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).
As the deliverer of captives, and the protector of the poor; a physician of the sick, the defender of kings; O Great Martyr St. George Victorious, intercede to Christ our God, to save our souls.
Saint Mercurius came from Cappadocia, and was the son of Gordian, a Scythian. A young man, and a soldier of high rank, he refused to offer sacrifice to the idols, and after torments was beheaded during the reign of Valerian (253-260).
Saint Catherine, who was from Alexandria, was the daughter of Constas (or Cestus). She was an exceedingly beautiful maiden, most chaste, and illustrious in wealth, lineage, and learning. By her steadfast understanding, she utterly vanquished the passionate and unbridled soul of Maximinus, the tyrant of Alexandria; and by her eloquence, she stopped the mouths of the so-called philosophers who had been gathered to dispute with her. She was crowned with the crown of martyrdom in the year 305. Her holy relics were taken by Angels to the holy mountain of Sinai, where they were discovered many years later; the famous monastery of Saint Catherine was originally dedicated to the Holy Transfiguration of the Lord and the Burning Bush, but later was dedicated to Saint Catherine. According to the ancient usage, Saints Catherine and Mercurius were celebrated on the 24th of this month, whereas the holy Hieromartyrs Clement of Rome and Peter of Alexandria were celebrated on the 25th. The dates of the feasts of these Saints were interchanged at the request of the Church and Monastery of Mount Sinai, so that the festival of Saint Catherine, their patron, might be celebrated more festively together with the Apodosis of the Feast of the Entry of the Theotokos. The Slavic Churches, however, commemorate these Saints on their original dates.
Fourth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:1-12
On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of man must be delivered in to the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the apostles; but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.
But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened.
Prokeimenon. 4th Mode. Psalm 67.35,26.
God is wonderful among his saints.
Verse: Bless God in the congregations.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 3:23-29; 4:1-5.
Brethren, before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no better than a slave, though he is the owner of all the estate; but he is under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. So with us; when we were children, we were slaves to the elemental spirits of the universe. But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
13th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 18:18-27
At that time, a ruler came to Jesus and asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.' " And he said, "All these I have observed from my youth." And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus looking at him said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" But he said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."
NEW YORK – The Archdiocesan Cathedral Philoptochos Society honored His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Geron of America at their coveted Annual Chrysanthemum Ball held the evening of November 16, 2018, at the prestigious Metropolitan Club.
We give thanks to God on this blessed day as we do and should on every day for His gift of life. This is a day to reflect on the many aspects and experiences of our lives for which we are grateful; but at the foundation of all of this is life we have been given by God and our gratitude to Him for what He has done for us. As we offer all honor and glory, we praise the name of God with a song, and we magnify Him with thanksgiving (Psalm 69:30).
7. CONTINUING THE WORK OF GOD (11-9-2003; 11-18-2018)
A Closer Look at the Great Litany of Peace
Who wants to be rich? When I asked that question, many, if not most of us, thought of worldly wealth including millions of dollars. Some of us probably bought tickets for the recent Mega Millions drawing when the jackpot reached $1.6 billion. But when I asked the question, did anyone think of being rich towards God? That’s the point of today’s Gospel reading from the Ninth Sunday of Luke (12:16-21) in which Jesus tells the Parable of the Rich Fool who builds bigger barns to store his plentiful crop. Jesus ends the story by saying, “He who lays up treasure for himself, (and) is not rich towards God” (v.21).
One of the ways we become spiritually enriched towards God is by helping the poor and needy, another way is by supporting His Church and its ministries. But the most important way to get rich towards God is by worshipping Him. So, let us continue with part seven of our series on worship and the liturgy. Last week we talked about the Great Litany of Peace in a more general way. Today, we’re going to look at some specifics, because the Great Litany is prayed in several other worship services and some elements are repeated later in the liturgy.
The response of the faithful to the priest’s first and last exclamations is ‘Amen!’ We say this so often but do we even stop to think about what we are saying? Amen means “Let it be so.” It means that we accept and agree to what has been said. It means ‘Yes!’ Jesus only uses ‘Amen’ once—at the end of the Lord’s Prayer, but all four Gospels end with the word ‘Amen.’ And in the Book of Revelation, ‘Amen’ is used to refer to Christ Himself, 14 "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: (3:14). The Apostle Paul says this: 20For all the promises of God in Him are Yes (Nai), and in Him [meaning Jesus] Amen, to the glory of God through us. (2Cor.1:20).
