Η ΠΑΡΟΙΚΙΑ/PAROIKIA «ἄρα οὖν οὐκέτι ἐστὲ ξένοι καὶ πάροικοι ἀλλὰ ἐστὲ συμπολῖται τῶν ἁγίων καὶ οἰκεῖοι τοῦ θεοῦ»εφ 2:19

ΙΕΡΑ ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΗ ΑΥΣΤΡΑΛΙΑΣ ΙΕΡΟΣ ΝΑΟΣ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΥ ΒΡΙΣΒΑΝΗ GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA CHURCH OF SAINT GEORGE 33 EDMONDSTONE STREET SOUTH BRISBANE 4101 www.gocstgeorge.com.au PARISH PRIESTS:Father Dimitri Tsakas Father Anastasios Bozikis Telephone: 38443669 Η ΠΑΡΟΙΚΙΑ/PAROIKIA «ἄρα οὖν οὐκέτι ἐστὲ ξένοι καὶ πάροικοι ἀλλὰ ἐστὲ συμπολῖται τῶν ἁγίων καὶ οἰκεῖοι τοῦ θεοῦ»εφ 2:19 so then you are no longer strangers and foreigners (paroikoi), but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God Eph 2:19 ΠΕΡΙΟΔΙΚΟΝ ΤΗΣ ΕΝΟΡΙΑΣ ΚΟΙΝΟΤΗΣ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΥ Σεπτέμβριος/September 2011 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY September 8 BIRTH OF THE THEOTOKOS Matins and Divine Liturgy 7:30-9:15am September 14 THE EXALTATION OF THE PRECIOUS AND LIFE-GIVING CROSS (strict fast) Matins and Divine Liturgy and the Service of the Holy Cross 7.30-9.30am September 24 PANAGIA MYRTIDIOTISSA ; ST THEKLA; ST SILOUAN 14 and 28 September English Small Paraklisis Services 6:00pm-7:00pm October 23 - Annual Saint George s Dinner/20 years of English Divine Liturgy Celebrations 5th November-Greek School Family Dinner Dance 11-13 November - Bornhoffen Church Retreat Priest s Message / Μήνυμα Ιερέως I recently visited the Greek people of Gladstone. This little city is in the midst of a boom that has brought substantial prosperity to the region. Incomes are phenomenal even for occupations that would pay a fraction in most other places. One day after my visit to Gladstone, I found myself visiting the Greeks of the Innisfail region. No mining boom here I can assure you. The people affected by Cyclone Yasi just south of Innisfail, speak of the loss of their livelihoods, and a feeling of abandonment by government, insurance companies, and the wider community. The disparaging inequality between the two places speaks of the direction our nation is allowing itself to take. Although a plethora of economists and other commentators would offer myriad explanations, I sense a dynamic that includes them in the problem. We have been in the process for some time now, of subtlety dehumanizing ourselves. Various parts of the Australian population are increasingly being referred to as labour, capital, voters, consumers, producers, investors, and the list goes on. Our political leaders have become managers of voters and the economy over and above all else. The political apathy evident among us is at least party shaped by the absence of passionate leadership that historically inspires passion in the plebiscite. When I look into the eyes of those I commune and relate with, or when you look into your neighbour s eyes, what do we see and feel the presence of? Do we see a consumer, labour, a producer, a voter? I hope not! When we look into each other s eyes we are in communion with another human being, a person made in the image of God with the capacity for joy and sorrow, vulnerability and hope, and with needs and desires that far outstrip the narrow materialist dimension of life. This deep reality needs to be re-cultivated in our nation and indeed through out the western world. The ministry of Christ found through out the Gospels is replete with this call for social justice founded upon faith and the human person. The inequalities between us will always exist but they do have a threshold beyond which they are a social cancer and detrimental to the greatness that has been our society for so long. It is time and spiritually fitting in my opinion, for us all to re-engage with our community and society as human beings with feelings and purpose. It is time to end our slavery as consumers and voters to be managed. In Friendship Father Dimitri

