Calendar

Parish Calendar

October 4 to October 11, 2026

Sunday, October 4

2nd Sunday of Luke

8:15AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

10:45AM No Church School Classes Today

11:00AM Mini Greek Fest

Monday, October 5

4:30PM Loaves & Fishes

Tuesday, October 6

+St. Thomas the Apostle

Wednesday, October 7

+Fast Day

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

5:30PM Vespers

Friday, October 9

+Apostle Iakovos (James) the Less (Just)

+Fast Day

Sunday, October 11

Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council

8:15AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

10:45AM Church School

11:45AM Greek School OXI Day Practice (After Church School)

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 1st Tone

Although your tomb was sealed with a stone, O Savior, and your most pure body was guarded by the soldiers, you rose on the third day giving life to all the world. Therefore O giver of life, the powers of heaven praise you: Glory to your resurrection, O Christ. Glory to your kingdom. Glory to your saving wisdom. O only lover of mankind.

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 2nd Tone

O unfailing protection of Christians, and our faithful advocate before the Creator: though we are sinners, do not ignore our entreaty; but in your goodness, grant your timely help to us who appeal to you in faith. Quickly make intercession; on our behalf make speedy supplication, O Theotokos, for you always protect those who honor you.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

18th Sunday after Pentecost
The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 9:6-11

Brethren, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work. As it is written, "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever." He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

Gospel Reading

2nd Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 6:31-36

The Lord said, "As you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful."

Announcements

Greeters

Dylan Eisenhuth and Misael Jordan

Prosfora

Anonymous

May Her Memory be Eternal!

Please join us in offering our prayers and deepest condolences to Robert Hattling and his family on the passing of his beloved mother, +Kathleen Marie (Flynn) Hattling. May her memory be eternal, and may God grant her rest with the saints.

To read her Obituary, please use this link or scan the QR Code.

https://www.daresfuneralservice.com/obituary/Kathleen-Hattling

Mini Greek Festival Continues Today!

Join us for the St. George Mini Greek Festival today, October 4, from 11 AM–4 PM! Enjoy delicious Greek pastries, gyros, chicken souvlaki, gyro salads, frappé, and beverages, plus Greek dancing, a bazaar, church tours, and a silent auction. Come grab some great food, enjoy the festivities, and cheer on your favorite runners! Bring your family and friends and enjoy a taste of Greece at St. George!

Loaves and Fishes Meal

Our second-to-last meal service for 2026 will be Monday, October 5, from 4:30 pm - 6:45 pm at St. Matthew's in West Saint Paul. Teenagers are welcome back, as are all adults, with or without meal service experience. You just need a willingness to serve! Use the link below to sign up.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D49ADA623A0FCC70-66040168-october

St. Iakovos Retreat Center Town Hall

Join the St. Iakovos Retreat Center for a virtual Town Hall on Wednesday, October 8, from 6:00–7:30 PM CST. The Town Hall will provide updates and answer questions regarding SIRC’s finances, fundraising efforts, and long-term planning. Registration is required in advance. Visit chicago.goarch.org for registration details.

Orthodox Adult Game Night

It’s time for Game Night! Join us on Saturday, October 10, at 6:00 PM at St. Mary’s OCA (1701 5th St NE, Minneapolis). Bring your favorite games, snacks, drinks, and friends! Whether you’re a longtime member of the Orthodox community or new to Orthodoxy, all adults are welcome. Come enjoy an evening of fellowship, laughter, and a little friendly competition. There’s always room for one more at the table! Questions? Contact Fiona Lotti by phone at 651-470-8994

St. Iakovos Retreat Center Sunday – October 18

The first Metropolis-wide St. Iakovos Retreat Center Sunday (SIRC Sunday) will take place on October 18!

St. George Benefit Concert

An Evening of Classical & Byzantine Music, in support of St. George Greek Orthodox Church and FOCUS MN. Secure your tickets today for St. George's upcoming Classical and Byzantine Music Concert this Fall.

Join us for a beautiful night of music and community featuring:

Anna Pitsavas Wakely, winner of the 2025 Karin Larson YourClassical Prize in the Emerging Artist category, Violin
Twin Cities Byzantine Choir, directed by Joseph Karos
Christopher Atheneos, Byzantine Chanter, South Florida

Date/Time:
Saturday, October 24, 2026, 7:00pm

Location:
St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church
60 N Kent St
St. Paul, MN 55102

Admission/Tickets:
General Admission: $25
Patron Ticket: $50

Premium support ticket for guests who would like to further support our Ministries and Philanthropic actions. Includes concert admission. With limited seating available, now is the perfect time to purchase your ticket and ensure you don’t miss out on this exceptional musical experience! Purchase your tickets with this link: https://onrealm.org/StGeorgeStPaul/-/form/give/BenefitConcert

Greek School - Fall 2026

Registration is now open for St. George Greek School! Greek School is open to PreK–12 students and adults and is a great way to learn Greek while connecting with Greek language and culture. Everyone is welcome! The Fall session will run Wednesdays from 6:00–7:30 PM, with 7 sessions from October 28–December 16. There will be Fall, Winter, and Spring sessions throughout the year.

