Sunday Bulletin - St. George Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-07-20
Bulletin Contents

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Sunday Bulletin - St. George Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (651) 222-6220
  • Street Address:

  • 1111 Summit Ave

  • St. Paul, MN 55105


Contact Information










Services Schedule

Welcome!

We hope that you will make this your spiritual home. Connect with us on our website, Facebook page, YouTube, or sign-up for our email list at https://tinyurl.com/yc3tp29w.

Worship Sunday Orthros 8:15 am & Divine Liturgy 9:30 am

Confession (by appointment - call or email [email protected])

Weekday Services (www.stgeorgegoc.org/calendar)

Streaming

youtube.com/c/stgeorgestpaul

Fellowship Hour Sunday following Divine Liturgy

Office Hours Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Our Mission St. George Greek Orthodox Church is a Christ-centered community that: inspires faith and worship, cultivates spiritual growth and fellowship, and encourages benevolence and outreach.

Our Vision Ascending together to the fullness of Life.

Give Online at https://onrealm.org/StGeorgeStPaul/give/online


Past Bulletins


Calendar

  • Parish Calendar

    July 20 to July 27, 2025

    Sunday, July 20

    +Prophet Elias (Elijah)

    6th Sunday of Matthew

    8:15AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    Tuesday, July 22

    +St. Mary Magdalene & St. Markella

    Wednesday, July 23

    +Righteous Hahhah

    +Fast Day

    Thursday, July 24

    +St. Christina

    7:00PM Book Group (Zoom)

    Friday, July 25

    +Dormition of St. Anna

    +Fast Day

    2:00PM Greek Summer Festival

    Saturday, July 26

    +Sts. Paraskeve & Hermolaos

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy in Eau Claire, WI

    11:00AM Greek Summer Festival

    Sunday, July 27

    +St. Panteleimon

    7th Sunday of Matthew

    8:15AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 1st Tone

To the Word, coeternal with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation, let us, the faithful, give praise and worship. For he willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, to endure death and raise the dead by his glorious resurrection.

Apolytikion for Prophet Elias in the 4th Tone

The incarnate Angel, the Cornerstone of the Prophets, the second Forerunner of the Coming of Christ, the glorious Elias (Elijah), who from above, sent down to Elisha the grace to dispel sickness and cleanse lepers, abounds therefore in healing for those who honor him.

Apolytikion for St. George in the 4th Tone

As the deliverer of captives, and the protector of the poor, a physician of the sick, the defender of kings, O Great Martyr Saint George Victorious; intercede to Christ our God, to save our souls.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 2nd Tone

O unfailing protection of Christians, and our faithful advocate before the Creator: though we are sinners, do not ignore our entreaty; but in your goodness, grant your timely help to us who appeal to you in faith. Quickly make intercession; on our behalf make speedy supplication, O Theotokos, for you always protect those who honor you.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

The Glorious Prophet Elias (Elijah)
The Reading is from St. James' Universal Letter 5:10-20

BRETHREN, take as an example of suffering and patience the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we call those happy who were steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your yes be yes and your no be no, that you may not fall under condemnation. Is any one among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects. Elijah was a man of like nature with ourselves and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth its fruit. My brethren, if any one among you wanders from the truth and some one brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.


Gospel Reading

6th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 9:1-8

At that time, getting into a boat Jesus crossed over and came to his own city. And behold, they brought to him a paralytic, lying on his bed; and when Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven." And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say 'Rise and walk?' But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" he then said to the paralytic -- "Rise, take up your bed and go home." And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.


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Announcements

Greeters

Theodora Bischof & Angie Kontenakos

Prosfora

Tina Sageotis

Fellowship Hour

The family of Mary Makredes will be hosting today after Liturgy, in celebration of her 95th birthday!
Please come and enjoy the celebration.

School Supply Drive

This summer, we've partnered with FOCUS's Youth Equipped to Serve (YES) program to provide 50 backpacks filled with school supplies to students at a local school, and we need your help.

The school has shared a list of specific supplies to make sure each backpack is filled with exactly what students need. We're collecting donations now through August 16, when we’ll wrap up the drive with a Youth & Family Backpack Filling Party. Come join us as we pack the backpacks and celebrate this important opportunity for our youth to serve together.

To view the supply list and sign up to contribute, please follow the link below:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4CA5AD2BABFF2-57558950-stgeorge#/

Greek Festival July 25 & 26

Volunteers Needed!

