SATURDAY OF LAZARUS APRIL 8TH

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1 Ελληνικός Ορθόδοξος Ιερός Ναός Αγίου Γεωργίου St. George Greek Orthodox Church 9426 Little Road, New Port Richey, FL Church Office hours: Monday Friday from 9:00AM 4:00PM The Church is open daily from 8:30AM until 5:00PM for your Spiritual needs - come and light your Candle! Reverend Fr. Dr. Gregory Edwards, Presbyter secretary1.stgeorge@gmail.com Church Office: SUNDAY April 2nd, 2017 NEW WEB PAGE: Καλώς ορίσατε στην Εκκλησία του Αγίου Γεωργίου! Είμαστε χαρούμενοι που σας ξαναβλέπουμε για να προσευχηθούμε σήμερα μαζί!! SATURDAY OF LAZARUS APRIL 8TH Join us for Church services Youth Retreat and Tampa Mozart Requiem Lazarus Saturday, Orthros 8:30 AM & Divine Liturgy 9:30AM Youth Lazarus retreat will follow the church service and Palm making in the Kontos Hall 3:45pm Tampa Mozart Requiem Σάββατο, Η ε γερσις του Λαζα ρου, 8.30πμ Όρθρος & 9.30πμ Θεία Λειτουργία. O Christ our God, before Your Passion, You raised Lazarus from the dead to confirm the common Resurrection for all. Therefore, we carry the symbols of victory as did the youths, and we cry out to You, the victor over death, "Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord." 1

2 Ύμνοι της Εβδομάδος Απολυτίκιον Ἐξ ὕψους κατῆλθες ὁ εὔσπλαγχνος, ταφὴν καταδέξω τριήμερον, ἵνα ἡμᾶς ἐλευθερώσῃς τῶν παθῶν. Ἡ ζωὴ καὶ ἡ Ἀνάστασις ἡμῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι. Απολυτίκιον Αγίου Ανδρέου Ὡς τῶν Ἀποστόλων Πρωτόκλητος Καὶ τοῦ κορυφαίου αὐτάδελφος τῷ Δεσπότῃ τῶν ὅλων, Ἀνδρέα, ἱκέτευε, εἰρήνην τῇ Οἰκουμένη δωρήσασθαι καὶ ταῖς ψνχαῖς ἡμῶν τὸ μέγα ἔλεος. Ἀπολυτίκιο Άγίου Γεωργίου Ὡς τῶν αἰχμαλώτων ἐλευθερωτής, καὶ τῶν πτωχῶν ὑπερασπιστής, ἀσθενούντων ἰατρός, βασιλέων ὑπέρμαχος, Τροπαιοφόρε Μεγαλομάρτυς Γεώργιε, πρέσβευε Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν. Apolytikion of Sun of St. Mary of Egypt Εν σοί Μήτερ ακριβώς διεσώθη τό κατ' εικόνα, λαβών γάρ τόν σταυρόν, ηκολούθησας τώ Χριστώ, καί πράττων εδίδασκες, υπεροράν μέν σαρκός, παρέρχεται γάρ επιμελείσθαι δέ ψυχής, πράγματος αθανάτου, διό καί μετά Αγγέλων συναγάλλεται, οσία Μαρία τό πνεύμά σου. Seasonal Kontakion Προστασία τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀκαταίσχυντε, μεσιτεία πρὸς τὸν Ποιητὴν ἀμετάθετε. Μὴ παρίδῃς ἁμαρτωλῶν δεήσεων φωνάς, ἀλλὰ πρόφθασον, ὡς ἀγαθή, εἰς τὴν βοήθειαν ἡμῶν, τῶν πιστῶς κραυγαζόντων σοι Τάχυνον εἰς πρεσβείαν, καὶ σπεῦσον εἰς ἱκεσίαν, ἡ προστατεύουσα ἀεί, Θεοτόκε, τῶν τιμώντων σε. Hymns of the Week Resurrectional Apolytikion From on high didst Thou descend, O Compassionate One; to burial of three days hast Thou submitted that Thou mightest free us from our passions. O our Life and Resurrection, Lord, glory be to Thee. St. Andrew Dismissal Hymn As first of the Apostles to be called, O Andrew, brother of him (Peter) who was foremost, beseech the Master of all to grant the world peace and our souls great mercy. St. George Dismissal Hymn Liberator of captives, defender of the poor, physician of the sick and a champion of kings. O trophy bearer, Great Martyr George, intercede with Christ God that our souls be save. Apolytikion of Sun of St. Mary of Egypt The image of God, was faithfully preserved in you, O Mother. For you took up the Cross and followed Christ. By Your actions you taught us to look beyond the flesh for it passes, rather to be concerned about the soul which is immortal. Wherefore, O Holy Mary, your soul rejoices with the angels. Seasonal Kontakion O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the creator most constant: O despise not the voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, O thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee. When planning your memorial service please make sure that you contact the office and give the names of the reposed so that Father has them in advance and we can list them in the bulletin. In addition, if you would like KOLYVA we ask that you contact Katina Kollias or directly as she prepares the Sunday KOLYVA. Lenten Prayer of St. Ephrem O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk. But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant. Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions, and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou, unto ages of ages. Amen. 2

