Calendar

Parish Calendar

January 16 to January 23, 2022

Sunday, January 16

Sanctity of Life Sunday

12th Sunday of Luke

8:30AM ORTHROS

9:30AM DIVINE LITURGY

10:30AM Sunday School

Monday, January 17

+ST. ANTHONY THE GREAT

7:00PM Catechism - God: Holy Trinity

Tuesday, January 18

+STS. ATHANASIOS & CYRIL

6:00PM Iconography Class

Wednesday, January 19

Office Closed

+ST. MAKARIOS THE GREAT

+FAST DAY

1:30PM Online Daytime Bible Study (via Zoom only)

Thursday, January 20

+ST. EUTHYMIOS THE GREAT

Friday, January 21

+FAST DAY

+ST. MAXIMOS THE CONFESSOR

Saturday, January 22

+ST. TIMOTHY

9:00AM Marriage Preparation Seminar

Sunday, January 23

14th Sunday of Luke

8:30AM ORTHROS

9:30AM DIVINE LITURGY

10:30AM Sunday School

11:30AM Pictorial Directory Volunteers Meeting
Ministries Calendar

January 16 to January 23, 2022

Sunday, January 16

12:00PM Youth & YAL Basketball Practice

Monday, January 17

12:00PM Youth & YAL Basketball Practice

Thursday, January 20

5:30PM Youth Advisors Meeting

Sunday, January 23

12:00PM Youth & YAL Basketball Practice

Hymns of the Day

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.

Apolytikion for Veneration of the Chains of Ap. Peter in the 2nd Tone

Without leaving Rome, thou didst come to us by the precious chains which thou didst wear. O foremost of the Apostles. And venerating them with faith, we pray: By thine intercessions with God, grant us great mercy.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 1st Tone

For our salvation you took flesh and you sanctified the Virgin's womb; you blessed the aged Simeon as you lay resting in his arms, and having come to save us all, O Christ our God, to these troubled times, bring your lasting peace. Give strong and undaunted faith to all your people, O only lover of mankind.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

12th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians 3:4-11

Brethren, when Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all.

Gospel Reading

12th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 17:12-19

At that time, as Jesus entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices and said: "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." When he saw them he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus's feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then said Jesus: "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" And he said to him: "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."

Announcements

Greeters

William Clemons & Paul Werger

Fellowship Hour

Thank you to Hiwet Abraha for hosting this Sunday!

House Blessings

Many Years for the feast of Theophany! Χρόνια Πολλά! Please contact Fr. Perry at frperry@stgeorgegoc.org or (651) 706-9672 to schedule your house blessing.

Online Bible Study

We will meet Wednesday, January 19 from 1:30 pm-3:00 pm to study Paul in Romans 8.1-39. We continue to meet exclusively on Zoom (not in-person) and everyone is welcome to join us. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82944650931?pwd=NEdGKzd4SWN0Z2tXSm12TWljOWRsZz09 Meeting ID: 829 4465 0931 Passcode: 534419; or dial +1 312 626 6799.

Our Bible Study is led and organized by Mrs. Kathy Ryan. We read the scheduled readings together and make plenty of time for discussion. Fr. Perry often joins in for the discussion but is not at every class. Questions? Email Kathy at kathy.aeiou@gmail.com.

Youth Advisors Meeting

Parents and young adults, join us on Thursday, January 20 at 5:30 pm at church or online for a Youth Advisors meeting with Niko, our new Ministries Coordinator. We will be working on our 2022 calendar.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89589346632?pwd=T2JuWmVUZXdjbUVHOHZBQlN5U2dydz09

Meeting ID: 895 8934 6632

Passcode: 379765

Orthodox Game League Is Back!

Adults (age 18 years and older)... come to Orthodox Game League, enjoy time with each other, and play some fun games. Do you want to learn a new game? Do you want to play a classic? How about teaching a game? Then this is for you! Questions? Contact Nikki Beachamp, 612.910.2943

The Next Game Night is Saturday, January 22, 2022,  at 7:00 p.m.  at St. Mary’s Cathedral ( 1701 - 5th Street NE, Minneapolis). *We’ll gather in the Parish Center across the street from the church. Bring a munchie or dessert to share.

KICKOFF TO 2022! Youth and Family Event

Jump into the new year with fellowship, fun, and food! Join us on Saturday, February 6th right after church, as we kick off 2022 with ice breakers, an engaging session, and get to know our new Ministry Coordinator: Niko Vasilopoulos. Get ready to be creative as we work on some arts and crafts that will be used to decorate our church. Pizza will be provided.

