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Sunday Bulletin - St. George Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2021-06-06
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Sunday Bulletin - St. George Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

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

  • 1111 Summit Ave

  • St. Paul, MN 55105


Contact Information










Services Schedule

Welcome!

We hope that you will make this your spiritual home. Connect with us on our website, Facebook page, YouTube, or sign-up for our email list at https://tinyurl.com/yc3tp29w.

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

Confession (by appointment)

Weekday Services (www.stgeorgegoc.org/calendar)

Streaming

youtube.com/c/stgeorgestpaul

facebook.com/stgeorgestpaul

Fellowship Hour Sunday following Divine Liturgy

Office Hours Tuesday - Friday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

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

    June 6 to June 13, 2021

    Sunday, June 6

    Sunday of the Blind Man

    8:30AM ORTHROS

    9:30AM DIVINE LITURGY

    Monday, June 7

    4:30PM Loaves & Fishes

    Tuesday, June 8

    7:00PM Greek Fest Meeting

    Wednesday, June 9

    +FAST DAY - Fish Allowed

    Apodosis of Pascha

    8:00AM Orthros

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

    10:00AM 9th Hour

    Thursday, June 10

    Holy Ascension

    8:00AM Orthros

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

    Friday, June 11

    +FAST DAY

    +APOSTLE BARTHOLOMEW/NATHANIEL- Patriarch's Nameday

    Saturday, June 12

    +STS. ONOUPHRIOS & PETER OF ATHOS

    Sunday, June 13

    Fathers of the 1st Council

    8:30AM ORTHROS

    9:30AM DIVINE LITURGY

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Hymns of the Day

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

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

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 1st Tone

To the Word, coeternal with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation, let us, the faithful, give praise and worship. For he willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, to endure death and raise the dead by his glorious resurrection.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal 4th Tone

Into the grave you descended, Immortal One, yet you destroyed the power of Hades, and as victor you arose, O Christ our God; you proclaimed to the myrrhbearing women a greeting of joy, you brought peace to your holy apostles, and to the fallen you granted resurrection.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Sunday of the Blind Man
The Reading is from Acts of the Apostles 16:16-34

IN THOSE DAYS, as we apostles were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by soothsaying. She followed Paul and us, crying, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation." And this she did for many days. But Paul was annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, "I charge you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour. But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the rulers; and when they had brought them to the magistrates they said, "These men are Jews and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs which it is not lawful for us Romans to accept or practice." The crowd joined in attacking them; and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and every one's fetters were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here." And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out and said, "Men, what must I do to be saved?" And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, with all his family. Then he brought them up into his house, and set food before them; and he rejoiced with all his household that he had believed in God.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Blind Man
The Reading is from John 9:1-38

At that time, as Jesus passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made manifest in him. We must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day; night comes, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." As he said this, he spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle and anointed the man's eyes with the clay, saying to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing. The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar, said, "Is not this the man who used to sit and beg?" Some said, "It is he"; others said, "No, but he is like him." He said, "I am the man." They said to him, "Then how were your eyes opened?" He answered, "The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, 'Go to Siloam and wash'; so I went and washed and received my sight." They said to him, "Where is he?" He said, "I do not know."

They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. The Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, "He put clay on my eyes and I washed, and I see." Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the sabbath." But others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" There was a division among them. So they again said to the blind man, "What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a prophet."

The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight, and asked them, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?" His parents answered, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age, he will speak for himself." His parents said this because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess him to be Christ he was to be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, "He is of age, ask him."

So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and said to him, "Give God the praise; we know that this man is a sinner." He answered, "Whether he is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I know, that though I was blind, now I see." They said to him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" He answered them, "I have told you already and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you too want to become his disciples?" And they reviled him, saying, "You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from." The man answered, "Why, this is a marvel! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." They answered him, "You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?" And they cast him out.

Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, "Do you believe in the Son of man?" He answered, "And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?" Jesus said to him, "You have seen him, and it is he who speaks to you." He said, "Lord, I believe"; and he worshiped him.


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Announcements

Christ is Risen! Χριστός Ανέστη!

Greeters:  Bill Clemons & Dean Natto

Teen Loaves and Fishes Month!

Inviting all Teenagers- June is Teen Loaves and Fishes Month! Sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/3urnkvzx to be part of the St. George All-Teen crew to serve at Loaves and Fishes on Monday, June 7th from 4:30 pm- 6:30 pm. Fr. Perry & Anastasia will be leading. You will prepare take-out containers with the St. George meal while wearing masks and physical distancing. Our volunteer number is limited, so sign-up early to reserve your spot and get additional details. Carpool from church at 4:15 PM or meet us directly at St. Matthews (15 Winifred St W, St Paul, MN 55107).