3 This is an announcement and a directive from the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta The Sacrament of Holy Unction All Parishioners should attempt to attend the service and be anointed with the blessed oil of Holy Unction. As the Priest anoints the forehead, checks, chin, palm and back of the hands, we should ask God s forgiveness. Therefore, family members will no longer be permitted to take Holy Unction home. However, the Priest may anoint those unable to attend the service of Holy Unction on another day. For those who are shut-ins, homebound, or infirm, please contact your priest for a visitation and the offering of healing prayers and the Holy Sacraments. Εγκύκλειο από την Ελληνική Ορθόδοξη Μητρόπολη της Ατλάντα Το Μυστήριο του Ιερού Ευχελαίου Όλοι οι πιστόι οφείλουμε να παρακολουθήσουμε το Μυστήριο του Ιερού Ευχελαίου. Όπως Ο Ιερέας αλείφει με το ευλογημένο λάδι του Ευχελαίου το μέτωπο, τα μάγουλα, πηγούνι, παλάμη και πίσω μέρος των χεριών, θα πρέπει να ζητήσουμε τη συγχώρεση του Θεού. Ως εκ τούτου, οι πιστοί ΔΕΝ θα επιτρέπονται πλέον να πάρουν το Ιερό Ευχέλαιο για το σπίτι τους. Ωστόσο, όσοι δεν μπορούν να παρευρεθούν στο Ιερό Ευχέλαιο, μπορουν να χριεθούν μία άλλη μέρα. Για εκείνους που δεν μπορουν να έρθουν στην εκκλησία, ή άτομα με αναπηρίες, παρακαλείστε να επικοινωνήσετε με τον γραφείο της ενορίας για να σας επισκεφθεί ο Ιερέας για νας σας προσφέρει προσευχές και τα Ιερά Μυστήρια. Watch all our Church Services LIVE from your Computer, laptop or your smartphone! Go to Click Watch Live at top of page! CIRCLE OF ANGELS MINISTRY Volunteers are needed! Every Wednesday the St. George Circle of Angels visit the nursing home, hospitals and once a month the shut- Ins. If you are interested please contact Sofia Bouzos (727)

4 ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ: Αποστ. Προς Εβραίους 9: Ο Χριστός ήρθε ως αρχιερέας των αγαθών που προσμένουμε. Η σκηνή στην οποία μπήκε είναι ανώτερη και τελειότερη. Δεν είναι ανθρώπινο κατασκεύασμα, μέρος δηλαδή αυτής της δημιουργίας. Ο Χριστός μπήκε μια για πάντα στα άγια των αγίων για να προσφέρει αίμα όχι ταύρων και μοσχαριών, αλλά το δικό του αίμα, εξασφαλίζοντάς μας έτσι την αιώνια σωτηρία. Γιατί το αίμα των τράγων και των ταύρων και το ράντισμα με στάχτη δαμαλιού εξαγνίζουν αυτούς που είναι ακάθαρτοι θρησκευτικά, καθαρίζοντάς τους εξωτερικά. Σκεφτείτε, λοιπόν, πόσο περισσότερο το αίμα του Χριστού, ο οποίος έχοντας το Πνεύμα του Θεού πρόσφερε τον εαυτό του αψεγάδιαστη θυσία στο Θεό, θα καθαρίσει τη συνείδησή σας από τα έργα που οδηγούν στο θάνατο, έτσι ώστε να μπορείτε να λατρεύετε τον αληθινό Θεό. EPISTLE: ST. PAUL'S LETTER TO THE HEBREWS 9:11-14 BRETHREN, when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God. ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟ: Ευαγγ. Ανάγνωσμα: Μαρκ. 10, Ανέβαιναν προς τα Ιεροσόλυμα, ο Ιησούς πήρε τους δώδεκα μαθητές του κι άρχισε να τους λέει τα όσα ήταν να του συμβούν. «Ακούστε», τους έλεγε «τώρα που ανεβαίνουμε στα Ιεροσόλυμα, ο Υιός του Ανθρώπου θα παραδοθεί στους αρχιερείς και στους γραμματείς, οι οποίοι θα τον καταδικάσουν σε θάνατο και θα τον παραδώσουν στους εθνικούς. Θα τον περιγελάσουν, θα τον μαστιγώσουν, θα τον φτύσουν και θα τον θανατώσουν και την Τρίτη ημέρα θα αναστηθεί». Πλησιάζουν τότε τον Ιησού ο Ιάκωβος και ο Ιωάννης, οι γιοί του Ζεβεδαίου, και του λένε: «Διδάσκαλε, θέλουμε να μας κάνεις τη χάρη που θα σου ζητήσουμε». «Τι θέλετε να κάνω για σας;» τους ρώτησε εκείνος. «Όταν θα εγκαταστήσεις την ένδοξη βασιλεία σου», του αποκρίθηκαν, «βάλε μας να καθίσουμε ο ένας στα δεξιά σου κι ο άλλος στα αριστερά σου». Ο Ιησούς τότε τους είπε: «Δεν ξέρετε τι ζητάτε. Μπορείτε να πιείτε το ποτήρι του πάθους που θα πιω εγώ ή να βαφτιστείτε με το βάπτισμα με το οποίο θα βαφτιστώ εγώ;» «Μπορούμε», του λένε. Κι ο Ιησούς τους απάντησε: «Το ποτήριο που θα πιώ εγώ θα το πιείτε, και με το βάπτισμα των παθημάτων μου θα βαφτιστείτε το να καθίσετε όμως στα δεξιά μου και στα αριστερά μου δεν μπορώ να σας το δώσω εγώ, αλλά θα δοθεί σ αυτούς για τους οποίους έχει ετοιμαστεί». Όταν τ άκουσαν αυτά οι υπόλοιποι δέκα μαθητές, άρχισαν ν αγανακτούν με τον Ιάκωβο και τον Ιωάννη. Τους κάλεσε τότε ο Ιησούς και τους λέει: «Ξέρετε οτι αυτοί που θεωρούνται ηγέτες των εθνών ασκούν απόλυτη εξουσία πάνω τους, και οι άρχοντες τους τα καταδυναστέυουν. Σ εσάς όμως δεν πρέπει να συμβαίνει αυτό, αλλά όποιος θέλει να γίνει μεγάλος ανάμεσα σας, πρέπει να γίνει υπηρέτης σας και όποιος απο σας θέλει να είναι πρώτος πρέπει να γίνει δούλος όλων. Γιατί και ο Υιός του Ανθρώπου δεν ήρθε για να τον υπηρετήσουν, αλλά για να υπηρετήσει και να προσφέρει τη ζωή του λύτρο για όλους». 4