RSVP with the link https://bit.ly/kickoffto2022. Please direct any dietary restrictions, and questions to niko@stgeorgegoc.org.

Western Region Family Basketball Tournament Canceled

But, we are going to make some lemonade! Please continue to save the dates of February 5-6 and our upcoming practices. Please read this message from Dan.

Hi All,

In case you are not aware the Tournament Host Parish postponed the Feb 4-6, 2022 Basketball Tournament until 2023. All payments will be returned.

The reason, Covid/low interest. While this news is disappointing, it's not surprising. Even without Covid, over the years the Tournament has proven more difficult to get players committed by the 1st week of January.

Good News - St. George Practices will continue, this includes our Adaptive Team. And Are You in for a No Cost - Parish Round Robin, Saturday, February 5th?

Reaching out to our rostered players/Parish to RSVP for a St. George Round Robin on Saturday, February 5th. Also in coordination with the kick-off of our Youth/YAL Program Sunday, February 6th. No basketball skills are required, just for fun.

Based on feedback, reminder please RSVP if you are in. I'll coordinate facility rental for Feb 5th and make arrangements for food/drinks.

This provides an opportunity to:

Include more parishioners that are generally on the fence.
Continue our weekend fellowship
Integrate players into church life
Inclusion of the Adaptive Team
Showcase our new Goya and YAL Jersey's.

In Christ,

Dan Simon Jr.
cobra5_0_99@yahoo.com
(612) 207-3405

More Basketball Details

Our Practices continue on Sundays beginning January 2nd at Ramsey Junior High School (1700 Summit Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55105).

Sunday, Jan 16th, noon - 2:30 pm (the last practice is January 30). Additional practice, Jan 17th, MLK Jr Holiday, noon - 2:30 pm.

Categories: case by case exceptions for youth younger than 7 and adults that are not young.
Joy: 7-12 years old - CoEd
Goya: 13-High School Sr.
YAL: Post High School to Boomer
Adaptive Game & buddies approx. age 5

Pictorial Directory - Online Scheduling Available!

To schedule your photography appointment online for Feb 10-12, simply go to www.ucdir.com & click on “Photography Appointment Scheduling Login” on the right side. Enter mn199 in the “Church Code” field and enter photos in the “Church Password” field. If you have any questions, contact Stephanie Contolatis at stephanie333chulita@hotmail.com or 952.239.8821.

Note: Church Code & Password are case sensitive. Follow the prompts to schedule your family’s appointment time. If you have 5 or more in your family please use 2 consecutive time slots. The online scheduling option is not available Saturday or Sunday because we will be doing paper sign-ups at church. Appointments fill up quickly, so schedule as soon as possible to secure your preferred date and time.

In the meantime, please make sure the office office@stgeorgegoc.org has your current contact information, including mailing and email addresses and phone numbers, thank you! The best way to do this is by filling out your 2022 Stewardship pledge card. Make sure to note any information that you would like omitted from the directory!

High School Sunday School Class Relationship Program

Attention Sunday School parents... Our High School class will begin a special four-week program entitled the Relationship Project beginning on Sunday, February 13. To learn more, please visit https://www.faithtree.org/the-relationship-project.

NEW: 55+ Get-Togethers (formerly Young-at-Heart)

Goal: Interactive socializing, fellowship, usually with an outing
Plan: Events once every 2 months, come when you can, no cost for membership, 55+ is approx. age, when in doubt, join us!
Co-Chairs: Joanne Halatsis and Krisandrea Ballas-Rylander

We will finalize the name for our ministry soon. If you have any suggestions, please email Joanne & Krisandrea.

55+ Get-Together RESCHEDULED to February 18

Our next fellowship event will be at church in the hall at 11:00 am on Friday, February 18. Our first theme is "Grecian getaway." A catered meal will be free for St. George parishioners (covered by our F&L endowment) for this event. Friends of St. George $20.

Please RSVP by Sunday, February 13, to Joanne or Krisandrea. Joanne Halatsis, halatsis@iphouse.com, 651-778-2485; Krisandrea Ballas, krisandreambr@icloud.com, 641-261-9009.