Our annual Greek Festival will take place on Friday July 25 from 2-8pm and Saturday July 26 from 11am-8pm! Come out and enjoy this wonderful fellowship event with our church family!

With the dates fast approaching, volunteers are greatly needed.  Refreshments and a meal are provided for all volunteers. Use the URL or QR code below to sign up! Please see the flyer later in this bulletin for more information.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4CA5AD2BABFF2-56165562-greek?useFullSite=true#/ 

Pitsavas Scholarship Deadline Extended - July 30

The John Pitsavas Memorial Scholarship Deadline has been extended to July 30.
See the back of this bulletin for more information.

St. Mary's Family Camp 2025

It's time for Family Camp 2025! And we're heading back to Camp Wapo. :) Registration begins August 1st - if you know you're going to Family Camp reminder to take advantage of the Early Bird rates and register early! See below for Family Camp details and please check the Family Camp website at https://stmaryscamp.com/family-camp/.
 
Dates: Friday, October 17th at 1pm through Sunday, October 19th at 1pm
Location: Camp Wapogasset "Camp Wapo" - 1204 74th Ave, Amery, WI 55401
Registration: Early Bird August 1-15; Regular August 16-31
Prices: Early Bird $160 + convenience fee; Regular $170 + convenience fee
Speaker: Mother Macrina
Topic: Medleys of Thought: Monastics, Angels and the Nativity Fast

TEEN Loaves and Fishes 2025

Teens save the date- Monday August 4th. After skipping last year, we are once again happy to offer this opportunity to serve- exclusively for our teens! (college teens and early 20's- you can serve as a team leader!) Sign up to be part of the St. George crew to package and distribute meals at Loaves and Fishes. Reserve your spot and receive additional details here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D49ADA623A0FCC70-57452543-teen

Archpastoral Visit of His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael

Join us on Sunday, August 24 to welcome our chief shepherd and spiritual father, Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago! He is spending the entire month of August in Minnesota. The 24th is a unique visit to St. George in that it will be the occasion for our very own Dean Theophilos to be ordained to the diaconate. A luncheon will follow the Liturgy as well. More info on the visit and luncheon is forthcoming. Please save this special date!

Church Cleanup

Join us after Divine Liturgy on Sunday, August 17, to help with church cleanup in preparation for the visit of His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael on Sunday, August 24. We need as much help as possible. Bring your wax scrapers, cleaning cloths, dish soap, mops, dusters, vacuums, etc. but no chemicals, please and thank you. Many hands make light work!

Pioneers 55+ Upcoming Events

Metropolitan Luncheon
Date: August 19
Invitation from St Mary’s GOC Senior Group for His Eminence
Luncheon and visit to celebrate Metropolitan Nathanael’s visit to Minnesota
-Details to follow
-RSVP Joanne H. 651-778-2485
Seniors! please help honor our Metropolitan Nathanael with your presence at this event!

Greek-Themed Picnic and Party !
Food •Music•Fellowship
Date: Saturday September 13, 2025
Time: 11:30
Home of Carol Alexis!
594 Iglehart Ave, St Paul 55103
-Bring dish to share ( coordination of this to come)
-RSVP Joanne Halatsis 651-778-2485
 
Stillwater Fall Boat Excursion 
Buffet•River Cruise•Fellowship
Date: Sunday, September 28, 2025
12:30-12:45 meet at boat docks
Group Boarding: 1:00pm 
-RSVP Joanne H. 651-778-2485
 

Host a Fellowship Hour

Please host an upcoming coffee hour! Individuals, families, or even groups can sign up to host or co-host. Hosts are needed for August 31 & September 07. Remember that coffee is now provided, courtesy of Thrivent Financial, so your commitment can be as simple as picking up some cookies! Thanks to all who have already hosted this year! Use the URL or QR code below to sign up.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4CA5AD2BABFF2-46964197-fellowship#/

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Wisdom of the Fathers

Through the toil of prayer and the anguish of your heart commune with those who are grieved at heart, and the Source of mercy will be opened up to your petitions.
St. Isaac of Syria
Unknown, 7th century

The Lord looks with affection on the humble. . .Learn, you who are sick, to gain health through prayer. Should you be diffident because of your grave sins, seek the prayers of others, call upon the Church to pray for you, and in His regard for her, the Lord will give what He could refuse to you.
Saint Ambrose
The Healing of the Paralytic, P. L. 15 (col. 138), Expos., in Toal, IV: 182, 183., Fourth Century

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Welcome Visitors!