Vacation Church School

A big thank you to our sister parish St. Mary's in Minneapolis, who invites our St. George youth to participate in their annual Vacation Church School! Vacation Church School is being held at St Mary's Greek Orthodox Church on June 14-18. It is an Orthodox curriculum based on Ephesians 6:10-18. June 6 is the registration deadline. See inserts section for the flyer; register at https://tinyurl.com/StMarysVCS2021

Parish Assembly June 20th

A Parish Assembly Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, June 20 immediately following Divine Liturgy, both in the fellowship hall and virtually. See agenda in Inserts section for Zoom link. To be discussed: Ministries Update, Sanctuary Lighting Project, Capital Projects.

Moving Volunteers Needed

Volunteers needed the last week of June to help move furniture to and from the Sunday school room. Please reach out to Dean Natto for more details- 612-501-8647. 

John Pitsavas Memorial Scholarship Essay Contest

Mission Statement: The John Pitsavas Memorial Scholarship is set up to provide the youth of St. George Greek Orthodox Church, St. Paul, Minnesota, assistance in their pursuit of education by providing them an opportunity to share and express their Orthodox Christian Faith through a written essay. In addition, the Scholarship is meant to motivate active participation in the youth programs and parish life. 

Rules Of Qualification: Grants are available only to youth affiliated with St. George, provided that they are attending church and participating in its activities. Eligibility applies to students who have graduated twelfth grade, or those attending a vocational school or an academic institution of higher education seeking to obtain a Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent. 

2021-22 Essay Topic: 

  • Some people say that “my life is mine to do as I please.” 
  • Jesus says in Mark 8:34-36 the following: “Whoever desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” 

Questions: What do these opposing statements mean to you as an Orthodox Christian? How do these statements apply to your life?

The deadline for submission is July 15, 2021. See Inserts section for application and guidelines.

Congratulations Graduates!

Congratulations to graduating high school seniors: Taylor Canas, Jose Corbera, Jonathan Paraschou, and Sam Syvertson! Congrats also to college graduates: Lisbeth Corbera, Ekaterina Hofrenning, and Danielle Pathos. See flyers in the Inserts section.

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Wisdom of the Fathers

But I assert that he even received benefit from his blindness: since he recovered the sight of the eyes within.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 56 on John 9, 4th Century

When, then, have they taken place, save when the Word of God Himself came in the body? Or when did He come, if not when lame men walked, and stammerers were made to speak plain, and deaf men heard, and men blind from birth regained their sight? For this was the very thing the Jews said who then witnessed it, because they had not heard of these things having taken place at any other time.
St. Athanasius
Incarnation of the Word 38, 4th Century

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Archdiocese News

Archiepiscopal Encyclical on the National Sisterhood of Presvyteres Sunday

06/02/2021

Finally, the day has arrived for the Church to dedicate a Sunday and celebrate all our Presvyteres throughout the Holy Archdiocese of America. This National Sisterhood of Presvyteres Sunday — on the closest Sunday to June 4th, the Feastday of the Holy Sisters Mary and Martha — is being set aside, not because our Presvyteres deserve only one Sunday, but because we must have a national day of recognition for every Sunday, and indeed every day, that they so diligently and willingly serve the Body of Christ.

Family Matters Podcast: The Christy Family - Life in Christ, Life with Cerebral Palsy

06/02/2021

Presvytera Melanie continues her conversation with William Christy, this time including his father and mother, Father Paul and Presvytera Mary, and his twin sister, Gabriella. Each family member shares their personal perspective related to William's diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy - the joys, challenges, and the way their love for God and His love for them was made manifest through their experiences.

First Program in the Parish Leadership Series at Hellenic College/Holy Cross Released

06/01/2021

In order to provide ongoing training for parish leadership, the Department of Stewardship, Outreach & Evangelism has released the first session of the Parish Leadership Series at Hellenic College-Holy Cross. This program invites qualified individuals to speak at Hellenic College/Holy Cross on various topics relating to parish leadership and ministry.

Time Out for Marriage: Patience in Marriage

06/01/2021

In this week's episode of "Time Out for Marriage," Pres. Kerry Pappas discusses the importance of having patience in marriage!
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In Other News

5k Run for the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC)

Run with Fr. Perry! If you are a runner and would like to participate, please contact Fr. Perry. We would like to get a small group to participate.

Join OCMC on Sunday, June 20 at St. Mary’s GOC for Pan-Orthodox Vespers at 4 pm followed by laps around Bde Maka Ska (Lake Calhoun), dinner, and presentation. Register online at: http://secure.ocmc.org/OCMC-Minneapolis-5K ($25 donation). See flyer in the inserts section.

St. George Antiochian Middle Eastern Festival Bake Sale

This year's annual Saint George Middle Eastern Festival is scheduled as a one-day DRIVE THROUGH BAKE SALE JULY 17, 2021 at 1250 Oakdale Avenue; West St. Paul, MN 55118.  You may shop and pay online now at www.mideastfest.com/shop  We hope to resume the Festival in 2022. Please see flyer in Inserts section or refer to www.MidEastFest.com for updates. 

IOCC Serv-X-Treme!

Calling all rising high school seniors - IOCC is hosting their annual Serv-X-Treme! Conference this July, and this year there will be TWO conferences: July 17-23, 2021 and July 24-30, 2021 in Minneapolis, MN.

