Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for Hieromartyr Phocas in the 4th Mode

As a sharer of the ways and a successor to the throne of the Apostles, O inspired of God, thou foundest discipline to be a means of ascent to divine vision. Wherefore, having rightly divided the word of truth, thou didst also contest for the Faith even unto blood, O Hieromartyr Phocas. Intercede with Christ our God that our souls be saved.

Saints and Feasts

September 22

1st Sunday of Luke

September 22

Phocas the Martyr, Bishop of Sinope

This saint was known for the many miracles he worked and for his apostolic zeal in shepherding the flock of Sinope. He contested for the Faith during the reign of the Emperor Trajan, in the year 102, when he was burned to death in a bath-house. A homily in his honour was composed by Saint John Chrysostom. The translation of his holy relics is celebrated on July 23.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

1st Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 1:21-24; 2:1-4

Brethren, it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has commissioned us; he has put his seal upon us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

But I call God to witness against me - it was to spare you that I refrained from coming to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith; we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith. For I made up my mind not to make you another painful visit. For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. For I wrote you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.

Gospel Reading

1st Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 5:1-11

At that time, as Jesus was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." For he was astonished, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men." And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

Wisdom of the Fathers

For now they were well instructed beforehand...But mark both their faith and their obedience. For though they were in the midst of their work when they heard His command, they delayed not, they procrastinated not, they said not, "let us return home, and converse with our kinsfolk," but "they forsook all and followed."

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 14 on Matthew 4, 4th Century

Because such is the obedience which Christ seeks of us, as that we delay not even a moment of time, though something absolutely most needful should vehemently press on us.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 14 on Matthew 4, 4th Century

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

Executive Committee of the Assembly of Bishops Recommits to Orthodox Unity in the USA

09/19/2019

The Executive Committee of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America met today, under the chairmanship of Archbishop Elpidophoros, to discuss the state of Orthodox Christian unity in the USA. Recognizing the challenges in global Orthodoxy, the jurisdictional representatives reiterated their commitment to the local faithful of America and rededicated themselves to fulfilling the call for canonical normalcy and pastoral unity on contemporary issues.

https://www.goarch.org/-/2019-09-18-assembly-of-bishops-recommits-to-orthodox-unity-in-the-usa

Conclusions from Pan-Orthodox Meeting on Homelessness

09/16/2019

On Friday, September 13, 2019, ten Pan-Orthodox organizations concluded a vibrant and productive meeting on the crisis of homelessness. The twenty experts arrived at the following common multi-faceted understanding

https://www.goarch.org/-/conclusions-from-pan-orthodox-meeting-on-homelessness

News and Events

September 22, 2019 1^st Sunday of Luke

TODAY: Sunday School

Evening Bible Study Meeting

Philoptochos Meeting

Greek School Open House - 11:45am

Greek Dance – 4:30pm

Epistle Reader: Stephen Kanavati Prosfora: anonymous

Fellowship: Bovis-Fuller family Greeters: Jim Theros, Bob Baffa

Tuesday 09-24 Intro to Orthodoxy Catechism Class – Christ I:Incarnation, Theotokos & Saints 7-9pm

Thursday 09-26 METROPOLIS CLERGY-LAITY ASSEMBLY through Sunday, Sept 29

Friday 09-27 YAL event “Orthodoxy on Tap” at Hyatt Regency, Bloomington 7-9pm

Saturday 09-28 YAL service project at FOCUS MN in St. Paul 1:30-4pm

YAL outing in NE Minneapolis 6-10pm

Sunday 09-29 ORTHROS (8:30am) & HIERARCHICAL DIVINE LITURGY – 2^nd SUN of LUKE

at St. Mary’s GOC in Minneapolis (St. George closed) 9:30am

Greek Dance Practice 4:30pm

Greek School Open House Today: 11:45am-12:45pm to meet teachers and register for classes. Greek School begins Sunday, October 6, 11:45am – 1pm.All are welcome!Modern Greek language classes for kids and adults, beginner and advanced, are held in the lower level classrooms. There is also a preschool class. If you have any questions, please contact Stella Hofrenning or Angela Mortari.

