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St. George Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2019-05-26
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
Jcsamwom
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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

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 4th Mode

The women disciples of the Lord heard from the angel, the joyful news of the Resurrection and the repeal of the sentence imposed upon our forefathers. With pride they said to the Apostles, "Death is vanquished, Christ our God is risen bestowing upon the world His great mercy."

Apolytikion for Mid-Pentecost in the Plagal 4th Mode

Mid-way in the feast, refresh my thirsty soul with the flowing waters of piety. For You cried out to all, O Savior, "Let him who thirsts come to me and drink." You, O Christ our God, are the Fountain of Life, glory to You.

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.
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Saints and Feasts

Jcsamwom
May 26

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

One of the most ancient cities of the Promised Land was Shechem, also called Sikima, located at the foot of Mount Gerazim. There the Israelites had heard the blessings in the days of Moses and Jesus of Navi. Near to this town, Jacob, who had come from Mesopotamia in the nineteenth century before Christ, bought a piece of land where there was a well. This well, preserved even until the time of Christ, was known as Jacob's Well. Later, before he died in Egypt, he left that piece of land as a special inheritance to his son Joseph (Gen. 49:22). This town, before it was taken into possession by Samaria, was also the leading city of the kingdom of the ten tribes. In the time of the Romans it was called Neapolis, and at present Nablus. It was the first city in Canaan visited by the Patriarch Abraham. Here also, Jesus of Navi (Joshua) addressed the tribes of Israel for the last time. Almost three hundred years later, all Israel assembled there to make Roboam (Rehoboam) king.

When our Lord Jesus Christ, then, came at midday to this city, which is also called Sychar (John 4:5), He was wearied from the journey and the heat, and He sat down at this well. After a little while the Samaritan woman mentioned in today's Gospel passage came to draw water. As she conversed at some length with the Lord and heard from Him secret things concerning herself, she believed in Him; through her many other Samaritans also believed.

Concerning the Samaritans we know the following: In the year 721 before Christ, Salmanasar (Shalmaneser), King of the Assyrians, took the ten tribes of the kingdom of Israel into captivity, and relocated all these people to Babylon and the land of the Medes. From there he gathered various nations and sent them to Samaria. These nations had been idolaters from before. Although they were later instructed in the Jewish faith and believed in the one God, they worshipped the idols also. Furthermore, they accepted only the Pentateuch of Moses, and rejected the other books of Holy Scripture. Nonetheless, they thought themselves to be descendants of Abraham and Jacob. Therefore, the pious Jews named these Judaizing and idolatrous peoples Samaritans, since they lived in Samaria, the former leading city of the Israelites, as well as in the other towns thereabout. The Jews rejected them as heathen and foreigners, and had no communion with them at all, as the Samaritan woman observed, "the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans" (John 4:9). Therefore, the name Samaritan is used derisively many times in the Gospel narrations. After the Ascension of the Lord, and the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the woman of Samaria was baptized by the holy Apostles and became a great preacher and Martyr of Christ; she was called Photine, and her feast is kept on February 26.

May 26

Alexandros the New Martyr of Thessaloniki

May 26

George the New of Sofia

May 26

Augustine, Archbishop of Canterbury

May 26

Carpos and Alphaeus, Apostles of the 70

This holy Apostle was numbered with the Seventy, and ministered unto the holy Apostle Paul, journeying with him and conveying his epistles unto those to whom they were written. He became Bishop of Beroea in Thrace, where he endured great tribulations while bringing many of the heathen to holy Baptism, and also suffered martyrdom there. Saint Paul mentions him in II Timothy 4:13.

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Seventh Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:1-10

On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not know the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 4th Mode. Psalm 103.24,1.
O Lord, how manifold are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 11:19-30.

In those days, those apostles who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number that believed turned to the Lord. News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose; for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a large company was added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church, and taught a large company of people; and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians. Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabos stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world; and this took place in the days of Claudius. And the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brethren who lived in Judea, and they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
The Reading is from John 4:5-42

At that time, Jesus came to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there, and so Jesus, wearied as he was with his journey, sat down beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.

There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." The woman said to him, "Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, and his sons, and his cattle?" Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst; the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw."

Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." The woman answered him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, 'I have no husband'; for you have had five husbands, and he whom you now have is not your husband; this you said truly." The woman said to him, "Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain; and you say that Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." The woman said to him, "I know that the Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ); when he comes, he will show us all things." Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am he."

Just then his disciples came. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but none said, "What do you wish?" or, "Why are you talking with her?" So the woman left her water jar, and went away into the city and said to the people, "Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?" They went out of the city and were coming to him.

Meanwhile the disciples besought him, saying "Rabbi, eat." But he said to them, "I have food to eat of which you do not know." So the disciples said to one another, "Has anyone brought him food?" Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to accomplish his work. Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see how the fields are already white for harvest. He who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor; others have labored, and you have entered into their labor."

Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony. "He told me all that I ever did." So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of your words that we believe, for we have heard ourselves, and we know that this is indeed Christ the Savior of the world."

