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St. George Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2021-02-28
Bulletin Contents
Prodson
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St. George Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (651) 222-6220
  • Street Address:

  • 1111 Summit Avenue

  • Saint Paul, MN 55105


Contact Information






Services Schedule

Streaming

YouTube Channel

Facebook Page

Worship Sunday Orthros 8:30am & Divine Liturgy 9:30am

Saturday Vespers & Weekday Services (see Online Calendar)

Confession (by appointment)

Our Mission St. George Greek Orthodox Church is a Christ-centered community that: inspires faith and worship, cultivates spiritual growth and fellowship, and encourages benevolence and outreach.

Our Vision Ascending together to the fullness of Life.


Past Bulletins


Calendar

  • Upcoming Events

    February 28 to March 8, 2021

    Sunday, February 28

    Sunday of the Prodigal Son

    8:30AM ORTHROS

    9:30AM DIVINE LITURGY

    10:30AM Sunday School

    11:30AM Parish Assembly

    Tuesday, March 2

    Office Closed

    Wednesday, March 3

    +FAST DAY

    Office Closed

    1:30PM Daytime Bible Study

    7:00PM Philoptochos Meeting

    Thursday, March 4

    Office Closed

    Friday, March 5

    +FAST DAY

    Office Closed

    Saturday, March 6

    Saturday of Souls

    8:30AM ORTHROS

    9:30AM DIVINE LITURGY

    10:30AM Memorial

    1:00PM Youth & Family Ski Trip

    5:00PM Vespers

    Sunday, March 7

    Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)

    8:30AM ORTHROS

    9:30AM DIVINE LITURGY

    10:30AM Sunday School

    10:30AM Virtual Fellowship Hour

    4:30PM M&B Meal for FOCUS

    Monday, March 8

    +Cheesefare Week - Refrain from Meat this Week

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Sunday of the Prodigal Son
The Reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 6:12-20

Brethren, "all things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything. "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food" -- and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who joins himself to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, "The two shall become one flesh." But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body and in your spirit which belong to God.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Prodigal Son
The Reading is from Luke 15:11-32

The Lord said this parable: "There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his belly with the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"


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Announcements

Sign-up for Divine Liturgy February 28

Follow this link to sign up for services on Sunday, February 28 at 8:30/9:30 am.  

Greeters: Aida Abebe, Bill Clemons 

Reminder, per Metropolis protocols, facemasks and physical distancing required, please stay home when not feeling well.

 

Click the links below to stream upcoming services

YouTube Channel

Facebook Page

   

Youth Writers Circle – Saturday

The Junior and Senior High Sunday School teachers are planning two Writers Circle gatherings, for students to work on their Oratorical Festival entries via Zoom. We have some fun ways for them to connect about their topics and their faith! Please have your student(s) join us, along with Father Perry, this Saturday, February 27th at 7 pm, zoom link below. Plan for an hour’s worth of time- and of course, if the students want to stay on longer- we will accommodate.

Have your child bring a pencil and paper, a Bible, and the Oratorical material they have collected thus far. We will make sure that every child has a good sense of where to go with their submissions by the time they leave the meeting. They should even have a few paragraphs. Pass this along to your students- we look forward to seeing them all on Saturday!

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83361299211?pwd=azZYZ0UzSGhJTEFjdGhER0IyUGNnQT09
Meeting ID: 833 6129 9211 Passcode: Chrysostom

 

Parish Assembly Sunday, Feb. 28

A Parish Assembly meeting will be held Sunday, February 28, 2021 immediately following Divine Liturgy (approx. 11:30 am).  At this assembly, we will hear an update on our ministries and discuss and vote on our 2021 budget. For those who don't wish to attend in person, please click https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84758535295?pwd=OVE3ZjE2ZkVTSFA0U2lkbml2L3U0Zz09 to join via Zoom, or call (312) 626-6799 and enter Meeting ID: 847 5853 5295; Passcode: 993429.

