Publish-header
Sunday Bulletin - St. George Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2022-03-27
Bulletin Contents
03_calvary
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

    March 7 to April 3, 2022

    Monday, March 7

    +STRICT FAST GREAT LENT (through April 15)

    Sunday, March 27

    Sunday of the Holy Cross

    8:30AM ORTHROS

    9:30AM DIVINE LITURGY

    10:30AM Procession of Cross

    11:30AM Greek Independence Celebration

    4:00PM LENTEN VESPERS @ St. George AOC

    8:00PM Greek Festival Meeting

    Monday, March 28

    6:00PM COMPLINE

    7:00PM Catechism - The Goal: Second Coming & Living the Christian Life

    7:00PM Parish Council Meeting

    Wednesday, March 30

    5:30PM NINTH HOUR

    6:00PM PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY

    7:00PM Lenten Lecture

    Thursday, March 31

    +ST. INNOCENT- APOSTLE TO AMERICA

    Friday, April 1

    6:00PM SALUTATIONS

    7:00PM Lenten Meal & Book Discussion

    Sunday, April 3

    Sunday of St. John Climacus

    8:30AM ORTHROS

    9:30AM DIVINE LITURGY

    10:30AM Parish Oratorical Festival

    4:00PM LENTEN VESPERS @ St. Mary's GOC

  • Ministries Calendar

    March 27 to April 2, 2022

    Sunday, March 27

    10:30AM Oratorical Writer's Circle

    Saturday, April 2

    2:00PM Fanari Lenten Retreat

BACK TO TOP

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Grave Tone

By the cross, O Lord, you destroyed death; to the thief you opened paradise. The myrrhbearers' sorrow you transformed into joy, and you sent your apostles forth to proclaim that you had risen from the dead, Christ our God, bestowing on all the world your great mercy.

Apolytikion for Sun. of the Holy Cross in the 1st Tone

Save, O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance. Give vict'ry to those who battle evil and protect us all by your holy cross.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal 4th Tone

Victorious Lady, mighty champion, defending us, we, your servants, now inscribe to you this hymn of thanks, for you rescued us from suff'ring and tribulation. Theotokos, with your power that can never fail, keep us safe from ev'ry danger our whole life long, that we may cry to you: Rejoice, O Bride unwedded.
BACK TO TOP

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Sunday of the Holy Cross
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6

BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek."


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Holy Cross
The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1

The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."


BACK TO TOP

Announcements

Greeters

Richard Kanavati & Bill Clemons

Fellowship Hour

Thank you to AHEPA for hosting this Sunday in honor of Greek Independence Day

Philoptochos Lenten Meal Cooking Demonstration March 25

Come and join us in the St. George kitchen for a Lenten Meal Cooking Demonstration on Friday, March 25th from 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. This event will be available both in-person and virtually via Zoom. Please register through the following Sign Up Genius link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4ca5ad2babff2-philoptochos1

Fellowship Meal March 27

Please join us today (Sunday) in the fellowship hall following Liturgy for a meal sponsored by our Order of AHEPA. This is a free-will offering, proceeds will be used for the Scholarships fund.

Writer’s Circle March 27

An Oratorical Festival Writer’s Circle will be held today (Sunday) after Holy Communion.

Lenten Lecture Schedule

Lent began on March 7. As part of our Lenten lecture series, we will host lectures and book discussions on Wednesday and Friday evenings following Lenten services, from now through April 8. See inserts section for the full schedule with speakers and topics. All events are in person and via Zoom. The book we’ll be discussing is For the Life of the World by Fr. Alexander Schmemann. To purchase your copy, please email Steve Arsenault arsenault003@gmail.com or stop by the bookstore after Liturgy.

Fanari Lenten Retreat!

We are excited to announce the second annual METROPOLIS-WIDE Fanari Lenten Retreat. The retreat will be a day in the life of camp, and will include: Worship, Orthodox Life, games, Song Night, and much more! On Saturday, April 2 from 2 pm-8 pm in Minneapolis. Register at fanari.camp/retreat ($30 per camper). Please direct any questions to niko@stgeorgegoc.org.

Saturday of Lazarus!

Following Liturgy (begins at 9:30am) on April 16, join us in the fellowship hall for Palm Cross making, lunch, and church cleaning/decorating. We will have a potluck-style lunch, and are looking for families to bring a lenten meal to share. If you are able to bring food, please email niko@stgeorgegoc.org.

Holy Friday Retreat!

