St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Publish Date: 2025-03-09
Bulletin Contents
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Hymns of the Day
This Week at the Cathedral
Flyers
Saints and Feasts

Organization Icon
St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (860) 956-7586
  • Street Address:

  • 433 Fairfield Avenue

  • Hartford, CT 06114

Contact Information

Rev. Dr. George Zugravu


[email protected]

Services Schedule

Sundays: Orthros (Matins): 8:30 AM | Divine Liturgy: 9:30 AM

 

 

Past Bulletins


Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal First Mode. Psalm 11.7,1.
You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 12:1-10.

BRETHREN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation which addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you are punished by him. For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers to discipline us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father.

Προκείμενον. Plagal First Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 11.7,1.
Σὺ Κύριε, φυλάξαις ἡμᾶς καὶ διατηρήσαις ἡμᾶς.
Στίχ. Σῶσον με, Κύριε, ὅτι ἐκλέλοιπεν ὅσιος.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 12:1-10.

Ἀδελφοί, τοσοῦτον ἔχοντες περικείμενον ἡμῖν νέφος μαρτύρων, ὄγκον ἀποθέμενοι πάντα καὶ τὴν εὐπερίστατον ἁμαρτίαν, διʼ ὑπομονῆς τρέχωμεν τὸν προκείμενον ἡμῖν ἀγῶνα, ἀφορῶντες εἰς τὸν τῆς πίστεως ἀρχηγὸν καὶ τελειωτὴν Ἰησοῦν, ὃς, ἀντὶ τῆς προκειμένης αὐτῷ χαρᾶς, ὑπέμεινεν σταυρόν, αἰσχύνης καταφρονήσας, ἐν δεξιᾷ τε τοῦ θρόνου τοῦ θεοῦ κεκάθικεν. Ἀναλογίσασθε γὰρ τὸν τοιαύτην ὑπομεμενηκότα ὑπὸ τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν εἰς ἀυτὸν ἀντιλογίαν, ἵνα μὴ κάμητε ταῖς ψυχαῖς ὑμῶν ἐκλυόμενοι. Οὔπω μέχρι αἵματος ἀντικατέστητε πρὸς τὴν ἁμαρτίαν ἀνταγωνιζόμενοι· καὶ ἐκλέλησθε τῆς παρακλήσεως, ἥτις ὑμῖν ὡς υἱοῖς διαλέγεται, Υἱέ μου, μὴ ὀλιγώρει παιδείας κυρίου, μηδὲ ἐκλύου ὑπʼ αὐτοῦ ἐλεγχόμενος· ὃν γὰρ ἀγαπᾷ κύριος παιδεύει· μαστιγοῖ δὲ πάντα υἱὸν ὃν παραδέχεται. Εἰς παιδείαν ὑπομένετε, ὡς υἱοῖς ὑμῖν προσφέρεται ὁ θεός· τίς γὰρ ἐστιν υἱὸς ὃν οὐ παιδεύει πατήρ; Εἰ δὲ χωρίς ἐστε παιδείας, ἧς μέτοχοι γεγόνασιν πάντες, ἄρα νόθοι ἐστε καὶ οὐχ υἱοί. Εἶτα τοὺς μὲν τῆς σαρκὸς ἡμῶν πατέρας εἴχομεν παιδευτὰς, καὶ ἐνετρεπόμεθα· οὐ πολλῷ μᾶλλον ὑποταγησόμεθα τῷ πατρὶ τῶν πνευμάτων, καὶ ζήσομεν; Οἱ μὲν γὰρ πρὸς ὀλίγας ἡμέρας κατὰ τὸ δοκοῦν αὐτοῖς ἐπαίδευον· ὁ δὲ ἐπὶ τὸ συμφέρον, εἰς τὸ μεταλαβεῖν τῆς ἁγιότητος αὐτοῦ.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of Orthodoxy
The Reading is from John 1:43-51

At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and he said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."

