Sunday Bulletin - St. George Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-08-17
Bulletin Contents

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Sunday Bulletin - St. George Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (651) 222-6220
  • Street Address:

  • 1111 Summit Ave

  • St. Paul, MN 55105


Contact Information










Services Schedule

Welcome!

We hope that you will make this your spiritual home. Connect with us on our website, Facebook page, YouTube, or sign-up for our email list at https://tinyurl.com/yc3tp29w.

Worship Sunday Orthros 8:15 am & Divine Liturgy 9:30 am

Confession (by appointment - call or email [email protected])

Weekday Services (www.stgeorgegoc.org/calendar)

Streaming

youtube.com/c/stgeorgestpaul

Fellowship Hour Sunday following Divine Liturgy

Office Hours Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Our Mission St. George Greek Orthodox Church is a Christ-centered community that: inspires faith and worship, cultivates spiritual growth and fellowship, and encourages benevolence and outreach.

Our Vision Ascending together to the fullness of Life.

Give Online at https://onrealm.org/StGeorgeStPaul/give/online


Past Bulletins


Calendar

  • Parish Calendar

    August 17 to August 24, 2025

    Sunday, August 17

    10th Sunday of Matthew

    8:15AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    11:00AM Church Cleaning

    Tuesday, August 19

    11:00AM Pioneer's Lunch at St. Mary's

    Wednesday, August 20

    +Fast Day

    +Prophet Samuel

    1:30PM Online Daytime Bible Study (Zoom)

    Thursday, August 21

    7:00PM Book Group (Zoom)

    Friday, August 22

    +Fast Day

    Sunday, August 24

    11th Sunday of Matthew

    8:15AM Orthros

    9:30AM Hierarchical Divine Liturgy

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 1st Tone

Although your tomb was sealed with a stone, O Savior, and your most pure body was guarded by the soldiers, you rose on the third day giving life to all the world. Therefore O giver of life, the powers of heaven praise you: Glory to your resurrection, O Christ. Glory to your kingdom. Glory to your saving wisdom. O only lover of mankind.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Dormition in the 1st Tone

In giving birth you remained a virgin, and in your dormition you did not forsake this world, O Theotokos. For as the Mother of Life, you have yourself passed into life, and by your prayers you deliver our souls from death.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 2nd Tone

She is our vigilant intercessor, the Theotokos, our sure hope and protection. Neither death nor tomb held any power over her, for as the Mother of Life, she was taken into life by that very one who deigned to dwell in her ever virgin womb.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

10th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 4:9-16

Brethren, God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill-clad and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the off-scouring of all things. I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me.


Gospel Reading

10th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 17:14-23

At that time, a man came up to Jesus and kneeling before him said, "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; for often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him." And Jesus answered, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me." And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move hence to yonder place,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. But this kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting." As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day."


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Announcements

Greeters

Yodahe Gamada

Prosfora

Tina Sageotis

Fellowship Hour

Thank you to the Kalley & Mark Johnson for hosting today's fellowship in honor of their 60th Wedding Anniversary.

Teen Loaves & Fishes

Our teens revealed a bright future for our community with their impressive work at Loaves and Fishes this past Monday. The crew of majority first-time helpers alongside a couple of returning veterans, seamlessly packed up and distributed 275 meals in under an hour! More details and photos will be in the next Glad Tidings, but we couldn't wait to share this inspiring message.

Church Cleanup

Join us after Liturgy today, to help with church cleanup in preparation for the visit of His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael. We need as much help as possible. Bring your wax scrapers, cleaning cloths, dish soap, mops, dusters, vacuums, etc., but no chemicals, please and thank you. Many hands make light work!

Archpastoral Visit of His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael

Join us next Sunday, August 24, to welcome our chief shepherd and spiritual father, Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago. The 24th is a unique visit to St. George in that it will be the occasion for our very own Dean Theophilos to be ordained as a deacon. A luncheon will follow the Liturgy. Please RSVP by August 19 for the luncheon by calling Dylan (651) 222-6220 or emailing him at [email protected]. Space is running out!

