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St. George Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2018-07-29
Bulletin Contents
Hymns of the Day
Saints and Feasts
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News
Message from His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios
Fr. Rick's Sermon
News and Events
Bulletin Inserts
Calmstorm
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St. George Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (651) 222-6220
  • Fax:
  • (651) 225-9276
  • Street Address:

  • 1111 Summit Avenue

  • Saint Paul, MN 55105

Contact Information

Priest Rev. Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews

fatherrick@stgeorgegoc.org

Administrative Assistant Julie Delton

office@stgeorgegoc.org

Bookstore Steve Arsenault


bookstore@stgeorgegoc.org

Newsletter- Glad Tidings Julie Delton

gladtidings@stgeorgegoc.org

Youth Minister Nathaniel Kostick

nathaniel@stgeorgegoc.org

Services Schedule

Sunday Morning Orthros/Matins 8:15am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am; Saturday Great Vespers 5:00pm (October thru May); Weekday Services (see Online Calendar, Sunday Bulletin & Monthly Newsletter); Confession (by appointment).

Past Bulletins


Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 4th Mode

From on High did You descend, O merciful Lord, for us did You endure, three days in the tomb that we may be, released from passions in this world, You who are our resurrection and our life Glory unto You O Lord.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Grave Mode

You were transfigured upon the mount, O Christ our God, and Your disciples, in so far as they could bear, beheld Your glory. Thus, when they see You crucified, they may understand Your voluntary passion, and proclaim to the world that You are truly the effulgence of the Father.
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Saints and Feasts

Calmstorm
July 29

9th Sunday of Matthew

July 29

The Holy Martyr Callinicus

Saint Callinicus was from Cilicia. Because he preached Christ and turned many pagans away from the idols, he was seized by Sacerdon the Governor, who subjected him to many tortures, then had him shod with shoes in which nails had been fixed upright, and compelled him to run to the city of Gangra, where he was burned alive in a furnace.

July 29

Theodota the Martyr and her Children

July 29

Holy Virgin Martyr Theodota

Concerning Saint Theodota, little is known except that she was a virgin who was horribly tormented and slain for her confession of Christ.

July 29

Constantine III, Patriarch of Constantinople

July 29

Olaf of Norway

July 29

Seraphima the Virgin-martyr of Antioch

July 29

Pious King Theodosius the New

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Ninth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:19-31

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them: "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him: "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them: "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe."

Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said: "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal 4th Mode. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 3:9-17.

Brethren, we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it. For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw - each man's work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If any one destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and that temple you are.

Gospel Reading

9th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 14:22-34

At that time, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately he spoke to them, saying "Take heart, it is I; have no fear."

And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they entered the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret.

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Wisdom of the Fathers

So absolutely nothing does it avail to be near Christ, if not being near Him by faith .... Signifying therefore that not the assault of the wind, but his want of faith had wrought his overthrow, He said, "Wherefore did you doubt, O you of little faith?"
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 50 on Matthew 14, 4th Century

So that if his faith had not been weak, he would have stood easily against the wind also. And for this reason, you see, even when He had caught hold of Him, He suffers the wind to blow, showing that no hurt comes thereby, when faith is steadfast.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 50 on Matthew 14, 4th Century

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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

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The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the Greek American Omogeneia participate in the mourning and suffering caused by the latest fires in Attica, Greece

07/24/2018

Stavros Papagermanos - Press Office, pressoffice@goarch.org

July 24, 2018

NEW YORK – The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America expresses its deep sorrow and agony for the disastrous fires in eastern Attica, Greece, which yesterday, July 23, 2018, destroyed inhabited areas and woodland, caused the loss of life of dozens of our fellow human beings, injured many others, and devastated homes and property. There is currently a significant number of missing persons.

“I express my sincere condolences to the people of Greece for this unexpected tragedy. As Greek Orthodox in America, we stand by and with our affected brothers and sisters in Greece and we fervently pray to God for the families impacted by this tragic calamity. We hope that favorable conditions will soon be restored for the return of life and progress in the destroyed areas,” said His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America.

The Archbishop sent letters of condolence to the President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Prime Minister of Greece Alexis Tsipras, Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece, Metropolitan Nikolaos of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki, and Metropolitan Kyrillos of Kifissia, Amaroussion and Oropos.