Sunday of Orthodoxy
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 1:44-52

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἠθέλησεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐξελθεῖν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν· καὶ εὑρίσκει Φίλιππον καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ἀκολούθει μοι. ἦν δὲ ὁ Φίλιππος ἀπὸ Βηθσαϊδά, ἐκ τῆς πόλεως ᾿Ανδρέου καὶ Πέτρου. εὑρίσκει Φίλιππος τὸν Ναθαναὴλ καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ὃν ἔγραψε Μωϋσῆς ἐν τῷ νόμῳ καὶ οἱ προφῆται, εὑρήκαμεν, ᾿Ιησοῦν τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ᾿Ιωσὴφ τὸν ἀπὸ Ναζαρέτ. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Ναθαναήλ· ἐκ Ναζαρὲτ δύναταί τι ἀγαθὸν εἶναι; λέγει αὐτῷ Φίλιππος· ἔρχου καὶ ἴδε. εἶδεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τὸν Ναθαναὴλ ἐρχόμενον πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ λέγει περὶ αὐτοῦ· ἴδε ἀληθῶς ᾿Ισραηλίτης, ἐν ᾧ δόλος οὐκ ἔστι. λέγει αὐτῷ Ναθαναήλ· πόθεν με γινώσκεις; ἀπεκρίθη ᾿Ιησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· πρὸ τοῦ σε Φίλιππον φωνῆσαι, ὄντα ὑπὸ τὴν συκῆν εἶδόν σε. ἀπεκρίθη Ναθαναὴλ καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ῥαββί, σὺ εἶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, σὺ εἶ ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῦ ᾿Ισραήλ. ἀπεκρίθη ᾿Ιησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ὅτι εἶπόν σοι, εἶδόν σε ὑποκάτω τῆς συκῆς, πιστεύεις; μείζω τούτων ὄψει. καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἀπ᾽ ἄρτι ὄψεσθε τὸν οὐρανὸν ἀνεῳγότα, καὶ τοὺς ἀγγέλους τοῦ Θεοῦ ἀναβαίνοντας καὶ καταβαίνοντας ἐπὶ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου.

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Mode

Having learned the joyful proclamation of the Resurrection from the Angel, and having cast off the ancestral condemnation, the women disciples of the Lord spake to the Apostles exultantly: Death is despoiled and Christ God is risen, granting great mercy to the world.
Τὸ φαιδρὸν τῆς Ἀναστάσεως κήρυγμα, ἐκ τοῦ Ἀγγέλου μαθοῦσαι αἱ τοῦ Κυρίου Μαθήτριαι, καὶ τὴν προγονικὴν ἀπόφασιν ἀπορρίψασαι, τοῖς Ἀποστόλοις καυχώμεναι ἔλεγον· Ἐσκύλευται ὁ θάνατος, ἠγέρθη Χριστὸς ὁ Θεός, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Apolytikion for 40 Martyrs of Sebastia in the First Mode

Be Thou entreated for the sake of the sufferings of Thy Saints which they endured for Thee, O Lord, and do Thou heal all our pains, we pray, O Friend of man.
Τὰς ἀλγηδόνας τῶν Ἁγίων, ἃς ὑπὲρ σοῦ ἔπαθον, δυσωπήθητι, Κύριε, καὶ πάσας ἡμῶν τὰς ὀδύνας, ἴασαι φιλάνθρωπε, δεόμεθα.

Apolytikion for Sun. of Orthodoxy in the Second Mode

We worship Thine immaculate icon, O Good One, asking the forgiveness of our failings, O Christ our God; for of Thine own will Thou wast well-pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, that Thou mightest deliver from slavery to the enemy those whom Thou hadst fashioned. Wherefore, we cry to Thee thankfully: Thou didst fill all things with joy, O our Saviour, when Thou camest to save the world.
Τὴν ἄχραντον Εἰκόνα σου προσκυνοῦμεν Ἀγαθέ, αἰτούμενοι συγχώρησιν τῶν πταισμάτων ἡμῶν, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός· βουλήσει γὰρ ηὐδόκησας σαρκὶ ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ, ἵνα ῥύσῃ οὓς ἔπλασας ἐκ τῆς δουλείας τοῦ ἐχθροῦ· ὅθεν εὐχαρίστως βοῶμέν σοι· Χαρᾶς ἐπλήρωσας τὰ πάντα, ὁ Σωτὴρ ἡμῶν, παραγενόμενος εἰς τὸ σῶσαι τὸν Κόσμον.

