Publish-header
St. George Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2019-05-19
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
Jcparal1
Organization Icon
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

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

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal 1st Mode

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and bestowing life on those in the graves.

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 3rd Mode

Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad, for the Lord by His Might, has created a Dominion. He has conquered death by death, and become the first-born of the dead. He has delivered us from the depths of Hades, and has granted the world great mercy.

Apolytikion for the Church in the 4th Mode

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.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal 4th Mode

Though You went down into the tomb, You destroyed Hades' power, and You rose the victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, "Hail!" and granting peace to Your disciples, You who raise up the fallen.
BACK TO TOP

Saints and Feasts

Jcparal1
May 19

Sunday of the Paralytic

Close to the Sheep's Gate in Jerusalem, there was a pool, which was called the Sheep's Pool. It had round about it five porches, that is, five sets of pillars supporting a domed roof. Under this roof there lay very many sick people with various maladies, awaiting the moving of the water. The first to step in after the troubling of the water was healed immediately of whatever malady he had.

It was there that the paralytic of today's Gospel way lying, tormented by his infirmity of thirty-eight years. When Christ beheld him, He asked him, "Wilt thou be made whole?" And he answered with a quiet and meek voice, "Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool." The Lord said unto him, "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." And straightaway the man was made whole and took up his bed. Walking in the presence of all, he departed rejoicing to his own house. According to the expounders of the Gospels, the Lord Jesus healed this paralytic during the days of the Passover, when He had gone to Jerusalem for the Feast, and dwelt there teaching and working miracles. According to Saint John the Evangelist, this miracle took place on the Sabbath.

May 19

Patrick the Hieromartyr and Bishop of Prusa and His Fellow Martyrs Acacius, Menander, and Polyaenus

Saint Patrick was Bishop of Prusa, a city in Bithynia (the present-day Brusa or Bursa). Because of his Christian Faith, he was brought before Julius (or Julian) the Consul, who in his attempts to persuade Patrick to worship as he himself did, declared that thanks was owed to the gods for providing the hot springs welling up from the earth for the benefit of men. Saint Patrick answered that thanks for this was owed to our Lord Jesus Christ, and explained that when He, Who is God, created the earth, He made it with both fire and water, and the fire under the earth heats the water which wells up, producing hot springs; he then explained that there is another fire, which awaits the ungodly. Because of this, he was cast into the hot springs, but it was the soldiers who cast him in, and not he, who were harmed by the hot water. After this Saint Patrick was beheaded with the presbyters Acacius, Menander, and Polyaenus. Most likely, this was during the reign of Diocletian (284-305).

May 19

Our Righteous Father Memnonus the Wonderworker

May 19

Theotima & Kyriake the Martyrs

BACK TO TOP

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Fifth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:13-35

At that time, two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see." And he said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 3rd Mode. Psalm 46.6,1.
Sing praises to our God, sing praises.
Verse: Clap your hands, all you nations.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 9:32-42.

In those days, as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints that lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed." And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him entreating him, "Please come to us without delay." So Peter rose and went with them. And when he had come, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing tunics and other garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, rise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling the saints and widows he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Paralytic
The Reading is from John 5:1-15

At that time, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda which has five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and troubled the water; whoever stepped in first after the troubling of the water was healed of whatever disease he had. One man was there, who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?" The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me." Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your pallet, and walk." And at once the man was healed, and he took up his pallet and walked.

Now that day was the sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who was cured, "It is the sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your pallet." But he answered them, "The man who healed me said to me, 'Take up your pallet, and walk.' "They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, 'Take up your pallet, and walk'?" Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you." The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him.

BACK TO TOP

Wisdom of the Fathers

In that case [Matt 9:2] there was remission of sins, (for He said, "Thy sins be forgiven thee,") but in this, warning and threats to strengthen the man for the future; "Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto you."
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 37 on John 1, 4th Century

Great is the profit of the divine Scriptures, and all-sufficient is the aid which comes from them ... For the divine oracles are a treasury of all manner of medicines, so that whether it be needful to quench pride, to lull desire to sleep, to tread under foot the love of money, ... from them one may find abundant resource.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 37 on John 5, 4th Century

BACK TO TOP

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

Logo

Archdiocesan Council Unanimously Approves Letter to Ecumenical Patriarchate

05/10/2019

ATLANTA – The Archdiocesan Council of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, which is meeting for its regular Spring meeting in Atlanta, May 9-10, 2019, received yesterday a request from the Ecumenical Patriarchate asking for the Council’s opinion according to article 13 of the Charter to be submitted today by 2:00 p.m. EDT.
https://www.goarch.org/-/archdiocesan-council-unanimously-approves-letter-to-ecumenical-patriarchate

Resolution of the Archdiocesan Council

05/10/2019

WHEREAS: We, her faithful children in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, are grateful to our Mother Church for its wisdom in granting us an Archdiocesan Charter, and approving Archdiocesan Regulations, that provide to our beloved Holy Eparchial Synod and to the Archdiocesan Council a specific, meaningful and substantive advisory role in the election of the Archbishop of America;
https://www.goarch.org/-/resolution-of-the-archdiocesan-council

Resolution of Thanks and Appreciation for His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Geron of America

05/10/2019

Resolution of Thanks and Appreciation for His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Geron of America
https://www.goarch.org/-/resolution-of-thanks-and-appreciation-for-his-eminence-archbishop-demetrios-geron-of-america

Resolution of Thanks and Appreciation for His Grace Bishop Andonios of Phasiane

05/10/2019

Resolution of Thanks and Appreciation for His Grace Bishop Andonios of Phasiane
https://www.goarch.org/-/resolution-of-thanks-and-appreciation-for-his-grace-bishop-andonios-of-phasiane

Archbishop Elpidophoros Holds Teleconference Call with the Hierarchs and Clergy

05/16/2019

Today, May 16, 2019, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America held a teleconference call with the Hierarchs and clergy – active and retired, of the Holy Archdiocese of America. The call was organized by Metropolitan Methodios of Boston in his capacity as Archiepiscopal Vicar, with the cooperation of the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council. Over 400 clergy participated in the call.
https://www.goarch.org/-/archbishop-elpidophoros-holds-teleconference-call-with-the-hierarchs-and-clergy

Process Summary for Election of Archbishop

05/10/2019

Relative Regulations and Charter Articles to the Election of Archbishop
https://www.goarch.org/-/process-summary-for-election-of-archbishop

Archpastoral message of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros to the Faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

05/15/2019

Even though I am, as the Apostle Paul once said, “absent in the body” from you, I am very much with you in heart, in mind, and in spirit (cf. I Cor. 5:3). I wanted to take this moment to communicate with you through this marvelous tool of social media, to express how much I desire to embrace all of you as spiritual children, and to manifest to you the love with which God has graced my heart for the precious flock of the Holy Archdiocese of America.
https://www.goarch.org/-/archpastoral-message-of-his-eminence-archbishop-elpidophoros-to-the-faithful-of-the-greek-orthodox-archdiocese-of-america

Letter on behalf of the Hierarchs of the Holy Eparchial Synod to the Faithful

05/14/2019


https://www.goarch.org/-/letter-on-behalf-of-the-hierarchs-of-the-holy-eparchial-synod-to-the-faithful

WATCH: Archpastoral message of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros to the Faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

05/15/2019

Even though I am, as the Apostle Paul once said, “absent in the body” from you, I am very much with you in heart, in mind, and in spirit (cf. I Cor. 5:3). I wanted to take this moment to communicate with you through this marvelous tool of social media, to express how much I desire to embrace all of you as spiritual children, and to manifest to you the love with which God has graced my heart for the precious flock of the Holy Archdiocese of America.
https://www.goarch.org/-/archpastoral-message-of-his-eminence-archbishop-elpidophoros-to-the-faithful-of-the-greek-orthodox-archdiocese-of-america

Announcement Regarding the Election of Archbishop Elpidophoros

05/11/2019

Today, May 11, 2019, under the presidency of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate deliberated and elected Metropolitan Elpidophoros (Lambriniadis) of Bursa and Exarch of Bithynia as the new Archbishop of America.
https://www.goarch.org/-/announcement-regarding-the-election-of-archbishop-elpidophoros

Formal Election Announcement Mega Minima for Archbishop Elpidophoros

05/11/2019

NEW YORK – Following the unanimous election of Metropolitan Elpidophoros of Bursa as Archbishop of America, His Eminence was presented with the Announcement of his election (Mikro Minima) and the Formal Election Announcement (Mega Minima) at the Sacred and Patriarchal Church of Saint George. After the ceremony he received the good wishes and blessings of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Mother Church upon the assumption of his new duties.
https://www.goarch.org/-/formal-election-announcement-mega-minima-for-archbishop-elpidophoros

Metropolitan Elpidophoros of Bursa Elected Unanimously Archbishop of America

05/11/2019


https://www.goarch.org/-/metropolitan-elpidophoros-of-bursa-elected-unanimously-archbishop-of-america
BACK TO TOP

BACK TO TOP

Fr. Rick's Sermon

Come to Me Directly (5-12-2019)

   Christ is Risen! During the period of 40 Day festal period of Pascha we read from the Gospel according to St. John the Beloved of the Lord. Interestingly, it starts with the witness of John the Baptist and skips the whole first 30 years of Jesus’ life including His Baptism by John. Probably, this is because the Evangelist wrote his gospel much later than Matthew, Mark and Luke, (also known as the Synoptics) and assumed that most Christians already had a reasonable knowledge of those facts and/or perhaps he did not see them as important as the signs and miracles of Jesus’ ministry as the Messiah, the Christ. John the Evangelist is associated with the eagle because his gospel sores high in its lofty, well-developed theology based on the person and word of Christ Himself.

   Today, I want to share with you a passage from John, chapter five (vv.30-47). It was the selected gospel for this past Friday, two days ago, according to the Orthodox lectionary. One of the reasons I want to delve into it, is that it is unique. Itis not read anywhere else in the lectionary, nor does its content appear in the Synoptic Gospels. Another reason to look more closely at it is that its words, or I should say Christ’s words, are so powerful. It is part of a larger dialogue with the Jews. 

     30I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. 31“If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true. 32There is another who bears witness of Me, and I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is true. 33You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34Yet I do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you may be saved. 35He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light.

   Here, Jesus is affirming the witness of John the Baptist. In other words, he has sent you to the right person. You don’t need to doubt him and look elsewhere for the Messiah. But in case you still do have questions…

   36But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. 37And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. At this point in His ministry, the Jews would have already seen or at least heard about the first three of Jesus’ signs/miracles: 1) changing water into wine at the wedding in Cana of Galilee (2:1-11), 2) healing the nobleman’ son (4:46-54), and 3) curing the paralytic (5:1-15) which will be next Sunday’s gospel. There is no way Jesus could be the Christ, the Son of God, if He did not have the power of God the Father to perform these miracles.

   Jesus continues, saying about God the Father: You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. 38But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe.

My brothers and sisters, this is another example of last week’s sermon: Don’t Be An Atheist. Jesus’ words imply that we must believe in Him as the Christ in order to truly believe in God the Father. Jesus continues…

   39“You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on My behalf. 40Yet you refuse to come to Me to have life. 40But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

Conversely, Jesus is saying, “If you want to have life--true life and eternal life—come to Me! Be willing and do it!”

   In a recent podcast on Ancient Faith Radio, Professor Christopher Veniamin of St. Tikhon Seminary in Pennsylvania discussed the empirical theology of the Orthodox Church as taught by Fr. John Romanides. Empirical theology speaks to the ability to know God through the direct experience of prayer, worship and the sacraments. This is opposed to academic theology which seeks to know God through scholarly analysis, which is not necessarily bad but it’s the difference between knowing God (empiricism) and knowing about God (academics).

   Thus, Jesus is saying if you know about Me because of John the Baptist’s witness—great. If you know about Me because heard about My signs/miracles—wonderful. If you know about Me because you searched the scriptures—awesome. But He is also saying that these are not enough. You have to go farther and come to Me directly.

   Whenever we hesitate to pray, whenever we choose to do something other than worship, when dismiss the Sacraments of Confession, Unction and the Eucharist, think for a moment and consider what Jesus says next:

41“I do not receive honor from men. 42But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. 43I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.

    44How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the One who alone is God?

   Come to Me! Jesus says. Receive Me! Accept My glory! If we turn our back on these invitations Jesus still remains faithful to us. He never gives up on us, even when we give up on Him. He places us first, even when we place Him last. But because He loves us so much, Christ has allowed us freewill to love Him or not. Because love without freedom is not real love.

   As we said before, academic theology is good but it can become sinful when it replaces empirical theology. When we place greater emphasis on knowing about God rather than actually knowing Him directly, we lose communion with Him. When this happens, even the knowledge we have about God becomes perverted and distorted. This was the sin of Adam and Eve. They wanted to know about God from the Tree of Knowledge, rather than actually directly know Him through obedience. We today are no different. We fully participate in the Fall of Adam and Eve when substitute knowledge about God in place of knowing Him through direct communion. This explains how many so-called Christian denominations of our day have completely reinterpreted the Scriptures to support their worldly beliefs and practices as endorsed and taught be God, when in fact they are directly opposed to traditional Judeo-Christian teaching. They’ve turned the morals and values completely upside down.

   The Prophet Isaiah, whom we just commemorated on May 9th, spoke to this: Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! (5:20)

Jesus also addresses this in the last two verses of Friday’s gospel passage:

45Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you—Moses, in whom you trust. 46If you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. 47But if you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?”

   As we close today, consider the three-part floor plan of the Orthodox temple: narthex, nave, altar. It symbolizes the three-fold method that Fr. Romanides says exemplies the Christian life: purification (catharsis), illumination (photisis), and comm/union (theosis). We can only begin to know about God (illumination) if repent of our sins (catharsis). And we can only come to know God in communion with Him (theosis) by moving beyond mere knowledge. Studying about God is good but experiencing Him directly is better. Studying about God without actually praying, worshipping and communing with Him is demonic. Christ is Risen! Amen!

BACK TO TOP

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

 

May 19, 2019                                                                         4th SUNDAY PASCHA – THE PARALYTIC

 

TODAY’S EVENTS: Sunday School Commencement and Graduates Recognition 11am; choir practice 12pm; Greek School picnic 12:30pm; Greek Dance practice 6:30pm.

 

Epistle Reader: Stephen Kanavati                                       Prosfora: anonymous

Fellowship: Richard Kanavati                                              Greeters: Diane Anastos, Bob Baffa

 

Tuesday       05-21     ORTHROS (8am) &LITURGY-STS. CONSTANTINE & HELEN                               9:00AM

                                  Parish Council meeting                                                                                    6:30PM

Wednesday 05-22     Bible Study                                                                                                      1:30PM

Thursday     05-23     Glad Tidings mailing – volunteers needed                                                      10:00AM

Sunday        05-26     ORTHROS (8:15am) &LITURGY-5th SUNDAY PASCHA – SAMARITAN WOM         9:30AM

                                   Greek Dance practice                                                                                      6:30PM

Monday       05-27     Memorial Day Program at Roselawn Cemetery                                                   9:30AM

                                  Memorial Prayers at Greek Orthodox section                                                    11:00AM

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Welcome! to Fr. Paul Hodge who is serving Divine Liturgy today for Fr. Rick while he is attending the Metropolis Strategic Planning Retreat in Chicago. Fr. Rick will return this Tuesday, May 21st.

Baptized & Chrismated: Isaiah Baklund became a full member of the Orthodox Christian Faith on May 11th and his sponsor is Nouno Steve Arsenault. A warm welcome and congratulations to Isaiah!

Commencement: Thank you to our Sunday School teachers! Miss Aida Abebe (director), 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). We appreciate their diligence and commitment to our kids!

Congratulations to our Graduates! High School- Melina Canas, Parry Paraschou & Dina Cender; College- Adam Fuller, Elias Hofrenning, Thomas Kennedy, Katherine Lake, Kharissa Maehren, Marisa Mortari & Nicholas Mortari.

Think About It: The further the soul advances, the greater are the adversaries against which it must contend.     Evagrios the Solitary (+399)

Thank you! To His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios for his 20 years of service to our Archdiocese. We remember well his visit to the Twin Cities for Archdiocese Oratorical Festival in 2009. Many years!

New Archbishop of America: His Eminence Elpidiphoros Lambriniades was elected by the Holy Patriarchal Synod on May 10th. See insert and postings for more biographical info. Pray that he may lead our Archdiocese in health, with honor and many years, rightly teaching the word of truth. Axios!

Greek School Party Today! The St George Greek school is having an end of the year party to celebrate another successful year, beginning at 12:30pm on the side lawn for fun and games. Then we will proceed inside for a potluck luncheon. Everyone is welcome to attend the fun and food!

AHEPA Sunday Today! We thank the local and national organizations for all their work to support the mission of our Greek Orthodox parish and archdiocese to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ! See encyclical insert.

Roselawn Memorial Day Service Rescheduled: Since Fr. Rick will be giving the invocation and benediction at the overall Memorial Day program at Roselawn Cemetery on Monday May 27th, 10-11am, Memorial prayers at the Greek Orthodox section will take place the same day at 11:15am. Parishioners and friends are encouraged to participate in both services. Notice- we will NOT have prayers on Sunday May 26.

St. Mary’s Summer Camp 2019: Fee is $495. Registration closes this Thursday May 23 at 4:30pm. For more info visit https://stmaryscamp.com/summer-camp/ Camp will be held at Camp Wapogasset in Amery, WI from Saturday June 29 to Friday July 6. Every St. George Camper will receive $100 assistance!

Patristic Wisdom: Wherever you are, and whenever you’re tempted, pray and do not be discouraged!   Elder Arsenie Papacioc of Romania (+2011)

Summer Camp Scholarships: James Nickitas Memorial Camp Scholarship is available to St. George youth with financial need. Contact Fr. Rick asap. Presbytera Mary Coniaris and James H. Zubulake scholarships will be awarded to two winners based on essays on 2019 camp theme: “Journey to the Joy of Pascha!” Essay question: “What is your favorite part of Holy Week, and Why?” Deadline to submit essays is today, May 19. For more info and to submit essays, email: stmaryscampscholarship@gmail.com

FOCUS MN Blessing & Open House: on Saturday June 1 from 10am to 12 pm. All are invited to attend. Please hold all clothing donations until after June 1st. We are accepting these food items: oatmeal/cereal, mac & cheese, peanut butter, jelly, pasta and sauce. Please watch future bulletins for further updates.

Wisdom from the Fathers: Prayer should not depend upon our mood. If we are in a bad state, it’s because we are filled with sin. Thus, we need to repent. Everyday, examine your conscience and repent. Force yourself to pray regularly every day. If you don’t want to do that, you need to repent of that. You must understand how necessary this is. Know that the devil lurks and waits to destroy your soul, and that you are always in danger. Prayer alone will give your soul the strength to resist. In order to acquire spiritual muscles, you have to go to the spiritual gym.                                               Elder Sergei of Vanves (+1987)

Metropolis Listserv Sign-Up: His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael personally invites all of us to sign up with the Metropolis of Chicago listserv in order to receive announcements, news, and messages directly from His Eminence. Please honor the request of our chief shepherd and help strengthen the bonds within our Holy Metropolis. Fr. Rick and the Parish Council strongly encourage you signup. http://chicago.goarch.org/signup.

College Scholarship Contest:college students and graduating high school seniors are invited to apply for 2019-2020 academic year by submitting an essay discussing the topic: “How does the liturgical/worship life of the Greek Orthodox Christian Church help you draw/grow closer to God?” Awards:1st place $1000 by John Pitsavas Memorial Scholarship; 2nd place $500 and 3rd place $300 by Missions & Benevolence Ministry Scholarship. Deadline is June 15, 2019. Applications and guidelines are available in the church office.

Church Fathers Speak: The law of God commands us to know the one God. Conscience teaches us the same.  St. Tikhon of Zadonsk (+1783)

Strategic Planning Update: based on everyone’s input, the mission statement was recently finalized "St. George Greek Orthodox Church: A Christ-centered community that inspires faith and worship, cultivates spiritual growth and fellowship and encourages benevolence and outreach.” We now move into our next phase, which is called a SWOT survey. We invite your feedback about Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats regarding our parish community. Complete survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/J9LH9FG

Loaves and Fishes: next meal is Monday, June 3rd. Volunteers always welcome and needed. Arrive at 4:30, we serve 5-6 and clean-up is done by 7. Location is St. Matthews, 490 Hall Avenue in West Saint Paul. Please join us in helping feed the hungry. “I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was hungry and you gave me food” Mt.25

Stewardship 2019: Theme is “All things are possible to the one who believes in Christ” (Mark 9:23). 109 pledges have been received averaging $1,578, total $172,029. 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!

Youth Minister Position Open: applications are now being accepted for this part time position. To apply, email a resume, cover letter and two references to Fr. Rick at fatherrick@stgeorgegoc.org.

Exterior Restoration- Brick, block and tuckpointing have been completed. Cost of project is $118,647. We have raised over $92,281 from our parishioners and friends. Please join us in this important work. Thank you!

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!

Metropolis Clergy Laity: The St. George and St. Mary Church communities will co-host in the Twin Cities September 25-29, 2019. Alexis Bighley will co-chair. Hotel is Hyatt Regency in Bloomington.

2020 Basketball Tourney: will be hosted by our parish here in Saint Paul, MN on February 7-8-9, 2020. The parish council approved at February meeting and planning committee is formed. The last time we hosted was 2012. For more info or to volunteer, contact tournament co-chairs Milam Paraschou and Dan Simon.

Roselawn Cemetery Lots: 2019 prices are: $6,120 for a Monument Lot (2 graves); $3,825 for a Flat Lot A (2 graves); $2,167.50 for a Flat Lot B (1 grave). Single graves have limited availability. Contact church today!

Silent Auction Bidding: adult parishioners are invited to place written bids for items on the monthly silent auction table to benefit Missions & Benevolence. Parents, please refrain from having your children scribble on the bidding sheets. Thank you!

Join an IOCC Homebuild Team! In response to hurricanes, 8 one-week projects are scheduled in Florida and Texas between May 20 and August 17, 2019. The only cost is a $100 participation fee and getting to the respective city. Participants arrive on Monday afternoon and depart on Saturday morning; IOCC covers all costs on the ground (room, board, and local transportation). For project dates and locations, see posting in social hall or visit https://iocc.org/take-action/join-action-team/home-build-volunteers. More info DChristopulos@iocc.org

Consecration Service: St. John Chrysostom Monastery invites you to attend the Consecration of its “Panagia Quick-to-Hear” chapel by Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago June 7-8, 2019. See posting in social hall.

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

BACK TO TOP

Bulletin Inserts

BACK TO TOP