In addition, Archbishop Demetrios wrote an Encyclical to the reverend clergy and the faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, asking them to hold a prayer service this Sunday, July 29, 2018 for the health, relief and support of the fire victims, and to offer a special memorial service for those who have lost their lives to this tragedy.

In the same Encyclical, the Archbishop asks the parishes to conduct a special fundraiser (to pass a special tray) on the following two Sundays to alleviate the suffering victims and offer help and hope to those whose homes and fortunes have been totally destroyed. All offers and contributions of either parishes or individuals should be sent payable to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America with a memo indicating Attica Fires Relief Fund.

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https://www.goarch.org/-/the-greek-orthodox-archdiocese-of-america-and-the-greek-american-omogeneia-participate-in-the-mourning-and-suffering-caused-by-the-latest-fires-in-att

Archbishop Demetrios Raises the Issues of Religious Freedom of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in State Department Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom

07/26/2018

Stavros Papagermanos - Press Office, pressoffice@goarch.org

July 26, 2018

See Photos

WASHINGTON – His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, at the invitation of the Secretary of State of the United States Mike Pompeo, participated in the first-ever Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, July 24-26, 2018, held at the State Department.

Archbishop Demetrios, addressing the plenary meeting on July 25, raised the issue of religious freedom for the Ecumenical Patriarchate and in particular said that the Ecumenical Patriarchate is deprived, first of a legal status which limits its ability to exercise its duties and ministry; secondly the Ecumenical Patriarchate has suffered a massive confiscation of its properties buildings, and land; and thirdly, the Ecumenical Patriarchate had only one theological school, located on the island of Halki, which has been closed by the Turkish authorities for almost 50 years and remains closed, despite the efforts of many people and countries in the West, including repeated appeals by U.S. Presidents. As the Patriarchal Theological School of Halki remains closed, said the Archbishop, the Ecumenical Patriarchate is deprived of the ability to educate its own clergy, which is clearly a violation of its religious freedom.

The Archbishop’ s remarks were very well received by the Plenary and the participants applauded his call for action in support of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

The Ministerial convened a broad range of stakeholders from eighty countries, including foreign ministers, ambassadors, international organization representatives, religious leaders, and civil society representatives, to discuss challenges, identify concrete ways to combat religious persecution and discrimination, and ensure greater respect for religious freedom for all.

On the sidelines of the Ministerial conference, His Eminence had the opportunity to meet with several officials including Sam Brownback, United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom; John J. Sullivan, Deputy Secretary of State; Knox Thames, Special Advisor for Religious Minorities in the Near East and South/Central Asia; and religious and political leaders from around the world.

John J. Sullivan, Deputy Secretary of State hosted in the evening of Wednesday, July 25, a reception for the participants of the Ministerial at the Benjamin Franklin Room of the State Department.  

Today, the last day of the conference, Archbishop Demetrios attended the introductory address of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the very comprehensive Keynote Address of Vice President Mike Pence.

See Photos

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https://www.goarch.org/-/archbishop-demetrios-raises-the-issues-of-religious-freedom-of-the-ecumenical-patriarchate-in-state-department-ministerial-to-advance-religious-freedo

Archbishop Demetrios holds memorial service for the fire victims in Greece

07/25/2018

Stavros Papagermanos - Press Office, pressoffice@goarch.org

July 25, 2018

WASHINGTON – His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America held today in the Cathedral of Saint Sophia a memorial service for the fire victims in Eastern Attica, Greece. The Archbishop is in the Nation’s Capital on the invitation of the Secretary of State of the United States, Mike Pompeo, to attend and participate in the first-ever Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom (a separate release will cover this event), held in the State Department, July 24-25, 2018.

The Archbishop also prayed for the repose of the soul of Protopresbyter Spyridon Papapostolou, who was among the victims of the fires and was a personal friend of the Archbishop. Fr. Spyridon served for many years as proistamenos of the Church of Saint Nicholas in Halandri, a suburb of Athens. He also had a direct connection with the Cathedral of Saint Sophia in Washington, as his brother Harilaos Papapostolou of blessed memory served for many years as the master chanter and choir leader of the Cathedral.

Attending the memorial were the representative of the Embassy of Greece in Washington First Consellor Dimitrios Angelosopoulos, Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Andrew Manatos, and others.