Apolytikion for the Church in the Fourth Mode

Liberator of captives, defender of the poor, physician of the sick, and champion of kings, O trophy-bearer, Great Martyr George, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.

Ως τών αιχμαλώτων ελευθερωτής, καί τών πτωχών υπερασπιστής, ασθενούντων ιατρός, βασιλέων υπέρμαχος, τροπαιοφόρε μεγαλομάρτυς Γεώργιε, πρέσβευε Χριστώ τώ Θεώ, σωθήναι τάς ψυχάς ημών.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!"
Τὴ ὑπερμάχω στρατηγῶ τὰ νικητήρια, ὡς λυτρωθεῖσα τῶν δεινῶν εὐχαριστήρια, ἀναγράφω σοὶ ἡ Πόλις σου Θεοτόκε, Ἀλλ' ὡς ἔχουσα τὸ κράτος ἀπροσμάχητον, ἐκ παντοίων μὲ κινδύνων ἐλευθέρωσον, ἵνα κράζω σοί, Χαῖρε νύμφη ἀνύμφευτε.
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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 directly following Divine Liturgy.

Memorial:

Panteleos Karayanis, 8 years
All departed Pan-Dodecanese

Coffee and sweets today are being offered in memory of Panteleos Karayanis and also by the Pan Rhodians commemorating the Unification of the Pan-Dodecanese Islands with Greece.

This week at the Cathedral:  

Friday, March 14th
7pm - Salutations to the Virgin Mary - 2nd Stasis

Saturday, March 15th
9am - Greek School

Sunday, March 16th
Annual St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival following Divine Liturgy - We encourage all of our teens in grades 7-12 to participate in this beautiful opportunity to research and deepen their Orthodox Faith and witness their faith to others!  For more information please go to https://www.goarch.org/oratorical.  To participate, please contact Peter or Tina Smith at [email protected] or [email protected] respectively. (see flyer)

Announcements:  

Thank you to all who donated canned goods for the needy!  They were delivered and gratefully accepted this past Wednesday.  Your kind generosity will nourish many disadvantaged families at South Park Inn – Hartford (special thanks to Kevin Ward for organizing this project and for delivering along with Dave Johnson).

DOP Easter Lambada Fundraiser
Candles are one of the most significant parts of the Orthodox Easter Service.  Godparents buy for their godchildren a decorated Easter candle, called the Lambada.  Lambadas are $25 each and will be sold during Lent at Sunday Coffee Hour and at Greek School. (see flyer)

Honor the Panagia by Decorating her Icon for the Upcoming Services of the Salutations
The Salutations to the Theotokos will be held on the following Fridays of Lent at 7pm: March 7th, March 14th, March 21st, March 28th, and full Akathist Hymn on April 4th.  During these days we pray to the Mother of God and ask for her intercession with Christ.  We also ask that she pray for us to be strengthened in our journey to salvation.  The Virgin Mary is also called the "bridge" between earth and heaven.  She helps provide the way to Christ to save us and to open the gatway to Paradise.  We invite you to come join us in honoring the Theotokos on these special Fridays during Lent.  May the Panagia always be with us!  If you wish to order a wreath to decorate her icon, please call Elaine at the church office 860-956-7586 Option 1 - Tuesday through Friday 9am-4pm. (see flyer)

Friday, March 21st
5:30pm - Little Angels/Hope/Joy Lenten Gathering - Bring a Lenten snack and join us for fellowship and a fun craft and an opportunity to learn more about one of the beautiful services we celebrate during Lent to honor the Theotokos, followed by an opportunity to attend this beautiful service!  Please RSVP by March 19th to Katerina Colan (203) 715-0662 or Kal Astras (516) 852-8772.  We hope to see everyone there!  (see flyer)

St. George Philoptochos:  Please update your calendars -- the March General Assembly Meeting and  Cut Loose and Tie One On event will be combined and moved to 9:30 Saturday morning, March 22. New members are always welcome.

