St. George Greek Orthodox Church 30 East Forge Road - Media, PA Telephone: FAX:

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1 St. George Greek Orthodox Church 30 East Forge Road - Media, PA Telephone: FAX: office@stgeorgemedia.org FrAnastasios@stgeorgemedia.org Volume 32, Issue 2 Check the St. George website for the most up to date information February 2018 Tips & Techniques for Godparents GODPARENT SUNDAY FEBURARY 4, 2018 St. George Church, Media, PA 1. Work with your godchild s parents. Talk with your godchild s parents often about his or her life, spiritual and otherwise, and ask how you can help. Parents can often use another perspective and another willing hand as they guide their children to adulthood. 2. Pray through the ups and downs of life with your godchild. Find out what s troubling or challenging your godchild, what he or she is excited about or eagerly anticipating, then do your best to talk about God in that context. Encourage your godchild to pray. Pray together and let your godchild know that you are praying for him or her everyday. 3. Make a big deal of your godchild s nameday. Celebrate with a special visit and dinner if you re nearby, and give a spiritually oriented gift to celebrate, like an age appropriate book of his or her patron saint s life, a new icon, etc. 4. Emphasize the spiritual aspects of holidays. Make it a tradition to read the stories of the Nativity and Pascha morning with your godchild and help his or her parents to downplay the material and commercial aspects (Santa, the Easter Bunny, loads of loot in pretty wrapping). Play up the feasts of the Church instead by bringing candles to be blessed at the Feast of the Presentation and flowers at the Dormition of the Theotokos and sharing them with your godchild, or by baking a birthday cake for the nativities of Jesus, the Theotokos and St. John the Baptist! 5. Invite your godchild to go with you to Great Vespers or weekday services. Encourage your whole god-family to come to Church for services other than the Sunday Divine Liturgy, if they don t do so regularly. 6. Ask what your godchild is learning in Sunday School. Discuss the lesson of the week and offer to help with the homework, prepare for an oratorical competition. Buy your godchild his or her first Bible and update it as their reading level increases. Encourage him or her to study the Gospel! 7. Help your godchild to serve God. Choose a service project to work on together regularly (such as making sandwiches for the homeless or visiting hospitalized parishioners). Help him or her to discover new ways to use Godgiven talents to help others. 8. Encourage both boys and girls to attend seminary and explore the monastic lifestyle, if they show interest. Mention the priesthood as a career choice to your godsons. Help them learn more about what our Orthodox clergy do and how important their calling to guide others in the Faith is to all of us! 9. Make your godchild one of the family. Include your godchild, their parents and siblings in your own family s social events: reunions, picnics, camping trips, zoo and museum outings. Spend time together! 10. Keep in touch by phone, or postcard if your godchildren are out of state or across the globe. Prayer and love in Christ know no distance! Excerpted from Orthodox Family Life, Volume 5, Issue 2.