Following the memorial trisagion the Archbishop stated: “We conducted a memorial service for the eternal memory and repose of the souls of the innocent people who lost their lives in this unprecedented fire in Eastern Attica. We also prayed for God’s help and comfort and solace to the families of victims. This was an event of extraordinary proportions, of speed and intensity not seen before. We understand the great difficulties the Greek State will face in its effort to repair, compensate and rebuild all that was destroyed, and in this effort, we, as the Greek Orthodox Church here in America, are willing to help in any way possible so that wounds and traumas caused by this terrible disaster may heal as quickly as possible. We believe that God will help and support the efforts to revitalize the afflicted areas but mostly to strengthen and offer solace to the people.”

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https://www.goarch.org/-/archbishop-demetrios-holds-memorial-service-for-the-fire-victims-in-greece

Archiepiscopal Encyclical for the recent fires in Greece

07/24/2018

July 24, 2018

Protocol Number 127/18

Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God;
Yes, I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand
(Is. 41:10).

To the Clergy and the Faithful of the Holy Archdiocese of America

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We all have learned of the devastating fires in Attica, Greece that have claimed the lives of dozens of people, injured many others, and destroyed countless homes and properties.  We are filled with agony and pain as we watch the horrifying images and hear the tragic stories coming from Greece.

On behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Holy Archdiocese of America we share the sorrow of our beloved people of Greece and we offer our fervent prayers. May our merciful Lord grant eternal life to those who perished and courage to those who survived.

As Orthodox Christians we must offer hope and support.  Therefore, on Sunday, July 29, 2018, we ask all of the parishes of our Holy Archdiocese to offer a special Memorial Service for those who have lost their lives to this tragedy. Additionally, we ask that our parishes take a special collection on this Sunday, July 29, and on Sunday, August 5, dedicated to an effort to bring comfort, aid, and hope to those whose homes and communities have been destroyed.  All collections, either from parishes or individuals, should be sent payable to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese (8 East 79th Street, NY, NY 10075) and designated for the Attica fires Relief Fund.  Our prayers and our gifts of love will assist those in need and will also be a witness of the strong bonds of Faith and heritage that we share with the people of Greece, especially in this time of tragedy.  

Knowing the boundless generosity and love of you, the faithful of America, we are confident that you will respond most generously to this appeal to help heal the pain of the Greek people. They will need the assistance now and in the future to recover from this devastating tragedy.

With paternal love in Christ,

† DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America

 

 


https://www.goarch.org/-/archiepiscopal-encyclical-for-the-recent-fires-in-greece
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Fr. Rick's Sermon

Mary Magdalene- Disciple, Myrrhbearer & Apostle of the Lord (7-22-2018)

   During our pilgrimage to the Holy Land last Fall, we visited Lake Genesareth (Galilee). Between the cities of Capharnum and Tiberias on the northwest side is the small village of Mejhdel, which is the remnant of ancient city of Magdala. This is the birth place of the one of the most famous women in the all the Gospels—Mary Magdalene. The Gospel tells us nothing of Mary's younger years, but Tradition informs us that Mary of Magdala was young and pretty, but led a sinful life.

   Although it is sometimes said that Saint Mary Magdalene was the "sinful woman" who anointed Jesus’ feet, this is nowhere stated in the tradition of the Church, in the sacred hymnology, or in the Holy Gospels themselves. The evangelist Luke wrote that our Lord cast seven demons out of her (Luke. 8:2). From the moment of her healing Mary led a new life and became a true disciple of the Savior.

   The Gospel relates that Mary followed after the Lord, when He went with the Apostles through the cities and villages of Judea and Galilee preaching about the Kingdom of God. Together with the pious women Joanna, wife of Choza (steward of Herod), Susanna and others, she served Him from her own possessions (Luke 8:1-3) and undoubtedly shared with the Apostles the evangelic tasks in common with the other women.

   The Evangelist Luke, evidently, has her in view together with the other women, stating that at the moment of the Procession of Christ onto Golgotha, when after the Scourging He took on Himself the heavy Cross, collapsing under its weight, the women followed after Him weeping and wailing, but He consoled them (Lk.22:27-28). The Gospel relates that Mary Magdalene was present on Golgotha at the moment of the Lord's Crucifixion (Lk.22:49). While all the disciples of the Savior ran away, she remained fearlessly at the Cross together with the Mother of God and the Apostle John.

   The Evangelists also list among those standing at the Cross the mother of the Apostle James, and Salome, and other women followers of the Lord from Galilee, but all mention Mary Magdalene first (Mt.27:56; Mk.15:40; Lk.?). St John (19:25), in addition to the Mother of God, names only her and Mary Cleopas. This indicates how much she stood out from all the women who gathered around the Lord.