Saturday, March 22nd
AHEPA Sandwich Prep at the Nathan Hale Sr. Center for South Park Inn's Day of Caring

Sunday, March 23rd
Following Divine Liturgy, the children of our Greek School are preparing a program in celebration of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary and Greek Independence Day - more details forthcoming

Friday, March 28th-Saturday, March 29th 
GOYA Lenten Lock-In - Join us for the 4th Stasis of the Salutations to the Virgin Mary followed by an evening of faith and fun culminating in our teens having the unique opportunity to spend the night in the sanctuary surrounded by the saints and angels - more details forthcoming

Heritage Greece Program
The National Hellenic Society's Heritage Greece Program is a transformative, two-week cultural immersion experience designed for accomplished Greek American college students. This exceptional program offers participants the opportunity to engage with peers from the American College of Greece (ACG) in Athens, Greece, the American College of Thessaloniki (ACT) in Thessaloniki, Greece and College Year in Athens in Athens, Greece (CYA). The goal of the Heritage Greece® Program is to deeply connect students with their faith, Greek heritage, language, culture, roots and identity.  Participants are responsible for their own airfare, transportation to and from the airport, personal expenses, and for out-of-pocket expenses.  For more information, visit: www.nationalhellenicsociety.org

Sunday, April 13th
St. George Ladies' Philoptochos Society invites one and all to their Palm Sunday Luncheon immediately following Divine Liturgy!  Come and enjoy appetizers, baked fish, rice, Greek-style green beans, wine, soda, dessert and coffee prepared by The Ladies of Philoptochos.  Tickets are $25 for Baked Fish Dinner and $10 for Macaroni and Cheese (Children under 5 free).  Tickets are by advance sale only (no tickets sold at the door) and will be on sale every Sunday or you may contact Marie Klementon: (860) 667-2301 or [email protected] (see flyer)

The Daughters of Penelope Scholarship Application for high school seniors is available in the office and by contacting Scholarship Chairperson Marilyn Mantziaris at [email protected].  The applicant must be a senior in high school, an undergraduate, or a graduate student of an accredited institution of higher learning.  The scholarship recipient and their immediate family must be a member of St. George and the applicant's mother or grandmother needs to be an active member of the Daughters of Penelope.  This scholarship is awarded based on scholastic ability, character qualities, and civic activities.  The scholarship is awarded for one year, payable to the recipient.  A recipient cannot receive a scholarship more than two times.  Deadline for all application submissions is Monday, June 2nd.  

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 

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Flyers

    St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival

    St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival

    Sunday, March 16th - We encourage all of our teens in grades 7-12 to participate in this beautiful opportunity to research and deepen their Orthodox Faith and witness their faith to others! For more information please go to https://www.goarch.org/oratorical. To participate, please contact Peter or Tina Smith at [email protected] or [email protected] respectively.

    DOP Easter Lambada Fundraiser

    DOP Easter Lambada Fundraiser

    Candles are one of the most significant parts of the Orthodox Easter Service. Godparents buy for their godchildren a decorated Easter candle, called the Lambada. Lambadas are $25 each and will be sold during Lent at Sunday Coffee Hour and at Greek School.

    Honor the Panagia by Decorating her Icon for the Upcoming Services of the Salutations

    Honor the Panagia by Decorating her Icon for the Upcoming Services of the Salutations

    The Salutations to the Theotokos will be held on the following Fridays of Lent at 7pm: March 7th, March 14th, March 21st, March 28th, and full Akathist Hymn on April 4th. During these days we pray to the Mother of God and ask for her intercession with Christ. We also ask that she pray for us to be strengthened in our journey to salvation. The Virgin Mary is also called the "bridge" between earth and heaven. She helps provide the way to Christ to save us and to open the gatway to Paradise. We invite you to come join us in honoring the Theotokos on these special Fridays during Lent. May the Panagia always be with us! If you wish to order a wreath to decorate her icon, please call Elaine at the church office 860-956-7586 Option 1 - Tuesday through Friday 9am-4pm.