Registration is free, though donations are welcome to help cover textbooks, supplies, costumes, and food. Please register each student separately. Questions? Contact Joanna at [email protected]. Here is the registration link below:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeM3le4o3R5cjqyzLhnOSxhleXfyI87sRnaH_8NCtsGyiUVA/viewform

Fr. John Strickland: Finding Meaning and Hope

Join us at St. Mary’s OCA on Friday, December 4, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. for an evening with Fr. John Strickland, priest at St. Elizabeth Orthodox Church in Poulsbo, Washington, and author of The Age of Nihilism.

Fr. John will speak on “Finding Meaning and Hope in a Time of Division and Uncertainty,” drawing from his book The Age of Nihilism.

Friday, December 4, 2026 | 7:00 p.m.
St. Mary’s OCA
1701 5th St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Help with Coffee Hour!

Fellowship is better because of you! We have many openings in the coming weeks and would love to have you join the fun. Grab your family, invite a friend, sign up solo, or email Andrea Faches if you would like to sponsor without set-up and serving. Bring cookies, snacks, or simple finger foods and juice for 80–100 people, and we’ll take care of the coffee! Scan the QR code or use the link to sign up! Questions? See Andrea Faches

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4CA5AD2BABFF2-46964197-fellowship

Hall Construction Updates

Thank you for your continued support of our Capital Project! We are happy to announce that we have worked through the kitchen revisions and are moving forward with the project as a whole. Over the past two weeks, Summit Avenue access has reopened, and the north side canopy has been installed and roofed, with pillar finish work remaining. Electrical and gas work in the kitchen are now underway, with drywall to follow once that work is complete. Classroom demolition has also commenced, with electrical outlet installation, drywall, and skim coating to follow. Additionally, the monument sign design is complete, with the final lettering still under review. We are grateful for your continued patience and support as construction progresses!

FOCUS Food Shelf Volunteers Needed

FOCUS runs a food shelf on the 3^rd and 5^th Saturdays of the month. Our parish, along with all the other Orthodox Parishes in town, have done a great job of keeping FOCUS supplied with non-perishable food items. THANK YOU!!! Would you like to also be a part of the Saturday morning distributions? Volunteers are needed 9:30 am to noon. Having adequate numbers of volunteers keeps the event running efficiently so that we don’t have to turn away any hungry people.

You would be joining a great team, meeting the recipients face-to-face, and would have the satisfaction of spending a few hours on a Saturday morning helping our neighbors feed their families. If you have any questions, please contact Ann Woods at [email protected]. You can sign up by scanning the QR below:

2026 Stewardship Goal

$198,333 of $315,000 (through August)

Make Your 2026 Stewardship Pledge Online

https://onrealm.org/StGeorgeStPaul/-/form/pledge/stewardship2026

Make a Stewardship Donation Online

https://onrealm.org/StGeorgeStPaul/give/online

Please Note

St. George GOC broadcasts its worship services live online and has security cameras throughout the building. Your presence in the church may be recorded on audio and video.

Schedule a Meeting with Fr. Perry

If you need to schedule a meeting with Fr. Perry, please visit this link: http://www.calendly.com/frperry

Wisdom of the Fathers

There are three things that impel us towards what is holy: natural instincts, angelic powers and probity of intention. Natural instincts impel us when, for example, we do to others what we would wish them to do to us (cf. Luke 6:31), or when we see someone suffering deprivation or in need and naturally feel compassion. Angelic powers impel us when, being ourselves impelled to something worthwhile, we find we are providentially helped and guided. We are impelled by probity of intention when, discriminating between good and evil, we choose the good.

St. Maximos the Confessor

Second Century on Love no. 32, Philokalia Vol. 2 edited by Palmer, Sherrard and Ware; Faber and Faber pg. 71, 7th century

Every work which does not have love as its beginning and root is nothing.

St. John Chrysostom

Unknown, 4th century

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.

Visitors and inquirers, please do not worry if you do not understand or follow all of our practices at your first few visits to our church (when to stand, when to kneel, venerate icons, or the priest's hand, cross yourself, etc.), it takes time to learn these traditions. Watch what others do, and when you are ready, you can follow their example.