5 GOSPEL: THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK 10, At that time, Jesus taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and spit upon him, and scourge him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise." And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him, and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant of James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." +MEMORIAL SERVICE - +ΙΕΡΟ ΜΝΗΜΟΣΥΝΟ+ 40 day memorial for + Eftixia Effie Sakellariadis given by her daughters and grandchildren 40 day memorial for +Stylianos Karagiannis given by his son Nicholas 1 year memorial for + Michalis Mandilis given by his family 1 year memorial for + Kalliope Morikis given by her family 5 year memorial for +Stayko Staykov given his daughter and family 6 year memorial for + Eirini Skreke given by her family Trisagion +Tassia Tessie Avdoulos + Athena Mandilis May her Memory be Eternal! Αιωνία η μνήμη αυτών! 5

6 GREAT LENT AND HOLY WEEK 2017 (February 27 April 15) The Lenten fasting discipline commences after Forgiveness Vespers on February 26 and concludes with the breaking of the fast at Pascha on April 16. In general, the fasting rules during Great Lent and Holy Week are as follows: WEEKDAYS (Monday Friday) are observed as Strict Fast Days. On these days we abstain from meat, dairy, fish with backbones, fowl, alcoholic beverages, and olive oil. WEEKENDS (Saturday and Sunday) are observed as Wine and Oil Days. On these days the fast is relaxed to permit alcoholic beverages and olive oil. In addition, two special feastdays that fall during this period Annunciation (March 25) and Palm Sunday (April 9, this year) are kept as Fish, Wine, and Oil Days. On these days the fast is relaxed to permit fish with backbones, in addition to alcoholic beverages and olive oil. There are certain days of the Holy Week cycle that have special fasting rules. Great and Holy Thursday (April 13, this year) is observed as a Wine and Oil Day due to the commemoration of the institution of the Eucharist. Great and Holy Saturday (April 15, this year) is observed as a Strict Fast Day the only Saturday of the year kept as a strict fast; however, wine (but not oil) is permitted. Additional Notes: 1. Meals for the fast should follow the dietary restrictions and be cooked simply. Portions should be smaller than usual. 2. Fasting on the weekdays of the first week of Great Lent is especially severe. The strictest observance would be to take only two meals during this week one on Wednesday evening and one on Friday evening after the services scheduled for those nights keeping Pure Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday as absolute fasts (i.e., no food whatsoever). For many this is impracticable. A good starting place to work towards the strict observance is to keep the first day of Great Lent, Pure Monday, as an absolute fast and to limit meals on the other days. 3. It is a pious practice to observe Great and Holy Friday as an absolute fast. If one does not have the strength to do this, it is good to abstain from food until after venerating the epitaphios during Vespers on this day. 4. If you have a medical condition that requires you to relax the fasting guidelines, then do so. 5. Before you attempt to strictly follow the fasting guidelines, consult with Fr. Gregory. It is very easy to lose sight of the fact that fasting is merely a means to an end (that is, our salvation) and not an end in itself. 6. Generally speaking, children and elderly people are allowed to relax the fast under the guidance of their spiritual father. 6

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8 Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday The week following the Sunday of Saint Mary of Egypt is called Palm or Branch Week. At the Tuesday services of this week the Church recalls that Jesus friend Lazarus has died and that the Lord is going to raise him from the dead (Jn 11). As the days continue toward Saturday, the Church, in its hymns and verses, continues to follow Christ towards Bethany to the tomb of Lazarus. On Friday evening, the eve of the celebration of the Resurrection of Lazarus, the great and saving forty days of Great Lent are formally brought to an end: Having accomplished the forty days for the benefit of our souls, we pray to Thee, O Lover of Man, that we may see the holy week of Thy passion, that in it we may glorify Thy greatness and Thine unspeakable plan of salvation for our sake... (Vespers Hymn). Lazarus Saturday is a paschal celebration. It is the only time in the entire Church Year that the resurrectional service of Sunday is celebrated on another day. At the liturgy of Lazarus Saturday, the Church glorifies Christ as the Resurrection and the Life who, by raising Lazarus, has confirmed the universal resurrection of mankind even before His own suffering and death. By raising Lazarus from the dead before Thy passion, Thou didst confirm the universal resurrection, O Christ God! Like the children with the branches of victory, we cry out to Thee, O Vanquisher of Death: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord! (Troparion). Christ the Joy, the Truth and the Light of All, the Life of the world and its Resurrection has appeared in his goodness to those on earth. He has become the Image of our Resurrection, granting divine forgiveness to all (Kontakion). At the Divine Liturgy of Lazarus Saturday the baptismal verse from Galatians: As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ (Gal 3.27) replaces the Thrice-holy Hymn thus indicating the resurrectional character of the celebration, and the fact that Lazarus Saturday was once among the few great baptismal days in the Orthodox Church Year. Because of the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead, Christ was hailed by the masses as the long-expected Messiah-King of Israel. Thus, in fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Testament, He entered Jerusalem, the City of the King, riding on the colt of an ass (Zech 9.9; Jn 12.12). The crowds greeted Him with branches in their hands and called out to Him with shouts of praise: Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! The Son of David! The King of Israel! Because of this glorification by the people, the priests and scribes were finally driven to destroy Him, to put Him to death (Lk 19.47; Jn 11.53, 12.10). The feast of Christ s triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, Palm Sunday, is one of the twelve major feasts of the Church. The services of this Sunday follow directly from those of Lazarus Saturday. The church building continues to be vested in resurrectional splendor, filled with hymns which continually repeat the Hosanna offered to Christ as the Messiah-King who comes in the name of God the Father for the salvation of the world. The main troparion of Palm Sunday is the same one sung on Lazarus Saturday. It is sung at all of the services, and is used at the Divine Liturgy as the third antiphon which follows the other special psalm verses which are sung as the liturgical antiphons in the place of those normally used. The second troparion of the feast, as well as the kontakion and the other verses and hymns, 8