Details: Lunch, socializing, and fun! The special fast-free meal (it is a fast-free week) - appetizer, mousaka (eggplant dish), spanakorizo (spinach and rice), Greek salad, dessert (baklava and ice cream), and chocolate bugatsa (a dessert pastry).

Godparent-Godchild Sunday Save the Date

Join us on Sunday, February, 20 for our annual Godparent-Godchild Sunday! Pray together in Liturgy followed by Sunday School and a light meal. Thank you to our hosts Dean and Joanna and our Parish Council. Please contact Dean (dean@stgeorgegoc.org) if you are interested in volunteering.

Youth and Family Ski Trip Save the date - Saturday, March 05

Join us on Saturday, March 05 for an afternoon/evening ski trip at Trollhaugen in Wisconsin. More info soon. Please RSVP To Niko at niko@stgeorgegoc.org and also, parent-youth workers please let him know if you are able to volunteer as we need some logistics help the day of the trip. For questions, please contact Wendy Loudas at wsl2@comcast.net.

Winter Camp Rescheduled!

Winter Camp has been postponed to March 11-13. If you have a youth grades 6th-12th that want to participate this year, please fill out the linked registration form. Please contact Fr. Perry for info regarding financial aid scholarships.

The cost is reduced for the new weekend. Payment thru Venmo - @stmarysocayouth or checks payable to St Marys OCA. Visit https://tinyurl.com/5n75e5ys for more info.

Wisdom of the Fathers

Having met the Savior, therefore, the lepers earnestly besought Him to free them from their misery, and called Him Master, that is. Teacher. No one pitied them when suffering this malady, but He Who had appeared on earth for this very reason, and had become man that He might show pity to all, He was moved with compassion for them, and had mercy on them.

St. Cyril of Alexandria

Commentary on the Gospel of St. Luke, Homilies 113-116. B#42, pp. 465-466, 4th Century

And why did He not rather say, I will, be you cleansed; as He did in the case of another leper, but commanded them rather to show themselves to the priests? It was because the law gave directions to this effect to those who were delivered from leprosy (Lev. 14-2); for it commanded them to show themselves to the priests, and to offer a sacrifice for their cleansing.

St. Cyril of Alexandria

Commentary on the Gospel of St. Luke, Homilies 113-116. B#42, pp. 465-466, 4th Century

In Other News

2022 Parish Council Officers Elected

The new officers are Dean Natto, President, Deena Zubulake, Vice President, Lani Hattling, Treasurer, Stephen Kanavati, Secretary, Scott Matuska, Assistant Treasurer. Our thanks to the entire 2022 Parish Council and officers for their service to our church.

Prosphora Needed

Calling all prosphora (offering bread) bakers. Prosphoro is needed for upcoming services. Please help us stock up. If you can bake some bread in the next few weeks, please let Krisandrea know at ‭(651) 261-9009‬.

Office Closed Dates

The office will be closed on Wednesday, January 19 & Wednesday, January 26 to devote time to end-of-year and 2022 admin work. The January-February issue of Glad Tidings & the wall calendars will be mailed at the end of this week; thank you for your patience!

Marriage Prep Seminar

Join us on January 22 from 8:30 am - 2:30 pm for a Marriage Prep seminar in our hall. Couples preparing for marriage or married couples looking to spend a day together learning and reflecting on marriage. Please RSVP to Julie at office@stgeorgegoc.org if you would like to participate.

Intro to Orthodox Christianity Course

Join us for our MEOCCA, Winter 2022 cooperative catechism course, already in session on Mondays from 7-9 pm. The course is open to all; people interested in learning more about Orthodox Christianity, inquirers, catechumens, and current Orthodox Christians we well! The course is an excellent opportunity to deepen the knowledge of the Orthodox Christian Faith. Classes will be held in person and online via Zoom. Register online at https://forms.gle/fwkxDmA2P7AkcqNj 8 or www.meocca.or g. Feel free to join us for an individual session as well! Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/2iwrFZa9u

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.

Saints and Feasts

January 17

Anthony the Great

Saint Anthony, the Father of monks, was born in Egypt in 251 of pious parents who departed this life while he was yet young. On hearing the words of the Gospel: "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell what thou hast, and give to the poor" (Matt. 19:21), he immediately put it into action. Distributing to the poor all he had, and fleeing from all the turmoil of the world, he departed to the desert. The manifold temptations he endured continually for the span of twenty years are incredible. His ascetic struggles by day and by night, whereby he mortified the uprisings of the passions and attained to the height of dispassion, surpass the bounds of nature; and the report of his deeds of virtue drew such a multitude to follow him that the desert was transformed into a city, while he became, so to speak, the governor, lawgiver, and master-trainer of all the citizens of this newly-formed city.