 

Family Ski Trip

Youth and families are invited to meet at 1 pm at Wild Mountain in Taylors Falls on Saturday, March 6 for skiing and snow tubing! For details see the flyer in the Inserts section. Payment and registration are due today, February 28 at https://forms.gle/LEzmB1cn9fs4RoEW6. Questions re. skiing can be directed to Wendy Loudas at wsl2@comcast.net; for other questions, contact Joanna Tzenis at joanna.tzenis@gmail.com.

 

FOCUS Volunteer Opportunity

Join your Church Family Sunday, March 7th for our first FOCUS MN meal of 2021. All meals will be served take-out style from Rice Street- we need help to package and distribute. Pandemic protocols will be in place with masks and physical distancing. Time commitment is 2.5 to 3 hours. Sign-up here March Meal Sign-Up or talk to George Mastrogiorgis, or any member of the Missions and Benevolence Committee.

 

Saturday of Souls

Prayer cards are available on the candle stand; please submit names to Fr. Perry by next Saturday, March 6. You may also submit the names of those who have fallen asleep with this form.

  

Daytime Bible Study

Daytime Bible study will meet this coming Wednesday, March 3, at 1:30 pm. to study the day of Pentecost in the book of Acts, chapter 2, verses 1-47. Please join us on Zoom. Everyone is welcome to attend! Click here to join Zoom Meeting. Meeting ID: 846 5665 1405; Passcode: 108624. Or dial +1 312 626 6799. Questions, contact Kathy Ryan at kathy.aeiou@gmail.com

 

Office Closed

The office will be closed March 2 -5 while Julie is on vacation.

 

Fanari Regional Lenten Retreat

All youth of St. George, St. Mary’s, 12 Apostles in Duluth, and Holy Anagyroi in Rochester, grades 5-12, are invited to join us at St. George on March 13 from 2-8 pm! This is a camp-style in-person retreat. We will have Orthodox Life, Olympics, song-night, and more. Space is limited. Register at https://www.fanari.camp/retreat. $30 per youth. You do not have to be a past St. Mary’s camp or Fanari camper to attend. Scholarships available, contact Fr. Perry - frperry@stgeorgegoc.org.

 

Spring Phyllo Dough Sales

The Spring Phyllo Dough sale has started. You can place your order by dropping off the order form (see Inserts) and payment in the secure lockbox located in the Fellowship Hall or you can mail your order and payment to the church. All orders need to be received by Sunday, March 14th. Thank you for supporting Philoptochos, and Happy Spring Baking!

 

Saturday Vespers

There will be no Saturday Vespers services during Great Lent (March 15-May 2).

 

Wednesday Evening Lenten Book Discussions

Lent begins on March 15. As part of our Lenten lecture series, we will host book discussions following Pre-sanctified Liturgy on Wednesday evenings. The book we’ll be reading is Toolkit for Spiritual Growth: a Practical Guide to Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving by Fr. Evan Armatas. (See insert for discussion schedule) The cost is $10. To reserve your copy, please email Steve Arsenault at  arsenault003@gmail.com or stop by the bookstore after Liturgy prior to February 22. You will be notified when the book is available for curbside pickup or in the bookstore after services.

 

Elevator Out of Service

We apologize for the inconvenience – the elevator is out of service until further notice.

  

Sign-up for Divine Liturgy March 7

 

Please sign up in advance by following this link for services on Sunday, March 7 at 8:30/9:30 am. Thank you! 

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Wisdom of the Fathers

But if he had despaired of his life, and, ... had remained in the foreign land, he would not have obtained what he did obtain, but would have been consumed with hunger, and so have undergone the most pitiable death: ...
St. John Chrysostom
AN EXHORTATION TO THEODORE AFTER HIS FALL, 4th Century

... but since he repented, and did not despair, he was restored, even after such great corruption, to the same splendour as before, and was arrayed in the most beautiful robe, and enjoyed greater honours than his brother who had not fallen.
St. John Chrysostom
AN EXHORTATION TO THEODORE AFTER HIS FALL, 4th Century

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In Other News

Holy Dormition Church Reconstruction in Jeonju, Korea

Our Orthodox sisters and brothers in South Korea have an immediate need for financial support to complete the reconstruction of the Holy Dormition of the Theotokos Church in the city of Jeonju. Please see the fact sheet in the Inserts section. If you are able to contribute, please make checks payable to St. George GOC, with “Jeonju Church Reconstruction” in the memo section.