9 all continue to glorify Christ s triumphal manifestation six days before the Passover when he will give himself at the Supper and on the Cross for the life of the world. Today the grace of the Holy Spirit has gathered us together. Let us all take up Thy cross and say: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest! (First Verse of Vespers). When we were buried with Thee in baptism, O Christ God, we were made worthy of eternal life by Thy resurrection. Now we praise Thee and sing: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord! (Second Troparion). Sitting on Thy throne in heaven, and carried on a foal on earth, O Christ God, accept the praise of angels and the songs of children who sing: BIessed is he who comes to recall Adam!(Kontakion). At the vigil of the feast of Palm Sunday the prophecies of the Old Testament about the Messiah-King are read together with the Gospel accounts of the entry of Christ into Jerusalem. At Matins branches are blessed which the people carry throughout the celebration as the sign of their own glorification of Jesus as Saviour and King. These branches are usually palms, or, in the Slavic churches, pussy willows which came to be customary because of their availability and their early blossoming in the springtime. As the people carry their branches and sing their songs to the Lord on Palm Sunday, they are judged together with the Jerusalem crowd. For it was the very same voices which cried Hosanna to Christ, which, a few days later, cried Crucify Him! Thus in the liturgy of the Church the lives of men continue to be judged as they hail Christ with the branches of victory and enter together with Him into the days of His voluntary passion. Prayer Corner If you wish your name to be placed on the St. George Prayer List, please contact our Church office. Do not call for others because some people do not want their names to be published. The names will remain on the list for 40 days. Prayer for: Daniel Scherr and Kaliope Potawsky, Alexander Kollias, Panagiotis, Alexandra, Donald Cowden, Bob Prough, Maria Papaemanuel, Ann & Phil Sherman, Frances Spinos, Kathleen McQuade, Mason Martinez Please Pray for our Troops Thomas Ziongas - Eric Ian Canter - Nicholas Artzner 9 - Zoe Lekakis - Constantino Paleogos - Alexi Lake - Leonidas Stefopoulos Today's Divine Liturgy Gifts is donated by The Mandilis family In loving memory of Michalis and Athena Mandilis If you wish to donate the gifts for our next Divine Liturgy please contact the Church office and speak with Antonia at

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11 Your Easter offering contributions are greatly appreciated! A Warm Thank you to all those that have donated towards the décor of the icons for the Salutations and the Icons f or Holy Week and Easter. For those that have committed towards the Holy Week Icons and décor we kindly ask that you submit your donations to the office so that we can secure the flowers for the décor. We thank you for your continued support to YOUR Church! Wednesday April 5th 5:30-7:15 PM. Sixth Wednesday of Great Lent. Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, followed by Lenten Potluck and Discussion, Contact Angela Seraskeris and let her know what Lenten dish you will be bringing Τετάρτη 29 Μαρτίου μμ. ΣΤ Τετάρτη της Μεγάλης Τεσσαρακοστής. Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία, νηστίσιμο φαγοπότι και συζήτηση θα ακολουθει. The Stewardship Committee is having a campaign to update our current church records and to gather more information so we can make full use of our Parish Data system software. We are working on reaching everyone who is currently in our records. If you are unable to attend a service or join us at coffee hour during our campaign, you can still provide us with your information by using one of the following methods. * Stop by the office and pick up a stewardship form. * Call and give your information to secretary or bookkeeper. * Log onto download the stewardship form. Print it and return to the church * us your information or stewardship form to financial.stgeorge@gmail.com * Contact one of the following Stewardship committee members. Tom Letsos Tula Mancini Dina Rivers Sherry Athanasoulis Koulla Mitchell Tina Wilson Diana Psetas The Stewardship committee will also be contacting you by phone calls to update information. Please be patient as we update our Parish Data System to better serve you! Thank you, St. George Stewardship Committee 11

12 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR APRIL 8th & APRIL 9th April 8, Lazarus Saturday, Orthros 8:30 AM & Divine Liturgy 9:30 AM. April 9, Palm Sunday, 8:15 AM Matins/Orthros & 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy. YOUTH SUNDAY. Saturday of Lazarus Retreat Saturday, April 8 th Time: After church services around 11am. All children of ALL ages invited to participate. Activities: * Breakfast will be provided after church. * Make Lazarakia breads * Receive religious instruction about Holy Week * Help plant the Garden at Gesthemane * Group activities to interact with others and learn more about our faith. We are asking all students who would like to participate, to bring a flowering plant as an offering for the church Please fill out the registration form and Submit it via or to the church office so we can plan for food and supplies. Reenee at rdragoutsis@yahoo.com with any questions Parents: we would also gladly accept food donations for breakfast fruit, breads, jellies, peanut butter, juices we will be observing the fast. April 9, Palm Sunday, 8:15 AM Matins/Orthros & 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy. YOUTH SUNDAY. Surprise visit for our Youth! Thank you to the gracious donation of Meni and Jack Tout 12