Church School Student Registration

The 2025-2026 Church School year is right around the corner! Visit this link to register your child(ren).

https://forms.gle/VkofuQ2iG6kqPvYS6

Intro to Orthodox Christianity Catechism Course - Fall 2025

Join us for our MEOCCA catechism course, Intro to Orthodox Christianity, beginning on Tuesday, September 9, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Catechism is open to all: people interested in learning more about Orthodox Christianity, inquirers, catechumens, and current Orthodox Christians as well. 
Classes will be held on Tuesday evenings from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in person (1111 Summit Ave., St. Paul, MN) or online via Zoom. Register online at https://forms.gle/nzvqRQJ8wkzbXxaj8
Learn more at www.meocca.org.

Pioneers 55+ Upcoming Events

Metropolitan Luncheon
Date: August 19
Invitation from St Mary’s GOC Senior Group for His Eminence
Luncheon and visit to celebrate Metropolitan Nathanael’s visit to Minnesota
-Details to follow
-RSVP Joanne H. 651-778-2485
Seniors! please help honor our Metropolitan Nathanael with your presence at this event!

Greek-Themed Picnic and Party !
Food •Music•Fellowship
Date: Saturday September 13, 2025
Time: 11:30
Home of Carol Alexis!
594 Iglehart Ave, St Paul 55103
-Bring dish to share ( coordination of this to come)
-RSVP Joanne Halatsis 651-778-2485
 
Stillwater Fall Boat Excursion 
Buffet•River Cruise•Fellowship
Date: Sunday, September 28, 2025
12:30-12:45 meet at boat docks
Group Boarding: 1:00pm 
-RSVP Joanne H. 651-778-2485

Host a Fellowship Hour

Please host an upcoming coffee hour! Individuals, families, or even groups can sign up to host or co-host. Hosts are needed for August 31 & September 14. Remember that coffee is now provided, courtesy of Thrivent Financial, so your commitment can be as simple as picking up some cookies! Thanks to all who have already hosted this year! Use the URL or QR code below to sign up.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4CA5AD2BABFF2-46964197-fellowship#/

St. Mary's Family Camp 2025

It's time for Family Camp 2025! And we're heading back to Camp Wapo. :) Registration begins August 1st - if you know you're going to Family Camp reminder to take advantage of the Early Bird rates and register early! See below for Family Camp details and please check the Family Camp website at https://stmaryscamp.com/family-camp/.
 
Dates: Friday, October 17th at 1pm through Sunday, October 19th at 1pm
Location: Camp Wapogasset "Camp Wapo" - 1204 74th Ave, Amery, WI 55401
Registration: Early Bird August 1-15; Regular August 16-31
Prices: Early Bird $160 + convenience fee; Regular $170 + convenience fee
Speaker: Mother Macrina
Topic: Medleys of Thought: Monastics, Angels and the Nativity Fast

St. Mary's Taste of Greece Festival Volunteers Needed

The Minneapolis Taste of Greece Festival offers wonderful opportunities to get involved, and volunteering is one of the most rewarding ways to participate—especially with family and friends. Volunteers are the heart of the Festival, and their energy and generosity make everything possible. Thank you to those who have already signed up—we look forward to an amazing team effort! Signing up is easy:

  • Follow the link below
  • Choose between Pre-Festival Set Up or Festival Weekend.
  • Follow the prompts and select a spot or two to volunteer. Decide on dates/times that work for you.
  • Lastly, verify your email address to confirm your selection. You only have to verify your email once. Without this, your selection will not be confirmed.

https://togstmarysgoc.ivolunteer.com/

Please reach out to Krisanthy Sikkila if you have questions or need assistance at 763.227.6154 or [email protected]

Hall Construction Timeline

We are excited to announce that the Capital Project passed at our June 22 Parish Assembly Meeting. Please support this vital project. Please note that construction is scheduled to begin this fall. The hall will be unavailable for rentals and regular activities starting this fall through at least next spring. Baptisms, Weddings, etc. should plan for a different venue for receptions. Use of sanctuary will not be affected by construction.