 

OCF Spring District Event

Attention Minnesota & Iowa college students: Spring District Day is scheduled for March 13th from 10am-5pm at St. Mary’s Greek in Minneapolis! The theme is Exploring Holy Sites and Pilgrimage. We are going to hear from Fr. John Kostas about St. Paul’s journey and then go on an adventure where we’ll learn about Holy Sites from around the world! On the agenda is Mt. Athos, the Holy Sepulchre, Meteora, and Mt. Siani. In your travel bag, don’t forget to bring a mask and water bottle. A light snack and lunch from Tony’s Diner (Greek food) will be provided. Cost is $10; register here by March 10.

 

Sermons on YouTube Channel

Click the following link to view Fr. Perry’s sermons dating back to May 2020: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcYoNEUYiMji56SjSVlJpu3IN_zSJrvS_

  

Photos Updated in Shutterfly 

Photos are being updated to Shutterfly. Take a look. https://stgeorgegoc.shutterfly.com

 

Support for those in Need

Please contact Fr. Perry or our Ladies Philoptochos if you or someone you know is in need (food, clothing, shelter, etc.). Our Ladies Philoptochos, Missions & Benevolence, Discretionary support, FOCUS MN, etc. are here to help.

 

Community Blood Drive

Lexington-Hamline Community Council will sponsor a Blood Drive in the St. George fellowship hall on Tuesday, April 6 from 1-7 pm. Visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=LexhamCC to schedule a donation time. For more information, call LexHam at 651.645.3207.

 

Announcing 2021 Roselawn Program Prices

Advance planning can give you and your family peace of mind and is also cost-effective because annual cost increases are typically at least 2%. The St. George Roselawn Cemetery Program continues to offer lots at Roselawn in Roseville for a 15% discount off list prices. All revenue from lots supports our church and its ministries. These lots are in the St. George section, adjacent to the Greek Orthodox section, and easily identifiable by the monument/altar table. Contact the church office for more information.   

2021 Discounted Prices for Parishioners: 

$6,460 = Monument Lot (2 graves) 

$4,246 = Flat Lot (2 Graves) 

$2,508 = Flat Lot (1 Grave, Limited Availability) 

Lots for both monument and marker stones are still available.   

Please follow Roselawn regulations for the care and beautification of your lots.

The table-like monument marking our area from Victoria street is visible on google maps and google satellite view at the links below and can be found on the church website. 

https://www.google.com/maps/@44.9930459,-93.1389199,69m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en 

https://www.google.com/maps/@44.9931192,-93.1393733,3a,37.5y,107.59h,84.79t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sWsyLYEQ6btgc3SJkAxjgbg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en 

 

Free Theology Books & Icons

Stop by the fellowship hall after services to peruse a selection of free Theology books.

 

Spring Opportunities at National Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF)

  • Spiritual Wake-Up: During lent (Mar 16-Apr 22), this community of prayer will meet virtually to learn together throughout the Lenten season. More details will be released on the website soon!
  • College Conference: Mark your calendars for May 28-31!
  • District Day: Instead of having a regional retreat, we’ll be having an in-person district day, hosted in Minneapolis. More details about this event will come later. 

For more information email minniowastudent@ocf.net

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Saints and Feasts

Prodson
February 28

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

Through the parable of today's Gospel, our Saviour has set forth three things for us: the condition of the sinner, the rule of repentance, and the greatness of God's compassion. The divine Fathers have put this reading the week after the parable of the Publican and Pharisee so that, seeing in the person of the Prodigal Son our own wretched condition -- inasmuch as we are sunken in sin, far from God and His Mysteries -- we might at last come to our senses and make haste to return to Him by repentance during these holy days of the Fast.