CHURCH PROGRAM SEPTEMBER 2011 Friday 2 ST MAMAS THE MARTYR; ST JOHN THE FASTER Saturday 3 DIVINE LITURGY IN ENGLISH 6-7.15pm Sunday 4 12 th SUNDAY OF MATTHEW 8-11am Monday 5 PROPHET ZACHARIAS FATHER OF ST JOHN THE FORERUNNER Tuesday 6 MIRACLE OF THE ARCHANGEL MICHAEL Thursday 8 NATIVITY (BIRTH) OF THE THEOTOKOS Saturday 10 DIVINE LITURGY IN ENGLISH 6-7.15pm Sunday 11 SUNDAY BEFORE THE EXALTATION OF THE CROSS 8-11am Wednesday 14 THE EXALTATION OF THE PRECIOUS AND LIFE-GIVING CROSS (strict fast) Matins, Divine Liturgy and the Service of the Holy Cross 7.30-9.30am Small Paraklysis Service to the Theotokos in English Friday 16 ST EUPHEMIA THE GREAT MARTYR Saturday 17 ST SOPHIA AND HER 3 DAUGHTERS Matins & Divine Liturgy DIVINE LITURGY IN ENGLISH Sunday 18 SUNDAY AFTER THE EXALTATION OF THE CROSS Friday 23 CONCEPTION OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST Saturday 24 PANAGIA MYRTIDIOTISSA ; ST THEKLA; ST SILOUAN DIVINE LITURGY IN ENGLISH Sunday 25 1 ST SUNDAY OF LUKE Monday 26 TRANSLATION OF ST JOHN THEOLOGIAN 6-7pm 6-7.15pm 8-11am 6-7.15pm 7.30-10.30am Wednesday 28 Small Paraklysis Service to the Theotokos in English 6-7pm. Thursday 29 ST KYRIAKOS THE ANCHORITE

ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ ΣΕΠΤΕΜΒΡΙΟΥ 2011 Παρασκευή 2 ΑΓΙΟΥ ΜΑΜΑΝΤΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΙΩΑΝΝΟΥ ΝΗΣΤΕΥΤΟΥ Σάββατο 3 ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΙΑ ΣΤΑ ΑΓΓΛΙΚΑ 6μμ-7.15μμ Κύριακη 4 ΙΒ ΜΑΤΘΑΙΟΥ Δευτέρα 5 ΖΑΧΑΡΙΟΥ ΠΡΟΦΗΤΟΥ, ΠΑΤΡΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΠΡΟΔΡΟΜΟΥ Τρίτη 6 ΑΝΑΜΝΗΣΙΣ ΘΑΥΜΑΤΟΣ ΑΡΧΑΓΓΕΛΟΥ ΜΙΧΑΗΛ Πέμπτη 8 ΤΟ ΓΕΝΕΘΛΙΟΝ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟΥ 8-11πμ Σάββατο 10 ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΙΑ ΣΤΑ ΑΓΓΛΙΚΑ 6μμ-7.15μμ Κυριακή 11 ΠΡΟ ΤΗΣ ΥΨΩΣΕΩΣ Τετάρτη 14 ΥΨΩΣΙΣ ΤΟΥ ΤΙΜΙΟΥ ΣΤΑΥΡΟΥ (νηστεία) μετά της Τελετής της Υψώσεως του Τιμίου Σταυρού Παρασκευή 16 ΕΥΦΗΜΙΑΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΜΑΡΤΥΡΟΣ Σάββατο 17 ΣΟΦΙΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΤΕΚΝΩΝ ΠΙΣΤΕΩΣ, ΕΛΠΙΔΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΓΑΠΗΣ ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΙΑ ΣΤΑ ΑΓΓΛΙΚΑ Κυριακή 18 ΜΕΤΑ ΤΗΝ ΥΨΩΣΙΝ Παρασκευή 23 ΣΥΛΛΗΨΙΣ ΠΡΟΔΡΟΜΟΥ 8πμ-11πμ 7.30-9.30πμ 6μμ-7.15μμ 8πμ-11πμ Σάββατο 24 ΑΝΑΜΝΗΣΙΣ ΤΟΥ ΘΑΥΜΑΤΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟΥ «ΜΥΡΤΙΔΙΩΤΙΣΣΗΣ» ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΙΑ ΣΤΑ ΑΓΓΛΙΚΑ Κυριακή 25 Α ΛΟΥΚΑ Δευτέρα 26 ΜΕΤΑΣΤΑΣΙΣ ΙΩΑΝΝΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΣΤΟΥ Πέμπτη 29 ΚΥΡΙΑΚΟΥ ΑΝΑΧΩΡΗΤΟΥ 6μμ-7.15μμ 7.30πμ-10.30πμ