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14 Coffee Sponsorship It is amazing how a modest offering of pastries and coffee after Liturgy on Sundays can provide the spark for so much fellowship and community feeling! Our Sunday coffee hours not only give us a chance to visit with friends, but also to exercise our philoxenia or hospitality, towards our guest and newcomers to the parish, who have just participated in the Divine Liturgy with us. Typically, our coffee hours are hosted by Philoptochos and various ministries. But families or groups of friends may consider hosting one as well. Consider hosting a coffee hour to commemorate an anniversary, memorial, birthday, name day etc. Philoptochos will continue to prepare coffee, guide host and supply paper products. Suggestions for refreshments are fruit, veggies, cookies, pastries, croissants and bagels. Fruit juices are great for children and non-coffee drinkers. Fasting Day suggestions are nuts, hummus, veggies, halva, jello, dried or fresh fruit, chips and salsa and salads. It is recommended to have at least 4 people to help set up, serve and cleanup. If anyone would like to just sponsor items Philoptochos will serve. Please consider hosting. It is a small investment to bring a great deal of joy to our Church Family! Please Contact Philoptochos President Eleni White to schedule your date to host coffee hour! THE KNITTING ANGELS will meet Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at 10AM - Kontos Hall Please feel free to join us. Donations of yarn of any color, are greatly appreciated. Ένα μεγάλο ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΩ σε όλους τους εθελοντές του Αγίου Γεωργίου! Ο Θεός να σας έχει πάντοτε καλά! A big THANK YOU to all our Volunteers! May our God bless you and your Families always! Father Gregory Edwards contact information is as follows Cell: Office: address: frgregory.stgeorge@gmail.com If you would like to schedule an appointment or for confession please contact the church office and speak with Antonia or you may contact Fr. Gregory at Αγαπητοί μου εκ Κυρίω αδελφοί, είμαστε στην ευχάριστη θέση να σας ανακοινώσουμε ότι ο Ελληνορθόδοξος Ιερός Ναός του Αγίου Μεγαλομάρτυρος και Θαυματουργού Γεωργίου θα είναι ανοικτός καθημερινά από 9:00πμ έως και τις 4:00μμ για τις Λατρευτικές σας ανάγκες. Για την εξομολόγησή σας ή για οποιαδήποτε άλλη Λατρευτική ανάγκη παρακαλούμε να τηλεφωνήσετε το γραφείο του Αγίου Γεωργίου η τον +π. Γρηγόριος στο

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16 New Book Edition of the Services for Holy Week and Easter books available at the church bookstore or the church office THE PHILOPTOCHOS OF ST. GEORGE PALM SUNDAY LUNCHEON APRIL 9, 2017 TICKETS ON SALE APRIL 2, 2017 IN KONTOS HALL COST: $8.00 PER PERSON POWER OF PRAYER Pray EVERY Morning and Evening at a Minimum Remember to make your prayer life one that is a firm rule and not something that is done occasionally or sporadically. It must be done each day morning and evening at a minimum. You need to commit to doing you rule each and every day. Think about certain personal hygiene tasks such as brushing your teeth that you do each day out of habit. You don t forget to do them each day. Your prayer rule needs o become a habit as strong as these. Prayer must become a daily habit that you never forget. Prayer is essential for the health of our soul Just like the hygiene activities that we do for the health of our body. THE PHILOPTOCHOS OF ST. GEORGE WILL BE SELLING TSOUREKI BEGINNING SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2017 IN KONTOS HALL IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING LITURGY. COST: $6.00 EACH 16

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18 The Inner meaning of Palm Sunday Philippians 4:4 9 John 12:1 18 In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. My beloved Brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, whenever you see a big event, there's something, an inner meaning to it that is not immediately obvious. Big things are understood by little things. Tangible things are understood by intangible things. The visible is apprehended by the invisible. So this great event that occurred, our Lord entering Jerusalem, fulfilling so many prophecies, showing us His demeanor, His beauty, how we should live, telling us of the coming of the Gentiles. All of these things can only be understood if we have an inner life. Most of the people who saw Him in the crowd only saw what was visible. They were excited because He had raised Lazarus. That was quite an event. Perhaps some had heard that He had made other people rise from the dead but not after four days. In that climate after four days the body would stink and would already be decomposing. So this was truly a marvelous thing. So, many came, as the Scripture says, just to see this. They didn't understand. That was not the meaning of this day. Then they saw Him, what an incredible sight, a person seated on the colt, the foal of an ass walking in to Jerusalem, people throwing palm leaves down and their garments down and crying out, Hosanna in the highest. This is not the meaning of the day. Certainly, there are things, great deep theological things from our Lord's actions that can be understood but only if we understand the meaning of this day. The epistle tells us the meaning of this day, right at the very beginning. Paul says, "Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice." Then he defines what "rejoice" means. It doesn't mean crying "Hosanna in the highest" and throwing garments in the way and cutting down palm trees or palms. No. It has to do with being careful for nothing; in other words, don't care about things of the world. Care only about God. "In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." And then what happens? "The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." And this is also rejoicing in the Lord. He says, "Brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things." This is the meaning of this day. Our Lord came to Jerusalem to fulfill a mission. And He fulfilled this mission. But it is not accomplished in every man, because not every man pays attention to the mission. Some see the spectacle of a Man on the colt, the foal of an ass. Some see the spectacle of someone who could raise a man four days dead. Others see the way to peace, the Way to purity, the only way to hope. The only way to understand this day is to live in the spirit of it. Our Lord, the King of the ages, came to Jerusalem to be executed as a criminal, in order that He could teach us humility and the right way to live. He taught us and He accomplished for us the right way to live. As God, He showed us all things. As Man, He accomplished what He taught us so that we, as human beings, can accomplish what we have been taught. But we can only understand it if we apply ourselves to struggle to become good. It really is all about that. It's always about that. I have a little saying you guys have heard, I think; I've written it down before: It's always about morality, always. Our Lord coming into Jerusalem, it's about morality, not about the event, but about the inner meaning, showing us how meek He was, how holy, how ready to die for us He was, how much He loved us and how much we 18

19 should love Him in return. Christianity is morality. It's becoming better. I've told you many times, there's darkness in us, a lot of darkness. If you don't feel this darkness, then you are lost, because it's there. Jesus Christ came to bring light. Remember at the very beginning of His mission, it's said that He went into the land of Zebulun and Naphtali and went, a light to shine forth among the Gentiles. He came to bring light to us. He came to Jerusalem to bring light to us. He allowed Himself to be executed to bring light to us. He taught us those sublime words, the true meaning of the Ten Commandments in the Beatitudes, to bring light to us. We cannot see this light unless we live in it. It's not about throwing palm leaves down on the ground. It's about giving Him our heart. Every time I read these Scriptures for this day, I see this great contrast. So much of what the Lord did was not understood. Holiness was among them, and they were excited, and yet only a few days later they would say: Crucify Him, crucify Him, we have no king but Cesar. Why did they do such a foolish thing? How could they change so quickly? It wasn't that they changed quickly. It was that they never changed. They saw Christ as an event, as something interesting, something that could perhaps make them victorious over the Romans or heal their mother or their sister or their brother of some disease. But they didn't see what He taught them. And to this day, we who bear the name Christian often do not see; let's be honest now. We don't rejoice in the Lord always. I'm not talking about the emotional feeling of happiness. A lot of times in the Christian life, there's a lot of sadness inside. Let's rejoice because we're changing. Do you feel a change going on in you? I hope so. Because if you don't, this day means nothing, the Resurrection means nothing. It's nothing unless we change. It means nothing unless we become what we're not now. I hope none of you are satisfied with the kind of person you are now; you shouldn't be; it's not what you were born for. You were born for holiness, perfection, beauty. The only way to holiness, perfection, beauty is Jesus Christ. Not just to praise Him with branches, but to live as He lived in our life. That is the meaning of this day. May God help us to live according to it. Amen. From Fr. Seraphim Join us on April 8th as we prepare for Palm Sunday and also on April 9th for Palm Sunday Church Services April 8, Lazarus Saturday, Orthros 8:30 AM & Divine Liturgy 9:30 AM. 8 Απριλίου, Σάββατο, Η ε γερσις του Λαζα ρου, 8.30πμ Όρθρος & 9.30πμ Θεία Λειτουργία. April 9, Palm Sunday, 8:15 AM Matins/Orthros & 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy. YOUTH SUNDAY 9 Απριλίου, Κυριακη των Βαϊών, 8.15ΑΜ Όρθρος & 9.30πμ Θεία Λειτουργία. 19

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21 Preparation For Holy Confession Department of Religious Education The gift of God's forgiveness is received through private prayer, corporate worship, the disciplines of prayer and fasting, penitential services and above all through the sacrament of Holy Confession. The value of Holy Confession is twofold. First, through this sacramental act of the ordained priest and the Christian believer we have the assurance of divine forgiveness, according to the words of Christ (Jn 20:23). Secondly, Holy Confession provides the opportunity to talk about one's deep concerns, to receive counsel and to be encouraged toward spiritual growth, all of which are universally recognized as extremely beneficial to personal life. Holy Confession is appropriate whenever an Orthodox Christian feels the need for it. It is also a part of our total spiritual preparation during the fast periods leading up to the great feasts of Easter, Christmas, the Falling Asleep of the Theotokos and the Feast of Twelve Apostles. However, Holy Confession is especially necessary: when a serious sin has been committed; when a habitual sin has overwhelmed a Christian, or when a Christian has stopped growing spiritually and needs a reexamination of priorities. We confess our sins to God and the power of forgiveness is God's. However, the gift of God's forgiveness, although assured, is not magical. It does not automatically spare us from spiritual struggle - the continual vigilance against evil and the unceasing warfare against sin. Holy Confession will bear fruits in the Spirit only when the believer hates evil, utterly rejects sin and patiently cultivates positive habits of the life in Christ. "So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to Christ Jesus. Do not yield your members to sin as instruments of wicked ness, but yield yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life" (Rm 6:11, 13) How can one prepare for Holy Confession? Preparation for Holy Confession is a prayerful examination of feelings, thoughts, words, acts, attitudes, habits, values, priorities, goals, direction and way of life. This prayerful selfexamination includes not only the personal religious life, but also family relationships, social activities, job conduct, business dealings, political commitments and even recreational pursuits, because our entire existence should be lived in under the light of the Holy Spirit is not to condemn ourselves, but to affirm our true selves in Christ who has given us access to God's mercy and forgiveness and who has taught us to live for God's glory. Pray and think and your confession over several days. Ask God to help you perceive your sins and to make a thorough confession of them. Sometime before the sacrament of Holy Confession, offer selected prayers from the following Confessional Prayers, Psalm 51 or the following prayer of repentance: Prayer of Repentance O Lord my God, I confess that I have sinned against You in thought, word and deed. I have also omitted to do what Your holy law requires of me. But now with repentance and contrition I turn again to Your love and mercy. I entreat You to forgive me all my transgression and to cleanse me from all my sins. Lord, fill my heart with the light of Your truth. Strengthen my will by Your grace. Teach me both to desire and to do only what pleases You. Amen. On Friday April 7th Father Gregory will be hearing confessions from 12:00pm to 4:00pm Την Παρασκευή 7 Απρίλη O Πατέρ Γρηγόριος θα ακούσει Ιερά εξομολόγηση από τις 12:00π.μ.- 4:00pm Contact the office and schedule your confession