Furthermore, those who have wrought many great iniquities, and have persisted in them for a long time, oftentimes fall into despair, thinking that there can no longer be any forgiveness for them; and so being without hope, they fall every day into the same and even worse iniquities. Therefore, the divine Fathers, that they might root out the passion of despair from the hearts of such people, and rouse them to the deeds of virtue, have set the present parable at the forecourts of the Fast, to show them the surpassing goodness of God's compassion, and to teach them that there is no sin -- no matter how great it may be -- that can overcome at any time His love for man.


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Stewardship

Afentoulis.compassion_of_christ.edited.vert

2021 Stewardship Program

Our 2021 Archdiocesan Stewardship theme comes from Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians, "…the greatest of these is love" (13:13). We are excited for 2021 and continuing the challenge of fulfilling our mission at St. George, especially through developing the gift of love.

Please consider submitting a 2021 pledge card and becoming active in our 2021 program today! Pledge cards are available on the candle stand. Please contact the office to have one sent to you, or print one from a pdf by clicking here.

Pledge cards can be filled out and emailed digitally to info@stgeorgegoc.org or mailed to the church office. We thank you for supporting the ministries of our parish during these challenging times!

 

Stewardship is a free-will offering of our time, talent, and treasure...

Participating in our Stewardship Program is how individuals/families become active "stewards" of our church. Your contributions give the church the resources needed to fulfill its mission and vision. We thank God for every good gift that comes from above and we thank you for your support of the work of the church! As an added bonus, contributions are tax-deductible. Don't forget, active participation in the liturgical life of the church as well as in our stewardship program is how folks are able to serve on the Parish Council, vote in Parish Assemblies, etc.

  

Giving Stats at the beginning of 2021 

60 pledges have been received as of February 25, 2021. Our annual parish budget is approx. $350,000. Planning out your 2021 stewardship offerings: 1. Pray for God’s inspiration and guidance. 2. Plan/budget stewardship first. 3. Challenge oneself to grow and give with joy (our individual goal is 3% of our yearly income). We thank you for supporting the ministries of our parish!

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Bulletin Inserts

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Archdiocese News

Igniting the Flame of True Orthodox Stewards

03/05/2021

Join us this Tuesday, March 9 at 7:00 PM for the sixth in a series of six Stewardship Seminars in the Archdiocesan District and New Jersey Metropolis presented by Mr. Bill Marianes. This is a truly worthwhile experience.

Digital Content to Engage Your Parish

03/05/2021

A Webinar on Creating Sharable Digital Content that Engages Your Parish. This webinar is brought to you by the Department of Stewardship,Outreach & Evangelism. Fr. Alexander Petrides will lead the webinar.

Orthodoxy Live with Fr. Evan Armatas

03/04/2021

Join the GOA Center for Family Care Sunday, March 7th at 8PM ET for an opportunity to interact with Director, Fr. Alex, and ask him questions live and hear about his new book Practicing Prayer.

Stewardship Reflections for E-Bulletins, Newsletters and Social Media

03/04/2021

These timely stewardship reflections may be used to support parish stewardship education throughout the year. These are available here in MSWord and pdf format for local printing. Many are available in full color tri-fold format from orthodoxmarketplace.com. Email Stewardship@goarch.org for assistance.

Small Group Ministry from Y2AM

03/04/2021

Are you looking for a weekly curriculum for your parish? Check out the Small Group resources and bring people together with this project from the department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries (Y2AM), part of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

Educational Webinars Offered by the Office of Greek Education

03/03/2021

The Director of Greek Education, Mr. Anastasios Koularmanis in cooperation with Mrs. Athena Kromidas the President of the High Council for Greek Education, and the Museum of School Life and Education (Μουσείο Σχολικής Ζωής και Εκπαίδευσης) will be offering monthly educational webinars related to the topic of, “200 Years Since the Greek Revolution”.

Department of Religious Education Releases New Resources

03/02/2021

The Department of Religious Education has released the following new resources in support of the ongoing curriculum update and revisions for parish religious education programs.