2 Holy Metropolis of New Jersey His Eminence Metropolitan EVANGELOS + St. George Greek Orthodox Church Presiding Priest - Fr. Anastasios P. Bourantas, Protopresbyter 2018 Parish Council Officers Angelica Politarhos-Santora, President Ernest Kollias, 1st Vice-President Sonya Bohmann, 2nd Vice-President Valentinos Kanellopoulos, Recording Secretary Demetrios Psihalinos, Treasurer Drew M. Nayman, Financial Secretary Demetrios Christoforatos, Assistant Financial Secretary Members Roula Fotiades-Alexander George Fotiades Peggy Galiatsatos Filaretos Hanos Constandean Lambardakis Nikolaos Liolios Emmanouil Papadopoulos Nikolaos Yiantsos Organizations Office Manager - Katherine B. Mudrick Chanters - Michael Matekovic, Richard (Ryan) Stingle Choir - Stephanie Kalogredis, Director Custodian - Russell Ehly Accountant - George Kaffes Philoptochos - Ai Mirophoroi Diane P. Nayman, President GOYA - Constantinos Konstantopoulos, GOYA President, Advisors: Dina Christou, Sissy Konstantopoulos JOY/HOPE - Anthoula Psihalinos, Effie Lambardakis, Advisors Sunday School Director - Patty Cakrides-Ryan, Sonya Bohmann Bookstore - Presvytera Nicoletta Bourantas GOYA Basketball - John Aivazoglou, Coach (boys), Dr. Alex Terris, Coach, (girls) Vacation Church School - Anthoula Psihalinos Greek Folk Dance - (HOPE/JOY) Anthoula Psihalinos, Effie Lambardakis, (GOYA) Phil Voutsakis Young Adult Leaders: Phil Voutsakis Young at Heart (A Ministry for those 55 and over) - Diane Nayman, Bertha Tourlitis, Angie Santora Aristotle Academy at St. George - Elias Pantelidis, Director, Alexander Kopatsis, President Chion Society of St. Markella - Marco Tourlitis, President AHEPA - Emmanouil Papadopoulos, President Daughters of Penelope - Dr. Frances Hourican, President Parish Council Committee Chairpersons Building Expansion - Nikolaos Yiantsos Bylaws - Executive Committee - Parish Council Officers and Past President Facilities - George Fotiades, Nikolaos Liolios, Nikolaos Yiantsos, Demetrios Psihalinos Festival - Angelica Politarhos-Santora, Demetri Psihalinos, Nikolaos Yiantsos Finance - Demetrios Psihalinos, Drew Nayman Greek School - Emmanouil Papadopoulos Hall Rental - Peggy Galiatsatos IATV/Audio Visual - Nikolaos Yiantsos Personnel - Executive Committee Stewardship - Drew Nayman, Kenneth N. Miller Web Master & Strategic Planning - Youth Liaison - Sonya Bohmann Golf Classic - Sonya Bohmann, Ernest Kollias

3 February 2018 Check the St. George Website for the most up to date information Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Forefeast Presentation of our Lord, Vespers 5:30 pm Parish Council Meeting 6:30 pm 2 Presentation of our Lord, Orthros 8:15 am, Liturgy 9:30 am JOY Dance Rehearsal 6:45 pm 3 4 Sunday of the Prodigal Son God Parents Sunday/Sunday School Breakfast 5 Aristotle Academy Greek School Classes 5:30-7:30 pm Pan-Macedonian Dance Rehearsal 8 pm 6 St. George Serves dinner at West Chester, PA Shelter, 5:30 pm GOYA Sights & Sounds Rehearsal 6:30pm-9:00pm 7 GOYA Dance Rehearsal 7 pm 8 Aristotle Academy Greek School Classes 5:30-7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal 6:30-8:30 pm 9 10 Saturday of Souls Liturgy 9 am Baptism 12 noon Aristotle Academy Dinner Dance 6-11 pm 11 Judgment Sunday (Mearfare) DVYC All Star Games & Awards Upper Darby, PA 3:00 pm JOY/HOPE Craft Time 12-12:20 pm HOPE Dance 12:20 12:40 pm 12 Aristotle Academy Greek School Classes 5:30-7:30 pm Pan-Macedonian Dance Rehearsal 8 pm 13 GOYA Sights & Sounds Rehearsal 6:30pm-9:00pm DOP Meeting 7 pm 14 GOYA Dance Rehearsal 7 pm 15 Aristotle Academy Greek School Classes 5:30-7:30 pm Saturday of Souls Liturgy 9 am Holy Trinity GOYA Basketball Tournament Wedding 1:30 pm 18 Forgiveness Sunday (Cheesefare) Vespers following services Philoptochos Lagana Sale Holy Trinity GOYA Basketball Tournament 19 Great Lent Begins Aristotle Academy Greek School Classes 5:30-7:30 pm Apodeipnon/ Compline 6:00 pm Pan-Macedonian Dance Rehearsal 8 pm 20 Apodeipnon/ Compline 6:00 pm GOYA Sights & Sounds Rehearsal 6:30pm-9:00pm 21 Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 6:00 pm GOYA Dance Rehearsal 7 pm 22 Aristotle Academy Greek School Classes 5:30-7:30 pm DVYC Sights & Sounds Meeting, 6:30 pm DVYC Meeting 7:30 Upper Darby, PA 23 Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 8:00 am Salutations to the Theotokos 7pm Philoptochos host Lenten Coffee Hour 24 Saturday of Souls Liturgy 9 am 25 Sunday of Orthodoxy/First Sunday of Lent Philoptochos Luncheon Fundraiser 26 Aristotle Academy Greek School Classes 5:30-7:30 pm Apodeipnon/ Compline 6:00 pm Pan-Macedonian Dance Rehearsal 8 pm 27 GOYA Sights & Sounds Rehearsal 6:30pm-9:00pm 28 Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 6:00 pm GOYA Dance Rehearsal 7 pm 1 2 Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 8:00 am Salutations to the Theotokos 7pm Sunday School, GOYA/JOY/HOPE host Lenten Coffee Hour 3 DVYC Sights & Sounds St. Demetrios, Upper Darby, PA All day event, all are welcome to attend.