    Little Angels/Hope/Joy Lenten Gathering

    Little Angels/Hope/Joy Lenten Gathering

    Friday, March 21st at 5:30pm - Bring a Lenten snack and join us for fellowship and a fun craft and an opportunity to learn more about one of the beautiful services we celebrate during Lent to honor the Theotokos, followed by an opportunity to attend this beautiful service! Please RSVP by March 19th to Katerina Colan (203) 715-0662 or Kal Astras (516) 852-8772. We hope to see everyone there!

    Philoptochos Palm Sunday Luncheon

    Philoptochos Palm Sunday Luncheon

    St. George Ladies' Philoptochos Society invites one and all to their Palm Sunday Luncheon immediately following Divine Liturgy! Come and enjoy appetizers, baked fish, rice, Greek-style green beans, wine, soda, dessert and coffee prepared by The Ladies of Philoptochos. Tickets are $25 for Baked Fish Dinner and $10 for Macaroni and Cheese (Children under 5 free). Tickets are by advance sale only (no tickets sold at the door) and will be on sale every Sunday or you may contact Marie Klementon: (860) 667-2301 or [email protected]

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Saints and Feasts

March 09

Sunday of Orthodoxy

For more than one hundred years the Church of Christ was troubled by the persecution of the Iconoclasts of evil belief, beginning in the reign of Leo the Isaurian (717-741) and ending in the reign of Theophilus (829-842). After Theophilus's death, his widow the Empress Theodora (celebrated Feb. 11), together with the Patriarch Methodius (June 14), established Orthodoxy anew. This ever-memorable Queen venerated the icon of the Mother of God in the presence of the Patriarch Methodius and the other confessors and righteous men, and openly cried out these holy words: "If anyone does not offer relative worship to the holy icons, not adoring them as though they were gods, but venerating them out of love as images of the archetype, let him be anathema." Then with common prayer and fasting during the whole first week of the Forty-day Fast, she asked God's forgiveness for her husband. After this, on the first Sunday of the Fast, she and her son, Michael the Emperor, made a procession with all the clergy and people and restored the holy icons, and again adorned the Church of Christ with them. This is the holy deed that all we the Orthodox commemorate today, and we call this radiant and venerable day the Sunday of Orthodoxy, that is, the triumph of true doctrine over heresy.

March 09

The Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebastia

These holy Martyrs, who came from various lands, were all soldiers under the same general. Taken into custody for their faith in Christ, and at first interrogated by cruel means, they were then stripped of their clothing and cast onto the frozen lake which is at Sebastia of Pontus, at a time when the harsh and freezing weather was at its worst. They endured the whole night naked in such circumstances, encouraging one another to be patient until the end. He that guarded them, named Aglaius, who was commanded to receive any of them that might deny Christ, had a vision in which he saw heavenly powers distributing crowns to all of the Martyrs, except one, who soon after abandoned the contest. Seeing this, Aglaius professed himself a Christian and joined the Martyrs on the lake, and the number of forty remained complete. In the morning, when they were almost dead from the cold, they were cast into fire, after which their remains were thrown into the river. Thus they finished the good course of martyrdom in 320, during the reign of Licinius. These are their names: Acacius, Aetius, Aglaius, Alexander, Angus, Athanasius, Candidus, Chudion, Claudius, Cyril, Cyrion, Dometian, Domnus, Ecdicius, Elias, Eunoicus, Eutyches, Eutychius, Flavius, Gaius, Gorgonius, Helianus, Heraclius, Hesychius, John, Lysimachus, Meliton, Nicholas, Philoctemon, Priscus, Sacerdon, Severian, Sisinius, Smaragdus, Theodulus, Theophilus, Valens, Valerius, Vivianus, and Xanthias.

March 09

Caesarios the Righteous

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