As we said last week, the response to each of the petitions in the Litany is “Lord, have mercy.” Mercy comes from the Greek ‘eleos’ and is very similar to the ancient Greek word for ‘olive oil’ (elaion), which was used not only to cook and flavor food, but as a soothing agent for bruises and minor wounds. ‘Eleos ‘equivalent in Hebrew is ‘hesed’ which means “steadfast love.” Thus, mercy does not refer so much to legal justice or acquittal—a very Western interpretation—but to the infinite loving kindness of God, and His compassion for His suffering children. “Lord have mercy” the plea of the Ten Lepers (Lk.17:13), the Blindman near Jericho (Lk.18:38), and the repentant Publican (Lk.18:14). 21keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life (Jude 1:21).
We already discussed peace in the first three petitions. The fourth one is “For this holy house and those who enter it with faith, reverence and the fear of God.” This is instructive. It tells us how to approach our Lord. Faith means to believe, which implies trust and hope. Reverence means respect, which involves giving all our attention, not being too casual and treating the worship experience as something very special. To have the fear of God does not mean that God is wrathful and angry, ready to severely punish transgressors. He certainly is powerful enough to destroy us in an instance. But, more importantly, God has the power to save us from sin and death. Our fear should be centered on the tight rope we walk between salvation and damnation. One analogy to understand this is climbing a steep mountain. God is the mountain. If we walk carefully and cling tightly to Him, we will slowly make our way to the top—eternal life. However, if we become overly confident in our own abilities, we might start taking chances. And if we are too careless, we risk falling off the mountain into the great abyss of hell—alienation from God. The important point is that fear motivates us to do the right thing—to hang on.
After praying for our hierarch, civil leaders, good weather, travelers, the sick, suffering and captives, we pray “For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress.” God does not want us to suffer. However, it is naïve to think that we will never suffer in this life. Our world is not perfect, we are not perfect. God can deliver us from these terrible things if it is good for our soul. Deliver does not necessarily mean protect us in a pristine bubble from suffering. It can also mean to save us in its midst. Our response to suffering is the true measure of our maturity in Jesus Christ. Do we accept it with humility, endure it with patience and learn from its consequences? Or do we complain, curse and despair in our suffering? We must remember the Apostle Paul’s words:
28And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). And, 3And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:3-5).
Next, we pray “Help us, save us and protect us O God by Your grace.” Again, do we trust that God will help us find the sure footing and resting spots for our climb up the mountain of salvation? Do we believe that He will protect us by providing a cave for shelter, warmth and rest? Do we hope in His loving forgiveness that if we make a mistake and fall, that God will catch us? All these things are done by His grace through faith in Him, not our own ability.
“Remembering our all-holy, pure, ever-blessed, glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-Virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life unto Christ our God.” Here we have the summary of the communal nature of the Christian Church. We remember Mary, the Mother of Jesus as the model of one who follows God. Her ‘yes’ to God inaugurates the Incarnation of Christ (Annunciation in Luke 1:38, celebrated March 25th). The title ‘Theotokos’ means ‘birth-giver of God’ and was first used by Origen (185-254AD) and was officially recognized by the Third Ecumenical Council in Ephesus (431AD). Her ever-virginity sets the standard for chastity and purity that everyone should strive for but is so sorely lacking in our world today. Overexposure is when there is too much light for too long of time. It can ruin a photograph and it can damage our skin. In the current age of information, internet and social media, our mind, heart and soul are also overexposed. Too much of even a good thing is not good. And many other things are better left unsaid and unseen. Modesty is a lost virtue in our society. We need the Virgin Mary today more than ever. Remember her, don’t forget her!
