Meatfare Sunday: Sunday of the Last Judgment

Ελληνικός Ορθόδοξος Ιερός Ναός Αγίου Γεωργίου St. George Greek Orthodox Church 9426 Little Road, New Port Richey, FL 34654 Reverend Fr. Dr. Gregory Edwards, Presbyter 727-967-2178 secretary1.stgeorge@gmail.com - Church Office: 727-868-5911 Alex Limberatos, Youth Director - youth@stgeorgetampabay.org or his cell phone 262-370-0586 Meatfare Sunday: Sunday of the Last Judgment SUNDAY FEBRUARY 11TH, 2018 NEW WEB PAGE: www.stgeorgenpr.org This Sunday is called Meat-Fare because during the week following it, a limited fast abstention from meat is prescribed by the Church. This prescription is to be understood in the light of what has been said about the meaning of preparation. The foregoing two parables -- especially that of the Prodigal Son -- have presented to us God's extreme goodness and love for man. But lest certain persons, putting their confidence in this alone, live carelessly, squandering upon sin the time given them to work out their salvation, and death suddenly snatch them away, the most divine Fathers have appointed this day's feast commemorating Christ's impartial Second Coming, through which we bring to mind that God is not only the Friend of man, but also the most righteous Judge, Who recompenses to each according to his deeds. It is the aim of the holy Fathers, through bringing to mind that fearful day, to rouse us from the slumber of carelessness unto the work of virtue, and to move us to love and compassion for our brethren. Besides this, even as on the coming Sunday of Cheese-fare we commemorate Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight -- which exile is the beginning of life as we know it now -- it is clear that today's is reckoned the last of all feasts, because on the last day of judgment, truly, everything of this world will come to an end. All foods, except meat and meat products, are allowed during the week that follows this Sunday. 1

EPISTLE St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 8:8-13; 9:1-2 Brethren, food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol's temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother's falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall. Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟ Κυριακή της Απόκρεω, Αποστ. Ανάγνωσμα: Α Κορ. η 8 θ 2 Αδελφοί, δεν είναι οι τροφές που θα καθορίσουν τη θέση μας απέναντι στον Θεό ούτε αν δεν φάμε κάποιες απ αυτές χάνουμε κάτι ούτε αν φάμε αποκτάμε κάτι παραπάνω. Προσέξτε όμως, μήπως το ελεύθερο αυτό δικαίωμα σας γίνει αιτία να σκοντάψουν και να πέσουν εκείνοι που η πίστη τους είναι αδύνατη. Πράγματι, αν κάποιος, απ αυτούς δει εσένα, που έχεις τη «γνώση», να κάθεσαι στο τραπέζι ενός ειδωλολατρικού ναού, η συνείδησή του, αφού αυτός είναι αδύνατος, δεν θα παρασυρθεί από το παράδειγμά σου και δεν θα παρακινηθεί να τρώει τα ειδωλόθυτα; Έτσι, η δική σου «γνώση» θα προκαλέσει τον χαμό αυτού του αδυνάτου, του αδελφού μας, για τον οποίον ο Χριστός έδωσε τη ζωή του. Αμαρτάνοντας όμως μ αυτόν τον τρόπο απέναντι στους αδελφούς και πληγώνοντας τη συνείδησή τους που είναι αδύνατη, αμαρτάνετε απέναντι στον ίδιο τον Χριστό. Γι αυτό, αν κάποια τροφή μπορεί να γίνεται αιτία να σκοντάφτει και να πέφτει ο αδελφός μου, εγώ δεν θα βάλω ποτέ κρέας στο στόμα μου, για να μην γίνω αιτία να πέσει ο αδελφός μου. Πάρτε παράδειγμα εμένα. Δεν είμαι απόστολος; δεν είμαι ελεύθερος; δεν είδα αναστημένο τον Ιησού, τον Κύριό μας; δεν είστε εσείς ο καρπός του κόπου μου στην υπηρεσία του Κυρίου; Κι αν ακόμα άλλοι αρνούνται να με αναγνωρίσουν ως απόστολο, για σας οπωσδήποτε είμαι γιατί η ίδια η ύπαρξη της Εκκλησίας σας είναι η απόδειξη πως είμαι απόστολος. GOSPEL The Gospel According to Matthew 25:31-46 The Lord said, "When the Son of man comes in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you 2

gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟ Κυριακή της Απόκρεω, Ευαγγ. Ανάγνωσμα: Ματθ. κε 31-46 Όταν, λοιπόν, έρθει ο Υιός του Aνθρώπου μέσα στη δόξα του, και μαζί του όλοι οι άγιοι άγγελοί του, τότε θα καθίσει πάνω στον ένδοξο θρόνο του. Kαι θα συναχθούν μπροστά του όλα τα έθνη και θα τους ξεχωρίσει τον έναν από τον άλλο, όπως ξεχωρίζει ο βοσκός τα πρόβατα από τα γίδια. Kαι θα βάλει τα πρόβατα στα δεξιά του, ενώ τα γίδια θα τα βάλει στ αριστερά. Έπειτα ο βασιλιάς θα πει σ αυτούς που θα είναι στα δεξιά του: Eλάτε οι ευλογημένοι του Πατέρα μου, κληρονομήστε τη βασιλεία που έχει ετοιμαστεί για σας από τότε που θεμελιώθηκε ο κόσμος. Γιατί πείνασα, και μου δώσατε να φάω, δίψασα, και μου δώσατε να πιω, ξένος ήμουν, και με περιμαζέψατε, γυμνός ήμουν, και με ντύσατε, αρρώστησα, και με επισκεφτήκατε, στη φυλακή ήμουν, και ήρθατε κοντά μου. Tότε θα αποκριθούν οι δίκαιοι και θα του πούνε: Kύριε, πότε σε είδαμε να πεινάς και σε θρέψαμε ή να διψάς και σου δώσαμε να πιεις; Kαι πότε σε είδαμε ξένο και σε περιμαζέψαμε ή γυμνό και σε ντύσαμε; Kαι πότε σε είδαμε άρρωστο ή στη φυλακή και σε επισκεφτήκαμε; Kαι θ αποκριθεί ο βασιλιάς και θα τους πει: Πραγματικά, σας λέω, καθόσον τα κάνατε αυτά σ έναν από τους αδελφούς μου αυτούς τους ασήμαντους, σ εμένα τα κάνατε. Kατόπιν θα πει και σ εκείνους που θα είναι στ αριστερά: Φύγετε από μένα εσείς οι καταραμένοι, στη φωτιά την αιώνια, που έχει ετοιμαστεί για το διάβολο και τους αγγέλους του. Γιατί πείνασα, και δεν μου δώσατε να φαω, δίψασα, και δεν μου δώσατε να πιω, ξένος ήμουν, και δεν με περιμαζέψατε, γυμνός ήμουν, και δεν με ντύσατε, άρρωστος και στη φυλακή, και δεν με επισκεφτήκατε. Tότε θα του αποκριθούν κι αυτοί: Kύριε, πότε σε είδαμε να πεινάς ή να διψάς ή ξένο ή γυμνό ή άρρωστο ή στη φυλακή, και δεν σε υπηρετήσαμε; Θα τους αποκριθεί τότε εκείνος: Πραγματικά, σας λέω, καθόσον δεν τα κάνατε αυτά σ έναν απ αυτούς τους ασήμαντους, ούτε σε μένα τα κάνατε. Kαι θ αναχωρήσουν αυτοί σε κόλαση αιώνια, και οι δίκαιοι σε ζωή αιώνια». 3