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 see Fr. Perry after services or contact him at [email protected] or (651) 222-6220.

We hope you will join us in our hall upstairs this morning after services for fellowship and refreshments!

______________________

Becoming an Orthodox Christian

For those interested in becoming an Orthodox Christian, here is the basic process: 1. Come to Divine Liturgy, 2. Complete our MEOCCA Catechism Program in the spring or the fall (register by emailing [email protected] or visit this link https://meocca.org/our-faith/cooperative-catechism), 3. Meet with Fr. Perry (schedule a meeting at this link https://calendly.com/frperry/). Fr. Perry will go through more specific details when you meet. We hope that you will make St. George your spiritual home.

______________________

Orthodox Worship

To our beloved guests, welcome to St. George. As you visit an Orthodox Church for the first few times, it’s important to remember that Orthodox Worship Services were designed to challenge us. For example, the services may be longer and at a slower pace than we are used to. The length of the service helps us grow in wakefulness and vigilance. "Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, 'What? Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak'” Matthew 26:40-41.

In our ever-changing, fast-paced world, we struggle to maintain the attention span of a goldfish. The worship of the early Church is the remedy to this problem. The Divine Liturgy and our other worship services are an invitation to turn off the noise, slow down the pace, and, like Mary (the sister of Martha), sit at the feet of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If you struggle with your attention span in the first few services (or for years!), stick with it. Through our continued effort, God grants us growth in the ability to experience quiet, stillness, and prayer. Through our endurance, and above all, by His Grace, our regular participation in worship helps us to “lay aside the cares of life that we may receive the King of all."

Saints and Feasts

October 04

Hierotheus, Bishop of Athens

According to some, Hierotheus, like Saint Dionysius, was a member of the court of Mars Hill. Having first been instructed in the Faith of Christ by Paul, he became Bishop of Athens. He, in turn, initiated the divine Dionysius more perfectly into the mysteries of Christ; the latter, on his part, elaborated more clearly and distinctly Hierotheus' concise and summary teachings concerning the Faith. He too was brought miraculously by the power of the Holy Spirit to be present at the Dormition of the Theotokos, when, together with the sacred Apostles, he became a leader of the divine hymnody. "He was wholly transported, wholly outside himself and was so deeply absorbed in communion with the sacred things he celebrated in hymnology, that to all who heard him and saw him and knew him, and yet knew him not, he seemed to be inspired of God, a divine hymnographer," as Dionysius says (On the Divine Names, 3:2). Having lived in a manner pleasing to God, he reposed in the Lord.

October 05

Charitina the Martyr

Saint Charitina contested for Christ during the reign of Diocletian, in the year 290. The handmaid of a certain Claudius, she was betrayed as a Christian to Dometian, the Count, before whom she fearlessly confessed Christ. After suffering the most terrible tortures, including the uprooting of her teeth and nails, she gave up her soul into the hands of the Lord.

October 06

Thomas the Apostle of the 12

The name Thomas means, "twin." He was one of the Twelve, a Galilean by birth. Sophroneus (not the famous Patriarch of Jerusalem [7th Century, celebrated March 11], but a friend of Jerome's), quoted also by Jerome, says that Saint Thomas preached to the Parthians, Pesians, Medes, Hyrcanians, Bactrians, and neighbouring nations. According to Heracleon, the Apostle died a natural death; according to other accounts, he was martyred at Meliapur His tomb was known by Saint John Chrysostom to be at Edessa in Syria, to which city his holy relics may have been translated from India in the fourth century.

October 11

Philip the Apostle of the 70, one of the 7 Deacons

Saint Philip, who had four daughters that prophesied, was from Caesarea of Palestine. He preached throughout Samaria; it was he also who met the eunuch of Candace, the Queen of the Ethiopians, as the eunuch was reading the Prophet Esaias, and he instructed and baptized him (Acts 8:26-39). He reposed in Tralles of Asia Minor while preaching the Gospel.

Archdiocese News

Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos elected Metropolitan of New Jersey

10/01/2026

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America joyfully announces that today, Thursday, October 1, 2026, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate elected His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos as Metropolitan of the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey.

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America received the news of the election with profound joy and thanksgiving to Almighty God, joining the clergy and faithful of the Sacred Archdiocese and the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey in proclaiming “ΑΞΙΟΣ!” to His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras.

Reflecting upon the election, Archbishop Elpidophoros stated:

“With profound joy and thanksgiving to God, I congratulate my beloved brother, His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras of New Jersey, upon his election by the Holy and Sacred Synod of our Ecumenical Patriarchate. For many years, I have had the blessing of witnessing firsthand his devotion to Christ and His Church, his fidelity to the Mother Church of Constantinople, and the extraordinary care with which he has undertaken every ministry entrusted to him.

