January 05
St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Publish Date: 2025-01-05
Bulletin Contents
St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral
General Information
- Phone:
- (860) 956-7586
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Street Address:
- 433 Fairfield Avenue
- Hartford, CT 06114
Contact Information
Services Schedule
Sundays: Orthros (Matins): 8:30 AM | Divine Liturgy: 9:30 AM
Past Bulletins
- Publish Date:
- 2025-01-19
- Publish Date:
- 2025-01-12
- Publish Date:
- 2024-12-29
- Publish Date:
- 2024-12-22
- Publish Date:
- 2024-12-15
- Publish Date:
- 2024-12-08
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 4:5-8.
TIMOTHY, my son, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.
For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
Προκείμενον. Plagal Second Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 27.9,1.
Σῶσον, Κύριε τὸν λαὸν σου καὶ εὐλόγησον τὴν κληρονομίαν σου.
Στίχ. Πρὸς σἐ, Κύριε, κεκράξομαι ὁ Θεός μου.
τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Τιμόθεον β' 4:5-8.
Τέκνον Τιμόθεε, νῆφε ἐν πᾶσιν, κακοπάθησον, ἔργον ποίησον εὐαγγελιστοῦ, τὴν διακονίαν σου πληροφόρησον. Ἐγὼ γὰρ ἤδη σπένδομαι, καὶ ὁ καιρὸς τῆς ἐμῆς ἀναλύσεως ἐφέστηκεν. Τὸν ἀγῶνα τὸν καλὸν ἠγώνισμαι, τὸν δρόμον τετέλεκα, τὴν πίστιν τετήρηκα· λοιπόν, ἀπόκειταί μοι ὁ τῆς δικαιοσύνης στέφανος, ὃν ἀποδώσει μοι ὁ κύριος ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ, ὁ δίκαιος κριτής· οὐ μόνον δὲ ἐμοί, ἀλλὰ καὶ πάσιν τοῖς ἠγαπηκόσιν τὴν ἐπιφάνειαν αὐτοῦ.
Gospel Reading
Sunday before Epiphany
The Reading is from Mark 1:1-8
The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophets, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare your way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.' John was baptizing in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, and had a leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
Sunday before Epiphany
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 1:1-8
᾿Αρχὴ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου ᾿Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ, υἱοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ. ῾Ως γέγραπται ἐν τοῖς προφήταις, ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω τὸν ἄγγελόν μου πρὸ προσώπου σου, ὃς κατασκευάσει τὴν ὁδόν σου ἔμπροσθέν σου· φωνὴ βοῶντος ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, ἑτοιμάσατε τὴν ὁδὸν Κυρίου, εὐθείας ποιεῖτε τὰς τρίβους αὐτοῦ, ἐγένετο ᾿Ιωάννης βαπτίζων ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ καὶ κηρύσσων βάπτισμα μετανοίας εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν. Καὶ ἐξεπορεύετο πρὸς αὐτὸν πᾶσα ἡ ᾿Ιουδαία χώρα καὶ οἱ ῾Ιεροσολυμῖται, καὶ ἐβαπτίζοντο πάντες ἐν τῷ ᾿Ιορδάνῃ ποταμῷ ὑπ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἐξομολογούμενοι τὰς ἁμαρτίας αὐτῶν. Ἦν δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιωάννης ἐνδεδυμένος τρίχας καμήλου καὶ ζώνην δερματίνην περὶ τὴν ὀσφὺν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐσθίων ἀκρίδας καὶ μέλι ἄγριον. Καὶ ἐκήρυσσε λέγων· ἔρχεται ὁ ἰσχυρότερός μου ὀπίσω μου, οὗ οὐκ εἰμὶ ἱκανὸς κύψας λῦσαι τὸν ἱμάντα τῶν ὑποδημάτων αὐτοῦ· ἐγὼ μὲν ἐβάπτισα ὑμᾶς ἐν ὕδατι, αὐτὸς δὲ βαπτίσει ὑμᾶς ἐν Πνεύματι ῾Αγίῳ.
Hymns of the Day
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Mode
Let the Heavens rejoice; let earthly things be glad; for the Lord hath wrought might with His arm, He hath trampled upon death by death. The first-born of the dead hath He become. From the belly of Hades hath He delivered us, and hath granted great mercy to the world.
Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια, ἀγαλλιάσθω τὰ ἐπίγεια, ὅτι ἐποίησε κράτος, ἐν βραχίονι αὐτοῦ, ὁ Κύριος, ἐπάτησε τῷ θανάτῳ τὸν θάνατον, πρωτότοκος τῶν νεκρῶν ἐγένετο, ἐκ κοιλίας ᾅδου ἐρρύσατο ἡμᾶς, καὶ παρέσχε τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.
Apolytikion for Eve of Epiphany in the Fourth Mode
River Jordan was turned back by Elisseus' mantle once, when the fiery man of zeal Elias had been taken up; then were its waters divided hither and thither. The running streams became dry passage unto him, truly as a sign and type of Baptism, whereby we pass to the other side of the shifting stream of this fleeting life. Christ hath appeared in the Jordan River, to sanctify the waters.
Ἀπεστρέφετο ποτέ, ὁ Ἰορδάνης ποταμός, τὴ μηλωτὴ Ἐλισαιέ, ἀναληφθέντος Ἡλιοῦ, καὶ διηρεῖτο τὰ ὕδατα ἔνθεν καὶ ἔνθεν, καὶ γέγονεν αὐτῷ, ξηρὰ ὁδὸς ἡ ὑγρά, εἰς τύπον ἀληθῶς τοῦ Βαπτίσματος, δι' οὗ ἡμεῖς τὴν ῥέουσαν, τοῦ βίου διαπερῶμεν διάβασιν, Χριστὸς ἐφάνη, ἐν Ἰορδάνῃ, ἁγιᾶσαι τὰ ὕδατα.
Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode
In the running waters of the Jordan River, on this day the Lord of all crieth to John: Be not afraid and hesitate not to baptize Me, for I am come to save Adam, the first-formed man.
Ἐν τοῖς ῥείθροις σήμερον τοῦ Ἰορδάνου, γεγονῶς ὁ Κύριος, τῶ Ἰωάννη ἐκβοᾷ. Μὴ δειλιάσης βαπτίσαι με, σῶσαι γὰρ ἥκω, Ἀδὰμ τὸν πρωτόπλαστον.
This Week at the Cathedral
Today at the Cathedral:
We welcome all newcomers to our Cathedral and are glad you are here! Please join us after Liturgy in the Social Hall; we would love to get to know you!
GOYA Meeting following Divine Liturgy in the Conference room open to all in Grades 7-12.
Memorials:
Mary Tsounis, 16 years and Ourania Stamatopoulou, 18 years (mother and grandmother of Harita Seiderer)
Maria Savvas, 1 year
Coffee and sweets today are being offered in memory of Mary Tsounis, Ourania Stamatopoulou and Maria Savvas.
We thank the Katholiki Orsaris family for donating the prosforo today.
This week at the Cathedral:
Monday, January 6th
9:30am - Orthros and Divine Liturgy - Holy Theophany and Blessing of the Water
Tuesday, January 7th
9:30am - Orthros and Divine Liturgy - Synaxis of St. John the Baptist
Artoklasia: The John Lergos family
Wednesday, January 8th
6pm - Paraklesis
7pm - Bible Study
Thursday, January 9th
6:30pm (Men) 7:15pm (Women) - Choir Practice
Saturday, January 11th
9am - Greek School classes resume
8:30pm - GOYA Ice Skating Event (see flyer)
Announcements:
House Blessings - After Theophany
Father George will be blessing the homes of our parishioners following the Feast of the Theophany. It is customary for the priest to visit, bringing with him the “Jordan Water” for the traditional Theophany House Blessings. Anyone wishing to have Father visit, please call the church office. Please note: all who reside in the household should make every effort to be present for the Blessing. (see flyer)
Calling all Teens in Grades 7-12! Join us on Saturday, January 11th at 8:30pm at the Veterans Memorial Skating Rink for a fun night of ice skating and fellowship! $12 per person plus $5 if renting skates. Please RSVP to Anthia (860-989-9827) or Sophie (860-416-6788) by Tuesday, January 7th so we know how many to expect. Hope to see you there! (see flyer)
AHEPA Annual Valentine's Dance
Please come celebrate Valentine's Day together on Saturday, February 8, 2024 - 7pm-11pm. All are welcome and invited to our Matthews Hall for an evening of good food (hearty appetizers and roast beef carving station) dancing, live band (Hellenic Express), and cash bar. We promise an evening of fun, entertainment and fellowship. (see flyer)
Faith and Family Night
We invite all from our Cathedral to be a part of a historic Orthodox Christian gathering at Faith and Family Night on Saturday, February 15th (doors open at 2:45pm, speakers begin at 3pm, puck drop at 5pm). This unique event will unite Orthodox Christians from across New England and the Tri-State area, allowing us to witness and celebrate the unity of our faith in a public setting. Pregame speakers include Bishop JOHN Abdalah of the Diocese of Worcester and New England and Rev. Peter Orfanakos from St. Barbara's in Orange who will be speaking on the theme: "All you Need is Love." Then the evening features a thrilling hockey matchup between the Bridgeport Islanders and the Providence Bruins at Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, CT. Tickets are $27 per person and include center ice seating, an Islanders hat, early stadium access, and a post-game photo on the ice and all net proceeds benefit IOCC's hurricane relief efforts. Additionally, parishioners who are interested are invited to join a Pan-Orthodox choir to sing God Bless America and there will be fun intermission activities for any children who are interested. Tickets can be purchased at this link: https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Faithfamily808 (see flyer)
