Publish-header
Sunday Bulletin - St. George Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2022-02-06
Bulletin Contents
Photiosgreat
Organization Icon
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

  • Parish Calendar

    February 6 to February 14, 2022

    Sunday, February 6

    Sunday of the Canaanite

    +ST. PHOTIOS THE GREAT

    8:30AM ORTHROS

    9:30AM DIVINE LITURGY

    Monday, February 7

    4:30PM Loaves & Fishes

    7:00PM Catechism - Christ II: His Work & Teachings

    Tuesday, February 8

    +ST. THEODORE STRATELATES

    6:00PM Iconography Class

    Wednesday, February 9

    +FAST DAY

    Thursday, February 10

    +ST. HARALAMBOS THE MARTYR

    2:00PM Parish Directory Photo Sessions

    Friday, February 11

    +FAST DAY

    2:00PM Parish Directory Photo Sessions

    Saturday, February 12

    10:30AM Parish Directory Photo Sessions

    Sunday, February 13

    Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee

    8:30AM ORTHROS

    9:30AM DIVINE LITURGY

    10:30AM Sunday School

    11:30AM Philoptochos Meeting

    Monday, February 14

    +++NO FASTING - FAST FREE+++

  • Ministries Calendar

    February 6 to February 6, 2022

    Sunday, February 6

    10:30AM Youth Kickoff to 2022!

BACK TO TOP

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 4th Tone

From on high you descended, O merciful Lord. You accepted the cross and three days in the tomb to free us from the bondage of sin, O our life and resurrection. Glory to you, O Lord.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Presentation in the 1st Tone

Rejoice, O woman full of grace, O Virgin Theotokos, for there rose from you the Sun of Justice, Christ our God, who enlightens those in darkness. You too exult and be glad, just and aged Simeon, for you carried in your arms the Redeemer of our souls, who bestows on us the grace of resurrection.

Apolytikion for Photius, Pat. Of Constantinople in the 4th Tone

As a teacher to the world, being one with the Apostles, intercede with the Lord of all, O Photios, that He may grant the world peace, and to our souls His great mercy.

Apolytikion for St. George in the 4th Tone

As the deliverer of captives, and the protector of the poor, a physician of the sick, the defender of kings, O Great Martyr Saint George Victorious; intercede to Christ our God, to save our souls.

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.
BACK TO TOP

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Photius the Great, Patriarch of Constantinople
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 7:26-28; 8:1-2

Brethren, it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did this once for all when he offered up himself. Indeed, the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect for ever. Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent which is set up not by man but by the Lord.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Canaanite
The Reading is from Matthew 15:21-28

At that time, Jesus went to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon." But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." And he answered, "It is not fair to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table." Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly.


BACK TO TOP

Announcements

Greeters

Jon Kennedy & Bill Clemons

Prosphora (Offering Bread)

Bill Clemons

Fellowship Hour

Thank you to Stelios Mitos & Amanda Fenolio for hosting this Sunday! 

House Blessings

Please contact Fr. Perry at frperry@stgeorgegoc.org or (651) 706-9672 to schedule your house blessing.

Youth Kickoff to 2022!

Jump into the new year with fellowship, fun, and food! Join us on Sunday, February 6th from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm 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.
 
"...that Rock was Christ.” 1 Corinthians 10:4

Loaves and Fishes - February 7

Our first meal of 2022 will be Monday, February 7 at St. Matthews on Hall Avenue. We will be wearing masks (indoors) in order to prepare take-out boxes for distribution outdoors. The time commitment is only around 2 hours- 4:30-6:45/7:00. To help out, please sign up at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d49ada623a0fcc70-february1.

Pictorial Directory February 10-12: 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 churchAppointments 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 next Sunday, February 13. To learn more, please visit https://www.faithtree.org/the-relationship-project.

Online Bible Study February 16

We will meet Wednesday, February 16 from 1:30 pm-3:00 pm. 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/84641369368?pwd=VTBiS1UrN0Izc3l1QjJvSTJObHAwdz09 Meeting ID: 846 4136 9368 Passcode: 416613; 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.

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 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 next 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, February 20

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. We will offer a prayer during Liturgy for our Godparents and Godchildren. 

The St. George Annual Ski Trip is Back!

Mark your calendars for March 5, and get ready for skiing, snowboarding, and tubing at Trollhaugen Ski Area in Dresser, WI → 2232 100th Ave, Dresser, WI 54009.  

We will arrive at 2:15pm, and lift tickets are active at 2:45pm. Tickets are valid until closing at 9pm (the last tubing session starts at 5pm). We will meet at Trollhaugen at the arrival time. Parents/Guardians/Families are responsible for chaperoning their own youth at the event. 

