News, Events and Announcements

EIS POLLA ETI, DESPOTA! It is our pleasure to welcome our hierarch, his Eminence Metroplitan Methodios of Boston who is here visiting with us today. We are very glad you and your guests could be with us this morning, your Eminence. God grant you many years!

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.

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 honors our beloved hierarch this morning. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the table. We pray that the meal and all our interactions will be blessed by God for the building up of one another and our holy Church. Please don't hesitate to greet his Eminence and introduce yourself this morning.

FOOD ALLERGIES IN OUR COMMUNITY Someone has an allergy to some nuts--specifically walnuts, pecans and cashews. If you bring a dish having any of these ingredients, please label them! Cashews are notorious--they are often made into vegan cheese products or spreads and some nut milks contain cashews. Consuming these nuts accidentally makes the person rather ill. Someone else has a severe allergy to salmon and crab. Again, please label any dishes containing these ingredients. We want to avoid causing illness in others. Of course, we all know about peanuts--please don't bring those at all. Thanks, everyone!

WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF THE TWO WEEK DORMITION FAST The first two weeks of August are dedicated to the Dormition of the Theotokos, preparing for her repose and honoring her Dormition on the 15th. Fast the same way as during Great and Holy Lent. The food is vegan, plant based focused meals along with seafood if desired. Legumes, nuts, grains, vegetables, fruits and seafood (if desired) are suitable fare from the 1st through the 14th of this month. The Holy Dormition of the Mother of God is honored on Friday, August 15. The fasting rule that day is relaxed to allow for consumption of fish, olive oil and wine.

THE SMALL PARAKLESIS SERVICE to the Theotokos is chanted routinely during the Dormition Fast. Most Orthodox prayer books have this service in them and you can read it as part of your prayer rule at home during the Fast.

SERVICES FOR THE HOLY DORMITION WILL BE CELEBRATED THIS FRIDAY MORNING August 15. Orthros at 9AM, Divine Liturgy at 10AM. If you'd like to bring flowers and arrange a bouquet for our Theotokos, that act of devotion is much welcomed. Xronia Polla! Many years! to all those who have the Mother of God as their namesake and celebrate on this holy feast!

LEARN ABOUT THE RECURRING MIRACLE OF THE MOTHER OF GOD on the Greek island of Kephalonia between Aug 6-15 yearly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ML_AjRKWC6o

PRAYER REQUESTS UPDATE Prayer changes things--let us support one another. Let us remember Susan and Sharon, both having suffered family bereavements this past week. More info in this bulletin. Please pray for Sean, Anita Rose's son, who is suffering digestive distress and will be undergoing a diagnostic test in the near future. Catherine, who was on this list in the past, and needs a second surgery to correct an aneuyrism, likely this month. She would appreciate your prayers. Summarized requests from past weeks: for Fr. Leo (he has a complete rotator cuff tear); for Eleni M who has chronic health struggles, for continued prayers of protection for Mona's family living in Pakistan; for Cathy who is seeking to overcome cancer naturally, for John, who needs treatment for esophageal disease, for Mark, UMaine student working with Project Mexico this summer. Also, for a parishioner relative Nick, afflicted with a serious illness. 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.

BEREAVEMENTS AMONG US Susan's brother, Darrell, passed from this life last Thursday after a long, painful, illness. May God's comfort envelop Susan and her family. Please remember the soul of Darrell in your prayers. He was on our prayer list for quite a while. Sharon's step-dad, Allen, departed suddenly on August 2 and she feels the loss deeply. Please remember Allen's soul before God and also Sharon, George and her family at this time. God comfort you all and rest the souls of the departed! Thank you.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE who are learning more about the Orthodox Church and Faith. These plan to unite 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.

A DESIGNATED SPOT FOR HANDICAPPED PARKING Please note the spot designated for handcapped parking right outside the front door - the curb is painted blue to advise us to leave that space free for those who may need it. Thanks to George L for the demarcation.

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!

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 HAVE ARRIVED: Lives of the Holy Apostles; Life of the Virgin Mary, the Theotokos; Pocket Psalter (arranged in kathismata); St. John Chrysostom On Marriage and Family Life; Orthodox New Testament; Orthodox Study Bible; Father Herman: Alaska's Saint; Journey to Reality: Sacramental Life in a Secular Age; Religion of the Apostles: Orthodox Christianity in the First Century; Thinking Orthodox: Understanding and Acquiring the Orthodox Christian Mind; God's Path to Sanity; Greek Cookbook: Traditional Greek Recipes Made Easy.

FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE - Donations can be made online.

Saints and Feasts

August 10

Afterfeast of the Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

August 10

9th Sunday of Matthew

August 10

Laurence the Holy Martyr & Archdeacon of Rome

This Saint, who was born in Spain, was the Archdeacon of the Church of Rome, caring for the sacred vessels of the Church and distributing money to the needy. About the year 257, a harsh persecution was raised up against the Christians by Valerian. Pope Sixtus, who was from Athens, was commanded to worship the idols, and refused; before his martyrdom by beheading, he committed to Laurence all the sacred vessels of the Church. When Laurence was arrested and brought before the Prefect, he was questioned concerning the treasures of the Church; he asked for three days' time to prepare them. He then proceeded to gather all the poor and needy, and presented them to the Prefect and said, "Behold the treasures of the Church." The Prefect became enraged at this and gave command that Laurence be racked, then scourged with scorpions (a whip furnished with sharp iron points - compare II Chron. 10:11), then stretched out on a red-hot iron grill. But the courageous athlete of Christ endured without groaning. After he had been burned on one side, he said, "My body is done on one side; turn me over on the other." And when this had taken place, the Martyr said to the tyrants, "My flesh is now well done, you may taste of it." And when he had said this, and had prayed for his slayers in imitation of Christ, he gave up his spirit on August 10, 258.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Προκείμενον. Eighth Tone. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 75.11,1.
Εὔξασθε καὶ ἀπόδοτε Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν.
Στίχ. Γνωστὸς ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ ὁ Θεός, ἐν τῷ Ἰσραὴλ μέγα τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Κορινθίους α' 3:9-17.