Family Seeking Educational PCA for Special Needs College Student

We are looking for a female educational PCA toacoompany our nonspeaking, intelligent, motivated, kind, autistic 19-year-old son to college classes and lunch on campus. Transportation, navigate campus, and lunchroom, take notes in class, keep him engages. Must be comfortable taking calculus notes. Looking for caring, patient, and compassionate person. Nonsmokers preferred. Transporting him to/from this small private college in St Paul 15 minutes away from our home, is also needed. Summer hours are variable and will be mostly used to get acquainted with working together. 1+ year commitment desired. Fall hours starting 8/27/25 would be: M/W/F 8:30am-12:30pm, T/TH 10:00am-2:00pm.

If interested, please scan the QR code below for a link to a Google Form or text 651-329-1806.

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Wisdom of the Fathers

Here Christ is not speaking of that faith which believes in Him undoubtingly and knows Him to be true God, but of the faith (needed) to work miracles. If ye have faith, He said, so exceedingly warm and burning as a grain of mustard seed (for these are its qualities), and if it is believed without a doubt that ye will perform signs, then ye will receive such power, that if ye desire to move the very mountains, ye will move them.
St. John Chrysostom
The Gospel Commentary, edited by Hieromonk German Ciuba, 2002, 4th Century

For a man to have such faith appears simple, but it is, on the contrary, something very lofty, not easily attained by many. Such faith is born of boldness before God; but such boldness comes (only) from pleasing God. Beloved, great labour is needed to acquire, through pleasing God, such boldness before Him that one firmly believes that he will grant all that one asks; as it is written, Ask, and it shall be given to you.
St. John Chrysostom
The Gospel Commentary: edited by Hieromonk German Ciuba, 2002., 4th Century

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Welcome Visitors!

Thank you for joining us in worship. Whether you are an Orthodox Christian or this is your first visit to an Orthodox Church, we are pleased to have you with us! Although Holy Communion is offered only to baptized and chrismated Orthodox Christians, all are invited to receive the Antidoron (blessed bread) at the end of the service. The Antidoron and fellowship hour are reminiscent of the Agape Feast that followed worship in the early Church.

Visitors and inquirers, please do not worry if you do not understand or follow all of our practices at your first few visits to our church (when to stand, when to kneel, venerate icons, or the priest's hand, cross yourself, etc.), it takes time to learn these traditions. Watch what others do, and when you are ready, you can follow their example.

One does not have to be of Greek descent nor speak Greek to be an Orthodox Christian and member of our parish. All people of any background are welcome to join the Orthodox Church. For those interested in learning more about the Christian Faith or becoming a member of our church, please see Fr. Perry after services or contact him at [email protected] or (651) 222-6220.

We hope you will join us in our hall upstairs this morning after services for fellowship and refreshments!

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Orthodox Worship

To our beloved guests, welcome to St. George. As you visit an Orthodox Church for the first few times, it’s important to remember that Orthodox Worship Services were designed to challenge us. For example, the services may be longer and at a slower pace than we are used to. The length of the service helps us grow in wakefulness and vigilance. "Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, 'What? Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak'” Matthew 26:40-41.

In our ever-changing, fast-paced world, we struggle to maintain the attention span of a goldfish. The worship of the early Church is the remedy to this problem. The Divine Liturgy and our other worship services are an invitation to turn off the noise, slow down the pace, and, like Mary (the sister of Martha), sit at the feet of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If you struggle with your attention span in the first few services (or for years!), stick with it. Through our continued effort, God grants us growth in the ability to experience quiet, stillness, and prayer. Through our endurance, and above all, by His Grace, our regular participation in worship helps us to “lay aside the cares of life that we may receive the King of all."

Standing & Sitting in Services

The tradition of the Church is to stand for the duration of services, and you are welcome to do so. You are welcome to sit when you need to, as well. Please note that directions regarding when to sit are suggestions. Please be seated during the homily (sermon), and please do the best that you can to stand during the reading of the Gospel and the distribution of Holy Communion.

