ORTHROS BEGINS AT 8:30AM & THE DIVINE LITURGY BEGINS AT 9:30AM
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, visit the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America’s Digital Chant Stand at https://digitalchantstand.goarch.org.
To light a candle or make a donation follow this link https://st-george-greek-orthodox-churchand-the-shrine-of-st-nectarios.square.site/
WE WELCOME EVERYONE TO OUR CHURCH COMMUNITY!
We are grateful that you have joined us for prayer and worship. Please join us after the Divine Services in our Fr. John & Presvytera Margaret Orfanakos Fellowship Hall for a Lenten Fasolatha Luncheon hosted by our St. Paraskevi Philoptochos Society and supported by the Lambrou family in memory of their deceased family members.
Memorial Services Today For:
George Lambrou – 40 days Anastasia Kitsios – 40 days
Maroulla Lambrou – 6 months
All the reposed St. Paraskevi Philoptochos members.
May their memory be eternal.
Liturgical Schedule:
Sunday, March 5th – Vespers………………………………………………5:00PM
Monday, March 6th – Compline………………………………………***5:30PM
Wednesday, March 8th – Pre-Sanctified Liturgy……………………………6:00PM
Friday, March 10th – Salutations to the Theotokos………………………6:30PM
Special Events During Church Services:
Requests for Memorial Services, Artoclasias, 40-day baby blessings, Fanouropites, etc. are welcomed. We recommend that you please let the office know ahead of time so that we can include your special service in the Sunday bulletin.
Mark Your Calendar:
TODAY, March 5th ………….Philoptochos Memorial Service & Fasolatha Luncheon GOYA Sights & Sounds Showcase
Wednesday, March 8th……..Lenten Lecture & Dinner Series following Pre-Sanctified Liturgy
Saturday, March 11th ……….Archons of the Metropolis of NJ Lenten Retreat with Young Adults at Holy Trinity GOC, Westfield, NJ from 8:30am – 3:00PM
Sunday, March 19th …………St. John Chrysostom Senior Division Oratorical Festival
Archpastoral Message from His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros (excerpt):
To the reverend clergy, the esteemed presidents and members of the parish councils, and all the devout, Christ-loving faithful of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey:
As we embark on our spiritual journey through Holy and Great Lent — a period of intensified prayer, deeper reflection and increased almsgiving — let us offer up thanksgiving to the Almighty for continuously providing us with opportunities to receive His bountiful heavenly blessings.
Continuing in the annual tradition of our Metropolis, I would like to request that on this first Sunday of Holy and Great Lent — the Sunday of Orthodoxy — a special collection tray be passed in every parish of this God-protected Metropolis, so as to benefit the Social Services program of the Metropolis of New Jersey Philoptochos Society.
I encourage you wholeheartedly to offer as much as you can out of the abundance of your heart’s generosity in order to support this all-important ministry. Your contributions will provide significant aid to the Metropolis Philoptochos Sisterhood, as they endeavor selflessly to fulfill their sacred duty and mission to assist all those in need.
Extending to all of you my archpastoral blessings and paternal prayers for a spiritually prosperous Holy and Great Lent, I remain,
With paternal love in Christ,
† ELPIDOPHOROS
Archbishop of America
St. George Youth Choir:
For children from 1st through 12th grade. NO rehearsal today. The next rehearsal is Sunday, March 12th at 12:00pm in the choir loft with the adult choir. New members welcome!
Sunday School:
Today, our children look forward to celebrating the Sunday of Orthodoxy as they participate in the procession with their favorite icon from home. During this season of Lent, we are so grateful for our Sunday School teachers, families and children. We want to sincerely thank all of you for your support of our annual Sunday School bake sale. We were overwhelmed by everyone's generosity as we doubled what we made last year. Also, our sincerest thanks to the three very generous parishioners who donated the portable projectors that we needed!
St. Paraskevi Philoptochos:
Will host their annual Lenten Fasolatha luncheon today after Liturgy. As in the past, we ask for a free will donation that you feel is appropriate. All proceeds will benefit the seminarians at Hellenic College/Holy Cross Seminary.
GOYA Sights & Sounds Presentation:
Our GOYAns have been working hard for the past 8 weeks preparing musical, cultural and artistic presentations for the annual “Sights & Sounds” competition. Join us, following Liturgy, in the Fellowship Hall as we perform and present our work for parents, family, friends and community.