Thank you for joining us in worship. Whether you are an Orthodox Christian or this is your first visit to an Orthodox Church, we are pleased to have you with us! Although Holy Communion is offered only to baptized and chrismated Orthodox Christians, all are invited to receive the Antidoron (blessed bread) at the end of the service. The Antidoron and fellowship hour are reminiscent of the Agape Feast that followed worship in the early Church.

Visitors and inquirers, please do not worry if you do not understand or follow all of our practices at your first few visits to our church (when to stand, when to kneel, venerate icons, or the priest's hand, cross yourself, etc.), it takes time to learn these traditions. Watch what others do, and when you are ready, you can follow their example.

One does not have to be of Greek descent nor speak Greek to be an Orthodox Christian and member of our parish. All people of any background are welcome to join the Orthodox Church. For those interested in learning more about the Christian Faith or becoming a member of our church, please see Fr. Perry after services or contact him at [email protected] or (651) 222-6220.

We hope you will join us in our hall upstairs this morning after services for fellowship and refreshments!

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Orthodox Worship

To our beloved guests, welcome to St. George. As you visit an Orthodox Church for the first few times, it’s important to remember that Orthodox Worship Services were designed to challenge us. For example, the services may be longer and at a slower pace than we are used to. The length of the service helps us grow in wakefulness and vigilance. "Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, 'What? Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak'” Matthew 26:40-41.

In our ever-changing, fast-paced world, we struggle to maintain the attention span of a goldfish. The worship of the early Church is the remedy to this problem. The Divine Liturgy and our other worship services are an invitation to turn off the noise, slow down the pace, and, like Mary (the sister of Martha), sit at the feet of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If you struggle with your attention span in the first few services (or for years!), stick with it. Through our continued effort, God grants us growth in the ability to experience quiet, stillness, and prayer. Through our endurance, and above all, by His Grace, our regular participation in worship helps us to “lay aside the cares of life that we may receive the King of all."

Standing & Sitting in Services

The tradition of the Church is to stand for the duration of services, and you are welcome to do so. You are welcome to sit when you need to, as well. Please note that directions regarding when to sit are suggestions. Please be seated during the homily (sermon), and please do the best that you can to stand during the reading of the Gospel and the distribution of Holy Communion.

Kneeling on Sundays

According to the canons, we are not supposed to kneel on Sundays. However, according to common practice in our Archdiocese, kneeling has become common in the Divine Liturgy on Sundays. Those who are accustomed to the common practice in the US, are welcome to kneel. To those unfamiliar with this practice, coming from a community that does not kneel on Sundays or who would, for various reasons, prefer not to kneel, that is just fine as well.

The Kiss of Peace

It is the tradition of the Church to exchange a greeting, known as the "kiss of peace," during the Divine Liturgy. The exact moment for the brotherly exchange takes place during these prayers in Liturgy before the creed; "Deacon: Let us love one another, that with oneness of mind we may confess: People: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: Trinity, one in essence and undivided." Here is an excerpt by Frederica Mathewes-Green from an article titled "First Visit to an Orthodox Church: Twelve Things I Wish I'd Known.”

"We kiss each other before we take communion ("Greet one another with a kiss of love," 1 Peter 5:14). When Roman Catholics or high-church Protestants "pass the peace," they give a hug, handshake, or peck on the cheek; that's how Westerners greet each other. In Orthodoxy different cultures are at play: Greeks and Arabs kiss on two cheeks, and Slavs come back again for a third. Follow the lead of those around you and try not to bump your nose.

The usual greeting is "Christ is in our midst" and response,[…]['He is, and always shall be.'] Don't worry if you forget what to say.[…] Exchanging the kiss of peace is a liturgical act, a sign of mystical unity. Chatting and fellowship is for later.”

You are encouraged to participate in this sacred exchange. Many will not be familiar with or may even be uncomfortable with a kiss on the cheek from someone they do not know. Understandably so! Shaking hands or simply nodding/bowing to the person nearby and greeting them with "Christ is in our midst!" is just fine. Through the liturgical act of the kiss of peace, may we remember that we are a family in Christ and work to continue to grow as such. May we also remember our accountability to one another, the need to seek forgiveness, and to forgive one another in Christ.