Ύμνοι της Εβδομάδος Ἀπολυτίκιον Ἀναστάσιµον. Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια, ἀγαλλιάσθω τὰ ἐπίγεια, ὅτι ἐποίησε κράτος, ἐν βραχίονι αὐτοῦ, ὁ Κύριος, ἐπάτησε τῷ θανάτῳ τὸν θάνατον, πρωτότοκος τῶν νεκρῶν ἐγένετο, ἐκ κοιλίας ᾅδου ἐρρύσατο ἡμᾶς, καὶ παρέσχε τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος. 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. Seasonal Kontakion Ὅταν ἔλθῃς ὁ Θεός, ἐπὶ γῆς μετὰ δόξης, καὶ τρέμωσι τὰ σύμπαντα, ποταμὸς δὲ τοῦ πυρὸς πρὸ τοῦ Βήματος ἕλκῃ, καὶ βίβλοι ἀνοίγωνται, καὶ τὰ κρυπτὰ δημοσιεύωνται, τότε ῥῦσαί με, ἐκ τοῦ πυρὸς τοῦ ἀσβέστου, καὶ ἀξίωσον, ἐκ δεξιῶν σου μὲ στῆναι, Κριτὰ δικαιότατε. Hymns of the Week Resurrectional Apolytikion Let the Heavens rejoice; let earthly things be glad; for the Lord hath wrought might with His arm, He hath trampled upon death by death. The first-born of the dead hath He become. From the belly of Hades hath He delivered us, and hath granted great mercy to the world. 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 saved. Seasonal Kontakion O God, when You come upon the earth in glory, the whole world will tremble. A river of fire will bring all before Your Judgment Seat and the books will be opened, and everything in secret will become public. At that time, deliver me from the fire which never dies, and enable me to stand by Your right hand, O Judge most just. Memorials When planning your memorial service please make sure that you contact the office and give the names of the reposed so that Father Gregory has them in advance. In addition, if you would like KOLYVA we ask that you contact Katina Kollias 727-849-0544 or 1-352-277-6545 4

February 11 th Judgment (Meat-fare) Sunday (Matt 25:31-46) This Sunday emphasizes the Last Judgment. We are reminded of our individual responsibility for love. We are encouraged not to eat meat this week, but we can eat eggs, cheese and other dairy products. February 18 th Forgiveness (Cheese-Fare) Sunday (Matt 6:14-21) This Sunday emphasizes forgiveness and how we must forgive others if God is to forgive us so we can break the chains of sinful tendency which we inherit from the Adam and Eve. This is the last day of preparation as the traditional Lenten fast begins on the following day where no meat, dairy or eggs are to be eaten according to the church tradition. Great Lent Begins February 19th Great Lent is the period that the Church has in her wisdom set aside for us to intensify our own spiritual growth through fasting, prayer and worship. If you follow the Church guidelines on fasting, make time to attend the services and intensify your own prayer life, you will be rewarded with a greater closeness to God. Dear parishioners, I am pleased to share with you that our Archpastor and father in Christ, Metropolitan Alexios, will be joining us for the Sunday of Orthodoxy this year, on Sunday morning, February 25th. At the end of the Liturgy, His Eminence will lead the kids in a procession of icons, so please have your kids brings their icons from home! Good Lent! Αγαπητοί ενορίτες, Ο Μητροπολίτης Αλέξιος, θα λειτουργήσει την Κυριακή της Ορθοδοξίας φέτος στις 25 Φεβρουαρίου. Στο τέλος της Λειτουργίας, ο Σεβασμιότατος θα οδηγήσει τα παιδιά σε μια πομπή εικόνων, οπότε παρακαλουμει τα παιδιά σας να φέρουν τις εικόνες τους από το σπίτι! Καλή Σαρασκοστή! Sunday of Orthodoxy "Triumph of Orthodoxy." The Sunday of Orthodoxy is the first Sunday of Great Lent. The dominant theme of this Sunday since 843 has been that of the victory of the icons. In that year the iconoclastic controversy, which had raged on and off since 726, was finally laid to rest, and icons and their veneration were restored on the first Sunday in Lent. Ever since, this Sunday has been commemorated as the "Triumph of Orthodoxy." 5