4 Dear St. George Parishioners: Parish Council President Message I want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and all the best to all in We had a beautiful day January 7 th was. our Vasilopita Sunday where all the organizational leaders and parishioners received their St. Basil Bread from Fr. Anastasios. Congratulations to Fr. Anastasios Bourantas on receiving the blessing put upon him on Sunday, January 14, 2018 at the Annapolis, Maryland Parish Church, which is where father grew up. His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey elevated Father to a Protopresbyter. There were approximately 100 parishioners from St. George Church in attendance at the church service. The St. George Parishioners were in MD to participate in the Metropolis of New Jersey Greek Folk Dance Festival. Our JOY and GOYA dance groups competed with the surrounding churches that weekend. It was a great weekend for all in attendance, our children won 1st place for JOY Dancers and 1st Place for our GOYANS.,The GOYANS performed on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at the 76ers game because they placed first in the competition. On Sunday January 21 st, we had the Affirmation of Office for all council members and election of officers for 2018 immediately following. I want to congratulate everyone and wish you all a very successful year. Parish Council will be hosting a Stewardship Breakfast for everyone on Sunday, January 28th, we look forward to seeing everyone there. It s the perfect time to fill out your stewardship form and submit to Drew Nayman. Plans regarding the St. George s 75 th Anniversary Celebration have begun, please notice that the church office will be sending out s of meeting dates. The next committee meeting will be held on Sunday, February 18th, please come and see how we can each participate in some way whether it be big or small. Everyone is welcomed and needed to make this weekend a great success. Please note that our Parish Council meetings are posted in the bulletin each month, everyone is invited to come and listen in. If you want to make a contribution to the meeting please let me know ahead of time so that we can accommodate a time slot for you on the agenda. Again, wishing everyone a blessed In Christ, Angelica P. Santora Parish Council President Sacramental Registry Funerals * On Friday, December 29, Vasilios G. Pappas, age 87. * On Thursday, January 11, Mary Marika Andreades, age 87. NEEDED ENGINEERS, BUILDING CONTRACTORS, ARCHITECTS & THOSE WHO LOVE ST. GEORGE St. George is in need of a Facilities Committee to exam the leaking of the church dome and the possible replacement of the Dome. Engineers, Building Contractors, Architects and those who love St. George are encouraged to be a part of this endeavor. Please contact the church office if you have interest to be on this committee ASAP.

5 Community Shelter Outreach Our parish participates in serving dinner to the men at Safe Harbor Shelter in West Chester on the first Tuesday of each month. If you are familiar with the serving routine at the shelter you can sign up for one of the monthly dinners (prepare dinner and serve, either or both). If you are new to the program you can prepare the meal (enough for 25 adults) and come join us at the shelter to serve it. If you wish to make a donation, please make checks payable to St. George earmarked for Community Shelter Outreach. The donations will be used to purchase food or supplies for the needs of the shelter residents. If you would like to sign up to volunteer on a Tuesday, please Effie Hionis at ehionis@hotmail.com or leave a message at the church office and I will get back to you. Our parishioners always have such open hearts. We have had several requests for families who would like to participate at the shelter. Unfortunately, due to the circumstances of the residents, Safe Harbor does not permit anyone under the age of 12 to volunteer at the shelter. However, families with younger children are welcomed to prepare a meal or dessert for the residence as part of a gift of giving. Thanks this month: Many thanks to Elefterios Anastasiou and Evan Andreadis for helping us serve dinner this month. Future dates: 2/6/ Open 3/6/ Open Also As part of our outreach program Special thanks goes out to Mrs. Helen A. Beldecos for her generous donation of beautiful crocheted lap covers for the residents of the Pocopson Home in Chester County. It was a special Christmas surprise for several of the residents. They were very appreciative! THIS MONTH AT THE BOOKSTORE Stop by and visit the BOOKSTORE to purchase these featured books and many other Religious books, gifts, handmade jewelry and other helpful resources that are now available for purchase. The bookstore is open during office hours and Sunday s following Liturgy. Youth Book: Sasha and The Dragon By: Laura E. Wolfe Illustrated By: Nicholas Malara Adult Book: Time and Despondency: Regaining the Present in Faith and Life By: Nicole M. Roccas Hello Saint George Families, I am very blessed to have Saint George as my home and have enjoyed the countless ministries that I have been a part of, GOYA, Choir, Sunday School, Greek School, Basketball and so much more. I am a Junior at DePauw University majoring in Communication and Educational Studies and have always had a passion for philanthropy. Over the past 6 years I have been blessed to help those locally (Philabundance, West Chester Shelter, and CityTeam in Chester) and nationally and internationally in building a Home in Mexico and helping the indigent in New Mexico and Montana. I have been given the opportunity to be a part of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship s Real Break 2018 trip to Alaska. The Real Break Alaska team will work alongside the community of St. John Orthodox Cathedral in Eagle River, Alaska on community service projects with the needy in the surrounding areas. I am humbly asking for your prayers and support as I continue to follow Christ s commandment to love one another. If you are able to support this ministry that I will embark on in the last week of March, I would greatly appreciate your prayers and support. The total cost for this trip is $2,500, which includes airfare, accommodations, and gift to the local community. If you are able, kindly send your support by Feb 20, 2018 to: Corina Bourantas 924 Morningdale Drive Wilmington, DE ST GEORGE YOUTH HERSERY PARK! May God continue to bless you in this New Year with joy and health! Your sister in Christ, Corina Bourantas DePauw University '19, Education Studies and Communications Major, DePauw Varsity Field Hockey

6 SUNDAY SCHOOL MESSAGE Dear Sunday School Families, This is the time of year, when we enter into the mindset that encapsulates our faith. With the start of Great Lent, we have an opportunity to renew ourselves in Christ. What better way to glorify God than to worship the Sundays of Great Lent. The Sunday of Orthodoxy is the first Sunday of Great Lent. It signifies the victory of the icons. The icons and their veneration were restored on the first Sunday of Lent. Ever since, we commemorate this Sunday as the 'Triumph of Orthodoxy'. Let us not only teach our children the importance of Great Lent through words, but by example. Let us rededicate ourselves to the prodigious meaning of our faith and declare, "One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all". Please bring in your icons on Sunday the 25th - Sunday of Orthodoxy for the icon procession! May you all have a blessed and peaceful Great Lent. Yours In Christ, Patty Cakridas-Ryan and Sonya Bohmann GOD PARENTS DAY, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2018 PROSPHORA /ARTOCLASIA Would you like to donate the Prosphora for a special feast day or your name day, they are available for purchase at $10.00 each. Please contact the church office for more details. Thank you. Artoclasia is available for purchase to celebrate a name day or special occasion from the Philoptochos Society, 5 loaves for $50. Please contact the church office or any Philoptochos member to order. For all memorial services and Artoclasia we kindly ask that you also supply wine and oil for the Altar. Thank you. Please remember, if you have already obtained a civil divorce, you must also receive an Ecclesiastical Divorce from the Church This brief process is confidentially handled by the parish priest. You must complete this process in order to be in good standing with the Church, meaning that you may not partake in the Sacramental life of the Church, (example: being a sponsor at a wedding or baptism, receiving the Sacrament of Holy Communion and Holy Unction, serving on the Parish Council, voting at Parish Assemblies and entering into another marriage). Please consider your personal situation and be in good standing with the Church. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Fr. Anastasios directly. Priest Discretionary Fund The Priest Discretionary Fund is used by the priest to assist those in need. Examples of how this fund is used includes, assisting the hungry and homeless, assist a parishioner in times of crisis, emergency and/or extreme financial need. The monies used to establish this Discretionary Fund will come from the generous donation of our parishioners and other anonymous donations of our community. If you have a question or a desire to contribute, please ask Father Anastasios about the use of the Discretionary Fund and how you can help.

