Calendar

Parish Calendar

September 1 to September 8, 2024

Sunday, September 1

+Ecclesiastical New Year

8:15AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

Wednesday, September 4

+Prophet Moses

+Fast Day

1:30PM Online Daytime Bible Study (via Zoom only)

6:30PM Vespers

Friday, September 6

+Fast Day

Sunday, September 8

Nativity of the Theotokos & Sunday before Holy Cross

8:15AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

10:45AM Church School Begins & Blessing (Agiasmos) for the New School Year

10:50AM Church School Open House Grades Pre-K-6th Following Liturgy

11:30AM Church School Open House Grades 7th-12th Following Class

11:35AM Philoptochos Meeting

4:30PM Missions & Benevolence Meal @ FOCUS
Ministries Calendar

September 22 to September 29, 2024

Sunday, September 22

12:45PM Pioneers (55+) Boat Cruise

Sunday, September 29

12:00PM Greek School OXI Day Prep

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 1st Tone

Although the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers guarded Your most pure body, You arose on the third day, O Savior, giving life to the world. For this reason, the heavenly powers cried out to you, O Giver of Life: Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Your kingdom! Glory to Your dispensation, only Lover of Mankind!

Apolytikion for Beginning of the Indiction in the 2nd Tone

Creator of the universe, setting times and seasons by Your sole authority, bless the cycle of the year of Your grace, O Lord, guarding our rulers and Your nation in peace, at the intercession of the Theotokos, and save us.

Apolytikion for Synaxis of the Recovery of the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos in the Grave Tone

Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, O Virgin Theotokos, haven and protection of the race of man; for the Redeemer of the world became incarnate of thee; for thou alone art both mother and virgin, ever blessed and glorified. Intercede with Christ God that peace be granted unto all the world.

Apolytikion for Righteous Symeon the Stylite in the 1st Tone

Thou becamest a pillar of patience and didst emulate the Forefathers, O righteous one: Job in his sufferings, Joseph in temptations, and the life of the bodiless while in the body, O Symeon, our righteous Father, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 4th Tone

You who created all things in Your infinite wisdom, and set the times by Your own authority, grant Your Christian people victories. Blessing our comings and goings throughout this year, guide our works according to Your divine will.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Ecclesiastical New Year
The Reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to Timothy 2:1-7

Timothy, my son, first of all, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way. This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony to which was borne at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Gospel Reading

Ecclesiastical New Year
The Reading is from Luke 4:16-22

At that time, Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up; and he went to the synagogue, as his custom was, on the sabbath day. And he stood up to read; and there was given to him the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened the book and found the place where it was written, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." And he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." And all spoke well of him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth.

Announcements

Greeters

Dylan Eisenhuth & Misael Jordan

Prosfora

Anonymous

Fellowship

Thank you to William Clemons for hosting today's fellowship!

Catechumen Prayers

Metropolitan Nathanael has asked us to re-institute praying the Litany of the Catechumens during Liturgy. This litany is an ancient set of prayers historically included in the Divine Liturgy right after the Gospel and sermon. They began to be omitted when the church had few catechumens. Now that we have more frequent baptisms and chrismations of adult catechumens, it is appropriate that we re-introduce these prayers. Our Lord commanded us to make disciples of all nations, and now we will pray for catechumens in the Church, especially those with us in our parish. All parishes in our Vicariate (Minnesota) will begin including them on September 1st, the first day of the new church year. Though one of the prayers asks the Catechumens to depart, His Eminence only asks us to reinstate the prayers for our Catechumens. According to current practice, Catechumens are still welcome to remain in Liturgy for its entirety.

2024 St. Mary’s Minneapolis Taste of Greece Festival

Friday, September 6: 2:00-9:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 7: Noon-9:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 8: Noon-5:00 p.m.

Volunteer in preparation:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0B44A9AB2BABFD0-50420889-festival#/

Volunteer at the festival:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0B44A9AB2BABFD0-50538365-tog2024?useFullSite=true#/

Church School Student Registration Form

Church School begins on September 08! Visit this link to register your child(ren).

https://forms.gle/6TqdwRsVmpFEyxKVA

Philoptochos

Please join us on Sunday, September 08, after Divine Liturgy for the first Philoptochos Meeting of the new Ecclesiastical year! New members are always welcome!

Intro to Orthodox Christianity Catechism Course - Fall 2024

Join us for our MEOCCA catechism course, Intro to Orthodox Christianity, beginning on Tuesday, September 10, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Catechism is open to all; people interested in learning more about Orthodox Christianity, inquirers, catechumens, and current Orthodox Christians as well. Classes will be held on Tuesday evenings from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in person (1111 Summit Ave., St. Paul, MN) or online via Zoom. Register online at the link below. Learn more at www.meocca.org.

https://forms.gle/bgtnThRqQP6CWGnX8

YAL (Young Adult League) Philoxenia House Volunteer Event

We are excited that YAL Rochester and YAL Twin Cities are partnering for another volunteer event to serve Philoxenia House! The next gathering is on September 14. The event will start after a Saturday morning Liturgy. Please fill out the RSVP form as soon as possible so they can plan for enough projects for us all to do! The form includes more details about times and addresses.

https://bit.ly/4dHeUEx

Basil for the Elevation of the Holy Cross

We are looking for donations of basil for the Feast of the Holy Cross. If you have basil that you can donate, please drop it off at church on Thursday, September 12 between 10am-3pm or during Orthros on Sunday, September 15. Thank you and Xronia Polla/Many Years for the feast!

Parish Picnic!

Join us on Sunday, September 15, after Liturgy for our annual Parish Picnic. This year, the Jordan family will host the picnic at 10959 Akron Avenue, Inver Grove Heights 55077. A barbecue-style meal will be provided, with plenty of games and activities for all! Bring along your favorite lawn games and some lawn chairs! If you want to help or have any questions, please call or text Lisa at (651) 470-6705.

Family Camp

St. Mary's is thrilled to announce their 2024 Family Camp speaker, Fr. George Dokos! The 2024 theme is The Fathers on the Family. Registration closes September 15th, at 11:59 p.m. To learn more about Family Camp, our guest speaker, or to register, use the link below.

https://stmaryscamp.com/family-camp/

Pioneers (55+) Boat Cruise on the St. Croix

When: Sunday, September 22, 2024
Arrival Time: Be at Stillwater Riverboat Docks by 12:45 pm
Board the Boat: 1:00 pm
Return to Dock: 3:00 pm
Where: 525-601 St. Croix Trail N, Stillwater, MN 55082
Details: There will be a fee for this cruise, which will be partially subsidized for 55+ members. More details on cost soon. Includes meal and Jazz Band. Free Parking. Follow “Boat Parking” signs. Dress is Casual. Learn more at www.stillwaterriverboats.com.
How to Sign Up: Call Joanne Halatsis at (651) 778-2485. You can leave a message.

Fellowship Hour

Please host an upcoming coffee hour! Individuals, families, or even groups can sign up to host or co-host. Use this URL to sign up. We have openings on September 22, and 29. If you're able and willing, please consider signing up. Thank you.

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

On The Reading of Old Books

Are you interested in reading classical literature of the western world?

Have you ever wanted to read the works of literary giants like Homer, Dante, Shakespeare, Plato, and Aristotle? To explore the strange worlds of the Greek and Norse myths, and the fairy tales of Brothers Grimm? To immerse yourself in centuries of legend with King Arthur and his knights of the round table? To see the origins of famous characters like Frankenstein, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde?

If you have ever wanted to read some of the great works of the western literary canon, but you were intimidated, found them to be too difficult or too boring, or if you have read them and want to return to them again, let me know!

A Group of Readers

If reading the great old books of the western world interests you, and you would like to participate in a reading group devoted to exploring and discussing these exemplar texts, email Grant Oldre ([email protected]).

Grant Oldre?
Grant is the School of Logic (6-8 grade) Humanities instructor for Great Oaks Academy, a classical charter school in Farmington MN.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfumf0-vx_R7sjkaZi7JkJX6LNn_V7sg0ooUleosuenr046vg/viewform

Pan-Orthodox Grief and Loss Support Group

If you seek support with grief and loss, please join St. Mary's OCA for their Grief and Loss Support Group.

The next 4-week Grief and education will occur on Tuesdays from 7-8 pm. Location TBD

October 22nd
October 29th
November 5th
November 12th

Each week consists of discussion and education. Learn about what grief is, how to ease the pain, and the impact of grief on the mind and body.

There is also a monthly support group that meets on the last Wednesday of each month from 7-8 pm at St. Mary's OCA in Northeast Minneapolis. Discussion and variety of topics. August 28th, September 25th, and October 23rd.