Sunday Bulletin Sponsored In Loving Memory of +Demetrios Jimmy Lekakis given by his parents Fotios and Ourania brothers, Alex, Phillip and their families Jimmy, We Miss You! In your life you touched so many. In your death many lives were changed. You were an amazing young man. Without you here, our lives will never be the same. We miss you more than words could ever say. Even more with each and every passing day. We just hold onto the memories that we made and All the promises God so graciously gave. Resting assured when Jesus comes there will be no more sadness, No more goodbyes, just life together eternally with Jesus by our side. Melinda Jones ************************************************************ In Loving Memory of +Barbara Konstas given by her mother, Elpida Rakou and children Fotini, Katerina and Father, Sotiros Konstas Special Angel In Heaven There s a special Angel in Heaven That is a part of me. It is not where I wanted her but where God wanted her to be. She was here but just a moment like a night time shooting star And though she is in Heaven, she isn t very far. She touched the hearts of many like only Angels can. I would ve held her every minute If I d only known God s plan. So I send this special message to the Heavens up above. Please take care of my Angel and send her all my love. 6

MEMORIAL SERVICE - +ΙΕΡΟ ΜΝΗΜΟΣΥΝΟ+ 40 day memorial service for + Anthony Miceli given by his mother Nikki Miceli and family 4year memorial service for +Demetrios Jimmy Lekakis given by his parents Fotios and Ourania brothers, Alex, Phillip and their families I year memorial service for + Barbara Konstas given her mother, Elpida Rakou and children Fotini, Katerina Trisagion: +Diogenis Dodge Galanos given by his wife Polly Galanos and family In Loving memory of +ANTHONY MICELI Our Little Angel When God calls little children to dwell with Him above, We mortals sometime question the wisdom of His love. For no heartache compares with the death of one small child Who does so much to make our world, seem wonderful and mild Perhaps God tires of calling the aged To his fold, So He picks a rosebud, before it can grow old. God knows how much we need them, and so He takes but few To make the land of Heaven more beautiful to view. Believing this is difficult still somehow we must try, The saddest word mankind knows will always be "Goodbye." So when a little child departs, we who are left behind Must realize God loves children, Angels are hard to find. 7

Did you know this about Memorial Services and Kolyva : Memorial services may not be chanted from the Saturday of Lazarus through the Sunday of Thomas on any Feast days of the Lord or any Feast days of the Theotokos. Koliva is boiled wheat with a combination of some or all of the following ingredients: powdered sugar, almonds, ground walnuts, sesame seeds, cinnamon, pomegranate seeds, raisins, anise, parsley and more. Koliva is made for memorials, typically on Saturdays of the Souls, and according to different traditions, the day of a Funeral, the 40 th day after death, 3 rd month, 6 th month, 9 th month, annually, and even sometimes just on big anniversaries only, such as 5 years, 10 years, etc. You may also have Kolyva on the funeral day but ONLY boiled wheat no sweetness is added. Sweetness is added on the 40day memorial and thereafter. In John s Gospel we find this quote, Christ said, Unless a wheat grain falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. (John 12:24) As Orthodox Christians we are awaiting the 2 nd Coming and the General Resurrection of the dead, through Christ we have Life! But, remembering the memory of our deceased beloved ones is an opportunity to pray for the souls of the departed as well as a way to help us heal from the death. Stamatia Vamvounakis, would like to extend a BIG thank you to all of her friends that visited here at the rehab center and a special thank you to all those who brought delicious homemade food and pastries to make her feel at home. With Love Matia THANK YOU TO THE CO-CHAIRS OF THE DINNERS! Jim Wilson, Tom and Kay Williams Don Cone Thank you for your dedication, time and talent every week to prepare, cook and serve our community and parishioners, The Friday dinners have been a huge fundraiser in our church and we thank ALL of our volunteers for the countless hours every week preparing and volunteering for this fundraiser. Without YOU this fundraiser would not be successful! May God continue to bless you and your families. 8

