Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church

1250 Oakdale Avenue

West Saint Paul, Minnesota 55118

Parish Website: http://www.saintgeorge-church.org

Very Reverend Archpriest Thomas Begley, Pastor

Right Reverend Archimandrite Duane Pederson, attached

 Reverend Deacon Russell Hodge, Assisting Deacon

Reader Leonard Soroka, Director of Music

 

Church Phone - 651-457-0854                         Pastor’s Phone - 651-882-7809

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2008

THE SUNDAY BEFORE THE ELEVATION OF THE HOLY CROSS

TONE: 3                                                                                                                 EOTHINON: 1                                                                            

On this day, we commemorate: Martyr Sozon of Cilicia; Apostles Euodos & Onesiphoros of Seventy; New-Martyr Athanasios; John, Archbishop of Novgorod; Venerable Kassiane; Venerable Cloud of Nogent-sur-Seine.

 

DIVINE LITURGY TODAY

 

During and after the Little Entrance with the Gospel Book, sing the Troparion of the resurrection in Tone 3:

 

Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad for the Lord hath done a mighty act with His own arm, He hath trampled down death by death and become the first born from the dead.  He hath delivered us from the depths of Hades granting the world the great mercy.

 

Then sing the Troparion of the Forefeast in Tone 4.

 

From the root of Jesse and the loins of David the great king, Mariam, the child of God, is born for our sake on this day.  Hence, all creation exulteth on its renewal.  Both Heaven and the earth rejoice together now.  Praise her, O ye tribes of nations here below.  The righteous Joachim rejoiceth, and Anna keepeth feast, crying out:  The barren beareth the Theotokos, the nourisher of our life.

 

Then sing the Troparion of St. George.

 

The Kontakion of the Forefeast in Tone 3

 

Today the Virgin Theotokos, Mary, the fortified chamber of the heavenly Groom, is born by the will of God of a barren woman, being prepared as a chariot for God the Word; for to this she had been foredestined, since she is the divine gate and the Mother of Life in truth.

                       

                           Prokeimenon:  O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.

                                                    To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.                                                   

 

EPISTLE: The Reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians.

 (6:11-18)

B

 

  

rethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the Law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all, who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God.

     Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

     The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

 

THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN

T

(3:13-17)

       

he Lord said, “No one has ascended into heaven but He who descended from heaven,

the Son of man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

     For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent His Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

 

HOLY BREAD

Holy bread is given for the health and welfare of Michael, Sandra, Jeffrey and Julie Brown and the Lukanen family.  It is given in memory of Arthur and Delores Antonson, James and Mae Zaine. Alstrom and Ida Antonson.

 

MEMORIAL

Trisagion is served for the repose of the soul of Bernice Abrass. May her memory be eternal!

 

COFFEE HOUR

Coffee Hour will follow the Divine Liturgy. It will be served by Sandy Brown, Sue Lukanen, and Lucille Hessler.  Everyone is invited for this period of fellowship.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

W

ELCOME to all our guests and visitors. We are delighted to have you visiting and worshipping with us this morning and hope that you return again soon.  We invite you to participate in the Divine Liturgy, but due to the sad divisions in Christianity only baptized/chrismated members of the Orthodox Church who have made their Confession before an Orthodox priest and prepared themselves by fasting may receive Holy Communion.  Please come forward after Liturgy to venerate the Cross and partake of the Antidoron - Holy Bread - at the end of the Service. Please join us in the Parish Hall for Coffee Hour after the Liturgy.   

 

PRAY FOR THE SICK

Please pray for Lorraine DeFlorin, Wally Golden, Nicholas Marinkov, Yasmin Kakish, Mary Saba, Erma Ziton, Peter Hafiz, John Etoll, Nicholas Bolt and John Feilmeier, Nick & Julie, Jackson & Hunter Golden, George Saba, Joni Meister, Julie Funari, Denise, Robert & Barbara Hafiz, & Mavis, Reader Michael.

If you are ill and wish to be remembered in the Liturgy and daily prayers of the priest, please

contact Father Tom.

 

 

FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF THE THEOTOKOS

We will celebrate the Nativity of the Theotokos Monday September 8, at 9:00A.M.

 

SOMBOOSIK FOR THE FESTIVAL/BAZAAR

We will be baking Somboosik, Tuesday, September 9th, beginning at 9:30. Your help is needed to make these cookies or packing them. Men and women (you will enjoy the fellowship). Questions: Beverly Zaine

 

CHOIR

Choir practice will be held Wednesday, September 10, at 7:00 P.M.

 

VESPERS  

We will serve Vespers Saturday, September 13, at 5:00 P.M.

 

ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CLASS

Please join us starting Sunday, September 14th, 2008, for our autumn Adult Education Class on 'Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God." The class will be held from 8:45-10:00 Sunday morning from September-14th through November 23rd in the Conference Room (unless otherwise noted). Experiencing God books will be available the first day of class. Please contact John Davenport (651-636-3535), with any questions.

 

COLLEGE STUDENTS

If you know of any college students, please give their address to Beverly Zaine, 457-6885. We would like to have their addresses so we can send them the monthly newsletter and other mailings to keep them informed.

 

 

MEALS ON WHEELS

For over 20 years members of our parish have been participating in this program delivering hot meals to shut-ins in South St. Paul, West St. Paul and in Inver Grove Hts., representing our church (with 19 other churches).  It is a very rewarding program and very much appreciated.  The following persons are presently drivers from our church and we recognize them today: Sandi Heuer, Betty Ablan, Ramona and John Etoll.  If you are interested in substituting once in a while, see Sandi Heuer.  We deliver once a month.  Past Drivers were: Grace and Norm Holmes, Bev and Joe Zaine, Joan Alevizos, George Droubie and Reem Burnham.

 

BAKE SESSION

On Sept 3rd (Wed.) the ladies made more Baklawa for the Festival. If you look in the St. Paul Voice, a free piece of Baklawa coupon is on the back page of the paper. If you did not get a Voice paper, we have some in the Hall. Thanks to the ladies that worked. Rosa Niemy and Sue Perry for the preparation, Joany for ordering the Filo dough, Khouria Beth, Ruth Nasseff, Pam Eftikides, Cindy, Vicky, & Beverly Zaine, Betty Ablan, Betty Arcand, Vicky Jabbra, Brigitte Khoury, did the ovens, Ellie Hafiz, Lamese McDowell, Boushra Haddad, and Father Tom leading us in prayer.  Lunch was provided by Angelos, which was delicious.  In the evening, Brigitte, Katrina, & George Khoury, Ellie H., Melissa Zaine helped cover the Baklawa & put in the freezer.

Thanks to everyone who took part on this Special Day which was in Memory of Bernice Abrass. It was 4 years ago on this day that she peacefully fell asleep. May her Memory be Eternal!

 

FESTIVAL/BAZAAR

IMPORTANT UPDATES: 

A couple weeks before the Festival/Bazaar, we will need teens to hand out flyers in the surrounding areas in the neighborhood with Adult supervision. We will need  parents to drive the Teens and Pre-teens to West St. Paul, So. St. Paul, IGH, Mendota Hgts., and more. If anyone would like to help, please let the co-chairs know. Please take Festival flyers, that are located in the hall by the sign up sheets, and hand them out at work, friends, and in your neighborhood. We need to get people to this event to make this a Huge Success!!! Please take ownership and help out in anyway you can. We plan on your support for this Exciting Event. This involves the Church members and non- members, your friends, family, co-workers.  We all can make a difference by working together for our Church. Thanks!!

