Glad Tidings. The dean of the Romanian archdiocese

St. Paul, MN December 2009 Volume 15, Issue 10 S T. G E O R G E G R E E K O R T H O D O X C H U R C H Glad Tidings Disease and Holy Communion A huge amount of controversy has arisen recently over the way Christians receive Holy Communion, particularly in the wake of what some are calling the "H1N1 pandemic." The issue involves not only Christians. In July of this year, ministers of health from Muslim countries met with specialists of the World Health Organization and issued a statement recommending that children under the age of twelve, together with the aged and the infirm, refrain from making the pilgrimage to Mecca during Ramadan (this after several cases of H1N1 appeared among Iranian pilgrims). Jewish leaders are debating whether the practice of touching the mezouza (venerating a symbol of the Law upon entering a pious Jewish home) should be abandoned. And Christians of many confessions are questioning traditional methods of distributing the Eucharistic bread and wine to their faithful. For the Orthodox, this is a particularly sensitive concern, since we receive Holy Communion on a common spoon, dipped into the one chalice. Then, once the faithful have received, the deacon or priest consumes what remains. Little or no precaution is taken to wipe the spoon or to take other measures out of concern that the chalice and its contents might transmit some potentially lethal disease. This traditional Orthodox practice elicits no little dismay among many (non- Orthodox) medical professionals. Since the outbreak of the AIDS crisis in the early 1980s, even many of our own faithful have been raising the question, intensified by the present media focus on "Swine flu": "Can infectious disease be transmitted by our Eucharistic practice?" The dean of the Romanian archdiocese in France recently published a document that brought this question to a head. Taking into consideration recommendations made by several medical professionals, he urged that communion be given without touching the lips of the communicant, who would simply hold his or her head back a little so the priest could drop the particle into the open mouth. The dean also recommended that the priest, with the deacon's help, wipe the spoon after each person had received. by the Very Rev. John Breck Reaction to this proposal was swift and unequivocal. The French Orthodox theologian Jean -Claude Larchet published a letter, addressed to the local Romanian Metropolitan, sharply criticizing the dean's proposals. They would, Larchet argued, sow worry and doubt in the minds of our faithful, and for no good reason. As support for his position, he quoted an encyclical recently issued by the highly respected (Harvard and MIT educated) Metropolitan Nicolaos Hadjinikolaou, founder of the bioethics institute in Athens. The gist of their argument, which I believe is accurate and very much to the point, is that Orthodox life and faith are essentially "Eucharistic," and that we commune in the very Body and Blood of the glorified Son of God, the true Physician of our souls and bodies. Metropolitan Nikolaos stressed the point that today's society is militantly anti- Christian and, throughout Europe and in the United States, is using the H1N1 scare to further undermine the faith and traditional liturgical practices of the Church. Do not let 2000 years of experience, he urged, be put into question by "the rationalism and superficiality" of the present times. For there is no evidence at all that illness has ever been transmitted through Eucharistic communion. (Continued on page 5) Inside: A Word from the President, pg. 1; Registry, pg. 3; Parish News, pgs. 4-5; Youth News pgs. 6-7