The cities of the world also enjoyed the fruit of his virtue. When the Christians were being persecuted and put to death under Maximinus in 312, he hastened to their aid and consolation. When the Church was troubled by the Arians, he went with zeal to Alexandria in 335 and struggled against them in behalf of Orthodoxy. During this time, by the grace of his words, he also turned many unbelievers to Christ.

Saint Anthony began his ascetic life outside his village of Coma in Upper Egypt, studying the ways of the ascetics and holy men there, and perfecting himself in the virtues of each until he surpassed them all. Desiring to increase his labors, he departed into the desert, and finding an abandoned fortress in the mountain, he made his dwelling in it, training himself in extreme fasting, unceasing prayer, and fierce conflicts with the demons. Here he remained, as mentioned above, about twenty years. Saint Athanasius the Great, who knew him personally and wrote his life, says that he came forth from that fortress "initiated in the mysteries and filled with the Spirit of God." Afterwards, because of the press of the faithful, who deprived him of his solitude, he was enlightened by God to journey with certain Bedouins, until he came to a mountain in the desert near the Red Sea, where he passed the remaining part of his life.

Saint Athanasius says of him that "his countenance had a great and wonderful grace. This gift also he had from the Saviour. For if he were present in a great company of monks, and any one who did not know him previously wished to see him, immediately coming forward he passed by the rest, and hurried to Anthony, as though attracted by his appearance. Yet neither in height nor breadth was he conspicuous above others, but in the serenity of his manner and the purity of his soul." So Passing his life, and becoming an example of virtue and a rule for monastics, he reposed on January 17 in the year 356, having lived altogether some 105 years.

Missions & Benevolence

Loaves and Fishes- 6 meal dates

917 people served ~ 1,019 meals donated

Focus MN-3 meal dates (4 scheduled)

435 people served ~ 449 meals donated

2021 Meal Totals=

1,352 people served ~ 1,468 meals donated

Thank you to our volunteers! Help is always welcomed and much appreciated- consider joining us for a meal.

January Men's Clothing Drive

very timely and successful

Lenten Food Drive for Focus MN

also successful

October Pantry Drive for Focus MN

these donations were used to fill the empty shelves and provide special items for the Thanksgiving Food Baskets

Thank you for your donations! These targeted drives provided FOCUS MN with what they needed- when they needed it!

Teen Loaves and Fishes

8 youth gathered to serve our June Loaves and Fishes meal

We look forward to doing it again in 2022!

Union Depot Bake Sale

Our dedicated bakers and crew sold out of many of our items at this re-started annual event.

Our first and only fundraiser this year, all proceeds to benefit FOCUS MN.

Missions & Benevolence Snapshots of 2021 encourages everyone to participate in the efforts of Missions and Benevolence. Everyone is welcome to help Saint George in these endeavors. The next scheduled meal date is Monday, February 7th, 2022. Contact George or Anastasia Mastrogiorgis for more information. Please join us when you are able!

Stewardship

Our 2022 theme is, "…Our Church Our Spiritual Home." In the words of Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos, "...in the Church we live eternal life starting from now. We do not simply await the life to come, but we experience and enjoy it from the present. The Kingdom of God, according to the Fathers, is not life beyond the grave but communion with God...“

2022 Stewardship Goal

$... of $260,000 (updated numbers coming soon)

Pledges Received

Updated information coming soon.

2021 Stewardship Goal Exceeded!

Thank you for helping us exceed our 2021 goal! Our approximate Stewardship total for 2021 was $278,450 of our $250,000 goal! Your contributions continue to serve the mission and vision of our church. Thank you for your stewardship of time, talent, and treasure.

Make Your Stewardship Pledge Online

Thank you for your continued support! Make your 2022 pledge by visiting https://forms.gle/NjsemfkEqFihqn4F7. Please make sure to note any updates to your contact information as we prepare to publish our new pictorial directory. Please make special note of any information you would like unlisted/omitted from the directory.

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 and fellowship hour are 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. We hope you will join us in our hall upstairs after service this morning for fellowship and refreshments.

Bulletin Inserts

Children's Bulletin for Sunday, January 16

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Welcome!

Past Bulletins