To sign up or ask questions, email Joni at [email protected].

Fr. Perry's Corner

Please let me know ([email protected] or (651) 706-9672) if you can help with any of the following:

1. Coordinate a Welcome and Outreach Fellowship Hour in the Fall/Winter

2. Coordinate our St. Gregory Palamas Parish Retreat on March 15, 2025

Silent Auction

Remember to check out the Silent Auction in the hall. Proceeds support our Missions and Benevolence ministry. New items are added regularly. If you would like to donate items that are new with tags or something else valuable, such as theater/sports tickets, please contact Angela Mortari at [email protected] or text 651-280-7123.

2024 Stewardship Program

Goal

$151,834 of $275,000 (through July)

At the Fall Parish Assembly, we approved the 2024 Stewardship Goal of $275,000. We have hit this mark in the last couple of years, and we truly believe that with everyone’s support, we will hit that mark again. Now is the time to submit your 2024 pledge. Pledge Cards are at the candle stand, or click the link below to complete the form online. Thank you for your support of the work of the Church.

2024 Theme

"Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant,” from the Parable of the Talents. We are all blessed with certain gifts. This parable stresses the importance of developing our gifts, multiplying them, and offering them back in service to God.

Make Your 2024 Pledge Online

https://forms.gle/TAvAZUNCBrcRHX1KA

Make a Stewardship Donation Online

https://www.stgeorgegoc.org/give

Wisdom of the Fathers

And while one calls on Jerusalem, saying, "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Sion, for lo! thy King cometh to thee meek, riding upon an ass, and a young colt;" another proclaims His second coming also, saying on this wise, "The Lord, whom ye seek, will come, and who will abide the day of His coming? Leap ye as calves set free from bonds." And another again, amazed at such things, said, "This is our God; there shall none other be accounted of in comparison of Him."

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 19 on Matthew 6, 4th Century

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.

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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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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Parish Email List Sign-Up

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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

September 01

Ecclesiastical New Year

For the maintenance of their armed forces, the Roman emperors decreed that their subjects in every district should be taxed every year. This same decree was reissued every fifteen years, since the Roman soldiers were obliged to serve for fifteen years. At the end of each fifteen-year period, an assessment was made of what economic changes had taken place, and a new tax was decreed, which was to be paid over the span of the fifteen years. This imperial decree, which was issued before the season of winter, was named Indictio, that is, Definiton, or Order. This name was adopted by the emperors in Constantinople also. At other times, the latter also used the term Epinemisis, that is, Distribution (Dianome). It is commonly held that Saint Constantine the Great introduced the Indiction decrees in A.D. 312, after he beheld the sign of the Cross in heaven and vanquished Maxentius and was proclaimed Emperor in the West. Some, however (and this seems more likely), ascribe the institution of the Indiction to Augustus Caesar, three years before the birth of Christ. Those who hold this view offer as proof the papal bull issued in A.D. 781 which is dated thus: Anno IV, Indictionis LIII -that is, the fourth year of the fifty-third Indiction. From this, we can deduce the aforementioned year (3 B.C.) by multiplying the fifty-two complete Indictions by the number of years in each (15), and adding the three years of the fifty-third Indiction. There are three types of Indictions: 1) That which was introduced in the West, and which is called Imperial, or Caesarean, or Constantinian, and which begins on the 24th of September; 2) The so-called Papal Indiction, which begins on the 1st of January; and 3) The Constantinopolitan, which was adopted by the Patriarchs of that city after the fall of the Eastern Empire in 1453. This Indiction is indicated in their own hand on the decrees they issue, without the numeration of the fifteen years. This Indiction begins on the 1st of September and is observed with special ceremony in the Church. Since the completion of each year takes place, as it were, with the harvest and gathering of the crops into storehouses, and we begin anew from henceforth the sowing of seed in the earth for the production of future crops, September is considered the beginning of the New Year. The Church also keeps festival this day, beseeching God for fair weather, seasonable rains, and an abundance of the fruits of the earth. The Holy Scriptures (Lev. 23:24-5 and Num. 29:1-2) also testify that the people of Israel celebrated the feast of the Blowing of the Trumpets on this day, offering hymns of thanksgiving. In addition to all the aforesaid, on this feast we also commemorate our Saviour's entry into the synagogue in Nazareth, where He was given the book of the Prophet Esaias to read, and He opened it and found the place where it is written, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, for which cause He hath anointed Me..." (Luke 4:16-30).