7 Greetings from Philoptochos Philoptochos Message As we are all bundled and secure in our homes, I d like to remind everyone of the less fortunate. This season, Philoptochos gave several gift cards to families in need. We are committed to give $ monthly for Father s Discretionary Fund. Bertha s Bundles is an on-going commitment to the mothers and newborns at Riddle Hospital. We also provide many needs for St. George. We are looking into purchasing new coffee pots for Coffee Hour. The old ones are leaking and have been used consistently for several years. I am pleased to see many parishioners sharing Coffee Hour responsibilities. If anyone would like to be involved sponsoring coffee hour, please call the office for dates. This is Coffee Hour.simple donuts, bagels, or pastries are wonderful and appreciated by all. Please remember it is everyone s responsibility to clear and clean off your tables. February 18th is Forgiveness Sunday and Eleni Douros and Chrisoula Nikolaidis will again be spearheading the baking of Lagana for Clean Monday, February 19th, which is the beginning of Lent. I have always stated that Philoptochos is an ongoing flow of charitable and heartwarming acts of kindness. Please, think about joining and experience the joy of giving. In Philoptochos Love Diane Polites Nayman And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus Philippians 4:7 SAVE THE DATE MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2018 ST. GEORGE GOLF OUTING & SILENT AUCTION

8 SUNDAYS IN FEBRUARY BEFORE GREAT LENT The four weeks which precede Great Lent are considered preparatory, a forerunner to Lent. These four weeks, along with the eight weeks of Lent, are characterized by the Church as Triodion, meaning "thrice-hymns", a name which has no bearing on the substance of Lent itself: The four weeks preceding Lent are known as: 1. Sunday of the Tax Collector and Pharisee (from the Parable), 2. Sunday of the Prodigal Son (from the Parable), 3. Sunday of Meat (the Final Judgment), 4. Sunday of Cheese (Adam's expulsion from Paradise); The six weeks of the Great Lent are: 1. First Sunday (Sunday of Orthodoxy), 2. Second Sunday (St. Gregory Palamas), 3. Third Sunday (Adoration of Cross), 4. Fourth Sunday (St. John of Climax), 5. Fifth Sunday (St. Mary of Egypt), 6. Palm Sunday through Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. SUNDAY OF THE PRODIGAL SON (Luke 15:11-32). FEBRUARY 4TH This Parable relates to man's prodigality with the divine gifts to man. It is the consequence of arrogance. Prodigality is the unreckoning extravagance in sensuality. The prodigal is one who cannot be saved, whose life is dissolute, who squandered his father's property. Prodigality, then, is the second basic corruption toward which man is inclined. This is why this Parable is known as the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the subject matter of this week. Despite the characterization in this Parable, its main subject is the warm parental love of the Father. The father's love was unbroken and firm for his prodigal son. His love was shown more at the return of his son than in the beginning, despite the fact that his son squandered his "properties". In the end, however, the son exchanged his prodigality for repentance, and this is the crux of the parable. This moment changes the prodigal son into the prudent son, expelling arrogance with repentance. While the son was returning to his father, he kept rehearsing over and over again: "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you". But when the son saw his father's house from afar, his father saw him, and ran to him and embraced him warmly. Thus, the son did not have the opportunity to tell his father what he had been rehearsing. The son at the beginning said, "give me", but in the end he asked, "make me", which is the depth of repentance and obedience, the challenging factors of a Christian. SUNDAY OF MEAT Judgment Sunday (Matthew 25:31-46). FEBRUARY 11TH It is a strong conviction and belief of the Church that Christ will come a second time into the world, not to save the world, but in "glory" to judge the world. In as much as God knew in advance the destiny of each man, why did He not prevent the non-believers and wrong-doers from being born and being condemned everlastingly, someone might ask. The fate of people is wrought on this earth, because after death, there is no opportunity for repentance in order to better one's state. Man's finite mind cannot comprehend God's love for his salvation and judgment for his condemnation. Yet, here is the center of the belief that there is a Supreme Judge for those who committed iniquities and wrong-doings without punishment or discovery while on earth. Approaching Lent and Easter, the Christian is admonished to correct his faults by fasting, praying and almsgiving, as recorded in the Gospel passage of the day. The Last Judgment will be made according to the good works of each person as a result of his faith in and worship of God. These good works are directed to the "least", those in need, as Christ Himself says, "as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me", (v. 45). This Sunday is the last day before Lent that the believer eats meat.