 

BAZAAR BAKE SALE MEETING

On September 21st, during coffee hour, we will have a Meeting in the Conference Room regarding the Bake Sale. This is our first year having the Bazaar with the Festival. We need to all be on the same page and discuss the Bake Sale. Think about individual prices of each cookie as well as package prices by the dozen or half a dozen.  We plan to have a table set up outside for individual cookie sales that will hopefully bring people inside to by the cookies in packages. Any suggestions will be well received. Thank you.

Boushra, Bake Sale Coordinator, and Sue, Bazaar Co Chair.

BAKE SALE

We would like homemade bake items for the Bake Sale. Please take time to bake cookies, breads, cakes, brownies, bars, cupcakes, pies, etc. We will have a beautiful display of assorted bake goods. We need help packing these items on Thursday, Sept. 25th, starting at 9:00 AM as well as setting up the tables with the delicious Bake Goods. If you have any extra paper or plastic bags, bring them to the hall. Boshra Haddad will coordinate the Bake Sale. Come and share this day with your friends to make the Festival/Bazaar the BEST EVER!!

 

FESTIVAL/BAZAAR-FREEZER

Due to the lack of freezer space, we are looking for a -deep-chest freezer to put items in. Please let Anthony Rezcallah or Sue Perry know if you have one.

It will really be appreciated!!  Thank you!!

 

MAKING HOLY BREAD

Rosa Neimy will be making Holy Bread the next four Saturdays (Aug 23rd - Sept. 13th).  If you are interested in learning how to make Holy Bread the way Rosa does, please contact her.  It's a tradition she is glad to pass on.  Thank you Rosa!

 

VARIETY BOOTH

We are looking for donations for the Variety Booth. If you are shopping and see a good buy, please remember we need many donations of various themes including children’s toys, household goods, stationary items, snacks, etc. Please make sure items are NEW and in good condition. Any cash donations are also welcomed. You can bring items to the church anytime and give them to Lisa Mikhail. I am also looking for an adult interested in running the booth on the Saturday and Sunday of the Festival/Bazaar as I will be unable to attend those days. Please let me know if you can help. Lisa Mikhail - 952-888-8419.

Family Camp 2008:  

Practical parenting strategies for everyday life...continue!

Dr. Philip Mamalakis from Holy Cross Seminary returns to continue sharing his valuable experience on the much requested topic of parenting.   Family Camp 2008 will be held October 10-12 Camp Wapogasset in Amery, Wisconsin.  More information and registration forms are available at http://stmarysgoc.org. If you have questions, contact Cindy or Paul Karos at ckaros@visi.com or (952) 929-6371.

 

BAKE SESSIONS

Next Bake Sessions -

Sept. 9th Sumbosik with Beverly.

Sept. 14th - Gribee with Hind Kojack. Khouria Vergeen rendered all the butter. More information to follow.

 

 

CHURCH SCHOOL

Anybody with a child 4 years or older by September of this year, who is not enrolled in the Church school program and would like to be, please contact Lisa Mikhail (952-888-8419) or JoAnne Droubie (651-457-4218) so they get added to our class lists.

 

CHURCH SCHOOL STARTS SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 14TH

The first day of Sunday school will be Sept. 14th. Students should gather in the church by 8:45 for a group meeting with Father Tom. At 9:00 the students will split into their separate classes. The commissioning of the Church school will follow the Divine Liturgy. All students, parents, grandparents, and godparents are encouraged to be in attendance.

 

SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE

Are you buying school supplies this year? If so, why not help area school children by throwing a few extra items in your shopping cart? St. George Church is sponsoring a school supply drive to benefit low-income students. New pens, markers, notebooks and glue sticks can help students feel ready to start the new year.  Supplies needed include backpacks, markers, colored pencils, crayons, bottled and stick glue, loose leaf paper, pencils, pens of blue, black, and red ink, erasers, scissors, etc....Donations will be accepted through September 28th.  All donations are appreciated!!!