Join us on Holy Friday, April 22 from 11am-3pm for our annual Retreat! The service of the Royal Hours will begin at 9:00am, and will be followed by a session, lunch, a craft, and preparation activities. We are looking for volunteer(s) to provide lunch, if you are able, please email niko@stgeorgegoc.org. RSVP at bit.ly/StGeorgeRSVP by April 18

Pascha Flowers 2022

Donations for flowers to beautify the sanctuary and Kouvouklion (Epitaphion) during Holy Week & Pascha may be made in memory of a loved one(s). Please complete the form found in the Inserts Section or in the March-April Glad Tidings and submit it to the office by Sunday, April 17. Thank you!

Church Cleanup for Holy Week

Please join us after making palm crosses on the Saturday of Lazaros to prep and clean the sanctuary for Holy Week. Please bring your scrapers and knee pads to help us get the wax off of the marble. We will also vacuum, dust, mop, etc. the rest of the space as well. Many hands make light work! We hope you will join us.

2022 Calendars

Saint George is excited to publish our 2022 Events Calendars for our Youth & Family Ministry, and for our Holy Friday Retreat. Please see the inserts section!

Save the Date - May 19

55+ Ministry members are invited to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska for a cafeteria-style lunch and tour of the Arboretum (hopefully tulips!!). Please call Joanne (651-778-2485) as soon as possible to RSVP so that we can reserve enough tickets ahead of time.

Register for Lighthouse: A Camp for 12th Grade Graduates 

The Metropolis of Chicago has announced registration for Lighthouse: a camp for graduated High School Seniors. Lighthouse aims to prepare campers for the social, emotional, practical, and spiritual challenges they will encounter in the college experience and beyond. The first Lighthouse camp will run from June 25 – July 2 at Carroll University; registration opens March 11, 2022. For more information: https://chicago.goarch.org/lighthouse/

Festival Lawn Signs 

If you have lawn signs from previous festivals in your house or garage, please return them to the fellowship hall at church; thank you!

BACK TO TOP

BACK TO TOP

Wisdom of the Fathers

And see how He also makes His discourse unexceptionable: not saying at all, "whether you will, or no, you must suffer this," but how? "If any man will come after me."
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century

"I force not, I compel not, but each one I make lord of his own choice; wherefore also I say, 'If any man will.' For to good things do I call you, not to things evil, or burdensome; not to punishment and vengeance, that I should have to compel.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century

BACK TO TOP

In Other News

Lenten Vespers Schedule

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.

YAL Chicago Spring Retreat

Wrestling with Doubt” is the theme of this retreat, led by Dan Christopoulos April 8-10 at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center in Kansasville, WI. See Inserts section for QR code with details.

The Metropolis is Hiring!

The Metropolis of Chicago is seeking a full-time, exempt Camp & Retreat Ministries Coordinator who will lead, coordinate, execute, and develop the camping and retreat ministries of the Metropolis. The position reports directly to the Metropolis Director of Ministries. Capacity and ability to work evenings and weekends as required. The position will be based at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center (Kansasville, Wisconsin) with remote work ability when physical presence in Kansasville is not required. For job responsibilities, qualifications, and how to apply: https://chicago.goarch.org/jobs/

Pictorial Directory

Thank you to those who participated in the photo sessions. 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!

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

March-April 2022 Glad Tidings  

https://www.stgeorgegoc.org/assets/GladTidings/GladTidings-2022-MarchApril.pdf

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.

Announcing 2022 Roselawn Program Prices

Advance planning can give you and your family peace of mind and is also cost-effective. Annual cost increases are typically at least 2% and have risen over 27% since 2013. 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” section, and easily identifiable by the monument/altar table. Contact the church office for more information.

2022 Discounted Prices for Parishioners:

$6,715 = Monument Lot (2 Graves)

$4,670 = Flat Lot (2 Graves)

$2,995 = Flat Lot (1 Grave, Limited Availability)

(These prices reflect a 15% off Roselawn Retail Price)

This continues to be one of those great opportunities where you can support the church, save some money and create a legacy for your family all at the same time. Lots for both monument and marker stones are still available. Please follow Roselawn regulations for the care and beautification of your lots.

Greek Festival Scheduled for July 29-30, 2022

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.

Romanian Exhibit

On view through April 16, 2022 at the Landmark Center in St. Paul: Romanian Spring Traditions, an exhibit of Romanian painted eggs from a private collection. 

BACK TO TOP

Archdiocese News

Archepiscopal Visit to Chicago

03/24/2022

Metropolitan Nathanael welcomed Archbishop Elpidophoros of America to his Holy Metropolis on Wednesday March 22nd, commencing the first Archepiscopal visit of the Centennial year to the Metropolis of Chicago--which is comprised of 58 parishes and two monastic communities throughout Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin.