Ἀδελφοί, Θεοῦ γάρ ἐσμεν συνεργοί· θεοῦ γεώργιον, θεοῦ οἰκοδομή ἐστε. Κατὰ τὴν χάριν τοῦ θεοῦ τὴν δοθεῖσάν μοι, ὡς σοφὸς ἀρχιτέκτων θεμέλιον τέθεικα, ἄλλος δὲ ἐποικοδομεῖ. Ἕκαστος δὲ βλεπέτω πῶς ἐποικοδομεῖ. Θεμέλιον γὰρ ἄλλον οὐδεὶς δύναται θεῖναι παρὰ τὸν κείμενον, ὅς ἐστιν Ἰησοῦς Χριστός. Εἰ δέ τις ἐποικοδομεῖ ἐπὶ τὸν θεμέλιον τοῦτον χρυσόν, ἄργυρον, λίθους τιμίους, ξύλα, χόρτον, καλάμην, ἑκάστου τὸ ἔργον φανερὸν γενήσεται· ἡ γὰρ ἡμέρα δηλώσει, ὅτι ἐν πυρὶ ἀποκαλύπτεται· καὶ ἑκάστου τὸ ἔργον ὁποῖόν ἐστιν τὸ πῦρ δοκιμάσει. Εἴ τινος τὸ ἔργον μένει ὃ ἐποικοδόμησεν, μισθὸν λήψεται. Εἴ τινος τὸ ἔργον κατακαήσεται, ζημιωθήσεται· αὐτὸς δὲ σωθήσεται, οὕτως δὲ ὡς διὰ πυρός. Οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι ναὸς θεοῦ ἐστε, καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ θεοῦ οἰκεῖ ἐν ὑμῖν; Εἴ τις τὸν ναὸν τοῦ θεοῦ φθείρει, φθερεῖ τοῦτον ὁ θεός· ὁ γὰρ ναὸς τοῦ θεοῦ ἅγιός ἐστιν, οἵτινές ἐστε ὑμεῖς.

Prokeimenon. Eighth Tone. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 3:9-17.

Brethren, we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it. For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw - each man's work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If any one destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and that temple you are.

Gospel Reading

9th Sunday of Matthew
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 14:22-34

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἠνάγκασεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς τοὺς μαθητὰς ἐμβῆναι εἰς τὸ πλοῖον καὶ προάγειν αὐτὸν εἰς τὸ πέραν, ἕως οὗ ἀπολύσῃ τοὺς ὄχλους. Καὶ ἀπολύσας τοὺς ὄχλους ἀνέβη εἰς τὸ ὄρος κατ᾽ ἰδίαν προσεύξασθαι. ὀψίας δὲ γενομένης μόνος ἦν ἐκεῖ. Τὸ δὲ πλοῖον ἤδη σταδίους πολλοὺς ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς ἀπεῖχεν, βασανιζόμενον ὑπὸ τῶν κυμάτων, ἦν γὰρ ἐναντίος ὁ ἄνεμος. Τετάρτῃ δὲ φυλακῇ τῆς νυκτὸς ἦλθεν πρὸς αὐτοὺς περιπατῶν ἐπὶ τὴν θάλασσαν. Οἱ δὲ μαθηταὶ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης περιπατοῦντα ἐταράχθησαν λέγοντες ὅτι Φάντασμά ἐστιν, καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ φόβου ἔκραξαν. Εὐθὺς δὲ ἐλάλησεν [ὁ ᾽Ιησοῦς] αὐτοῖς λέγων, Θαρσεῖτε, ἐγώ εἰμι· μὴ φοβεῖσθε. Ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ Πέτρος εἶπεν, Κύριε, εἰ σὺ εἶ, κέλευσόν με ἐλθεῖν πρὸς σὲ ἐπὶ τὰ ὕδατα· ὁ δὲ εἶπεν, ᾽Ελθέ. καὶ καταβὰς ἀπὸ τοῦ πλοίου ὁ Πέτρος περιεπάτησεν ἐπὶ τὰ ὕδατα καὶ ἦλθεν πρὸς τὸν ᾽Ιησοῦν. Βλέπων δὲ τὸν ἄνεμον ἐφοβήθη, καὶ ἀρξάμενος καταποντίζεσθαι ἔκραξεν λέγων, Κύριε, σῶσόν με. Εὐθέως δὲ ὁ ᾽Ιησοῦς ἐκτείνας τὴν χεῖρα ἐπελάβετο αὐτοῦ καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ, ᾽Ολιγόπιστε, εἰς τί ἐδίστασας; καὶ ἀναβάντων αὐτῶν εἰς τὸ πλοῖον ἐκόπασεν ὁ ἄνεμος. Οἱ δὲ ἐν τῷ πλοίῳ προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ λέγοντες, ᾽Αληθῶς Θεοῦ υἱὸς εἶ. Καὶ διαπεράσαντες ἦλθον ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν εἰς Γεννησαρέτ.

9th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 14:22-34

At that time, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately he spoke to them, saying "Take heart, it is I; have no fear."

And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they entered the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret.