Calendar

Parish Calendar

February 23 to March 3, 2025

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

7:00PM Catechism #7 - Church II: Tradition, Bible, Creeds, Councils

Tuesday, February 25

6:00PM Icon Class

Wednesday, February 26

+St. Photini (the Samaritan Woman)

6:00PM Greek School

Thursday, February 27

7:00PM Book Group

Saturday, March 1

2:00PM Youth and Family Ski Trip

Sunday, March 2

Forgiveness Sunday (Cheesefare)

8:15AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

10:45AM Church School

11:00AM Philoptochos Cheesefare Luncheon (OCMC Fundraiser)

11:30AM Basketball Trophy Presenation

6:30PM Forgiveness Vespers

Monday, March 3

+Great Lent Begins - Clean Monday

+Strict Fast - Great Lent

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 2nd Tone

When you descended into death, Life immortal, you vanquished the pow'r of hell by your resplendent divinity and when you raised the dead from the depths of darkness, all the heavenly powers cried out triumphantly: O giver of life, Christ our God, glory to you.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 1st Tone

When you come to the earth, O God, in your glory, all creation will tremble, and a river of fire will flow before your throne of judgment. The books will be opened and the secrets of all will be revealed. On that day, O just Judge, deliver me from eternal flames and make me worthy to stand at your right.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)
The Reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 8:8-13; 9:1-2

Brethren, food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol's temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother's falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall.

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Gospel Reading

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)
The Reading is from Matthew 25:31-46

The Lord said, "When the Son of man comes in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Announcements

Greeters

Dylan Eisenhuth & Richard Kanavati

Prosfora

Andrea Faches

40-Day Blessing

Stephanie Johnson & Baby Dimitri

Fellowship Hour

Thank you to the Parish Council, for hosting today's Godparent & Godchild fellowship luncheon.

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.

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.

Youth and 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 skiers/snowboarders, and tubers to reach this number.
Arrival time: 1:30-1:45 pm
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, 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!

Evelyn Daltas 100th Birthday Celebration

Our beloved parishoner Evelyn Daltas is turning 100 years old! She and her family will be celebrating on Saturday, March 15th from 11am to 2pm at the Lexington on Grand, just one block away from the church. Lunch will be a buffet, so people can come and go accordingly, and have a chance to mingle with her. The family asks for donations to St. George in lieu of any gifts. Guests may also bring Greek baked goods to share.

If you would like to attend please RSVP with Dylan at [email protected] by March 12th

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#/

Host a Lenten Soup Supper

Meal hosts are needed for Wednesday and Friday evenings in Lent during our Pilgrimage and Speaker Series lectures.

Visit this URL for more information and to sign up:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4CA5AD2BABFF2-54887413-lenten#/

Encountering God with St. Gregory Palamas

Annual 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 of Holy Trinity OCA as our guest speaker. Join us as he guides us in a deeper understanding of St. Gregory Palamas, whom we commemorate on the second Sunday of Lent. Explore the profound concept of "Knowing the Unknowable God," and learn about the vital importance of silence and inner prayer for Christians in our noisy modern world. Let this Lenten season be a time to truly deepen your spiritual life.

Join us Friday, March 14 after the Salutations Service and Saturday, March 15 from 9:30am to 4pm for this retreat. See attached flyer for more details.

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

Wednesday Evening Lenten Pilgrimages

Every Sunday in Lent has its own theme – Sunday of Orthodoxy, St. Gregory Palamas, Holy Cross, St. John Climacus, St. Mary of Egypt, and Palm Sunday. Each is a kind of short pilgrimage within our larger journey to Pascha. Join us on Wednesday evenings in Lent, following the Presanctified Liturgy, to share a Lenten meal and to explore how the stories, icons, and hymns from each week guide us in our journey. Discussions will be led by Fr. Perry and Dr. Ann.

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.

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

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.

Wisdom of the Fathers

"Christian love is the 'possible impossibility' to see Christ in another man, whoever he is..."

Alexander Schmemann

Great Lent, 20th Century

So great was the honour and providential care which God bestowed upon man that He brought the entire sensible world into being before him and for his sake. The kingdom of heaven was prepared for him from the foundation of the world (cf. Matt. 25:34); God first took counsel concerning him, and then he was fashioned by God's hand and according to the image of God (cf. Gen. 1:26-27). God did not form the whole man from matter and from the elements of this sensible world, as He did the other animals. He formed only man's body from these materials; but man's soul He took from things supercelestial or, rather, it came from God Himself when mysteriously He breathed life into man (cf. Gen. 2:7).

St. Gregory Palamas

Topics of Natural and Theological Science no. 24, The Philokalia Vol. 4 edited by Palmer, Sherrard and Ware; Faber and Faber pg. 356, 14th 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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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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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

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From the Church Office

2025 Stewardship Program

Goal

$19,050 of $285,000 (through January)

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

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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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Silent Auction

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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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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.

Saints and Feasts

February 23

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)

The foregoing two parables -- especially that of the Prodigal Son -- have presented to us God's extreme goodness and love for man. But lest certain persons, putting their confidence in this alone, live carelessly, squandering upon sin the time given them to work out their salvation, and death suddenly snatch them away, the most divine Fathers have appointed this day's feast commemorating Christ's impartial Second Coming, through which we bring to mind that God is not only the Friend of man, but also the most righteous Judge, Who recompenses to each according to his deeds.

It is the aim of the holy Fathers, through bringing to mind that fearful day, to rouse us from the slumber of carelessness unto the work of virtue, and to move us to love and compassion for our brethren. Besides this, even as on the coming Sunday of Cheese-fare we commemorate Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight -- which exile is the beginning of life as we know it now -- it is clear that today's is reckoned the last of all feasts, because on the last day of judgment, truly, everything of this world will come to an end.

All foods, except meat and meat products, are allowed during the week that follows this Sunday.

February 23

Polycarp the Holy Martyr & Bishop of Smyrna

This apostolic and prophetic man, and model of faith and truth, was a disciple of John the Evangelist, successor of Bucolus (Feb. 6), and teacher of Irenaeus (Aug. 23). He was an old man and full of days when the fifth persecution was raised against the Christians under Marcus Aurelius. When his pursuers, sent by the ruler, found Polycarp, he commanded that they be given something to eat and drink, then asked them to give him an hour to pray; he stood and prayed, full of grace, for two hours, so that his captors repented that they had come against so venerable a man. He was brought by the Proconsul of Smyrna into the stadium and was commanded, "Swear by the fortune of Caesar; repent, and say, 'Away with the atheists.'" By atheists, the Proconsul meant the Christians. But Polycarp, gazing at the heathen in the stadium, waved his hand towards them and said, "Away with the atheists." When the Proconsul urged him to blaspheme against Christ, he said: "I have been serving Christ for eighty-six years, and He has wronged me in nothing; how can I blaspheme my King Who has saved me?" But the tyrant became enraged at these words and commanded that he be cast into the fire, and thus he gloriously expired about the year 163. As Eusebius says, "Polycarp everywhere taught what he had also learned from the Apostles, which also the Church has handed down; and this alone is true" (Eccl. Hist., Book IV, ch. 14,15).

February 26

Photini the Samaritan Woman & her martyred sisters: Anatole, Phota, Photis, Praskevi, & Kyriaki

Saint Photini lived in 1st century Palestine and was the woman that Christ met at Jacob's Well in Samaria as recorded in the Gospel according to John (4:4-26). After her encounter with Christ, she and her whole family were baptized by the Apostles and became evangelists of the early Church. Photini and her children eventually were summoned before the emperor Nero and instructed to renounce their faith in Christ. They refused to do so, accepting rather to suffer various tortures. After many efforts to force her to surrender to idolatry, the emperor ordered that she be thrown down a well. Photini gave up her life in the year 66.

St. Photini is commemorated on three occasions during the year: February 26 (Greek tradition), March 20 (Slavic tradition), and the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman on the 5th Sunday of Pascha.