H.E. Archbishop Elpidophoros Officiated Orthros and Divine Liturgy on the Feast of St. Demetrios at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Astoria, NY on October 26th, 2025. Concelebrants with H.E. were Metropolitan of Buenos Aires Joseph and His Grace Bishop Athenagoras. — His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros officiating Orthros and Divine Liturgy on the Feast of St. Demetrios at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Astoria with concelebrant His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos on October 26, 2025. Photo by Orthodox Observer/Dimitrios Panagos.

Today, his many years of faithful service open into a new chapter of his episcopal ministry. The Holy Metropolis of New Jersey receives a shepherd who knows and loves our Church, who has served Her faithfully, and who understands that the episcopacy is above all a ministry of sacrifice, presence, and love. I rejoice not only as Archbishop of America, but as his brother and concelebrant, and I assure him of my wholehearted love and support as he begins this sacred responsibility. We wish him many years and exclaim ΑΞΙΟΣ!”

The Enthronement of His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras of New Jersey will take place on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the Cathedral of Saint John the Theologian in Tenafly, New Jersey at 11:00 am. On the following day, Sunday, November 8, His Eminence will celebrate his first Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral as Metropolitan of New Jersey.

The clergy and faithful of the our Sacred Archdiocese offer their heartfelt congratulations and fervent prayers for His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras as he begins his archpastoral ministry in the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey, praying that our Lord Jesus Christ grant him strength, wisdom, and many years of fruitful service to His Holy Church.

Biography of His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras of New Jersey

His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras of New Jersey was born Christos Ziliaskopoulos in 1970 in Reutlingen, Germany, and was raised in both Germany and Greece. During his young adulthood, he spent several formative years in the monastic life on Mount Athos, an experience that profoundly shaped his vocation and lifelong devotion to Christ and His Church.

He was ordained to the Holy Diaconate in 1997 and to the Holy Priesthood in 1998 by His Eminence Metropolitan Augoustinos of Germany. In 1999, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew elevated him to the rank of Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne.

For more than twenty years, His Eminence served the Church in Germany in extensive parish, pastoral, and administrative ministry, including as Hierarchical Vicar of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Germany for the states of Hessen and Rhineland-Palatinate. He also represented the Ecumenical Patriarchate in ecumenical theological dialogues and was active in Christian and interfaith initiatives. Among his pastoral accomplishments were the establishment of the first Orthodox chapel at Frankfurt International Airport, a 24-hour Orthodox crisis hotline, and the first Greek Orthodox youth camp in Germany. He also oversaw significant parish building and restoration projects.

In 2017, he relocated to Toronto, Canada, at the invitation of His Eminence Archbishop Sotirios of Canada, where he served as Dean of the Patriarchal Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy and as Office Director of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada.

In 2019, His Eminence came to the United States to offer his ministry to the Sacred Archdiocese of America and Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, where he initially served as Chaplain. In 2021, he was appointed Chief Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod and Spiritual Advisor of the National Philoptochos Society and was subsequently entrusted with the direction of the Archdiocesan Department of Religious Education.

> Metropolitan-elect Athenagoras appointed as spiritual advisor of Philoptochos

Archbishop Elpidophoros officiates the ordination of His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos to the Holy Episcopacy. Photo by Orthodox Observer/Dimitrios Panagos.

On May 19, 2021, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate elected him Bishop of Nazianzos. He was ordained to the Holy Episcopacy on June 5, 2021, at Holy Cross Chapel in Brookline, Massachusetts, with His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presiding. In the years that followed, he continued his extensive service to the Sacred Archdiocese while also serving as Archiepiscopal Vicar of the Hellenic Orthodox Community of Astoria.

> Previously: Archbishop Elpidophoros address at the 2021 ordination of Bishop-elect Athenagoras of Nazianzos

Metropolitan Athenagoras has an extensive academic background. He holds degrees in German Language and Orthodox Theology, including a Master of Theology and a Doctorate in Orthodox Theology from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. His studies have also included pedagogy, German literature, Roman Catholic and Protestant theology, Judaism, Islamic studies, and comparative religion. His scholarly and ecclesiastical work has been particularly engaged with Orthodox theology, religious education, ecumenical dialogue, and interfaith relations.

The post Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos elected Metropolitan of New Jersey appeared first on Orthodox Observer.

https://orthodoxobserver.org/his-grace-bishop-athenagoras-of-nazianzos-elected-metropolitan-of-new-jersey/

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