Glad Tidings Page 2 A Word from the President If you were fortunate enough to be in church this past Sunday, you heard the announcement that, Resa Ellison, the choir director from St. Mary s OCA has been very ill and she remains in intensive care with complications from the H1N1 virus. This announcement came from Fr. Ted Wojcik, our first visiting priest while Fr. Rick is out for an extended period for his surgery and recovery. Fr. Ted delivered the news of Resa during the children s sermon and asked that the children pray for Resa s recovery. I do not know Resa very well, although I have met her a couple times through a mutual friend, (former parishioner Ann Woods). I m sure that some of you know Resa or know of her impact on our children at St. George through her involvement with St. Mary s Summer Church Camp. I am certain that Resa and her family would certainly benefit not just from the prayers of the children but also the prayers of us adults. As is the case so often these days, Resa s family has been communicating her progress through a web site set up to provide updates on her condition and to allow loved ones to post their thoughts, well wishes and prayers. As Resa s condition seems to have improved in recent days, many of us who know her are eager to look ahead to her full recovery to health. And God willing, that is exactly what will happen. A recent post on the web site, made by her father (Fr. James Ellison), however, offered some thoughts that are relevant both to Resa s particular situation and more broadly to our lives in general. If I could be so bold, please allow me to sum up Fr. Ellison s thoughts, into its three main points. Our minds tend to want to live either in the future (dreams/fears) or the past (regret/nostalgia), however, the moment for loving one another is us to stay in the present. But we know that God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are always in the present. It is hard for always in the present, with each other in love. - from Fr. John Ellison Fr. Ellison s thoughts are profound and worthy of our deep and continual reflection. The moment for loving others is now. And yet we often find ourselves hoping for a better tomorrow or fondly recalling the good old days of the past when things weren t so difficult. But how often though do we take stock of the blessings we have today? Or how often do we thank God, for example, that we are fortunate enough to do something as beneficial as attending the Divine Liturgy on a given Sunday? If you re like me, the answer is probably not often enough. Putting these thoughts into action may take many different forms. It may be something as simple as a kind word to a friend, family member or fellow parishioner. Or it may happen through extending a helping hand to someone who you do not know at all, like the many homeless among us or those who do not have enough to eat. Hopefully, this is something that we might try to do through the ministries of St. George. Regardless of what we do, the important thing is that we do it today. Not yesterday. Not tomorrow. Resa s recent struggles no doubt serve as a reminder to us of the frailty of human life. Hopefully, her struggles and her father s insights will also serve as a reminder to each of us of what is truly important in our lives. I hope and pray that each of us can take to heart the words of a father, who even in a time of great, personal strain has the insight to provide us with this pearl of wisdom. And as we head into a brand new year, perhaps each of us at St. George can put this wisdom into practice by expressing our love for others on a daily basis. In Christ, Eric

St. Paul, MN Page 3 Registry October 11 October 24 Baptisms Kyriakoula, daughter of Maria Kontinakis & Gregory Tirokomos, godparent is Irene Vasileiadis Sophia, daughter of Milam & Maria Paraschou, godparent is Diane Anastos Church Staff and Office Hours Church Office Hours Mondays-Friday 9:00 AM--3:00 PM Rev. Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews, Presbyter (651) 222-6220 Email: FatherRick@usa.com Lori Kurtyka, Administrative Assistant (651) 222-6220 Email: office @stgeorgegoc.org October 4 October 11 October 25 October 31 40 Day Churching Shannon Canas & baby Ethan Angie McMahon & baby Aristea Memorials Argyroula Kiprose (3 years) Michael Eric Elias Koutroumanes Eric Chadwick, Parish Council President (507) 665-8053 Email: chadwick@ptslaw.com Reva Adkins, Philoptochos President (651) 738-1630 Email: rradkins@comcast.net Andrea Faches, Sunday School Director (507) 665-8053 Email: afaches@msn.com Stella Hofrenning, Greek School Director 651-917-2668 Festal Icons Needed Please donate a Festal Icon (11" x 14") in memory of a loved one. The cost is $50.00 per icon. The icons are displayed in the church nave and are put out for veneration on the Feast Day of the Saint or event they represent. To donate an icon, fill out a form (found on the bulletin board by the kitchen) and return it to the office. St. Hermolaos the Healer St. Glykeria the Martyr Oct 22 St. John of Kronstadt Jennifer Argeros, Glad Tidings Editor Email: GladTidings @stgeorgegoc.org Sue Gnetz and Sandra Thole, Loaves and Fishes Coordinators Email: suegnetz@yahoo.com, quadmom196@yahoo.com

