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 Feast Day of the Prophet Elias (Xronia Polla to Lee), Tuesday, 7/22 - St. Mary Magdalene (Xronia Polla to Maria); Friday, 7/25 - St. Anna, Mother of the Theotokos (Xronia Polla to Anita Rose, Victoria, and Anna K)!

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!

NEXT SUNDAY is Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday.  The Hierarchs of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops have blessed the Sunday nearest the feast of St.
Silas (the patron of prison ministry) to be Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday in all US Orthodox parishes.  In 2025, this occurs on Sunday, July 27th.  Please visit the OCPM website https://theocpm.org/what-we-do/for-prisoners/ and see the wonderful work that is being done to redeem lives and bless incarcerated men and women going forward: https://youtu.be/krE59GCFtnI

PRAYER REQUESTS UPDATE  Prayer changes things--let us support one another.  How is God answering prayers?  Thank God for raising Joan and Allen to better health over the last week--thank you for your prayers!  Joan was recently hospitalized with a serious infection and is still recuperating and Allen is dealing with vision problems.  Even so, determination and God's mercy brought them back to church last Sunday!  Eleni M. ccontinues to recover her health after suffering effects of a tick bite; 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 recently had an MRI done on his shoulder); 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, and Valerie 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.

The object is not to sit and constrain yourself to improve.  The object is to live, to study, to pray and to advance in love--in love for Christ and for the Church.  St. Porphyrios

A WORD FROM OUR STEWARDSHIP CHAIR  Donna thanks all the faithful supporters of St. George who fulfill their pledges regularly and those who've given memorial gifts this season as well.  She does note that at this point we're running a bit lean due to summer months and vacationing.  If you can bring your stewardship up to date or otherwise contribute a bit more during these summer months it would be greatly appreciated--thank you!

A WORTHY MINISTRY REVIVED  St. George is resuming its ministry of donating shelf stable food items to our neighborhood homeless shelter. If you wish to help with this ministry, please drop off your donated items in the church office. A few parish members have volunteered to deliver the donations once a month.  Sincere thanks to Jack, Areti, Gabriya and Kathy for their collaboration.  Here is a list of foods needed regularly by the shelter:  Pasta  / Pasta Sauce / Macaroni & cheese / Boxed stove-top meals / Instant potatoes / Pancake mix / Butter / Margarine / BBQ sauce / Salad dressing / Mayonnaise / Mustard / Ground coffee / Powdered coffee creamer / Sugar.  Note to senior citizens:  Ocean State Job Lot in Bangor offers 20% off food items (many on the above list) every Monday between 8-9AM.  You can get more for your donation dollars there!

HELP US BUILD A ROSTER IN ADVANCE  George L is being pro-active--we need to build a roster of parishioners we can rely on for snow shoveling during the winter months.  If you are willing to assist, please let George know.  His number (good for texting) is 207 299 5103.  A handful of volunteers would be better than just one or two.  Thank you!

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/.  

FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE - Donations can be made online.