9 SUNDAY OF CHEESEFARE Forgiveness Sunday (Matthew 6:14-21). FEBRUARY 18TH The theme of this Sunday refers to the expulsion of Adam from Paradise. Adam in Paradise misused his freedom by allowing himself to be persuaded by the evil one to disobey the command to not eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The evil one convinced him that by so doing he would know more than God. The Church in its hymnology presents the condition of Adam outside of Paradise as weeping and working hard for his livelihood. The Gospel passage of the day refers to the manner of praying, fasting, almsgiving and all good works. These are to be done in secret, without boasting. The meaning of this Sunday is the condescension of God to the human weakness, "for if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (v ). This is emphasized in the Lord's Prayer.,The week (six days) preceding Sunday of Cheese and after Meat Sunday, is the addition to the period of the Great Lent which completes the forty days of fasting (excluding Saturdays and Sundays). The name of this Sunday, "Cheese", implies that the fast of this week is the gradual transition from eating meat to the strict fast of Lent, which starts the next day, Monday, with the first Sunday of Lent at the end of the preliminary seven days (Sunday of Orthodoxy). FIRST SUNDAY OF THE GREAT LENT FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT - SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY (John 1:43-52). FEBRUARY 25TH This Sunday commemorates the return of the Icons into the churches, according to the decision of the Seventh Ecumenical Synod (787). The Church determined that this celebration would take place each year on the first Sunday of Lent, as the Sunday of Orthodoxy, starting March 11, 843. On this Sunday every year the triumph of the faith of Orthodoxy is celebrated with ceremony. The Icon of Christ, according to St. John Damascus, is a distinct affirmation and a reminder of the fact of His Incarnation, which has a vital significance for the salvation of the faithful, an affirmation which prevails to this day in the Orthodox Church. The celebration of the day includes the procession with the Icon of Christ around the inside of the church with pomp and reverence. The Sunday of Orthodoxy calls upon the people to rededicate themselves to the deep meaning of their faith and to declare in unison, "One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all". GREAT LENT BEGINS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19

10 On Sunday, January 14, 2018 His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos bestowed on our priest, Fr. Anastasios Bourantas, the offikion (honor office) the title of Protopresbyter And granted him a pectoral cross for his years of service to our St. George community and the Metropolis of New Jersey. Congratulations Fr. Anastasios AXIOS! Aξιος!

11 METROPOLIS OF NJ FOLK DANCE FESTIVAL 2018 ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND ST. GEORGE ZEPHYROS SENIOR DANCE GROUP 1ST PLACE SENIOR DIVISION 1ST PLACE SENIOR COSTUME DIVISION ST. GEORGE ZEPHYROS SENIOR DANCE GROUP 76ERS GAME

12 METROPOLIS OF NJ FOLK DANCE FESTIVAL 2018 ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND ST. GEORGE ZEPHYROS JUNIOR DANCE GROUP 1ST PLACE JUNIOR DIVISION FR. ANASTASIOS, GOYA AND JOY DANCE GROUPS!

