Sunday Bulletin - St. George Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2024-09-15
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

    September 15 to September 23, 2024

    Sunday, September 15

    Sunday after Holy Cross

    8:15AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    10:45AM Elevation of the Cross

    10:45AM Church School

    12:00PM Church Picnic (depart for picnic after Church School)

    Monday, September 16

    +St. Euphemia

    Tuesday, September 17

    +St. Sophia

    7:00PM Catechism #2 - God: Holy Trinity

    Wednesday, September 18

    +Fast Day

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

    Friday, September 20

    +St. Eustathios

    +Fast Day

    Sunday, September 22

    1st Sunday of Luke

    8:15AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    10:45AM Church School

    Monday, September 23

    +Conception of St. John the Baptist

  • Ministries Calendar

    September 22 to October 6, 2024

    Sunday, September 22

    12:45PM Pioneers (55+) Boat Cruise

    Sunday, September 29

    12:00PM Greek School OXI Day Prep

    Sunday, October 6

    12:00PM Greek School OXI Day Prep

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 3rd Tone

Let the heavens rejoice; let the earth be glad, for the Lord has shown the mighty power of His arm. He trampled down death by death and became the firstborn of the dead. From the depths of Hades, He delivered us and granted to the world great mercy.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Holy Cross in the 1st Tone

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 4th Tone

Lifted up on the Cross by Your free will, Christ God, grant mercies to the new commonwealth that bears Your name. Gladden our faithful rulers by Your power, giving them victories over their adversaries. May Your alliance be for them a weapon for peace, an invincible standard.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Sunday after Holy Cross
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 2:16-20

Brethren, knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.


Gospel Reading

Sunday after Holy Cross
The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1

The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."


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Announcements

Greeters

Bill Clemons & Rob Hattling

Prosfora

Anonymous

Church School

Please allow Church School Students and Teachers to approach Holy Communion first so that class can begin promptly. Thank you.

Fellowship Hour

There is no fellowship hour today due to the picnic. We hope to see you there.

Parish Picnic!

Join us today, 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.

Hellenic College Holy Cross Scholarship Fund

Today, after Liturgy, the Ladies of Philoptochos will be holding trays in the back of the church to collect money for the Hellenic College Holy Cross Scholarship Fund. This commitment provides tuition to students, both men and women, at Hellenic College and seminarians at Holy Cross. Your donations are greatly appreciated. 

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/ 

Focus Back-to-School Clothing Drive

As your children realize their clothing doesn't fit this fall, please consider bringing their clean gently used items- sizes 6-16- for donation to the Focus Clothes Closet. Place them in the Parking Lot Vestibule box and we will deliver to Focus. Kids, time to help clean and organize your own closets!

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#/

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.

Greek School

Registration is now OPEN for Greek School's fall session. Greek School is for youth in grades preK-12. We offer a hands-on learning environment for students to strengthen their knowledge and connection to the Greek language and culture. The first activity, an OXI Day Prep, will occur on Sunday, September 29, following Church School. Contact Joanna at [email protected] for more information.

Please register at this link: https://z.umn.edu/GreekSchool24_25 or use the following QR code:

 

Fr. John Kostas on Vacation

Fr. John is away on a trip for the month of September. We look forward to welcoming him back in October.

Byzantine Chant Class at St. Marys

St. Mary's Greek in Minneapolis is hosting a free Byzantine Chant class beginning on October 08! Students will learn to read Byzantine notation and will learn to chant each of the eight tones as well as learn the musical theory of each tone. The class is taught by Reader Joseph Karos and is offered weekly on Tuesday nights at 6:30 at St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church. To register or to ask any questions, please email [email protected]

 

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].

Icon Art Studios, Inc. 2025 Winter Icon Class Dates

Session 1- The Holy Face here at St. George GOC & Zoom: Tuesdays, January 7, 14, 21, & 28 from 6-9 pm

Session 2- Icon of a saint of the student's choice (full figure) here at St. George GOC & Zoom: Tuesdays, February 4, 11, 18, & 25 from 6-9 pm

Please contact Deb at [email protected]/612-889-5868 or Steve Arsenault at [email protected]/ 612-206-7369. Cost for tuition and supplies approx. $298. Cost of tuition only $155

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].

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

We have some AWESOME Youth & Family events coming up, 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

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

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Wisdom of the Fathers

The key to knowledge is the humility of Christ. The door of the Kingdom of Heaven is open, not to those who only know in their learned minds the mysteries of faith and the commandments of their Creator, but to those who have progressed far enough to live by them.
St. Bede the Venerable
Unknown, 8th century

To deny oneself means to give up one's bad habits; to root out of the heart all that ties us to the world; not to cherish bad thoughts and desires; to suppress every evil thought; to avoid occasions of sin; not to desire or to do anything out of self-love, but to do everything out of love for God. To deny oneself, according to St. Paul means "to be dead to sin. . . but alive to God."
St. Innocent of Alaska
The Lenten Spring, SVS Press, p. 147, 19th 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.

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 

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

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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 14

The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross

Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was already advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a journey to Jerusalem in search of the cross, about the year 325. A temple to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha, to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had been suffered. The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite destroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was made perfectly whole. Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, "Lord have mercy." It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen, until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country (see Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian). Late, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem, where he restored it to its place.

Rest from labour. A Fast is observed today, whatever day of the week it may be.


September 15

Nikitas the Great Martyr

This Saint was of high birth among the Goths beyond the Danube River. He was taken by Athanaric, pagan ruler of the Goths, and after being tortured, was burned to death for his confession of Christ. According to some, this took place during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great; according to others, under the Emperor Gratian.


September 16

Euphemia the Great Martyr

Saint Euphemia was from Chalcedon and lived in virginity. According to some, she suffered martyrdom during the reign of Diocletian, in 303; according to others, in 307. Her sacred relics are preserved in the Patriarchate in Constantinople.


September 17

Sophia & her three daughters: Faith, Hope, and Love

These Saints were from Italy and contested for the Faith about the year 126, during the reign of the Emperor Hadrian. Faith was twelve years old, Hope, ten, and Love, nine; each was tormented and then beheaded, from the eldest to the youngest. Their mother Sophia mourned at their grave for three days, where she also fell asleep in peace; because of her courageous endurance in the face of her daughters' sufferings, she is also counted a martyr. The name Sophia means "wisdom" in Greek; as for her daughters' names, Faith, Hope, and Love (Charity), they are Pistis, Elpis, and Agape in Greek, and Vera, Nadezhda, and Lyubov in Russian.


September 20

Eustathios the Great Martyr, his wife and two children

The holy Martyr Eustathius before his baptism was an illustrious Roman general named Placidas in the days of the Emperor Trajan. While hunting in the country one day, he was converted to the Faith of Christ through the apparition of an uncommonly majestic stag, between whose antlers he saw the Cross of Christ, and through which the Lord spoke to him with a human voice. Upon returning home, he learned that his wife Tatiana had also had a vision in which she was instructed to become a Christian. They sought out the Bishop of the Christians and were baptized, Placidas receiving the name Eustathius, and Tatiana the name Theopiste; their two sons were baptized Agapius and Theopistus. The family was then subjected to such trials as Job endured. Their servants died, all their goods were stolen, and on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem they were scattered abroad, each not even knowing if the others were still alive. By the providence of God, they were united again after many years, and returned to Rome in glory. Nevertheless, when they refused to sacrifice to the idols-a public sacrifice from which no Roman general could be absent-the Emperor Hadrian, who had succeeded Trajan, had them put into a large bronze device in the shape of a bull, which was heated with fire until they died. When their holy bodies were removed, they were found to be without harm. They suffered martyrdom about the year 126.


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