We also have numerous other role models--over 3,000 saints are listed in the Horologion/Synxarion of the Church. We need to learn their stories, their lives of dedication to Christ and love for Him, so that we can learn from and imitate them. Not just part of our life, but our whole life—mind, heart, soul and strength; everything we think, say and do; everywhere we go, and at all times. In addition, the Christian life is not a solitary existence or effort. We have a social responsibility to hold each other accountable for how we live our lives. When we see someone in sin, we don’t condemn. Rather, we reach our hand to help. We show them a way to freedom. When we see someone hungry and in need, we must feed them and help them. All of us together, the believers in heaven and on earth, mature together towards Christ our God. No one can be ignored and left behind.
In conclusion, it is very interesting that the last petition of the Great Litany is the first place Jesus Christ is mentioned. The response of the faithful is, “To You O Lord.” In other words, we do commit our whole life to Christ, not to anyone or anything else. This is important to remember as we begin our stewardship season, fulfilling and surpassing our commitment for this year, and planning our giving for next year. The theme is based on Jesus words in Mark 9:23 All things are possible to him who believes. Committing all our time, talents and treasures to God is possible to the one who believes. Tithing or giving a tenth of our gross income to God in His Church is possible to the one who believes. Do you believe? Amen!
ST. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
Rev. Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews, Presbyter
1111 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105, (651) 222-6220, www.stgeorgegoc.org
November 25, 2018 13TH SUNDAY OF LUKE
Epistle Reader: Stephen Kanavati Prosfora: anonymous
Fellowship: Lani & Rob Hattling family & Pres. Jane Andrews Head Greeters: Bob Baffa, Jon Kennedy
Tuesday 11-27 Office closed 9am-noon
Catechism Class “The Goal- Second Coming & Living the Christian Life” 7:00PM
Wednesday 11-28 Bible Study 1:30PM
Youth Ministry meeting 6:30PM
Saturday 12-01 Advent Retreat at St. Mary’s GOC in Minneapolis 9:00AM
DIVINE LITURGY in Eau Claire, WI 9:30AM
Philoptochos Advent Luncheon at Pool & Yacht Club 11:00AM
VESPERS 5:00PM
Makers Mall for all Youth and Family of parish 6:00PM
Sunday 12-02 ORTHROS (8:15am) &DIVINE LITURGY – 14th SUNDAY OF LUKE 9:30AM
Parish Assembly Meeting 12:00PM
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Advent Fast: began Wednesday, November 15th and continues for 40 days until the Nativity of our Lord. The Church instructs us to fast from all meat and dairy products, although fish is allowed any day except Wednesdays and Fridays (until Dec.12). Fasting periods are a good time for spiritual self-examination and the Sacrament of Confession. Please contact Fr. Rick to make an appointment. Blessed Advent!
Bible Study: meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 1:30-3pm in the conference room at church. RSVP or questions to Kathy Ryan 651-292-9948 or Kathy.aeiou@gmail.com. All are welcome!
Think About It: A good deed is never lost. He who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love. St. Basil the Great (+379)
2018 Parish Christmas Card: please participate using enclosed form and $20 minimum donation. Give to a Philoptochos member or the church office no later than Sunday, December 9.Thank you.
Exterior Restoration- Brick, block and tuckpointing have been completed. Cost of project is $118,647. We have raised nearly $50,000 from our parishioners and friends. Please join us in this important work. Thank you!
Makers Mall Five- A Celebration of Giving: All youth are invited next Saturday, December 1 for our Fifth Annual Makers Mall. Join your Church family as we transform the social hall into a workshop and create handmade gifts from the heart. 5pm Vespers, 6pm Pasta Dinner, 6:30pm let the creativity begin!
Youth Minister Position Open: applications are now being accepted for this part time position. To apply, email a resume, cover letter and contact info of two references to Fr. Rick at fatherrick@stgeorgegoc.org, with “Youth Minister Application” in subject line. See insert for job description.
Stewardship Update: Please be sure to fulfill your commitments for 2018 now before the busy holiday season. Please give generously as God has blessed you. 2019 pledge cards, brochure and letters were mailed recently. Our theme is All things are possible to the one who believes in Christ” (Mark 9:23). Thanks for your support!
International Holiday Festival: today from 11am-4pm at the Ukrainian Center, 301 Main St. NE, Mpls, features folk dancing, bake and craft sales. See posting in social hall.