 

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ST. GEORGE MEMBERS

SILENT AUCTION

We have a Special Silent Auction Item Oct.12th, Sunday thru 19th, Sunday 2008, to stay at a Gold Crown Resort in Orlando, Florida, Vacation Village at Parkway Resort. This Villa sleeps 8 people. 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, and Full kitchen. It is located less than 5 minutes from Disney World.  We wanted to put this in before the Festival/Bazaar, so you can check airfare. If interested please let Anthony or Sue know. The value for the week is $1,378.60. The Bid start at $800.00 with $25.00 increment bids. A sign up sheet will be posted in the Church Hall. If no winning Bid is received by the time of the Festival, the offer will be included in the Festival Silent Auction.

 

HOLY FAMILY DINNER AND FESTIVAL
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 7TH THE HOLY FAMILY CHURCH IS HAAVING A DINNER
AND FESTIVAL.  THEY ARE GOOD AT SUPPORTING OUR EVENTS.  TRY TO ATTEND.  THEY ARE HAVING IT AT THE HOME OF THEIR NEW CHURCH ON VICTORIA AND LEXINGTON (TODAY AFTER LITURGY).

 

FROM SANDI HEUER:

Boshra Haddad has volunteered to take over the scheduling of Holy Bread for Sundays and Feast Days. 

 

 

 

ST. MARY ROMANIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

St. Mary Romanian Orthodox Church will celebrate its 95th Anniversary on the weekend of September 20-21, 2008 with Archbishop NATHANIEL, please see the information on the bulletin Board

 

COFFEE HOUR

If you would like to host the coffee hour on Sunday after liturgy, please call Sana Jubran (651)-731-2988.  We need people to host coffee hour.  Also, please consider hosting the coffee hour the same day that you offer the holy bread.  Thank you.

 

Dear Parishioners and Friends:

 

On behalf of the St. Paul Police Chaplains program and all the law enforcement officers we ministered to during the RNC this past week--THANK YOU!!!

I appreciate very much your prompt and strong response to our needs. Everything went very well. Thankfully, no one (including police, protesters or citizens) was seriously injured during the week.

Through your efforts, the officers know that people truly care for them and appreciate the work they do.

Let me share with you that I was at my son's football game yesterday afternoon. Because of the unseasonably cool breeze, I put on the only jacket I had in the car, my SPPD Chaplains jacket. The father of a player on the opposing team came up to me and said, "You guys did a really great job this week and we appreciate it very much." He is a St. Paul police officer assigned to SWAT team. Some officers were in the thick of the confrontations during the week and others were on a perimeter post by themselves away from the action. Many of both groups worked 12 hour (or more) shifts with little or no break because of constant activity and/or because no one was available to relieve them.

 

Thanks again!

 

God bless,

 

+Fr. Rick – St. George Greek Orthodox Church.

Several of our parishioners helped our sister church in St. Paul! Fr. Tom

 

DANCE PRACTICE

We will have dance practice after coffee hour for 15+ minutes each Sunday. We will discuss and practice the Dubkee Dances for the Fall Festival and Bazaar. Which is held September 26th, 27th, 28th. Those who wish to join the Dance Group, please attend also. We need your talent!!

 

 

 

 

SUMMER GREETINGS!

I have just returned from a splendid stay in Ukraine and Russia.  The next travel event in Russia is the pilgrimage in collaboration with United Theological and scheduled to take place from January 14th to the 25th, 2009.  This program has been developed with a number of colleagues in Russia; Tamara Mikhailova, Nadia Kolesnikova and Slava Benois Rogalski of  the Benois Institute.  The Benois Institute is a private non-commercial project to promote education in the area of fine arts and history of culture.  It delivers specialized services for students, post-graduates, educators dedicated to Russian art, culture and history as well as establishing contacts between people of different cultural traditions.  Relationships form cooperative efforts with the University of Saint Petersburg, the Hermitage, the Russian Museum, and the Mariinsky in the development of such programs.  In addition to that mentioned, the January pilgrimage will receive lecture from priests at St. Alexander Nevsky Monastery, and will visit parishes that are implementing social programs.  Space for this pilgrimage is still available.  Please obtain the brochure on the web site or from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities  http://www.unitedseminary.edu/programs/arts.asp#russia.