Glad Tidings Page 4 Parish Announcements Trinity Mission Please remember the growing number of people going hungry while you are grocery shopping. The food shelf especially needs foods that contain protein, for example: peanut butter, canned beans, canned stews, canned chili, canned tuna. Thank you for your support. New Youth Minister We are happy to announce the hiring of a new part-time parish youth minister, Rebekah Moll (pronounced mall ). Rebekah is a life-long member of St. Mary OCA Cathedral where she taught Sunday School and sang in the choir. She also volunteered as counselor at the summer church camp program. Rebekah is married to Doug Moll and currently works as a language arts teacher at Spring Lake Park High School. Adopt A Family As we ve done for the last several years, St. George is adopting families for Christmas from Trinity Missions Food Shelf. This year we have 4 families. Their needs are so basic that they don t have any wish lists. Please sign up in the Fellowship Hall for one person or an entire family. If we have a few families per person in need, we can make a big difference! Thank you. Any questions about this program, please contact Presbytera Jane at 651-695- 1436. Stewardship 2010 Program Come & See is the theme. Everyone should receive a 2010 stewardship brochure with their third quarter statement. Please begin careful consideration of committing your Time, Talents and Treasures for the coming year. God asks us to give as He does, generously and sacrificially. Your involvement and support is essential to fulfill our mission of preaching the gospel, teaching the commandments, healing the sick and sanctifying the faithful. Basketball Tournament The upcoming basketball tournament will be held Feb 5-7th in Overland Park KS. It is hosted by St. Dionysios Greek Orthodox Church. Lodging is at the Overland Park Marriott, 913-451-8000. All registration forms are available online at www.greekbball.org or are in the social hall. A bus sign up form is also posted. If we enough families are signed up by January 3rd, we will pursue going together by bus. Please sign up ASAP. Thanks! Christmas Program 2009 Rehearsals Grades 5-12 - The Christmas Program is quickly approaching, on December 20th, 2009. Rehearsals are scheduled for all youth grades 5-12 for participation in the choir. Please encourage your child to participate even if he or she has never participated in the choir before. The youth choir will rehearse at 11:30, December 6 & 14th. The December 6th rehearsal will be 45 minutes. The rehearsal on December 14th will be until 1pm, as we will run through the entire program at least twice. PreK-Grade 4 - Role assignments will be posted soon, so please let your child`s teacher know of your availability for the program on December 20th. Rehearsals are December 6th & 14th. On December 6th, we will fit your child for a costume, so the we should be able to be done rather quickly. The rehearsal on December 14th will run until 1pm, as we will run through the program at least twice.

St. Paul, MN Page 5 Philoptochos Update Daughters of Penelope News birthday of our chapter. Join us at the Lilydale Pool and Yacht Club for our annual Christmas Luncheon, held in conjunction with the Daughters of Penelope., at 11:30 am Saturday, December 5. For reservations, contact Mary Georgantones. Mark your calendar! Vasilopita Day will be Sunday, January 10, 2010. Next meeting will be Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at 1:30 pm. May the memory of Ann Ballas be eternal, and my Christmas and the New Year be full of blessings for all. Disease & Holy Communion cont. from pg. 1 Join the Christmas gathering with the Philoptochos ladies Saturday, December 5 at 11:30 am at the Lilydale Pool and Yacht Club. The Saint Paul/Minneapolis Christmas Holiday Party will be at St. Mary s Greek Orthodox Church in Minneapolis on Sunday, December 27, 2009 at 5 pm. Contact Michael Manos for reservations. A discounted price is available through Tuesday, December 15. May the memory of Ann Ballas, our sister in Theta Pi, be eternal. Daughters of Penelope and AHEAPA meet Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 7 pm for business matters and to celebrate the 75th We send blessings to all for Christmas and the New Year. St. Mary s Advent Retreat St. Mary s Greek Orthodox Church will host a retreat featuring Archpriest Chad Hatfield, Chancellor, St Vladimir's Theological Seminary, on Saturday, December 5. 2 pm Ministry Lessons from the Alaskan Saints: Theory and Practise of Parish Ministry (Parish Center ) 5 pm Confessions (Cathedral) 6 pm GREAT VESPERS (Cathedral) 7 pm Parish Advent Dinner 7:30 pm St Thikon s Prophecy : Mission and Dialogue Opportunities Today ( Parish Center ) For information, call (612) 781-7667. (Were that the case, we might add, there would have been throughout history a much higher death-rate among clergy, who consume the chalice after all the people have had communion, than there has been among the general populace or among Christian faithful. Empirically, this is simply not the case.) The Metropolitan concluded with a pertinent observation: the real problem is not the virus H1N1, nor is it world-wide panic; it is rather "the virus of impiety and a lack of faith," for which the best remedy is precisely frequent communion. Several people who have written on this subject have pointed out that a fundamental problem, too, is the fact that we have radically separated faith and medicine, care of the soul from cure of the body. The ultimate blessing that may come from the spread of infectious diseases -- AIDS, "Swine flu," the Ebola virus that is now devastating parts of Africa, and others -- could be a conscious and active return to the attitude of Scripture and patristic tradition regarding the mystery of sickness and suffering. To declare that disease cannot be transmitted via Holy Communion is an article of faith; it cannot be proved to the satisfaction of everyone (it would in fact amount to proving a negative). Yet as Orthodox Christians, we have two millennia of experience that goes a very long way to confirm what we believe to be true regarding the "real presence" of Christ in the Eucharist, a presence that is actually and ontologically real, true and accessible. Our life in Jesus Christ is nourished and sustained by our sacramental participation in his sanctifying, life-giving Body and Blood. Insofar as we dwell in his presence, fortified by the traditional faith of the Church, our communion will be not to our judgment or condemnation -- nor to our physical detriment because of some transmitted disease. It will be to the healing of our soul and body as a "medicine of immortality," venerated and received as the "bread of heaven" and source of eternal life.