Kneeling on Sundays

According to the canons, we are not supposed to kneel on Sundays. However, according to common practice in our Archdiocese, kneeling has become common in the Divine Liturgy on Sundays. Those who are accustomed to the common practice in the US, are welcome to kneel. To those unfamiliar with this practice, coming from a community that does not kneel on Sundays or who would, for various reasons, prefer not to kneel, that is just fine as well.

The Kiss of Peace

It is the tradition of the Church to exchange a greeting, known as the "kiss of peace," during the Divine Liturgy. The exact moment for the brotherly exchange takes place during these prayers in Liturgy before the creed; "Deacon: Let us love one another, that with oneness of mind we may confess: People: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: Trinity, one in essence and undivided." Here is an excerpt by Frederica Mathewes-Green from an article titled "First Visit to an Orthodox Church: Twelve Things I Wish I'd Known.”

"We kiss each other before we take communion ("Greet one another with a kiss of love," 1 Peter 5:14). When Roman Catholics or high-church Protestants "pass the peace," they give a hug, handshake, or peck on the cheek; that's how Westerners greet each other. In Orthodoxy different cultures are at play: Greeks and Arabs kiss on two cheeks, and Slavs come back again for a third. Follow the lead of those around you and try not to bump your nose.

The usual greeting is "Christ is in our midst" and response,[…]['He is, and always shall be.'] Don't worry if you forget what to say.[…] Exchanging the kiss of peace is a liturgical act, a sign of mystical unity. Chatting and fellowship is for later.”

You are encouraged to participate in this sacred exchange. Many will not be familiar with or may even be uncomfortable with a kiss on the cheek from someone they do not know. Understandably so! Shaking hands or simply nodding/bowing to the person nearby and greeting them with "Christ is in our midst!" is just fine. Through the liturgical act of the kiss of peace, may we remember that we are a family in Christ and work to continue to grow as such. May we also remember our accountability to one another, the need to seek forgiveness, and to forgive one another in Christ.

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Becoming an Orthodox Christian / Being Received into the Church

For those interested in becoming an Orthodox Christian, here is the basic process: 1. Come to Divine Liturgy, 2. Complete our MEOCCA Catechism Program in the spring or the fall (register by emailing [email protected] or visit this link https://meocca.org/our-faith/cooperative-catechism), 3. Meet with Fr. Perry (schedule a call at this link https://calendly.com/frperry/phonecall). Fr. Perry will go through more specific details when you meet. We hope that you will make St. George your spiritual home.

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Nursery and Youth Room

Parents, please note that our nursery and youth rooms are open during services and church activities if you need some temporary quiet space/time with the kiddos. The nursery is located at the bottom of the stairs in the education wing. The Youth Room is the next room on the left, past the trophy case. We love to hear the little ones singing in church. The Lord said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14

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Let's Connect!

St. George has moved to a new social media platform designed specifically for parish life. Here, we communicate more dynamically regarding specific ministries, events, and stewardship. For those who haven't, please use the QR code here to sign up! If you have any questions or have issues, please contact Dylan at [email protected].

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Parish Email List Sign-Up 

Sign up for our email list to see what’s happening at St. George!

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From the Church Office

2025 Stewardship Program

Goal

$130,300 of $285,000 (through June)

Make Your 2025 Stewardship Pledge Online

https://onrealm.org/StGeorgeStPaul/-/form/pledge/stewardship

Make a Stewardship Donation Online

https://onrealm.org/StGeorgeStPaul/give/online 

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Reminder

This is a friendly reminder that the church office is closed during church services. Also, ministry meetings/activities are not scheduled during church services as well. Thank you.

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Please Note

St. George GOC broadcasts its worship services live on the internet. Your presence in the church is subject to audio and video recording.