9

Πώς θα κριθεί ο κόσμος Η τρίτη Κυριακή του Τριωδίου ονομάζεται της Απόκρεω γιατί η κατά την εβδομάδα που ακολουθεί τηρείται αποχή από την κρεοφαγία. Η Κυριακή της Απόκρεω είναι αφιερωμένη στο έσχατο γεγονός της θείας Οικονομίας, στη Δευτέρα και Ένδοξη Παρουσία του Κυρίου. Το ευαγγελικό ανάγνωσμα της ημέρας μας φέρνει μπροστά στη δίκαιη και αμερόληπτη κρίση του Θεού. Κατά την προηγούμενη Κυριακή του Ασώτου ο Θεός παρουσιάζεται ως στοργικός πατέρας που αναμένει την επιστροφή του Ασώτου υιού του. Κατά την Κυριακή της Απόκρεω μας αποκαλύπτεται η δικαιοσύνη του Θεού. Η δικαιοσύνη του Θεού βέβαια δεν κινείται μέσα στα ανθρώπινα πλαίσια, δεν είναι αυθαίρετη, ούτε μεροληπτική, αλλά αμείβει ή «τιμωρεί» τους ανθρώπους ανάλογα με τα έργα τους. Ο Ιησούς Χριστός για να κάνει κατανοητή στους ακροατές του την εικόνα του διαχωρισμού των ανθρώπων στους εκ δεξιών και στους εξ αριστερών του Δίκαιου Κριτή, χρησιμοποιεί την σκηνή της διαλογής των προβάτων από τα ερίφια. Με όση δηλαδή ευκολία ένας βοσκός διακρίνει και χωρίζει τα πρόβατα από τα ερίφια, με την ίδια ευκολία θα διαχωριστούν οι άνθρωποι κατά την τελική κρίση. Το ερώτημα που τίθεται είναι με βάση ποιό κριτήριο θα γίνει η τελική αυτή κρίση; Το κριτήριο λοιπόν δεν είναι τίποτε άλλο, παρά η εκδήλωση της αγάπης με έργα. Γι αυτό ο Δίκαιος Κριτής απευθυνόμενος προς τους εκ δεξιών λέγει: «αμήν λέγω υμίν, εφ όσον εποιήσατε ενί τούτων των αδελφών μου των ελαχίστων, εμοί εποιήσατε». Και αντίστοιχα απευθυνόμενος προς τους εξ αριστερών τονίζει: «αμήν λέγω υμίν, εφ όσον ουκ εποιήσατε ενί τούτων των ελαχίστων, ουδέ εμοί εποιήσατε». Βέβαια η υπόδειξη της αγάπης ως κριτηρίου για την τελική κρίση δεν πρέπει σε καμία περίπτωση να μας οδηγήσει στην αποσύνδεση της αγάπης από την πίστη στο Θεό. Άλλωστε η ζωντανή πίστη είναι εκείνη που εκφράζεται με έργα. Ο Απόστολος Ιάκωβος ο Αδελφόθεος τονίζει χαρακτηριστικά «δείξον μοι την πίστιν σου εκ των έργων σου» (Ιακ.2,18) και «η πίστις χωρίς των έργων νεκρά εστίν» (Ιακ.2,20). Η αγάπη έχει διπλή κατεύθυνση, είναι η αγάπη προς τον Θεό και η αγάπη προς τον συνάνθρωπο. Η ανθρώπινη αγάπη είναι η ανταπόκριση στην απόλυτη αγάπη του Θεού, γιατί «αυτός πρώτος ηγάπησεν ημάς» (Α Ιω.4,19). Η έκφραση της αγάπης μας περνά μέσα από τους πτωχούς, πάσχοντες και εμπερίστατους συνανθρώπους μας. Ο ευαγγελιστής της αγάπης τονίζει χαρακτηριστικά: «εάν τις είπη ότι αγαπώ τον Θεόν, και τον αδελφόν αυτού μισή, ψεύστης εστίν» (Α Ιω.4,20). Η αληθινή αγάπη πρέπει να είναι και ανιδιοτελής και να μην αποβλέπει ούτε στην αμοιβή, ούτε στην αναγνώριση ή την επίδειξη. Η αγάπη υπάρχει γιατί αυτό είναι η εντολή και το θέλημα του Θεού. Οι εξ δεξιών του Δίκαιου Κριτή όταν ακούν τον έπαινό Του εκπλήσσονται και απορούν όχι γιατί αποδίδονται σε αυτούς έργα αγάπης που δεν έκαναν, αλλά γιατί τα έργα τους αυτά αποδίδονται προς τον ίδιο τον Ιησού Χριστό. Αυτό και μόνο σημαίνει ότι οι πράξεις τους αυτές έγιναν χωρίς τον υπολογισμό της αμοιβής και χωρίς καμία ιδιοτέλεια. Την ίδια στιγμή η αγάπη έχει και διαπροσωπικό χαρακτήρα, γιατί αναφέρεται στο συγκεκριμένο άνθρωπο που σε κάθε περίπτωση έχει τη δική μας ανάγκη. Η αγάπη δηλαδή δεν είναι μια αφηρημένη έννοια. Ο Δίκαιος Κριτής δεν επαινεί τους εκ δεξιών γιατί έλυσαν τα παγκόσμια προβλήματα της φτώχειας και της δυστυχίας, αλλά γιατί έδωσαν τροφή σε ένα πεινασμένο συνάνθρωπο, γιατί βοήθησαν με κάθε τρόπο έναν εμπερίστατο συνάνθρωπο. Η αγάπη λοιπόν είναι η σχέση του ανθρώπου με τον Δημιουργό Θεό και με τον συνάνθρωπό του και δεν αναφέρεται στην αφηρημένη ανθρωπότητα. Όποιος 10

διακηρύττει με λόγια ότι αγαπά όλους τους ανθρώπους, αλλά αδιαφορεί για τον συνάνθρωπό του που κάθε φορά βρίσκεται απέναντί του και ζητά τη συμπαράστασή του, αυτός ψεύδεται. Η αγάπη προϋποθέτει την αναγνώριση του συνανθρώπου, ακόμα και του πιο φτωχού και ελάχιστου, ως αδελφού, σαν μέλους της ίδιας οικογένειας με πατέρα το Θεό. Η μαρτυρία της αληθινής αγάπης μέσα στο σύγχρονο κόσμο μας, με τα συνεχώς αυξανόμενα κοινωνικά και οικονομικά προβλήματα, είναι η διέξοδος από τη γενικότερη κρίση. Η καλλιέργεια στις συνειδήσεις των ανθρώπων, ότι όλοι είμαστε μια οικογένεια με Πατέρα τον Θεό, δεν μας αφήνει περιθώρια αδιαφορίας μπροστά στις ανάγκες των αναξιοπαθούντων αδελφών μας. Η παγκόσμια κρίση της ανθρωπότητας σήμερα, που συσσώρευσε πλήθος δυσκολιών στις κοινωνίες μας, ίσως είναι ένα ερέθισμα για την εκδήλωση έργων αγάπης, φιλανθρωπίας και συμπαράστασης προς τον κάθε εμπερίστατο συνάνθρωπό μας. Ο έπαινος του Δίκαιου Κριτή ας είναι ο οδοδείκτης της ζωής μας: «αμήν λέγω υμίν, εφ όσον εποιήσατε ενί τούτων των αδελφών μου των ελαχίστων, εμοί εποιήσατε». 11

12 OFFICE UPDATE : Thank you for your patience! The church office is underway with a project to improve the phone system so that it will help cut costs. For emergency (only) you may reach Father Gregory at 727-967- 2178 for the office please contact 727-868- 5911 and leave a message so that the office may return your call. For those watching us on U-Stream we apologize for the inconvenience. U-stream is currently offline. We are currently repairing this issue and should be fixed shortly. Thank You! Parish Council Vacancy The Parish Council has one vacancy. The one vacancy is for the remainder opening for 2018. In accordance with the Uniform parish Regulations (UPR), the vacancy is filled with stewards from within the parish who are in good standing spiritually and finically, since February 19, 2017. If you are interested in being considered to fill this vacancy, please complete a nomination form and place it in the Stewardship Box at the candle stand ( pangari) in the narthex of the church, no later than noon on Wednesday February 14th. Forms are available at the candle stand. The Parish Council will elect t the candidate from the nominees by secret ballot on its first meeting following the close of the nominations but no later than February 26th. The name of the elected member will be sent to the Metropolis for ratification. Upon approval., Father Gregory will administer the Affirmation of Office to them. In The meantime newly-elected members will have attended an orientation with Father Gregory and signed the Disclosure Statement for the Metropolis. (Ref. UPR, Article 26, Section 4. Paragraphs A and B). Than you for your willingness to serve your church.