Deacon Theodore Lyketsos Ordination Speech

03/02/2021

Standing before you and in the presence of our all-seeing Lord, I am struck by the enormity of the task before me. To stand before the Holy Altar Table of our Lord as his διακονος, as His servant seems to me to be at once a glorious privilege and a fearful burden. A glorious privilege, because the Lord Himself is glorious, and to stand near Him at the Holy Altar of Sacrifice is to partake in glory itself.

Greening the Parish: Hopeful Aspirations

03/02/2021

The Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations presented the fourth webinar in the "Greening the Parish" series, featuring young adults’ hopes for the present and future as they work to protect God’s Creation.

Transforming the Heart of a Community: From Dues to Stewardship

03/02/2021

Fr. John Touloumes arrived at Holy Trinity in August 1993 with a mandate from then Bishop (later Metropolitan) Maximos: Transition the parish of almost 200 families from dues to stewardship. Within four months, the team built its stewardship ministry – in Greek and English – and the parish has never looked back. After 88 years on Pittsburgh’s north side, Holy Trinity broke ground in December 2011 on a new complex that Metropolitan Savas opened on Pentecost weekend in June 2013 (the 90th anniversary of the parish). The parish is on target to pay off its mortgage by 2020 – or sooner.

GOA Center for Family Care: Family Connections

03/02/2021

Throughout the Lenten and Paschal season, The GOA Center for Family Care will be posting the upcoming Sunday's Gospel lesson and corresponding activities and Family Connection activities on their Facebook page.

Introduction of Family Matters Podcast: Fully Human Edition

03/01/2021

Fr Alex Goussetis and Prevytera Melanie DiStefanos of the GOA Center for Family Care talk about the launching of a new podcast series that is dedicated to special needs families called "Family Matters: Fully Human Edition"

Time Out for Marriage: Elder Care Part 1

03/01/2021

In this episode of "Time Out for Marriage," by the GOA Center for Family Care, Presvytera Kerry Pappas discusses the stress and strain that can arise for couples when caring for elderly family members.

Communiqué of the Holy Eparchial Synod

03/01/2021

Today His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America convened the Holy Eparchial Synod via teleconference for a regularly scheduled meeting. The proceedings focused on the preparation for the 200-year Anniversary of the Greek Revolution.

2020 – 2022 Archdiocesan Council Membership and Committees Assignments Announced

03/01/2021

With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America announces the membership and committee assignments for the 2020-2022 term of the Archdiocesan Council. This term, the Archdiocesan Council is welcoming a record number of first time Members to its ranks as Archbishop Elpidophoros continues to welcome new voices and points of view into the governance of the church.

Free Bible Study Guide from Y2AM

03/01/2021

The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries (Y2AM - Orthodox Christian Youth and Young Adult Ministries) published a Bible Study for the Triodion period and Great Lent. Check out this incredible resource for ten Sundays of readings!

Steve Christoforou from Y2AM on ΕΡΤ Α.Ε.

03/01/2021

Steve Christoforou was on ΕΡΤ Α.Ε. over the weekend (Greek public radio and TV), talking about the ministry work of the Archdiocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, especially programs like "Be the Bee."

Using Art to Teach Students About the Greek Revolution

03/01/2021

The Director of Greek Education Mr. Anastasios Koularmanis will offer a webinar Saturday, March 6, 2021 1:00 pm (EST). The webinar will be presented by The Museum of Life and Education (Μουσείο Σχολικής Ζωής και Εκπαίδευσης).

Preparing for Great Lent: Two Webinars on Parish Ministry

03/01/2021

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America will offer two webinars aimed at assisting parishes in enhancing their ministries during this year’s Great Lent. On March 10, from 7 to 8:30 pm EST, “New Trends in Ministry: Lessons for Lent,” and on March 11 at the same time, “A Practical Roadmap: Lessons for Lent.”

Obituary for Rev. Protopresbyter George Vaporis

02/27/2021

​Rev. Protopresbyter Fr. George Vaporis fell asleep in the Lord February 26th, 2021. Fr. Vaporis is survived by his belowed Presbytera Kalliopi and their four children: Michael, Katherine, Basil, and Markella and 7 grandchildren.
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