Glad Tidings Page 6 YOUTH NEWS Welcome Rebekah! Please take a few minutes to introduce yourself to Rebekah Moll. Her profile appeared in last month s GT and she s made the rounds in the classrooms but we should each meet her personally. We are blessed to have her join our St. George family! Christmas Program 2009 The program will be presented December 20th. Rehearsals are December 6 & 13th, immediately following the Divine Liturgy. Please let Andrea Faches know ASAP if your child wishes to participate. Birth to 3 Faith Group Upcoming meeting December 19th, from 9:30-11:30 am, at the home of Jason & Kelly Barbes where we will be making Christmas cards for our homebound parishioners. For more information, contact Kelly Barbes at barbes11@msn.com.or 612-926-0281. JOY Watch you the Sunday bulletin for a sledding/movie/fellowship day between Christmas & New Year s Day, as we have done the past 2 years. If you wish to help plan this event, please see Andrea Faches or Rebekah Moll. 2010 GOYAL Western Region Basketball Tournament February 5-7 Overland Park, KS. Basketball practices have begun. Sign up on the posting in the social hall to ride the bus with your St. George family. Registration materials are also posted in the social hall. (Continued from page 7) January 1 O righteous Basil, revealer of heavenly things! (Kontakion) Start the New Year by attending the Divine Liturgy as a family. When you come home, cut your Vasilopita and thank God for the blessing of a New Year. January 2 Sanctify both me and the waters (Matins) Schedule a time for the priest to bless your home. Pick up some plastic bottles at a craft store and have each member of the family decorate one to store holy water next to the icons in their room. You can use paint pens, decoupage, and pufffy paint. January 3 Draw in the water of gladness (Great Blessing of the Water) As the Nativity season comes to a close, make a list of all that you are grateful for. Discuss how you can give proper thanks for these things. Also, this would be a good time to write those Christmas thank-you notes. January 4 Holy Trinity, glory to You! (Prayer to the Holy Trinity) On the feast of Theophany, the Trinity is revealed Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Read the Gospel lesson for this feast Matthew 3:13 17, look at the icon and discuss as a family. January 5 Light from Light (Matins) Make a point to attend Vespers of Theophany as a family. If work and school permit, attend the Liturgy the next day as well. For more information on celebrating Theophany,read Diving In: Living Theophany in the Orthodox Christian Home by Nichola Krause, which can be found at www.family.goarch.org/ art-feastdays.asp.