Fellowship Dates and Socials for September 2011 Friday 16th September (Fellowship) Where: Greek Welfare Centre Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George followed by social at Coffee Club in West End Time: 7:15pm for 7:30pm start. Pick up at Coffee Club by 10:00pm (Parents welcome to join at Coffee Club) For more information please contact Mareegoula at the Greek Welfare Centre on 38443669 ==================================== Bornhoffen Church Retreat 11-13 November Cost: $120 Adult $290 Per Family (2 adults 2 children) What to Bring? Pillows, sleeping bag and/or sheets and blankets, Towels, toiletries, sunscreen, insect repellent and torch. APPLICATION FORM AVAIL- ABLE FROM CHURCH AND COMMUNITY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE ==================================== DATE CLAIMER Greek School of Saint George Family Dinner Dance Saturday 5th November 7:00pm Goodwin Park Cansdale Street Yeronga (Details to follow) Annual St George Dinner celebrating 20 years of the English Divine Liturgy SUNDAY OCTOBER 23RD GREEK CLUB 29-31 Edmondstone Street, South Brisbane 6:00pm 6:30 pm Price: $ 60.00 per person $15.00 for children (under 12 years) (Dinner & Drinks) RSVP: Tables of Ten (10) encouraged No Later than 14 October 2011 Please call Elleni or Michelle at the Administration office on (07)38443669 for further information =================================== Ετήσιο Φιλανθρωπικό Δείπνο RSVP: εορτάζοντας τα 20 χρόνια της Αγγλικής Θείας Λειτουργίας που θα λάβει χώρα Κυριακή, 23 Οκτωβρίου 2011 6.30μμ Στην αίθουσα του Ελληνικού Κοινοτικού Κέντρου 29-31 Edmondstone Street, South Brisbane Τιμή: $ 60.00 το άτομο $15.00 για παιδιά (κάτω των 12 ετών) (Συμπεριλαμβάνει Φαγητό και ποτά) Τραπέζια για Δέκα (10) άτομα (ει δυνατόν) Παρακαλούμε απαντήσετε μέχρι τις 14 Οκτωβρίου 2011 Για άλλες πληροφορίες παρακαλούμε τηλεφωνήσετε στις Ελένη και Μιχαλιτσα στο (07)38443669

Η ΠΑΝΑΓΙΑ ΜΥΡΤΙΔΙΩΤΙΣΣΑ 24η Σεπτεμβρίου Κανένα πρόσωπο, κανένας άγιος, δεν έχει τόσα ονόματα, όσα έχει η Μαρία η «Κεχαριτωμένη». Ονόματα, που αναφέρονται στην αρετή της: Άσπιλη, Αμόλυντη, Αγνή, Αγία, Παναγία. Ονόματα, που αναφέρονται στη θέση, που κατέχει τώρα στον ουρανό: Βασίλισσα, Παντάνασσα, Πλατυτέρα, Ενδοξότερα των Χερουβίμ. Ονόματα, που αναφέρονται στις εικόνες της: Πορταΐτισσα, Ρόδον το Αμάραντον, Γαλακτοτροφούσα, Δεομένη, Τριχερούσα. Ονόματα, που αναφέρονται στα σημεία και τα θαύματά της: Γρηγορούσα, Γοργοεπήκοος, Φανερωμένη, Ελεούσα, Γιάτρισσα. Ονόματα, που αναφέρονται στους τόπους, που τιμάται ιδιαιτέρως κάποια εικόνα της: Παναγία της Τήνου, Προυσώτιοοα, Χοζεβίτισσα, Μυρτιδιώτισσα. Το τελευταίο όνομα έχει σχέση με τη σημερινή γιορτή. Είναι της Παναγίας της Μυρτιδιώτισσας. Η ίδια η Παναγία είναι παντού. Αλλά κάθε τόπος της δίνει και ένα όνομα, για να θυμίσει κάποιο γεγονός, κάποιο ή κάποια θαύματα της Παναγίας. Σήμερα λοιπόν γιορτάζει η Μυρτιδιώτισσα. Πρόκειται για γιορτή δεμένη με το νησί των Κυθήρων, αλλά που ξαπλώνεται και σ ολόκληρο τον ορθόδοξο χώρο. Όπως το νερό, που βγαίνει μεν από μία πηγή, αλλά μετά γίνεται ρυάκι και ποτάμι και ποτίζει όλο τον κάμπο. Δύο τα κυριότερα στοιχεία της γιορτής: Η εικόνα και το θαύμα. Μία εικόνα της Παναγία βρέθηκε θαυματουργικά στα Κύθηρα, ανάμεσα σε μυρσίνες, που μοσχοβολούσαν. Γι αυτό και ονομάστηκε «Μυρτιδιώτισσα». Και το δεύτερο στοιχείο είναι τα θαύματα, που έκανε η εικόνα αυτή. Βεβαίως οι άπιστοι δεν τα δέχονται αυτά, όπως επίσης και οι αιρετικοί, όπως οι Χιλιοστές και οι Προτεστάντες. Αλλά και από τους λεγόμενους ορθοδόξους μερικοί θεωρούν υπερβολές ευσέβειας το να τιμάμε μία εικόνα ή τα θαύματα κάποιας εικόνας. Υπερβολή υπάρχει, όταν τιμάμε την Παναγία περισσότερο από το Χριστό, τον Υιό και Θεό της. Η Παναγία είναι άνθρωπος, θεωμένος