During each week-long conference, participants will have the opportunity to:

  • forge new friendships with their pan-Orthodox peers and advisors
  • put their understanding of Orthodox philanthropy and diakonia (service) into practice with hands-on service projects
  • acquire leadership skills that will benefit the Church as well as local, national, and global communities
  • gain a new understanding of how important giving of their time and talents is
  • learn about volunteer opportunities available through IOCC’s US disaster response programming 

Requirements:

  • High-school seniors as of fall 2021
  • Participants may apply or be nominated by their bishop

Cost:

  • If nominated by a hierarch, the cost is $100 and IOCC will be covering airfare
  • If not nominated, the cost is $350 per participant (which covers housing, meals, workshops, transportation, and other activities for the week) as well as airfare/travel costs
  • Limited scholarships are available.

 For more information visit https://iocc.org/take-action/serv-x-treme.

Nickitas Camp Scholarship Fund

This fund has been integral in providing the opportunity for many of our St. George youth to attend Summer Camp. This year, the fund made it possible for 13 St. George youth to participate in camp!

Contributions to the fund are welcome to ensure that it will effectively support our youth for years to come! If you would like to contribute, please make checks payable to St. George GOC and note "Nickitas Camp Scholarship Fund" on the check. PayPal contributions (https://tinyurl.com/3v8z6jet) are also welcome. Again, please note "Nickitas Camp Scholarship Fund" on the transaction.

Dance Practice Resumes

Time to dust off the dancing shoes! The Greek Dancers of Minnesota are resuming practice on Sundays from 7-8 pm at St. George GOC in the hall. Masks are required. New this year: a youth division will be coached by Marisa Mortari. New members welcome!  For more info, please contact Marisa or Angela Mortari at 651-730-1652.

Volunteer for the Greek Festival

Click here to sign up for our Greek Fest volunteer email list. https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/7bkxkoq/GreekFestVolunteers

Sermons on YouTube Channel

Click the following link to view past sermons: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcYoNEUYiMji56SjSVlJpu3IN_zSJrvS_ 

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.

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Saints and Feasts

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June 06

Sunday of the Blind Man

The Lord Jesus was coming from the Temple on the Sabbath, when, while walking in the way, He saw the blind man mentioned in today's Gospel. This man had been born thus from his mother's womb, that is, he had been born without eyes (see Saint John Chrysostom, Homily LVI on Matthew; Saint Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book V:15; and the second Exorcism of Saint Basil the Great). When the disciples saw this, they asked their Teacher, "Who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?" They asked this because when the Lord had healed the paralytic at the Sheep's Pool, He had told him, "Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee" (John 5:14); so they wondered, if sickness was caused by sin, what sin could have been the cause of his being born without eyes. But the Lord answered that this was for the glory of God. Then the God-man spat on the ground and made clay with the spittle. He anointed the eyes of the blind man and said to him, "Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam." Siloam (which means "sent") was a well-known spring in Jerusalem used by the inhabitants for its waters, which flowed to the eastern side of the city and collected in a large pool called "the Pool of Siloam."

Therefore, the Saviour sent the blind man to this pool that he might wash his eyes, which had been anointed with the clay-not that the pool's water had such power, but that the faith and obedience of the one sent might be made manifest, and that the miracle might become more remarkable and known to all, and leave no room for doubt. Thus, the blind man believed in Jesus' words, obeyed His command, went and washed himself, and returned, no longer blind, but having eyes and seeing. This was the greatest miracle that our Lord had yet worked; as the man healed of his blindness himself testified, "Since time began, never was it heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind," although the Lord had already healed the blind eyes of many. Because he now had eyes, some even doubted that he was the same person (John 9:8-9); and it was still lively in their remembrance when Christ came to the tomb of Lazarus, for they said, "Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have caused that even this man should not have died?" Saint John Chrysostom gives a thorough and brilliant exposition of our Lord's meeting with the woman of Samaria, the healing of the paralytic, and the miracle of the blind man in his commentaries on the Gospel of Saint John.


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Stewardship

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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.

2021 Stewardship Goal

$89,431 of $250,000 (through April)

 

 

100 Pledges Received
As of May 28, 100 families have pledged $153,154 for the 2021 stewardship year.

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!

Welcome Visitors!
Thank you for joining us in worship. Whether you are an Orthodox Christian or this is your first visit to an Orthodox Church, we are pleased to have you with us. Although Holy Communion is offered only to baptized and chrismated Orthodox Christians, all are invited to receive the Antidoron (blessed bread) at the end of the service. The Antidoron is reminiscent of the agape feast that followed worship in the early Church. One does not have to be of Greek descent, nor speak Greek, to be an Orthodox Christian and member of our parish. All people, of any background, are welcome to join the Orthodox Church. For those interested in learning more about the Christian Faith or becoming a member of our church, please contact Fr. Perry after services or at frperry@stgeorgegoc.org or (651) 222-6220. You may also sign our Guest Book with your preferred contact and we will follow up. Finally, we hope you will join us in our hall upstairs after service this morning for fellowship and refreshments.

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Bulletin Inserts

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