It should be noted that to the present day, the Church has always celebrated the beginning of the New Year on September 1. This was the custom in Constantinople until its fall in 1453 and in Russia until the reign of Peter I. September 1 is still festively celebrated as the New Year at the Patriarchate of Constantinople; among the Jews also the New Year, although reckoned according to a moveable calendar, usually falls in September. The service of the Menaion for January 1 is for our Lord's Circumcision and for the memorial of Saint Basil the Great, without any mention of its being the beginning of a new year.

September 01

Symeon the Stylite

Our righteous Father Symeon was born about the year 390 in a certain village named Sis, in the mountain region of Cilicia and Syria. Having first been a shepherd, he entered the monastic discipline at a young age. After trying various kinds of ascetical practices, both in the monastery and then in the wilderness, he began standing on pillars of progressively greater height, and heroically persevered in this for more than forty years; the greater part of this time he spent standing upright, even when one of his feet became gangrenous, and other parts of his body gave way under the strain. He did not adopt this strange way of life out of vainglory, a charge that some of his contemporaries made against him at the first: because he was already famous for his asceticism and holiness before ascending his first pillar (in Greek, style, whence he is called "Stylite"), many pious people came to him wishing to touch his garments, either for healing or for a blessing; to escape the continual vexation they caused, he made a pillar about ten feet high, and then higher and higher, until the fourth and last was about fifty feet high. The Church historian Theodoret of Cyrrhus, an eyewitness of his exploits who wrote of him while Symeon was yet alive, called him "the great wonder of the world." God gave him the grace to persevere in such an astonishing form of asceticism that multitudes came to see him from Persia, Armenia, South Arabia, Georgia, Thrace, Spain, Italy, Gaul, and the British Isles. Theodoret says that he became so famous in Rome that the Nomadic Arabs by the thousands believed in Christ and were baptized because of him; the King of Persia sent envoys to inquire into his way of life, and the Queen asked to be sent oil that he had blessed. He also was a great defender of sound doctrine, and confirmed the Orthodoxy of the Holy Council of Chalcedon for many who had been beguiled by the teachings of the Monophysites, including the Empress Eudocia, widow of Theodosius the Younger. After a life of unheard-of achievements and struggles, he reposed in peace at the age of sixty-nine, in the year 459.

September 02

Mammas the Martyr

Saint Mammas was from Gangra of Paphlagonia. He was born in prison, where his parents were suffering for Christ's sake and ended their lives. He was named Mammas because, after he had long remained without speaking, he addressed his foster mother Ammia as "mamma." He contested for Christ about the year 275.

September 08

The Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary

According to the ancient tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was born of barren and aged parents, Joachim and Anna, about the year 16 or 17 before the birth of Christ. Joachim was descended from the royal line of David, of the tribe of Judah. Anna was of the priestly tribe of Levi, a daughter of the priest Matthan and Mary, his wife.

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Welcome!

Past Bulletins

Calendar

Parish Calendar

September 1 to September 8, 2024

Ministries Calendar

September 22 to September 29, 2024

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 1st Tone

Apolytikion for Beginning of the Indiction in the 2nd Tone

Apolytikion for Synaxis of the Recovery of the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos in the Grave Tone

Apolytikion for Righteous Symeon the Stylite in the 1st Tone

Seasonal Kontakion in the 4th Tone

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Gospel Reading

Announcements

Greeters

Prosfora

Fellowship

Catechumen Prayers

2024 St. Mary’s Minneapolis Taste of Greece Festival

Church School Student Registration Form

Philoptochos

Intro to Orthodox Christianity Catechism Course - Fall 2024

YAL (Young Adult League) Philoxenia House Volunteer Event

Basil for the Elevation of the Holy Cross

Parish Picnic!

Family Camp

Pioneers (55+) Boat Cruise on the St. Croix

Fellowship Hour

On The Reading of Old Books

Pan-Orthodox Grief and Loss Support Group

Fr. Perry's Corner

Silent Auction

2024 Stewardship Program

Wisdom of the Fathers

Welcome Visitors!

Prosfora (Offering Bread)

Content for the Bulletin

Parish Email List Sign-Up

Please Note

Saints and Feasts

Ecclesiastical New Year

Symeon the Stylite

Mammas the Martyr

The Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary

Bulletin Inserts