Icon classes will be held at St. Maron Maronite Catholic Church this fall.  Dates are: Thursdays from 6:30 to 9:00 on October 9,16,23,30 November 6 and 13.  Please call Deb at 651-439-4850 to register.  Class information will be posted on the web site.  Tuition and material fee for new students- $290.00.  Tuition fee for return students- $125.00 (materials extra).

A busy fall and winter calendar is shaping up.  We can look forward to the Basilica of Saint Mary's Icon Festival, another new exhibit with icon classes scheduled at Westminster Presbyterian, and activities associated with many pending commissions.  Please stay tuned.

I dedicate this letter in closing to my many mentors in Ukraine and Russia.  In periods of social upheaval, it is not easy to hold on to the will to work, to stay true to traditions and also oneself.  The tensions become exhausting in the struggle to survive and create real art in the realm of commercial success and yet, self sacrificing oneself to preserve the values and concerns of the past.  My Russian and Ukrainian colleagues continue to exemplify that suffering and self-sacrifice is the true lot of any thinker and artist.  They constantly teach me that a genuine seeker of truth and creativity will always suffer in company of his fellow humans.   This return to my mentors is always given to me when I feel that what has been achieved in my work is incomplete.  I continue to realize that the destination that I seek through my art and iconography is the joy revealed in the collaborative effort, my anxieties then seek to share the discoveries and suffer in the need to express this; and in the desire to do good work by working long and tirelessly; tomorrow will always be too late.   The joy revealed is that which is always embraced in an authentic and genuine spirit- Thanks be to God!

My good wishes.  Fall and winter calendar additions will be updated by August 1st!

- Deb Korluka

 

IMPORTANT

Fr. Tom has a friend who desires to come to the Twin Cities to pursue a monastic vocation.  The friend’s greatest concern at this time is to find a home for his dog Buster, which would then enable him to come to the Skete in Fridley.  Hopefully, we will have a picture of Buster soon.

 

If you are interested please contact Fr. Tom

 

He describes his dog in this way: Buster is a Bridle Terrier.  He is about knee high.  Slender in build with good muscle tone.  Buster is a very loving dog.  Buster is very loyal.  He is good with other animals and seems to be good with people in general, old and young.  He can be hyper but will calm down on command.  He can do high five’s, shake, and lie down on command.  He knows the word treat and gets excited by the word treat.  He is kennel trained and will go to the kennel on the command word cage.  I do take him to the dog park here in Sioux City at Bacon Creek Park and he interacts very well with other dogs.  Buster also interacts well with cats.

Buster is a lover.  He loves positive feed back, kind words.  He also loves kisses and if you tell Buster to give you a kiss he will.  I feel Buster is fairly socialized and Buster has been around other animals and people since being a pup. Buster was the runt of his liter.  He was so very small as a pup that I did not think that he would make it.  I bottled fed him because I did not think he was eating like he should.  Buster gets scared from thunder storms.  Buster loves the outdoors but also loves and enjoys being with his master.  He is a very social dog.  He greets me at the door when I come home.  He is fully potty trained.  As an interesting note, Buster when sick will go to his kennel to get sick.  I have never had to clean up throw up or the other when he has been sick, which was only once. Buster is very special, I feel. He loves just to be loved and he really does think he is a lap dog.  He loves to play and take car rides.  He will play fetch but, often times does not bring the stick back to you.  He is a very active dog and his new owner will also have to be active, maybe even more so than what I have been.  Also Buster can sit on command.  He also knows what you mean when you say, you want to go potty?  That is how I potty trained him by saying, you want to go potty?  Buster is very smart and I am sure there are so many things he could be taught. Buster is at least two years old, I will double check.  I am not looking to sell him but to just give him away to the right owner, an owner that likes and loves Buster and who Buster will like and love.  Buster is a gift and as such should be given to a loving home.  I am thinking that I will come to the Skete by the end of this summer.