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Becoming an Orthodox Christian / Being Received into the Church

For those interested in becoming an Orthodox Christian, here is the basic process: 1. Come to Divine Liturgy, 2. Complete our MEOCCA Catechism Program in the spring or the fall (register by emailing [email protected] or visit this link https://meocca.org/our-faith/cooperative-catechism), 3. Meet with Fr. Perry (schedule a call at this link https://calendly.com/frperry/phonecall). Fr. Perry will go through more specific details when you meet. We hope that you will make St. George your spiritual home.

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Nursery and Youth Room

Parents, please note that our nursery and youth rooms are open during services and church activities if you need some temporary quiet space/time with the kiddos. The nursery is located at the bottom of the stairs in the education wing. The Youth Room is the next room on the left, past the trophy case. We love to hear the little ones singing in church. The Lord said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14

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Let's Connect!

St. George has moved to a new social media platform designed specifically for parish life. Here, we communicate more dynamically regarding specific ministries, events, and stewardship. For those who haven't, please use the QR code here to sign up! If you have any questions or have issues, please contact Dylan at [email protected].

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Text Message Reminders - Sign Up for Youth & Family Events!

We have some AWESOME Youth & Family events, and you don't want to miss out. Join our text message system Remind to stay up to date with all of our communications. Join by visiting https://www.remind.com/join/stgyandf

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Parish Email List Sign-Up 

Sign up for our email list to see what’s happening at St. George!

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From the Church Office

 Prosfora (Offering Bread)

Thank you to those who make the prosfora/offering bread for Liturgy. If you would like to sign up to bake and make an offering of bread to the church, please get in touch with Krisandrea at [email protected].

Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” John 6:27

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Content for the Bulletin

All content for the bulletin (flyers, blurbs, calendar events, etc.) is due Wednesday each week. Content submitted after Wednesday will be included in the bulletin for the following week.

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Reimbursements

To our ministry leaders and volunteers, please save receipts when making purchases for church activities. A reminder that reimbursement forms are located on the tower outside of the admin and treasurer’s office. Please make sure to submit the form with a copy of your receipt (you keep the original receipt). Finally, please make sure to submit for reimbursement contemporaneous with the expense(s). Although we do not have a set cutoff date for reimbursements, please do your best to have all prior year reimbursements submitted before the end of January of the following year. Please contact Lani if you have any questions at [email protected].

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2025 Stewardship Program

Goal

$118,647 of $285,000 (through May)

Make Your 2025 Stewardship Pledge Online

https://onrealm.org/StGeorgeStPaul/-/form/pledge/stewardship

Make a Stewardship Donation Online

https://onrealm.org/StGeorgeStPaul/give/online 

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Please Note

St. George GOC broadcasts its worship services live on the internet. Your presence in the church is subject to audio and video recording.

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Saints and Feasts

July 20

The Glorious Prophet Elias (Elijah)

Elias of great fame was from Thisbe or Thesbe, a town of Galaad (Gilead), beyond the Jordan. He was of priestly lineage, a man of a solitary and ascetical character, clothed in a mantle of sheep skin, and girded about his loins with a leathern belt. His name is interpreted as "Yah is my God." His zeal for the glory of God was compared to fire, and his speech for teaching and rebuke was likened unto a burning lamp. From this too he received the name Zealot. Therefore, set aflame with such zeal, he sternly reproved the impiety and lawlessness of Ahab and his wife Jezebel. He shut up heaven by means of prayer, and it did not rain for three years and six months. Ravens brought him food for his need when, at God's command, he was hiding by the torrent of Horrath. He multiplied the little flour and oil of the poor widow of Sarephtha of Sidon, who had given him hospitality in her home, and when her son died, he raised him up. He brought down fire from Heaven upon Mount Carmel, and it burned up the sacrifice offered to God before all the people of Israel, that they might know the truth. At the torrent of Kisson, he slew 450 false prophets and priests who worshipped idols and led the people astray. He received food wondrously at the hand of an Angel, and being strengthened by this food he walked for forty days and forty nights. He beheld God on Mount Horeb, as far as this is possible for human nature. He foretold the destruction of the house of Ahab, and the death of his son Ohozias; and as for the two captains of fifty that were sent by the king, he burned them for their punishment, bringing fire down from Heaven. He divided the flow of the Jordan, and he and his disciple Elisseus passed through as it were on dry land; and finally, while speaking with him, Elias was suddenly snatched away by a fiery chariot in the year 895 B.C., and he ascended as though into heaven, whither God most certainly translated him alive, as He did Enoch (Gen. 5:24; IV Kings 2: 11). But from thence also, after seven years, by means of an epistle he reproached Joram, the son of Josaphat, as it is written: "And there came a message in writing to him from Elias the Prophet, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the way," and so forth (II Chron. 21:12). According to the opinion of the majority of the interpreters, this came to pass either through his disciple Elisseus, or through another Prophet when Elias appeared to them, even as he appeared on Mount Tabor to the disciples of Christ (see Aug. 6).