13

Πρόγραμμα Εκκλησιαστικών Ακολουθιών February 2018 Φεβρουάριος 2018 February 11, Judgment Sunday (Meatfare), 8:15AM Matins/Orthros & 9:30AM Divine Liturgy. 11 Φεβρουαρίου, Κυριακή της Απόκρεω, 8.15πμ Όρθρος & 9.30πμ Θεία Λειτουργία. February 14, Wednesday, 6:00-7:00 PM, Holy Unction (Healing Service) 14 Φεβρουαρίου, Τετάρτη, 6.00-7.00μμ, Ιερόν Ευχέλαιον February 16, Friday, 6:00-6:45 PM, Vespers for Soul Saturday with Kollyva 16 Φεβρουαρίου, Παρασκευή, 6.00-6.45μμ, Εσπερινός Ψυχοσαββάτου με Κόλλυβα February 17, 2nd Soul Saturday, Orthros 8:30AM & Divine Liturgy 9:30AM. 17 Φεβρουαρίου, B Ψυχοσάββατο. Όρθρος 8.30πμ Θεία Λειτουργία 9.30πμ. February 17, Saturday, 6:00-6:45 PM Great Vespers 17 Φεβρουαρίου, Σάββατο, 6.00-6.45μμ Μ. Εσπερινός February 18, Forgiveness Sunday (Cheesefare), 8:15AM Matins/Orthros & 9:30AM Divine Liturgy. 18 Φεβρουαρίου, Κυριακή της συγχωρέσεως (Τυροφάγου), 8.15πμ Όρθρος & 9:30πμ Θεία Λειτουργία. February 18, Sunday, Forgiveness Vespers 6:00-7:00PM 18 Φεβρουαρίου, Κυριακή, Εσπερινός της Συγχωρέσεως 6:00-7:00μμ February 19, Clean Monday. Great Lent Begins. 6:00-7:30 PM Compline with Part 1 of the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete 19 Φεβρουαρίου, Καθαρά Δευτέρα Αρχή της Μεγάλης Τεσσαρακοστής, 6.00-7.30μμ, Απόδειπνον με Α Μέρος του Μ. Κανόνος του Αγ. Ανδρέου Κρήτης February 20, Tuesday, 6:00-7:30 PM Compline with Part 2 of the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete 20 Φεβρουαρίου, Τρίτη, 6.00-7.30μμ, Απόδειπνον με Β Μέρος του Μ. Κανόνος του Αγ. Ανδρέου Κρήτης February 21, First Wednesday of Great Lent, 4:30-6:00, Compline with Part 3 of the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, 6:00-7:30 PM. 21 Φεβρουαρίου, Α Τετάρτη της Μεγάλης Τεσσαρακοστής, 4.30-6.00μμ, Απόδειπνον με Γ Μέρος του Μ. Κανόνος του Αγ. Ανδρέου Κρήτης Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία, 6.00-7.30μμ. 14

February 22, Thursday, 6:00-7:30 PM Compline with Part 4 of the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete 22 Φεβρουαρίου, Πέμπτη, 6.00-7.30μμ, Απόδειπνον με Δ Μέρος του Μ. Κανόνος του Αγ. Ανδρέου Κρήτης February 23, Friday. Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, 9:00-10:45 AM. 23 Φεβρουαρίου, Παρασκευή. Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία, 9.00-10.45μμ. February 23, Friday. First Salutation to the Holy Virgin Mary-Theotokos, 6:00-7.30PM. 23 Φεβρουαρίου, Παρασκευή. Α Χαιρετισμοί εις την Υπεραγία Θεοτόκο, 6.00-7.30μμ. February 24, 3rd Soul Saturday (First and Second Finding of the Venerable Head of St. John the Baptist), Orthros 8:30AM & Divine Liturgy 9:30AM. 24 Φεβρουαρίου, Γ Ψυχοσάββατο (Εὕρεση Τιμίας Κεφαλῆς Ἁγίου Ιωάννου Προδρόμου), Όρθρος 8.30πμ Θεία Λειτουργία 9.30πμ. February 24, Saturday, 6:00-6:45 PM Great Vespers 24 Φεβρουαρίου, Σάββατο, 6.00-6.45μμ Μ. Εσπερινός February 25, Sunday of Orthodoxy. 1st Sunday of Great Lent, 8:15AM Matins/Orthros & 9:30AM Divine Liturgy. 25 Φεβρουαρίου, Κυριακή της Ορθοδοξίας, 8.15ΑΜ Όρθρος & 9.30πμ Θεία Λειτουργία. At the end of the Divine Liturgy we will have the procession of the Holy Icons, please bring with you an Icon from your House to be blessed. Περιφορά των Ιερών Εικόνων, σας παρακαλούμε να φέρετε μαζί σας στην Εκκλησία Ιερά Εικόνα από το σπίτι σας για την περιφορά. February 28, Second Wednesday of Great Lent, Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, 6:00-7:30 PM. 28 Φεβρουαρίου, B Τετάρτη της Μεγάλης Τεσσαρακοστής, Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία, 6.00-7.30μμ. 15

This Sunday is called Meat-Fare because during the week following it a limited fasting abstention from meat is prescribed by the Church. This prescription is to be understood in the light of what has been said about the meaning of preparation. The Church begins now to adjust us to the great effort which she will expect from us seven days later. She gradually takes us into that effort knowing our frailty, foreseeing our spiritual weakness. On the eve of that day (Meat-Fare Saturday), the Church invites us to a universal commemoration of all those who have fallen asleep in the hope of resurrection and life eternal. This is indeed the Church s great day of prayer for her departed members. To understand the meaning of this connection between Lent and the prayer for the dead, one must remember that Christianity is the religion of love. Christ left with His disciples not a doctrine of individual salvation but a new commandment that they love one another, and He added: By this shall all know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. Love is thus the foundation, the very life of the Church which is, in the words of St. Ignatius of Antioch, the unity of faith and love. Sin is always absence of love, and therefore separation, isolation, war of all against all. The new life given by Christ and conveyed to us by the Church is, first of all, a life of reconciliation, of gathering into oneness of those who were dispersed, the restoration of love broken by sin. But how can we even begin our return to God and our reconciliation with Him if in ourselves we do not return to the unique new commandment of love? Praying for the dead is an essential expression of the Church as love. We ask God to remember those whom we remember and we remember them because we love them. Praying for them we meet them in Christ who is Love and who, because He is Love, overcomes death which is the ultimate victory of separation and lovelessness. In Christ there is no difference between living and dead because all are alive in Him. He is the Life and that Life is the light of man. Loving Christ, we love all those who are in Him; loving those who are in Him, we love Christ: this is the law of the Church and the obvious rationale for her of prayer for the dead. It is truly our love in Christ that keeps them alive because it keeps them in Christ, and how wrong, how hopelessly wrong, are those Western Christians who either reduce prayer for the dead to a juridical doctrine of merits and compensations or simply reject it as useless. The great Vigil for the Dead of Meat-Fare Saturday serves as a pattern for all other commemorations of the departed and it is repeated on the second, third, and fourth Saturdays of Lent. It is love again that constitutes the theme of Meat-Fare Sunday. The Gospel lesson for the day is Christ s parable of the last Judgment (Matt. 25:31-46). When Christ comes to judge us, what will be the criterion of His judgment? The parable answers: love not a mere humanitarian concern for abstract justice and the anonymous poor, but concrete and personal love for the human person, any human person, that God makes me encounter in my life. This distinction is important because today more and more Christians tend to identify Christian love with political, economic, and social concerns; in other words, they shift from the unique person and its unique personal destiny, to anonymous entities such as class, race, etc. Not that these concerns are wrong. It is obvious that in their respective walks of life, in their responsibilities as citizens, professional men, etc., Christians are called to care, to the best of their possi- 16

bilities and understanding, for a just, equal, and in general more humane society. All this, to be sure, stems from Christianity and my inspired by Christian love. But Christian love as such is something different, and this difference is to be understood and maintained if the Church is to preserve her unique mission and not become a mere social agency, which definitely she is not. Christian love is the possible impossibility to see Christ in another man, whoever he is, and whom God, in His eternal and mysterious plan, has decided to introduce into my life, be it only for a few moments, not as an occasion for a good deed or an exercise in philanthropy, but as the beginning of an eternal com- 10 panionship in God Himself. For, indeed, what is love if not the mysterious power which transcends the accidental and the external in the other his physical appearance, social rank, ethnic origin, intellectual capacity and reaches the soul, the unique and uniquely personal root of a human being, truly the part of God in him? If God loves every man it is because He alone knows the priceless and absolutely unique treasure, the soul or person He gave every man. Christian love then is the participation in that divine knowledge and the gift of that divine love. There is no impersonal love because love is the wonderful discovery of the person in man, of the personal and unique in the common and general. It is the discovery in each man of that which is lovable in him, of that which is from God. In this respect, Christian love is sometimes the opposite of social activism with which one so often identifies Christianity today. To a social activist the object of love is not person but man, an abstract unit of a not less abstract humanity. But for Christianity, man is lovable because he is person. There person is reduced to man; here man is seen only as person. The social activist has no interest for the personal, and easily sacrifices it to the common interest. Christianity may seem to be, and in some ways actually is, rather sceptical about that abstract humanity, but it commits a mortal sin against itself each time it gives up its concern and love for the person. Social activism is always futuristic in its approach; it always acts in the name of justice, order, happiness to come, to be achieved. Christianity cares little about that problematic future but puts the whole emphasis on the now the only decisive time for love. The two attitudes are not mutually exclusive, but they must not be confused. Christians, to be sure, have responsibilities toward this world and they must fulfill them. This is the area of social activism which belongs entirely to this world. Christian love, however, aims beyond this world. It is itself a ray, a manifestation of the Kingdom of God; it transcends and overcomes all limitations, all conditions of this world because its motivation as well as its goals and consummation is in God. And we know that even in this world, which lies in evil, the only lasting and transforming victories are those of love. To remind man of this personal love and vocation, to fill the sinful world with this love this is the true mission of the Church. The parable of the Last Judgment is about Christian love. Not all of us are called to work for humanity, yet each one of us has received the gift and the grace of Christ s love. We know that all men ultimately need this personal love the recognition in them of their unique soul in which the beauty of the whole creation is reflected in a unique way. We also know that men are in prison and are sick and thirsty and hungry because that personal love has been denied them. And, finally, we know that however narrow and limited the framework of our personal existence, each one of us has been made responsible for a tiny part of the Kingdom of God, made responsible by that very gift of Christ s love. Thus, on whether or not we have accepted this responsibility, on whether we have loved or refused to love, shall we be judged. For inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, you have done it unto Me Source: Great Lent, Journey to Pascha. Alexander Schmemann, St. Vladimir s Seminary Press: 1969. 17

The Saturday of Souls Beginning Saturday, February 10th we will commemorate the departed. The schedule is as follows: Saturday of the Souls. 1st Saturday of Souls, - February 10th, 2018 8:30am Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy 2nd Saturday of Souls, - February 17th, 2018 8:30am Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy 3rd Saturday of Souls February 24th, 2018 8:30am Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy Kolyva and names to be commemorated in church: * You may bring kolyva and a list of names on Saturday morning. * If you cannot prepare kolyva, Stavrola Letsos has once again offered to donate her time and talent to make the kolyva for those that wish to have the church make them. The donation is $10.00 or if you would like small plate it is $25.00 (for each Saturday) All proceeds will go towards the carpet cleaning at St. George church hall. Please make sure to print the names CLEARLY for +Father Gregory to read. *Names can also be brought to the church office before Friday 4pm. About services at cemeteries: *If you wish to have a Trisagion service at the cemetery please contact our church office727-868-5911 and schedule a day and time for +Fr. Gregory to come to the cemetery. Εαν θελετε και φετος την Σταυρόλα Λέτσου να σας κανει το κολλυβο για τρια Ψυχοσαββατα(Φεβρουαρίου 10, 17, 24) παρακαλουμε να τηλεφωνησετε στο 727-868-5911. Ολα τα εσοδα θα πανε για to καθαρισμα χαλιών της αίθουσας. Η δωρεά είναι $ 10.00 ή για ένα πιάτο $ 25.00. 18

19

20

21

Thank you for your donations of olive oil for the altar Kandelia The Church always needs oil so please continue to bring your donations. 22

Prayers at Church Prayer Upon Entering a Church I will come into Your house in the greatness of Your mercy: and in fear I will worship toward Your holy temple. Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way straight before me, that with a clear mind I may glorify You forever, One Divine Power worshiped in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen. Prayer upon Leaving a Church Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all people; a light to enlighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel. Prayer at the Icon of Christ We reverence Your spotless icon, O gracious Lord, and ask forgiveness of our transgressions, O Christ our God. Because of Your own good will You ascended the Cross in the flesh, that You might deliver those who You had created from the bondage of the enemy. We cry aloud unto You: You have filled all things with joy, O our Savior, for You came to save the world. Amen. 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. Prayer List for: Calliope Scumas, MaryAnne Kranidis, Elias Kranidis, Kaliope Potawsky, Daniel Scherr, Maria Stolis, Phil and Marie Sherman, Evelyn Leufen, Ferd Leufen, Stamatia Matia Vamvounakis, Maria Stolis, Charlie, Laurie Fleischer, Joann Myers, 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 follow your 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 needs to 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. PRAYER FOR OUR CHILDREN O God, our heavenly Father, Who loves mankind and is a most merciful and compassionate God, have mercy upon Your servant(s) (names), for whom I humbly pray to You, and whom I commend to Your gracious care and protection. O God, be their guide and guardian in all their endeavors, lead them in the path of Your truth, and draw them nearer to You, so that they may lead a godly and righteous life in Your love and fear, doing Your will in all things. Give them grace and mercy so that they may be patient, hard working, tireless, devout, and charitable. Defend them against the assaults of the enemy, and grant them wisdom and strength to resist all temptation and corruption, and direct them in the way of salvation, through the goodness of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, and the prayers of His Holy Mother and the blessed Saints. Amen. 23

Η ΘΕΙΑ ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΑ Η Θεία Κοινωνιά προσφε ρεται στην Ορθο δοξη Εκκλησιά μο νο στα α τομα που βαφτι στηκαν στην Ορθο δοξη Πι στη. Για να συμμετα σχεις στην Θειά Κοινωνιά, πρε πει να ει σαι σε καλη κατα σταση με την Εκκλησιά πνευματικα (για παρα δειγμα, οι παντρεμε νοι α νθρωποι πρέπει να ε χει ευλογηθει ο γα μος τους στην Εκκλησιά και ο λοι πρε πει να ει ναι χωρι ς σοβαρη αμαρτιά στις καρδιε ς τους). Για ο λους τους Ορθο δοξους Χριστιανου ς πρε πει να τηρει ται η σωστη προετοιμασιά για τη Θειά Κοινωνιά: δηλαδη, εξε ταση της συνει δησης, εξομολο γηση, ανα γνωση των προσευχω ν για ιερη Κοινωνιά και σωστη νηστειά. Αν ε χετε περαιτε ρω αποριές σχετικα με αυτο, παρακαλείται να μιλη σετε με τον Ιερέα. Οι γυναι κες πρε πει να αφαιρε σουν ο λο το κραγιο ν ο ταν πλησια ζουν για τη Θειά Κοινωνιά. Παρακαλείται να αφη σετε τους γονει ς με τα μωρα τους και τους ηλικιωμε νους να προσεγγι σουν πρω τα. Σας ευχαριστούμε! GUIDELINES FOR RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION Holy Communion is offered in the Orthodox Church only to those individuals baptized and Chrismated (confirmed) in the Orthodox Faith. To participate in Holy Communion one must be in good standing with the Church spiritually (for example, married people must have had their marriage blessed in the Church and all must be without grave sin on their hearts). For all Orthodox Christians, the proper preparation for Holy Communion must be observed: examination of conscience, confession, reading the prayers for Holy Communion, and the proper fasting. If you have any further questions about this, please speak with the clergy. Women should remove all lipstick when approaching for Holy Communion. Please let parents with their babies and the elderly approach first. We Thank you Father Gregory Edwards contact information is Cell: 727-967-2178 Office: 727-868-5911 Email address: frgregory.stgeorge@gmail.com If you would like to schedule a meeting, an appointments or confession please contact the church office and speak with Antonia or you may contact Fr. Gregory at 727-967-2178. Church is open daily for your spiritual needs from 9:00am - 4:00pm and on Sundays 8:15am-1:00pm 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 και Κυριακές από 8:15πμ έως 1:00μμ για τις Λατρευτικές σας ανάγκες. Για την εξομολόγησή σας ή για οποιαδήποτε άλλη Λατρευτική ανάγκη παρακαλούμε να τηλεφωνήσετε το γραφείο του Αγίου Γεωργίου 727-868-5911 η τον +π. Γρηγόριος στο 727-967-2178 24

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 727-868-5911 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 Special thank you to Anthony and MaryAnn Saravanos for sponsoring the Sunday bulletin this week. Sponsor a Day at St. George s! This year, 2017, it will cost over $480,000 to run St. George s. That means that it costs about $1320 a day to keep the doors of our church open. Following other successful parishes, we have decided to challenge our parishioners to sponsor a day at St. George s. With about 300 families, that means we could come close to sponsoring the whole year if every family would take a single day. Each week in the bulletin, we will acknowledge and thank those families who have stepped up to the challenge. Thank you to: Constantine and Angela Bougas (In memory of Nick and Mary Michael our parents ) Mr. Jack Balahtsis, The Edwards Family, The Tout Family The Chilimigras Family, The Psetas Family, The St. George Baking Angels Koulla Mitchell, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Saravanos, (2) Anonymous, Mr.& Mrs. Peter Pappas Mancini Family, Anonymous,Parish Council Member Watch all our Church Services LIVE from your Computer, laptop or your smartphone! www.stgeorgetampabay.org Τώρα μπορείτε να βλέπετε ζωντανά τις Ιερές ακολουθείες από τον υπολογιστή σας ή το τηλέφωνό σας!!! Bible Verse: A Rich Man is not one who has much but one who gives much. For what he gives away remains his forever. +St. John Chrysostom 25

