην ὑμῖν· καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ μεθ᾿ ὑμῶν εἰμι πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας ἕως τῆς συντελείας τοῦ αἰῶνος. ἀμήν.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. 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 Galatians 6:11-18.

Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

Προκείμενον. Plagal Second Mode. 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 Γαλάτας 6:11-18.

Ἀδελφοί, ἴδετε πηλίκοις ὑμῖν γράμμασιν ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί. Ὅσοι θέλουσιν εὐπροσωπῆσαι ἐν σαρκί, οὗτοι ἀναγκάζουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, μόνον ἵνα μὴ τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ Χριστοῦ διώκωνται. Οὐδὲ γὰρ οἱ περιτετμημένοι αὐτοὶ νόμον φυλάσσουσιν, ἀλλὰ θέλουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, ἵνα ἐν τῇ ὑμετέρᾳ σαρκὶ καυχήσωνται. Ἐμοὶ δὲ μὴ γένοιτο καυχᾶσθαι εἰ μὴ ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ· διʼ οὗ ἐμοὶ κόσμος ἐσταύρωται, κἀγὼ τῷ κόσμῳ. Ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ οὔτε περιτομή τι ἰσχύει, οὔτε ἀκροβυστία, ἀλλὰ καινὴ κτίσις. Καὶ ὅσοι τῷ κανόνι τούτῳ στοιχήσουσιν, εἰρήνη ἐπʼ αὐτούς, καὶ ἔλεος, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰσραὴλ τοῦ θεοῦ. Τοῦ λοιποῦ, κόπους μοι μηδεὶς παρεχέτω· ἐγὼ γὰρ τὰ στίγματα τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώματί μου βαστάζω. Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν, ἀδελφοί. Ἀμήν.


Gospel Reading

Sunday before Holy Cross
The Reading is from John 3:13-17

The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."

Sunday before Holy Cross
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 3:13-17

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· καὶ οὐδεὶς ἀναβέβηκεν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν εἰ μὴ ὁ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καταβάς, ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὁ ὤν ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ. καὶ καθὼς Μωϋσῆς ὕψωσε τὸν ὄφιν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, οὕτως ὑψωθῆναι δεῖ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ' ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. Οὕτω γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν κόσμον, ὥστε τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ τὸν μονογενῆ ἔδωκεν, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ' ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. οὐ γὰρ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν κόσμον ἵνα κρίνῃ τὸν κόσμον, ἀλλ' ἵνα σωθῇ ὁ κόσμος δι' αὐτοῦ.


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Wisdom of the Fathers

For since Nicodemus had said, "We know that Thou art a teacher come from God," on this very point He sets him right, all but saying, "Think Me not a teacher in such manner as were the many of the prophets who were of earth, for I have come from heaven (but) now. None of the prophets hath ascended up thither, but I dwell there."
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 27 on John 3, 4th Century

For not in heaven only is He, but everywhere, and He fills all things; but yet He speaks according to the infirmity of His hearer, desiring to lead him up little by little ... For after having spoken of the very great benefaction that had come to man by Baptism, He proceeds to mention another benefaction, which was the cause of this, and not inferior to it; namely, that by the Cross ...
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 27 on John 3, 4th Century

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Flyers

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