22 H σημερινή ευαγγελική περικοπή έχει επιλεγεί από την Εκκλησία μας έτσι ώστε να μας προετοιμάσει για το πάθος και το θάνατο του Χριστού, τα οποία πλησιάζουν και ξεκινούν από την ερχόμενη Κυριακή με την θριαμβευτική είσοδο του Χριστού στα Ιεροσόλυμα. Η προετοιμασία των μαθητών για τα γεγονότα που θα επακολουθήσουν αποτελούν κύριο μέλημα του Χριστού. Για τον λόγο αυτό τον βλέπουμε να τους μιλά πιο συχνά γι αυτά που σύντομα πρόκειται να επακολουθήσουν έτσι ώστε να μην σκανδαλιστούν και χάσουν την πίστη τους. Οι Μαθητές ακούγοντας τον διδάσκαλο τους να τους λέει ότι θα παραδοθεί στους αρχιερείς και γραμματείς οι οποίοι θα τον καταδικάσουν σε θάνατο και θα τον παραδώσουν στους εθνικούς. Θα τον περιγελάσουν, θα τον μαστιγώσουν, θα τον φτύσουν, θα τον θανατώσουν και την τρίτη ημέρα θα αναστηθεί, δεν μπορούσαν να τα κατανοήσουν. Και αυτό γιατί ο Χριστός που πίστευαν ότι είναι ο Μεσσίας δεν μπορούσε με βάση τις δικές τους αντιλήψεις να πάθει οτιδήποτε από αυτά. Οι Μαθητές πίστευαν ότι ο Χριστός θα εγκαθιστούσε μια επίγεια βασιλεία όπου θα δοξαζόταν ο λαός του Ισραήλ. Αυτός είναι και ο βασικός λόγος που ωθεί τους δύο μαθητές τον Ιάκωβο και τον Ιωάννη να ζητήσουν από το Χριστό να καθίσουν δίπλα του ο ένας στα δεξιά του και ο άλλος στα αριστερά του, αλλά και τους υπόλοιπους μαθητές να αγανακτούν με τους δύο μαθητές γιατί ήθελαν και αυτοί να έχουν ρόλο στην εξουσία. Βλέποντας τη στάση αυτή των μαθητών ωθεί τον Χριστό να απευθυνθεί προς αυτούς και να τους πει ότι δεν πρέπει να κάνουν όπως κάνουν οι ηγέτες των εθνών οι οποίοι ασκούν απόλυτη εξουσία και καταδυναστεύουν τα έθνη. Σ εσάς όποιος θέλει να γίνει μεγάλος μεταξύ σας, πρέπει να γίνει υπηρέτης σας και οποίος θέλει να είναι πρώτος πρέπει να γίνει δούλος όλων. Γιατί και ο Υιός του ανθρώπου δεν ήρθε για να τον υπηρετήσουν αλλά για να υπηρετήσει και να προσφέρει τη ζωή του λύτρο για όλους. Εδώ φαίνεται η διαφορά της εξουσίας που ακολουθείτε από τους κοσμικούς άρχοντες που εξουσιάζουν το κόσμο και της εξουσίας που παρουσιάζεται από το Χριστό. Η εξουσία στο χριστιανισμό δεν αποτελεί πηγή δύναμης και επιβολής προς τους άλλους αλλά μέσω για διακονία και υπηρεσία προς τους άλλους. Αυτό φαίνεται και από τον ίδιο το Χριστό ο οποίος δεν ήρθε για να διακονηθεί από τους ανθρώπους αλλά διακόνησε τους ανθρώπους καθ όλη τη διάρκεια της επί γης παρουσίας του. Το παράδειγμα αυτό ακολούθησαν και οι άγιοι στη ζωή τους, οι οποίοι δεν επεδίωκαν κοσμικές εξουσίες και δόξες αλλά μέσα από την αγάπη και τη διακονία τους προς τους άλλους συνανθρώπους τους αξιώθηκαν από το Θεό την αιώνια και παντοτινή τιμή και δόξα. Με αυτή την παντοτινή τιμή και δόξα κοσμήθηκε και η αγία Μαρία η Αιγυπτία η οποία προβάλλεται τη σημερινή Κυριακή από την Εκκλησία. Η αγία Μαρία γεννήθηκε στην Αίγυπτο όπου από νεαρή ηλικία, από τα δώδεκα της χρόνια, ξεκίνησε μια ζωή στην ασωτία και την πορνεία. Λόγω του πάθους της αυτού ακολούθησε κάποιους προσκυνητές που πήγαιναν στα Ιεροσόλυμα για να προσκυνήσουν τον Τίμιο Σταυρό. Κατά τη διάρκεια αυτού του ταξιδιού απέκτησε πολλούς εραστές αλλά και στα Ιεροσόλυμα όταν έφτασε συνέχιζε το έργο της. Ένα γεγονός στάθηκε αιτία να αλλάξει ριζικά η ζωή της. Καθώς πήγε να εισέλθει στην εκκλησία για να προσκυνήσει τον Τίμιο Σταυρό κάποια αόρατη δύναμη την εμπόδιζε και δεν την άφηνε να εισέλθει. Αυτό την έκανε να καταλάβει την αμαρτωλότητά της και δείχνοντας μετάνοια, ζήτησε τη βοήθεια της Παναγίας. Η Παναγία τη βοήθησε να μπει στην εκκλησία να προσκυνήσει και εκεί άκουσε φωνή που την προέτρεπε να πάει στην έρημο πέραν του Ιορδάνη, πράγμα το οποίο και έκανε. Στην έρημο έζησε για σαράντα επτά ολόκληρα χρόνια υπομένοντας τον καύσωνα και τον παγετό γυμνή αφού τα ενδύματα που φορούσε είχαν καταστραφεί με τον καιρό. Εκεί στην έρημο συνάντησε τον 22