Historic Pilgrimage to Constantinople - April 2022

03/23/2022

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America is pleased to announce the second Archdiocesan Centennial Pilgrimage to Constantinople from April 15-21, 2022. This pilgrimage will be led by His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos, with the unique opportunity for you to participate in the preparation of Holy Chrism (Άγιο Μύρο) at the Ecumenical Patriarchate. A truly rare and blessed ceremony that occurs only once each decade.

Directory of Christian Mental Health Professionals

03/22/2022

Which care options in the Assembly of Bishops' Directory of Orthodox Christian Mental Health Professionals may be right for you? Visit assemblyofbishops.org/mentalhealth to learn more information and explore options.

30 Spots Left for Ionian Village

03/21/2022

There is great excitement as preparations are underway for the 2022 Ionian Village Summer Programs! Spots are available in all programs but are filling up fast and registration will be closing soon.

'Man of God' Film Coming to Theatres Across US

03/18/2022

'Man of God', the award winning box office hit film based on the widely venerated Greek saint, St Nektarios of Aegina that won the hearts of people last summer in Greece is coming to a theatre near you across the US on March 21 & March 28 - two-nights only! Don't miss the chance to watch this incredible film!
BACK TO TOP

BACK TO TOP

Saints and Feasts

03_calvary
March 27

Sunday of the Holy Cross

With the help of God, we have almost reached the middle of the course of the Fast, where our strength has been worn down through abstinence, and the full difficulty of the labour set before us becomes apparent. Therefore our holy Mother, the Church of Christ, now brings to our help the all-holy Cross, the joy of the world, the strength of the faithful, the staff of the just, and the hope of sinners, so that by venerating it reverently, we might receive strength and grace to complete the divine struggle of the Fast.


Matrona
March 27

Martyr Matrona of Thessalonica

This martyr was the servant of a certain Jewish woman named Pantilla, the wife of the Governor of Thessalonica. When Matrona refused to follow her mistress into the synagogue Pantilla beat her so severly that she died in a few days, and thus received the crown of her confession.


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

$50,245 of $260,000 (through February)

Pledges Received

As of March 10, 2022, 62 families have pledged a total of $130,977.

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

St. Mary's Summer Camp

Summer Camp will be at Camp Wapogasset, July 2-8, 2022! Registration is approaching fast and will begin on: Tuesday 4/26/22 (at 10:00am, C.D.T)!  Registration Fee soon to be determined.  Please watch www.stmaryscamp.com  and https://www.facebook.com/campstmarys for updates.

The 2022 Summer Camp Scholarship Essay Contest is open to our entire Pan-Orthodox Community entering grades 6-12. Two Camp scholarship rebate coupons will be awarded in memory of Presvytera Mary Coniaris and James H. Zubulake. Camp registration fees will be rebated to two contest winners following Summer Camp. Please click this link for all the information: https://stmaryscamp.com/2022-summer-camp-scholarship-essay-contest/

Do you have a child with Special Needs?  Do you know of another Orthodox family who has a child with Special Needs that might be wondering if  Summer Camp is a possibility this year?  While our Summer Church Camp is not a “Special Needs Camp” we love our children with Special Needs and wish to work ahead of time with parents to accommodate those children that we are able, through our Special Needs Process. 

With Camp Registration approaching we would like to remind you that St. Mary’s Camp has an official Special Needs Process in place for all potential new campers AND returning campers with special needs who may not be fully independent in their camp functioning. Examples of campers who may require special needs accommodations include those with health or physical impairments, intellectual/cognitive functioning impairments, communication/language impairments, vision/hearing impairments, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and mental health difficulties (e.g. severe anxiety, depression, ADHD). If you are unsure about the need for accommodations, please consult the following documents:

Ideally, we prefer a full year for this process as we need extra time to evaluate and determine what accommodations might be necessary for our campers with special needs.  Once official registration begins it becomes increasingly difficult to respond to new requests for consideration, and we don’t want you to miss this opportunity for consideration in 2022. Please help us, help you, by starting the process NOW and submitting the Special Needs Information / Consideration Form to Georgi Speliopoulos.  Georgi’s address is on the form. If you have questions about this process or the need to participate in the process (i.e. Do dietary restrictions require special needs accommodations?), please contact Georgi Speliopoulos (612) 483-9292. 

Once again our desire is to help you begin this process immediately, in the hope that we may accommodate as many of our precious campers with special needs as possible!

Blessed Lenten Journey!

With love In His Service,

Fr. Timothy Sas, Doria and the Special Needs Committee, St. Mary's Camp

BACK TO TOP

Bulletin Inserts

BACK TO TOP