    She was faithful to Him not only in the days of His Glory, but also at the moment of His extreme humiliation and insult. As the Evangelist Matthew (27:61) relates, she was present at the Burial of the Lord. Before her eyes Joseph and Nicodemus went out to the tomb with His lifeless Body. She watched as they covered over the entrance to the cave with a large stone, entombing the Source of Life.

   The Evangelist Matthew (28:1) writes that the women came to the grave at dawn, or as the Evangelist Mark (16:1) expresses, extremely early before the rising of the sun. The Evangelist John (20:1), elaborating upon these, says that Mary came to the grave so early that it was still dark. Obviously, she waited impatiently for the end of night, but it was not yet daybreak. She ran to the place where the Lord's Body lay.
   Mary becomes the apostle to the apostles by telling Peter and John about the empty tomb. After they all go back to the tomb, only Mary encounters the risen Lord Jesus and then, at His command, she returns to the apostles again to tell them Whom she had seen and what He said. This is why we call her ‘Isapostlos’ or ‘Equal to the Apostles.’

   Holy Tradition testifies that when the Apostles departed from Jerusalem to preach to all the ends of the earth, then Mary Magdalene also went with them. A daring woman, whose heart was full of reminiscence of the Resurrection, she went beyond her native borders and went to preach in pagan Rome. Everywhere she proclaimed to people about Christ and His teaching. When many did not believe that Christ is risen, she repeated to them what she had said to the Apostles on the radiant morning of the Resurrection: "I have seen the Lord!" With this message she went all over Italy.

   Tradition relates that in Italy Mary Magdalene visited Emperor Tiberias (14-37 A.D.) and proclaimed to him Christ's Resurrection. According to Tradition, she took him a red egg as a symbol of the Resurrection, a symbol of new life with the words: "Christ is Risen!" Then she told the emperor that in his Province of Judea the unjustly condemned Jesus the Galilean, a holy man, a miracle-worker, powerful before God and all mankind, had been executed at the instigation of the Jewish High Priests, and the sentence confirmed by the procurator appointed by Tiberias, Pontius Pilate. This encounter between Mary Magdalene and Emperor Tiberias is uniquely depicted on the east wall mural in the Russian Orthodox Church dedicated to her in Jerusalem.

   Thanks to Mary Magdalene the custom to give each other paschal eggs on the day of the Radiant Resurrection of Christ spread among Christians over all the world. On one ancient Greek manuscript, written on parchment, kept in the monastery library of St Athanasius near Thessalonica, is a prayer read on the day of Holy Pascha for the blessing of eggs and cheese. In it is indicated that the abbot in passing out the blessed eggs says to the brethren: "Thus have we received from the holy Fathers, who preserved this custom from the very time of the holy Apostles, therefore the holy Equal of the Apostles Mary Magdalene first showed believers the example of this joyful offering."

   Mary Magdalene continued her preaching in Italy and in the city of Rome itself. Evidently, the Apostle Paul has her in mind in his Epistle to the Romans (16: 6), where together with other ascetics of evangelic preaching he mentions Mary (Mariam), who as he expresses "has bestowed much labor on us." Evidently, she extensively served the Church in its means of subsistence and its difficulties, being exposed to dangers, and sharing with the Apostles the labors of preaching.

   According to Church Tradition, she remained in Rome until the arrival of the Apostle Paul, and for two more years following his departure from Rome after the first court judgment upon him. From Rome, St Mary Magdalene, already bent with age, moved to Ephesus where the holy Apostle John unceasingly labored. There the saint finished her earthly life and was buried.

   Conclusion- Let us imitate Mary Magdalene and be a disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ, by always following Him and learning from His teachings and the example of His life. As Mary did, let us support Him and His Church with most generous and sacrificial offerings of our own possessions. Let us follow Jesus down the path to Golgotha, even and especially, when it is inconvenient, unpopular and dangerous for us to do. Let us be myrrh-bearers by bringing the most precious spices and oils of our hungry and thirsting soul and body to the feet of Jesus very early in the morning each Sunday—the first day of the week. Consequently, let us experience each week the resurrected Lord as we are resurrected by the consumption of His precious Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist. Finally, let us be apostles, and carry the Good News of the Resurrection of the Son of God, the forgiveness of sins and life eternal. Amen!