13 METROPOLIS OF NJ FOLK DANCE FESTIVAL 2018 ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND ST. GEORGE ZEPHYROS JUNIOR DANCE GROUP 1ST PLACE JUNIOR DIVISION HIS EMINENCE METROPOLITAN EVANGELOS OF NJ AND ALL DANCE GROUPS!

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15 2017 ST. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH STEWARDS & CONTRIBUTORS

16 2018 Parish Council Officers Angelica Politarhos-Santora, President Ernest Kollias, 1st Vice-President Sonya Bohmann, 2nd Vice-President Valentinos Kanellopoulos, Recording Secretary Demetrios Psihalinos, Treasurer Drew M. Nayman, Financial Secretary Demetrios Christoforatos, Assistant Financial Secretary Members Roula Fotiades-Alexander George Fotiades Peggy Galiatsatos Filaretos Hanos Constandean Lambardakis Nikolaos Liolios Emmanouil Papadopoulos Nikolaos Yiantsos St. George Parish Council Affirmation of Office

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20 Presentation of Christ in the Temple Introduction This feast, celebrated on February 2, is known in the Orthodox Church as The Presentation of Christ in the Temple. Another name for the feast is The Meeting of our Lord. Roman Catholic and Protestant Christians call the feast, The Purification of the Holy Virgin. About 450 AD in Jerusalem, people began the custom of holding lighted candles during the Divine Liturgy of this feast day. Therefore, some churches in the West refer to this holy day as Candlemas. The Feast of the Presentation concludes the observances related to the Nativity of Christ, a period that opened on November 15 with the beginning of the Nativity fast. Biblical Story The story of the Presentation is told in Luke 2: Mary and Joseph were faithful Jews and observed their religious customs. An important custom was for the couple to take their first-born son to the Temple. The baby was taken to the Temple forty days after his birth and was dedicated to God. In addition, if the parents were wealthy, they were to bring a lamb and a young pigeon or a turtle dove to be offered as a sacrifice at the Temple. The custom provided that if the parents were poor, they were to offer two pigeons or two turtle doves for the sacrifice. When Jesus was forty days old, Mary and Joseph took Him to the Temple in Jerusalem. They were not wealthy, so they took two turtle doves with them to offer as a sacrifice at the Temple. As they arrived at the Temple, Mary and Joseph were met by a very old man named Simeon. He was a holy man and was noted as a very intelligent scholar. Simeon spent much time studying about the prophets of Israel. It was during his studies that he learned of the coming of the Messiah. The Jewish people were waiting for the Messiah to come and deliver Israel from their conquerors. From that time on, Simeon spent his time praying for the Messiah to come. He spent many years in prayer. Finally, while Simeon was praying he heard the voice of God. God promised Simeon that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. When Simeon saw Jesus, he took the baby in his arms and blessed the Lord and said: "Lord, now let Your servant go in peace according to Your promise, because my eyes have seen Your salvation which you have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory to your people Israel." Also, in the Temple was Anna the Prophetess. She had been a widow for many years. Anna was about eighty-four years old and spent her time in the Temple worshiping, fasting, and praying. When she saw the Christ Child she praised God and spoke of him to all who were awaiting the Messiah. After Jesus was presented in the Temple, the family returned to Galilee to the town of Nazareth. The Bible tells us that Jesus grew and became strong, and was filled with wisdom. Continued on page 19

