Calendar

Parish Calendar

July 6 to July 13, 2025

Sunday, July 6

4th Sunday of Matthew

8:15AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

Monday, July 7

+St. Kyriaki the Great Martyr

Tuesday, July 8

7:00PM Greek Festival Meeting (Zoom)

Wednesday, July 9

+Fast Day

Thursday, July 10

7:00PM Book Group (Zoom)

Friday, July 11

+Fast Day

Sunday, July 13

Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the 4th Ecumenical Council

8:15AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy in Eau Claire, WI

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 3rd Tone

Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad, for the Lord has shown the mighty power of his arm. He has trampled down death by death, becoming the first born of the dead. He has delivered us from the depths of hell and has granted to all the world his great mercy.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 2nd Tone

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

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

4th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 6:18-23

Brethren, having been set free from sin, you have become slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once yielded your members to impurity and to greater and greater iniquity, so now yield your members to righteousness for sanctification.

When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But then what return did you get from the things of which you are now ashamed? The end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the return you get is sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Gospel Reading

4th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 8:5-13

At that time, as Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, beseeching him and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, in terrible distress." And he said to him, "I will come and heal him." But the centurion answered him, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this,' and he does it." When Jesus heard him, he marveled, and said to those who followed him, "Truly, I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and sit at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth." And to the centurion Jesus said, "Go; be it done for you as you have believed." And the servant was healed at that very moment.

Announcements

Greeters

Dylan Eisenhuth & Rob Hattling

Prosfora

Anonymous

Memorial

Arthur Georgopoulos (40-Day), George, Anna, Aristides, John, & Donna

Fellowship Hour

Thank you to Theodora Bischof for hosting today's fellowship.

Capital Project Thank You

Thank you to all who participated in our Parish Assembly. We voted unanimously to move forward with our Capital Project. Please support this vital addition and renovation of our west fellowship and education wing!

Host a Fellowship Hour

Please host an upcoming coffee hour! Individuals, families, or even groups can sign up to host or co-host. Hosts are needed for July 13 & 27. Remember that coffee is now provided, courtesy of Thrivent Financial, so your commitment can be as simple as picking up some cookies! Thanks to all who have already hosted this year! Use the URL or QR code below to sign up.

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

Greek Festival July 25 & 26 Volunteers Needed

Our annual Greek Festival will take place on Friday July 25 from 2-8pm and Saturday July 26 from 11am-8pm!

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

Fr. Perry Taking Time Off in July

Fr. Perry will be taking time off during the week now through July 21. He will remain available for pastoral emergencies. For emergencies, call his cell at (651) 706-9672. For administrative questions, call or email Dylan in the Church Office at (651) 222-6220 or [email protected]. If you would like to schedule a meeting with him upon his return to the office, click this link: www.calendly.com/frperry. As always, if you can't find a time that works for you, please email him and he will find a time.

St Mary's Family Camp 2025

It's time for Family Camp 2025! And we're heading back to Camp Wapo. :) Registration begins August 1st - if you know you're going to Family Camp reminder to take advantage of the Early Bird rates and register early! See below for Family Camp details and please check the Family Camp website at https://stmaryscamp.com/family-camp/.

Dates: Friday, October 17th at 1pm through Sunday, October 19th at 1pm

Location: Camp Wapogasset "Camp Wapo" - 1204 74th Ave, Amery, WI 55401

Registration: Early Bird August 1-15; Regular August 16-31

Prices: Early Bird $160 + convenience fee; Regular $170 + convenience fee

Speaker: Mother Macrina

Topic: Medleys of Thought: Monastics, Angels and the Nativity Fast

TEEN Loaves and Fishes 2025

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

Archpastoral Visit of His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael

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

Church Cleanup

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

Pioneers 55+ Upcoming Events

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

Greek-Themed Picnic and Party !

Food •Music•Fellowship

Date: Saturday September 13, 2025

Time: 11:30

Home of Carol Alexis!

