WELCOME TO OUR VISITORS Whether you are new to Bangor or if you're just passing through--welcome! If you've come because you are curious about the Orthodox Church, its beliefs and worship, you are very welcome, too! Please don't hesitate to introduce yourself to someone you've never met and consider staying for some refreshments and fellowship after the morning service. If you would like to receive mailings or otherwise stay in touch, please leave your contact information (name, address, phone, email) with the person in the church office.
TODAY is the Synaxsis of the Holy Archangel Gabriel. Xronia Polla to all who are named for the Holy Archangel! Other commemorations this week: Tuesday, July 15 - St. Vladimir, Equal to the Apostles; Thursday, July 17 - Great Martyr Marina; Saturday, July 19 - St. Macrina, sister of St. Basil the Great.
SUNDAY SCHOOL is on a break for the summer. Even so, Mrs. Bucklin has made coloring sheets and crayons available in the fellowship hall for any young ones who'd like to color. We ask that you take any artwork home after coloring. Thank you!
FELLOWSHIP HOUR follows the morning services. We ask everyone, as often as possible, to bring a dish to share with others on Sundays. And we also ask that you take any leftovers home when you leave. Doing so makes it easier for those who tidy up afterwards. Thanks so much!
PRAYER REQUESTS UPDATE Prayer changes things--let us support one another. How is God answering prayers? Joan and Allen are requesting prayer support: Joan was recently hospitalized with a serious infection and is recuperating and Allen is dealing with vision problems. They are determined to be back in church soon. Please help them regain health and strength through your prayers! Eleni M. ccontinues to recover her health after suffering effects of a tick bite; Victoria and Innocent thank all who've prayed for them, their bones are pretty much healed now, thanks be to God! Grigori reports the DVT is remedied the best it can be at this point and wants to thank all that have prayed for him, too. Subdeacon Patrick's Uncle John has some weighty decisions to make about treatment for esophageal disease, he appreciates your past and continuing prayers. Cathy appreciates your on-going prayers as she works to facilitate healing of cancer in natural ways. So far, so good. Dr. Allison's mother, Paula, is enjoying more stable health at this time, a mercy for both her and her family. Thank God for how prayer support is affecting these outcomes! Summarized requests from past weeks: for Fr. Leo (improvement of mobility in right arm--he underwent an MRI on his shoulder this past week); for continued prayers of protection for Mona's family still living in Pakistan; for Mark, UMaine student working with Project Mexico this summer, returning to UMaine in the spring. Also, for parishioner relatives Nick and Darrell, two men afflicted with serious illnesses. Continue to uphold Victoria's son, Matthew (attending seminary this fall), Panagiota & Seraphima (stroke recovery) and Pat (managing eyesight health). Again, your prayers for these these brothers and sisters in Christ are of great assistance to each person being upheld.
PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE AMONG US who are learning more about the Orthodox Church and Faith. Some are considering uniting themselves to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Let us remember Zach, Joshua, Sarah and baby Henry, Dana, Jada, Diane, Valerie and Benjamin in our prayers. God grant each of you wisdom and lead you as you seek Him through prayer, worship and reading. If others would like to join this group, please let Fr. Leo know.
ORTHO BROTHERHOOD MEN'S CAMP meets this week (Thurs-Sat) in Argyle. This is an informal get together of Orthodox men (or non-Ortho men married to Orthodox women) or male Orthodox catechumens or inquirers. This is an event across jurisdictions. Mostly, it's a time for guys to get together and do guy stuff, come for the day, come and camp--there will be time for hanging out, fishing, and more. Contact Demetri for details 801 400 8896 (phone or text).
BUILD YOUR SPIRITUAL MUSCLE There is much to be said for praying through the Book of Psalms routinely. Read about "the Power of the Psalter" by Metropolitan Neophytos of Morphou (Cyprus) here: https://www.orthodoxwitness.org/the-power-of-the-psalter/. We have a group that prays the Psalter from the beginning to end over a period of 20 days. Would you like to join? We'll be starting with kathisma #1 this Thursday, July 17 and will continue through August 6, the Feast of the Holy Transfiguration. Jump in for an edifying 20 days of Scripture reading. Drop me (Pres.) a text 2079492913 or email doxa141 at gmail dot com if you're "in," and your name will be added to our prayer list. If you've not prayed through the book of Psalms before we'll send you a "how to" as well. If you'd like to purchase an Orthodox Psalter book (where Psalms are broken into portions known as kathismata, numbered 1-20) please let Pres. know, copies are arriving this week. Pocket Psalters are $18 each. This is a hardcover book that can be used again and again throughout your Orthodox life, well worth the investment. For the techies and budget conscious among us, there is an on-line Orthodox Psalter you can use: https://www.liturgy.io/orthodox-psalter
INFORMAL LEARNING CORNER On the Sign of the Cross (Fr. Josiah Trenham): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kuqSEgEpy8. Quick how to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwTpJ-_DvRs
A NEWLY DECLARED ORTHODOX SAINT FROM GREECE Papa Demetrios Gagastathis was canonized by the Ecumenical Patriarch on July 9, 2025. For a number of years, pious faithful have recognized the humility, holiness and loving, sacrificial pastoral care of this shepherd of God's flock on the earth. https://www.mystagogyresourcecenter.com/2025/07/papa-demetrios-gagastathis-has-been.html Holy one of God, pray to God for us!
IS ALASKA AMERICA'S HOLY LAND? It certainly is a sacred land for Orthodox Christians. The land has yielded many Orthodox Saints to date, most recently St. Matushka Olga, who labored in the Church alongside her husband and also offered her skills as a midwife and comforter of the abused. A film will be shown "Sacred Alaska," at The Alamo Theatre in Bucksport on Thursday evening, July 31 at 7PM. Learn more here: https://sacredalaskafilm.com/. Doors open at 6:30--arrive early so you can be sure to get a ticket--there are no pre-sales of tickets and this will likely be a well attended event!
ORTHODOX BIBLE STUDY Here is a recommended resource for Bible Study for Orthodox Christians. Learn from Dr. Jeannie Constantinou, a well respected and engaging Orthodox Christian expositor. Visit her site and go deep into the Scriptures: https://orthodoxbiblestudy.info/ Read her bio here: https://orthodoxbiblestudy.info/about-your-professor/. Many of us have read books written by Dr. Constintinou already and been greatly edified. She has a second web site, as well: https://www.drjeannie.com/.
A NICE WAY TO HELP ST. GEORGE For an unspecified time, a family has offered to buy our bookshop stock as a donation so the church does not need to fund the stock purchases. That means whenever you buy from our bookshop St. George benefits a good bit. So please shop here and if there is a book or something else (icon, prayer rope, neck cross, bread seal, or the like) you're looking for, please let Pres. know so it can be ordered. Thanks for shopping here--and let Pres. know if you are looking for specific items or want to order a particular book. NEW BOOKS ARRIVING NEXT WEEK.
FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE - Donations can be made online.