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23 Icon of the Feast The Holy Icon shows that the meeting takes place inside the Temple and in front of the altar. The altar has a book or a scroll on it and is covered by a canopy. The Theotokos stands to the left and is holding out her hands in a gesture of offering. The one hand of the Theotokos is covered by her cloak or as it is known, the maphorion. She has just handed her Son to Simeon. Christ is shown as a child, but He is not in swaddling clothes. He is clothed in a small dress and his legs are bare. Jesus appears to be giving a blessing. Simeon holds Jesus with both hands which are covered. This shows the reverence Simeon had for the Messiah. Simeon is bare headed and there is nothing to show that he is a priest. Some biblical scholars say that Simeon was probably a priest of the Temple or a Doctor of the Law. Joseph is behind the Theotokos. He is carrying the two turtle doves for the sacrifice. Anna the Prophetess is also standing behind the Theotokos and is pointing to the Christ child. The words Simeon spoke when he saw the Christ Child are known as "St. Simeon's Prayer." This prayer is sung daily at the evening Vespers services of the Orthodox Church. In the Orthodox Church, both baby boys and baby girls are taken to the Church on the fortieth day after their birth. This is done in remembrance of the Theotokos and Joseph taking the infant Jesus to the Temple. Orthodox Celebration of the Feast of the Presentation This Feast of our Lord is celebrated with the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, which is conducted on the day of the Feast and preceded by the Matins service. A Great Vespers is conducted on the evening before the day of the Feast. Scripture readings for the Feast are the following: at Great Vespers extracts from Exodus 12:15-13:16; Leviticus 12 and Numbers 8; Isaiah 6:1-12, and 19:1,3-5,12,16,19-21; at Matins Luke 2:25-32; at the Divine Liturgy Hebrews 7:7-17 and Luke 2: Hymns of the Feast Apolytikion (First Tone) Hail Virgin Theotokos full of Grace, for Christ our God, the Sun of Righteousness, has dawned from you, granting light to those in darkness. And you, O Righteous Elder, rejoice, taking in Your arms, the Deliverance of our souls, who grants us Resurrection. Kontakion (First Tone) Your birth sanctified a Virgin's womb and properly blessed the hands of Symeon. Having now come and saved us O Christ our God, give peace to your commonwealth in troubled times and strengthen those in authority, whom you love, as only the loving one.

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26 AHEPA #79 The mission of the AHEPA & DOP Family is to promote Hellenism, Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence. St. George AHEPA Chapter 79 Presents 5 th Annual Celebration of St. Patrick Food, Music & Fun Saturday, March 17, pm to 10 pm St. George Greek Orthodox Church 30 E. Forge Rd. Media, PA DOP #246 SAVE THE DATE DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE BIENNIAL HAT PARTY LUNCHEON SATURDAY, MAY 12, 2018 PENN OAKS COUNTRY CLUB WEST CHESTER, PA TO BENEFIT JUVENILE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

27 St. George Greek Orthodox Church Banquet Hall Available Anniversaries Birthdays Corporate Training Conferences Performances Meetings Formal Events Fund-Raisers 30 East Forge Road Media PA Tel: Fax: GREAT SUNDAY CONCORDVILLE INN ADVERTISING SPACE AVAILABLE CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE

28 Saint George Greek Orthodox Church 30 East Forge Road Media, PA Rev. Fr. Anastasios Bourantas, Protopresbyter NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 435 MEDIA, PA Return Service Requested Mailed on January 24, 2018 WE OWE EVERYTHING TO GOD When you are generous, you are not bestowing a gift, but repaying a debt. Everything you possess materially comes from God, who created all things. And every spiritual and moral virtue you possess is through divine grace. Thus you owe every-thing to God. More than that, God has given you his Son, to show you how to live: how to use your material possessions, and how to grow in moral and spiritual virtue. We may say that your material and spiritual possession cost God nothing; God created the universe in order to express his own glory. But the gift of his Son was supremely costly, because his Son suffered and died for our sakes. The agony of Christ on the cross is the measure of how much God loves us. For this reason we should take none of our gifts, material or spiritual, for granted; day-by-day we should give thanks to God for what he has bestowed on us. Once this spirit of gratitude infuses us, we shall see generosity for what it is. We will regard our act as no more than a small token of appreciation for all that we have received or, more precisely, the repayment of a tiny fraction of God's blessings. St. John Chrysostom