Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for Apostle Thomas in the 3rd Mode

O Holy Apostle Thomas, intercede to our merciful God, that He may grant our souls forgiveness of sins.

Saints and Feasts

October 06

The Holy and Glorious Apostle Thomas

The name Thomas means, "twin." He was one of the Twelve, a Galilean by birth. Sophroneus (not the famous Patriarch of Jerusalem [7th Century, celebrated March 11], but a friend of Jerome's), quoted also by Jerome, says that Saint Thomas preached to the Parthians, Pesians, Medes, Hyrcanians, Bactrians, and neighbouring nations. According to Heracleon, the Apostle died a natural death; according to other accounts, he was martyred at Meliapur His tomb was known by Saint John Chrysostom to be at Edessa in Syria, to which city his holy relics may have been translated from India in the fourth century.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

3rd Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 6:1-10

Brethren, working together with him, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, "At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation." Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in any one's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watching, hunger; by purity, knowledge, forbearance, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Gospel Reading

3rd Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 7:11-16

At that time, Jesus went to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a large crowd from the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." And he came and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." And the dead man sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all; and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and "God has visited his people!"

Wisdom of the Fathers

That dead man was being buried, and many friends were conducting him to his tomb. But there meets him Christ, the Life and Resurrection, for He is the destroyer of death and of corruption; He it is "in Whom we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28); He it is Who has restored the nature of man to that which it originally was; and has set free our death-fraught flesh from the bonds of death.

St. Cyril of Alexandria

Commentary on the Gospel of St. Luke, Homily 36.42, p. 153., 5th Century

The virgin's son met the widow's son. He became like a sponge for her tears and as life for the death of her son. Death turned about in its den and turned its back on the victorious one.

St. Ephrem the Syrian

Commentary on Tatian's Diatessaron, 6.23. (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. vol. 3: Luke, Intervarsity Press)

News and Events

October 6, 2019 3^rd Sunday of Luke

TODAY: Church Music Sunday

Memorial: Pres. Miriam Paraschou (40 days)

John Georgolopolos (40 days)

Epistle Reader:Stephen Kanavati Prosfora: Elizabeth Poulios

Fellowship: Paraschou Family Greeters: Diane Anastos, Andrea Walkush

Monday 10-07 Loaves & Fishes at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church 4:30pm

Tuesday 10-08 Intro to Orthodoxy Catechism Class – Church I: Birth, Mission, Structure 7-9pm

Thursday 10-10 MEOCCA meeting at St. Mary’s GOC in Minneapolis 11:00am

Friday 10-11 St. Mary’s Family Camp in Maple Lake, through Sunday, Oct 13

Sunday 10-13 ORTHROS (8:15am) & DIVINE LITURGY – 7^th ECUMENICAL COUNCIL 9:30am

Sunday School 10:30am

Philoptochos meeting 11:00am

Greek School 11:45am

Greek Dance Practice 4:30pm

Thank you Church Musicians!

This Sunday we celebrate National Church Music Sunday. It is a day set aside across our entire Archdiocese to commemorate the dedicated and talented women and men in our parish whose stewardship provides music for our liturgical services throughout the year. The ministry of music is an essential part of our life of faith. Through our hymns, we worship the Lord our God – we give thanks, we ask for blessings, we express the joy, and renew our faith.

Thank you to our choir members and chanters for their diligent effort to be present weekly and sing with faith in the Lord. We encourage everyone, especially our young people, to join the chanters and the choir to begin learning the beautiful hymnology (theology in melody) of our Orthodox Church. When you see our choir members and chanters today, please share with them how much their offering is appreciated.

Loaves and Fishes- Please join us tomorrow, October 7^th, in helping feed the hungry. Volunteers are always welcome and needed. Arrive at 4:30pm, we serve from 5-6pm and clean-up is done before 7pm. Location is St. Matthews, 490 Hall Ave in West St. Paul.

Dinners for OCF Students: Volunteers are needed to cook and bring dinner for 20-30 students at their biweekly OCF meetings on the University of Minnesota campus, at 6:30pm. If you or your group would like to participate, contact Nina Lind at ocf@umn.edu or visit their SignUp Genius link www.z.umn.edu/ocf-food.

Fresh Phyllo: Philoptochos will be taking orders for fresh phyllo following liturgy on October 20^th, 27^th and November 3^rd. The fresh phyllo will be available for pick up on November 17^th. If you have any questions please contact Lani Hattling at lanihattling@gmail.com or Anastasia at ssacacos@yahoo.com

Daytime Bible Study has completed one year of meetings. The next one is Wednesday, October 16. If you would like to give it a try, there is room at the table for you! We will study Luke 3:1-20. Questions? Contact Kathy Ryan 651.292.9948 or Kathy.aeiou@gmail.com.

Want to Dance? The Greek Dancers of Minnesota have started their new season and this is the best time for new members to join. Also welcome are musicians who play Greek folk instruments (eg. zournas, lyra, gaida, clarinet, violin, santouri, daouli). All ages can join (including adults); there is no membership fee and you do not need to be Greek or Greek Orthodox. Contact Angela Mortari at 651-730-1652 or contact us through our website www.greekdancersmn.com

Philoptochos Fall Brunch: Ladies of the St. George Philoptochos and their guests are invited to a Fall Welcome Brunch on Saturday, October 26, 2019 from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm in the social hall. We encourage you to bring a friend or two and join us. This event will be catered, and promises to be a tasty, interesting and fun event designed to get to know each other better and relax for a few hours! This event is $20 per person.

Executive Assistant Needed: for newly established non-profit, the Orthodox Christian Leadership Initiative (OCLI), a national initiative to increase generosity, servant leadership, and social outreach by clergy and laity of all jurisdictions working together nationally, regionally, and locally. This is a part-time flexible (home office or remote) position in the Twin Cities. For details see insert or contact Executive Director Hollie Benton at bentonhollie@gmail.com. Local OCLI board/advisory include Dr. Frank Cerra, and Paul & Cindy Karos.

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

Trip on a Riverboat Cruise: Saturday, October 19 departing from St. George at 11:00am. 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. To reserve your space, please sign up with Julie in the church office by Wednesday, October 9. Questions to Lily Zahariades at 651.646.0872.