Holiday and Beyond Can Drive
There are many food insecure children and families who struggle for a meal. Please think of them as you grocery shop or have extra in your cabinets to share and bring them to the designated box in the first floor hallway. Your generosity will help to nourish many needy families (please, no expired items). (see flyer)
Help Us Fight George’s Cancer Together
As many of you know, George Zugravu, Fr. George’s son is battling cancer. Thankfully this cancer is treatable and he is getting the best care at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Many community members have reached out to us asking how to help as we are facing this difficult journey ahead. We are thankful for all your prayers and kind thoughts. Any financial support would be greatly appreciated to help cover the medical expenses. https://gofund.me/c8d14f47
Flyers
House Blessings - After Theophany
Father George will be blessing the homes of our parishioners following the Feast of the Theophany. It is customary for the priest to visit, bringing with him the “Jordan Water” for the traditional Theophany House Blessings. Anyone wishing to have Father visit, please call the church office. Please note: all who reside in the household should make every effort to be present for the Blessing.
GOYA Ice Skating Outing
Calling all Teens in Grades 7-12! Join us on Saturday, January 11th at 8:30pm at the Veterans Memorial Skating Rink for a fun night of ice skating and fellowship! $12 per person plus $5 if renting skates. Please RSVP to Anthia (860-989-9827) or Sophie (860-416-6788) by Tuesday, January 7th so we know how many to expect. Hope to see you there!
AHEPA Annual Valentine's Dance
Please come celebrate Valentine's Day together on Saturday, February 8, 2024 - 7pm-11pm. All are welcome and invited to our Matthews Hall for an evening of good food (hearty appetizers and roast beef carving station) dancing, live band (Hellenic Express), and cash bar. We promise an evening of fun, entertainment and fellowship.
Faith and Family Night
Saturday, February 15th (doors open at 2:45pm, speakers begin at 3pm, puck drop at 5pm). Pregame speakers include Bishop JOHN Abdalah of the Diocese of Worcester and New England and Rev. Peter Orfanakos from St. Barbara's in Orange who will be speaking on the theme: "All you Need is Love." Then the evening features a thrilling hockey matchup between the Bridgeport Islanders and the Providence Bruins at Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, CT. Tickets are $27 per person and include center ice seating, an Islanders hat, early stadium access, and a post-game photo on the ice and all net proceeds benefit IOCC's hurricane relief efforts. Additionally, parishioners who are interested are invited to join a Pan-Orthodox choir to sing God Bless America and there will be fun intermission activities for any children who are interested. Tickets can be purchased at this link: https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Faithfamily808 (see flyer)
Holiday and Beyond Can Drive
There are many food insecure children and families who struggle for a meal. Please think of them as you grocery shop or have extra in your cabinets to share and bring them to the designated box in the first floor hallway. Your generosity will help to nourish many needy families (please, no expired items).
Saints and Feasts
January 05
Eve of the Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
January 05
The Holy Martyrs Theopemptus and Theonas
When the persecution of Diocletian broke out in 290, Saint Theopemptus, a bishop, was taken for his confession of Christ, and convicted Diocletian to his face for his error and ungodliness. Remaining unhurt after cruel tortures, he was given poison to drink, which had been prepared by a sorcerer named Theonas. Protected by divine grace from this also, he drew Theonas to Christ, and after other torments, was beheaded. Saint Theonas was cast into a pit and buried alive.