St. George offers 3 bible study sessions under the direction of +Fr. Gregory *********************************************************** Adult Bible Study/Catechism Wednesday evening at 7pm Kontos Community Hall Join us on Wednesday evenings as we learn more about the Orthodox faith. We are currently reading a book that studies the similarities and differences between Orthodoxy and other Christian confessions and faiths. There is always room for Q&A. This group is aimed at both those who are interested in joining the Orthodox Church, as well as Orthodox who want to learn more about their faith. Everything is in English. The study is proceeded by prayer from 6:00-7:00 PM in the chapel. ****************************************************************************** Greek Bible Study Meets every Wednesday afternoon, 1:00-2:30 PM with a potluck lunch. Join us on Wednesdays for a potluck lunch as we read through a Greek spiritual text. We are currently in a study of the Divine Liturgy. The book and conversation are in Modern Greek Κύκλος μελέτης στα ελληνικά Kάθε Τετάρτη από τις 1.00pm-2.30pm Ελάτε! **************************************************************************** Women s Bible study Thursday morning at 10:30am Discussion about faith, religion and family life. Focus on Family Life! +Father Gregory Welcomes you ALL Thank you to all those that attend weekly! 26

PRAYER LIST FOR OUR TROOPS ZOE LEKAKIS, MARINES NICHOLAS ARTZNER, ARMY LEONIDAS STEFOPOULOS, USARMY ELIAS A. KOSTAKIS, USARMY COSTADINO BAETEN, NAVY CONSTANTINOS VLAHOCHRISTOS, NAVY If you have a loved one serving in the USA Military please submit their names by calling the Church Office so that we can pray for them. May God Bless you and keep you all safe! The church will be collecting toiletry items for military care packages for our troops. Items such as shavers, shaving cream, wipes, toothpaste, tooth brushes, foot powder ect.. Also stationery items and stamps. You may drop off your donated items to the Church office If you wish to donate towards the gifts for our next Divine Liturgy please contact the Church office and speak with Antonia at 727-868-5911 The offerings include: 10 prosfora, the communion wine, the oil, the incense and charcoal. All items used during the prothesis in preparation for the Divine Liturgy and Holy Communion. THE CHURCH IS LOW and needs Olive Oil for the Kandeli(a) in the altar and the church. If you would like to donate oil please do so and bring it with you on Sunday or to the Church office. ****************************** VISITING ANGELS MINISTRY The visiting angels ministry needs volunteers! This ministry visits the nursing homes, shut-ins and hospitals. If you would like to be involved in this Philanthropic mission please contact Sofia Bouzios Tel. 727-207-1335 Stavroula Grivas Tel. 727-857-0071 You may also log onto the website www.stgeorgenpr.org 27

28

Thank you to our bulletin sponsors for your continued support with advertising your business in our weekly bulletins. 29

WEEKLY AND UPCOMING MONTHLY EVENTS AND ANNOUCEMENTS! Sunday February 11th Go Red for Women Wear red ribbon today! Philoptochos will be handing out red ribbons for heart disease awareness. Sunday February 11th at 5:30pm Spartan Manor St. George Young at Heart Annual Valentine Dinner Dance. For tickets and information contact Tina Wilson 727-271-3061, Rita Kelly 352-683-9228 or you may purchase your tickets during the coffee hour on Sunday. Saturday February 17, 2018 @ 11:30am St. George Annual Philoptochos Tea. Kontos Community Center. Bring a friend and share good times, fellowship and make memories with the Ladies Philoptohos. Saturday February 17, 2018 6:00pm 4the Annual Hellenic Arts Festival Palm Harbor University Theater For tickets contact Koulla Mitchell for tickets for this event or you may contact her at 727-844-0620 or 727-267-0072 Sunday February 18, 2018 7:00pm Young Adult Meeting in the Kontos Hall Pizza and refreshments will be served. Sunday February 18, 2018 Mandatory Altar Boy meeting following the Divine Liturgy ANNUAL GREEK FESTIVAL Ένα μεγάλο ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΩ σε όλους τους εθελοντές και Δωροθέτες μας του Αγίου Γεωργίου! Ο Θεός να σας έχει πάντοτε καλά! Need a chairperson for our annual festival in November. Please contact Tom Letsos at 727-457-4950 A big THANK YOU to all our Volunteers and Donors! May our God bless you and your Families always! 30

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 02/12 Tuesday 02/13 Goya and Dance practice 6:30pm Love and Loss Group Kontos community center Tuesdays from 7-8 Greek Dance (younger kids) Wednesday 02/14 1pm Greek bible Study 7:00pm Adult Bible Study/Catechism 6:00-7:00 PM, Holy Unction (Healing Service) 6.00-7.00μμ, Ιερόν Ευχέλαιον Thursday 02/15 10:30am Women s bible study 6:30pm Choir practice in the church Friday 02/16 Saturday 02/17 Sunday 02/18 6:00-6:45pm, Vespers for Soul Saturday with Kollyva 3:00pm 6:30pm Friday Night 2nd Soul Saturday, Orthros 8:30AM Divine Liturgy 9:30AM 6:00-6:45 PM. Great Vespers Forgiveness Sunday (Cheesefare), 8:15AM Matins/Orthros 9:30AM Divine Liturgy. Sunday School Mandatory Altar Boy Meeting After the Divine Liturgy 6.00-6.45μμ, Εσπερινός Ψυχοσαββάτου με Κόλλυβα B Ψυχοσάββατο. Όρθρος 8.30πμ Θεία Λειτουργία 9.30πμ. 6.00-6:45μμ. Μ. Εσπερινός, Κυριακή της συγχωρέσεως (Τυροφάγου) 8.15πμ Όρθρος 9:30πμ Θεία Λειτουργία. 31

32