New Sunday School Director! Thank you to Miss Aida Abebe for graciously volunteering to lead our religious education program, working with our current teachers: Lerah McCullough (PreK), Carol Alexis (K-1), Lama Ghazi (2-3), Stephen Kanavati (4-5-6), Anastasia Mastrogiorgis (7-9) and Nick Kanavati & Vicky Paraschou (10-12). Please support Aida and the teachers by frequently bringing your children to liturgy and Sunday school.
Church Fathers Speak: Certain kinds of trees only bear fruit if stones are hung on their branches to bend them down. So it is with the soul. When it is humbled it begins to bear fruit and the more it bears the lowlier it becomes. So also the saints: the nearer they get to God, the more they see themselves as sinners. St. Dorotheos of Gaza (+565)
Annual Philoptochos Advent Luncheon & Caroling: Saturday, December 1st at 11:30am at the Pool & Yacht Club. We extend a warm invitation to all community members to join us for our annual Advent Lunch & Caroling tradition. For more information please contact Vicky Paraschou at 763.785.8882. You can also sign up in the Social Hall today!
Advent Retreat: Saturday, December 1 at St. Mary’s GOC in Minneapolis, led by Fr. Evan Armatas. Program entitled “Living a Disciplined Life in Christ” includes K-12 youth program, morning prayers 8:30am and light breakfast 9:30am, retreat till noon. RSVP 612.825.9595; see insert or posting in social hall for more information.
Patristic Wisdom: Christians will not be asked how they began, but how they finished. Saint Paul began badly but finished well. Judas’ beginning was praiseworthy, but his end was despicable. St. Jerome of Stridon (+420)
IOCC Homefront Workshop on Saturday December 8th, 9am-12pm, at St. Mary Greek Orthodox Church. To help educate leaders about parish emergency, disaster preparedness and response. RSVP by Dec.3rd to julie@stmarysgoc.org. For more info, dchristopulos@iocc.org or 612-308-5407.
Parish Council Elections: on Sunday, Dec 9th. Candidates are Stephen Arsenault, Diane Anastos, Petko Ivanov, Stephen Kanavati, John Simon, and Lily Zahariades. Requests for an absentee ballot must be made by Monday, December 3rd. Absentee ballots must be received in the mail or in person by Saturday, December 8th. Please contact a Board of Elections member to receive an absentee ballot. If you request an absentee ballot, you must use an absentee ballot to vote and will not be able to vote in person on Election Day, December 9, 2018.
St. Mary’s OCA Winter Camp: for grades 6-12 at Camp St. Croix, January 18-21, 2019. Theme is “The Sacrament of Marriage”. Fees and more information posted in social hall. Contact Matushka Lisa Tucci with questions, lisatucci71@gmail.com or 612.599.0814.
Wisdom from the Fathers: All of us, clergy, laity and monastics, must bring Christ tour minds first, as soon as we awake from our sleep. Let us offer to Him the beginning of all our thoughts like a morning sacrifice. St. Symeon the New Theologian (+1022)
New Home for FOCUS MN: 550 Rice Street, in the historic Capitol District of St. Paul. As owner of the building, FOCUS will occupy the first/lower floors, and beginning in 2019, will resume its basic needs services from this location, including hot meals, a food shelf, distribution of clothing and household items, brown bag meals through low-income neighborhood schools and homeless youth support agencies, and more. For more information, please contact Executive Director Vera Proctor at vproctor@FocusNA.org or (651) 324-2705.
2019 Basketball Tourney: hosted by Annunciation Church, Milwaukee, February 8-10. Early team registration for Men, Women, Boys, Girls & JOY teams is $300 until Dec 15; $400 afterwards. For Player Registration, click here. Meal registration is separate click here.: Early Bird Weekend Package is $90/adult, $55/child until Jan 14; afterwards $110/adult, $60/child until Jan 28. Rooms $119/night at the Brookfield Hotel, 375 South Moorland Rd, Brookfield, WI 53005, 262-364-1100 or here. Questions? Email 2019greekbball@gmail.com.
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
Liturgy Guide 11-25-2018
Saturday, December 1, at St. Mary's GOC
Saturday, December 1, 2018
A Fundraiser by Philoptochos - deadline December 9
Sunday, December 9, 2018