Sunday of Orthodoxy:
On the first Sunday of Great Lent, the dominant theme of this Sunday since 843 has been that of the victory of the icons. In that year the iconoclastic controversy, which had raged on and off since 726, was finally laid to rest, and icons and their veneration were restored on the first Sunday in Lent. Ever since, this Sunday has been commemorated as the "Triumph of Orthodoxy." The decree of the Council for restoring icons to churches added an important clause which still stands at the foundation of the rationale for using and venerating icons in the Orthodox Church to this very day: "We define that the holy icons, whether in colour, mosaic, or some other material, should be exhibited in the holy churches of God, on the sacred vessels and liturgical vestments, on the walls, furnishings, and in houses and along the roads, namely the icons of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ, that of our Lady the Theotokos, those of the venerable angels and those of all saintly people. Whenever these representations are contemplated, they will cause those who look at them to commemorate and love their prototype. We define also that they should be kissed and that they are an object of veneration and honour, but not of real worship, which is reserved for Him Who is the subject of our faith and is proper for the divine nature. The veneration accorded to an icon is in effect transmitted to the prototype; he who venerates the icon, venerated in it the reality for which it stands".
Earthquake Relief Fund:
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America announces the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Earthquake Relief Fund, a fundraising effort by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to provide humanitarian aid to the victims of the recent earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria. To make a donation please visit the following website: www.goarch.org/donate/earthquake-relief-fund.
St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival – March 19th:
This is an annual, national event started by our own Presbytera Margaret Orfanakos over 37 years ago. Youths are challenged to explore a deeper knowledge of our Orthodox faith, think critically about current issues affecting their lives and how our faith guides them. Participants choose from among 5 topics to write a 3–5-minute speech. First, second and third place winners are selected in both junior (7th–9th grade) and senior (10th–12th grade) divisions. Parish winners can advance to the district, metropolis and then national level if they qualify. Finalists are eligible to receive a Chrysostom Scholarship to Hellenic College. This scholarship provides awards ranging from $2,500 up to $30,000 per year. Registration is FREE and can be done online https://www.goarch.org/-/st-john-chrysostom-oratorical-festival-forms-and-registration. Help is available to participant – for further information contact Morfia Sokolic at msokolic@verizon.net.
Lenten Dinner and Lecture Series:
On Wednesdays during Lent, immediately following Pre-sanctified Liturgy, there will be a Lenten meal hosted by our ministries. Presentations will follow after the meal each week. This week Fr. Peter will present the topic “Great Lent: A Journey Towards the Risen Christ.
Philoptochos Tsoureki Sale:
The ladies of the St. Paraskevi Philoptochos will be offering delicious Tsoureki Breads for Easter that are baked, wrapped and individually boxed by the Sisters of Agia Skepi. Only pre-orders will be sold! The cost is $25 for each 2-pound bread. Please make checks payable to St. Paraskevi Philoptochos. Orders must be received by April 01, 2023. Tsoureki will be available for pick-up on Sunday, April 9th after Liturgy.
Talent Needed:
In an effort to expand our reach and impact as a community of faith, we are searching for volunteers who expertise in communications. Specifically, we would like to organize a committee of individuals comprised of expertise in social media, writing, photography, graphic design, film production and editing. If you or someone you know would be a suitable candidate, please contact Parish Council President George Orfanakos at 973-768-4995 or by emailing him at gorfanakos@gmail.com. Initial commitment will be minimal and extend from now until June.
Orthodox Life Institute:
Classes have resumed 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. During Lent classes will be held on Tuesday evenings at 7:00pm.
Pilgrimage led by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros:
SAVE THE DATE! April 30th through May 12th! The pilgrimage will visit sites in Alexandria, Cairo & Mount Sinai. Call or email to reserve your spot today: 718.721.3808 or stephen@cloudtours.com.
Paradise4Kids.org:
You may have met Fr. Themi, now Bishop Themi, when he visited St. George during Easter 2011 as a missionary priest. His inspiring biography is now available in a book titled “Themi, Apostle to the Hungry”. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Orthodox Mission to the poor and needy in Sierra Leone, Africa. To make a purchase, please visit this website www.arkoudaglobalpress.com.
Sponsor A Day Program:
One way to help the church 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 suggested $250 donation. For more information about the program, speak to one of our Parish Council members, Ministry Leaders or call the church.
Please consider sponsoring these feast days:
- March 15th – St. Agapios
- March 17th – St. Patrick & St. Alexis the Man of God