Pricing is as follows: Lift Ticket = $22/person – Rental = $22/person – Tubing = $15/ person 2 hour session. Money can be submitted to the church office. Register and pay by Monday, February 28th at https://bit.ly/saintgeorgeskitrip. Checks payable to St. George GOC, memo “ski trip”

Please direct questions regarding: skiing/snowboarding age appropriateness and lessons to Wendy Loudas wsl2@comcast.net (651-235-2646) All other questions can be directed to Niko Vasilopoulos niko@stgeorgegoc.org

Volunteers Needed!

In order to make sure this year's ski trip on March 5 is a success, we need help from you! If you are able to volunteer and assist with check-in, passing out lift tickets, coordinating tubers, and organizing late arrivals, please fill out this form: https://bit.ly/skitripvolunteer. Direct any questions to Niko Vasilopoulos niko@stgeorgegoc.org

Winter Camp March 11-13! 

Winter Camp at Camp St. Croiz has been rescheduled 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. The theme is Baptism and Salvation.
 
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. The full cost is $160. Please contact Fr. Perry for info regarding financial aid scholarships. St. George is subsidizing half the cost for our youth. Please contact Fr. Perry if you are interested in attending. If you have already paid, please let Fr. Perry know.

Greek Festival Scheduled for July 29-30, 2022

Congratulations and thank you to Phyllis Kapetanakis for serving as our 2022 festival chairperson! Sub-committee chairs include Dino Contolatis- Food; Jon Kennedy- Operations; George Mastrogiorgis- Communications; Anastasia Mastrogiorgis, Irene Loudas, & Nanette Gomez- Baking; Emilio Kapetanakis- Beverage; Angela Mortari- Entertainment; Stella Hofrenning- Bazaar; Steve Arsenault- Church tours; TBD- Staffing. Please contact Phyllis or one of our chairs to get involved.

BACK TO TOP

Wisdom of the Fathers

She had a great perfection of faith. She had no uncertainty about His divine majesty. She had no small measure of the virtue of patience. Yet the pitying Physician of the pitiful disdained her petitions. He kept her waiting for answer in order to demonstrate to us the perseverence of this woman that we can always imitate. She had the characteristics of constancy and humility. She willingly embraced the indignity she received, and even confirmed the Lord`s statement. This woman rightly signifies the faith and devotion of the Church gathered from the nations
Saint Bede
Hom. I. 22, In Lent, Homilies on the Gospels, Bk. One, 216, 217.

He kept her waiting for an answer in order to declare that the minds of His disciples should also be merciful. As human beings they were ashamed of the clamor of the woman as she pursued them publicly, but He Himself knew the character of His mercy.
St. Bede
Hom. I. 22, In Lent, Homilies on the Gospels, Bk. One, 216

BACK TO TOP

In Other News

Divorce Rebuilders February 14-March 21

Saints Peter and Paul Divorce Rebuilders offers support, guidance and hope to those who are separated and divorced.  Meetings this Spring of 2022 will be hosted by SS Peter and Paul, Glenview, by ZOOM on Mondays, February 14 through March 21st starting at 7pm. for six weeks.  This group provides a place where you can learn, heal and rebuild from the hurt of divorce.  New insights and perspectives will help you create new understandings towards developing new personal, relational and spiritual goals in your life.  Discussion, feedback and support are integral components of this program.  In addition, our group engages in ongoing social activities.  Leader:  Maria Boyle, Counseling, Northwestern University. To enroll in this program please email: sspp.divorcerebuilders@gmail.com or mariaharduvel4@gmail.com and please note in the subject heading: Divorce Rebuilders. For more information on this program, visit SS Peter & Paul’s website under Ministries and Support. There is no cost for this program.  

Discover OCF: February 25

Calling all High School Juniors and Seniors! The college students at the University of Minnesota want to meet YOU and share all about the Orthodox opportunities in college! Orthodox Christian Fellowship is a national organization for college students to explore their faith. We are inviting you to join us on Friday, February 25th from 6-7:30 pm at the University of Minnesota to get a sneak peek into the college experience. Please RSVP on our website under events at www.ocfumn.com! For parking instructions and meeting location, email ocf@umn.edu. See you there!

Orthodox Daily Prayer App

Faithtree Resources, an Orthodox non-profit, is introducing a free daily Orthodox prayer app for your phone. Download it and give it a try…then share it with everyone you know. What could be better than praying for our world?  Praying together with 1000’s of other Orthodox Christians!  Download app for Androids: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.faithtree&mc_cid=4590ed1f4b&mc_eid=feb26ca396 Download app for Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-encounter/id1596789782?mc_cid=4590ed1f4b&mc_eid=feb26ca396

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/fwkxDmA2P7AkcqNj8  or  www.meocca.org. 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.