κατά χάρη. Ο Χριστός είναι «κατ ουσίαν» Θεός. PANAGIA MYRTIDIOTISSA 24th September "The Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "Of the Myrtle Tree" (Myrtidiotissa) is in the monastery church of Myrtides on the Greek island of Kythera. It derives its name from the fact that it was found in a myrtle bush in the fourteenth century. At that time, a shepherd was tending his sheep in a deserted valley which was filled with myrtle bushes. On September 24, forty days after the Dormition, the Mother of God appeared to him and told him to seek her icon which had been brought to that place many years before. The shepherd fell to the ground in amazement, praying to the Theotokos. As soon as he got up and turned around, he saw the icon in the branches of a myrtle bush. Weeping for joy, he brought the icon home and told his friends and relatives about how he had found it. When he awoke the next morning, the shepherd found the icon missing, and thought that perhaps someone had stolen it during the night. With a heavy heart, he led his sheep back to the spot where he had found the icon. To his amazement, he saw the icon once again in the branches of the myrtle bush. Glorifying God, the man took the icon home with him once more. The next morning, it had disappeared just as it had before. When this happened a third time, the shepherd realized that the Mother of God wanted her icon to remain where it had first appeared. A small church was built to house the icon, and was called "Of the Myrtle Tree," after the icon. The building was replaced and enlarged over the years, and many miracles took place there. At the end of the sixteenth century Theodore Koumprianos, a descendant of the shepherd who found the icon, lived in the village of Kousoumari. He was a paralytic, and had an unshakeable faith that the Mother of God would heal him. Each year on September 24 he sent a family member to the church to light candles for him. One year he asked to be carried there by his family so that he might venerate the icon himself. During the Vigil, a great noise was heard coming from the direction of the sea. People fled the church, thinking that pirates were attacking. The paralytic remained in the church by himself, entreating the Mother of God for protection. Suddenly, he heard a voice from the icon telling

Εύρεση της εικόνας Μία εικόνα λοιπόν τιμάμε, αλλά και το θαύμα της εικόνας. Θαύμα! Να κάτι, που αμφισβητούν οι άπιστοι. Και όμως, το θαύμα είναι η φυσική κατάσταση για το Θεό. Το θαύμα είναι μπροστά μας, αρκεί να έχουμε ανοικτά τα μάτια μας. Όπου κι αν στρέψεις τα μάτια σου, θα δεις θαύματα. Όλος ο κόσμος είναι ένα θαύμα. Όλος ο άνθρωπος είναι ένα θαύμα. Όλη η ιστορία είναι ένα θαύμα. Όλη η Εκκλησία είναι ένα θαύμα. Ο κόσμος και η ιστορία είναι ένα υφαντό, που κέντησε ο Θεός με τη βελόνα, που λέγεται θαύμα! Το ένα θαύμα ακολουθεί το άλλο. Και με θαύματα συρράπτεται όλη η ζωή μας. «Και θαύμα συνάπτεται θαύματι» (Χρυσόστο-μος. Ε.Π.Ε. 9,240). Τρία θαύματα είναι συνδεδεμένα με την εικόνα της Μυρτιδιώτισσας. 1.Το πρώτο είναι η εύρεσή της. Παράξενο πράγμα φαίνεται να βρεθεί κατά θαυματουργικό τρόπο μία εικόνα; Αλλά σας ρωτώ; Π ο ιό είναι δυσκολότερο, να κατασκευαστεί μία εικόνα ή να δοθεί από τον κατασκευαστή της αυτή η εικόνα; Ασφαλώς το πρώτο. Ε, λοιπόν, ο Θεός, που έκανε το δυσκολότερο, δεν μπορούσε να κάνει το ευκολότερο; Το δύσκολο: Ο Θεός κατασκεύασε από ανθρώπινο υλικό την εικόνα, την ύπαρξη, που λέγεται Παναγία. Αυτός που έκανε το δύσκολο, έκανε και το πολύ εύκολο. Έκανε να βρεθεί η εικόνα της Παναγίας της Μυρτιδιώτισσας. Θαύμα γίνεται! Έχουμε την εύρεση αγίας εικόνας. Και, δόξα τω Θεώ, γίνονται τέτοια θαύματα, και είναι αυτά τα μεγαλύτερα και σπουδαιότερα. Αφού τέτοιες ευρέσεις γίνονται, η εύρεση της Μυρτιδιώτισσας δεν μπορούσε να γίνει; 2.