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Wisdom of the Fathers

The example of the good Samaritan shows that we must not abandon those in whom even the faintest amount of faith is still alive.
St. Ambrose of Milan
Two Books of St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, Concerning Repentance, Chapter 11

He shows that she is worthy to hear and not to be overlooked, and then He reveals Himself. For she, as soon as she had learnt who He was, would straightway hearken and attend to Him; ...
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 31 on John 3, 4th Century

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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

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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

Arrival and Enthronement of Archbishop Elpidophoros

05/23/2019

NEW YORK – Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, the Archiepiscopal Vicar, announces that the Enthronement Ceremony for His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America will take place at the Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral, 337 East 74th Street, New York, NY, on Saturday June 22, 2019 at 11:00 am. The Ceremony of Enthronement will be followed by an Enthronement Luncheon at 1:30 pm at the New York Hilton Midtown (1335 Avenue of the Americas).
https://www.goarch.org/-/arrival-and-enthronement-of-archbishop-elpidophoros
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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

 

May 26, 2019                                                                         5th SUNDAY PASCHA – SAMARITAN WOMAN

 

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

 

Epistle Reader: Stephen Kanavati                                       Prosfora: anonymous

Fellowship: George & Shannon Canas Family                   Greeters: Yodahe Gamada, Bill Clemons

 

Monday       05-27     Memorial Day Holiday – office closed

                                   Memorial Day Program at Roselawn Cemetery                                                  10:00AM

                                   Memorial Prayers at Greek Orthodox section                                                    11:00AM

Saturday     06-01     FOCUS-MN Blessing & Open House                                                                 10:00AM

Sunday        06-02     ORTHROS (8:15am) &LITURGY-6th SUNDAY PASCHA – THE BLIND MAN              9:30AM

                                   Philoptochos meeting                                                                                       12:00PM

                                   Greek Dance practice                                                                                         6:30PM

Monday       06-03     Loaves & Fishes at St. Matthew’s in West St. Paul                                                4:30PM

Wednesday 06-05     ORTHROS (8am) &LITURGY- APODOSIS OF PASCHA                                          9:00AM

                                  VESPERS –ASCENSION OF OUR LORD                                                                6:00PM

Thursday     06-06     ORTHROS (8am) &LITURGY- ASCENSION                                                         9:00AM

                                   Prison Ministry leaders meeting at St. Mary’s GOC in Mpls                                12:00PM

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Roselawn Memorial Day Service: Fr. Rick will give the invocation and benediction at the overall Memorial Day program at Roselawn Cemetery tomorrow, Monday May 27th, 10-11am; Memorial prayers at the Greek Orthodox section will follow at 11:15am. Parishioners and friends are encouraged to participate in both services. Notice- we will NOT have prayers today, May 26.

Philoptochos: Reminder our next meeting will be held next Sunday, June 2nd after Liturgy. We will be holding our biannual elections and collecting the remainder of the outstanding 2019 membership dues. Your membership support is greatly appreciated.

Think About It: Do not consider yourself punished unjustly but accept everything as your cross.  St. Innocent of Alaska (+1879)

FOCUS MN Blessing & Open House: on Saturday June 1 from 10am to 12 pm. All are invited to attend; see insert. 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.

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!

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

Help the Cash Flow this Summer: please continue to make stewardship contributions now and throughout the summer so that we don’t have to use our savings to pay our bills. Costs associated with fulfilling our mission and ministries remain constant throughout the summer. Please don’t wait until the end of the year to make stewardship contributions. Thank you to everyone for your generous support!

Do you Have Greek Festival Photos? We are looking for good pictures or videos to use in our marketing materials, Facebook and the festival website. Please send to office@stgeorgegoc.org by June 30th.

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.

Metropolitan Nathanael Feast Day: Everyone is invited to the Great Vespers on June 10 followed by an open house at St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church in Palatine, IL. Divine Liturgy on June 11 followed by a luncheon at the Annunciation Cathedral in Chicago. For details see posting in social hall.

Patristic Wisdom: Too much stress is harmful. You can mistakenly lose your strength and become weak. You must surround yourself with the iron ring of the commandments. You must perform every action only after you have verified whether it is in accordance with the commandments in Holy Scripture.    St. Nikon of Optina (+1931)

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.

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.

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

Wisdom from the Fathers: We must shed tears of repentance, because there are only two kinds of water that can wash away the filth of sin: the water of baptism and tears of repentance.              Archmandrite Seraphim Aleksiev of Bulgaria (+1993)

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!

Church Fathers Speak: When we continually force ourselves to bless and pray for others…we will find that our Lord Jesus Christ will change, renew and refresh our hearts. It may take some time and persistence, but gradually, almost imperceptibly, we will be changed. The poison of resentment will leave our system.             Dorotheos of Gaza (+565)

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!

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

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!

Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday: June 2nd throughout all the Orthodox Churches in North America. OCPM needs your help to bring the mercy, forgiveness and love of Christ to those in prison. Let us not forget that “the very essence of the person is the image of God, and this remains in him or her despite every disfigurement” (St. John of Kronstadt). For more info: www.theocpm.org and www.ocpm-mn.org. If interested in volunteering, please contact Fr. Rick or Eleni Hoffhines eleni42@q.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

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Bulletin Inserts

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