Please contact Fr. Tom if you, or someone you know, would like to have Buster.  He would be a great dog for a child and would allow our brother Anthony to come to the Twin Cities and take up the monastic life.   Thank You!  Fr. Tom

UPCOMING ICON CLASSES, LECTURES AND OPEN STUDIO ACTIVITIES!!

A monthly newsletter is released from my website at www.icon-art-studios.com                . Please subscribe to receive all upcoming information about exhibits, teaching and travel related to the study of iconography and Orthodox spirituality facilitated by Icon Art Studios and participating colleagues.  

 

 

 

 

 

Thou hast raised up in Bethany Lazarus that was four days dead; for as soon as Thou camest to the tomb, Thy voice became life to the dead man.  Groaning aloud, Hades released him in fear.  O mighty miracle!  O Lord of many mercies, glory to Thee.

 

 

Tone 1:

 

While the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers were guarding Thy most pure body,

Thou didst arise on the third day, O Savior, granting life to the world. For which cause the

heavenly powers cried aloud unto Thee, O giver of life. Glory to Thy Resurrection O Christ,

glory to Thy kingdom, glory to Thy providence, O Thou Who alone art the lover of mankind.

 

Tone 2:

 

When Thou didst submit Thyself  unto death, O Thou deathless and immortal One, then Thou

didst destroy hell with Thy Godly power. And when Thou didst raise the dead from beneath the earth, all the powers of heaven did cry aloud unto Thee: O Christ, Thou giver of life, glory to Thee.

 

Tone 3:

 

Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad for the Lord hath done a mighty act with His own arm, He hath trampled down death by death and become the first born from the dead.  He hath delivered us from the depths of Hades granting the world the great mercy.

 

Tone 4:

 

Having learned the joyful message of the resurrection from the angel the women disciples of the Lord cast from them their parental condemnation and proudly broke the news to the disciples saying death hath been spoiled Christ God is risen granting the world great mercy.

 

 

Tone 5:

 

Let us believers praise and worship the Word coeternal with the Father and the Spirit born of the Virgin for our salvation.  For He took pleasure in ascending the cross in the flesh to suffer death and to raise the dead by His glorious resurrection.

 

Tone 6:

 

When Mary stood at thy grave looking for thy sacred body, angelic powers shone above they revered tomb and the soldiers who were to keep guard became as dead men.  Thou led Hades captive and wast not tempted there-by.  Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst give life to the world, O thou who art risen from the dead, O Lord, Glory to thee.

 

Tone 7:

 

Thou dist shatter death by Thy cross, Thou didst open paradise to the thief, Thou turn sadness of the ointment bearing women into joy, and didst bid thine apostles proclaim a warning that Thou hast risen O Christ, granting to the world the great mercy.

 

Tone 8:

From the heights Thou didst descend, O compassionate One, and Thou didst submit to the three-day burial, that Thou might deliver us from passion; Thou art our life and our Resurrection, O Lord, glory to Thee.

 

To the people of St. George Orthodox Church,
The church council has approved the use of GoodSearch. Good Search is a search engine on the internet just like Google and Yahoo! In fact GoodSearch is powered by Yahoo! The difference is, with every search on GoodSearch, St. George will receive a donation. The people at GoodSearch receive sponsor/advertisement money and in turn give a portion of that money back to churches and other non-profit organizations listed with them. Here is how it works. Have GoodSearch as a bookmark and when you need to do a search, list the subject to be searched in the box provided and then click on St. George Orthodox Church in the dropdown right below the search box (The first time using the search you will have to type in St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church. Click on our church and for future searches the name will appear). Simple and easy, plus you are providing needed funds to the church. St. George is approved and on the GoodSearch list ready to use today!