Τό δεύτερο θαύμα της εικόνας της Μυρτιδιώτισσας έχει σχέση μ ένα παράλυτο, που θεραπεύτηκε. Δύσκολο; Όχι. Ο Χριστός ανέστησε τόσους παραλύτους και δεν θα μπορούσε να δώσει στη Μητέρα του τη χάρη να θεραπεύσει ένα παράλυτο, όταν ο ίδιος στους Μαθητές του είπε, ότι όποιος πιστεύει σ Αυτόν «θα κάνει πολύ μεγαλύτερα απ αυτά»; (Ιωάν. 14,12). Θαύμα παραλύτου. Τέτοιο θαύμα ζητάει και η εποχή μας. Ο Χριστός θεράπευσε παράλυτα σώματα με το θαύματά του. Το σπουδαιότερο, θεράπευσε παράλυτες ψυχές με το λόγο του. him to get up and flee. He stood up, and then walked out of the church. Soon he was able to run and catch up with his relatives, who rejoiced upon seeing this miracle. As it turned out, there was no pirate attack, and the noise was regarded as a sign of God's providence so that the paralytic could remain alone in church with the icon. Since that time the Koumprianos family has celebrated the icon's Feast Day with a special reverence, since Theodore had been healed on that day. Some of the other miracles associated with the Most Holy Theotokos and her icon "Of the Myrtle Tree" include protection of the island from the plague, ending the barrenness of a Jewish woman from Alexandria, saving people from death, and many other great wonders. A miracle of Panagia Myrtidiotissa A ship was traveling at sea, when there began a terrible storm. Frigid fear seized the captain and crew. It was not like today. Then the boats were wooden. And they had sails! And the old boat started leaking. The pump worked continuously, but it didn t do any good, and the boat started to sink. If the ship were lost what good were lifeboats and life jackets? All felt that every hope was lost. And then their minds turned to the Virgin Mary, who is the "hope of the hopeless. Come, Panagia Myrtidiotissa, patroness and protector of our island. Save us. Pity our children and our elderly parents, who are waiting for us! Just before the boat sank, suddenly appeared among them an allillumined woman who said: "I ve come! Don t be afraid! Your ship will be saved! And she plunged into the sea with a sponge in hand and closed the hole that had opened on board! In a few minutes, the boat went quiet on his way. They went at the first port they reached for repair. And what a miracle they saw! They saw the hole, which was opened on board, blocked by the sponge that was held in the hands of the Panagia when she appeared in the boat! Everyone saw this miracle. Full of emotion, the captain bought clean wax and made a candle like the mast of the boat. He also brought the sponge that the Panagia had in a box. He also made a small silver boat. And he returned to his homeland, the island of Chios. All went to the monastery of Panagia Myrtidiotissa. And when he went to venerate the miraculous icon, filled with emotion he cried out: - That's her! We saw her! My Panagia! My Panagia! All of them knelt in front of the Panagia. They did their cross in reverence. They thanked her from the depth of their souls, and offered their small gifts, which are kept up till the present day.