23 Αββά Ζωσιμά που του αποκάλυψε τον βίο της και τον παρεκάλεσε να έρθει του χρόνου κατά την Μεγάλη Πέμπτη για να την κοινωνήσει, πράγμα το οποίο και έκανε. Τότε του ζήτησε να έρθει και το επόμενο έτος και να προσεύχεται γι αυτήν. Το επόμενο έτος που πήγε τη βρήκε κεκοιμημένη με την επιγραφή να την ενταφιάσει καθώς είχε κοιμηθεί κατά την ημέρα που είχε κοινωνήσει των αχράντων μυστηρίων. Ο αββάς Ζωσιμάς λόγο του προχωρημένου της ηλικίας του δεν μπορούσε να σκάψει την σκληρή γη και βλέπει ένα λιοντάρι να έρχεται και να σκάβει αυτό τον τάφο της Οσίας. Μετά τον ενταφιασμό της αναχώρησαν και οι δύο. Έχοντας υπόψη μας το παράδειγμα που μας δίνει ο Χρίστος μέσα από σημερινό ευαγγελικό ανάγνωσμα, ότι όποιος θέλει να είναι πρώτος, πρέπει να γίνει δούλος όλων, αλλά και το παράδειγμα της οσίας Μαρίας της Αιγυπτίας, ας προσπαθήσουμε ο καθένας από τη θέση του να αγωνιστούμε όσο μπορούμε να βοηθήσουμε τους συνανθρώπους μας που έχουν ανάγκη. Αυτό να το κάνουμε έχοντας αίσθηση της δικής μας αδυναμίας και οδηγούμενοι από ανιδιοτελή αγάπη προς τον συνάνθρωπο μας. Όλοι μαζί ας συνεχίσουμε να αγωνιζόμαστε ακλουθώντας το παράδειγμα του Χριστού και να πορευθούμε προς το πάθος και την ανάσταση του. Αμήν. Save the Date! VBS coming June 5-9 Sign up at the church office or at Renee Dragoutsis Reenee at or contact Arie Diamantopulos VISTING ANGELS MINISTRY ITEMS FOR THE EASTER BASKETS ARE NEEDED HOMEMADE GREEK COOKIES - Melomakarona, Tsourekia, Koulourakia, Kourambethes ect Please contact Sophia Bouzos at

24 St. George Weekly Church Services & Church Ministries Schedule The Church & the Church Office are open daily from 9:00AM to 4:00PM Feel free to come to Pray and light a candle at the Church Monday 04/03 Tuesday 04/04 Wednesday 04/05 Thursday 04/06 Friday 04/07 Saturday 04/08 Sunday 04/09 7:00pm GOYA 1pm Greek Bible Study - Kontos Hall 5:30-7:15PM. Sixth Wednesday of Great Lent. Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, followed by Lenten Potluck and Discussion 10:00AM The knitting ministry meet in Kontos Hall 10:30AM - Women s Bible study 3:00pm -6:30pm Family Friday night dinners - Kontos Hall Lazarus Saturday, Orthros 8:30 AM & Divine Liturgy 9:30 AM. Youth St. Lazarus retreat followed church service in the Kontos Hall Palm making in the Kontos Hall Palm Sunday,. YOUTH SUNDAY. Matins 8:15 AM Divine Liturgy 9:30 AM. Memorials 10:45am Sunday School after Holy Communion 1πμ Ελληνική μελέτης της Βίβλου - Κοντός Χολλ μμ. ΣΤ Τετάρτη της Μεγάλης Τεσσαρακοστής. Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία, 6:00pm Greek School 6:00pm- 7:00pm - Youth dance practice 7:00pm -8:30pm - Adult dance practice Σάββατο, Η ε γερσις του Λαζα ρου, 8.30πμ Όρθρος & 9.30πμ Θεία Λειτουργία. 3:45pm Choir- Mozart Requiem Όρθρος 8.15μμ Θεία Λειτουργία 9.30μμ Mνημοσηνα 10:45μμ Philoptochos Palm Sunday luncheon following the Divine Liturgy BULLETIN SPONSOR FORM If you would like to sponsor an issue of the St. George Weekly Bulletin Please contact the Church Office and speak with Antonia from 9am -4pm Monday thru Friday Requests will need to be made by Tuesday 2 weeks prior the Bulletin issue The Bulletin donation is $50.00 payable to St. George Greek Orthodox Church 24