Volunteers Needed for Clergy Laity Assembly: as much help as possible is needed to pull off this special event. Please review the volunteer opportunities before and during the event, and sign up via Sign-up Genius for a shift (or two) as you're able: https://tinyurl.com/yxmw9uqe. We are grateful for your participation!

DIVINE SERVICES (Orthros & Hierarchical Divine Liturgy) – presided by His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael will take place at St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church (3450 Irving Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408) on Sunday September 29. Orthros will begin at 8:30am followed by Divine Liturgy at 9:30am. St. George will be CLOSED. As the co-hosts, we will be joining His Eminence, our co-sponsor St. Mary’s, and the rest of the Clergy Laity participants from throughout the Metropolis for the Divine Liturgy.

Intro to Orthodoxy: Our 12-week catechism class on the basics of Eastern Orthodox Christianity continues on Tuesday evenings 7-9pm this coming Tuesday, September 24th. The class is open to everyone, especially inquirers and those interested in converting to Orthodoxy. Classes are held here at St. George. Register online atwww.meocca.org. Feel free to join us for individual classes without registering.

Young Adult League (YAL) Events this Week: Friday, September 27, 9-11pm Orthodoxy on Tap at Hyatt Regency; Saturday, September 28, 1:30-4pm, Service Project at FOCUS MN House; Saturday, September 28, 6-10pm, Taste of Northeast and Gasthof Zur Gemutlichkeit. See insert and posting in social hall for details. Young adults do not need to register for the Clergy-Laity Assembly to attend, but RSVP to Fr. Jason Houck at frjason@stmarysgoc.org.

“Make a Joyful Noise: Engaging Orthodox Youth Through Church Music” a workshop presented by the Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians-Chicago Metropolis, will be held on Saturday, Sept 28 during the Metropolis Clergy-Laity-Philoptochos Assembly. It is appropriate for clergy, Sunday School teachers or directors, youth directors and anyone that works with the youth of our Holy Orthodox Church. Learn how to invite, excite, and unite our youth through music!

Taste of Northeast: September 27-28, 2019 hosted by St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral in northeast Minneapolis. See postings in social hall or visit https://stmarysoca.org/.

An Evening Bible Study Group will start soon and take place twice a month, focused on Orthodox Christian parenting, possibly Wednesday evenings depending on the feedback. We will have two volunteers to help take care of our little ones. All are welcome! For more info, contact either Katherine Cabieses at (240) 705-1520 or katherineecabieses@gmail.com, or Stephen Kanavati at (651) 335-2124 or skanavat@gmail.com. Please fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ix8qnQRNPnmZxFF-JRSpRk2h6kBk9SEiblJAHe-6Hks/edit?usp=sharing

A Metropolis Altar Boy Retreat: will take place Oct 18-20 at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center for High School Altar Boys. Please encourage your Altar Boys to join us for a weekend of service, worship, fellowship, and discussions. For more information, please contact Fr. Perry.

Trip on a Riverboat Cruise: Saturday, October 19 departing from St. George at 11:30am. All ages welcome. Enjoy beautiful fall colors and light lunch while making a roundtrip on the St. Croix River between Hudson, WI and Afton, MN. Cost is $30 (Checks payable to St. George GOC, “Riverboat” in memo line). Please contact the church office to reserve your space before October 9. Questions to Lily Zahariades at 651.646.0872.

Welcome Visitors! Thank you for joining with us in prayer and fellowship. The timeless worship of the Orthodox Church is deeply rooted in the practices early Christian Church. Everything in an Orthodox Christian Church communicates the majestic presence of God the Holy Trinity. 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. However, visitors are invited to receive the blessed bread (antidoron) at the conclusion of the liturgy. We pray and work for the reconciliation and unity of all Christians. If interested in learning more about Orthodoxy, contact Fr. Perry at frperry@stgeorgegoc.org. We are proud of our Greek heritage, but one does not have to be of Greek descent, nor speak Greek to be an Orthodox Christian and member of our church.

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