BACK TO TOP

FOCUS MN

Focus_mn_logo

Online Volunteer System Ready to Use

We always need volunteers in order to keep the ministry of FOCUS Minnesota running smoothly, so we are happy to invite you to our new online system through HelperHelper! We have moved to an online platform to make it easier to match your interests with the current and evolving needs of FOCUS House.

You can now go directly to our new volunteer management system in the following ways:
1.  Download the App to your Smart Phone Search for HelperHelper in the app store, then FOCUS House MN.
2.  Go to focusmn.org | Click Get Involved on Home Page | Click Volunteer Today on Get Involved Page.
3.  Scan this QR Code 

ONCE YOU'RE IN...

Once in the HelperHelper system, you will be asked to sign in. If you've never used the system, you'll need to provide basic information (name, email address) and create a password.

A list of dates and volunteer opportunities for FOCUS House MN will appear, as shown below. Simply scroll down the dates, click on one that works for you, and click the SIGN UP button. Opportunities currently include:

   •   Weekly lunch bag production
   •   Weekly clothes closet shoppers
   •   Weekly clothes sorters
   •   On-call list for Sunday night meal distribution
   •   Service window receptionist/greeter

READY, SET, GO!

The programs at FOCUS Minnesota continue to expand, thus needing an expansion of our volunteer base. With your involvement, we can improve our work and do more to help those in need. Please consider taking a look today and trying something new. On-the-job training will be provided along with coffee, good fellowship, and gratefulness.

BACK TO TOP

MEOCCA News

Meoccalogo

Lenten Vespers Schedule

March 13, Orthodoxy Sunday, St. Mary’s OCA Cathedral, Minneapolis

March 20, St. George Greek Orthodox Church, St. Paul

March 27, St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, W. St. Paul

April 3, St. Mary Greek Orthodox Church, Minneapolis

April 10, Holy Myrrhbearers OCA Church, St. Cloud

April 17, St. Herman OCA Church, Minneapolis

Vespers begin at 4:00 pm.

Mark Wesche will be leading a men’s choir that will sing at all the services this year (except at St. George GOC). Their next rehearsal will be on February 18th, Friday, at 7pm at St. Mary OCA Cathedral. Once Lent begins, the men will meet for a rehearsal before every service. Part of the reason for the rehearsals prior to Lent is in the hope to shorten the length of time needed for these weekly rehearsals.

BACK TO TOP

Archdiocese News

Parish Leadership Moment Video Presentation

02/04/2022

PARISH LEADERSHIP MOMENT (4:31) with Fr Theodore Dorrance for Parish Council Members and other Parish Leaders.

Effective Christian Ministry Training

02/04/2022

EMC mall Group is a new opportunity to work through the training course with fellow co-workers in Christ.
BACK TO TOP

BACK TO TOP

BACK TO TOP

Saints and Feasts

Photiosgreat
February 06

Photius the Great, Patriarch of Constantinople

As for the thrice-blessed Photius, the great and most resplendent Father and teacher of the Church, the Confessor of the Faith and Equal to the Apostles, he lived during the years of the emperors Michael (the son of Theophilus), Basil the Macedonian, and Leo his son. He was the son of pious parents, Sergius and Irene, who suffered for the Faith under the Iconoclast Emperor Theophilus; he was also a nephew of Saint Tarasius, Patriarch of Constantinople (see Feb. 25). He was born in Constantinople, where he excelled in the foremost imperial ministries, while ever practicing a virtuous and godly life. An upright and honorable man of singular learning and erudition, he was raised to the apostolic, ecumenical, and patriarchal throne of Constantinople in the year 857.

The many struggles that this thrice-blessed one undertook for the Orthodox Faith against the Manichaeans, the Iconoclasts, and other heretics, and the attacks and assaults that he endured from Nicholas I, the haughty and ambitious Pope of Rome, and the great persecutions and distresses he suffered, are beyond number. Contending against the Latin error of the filioque, that is, the doctrine that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son, he demonstrated clearly with his Mystagogy on the Holy Spirit how the filioque destroys the unity and equality of the Trinity. He has left us many theological writings, panegyric homilies, and epistles, including one to Boris, the Sovereign of Bulgaria, in which he set forth for him the history and teachings of the Seven Ecumenical Councils. Having tended the Church of Christ in holiness and in an evangelical manner, and with fervent zeal having rooted out all the tares of every alien teaching, he departed to the Lord in the Monastery of the Armenians on February 6, 891.


BACK TO TOP

Stewardship

Social-our-spiritual-home-landscape

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

As of February 3, 2022, 49 families have pledged a total of $98,985.

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.

BACK TO TOP