 

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News and Events

ST. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

 Rev. Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews, Presbyter

1111 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105, (651) 222-6220, www.stgeorgegoc.org

 

July 29, 2018                                                                                         9th SUNDAY OF MATTHEW

 

TODAY’S EVENTS: Greek Dance practice 6:30pm.

 

Memorial: Timothy (3 mos.) & George (6 mos.) Glaros; Mary Weiser (10 yrs), Michael Frontz (41 yrs) & David Trudeau (10 yrs).

Epistle Reader: Stephen Kanavati                                       Prosfora: anonymous

Fellowship: Phyllis & Emilio Kapetanakis family             Head Greeters: Yodahe Gamada & Dan Simon

 

Wednesday 08-01     DORMITION FAST BEGINS

                                      PARAKLESIS                                                                                                                    7:00PM

Thursday     08-02     PARAKLESIS                                                                                                                    9:00AM

                                      Prison Ministry Leaders meeting at St. Mary’s GOC in Minneapolis                   12:00PM

Saturday      08-04     MN United soccer game                                                                                                  7:00PM

Sunday         08-05     ORTHROS (8:15am) &DIVINE LITURGY- 10th SUNDAY OF MAATHEW                   9:30AM

                                      VESPERS – TRANSFIGURATION                                                                                 7:00PM

Monday       08-06     ORTHROS (8:00am) &DIVINE LITURGY- TRANSFIGURATION                            9:00AM

                                      Loaves & Fishes at St. Matthew Catholic Church, West side St. Paul                        4:30PM

Tuesday       08-07     Parish Council Meeting                                                                                                   6:30PM

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Attica Fires Relief: The Archdiocese has established a fund to provide relief to the victims of the devasting wildfires in Greece, near Athens this past week. Over 80 people perished, hundreds injured and probably thousands left without homes. Metropolitan Nathanael is encouraging prayers and material support for the victims. Please be generous. Checks can be made to St. George Church, memo “Attica Fires Relief.”

Dormition Fast Begins: ThisWednesday, August 1st to prepare for the major Feast of the Falling Asleep of the Virgin Mary on August 15th. The fast requires abstinence from meat and dairy and involves daily personal prayer, repentance, confession and the beautiful Paraklesis worship services. Please use this time wisely.

Office Closed: through Thursday, August 2, while Julie is on vacation. Sorry for inconvenience.

Youth News: On Saturday, August 4, everyone is invited to come watch a MN United Soccer game at 7:00pm. Tickets are $30 each! See Nathaniel ASAP to register.

Think About It: Tending to the sick is one of the most powerful means of preserving purity.         St. Macarius of Optina (+1860)

Greek Festival News- Discount Tickets: available now through July 31. Purchase 12 one-dollar tickets for only $10 in the social hall after liturgy or online at www.stgeorgegoc.org/greekfestival/. Buy your discounted tickets today and invite friends and neighbors to our festival. Volunteer: sign up for one or more shifts in the social hall or at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4ca5ad2babff2-2018. Festival Lawn Signs: are going quickly! Please bring in your signs or talk to George Mastrogiorgis about updating! Baking Volunteer Opportunity: Join in making Greek sweets and pastries the following Wednesdays August 1, 8 & 15. Start time is 9:30am, with the exception of August 15 which will be later. Contact Nanette, Irene or Anastasia for details.

Annual FOCUS Fundraiser: Thursday, August 16, from 6:30-9:30pm at St. Mary’s GOC in Minneapolis. Appetizer buffet and dancing; free to all, but please RSVP to focustwincities@gmail.com.

Metropolitan Nathanael in Twin Cities: on Wednesday September 12th as part of his listening tour throughout the Metropolis of Chicago. Our parish will host the event 6-9pm. Plan to be here that evening! More info tba.

75th Anniversary Album: is in the final stages, editing and reviewing the digital quality of the photos to ensure the highest print quality. Much progress has been made over the past few months. Thank you for your patience.

Donations on Hold: Focus MN is no longer accepting used clothes and supplies until they find a new physical location. Please do not bring donations to St. George until further notice. Thank you.

Patristic Wisdom: Let no one think that only priests and monks need to pray without ceasing. No, every Christian, every layperson, without exception ought to dwell always in prayer.        St. Gregory Palamas (+1359)

2019 Pilgrimage to Russia: Icon Art Studios is hosting another pilgrimage to Russia in the early or late summer of 2019. Preliminary information is currently available. Please contact Deb Korluka if you would like to receive information regarding the upcoming plans. Thank you!