July 22

Mary Magdalene, Myrrhberer & Equal-to-the-Apostles

Saint Mary was from Magdala in Galilee on the Sea of Tiberias, and for this was named Magdalene. When the Lord Jesus cast out seven demons from her, from which she had been suffering, she became His faithful and inseparable disciple, following Him and ministering unto Him even to the time of His crucifixion and burial. Then, returning to Jerusalem together with the rest of the Myrrh-bearers, she prepared the fragrant spices for anointing the body of the Lord. And on the Lord's day they came very early to the tomb, even before the Angels appeared declaring the Resurrection of the Lord. When Mary Magdalene saw the stone taken away from the tomb, she ran and proclaimed it to Peter and John. And returning immediately to the tomb and weeping outside, she was deemed worthy to be the first of the Myrrh-bearers to behold the Lord arisen from the dead, and when she fell at His feet, she heard Him say, "Touch Me not." After the Lord's Ascension, nothing certain is known concerning her. Some accounts say that she went to Rome and later returned to Jerusalem, and from there proceeded to Ephesus, where she ended her life, preaching Christ. Although it is sometimes said that Saint Mary Magdalene was the "sinful woman" of the Gospel, this is nowhere stated in the tradition of the Church, in the sacred hymnology, or in the Holy Gospels themselves, which say only that our Lord cast seven demons out of her, not that she was a fallen woman. "Madeleine" is a form of Magdalene.


July 23

Ezekiel the Prophet

The Prophet Ezekiel ("God is strong") was the son of Buzi and a priest by rank. He was taken captive and brought to Babylon during the reign of Jechonias. In the fifth year of this captivity, about 594 or 593 B.C., he began to prophesy. Having prophesied for about twenty-eight years, he was murdered, it is said, by the tribe of Gad, because he reproached them for their idolatry. His book of prophecy, divided into forty-eight chapters, is ranked third among the greater Prophets. It is richly filled with mystical imagery and marvelous prophetic visions and allegories, of which the dread Chariot of Cherubim described in the first Chapter is the most famous; in the "gate that was shut," through which the Lord alone entered, he darkly foretold of the Word's Incarnation from the Virgin (44:1-3); through the "dry bones" that came to life again (37:1-14), he prophesied both of the restoration of captive Israel, and the general resurrection of our race.


July 25

Dormition of St. Anna, mother of the Theotokos

According to tradition, Anna, the ancestor of God, lived for sixty-nine years, and her spouse Joachim, for eighty; according to one account, Saint Joachim died two years before Saint Anna. The Theotokos had been orphaned of both her parents already when she was eleven years of age, when she was living in the Temple (see Sept. 8 and Nov. 21). Saint Anna is invoked for conceiving children, and for help in difficult childbirth.


July 26

Paraskevi the Righteous Martyr of Rome

Saint Paraskeve, who was from a certain village near Rome, was born to pious parents, Agatho and Politia. Since she was born on a Friday (in Greek, Paraskeve), she was given this name, which means "preparation" or "preparedness" (compare Matt. 27:62, Mark 15:42, Luke 23:54, and John 19:31, where 'Friday' is called "the day of the preparation"). From childhood she was instructed in the sacred letters and devoted herself to the study of the divine Scriptures, while leading a monastic life and guiding many to the Faith of Christ. During the reign of the Emperor Antoninus Pius, she was apprehended because she was a Christian and was urged to worship the idols, but she answered with the words of Jeremias: "Let the gods that have not made heaven and the earth perish from off the earth" (Jer. 10:11). Because of this she endured exceedingly painful torments, and was beheaded in the year 140. The faithful pray to her for the healing of eye ailments.


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Bulletin Inserts

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