594 Iglehart Ave, St Paul 55103

-Bring dish to share ( coordination of this to come)

-RSVP Joanne Halatsis 651-778-2485

Stillwater Fall Boat Excursion

Buffet•River Cruise•Fellowship

Date: Sunday, September 28, 2025

12:30-12:45 meet at boat docks

Group Boarding: 1:00pm

-RSVP Joanne H. 651-778-2485

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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Orthodox Worship

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

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

Standing & Sitting in Services

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

Kneeling on Sundays

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

The Kiss of Peace

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

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

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

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

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Becoming an Orthodox Christian / Being Received into the Church

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

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Nursery and Youth Room

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

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Let's Connect!

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

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

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

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Parish Email List Sign-Up

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From the Church Office

Prosfora (Offering Bread)

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

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

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Content for the Bulletin

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

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Reimbursements

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

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2025 Stewardship Program

Goal

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

Make Your 2025 Stewardship Pledge Online

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

Make a Stewardship Donation Online

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

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Please Note

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

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Saints and Feasts

July 06

4th Sunday of Matthew

July 06

Sisoes the Great

This Saint, great and renowned among the ascetics of Egypt, lived in the fourth century in Scete of Nitria. After the death of Saint Anthony the Great, he left Scete to live in Saint Anthony's cave; he said of this, "Thus in the cave of a lion, a fox makes his dwelling." When Sisoës was at the end of his long life of labours, as the Fathers were gathered about him, his face began to shine, and he said, "Behold, Abba Anthony is come"; then, "Behold, the choir of the Prophets is come"; his face shone yet more bright, and he said, "Behold, the choir of the Apostles is come." The light of his countenance increased, and he seemed to be talking with someone. The Fathers asked him of this; in his humility, he said he was asking the Angels for time to repent. Finally his face became as bright as the sun, so that the Fathers were filled with fear. He said, "Behold, the Lord is come, and He says, 'Bring Me the vessel of the desert,'" and as he gave up his soul into the hands of God, there was as it were a flash of lightning, and the whole dwelling was filled with a sweet fragrance.

July 07

Kyriaki the Great Martyr

Saint Kyriake was the daughter of Christian parents, Dorotheus and Eusebia. She was given her name because she was born on Sunday, the day of the Lord (in Greek, Kyriake). She contested in Nicomedia during the reign of Diocletian, in the year 300. After many bitter torments she was condemned to suffer beheading, but being granted time to pray first, she made her prayer and gave up her holy soul in peace.

July 08

Prokopios the Great Martyr & his mother Theodosia the Martyr

The holy Martyr Procopius was born of a pious father named Christopher, but his mother Theodosia was an idolater. After Christopher's death, she presented Neanias - for this was the Saint's name before - to Diocletian, who was at Antioch in Syria. Diocletian made him Duke of Alexandria, and sent him there to punish the Christians. On the way to Alexandria, our Lord spoke to Neanias as once He had to Saul, and turned this new persecutor to faith in Him. Neanias turned back to Scythopolis, and preached Christ. He was betrayed by his own mother, and was arrested and tormented in Caesarea of Palestine. While he was in prison, the Lord appeared to him again and gave him the new name of Procopius (which is derived from the Greek word meaning "progress, advancement"). He was brought out of prison and taken to worship the idols, but at his prayer, the idols fell; many then believed in Christ and suffered martyrdom, among them certain soldiers, twelve women of senatorial rank, and the Saint's own mother, Theodosia. Saint Procopius, after further torments and imprisonment, was beheaded about the year 290.

July 11

Euphemia the Great Martyr

In 451, during the reign of the Sovereigns Marcian and Pulcheria, the Fourth Ecumenical Council was convoked in Chalcedon against Eutyches and those of like mind with him. After much debate, the Fathers who were the defenders of Orthodoxy, being 630 in number, agreed among themselves and with those who were of contrary mind, to write their respective definitions of faith in separate books, and to ask God to confirm the truth in this matter. When they had prepared these texts, they placed the two tomes in the case that held Saint Euphemia's relics, sealed it, and departed. After three days of night-long supplications, they opened the reliquary in the presence of the Emperor, and found the tome of the heretics under the feet of the Martyr, and that of the Orthodox in her right hand. (For her life, see Sept. 16.)