3. Το τρίτο θαύμα της εικόνας της Μυρτιδιώτισσας έχει σχέση με φρούριο των Κυθήρων, που το έσωσε η θαυματουργή εικόνα από σεισμό. Φρούρια πολλά σείονται σήμερα. Κινδυνεύουν να πέσουν τα φρούρια, τα οχυρά της πίστεως, της ελπίδας, της αγάπης. Αν μπορούν όλα τα πολυβόλα και όλοι οι πύραυλοι του κόσμου να γκρεμίσουν τον ήλιο από τη θέση του, άλλο τόσο μπορούν οι βλασφημίες και οι ασέβειες να γκρεμίσουν τον Ιησού Χριστό από το θρόνο της θεότητας. Αλλά ο Χριστός δεν είναι παραμύθι. Είναι το ιστορικό πρόσωπο, που λάμπει μέσα στους αιώνες με το θεϊκό του μεγαλείο. Το σπουδαιότερο θαύμα Είδαμε ορισμένα από τα θαύματα, που έκανε και κάνει η Υπεραγία Θεοτόκος. Οι άνθρωποι επιζητούν θαύματα, για να πιστέψουν. Μικρά είναι αυτά που ζητούν. Το μεγάλο θαύμα δυστυχώς δεν το ζητούν. Κι όμως αυτό το θαύμα έχει γίνει εκατομμύρια φορές μέσα στην ιστορία της Εκκλησίας. Είναι η αλλαγή των ανθρώπων. Αν εμείς οι χριστιανοί πιστέψουμε δυνατά στον Ιησού Χριστό και με τη χάρη του καθαριστούμε, μοσχοβολήσουμε σαν τις μυρτιές, θ αποτελούμε την καλύτερη διαφήμιση του Ευαγγελίου. (Αρχιμ. Δ. Αεράκη, «Κλήματα της Αμπέλου» - αποσπάσματα) RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION (ΘΕΙΑ ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΑ) The Mystery of the Eucharist is the central act in our life as a Church community. Orthodox Christians believe that the bread and wine received during Holy Communion is truly the Body and Blood of Christ given to us as the food of eternal life (John 6:51). Through Holy Communion we are united with God in Christ and with one another as members of the Body of Christ. It is the ultimate expression of the unity of the Church in one hope, one Lord, one faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of all (Eph. 4:4-6). When we approach Holy Communion we should do so with reverence and in a spirit of prayer and repentance. St Paul warns Christians that approaching Holy Communion unworthily can cause them more harm than good. (1 Cor. 11:27-30) Therefore in coming to Church to commune we should keep the following in mind: As Holy Communion is the greatest expression of the Church s unity only Orthodox Christians, baptised and chrismated in the Orthodox Church, can commune in the Orthodox Church. Similarly, Orthodox Christians cannot commune in any non-orthodox churches as this is a denial of the unity of the Church s faith and practice. Approaching Holy Communion cannot be a last-minute decision. It presupposes a period of spiritual preparation involving prayer, repentance and confession to a priest, and fasting. The Church encourages regular (even weekly) participation in Holy Communion from Orthodox Christians who observe the four major fasts of the year and the weekly Wednesday and Friday fasts; who participate regularly in the Mystery of Confession and who have prepared themselves through prayer. No food or drink should be taken prior to receiving Holy Communion or Antidoron (Blessed Bread). If it is a morning Divine Liturgy then this fast starts from midnight the night before. If it is an evening Liturgy then lunch should be the final meal before Holy Communion. Certain sins automatically prevent us from receiving Holy Communion without going to Confession. These include: Denial of the Orthodox Faith eg not believing in the teachings of the Church, getting married outside of the Orthodox Church, acting as a godparent in a non-orthodox Baptism etc Sexual sins eg adultery, fornication ie. sex outside of marriage (including living with a partner outside of a marriage blessed in the Church) etc Sins against others eg murder, abortion, domestic violence, stealing, assault, hatred etc. When lining up for Communion we should do so quietly and in a spirit of prayer. When our turn comes we do the sign of the Cross in the Orthodox manner and tell the priest our baptismal name before opening our mouth to receive Communion. We then cross ourselves again and step quietly away being careful not put anything in our mouth until after we have the antidoron (Blessed Bread). We should avoid kissing icons after Holy Communion. Children need to be actively guided by their parents personal example and clear directions. It is helpful if parents accompany their children Holy Communion and instruct them to cross themselves and say their name at the appropriate time. From an early age children should see their parents fasting and praying and should be taught to do so in an age-appropriate way. Orthodox Christians should consult their spiritual father or parish priest in order to clarify any issues in applying these guidelines to their particular situation.

SCRIPTURE READINGS AND MUSICAL TONES FOR SUNDAYS AND FEAST DAYS IN SEPTEMBER DATE EPISTLE READING GOSPEL READING TONE MATINSGOSPEL 4 1 Cor. 15: 1-11 Matt. 19: 16-24 3 1 st 8 Phil. 2:5-11 Luke 10: 38-42, 11: 27-28 11 Gal. 6: 11-18 John 3: 13-17 4 2 nd 14 1 Cor. 1: 18-24 John 19: 6-11, 13-20, 25-28, 30 18 Gal. 2:16-20 Mark 8: 34-9:1 5 3 rd 25 2 Cor. 4: 6-15 Luke 5: 1-11 6 4 th GUIDE TO FASTING FOR SEPTEMBER 2011 Fasting is an integral and essential part of Orthodox Christian life. There are 4 major periods of fasting during the year and a number of other days in which Orthodox Christians abstain from meat, dairy products, eggs, fish, wine and oil. Every Wednesday and Friday (with some exceptions) is a fasting day. If a feast day falls on a Wednesday or a Friday the fasting is relaxed as indicated. We never fast from wine and oil on Saturday (except Great Saturday) or Sunday because the Resurrection of Christ is celebrated on these days. The 14 th September is a strict fast in commemoration of Christ s suffering and death on the Cross. Please consult your spiritual father or priest to help you apply these guidelines to your own situation. Friday 2 Abstain from meat, eggs, dairy products, fish, wine and oil. Wednesday 7 Abstain from meat, eggs, dairy products, fish, wine and oil. Friday 9 Abstain from meat, eggs, dairy products, fish. Wednesday 14 Abstain from meat, eggs, dairy products, fish, wine and oil. Friday 16 Abstain from meat, eggs, dairy products, fish, wine and oil. Wednesday 21 Abstain from meat, eggs, dairy products, fish, wine and oil. Friday 23 Abstain from meat, eggs, dairy products, fish Wednesday 28 Abstain from meat, eggs, dairy products, fish, wine and oil. Friday 30 Abstain from meat, eggs, dairy products, fish, wine and oil. WE RE ON FACEBOOK LIKE OUR PAGE AT ST GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH, BRISBANE JOIN US AND RECEIVE REGULAR UPDATES ON CHURCH EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES =============================================================================================== Greek Orthodox Community of St George, Brisbane PO BOX 3620, South Brisbane, QLD 4101 Donation form I would like to make a financial donation to: Please tick one of the following boxes. The Greek Welfare Gift Fund St George School Building Fund Estia Disability Group Qld Gift Fund Enclosed is my Cheque for the amount of $. Please debit my Credit Card: (Please tick) Visa MasterCard Amex Name on Card: Signature: Exp. Date: / Address: Post Code: