Sunday Bulletin - St. George Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-02-16
Bulletin Contents
Calendar
Hymns of the Day
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Announcements
Wisdom of the Fathers
Welcome Visitors!
Archdiocese News
Saints and Feasts
Bulletin Inserts

Organization Icon
Sunday Bulletin - St. George Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

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

  • 1111 Summit Ave

  • St. Paul, MN 55105

Contact Information

Fr. Perry Kallis
Priest

[email protected] | (651) 706-9672

Dylan Eisenhuth
Admin.

[email protected] | (651) 222-6220

Steve Arsenault
Bookstore

[email protected] | (651) 222-6220

John P. Boosalis
Webmaster

[email protected] | (651) 222-6220

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

    February 16 to February 24, 2025

    Sunday, February 16

    Sunday of the Prodigal Son

    8:15AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    10:45AM Church School

    Monday, February 17

    +St. Theodore of Tyre

    6:30PM Parish Council Meeting

    7:00PM Catechism #6 - Church I: Birth, Mission, Structure

    Tuesday, February 18

    6:00PM Icon Class

    Wednesday, February 19

    +Fast Day

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

    6:00PM Greek School

    Thursday, February 20

    5:30PM Capital Projects Meeting

    Friday, February 21

    +Fast Day

    Saturday, February 22

    Saturday of Souls

    8:30AM Orthros at St. George

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy in Eau Claire, WI

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy at St. George

    10:45AM Memorial at St. George

    11:00AM Memorial in Eau Claire, WI

    4:30PM Oratorical Writer's Circle

    Sunday, February 23

    Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)

    +St. Polycarp of Smyrna

    8:15AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    10:45AM Church School

    11:00AM Godparent & Godchild Sunday Luncheon

    Monday, February 24

    +Cheesefare Week - Refrain from Meat this Week

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 1st Tone

Although your tomb was sealed with a stone, O Savior, and your most pure body was guarded by the soldiers, you rose on the third day giving life to all the world. Therefore O giver of life, the powers of heaven praise you: Glory to your resurrection, O Christ. Glory to your kingdom. Glory to your saving wisdom. O only lover of mankind.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 3rd Tone

Let us flee the boastful words of the Pharisee and learn humility from the sights of the publican; let us cry out to the Savior: Spare us, for you alone are rich in forgiveness.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Sunday of the Prodigal Son
The Reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 6:12-20

Brethren, "all things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything. "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food" -- and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who joins himself to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, "The two shall become one flesh." But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body and in your spirit which belong to God.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Prodigal Son
The Reading is from Luke 15:11-32

The Lord said this parable: "There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his belly with the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"

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Announcements

Greeters

Theodora Bischof & Bill Clemons

Prosfora

Bill Clemons

Fellowship Hour

Thank you to the Daughters of Penelope, Eurydice #21 chapter, for hosting today's fellowship.

Philoptochos Fundraiser: Sunday Best Coffee

Today is a Coffee Exchange Sunday! Pick up your favorite Yiayia & Papou blends during Fellowship Hour. Select coffees will be available for purchase today and on Cheesefare Sunday, March 2nd. As always, thank you for your generous support of our Philoptochos Charities.

Sanctuary Painting

Sanctuary painting has been delayed. Vespers on Wednesday, 2/19, is canceled. As of now, we are still planning for Orthros, Divine Liturgy, and the Saturday of the Souls Memorial on February 22. Please stay tuned to our Parish Email list if anything changes or if we have to cancel.

Intro to Orthodox Christianity Catechism Course - Winter 2025

Join us for our MEOCCA catechism course, Intro to Orthodox Christianity. 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 Monday evenings from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in person (1111 Summit Ave., St. Paul, MN) or online via Zoom. Register online at https://forms.gle/727eGvE3nn44k1am8. Learn more at www.meocca.org.

Icon Art Studios, Inc. 2025 Winter Icon Class Dates

Session 2- Icon of a saint of the student's choice (full figure) here at St. George GOC & Zoom: Tuesdays, February 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

Saturday of the Souls

Join us for Orthros (8:30am) and Divine Liturgy (9:30am) followed by the Saturday of the Souls Memorial on Saturday, February 22. Please see the prayer card in the inserts section to submit names (of those who have fallen asleep in the Lord) to be prayed at the service. Fill out the cards and place them in the offering tray at the candle stand. Finally, please bring a small bowl of kollyva (memorial wheat) for the service. Please let Fr. Perry know if you can/plan to make a bowl.

Oratorical Writers Circle

The writing season is upon us! In preparation for our Parish Oratorical Festival which will take place April 6 this year, we will have a special get together for all 7-12 graders interested in participating. Please join us Saturday, February 22nd in the Church Hall from 4:30 to 7:00ish for dinner and the Circle. If you can't make it- you can still participate! Speak with any one of the 7-12 grade teachers in the classrooms, or email [email protected]

St. George Classical Readers

Fellow readers of classical literature, join us for fun and engaging conversation about some great American literature—short stories from Flannery O’Connor! We’ll be discussing her works on February 27, and March 13. We meet at 7 p.m. both in person at church and via Zoom. Reach out to Grant Oldre at [email protected] to get the specifics on each week’s readings.

Family Ski Trip

We are happy to announce our first youth and family event of 2025. We have a tentative reservation for our group at Trollhaugen (2232 100th Ave, Dresser, WI 54009) for skiing and snow tubing on Saturday, March 1st and would love for you to join us. Here are the details:

  • Minimum of 20 people: We will need at least 20 participants to secure the group rate. Trollhaugen will allow us to combine skiiers/snowboarders, and tubers to reach this number.
  • Arrival time: 1:30-1:45pm
  • Tubing Session: All tubing will be limited to one 2-hour session from 2-4 pm, done as a group.
  • Pricing:
    • Lift Tickets: $26/person for all ages (valid the entire evening until close at 9:00 pm)
    • Ski/snowboard rental package: $25/person
    • 2-Hour Tubing pass: $18/person. Please note: Due to limited availability, tubing reservations must be made by February 23rd.
  • Beginner Group Lesson: Trollhaugen will provide a complimentary beginner group lesson if we have a minimum of 3 people interested. It’s intended for those who have only skied once or twice in the past. If you are interested, please RSVP and let us know as soon as possible.
  • This is an unchaperoned event: Parents and guardians are responsible for their own youth.

To RSVP, or if you have any questions, please email Dylan at [email protected]. Please register by February 23rd, and have payments in to the church office by March 1st. Checks are payable to St. George GOC - Memo "Ski Trip" 

For any skiing / lesson-related questions, Wendy Loudas can be reached at [email protected] or 651-235-2646.

Financial Need Scholarships are available for youth up to 12th grade. Contact Dylan [email protected] or Fr. Perry [email protected] for details.

Spring Phyllo Dough Sale!

We will be taking orders for this flavorful and flaky refrigerated (never frozen) Phyllo dough! Completed order forms can be dropped off in the Social Hall on Sunday, March 2nd or Sunday March 9th or hand to a member of Philoptochos. Orders will be available for pick up on Sunday, March 16th! Thank you for supporting Philoptochos!

Host a Lenten Fellowship Hour

Please host an upcoming coffee hour! Fellowship Hour hosts are needed for the 4 Sundays in Lent. Hosting during the fast doesn't need to be complicated; in fact, the simpler the better! No Meat, dairy, or eggs, but that leaves many easy options: e.g. bagels or bread with peanut butter, pita and veggies with humus or guacamole, or fast-friendly baked goods with fruit. Questions? Contact Elise W. at 612-867-8407

Use this URL to sign up.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4CA5AD2BABFF2-46964197-fellowship#/

Save the Date – Parish Lenten Retreat
Friday, March 14 & Saturday, March 15

Our annual Lenten retreat is just around the corner! This year, we are honored to welcome Fr. Paul Hodge as our guest speaker, guiding us in a deeper understanding of St. Gregory Palamas. The Second Sunday of Lent is dedicated to this great saint, yet how much do we truly know about him?

Named in the saint’s honor, our retreat is a chance to explore his teachings and their significance in our Lenten journey. Join us for this time of reflection, learning, and renewal.

Mark your calendars—we look forward to seeing you there!

Wednesday Evening Lenten Pilgrimages

Join us for weekly Lenten pilgrimages! During Lent, each Sunday's observance (Sunday of Orthodoxy, St. Gregory Palamas, Holy Cross, St. John Climacus, St. Mary of Egypt, and Palm Sunday) marks a step on our path to Pascha. Join us on Wednesday evenings following the Presanctified Liturgy for a Lenten meal and insightful discussions led by Fr. Perry, Fr. John, and Dr. Ann. We'll explore how the stories, icons, and hymns of each Sunday guide on our spiritual journey through Lent.

Fridays Lenten Speaker Series: Faith & Suffering

How does faith help us navigate suffering? This Lenten season, join us for a special speaker series exploring the complex relationship between faith and suffering. Each Friday during Lent, after Salutations and a Lenten meal, we'll welcome guest speakers to lead discussions on this important topic. We'll consider the many forms suffering can take – physical, emotional, spiritual, and relational – and how our faith can offer support and understanding.

AHEPA Pappas Academic Scholarship

Qualified applicants are to be Parishioner’s children in good standing or members of St George Greek Orthodox Church of St Paul MN and have been accepted or are currently enrolled in an accredited Undergraduate College or University four-year program and have a GPA 2.75 or higher. The award for this scholarship is $1,250 in a single academic calendar year. Recipients may reapply for this Scholarship in subsequent years. The deadline for the application is June 15th. For more details or application, please reach out to Frank Mortari, Dino Contolatis, or Dean Natto.

Twin Cities YAL 

YAL is a Orthodox ministry group that serves young adults, ages 18 to 35 year old; married or single. YAL is based on four pillars of Worship, Witness, Service, and Fellowship. It is a wonderful opportunity for those who want to get more involved with our Orthodox faith and make connections with other Orthodox young adults in the Twin Cities area. We look forward to a great 2025 and invite young adults to get connected by filling out this contact form: https://forms.gle/a772Kmz3gYYvSnDC8  also available by scanning the QR below and following us on instagram @TwinCitiesYAL 
 

Fr. Perry's Corner

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

1. Donating or Decorating two priest Pascha Candles

News from our Metropolis

Click the links below to hear about the fruitful work of our Metropolis of Chicago.

Recap of 2024 Vision Goals: https://tinyurl.com/3ewerywu
Results of our 2024 Annual Vision Campaign: https://tinyurl.com/4skak838

Make Your 2025 Stewardship Pledge

Click here to make your 2025 Stewardship Pledge https://forms.gle/6vxvhwVdiEBPg6D27. Thank you for your support of the work of the church.

Make a Stewardship Donation Online

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

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.

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Wisdom of the Fathers

Thank God every day with your whole heart for having given to you life according to His image and likeness - an intelligently free and immortal life...Thank Him also for again daily bestowing life upon you, who have fallen an innumerable multitude of times, by your own free will, through sins, from life unto death, and that He does so as soon as you only say from your whole heart: 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before Thee!' (Luke 15:18).
St. John of Kronstadt
My Life in Christ: Part 1; Holy Trinity Monastery pgs. 104-105, 19th century

But if he had despaired of his life, and, ... had remained in the foreign land, he would not have obtained what he did obtain, but would have been consumed with hunger, and so have undergone the most pitiable death: ...
St. John Chrysostom
AN EXHORTATION TO THEODORE AFTER HIS FALL, 4th 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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2025 Roselawn Program Prices

Advance planning can give you and your family peace of mind and is also cost effective. Annual cost increases are typically at least 2% and have risen over 29% since 2013. The St. George Roselawn Cemetery Program continues to offer lots at Roselawn in Roseville for a 15% discount off list prices. All revenue from lots support our church and its ministries. These lots are in the St. George section, adjacent to the “Greek” section, and easily identifiable by the monument/altar table. Contact the church office for more information.
 
2025 Discounted Prices for Parishioners:
$7,395 = Monument Lot (2 Graves)
$5,270 = Flat Lot (2 Graves)
$2,805 = Flat Lot (1 Grave, Limited Availability)
 
(These prices reflect a 15% off Roselawn Retail Price)
 
This continues to be one of those great opportunities where you can support the church, save some money and create a legacy for your family all at the same time.
 
Lots for both monument and marker (flat) stones are still available, however, limited monument lots remain available.
 
Please follow Roselawn regulations for care and beautification of your loved one’s lots.

The table-like monument marking our area from Victoria street is visible on google maps and google satellite view at the links below and can be found on the church website.

https://tinyurl.com/mf743w2y

https://tinyurl.com/mvt5f7d2

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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!

______________________

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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Archdiocese News

2025 Directory Now Available Online

02/12/2025

https://www.goarch.org/-/2025-directory-now-available-online?redirect=%2Fnews%2Frecent-news%2F-%2Fasset_publisher%2Fgt9jYZFyZyFT%2Frss%3F_com_liferay_asset_publisher_web_portlet_AssetPublisherPortlet_INSTANCE_gt9jYZFyZyFT_currentURL%3D%252Fnews%252Frecent-news%26_com_liferay_asset_publisher_web_portlet_AssetPublisherPortlet_INSTANCE_gt9jYZFyZyFT_portletAjaxable%3Dtrue

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is pleased to announce the publication of the 2025 Annual Directory. 


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Saints and Feasts

February 16

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

Through the parable of today's Gospel, our Saviour has set forth three things for us: the condition of the sinner, the rule of repentance, and the greatness of God's compassion. The divine Fathers have put this reading the week after the parable of the Publican and Pharisee so that, seeing in the person of the Prodigal Son our own wretched condition -- inasmuch as we are sunken in sin, far from God and His Mysteries -- we might at last come to our senses and make haste to return to Him by repentance during these holy days of the Fast.

Furthermore, those who have wrought many great iniquities, and have persisted in them for a long time, oftentimes fall into despair, thinking that there can no longer be any forgiveness for them; and so being without hope, they fall every day into the same and even worse iniquities. Therefore, the divine Fathers, that they might root out the passion of despair from the hearts of such people, and rouse them to the deeds of virtue, have set the present parable at the forecourts of the Fast, to show them the surpassing goodness of God's compassion, and to teach them that there is no sin -- no matter how great it may be -- that can overcome at any time His love for man.

February 16

Pamphilus the Martyr & his Companions

This Martyr contested during the reign of Maximian, in the year 290, in Caesarea of Palestine, and was put to death by command of Firmilian, the Governor of Palestine. His fellow contestants' names are Valens, Paul, Seleucus, Porphyrius, Julian, Theodulus, and five others from Egypt: Elias, Jeremias, Esaias, Samuel, and Daniel. Their martyrdom is recorded in Book VIII, ch. 11 of Eusebius's Ecclesiastical History, called The Martyrs of Palestine.

February 17

Theodore the Tyro, the Great Martyr

Saint Theodore who was from Amasia of Pontus, contested during the reign of Maximian (286-305). He was called Tyro, from the Latin Tiro, because he was a newly enlisted recruit. When it was reported that he was a Christian, he boldly confessed Christ; the ruler, hoping that he would repent, gave him time to consider the matter more completely and then give answer. Theodore gave answer by setting fire to the temple of Cybele, the "mother of the gods," and for this he suffered a martyr's death by fire. See also the First Saturday of the Fast.

February 19

Philothea the Righteous Martyr of Athens

Saint Philothei was born in Athens in 1522 to an illustrious family. Against her will, she was married to a man who proved to be most cruel. When he died three years later, the Saint took up the monastic life and established a convent, in which she became a true mother to her disciples. Many women enslaved and abused by the Moslem Turks also ran to her for refuge. Because of this, the Turkish rulers became enraged and came to her convent, dragged her by force out of the church, and beat her cruelly. After a few days, she reposed, giving thanks to God for all things. This came to pass in the year 1589. She was renowned for her almsgiving, and with Saints Hierotheus and Dionysius the Areopagite is considered a patron of the city of Athens.

February 22

Saturday of Souls

Through the Apostolic Constitutions (Book VIII, ch. 42), the Church of Christ has received the custom to make commemorations for the departed on the third, ninth, and fortieth days after their repose. Since many throughout the ages, because of an untimely death in a faraway place, or other adverse circumstances, have died without being deemed worthy of the appointed memorial services, the divine Fathers, being so moved in their love for man, have decreed that a common memorial be made this day for all pious Orthodox Christians who have reposed from all ages past, so that those who did not have particular memorial services may be included in this common one for all. Also, the Church of Christ teaches us that alms should be given to the poor by the departed one's kinsmen as a memorial for him.

Besides this, since we make commemoration tomorrow of the Second Coming of Christ, and since the reposed have neither been judged, nor have received their complete recompense (Acts 17:31; II Peter 2:9; Heb. 11:39-40), the Church rightly commemorates the souls today, and trusting in the boundless mercy of God, she prays Him to have mercy on sinners. Furthermore, since the commemoration is for all the reposed together, it reminds each of us of his own death, and arouses us to repentance.

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Bulletin Inserts

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