John Pitsavas Memorial Scholarship: eligible high school seniors and college students are invited to apply for this scholarship for the 2018-2019 academic year by submitting an essay discussing the topic: “All Things are Possible to the One Who Believes in Christ” (Mark 9:23) Discuss how this verse relates to your own life as an Orthodox Christian student.” Deadline is September 15, 2018. Applications and guidelines are available in the church office.

Wisdom from the Church Fathers: Those who possess the fear of God are the furthest from telling lies, because they have an honest judge, their own conscience.                       St. John Climacus (+649)

Maria Andrews Update: back in mid-May,Fr. Rick’s motherexperienced a serious fall and injuries. She has been in transitional care ever since and recently moved temporarily to assisted living at The Glen, 901 Feltl Court, #307, Hopkins, MN 55343. She appreciates cards, phone calls 612-202-5972 and visits.

Lexington Parkway Construction Alert: Resurfacing project on Lexington Parkway between James and University Avenues will cause major traffic disruptions and road closures, for six weeks beginning mid-July.

Church Fathers Speak: Shut all the gates of your soul, that is the senses, so as to not to be lured astray. When the nous sees that it is not dominated by anything, it prepares itself for immortality, gathering its senses together and forming them into one body.                                       St. Isaiah the Anchorite (+491)

Summer Cash Flow: please continue to make stewardship contributions throughout the summer so that we don’t have to use our savings to pay our bills. Please don’t wait until the end of the year to fulfill your pledge.

Prothesis Table Project Complete: with the installation of the new Extreme Humility icon in the new niche above the new antiprothesis cabinet (aka skeuvophylakion), in addition to the new cabinet for the prothesis (table of preparation), this project is now complete. Look for photos in August Glad Tidings.

Metropolis Clergy Laity: the Twin Cities has been chosen to host the next Metropolis Clergy Laity September 25-29, 2019. The St. George and St. Mary Church communities will co-host. Stay tuned for more details!

Stewardship 2018: Theme is “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord and not for men” (Col.3:23). 111 pledges have been received averaging $1,490, total $165,444. Three things to do: 1) pray for God’s inspiration and guidance, 2) plan-budget stewardship first, 3) give generously and sacrificially, at least three percent (3%) of gross yearly income. We thank you for supporting the ministries of our parish!

Sermons Updated: and posted on our website through May 31, 2018. More to come, including children’s sermons in 2018. http://stgeorgegoc.org/pastors-corner/fr-ricks-sermons/

Welcome Visitors Thank you for joining with us in prayer and fellowship. The worship of the Orthodox Church is deeply rooted in and very similar to that of the early Christian Church. Unique sensory stimuli and mystery are elements that go back even to the liturgy of the Jewish temple. Everything in an Orthodox Christian church communicates the majestic presence of God the Holy Trinity with His Saints. It is literally heaven on earth. It is a sad consequence of the divisions in Christianity that we cannot extend a general invitation to receive Holy Communion. Visitors are invited to receive the blessed bread (antithoron) at the conclusion of the liturgy. We pray and work for the reconciliation and unity of all Christians. If you are interested in learning more about Orthodoxy, please contact Fr. Rick at fatherrick@stgeorgegoc.org. We are proud of our Greek heritage, but one does not have to be of Greek descent, nor speak Greek to be a Greek Orthodox Christian.

Note to Orthodox about Holy Communion: Receiving the Body and Blood of Christ is one of the most Holy experiences for a Christian in order to be granted the forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. We are never worthy to partake of Divine Nature. Yet, it is essential that we prepare ourselves for this sacred Communion by constant prayer, reading the Scriptures, regular fasting and periodic Confession. At a minimum, we should fast all morning before Communion, arrive at the beginning of Liturgy, and come for Confession at least once a year. In addition, we should not have separated ourselves from the Church through serious sin. Otherwise, please refrain from Communion to avoid “judgment…not discerning the Lord’s body” (1Cor. 11:29). Contact Fr. Rick for pastoral guidance.

Glad Tidings deadline: The 10th of each month. Glad Tidings email: gladtidings@stgeorgegoc.org  Sunday Bulletin Deadline: Wednesday Noon each week.  Email: office@stgeorgegoc.org

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Bulletin Inserts

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