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Saints and Feasts

August 17

Myron the Martyr of Cyzicus

Saint Myron was a priest during the reign of Decius, when Antipater was ruler of Achaia. On the day of our Lord's Nativity, Antipater entered the church to seize the Christians and punish them. Saint Myron, kindled with holy zeal, roundly insulted Antipater, for which he was hung up and scraped, then cast into a raging furnace, but was preserved unharmed. When Myron refused to worship the idols, Antipater commanded that strips be cut in the Saint's flesh from his shoulders to his feet; the Saint took one of the strips of his flesh and flung it in the tyrant's face. He was beaten, and scraped again upon his beaten flesh; then he was thrown to wild beasts, but when Antipater saw them leaving off their fierce nature and protecting the Saint from harm, he was overcome with unbearable shame and slew himself. The Saint was then sent to Cyzicus, where the proconsul had him beheaded, about the year 250.


August 20

Samuel the Prophet

This most holy man, a Prophet of God from childhood, was the last judge of the Israelite people, and anointed the first two Kings of Israel. He was born in the twelfth century before Christ, in the city of Armathaim Sipha, from the tribe of Levi, the son of Elkanah and Hannah (Anna). He was the fruit of prayer, for his mother, being barren, conceived him only after she had supplicated the Lord with many tears; wherefore she called him Samuel, that is, "heard by God." As soon as Hannah had weaned him, she brought him to the city of Silom (Shiloh), where the Ark was kept, and she consecrated him, though yet a babe, to the service of God, giving thanks to Him with the hymn found in the Third Ode of the Psalter: "My heart hath been established in the Lord . . ." Samuel remained in Silom under the protection of Eli the priest. He served in the Tabernacle of God, and through his most venerable way of life became well-pleasing to God and man (I Kings 2: 26). While yet a child, sleeping in the tabernacle near the Ark of God, he heard the voice of God calling his name, and foretelling the downfall of Eli; for although Eli's two sons, Ophni and Phineas, were most lawless, and despisers of God, Eli did not correct them. Even after Samuel had told Eli of the divine warning, Eli did not properly chastise his sons, and afterwards, through various misfortunes, his whole house was blotted out in one day.

After these things came to pass, Samuel was chosen to be the protector of the people, and he judged them with holiness and righteousness. He became for them an example of all goodness, and their compassionate intercessor before God: "Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; yea, I will serve the Lord, and show you the good and the right way" (ibid. 12:23). When he asked them -- having God as witness -- if he ever wronged anyone, or took anyone's possessions, or any gift, even so much as a sandal, they answered with one voice: "Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, nor afflicted us, neither hast thou taken anything from anyone's hand" (ibid. 12:4). When Samuel was old, the people asked him for a king, but he was displeased with this, knowing that God Himself was their King. But when they persisted, the Lord commanded him to anoint them a king, saying, "They have not rejected thee, but they have rejected Me from reigning over them" (ibid. 8:7); so Samuel anointed Saul. But Saul transgressed the command of God repeatedly, so Samuel anointed David. Yet, since Samuel was a man of God, full of tender mercy, when the Lord told him that He had rejected Saul, Samuel wept for him the whole night long (ibid. 15:11); and later, since he continued to grieve, the Lord said to him, "How long wilt thou mourn for Saul?" (ibid. 16:1). Having lived blamelessly some ninety-eight years, and become an example to all of a God-pleasing life, he reposed in the eleventh century before Christ. Many ascribe to him the authorship of the Books of judges, and of Ruth, and of the first twenty-four chapters of the First Book of Kings (I Samuel).


August 21

Bassa the Martyr of Edessa & her sons Theogonius, Agapius & Pistus

The Martyrs were from Edessa of Macedonia. Bassa was the wife of a certain Valerian, a priest of the idols, to whom she bore three sons and raised them in piety. She was betrayed with her sons to the proconsul by her own husband; each of her sons was tormented before her and beheaded. For refusing to worship the idols, she was imprisoned, cast into water and then fire, was stoned, and remaining unharmed, was brought to the temple to worship the idols. Laying hold upon the idol of Zeus, she overturned it and broke it to pieces. After being preserved through further torments, she was beheaded, about the year 290, in the reign of Maximian.


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Bulletin Inserts

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