St. Paul, MN Page 7 The Twelve Days of Christmas Challenge The twelve days of Christmas refer to the period between Christmas and Epiphany (January 6). This is a time of celebration rejoicing in the birth of our Lord! The Center for Family Care at the Archdiocese has suggested activities for each of the twelve days. You may consider creating your own as a family. Don t let a day go by without marveling at the tremendous gift we received from our Lord on Christmas Day. Are you ready to take the challenge? December 25 Christ is Born! Glorify Him! (Katavasia of the Nativity) After attending the Divine Liturgy, greet everyone by proclaiming Christ is Born! Respond with Glorify Him! Continue doing this for the twelve days of Christmas. December 26 Christ, what shall we offer you? Vespers) Focus on the wise men and their gifts. Use the Bible to find out what gifts they brought the baby. Discuss what gifts we can offer Jesus on the occasion of His birth. December 27 Lord Jesus, receive my spirit (Acts 7:59) On this day, we commemorate the First Martyr and Archdeacon Stephen. You can read about him in today s epistle reading: Acts 6:8 7:5, 47 60 (perhaps shorten the reading and adapt it for young children). Notice his extreme faith as he was being martyred. Discuss how we can look to him as an example of faith and love. December 28 Glory to Him who has been born on earth! (Matins) Have everyone head outside to create the Nativity scene in snow. Make sure to have hot cocoa waiting for when you finish. If there is no snow, be creative: use clay, sand, paper, or whatever you can find. December 29 God is with us (Compline) Learn to chant the beautiful hymn found at ww.goarch.org/en/resources/ prayers/hymns/ God_is_with_us.asp. Pair the chant with the English words to learn as a family. December 30 The One Who holds the universe Matins) Go star-gazing (be sure to dress appropriately!). If an observatory is open, make the trip. Discuss how amazing it is that God can hold the whole universe in His hand yet came down to the earth as a baby. Read Psalm 104. With younger children, have them create a picture of either this psalm or of God s beautiful universe. December 31 The bread you do not use is the bread of the hungry (St. Basil the Great). Get the entire family involved in making the Vasilopita. Begin with a prayer and read bout the tradition of the Vasilopita. (Continued on page 6) UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS Faith 12/19 Barbes Home Junior Choir & Christmas Program Rehearsals, 12/6 & 12/13 SAVE THE DATES: GOYAL Chicago Metropolis Western Region Basketball Tourney-February 5-7, 2010-Kansas City, MO Youth & Family Ministry Meeting Monday, December 14th @ 6:30pm. St. George Greek Orthodox Church -Monthly planning meeting. Sunday School Staff, Youth Workers, parents & others interested are encouraged to attend or participate: 712-432-0850, participant code: 261137#, to teleconference. Upcoming Youth & Family Ministry meetings will be on: January 11th February 1st (due to Basketball Tournament) March 8th April 12th Reminder Christmas Program 2009 will be Sunday, December 20th.

S T. G E O R G E G R E E K O R T H O D O X C H U R C H 1111 Summit Avenue St. Paul, Minnesota 55105 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID St. Paul, MN Permit No. 177 Phone: 651-222-6220 Fax: 651-225-9276 Web Site: www.stgeorgegoc.org Weekday Worship Schedule REGULAR WEEKLY SERVICES St. Dionysios and Prophet Daniel Divine Liturgy 9:00am, Thursday, December 17 St. Anastasia Pharmokalytria Divine Liturgy 9:00am, Tuesday, December 22 Christmas Eve Royal Hours 8:00am, Thursday, December 24 Vesperal Liturgy 10:00am, Thursday, December 24 Christmas Orthros 9:00am, Friday, December 25 Divine Liturgy 10:00am, Friday, December 25 Holy Confession: By Appointment Vespers: (September May) Saturday 5 pm Orthros: Sunday 8:30 am 8:15 am Divine Liturgy: Sunday 9:45 am 10:00 am (begins 9/13) Sunday School: (September - May) 9:30 am

December 2009 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 +FAST DAY +FAST DAY +ST. SAVAS +9:30am Liturgy +ST. BARBARA in Eau Claire, WI *11:30am +ST. JOHN Philoptochos DAMASCUS Advent Luncheon at Lilydale Yacht Club *2:00pm Advent *7:00pm Catechism *6:00pm OCF Retreat w/ Fr. Class w/ Fr. Chad Chad Hatfield at Hatfield at UMN St. Mary OCA *5:00pm Radio Program KKMS 980am +5:00pm VESPERS + ADVENT FAST+ 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 +10TH SUN. LUKE +FAST DAY +FAST DAY +ST. SPYRIDON +ST. NICHOLAS +CONCEPTION +9:00am LITURGY OF ST. ANNA *10:30am GOYA +8:15am ORTHROS +FAST DAY Youth- Advent *9:30am Sunday Cleaning School Classes *7:00pm Catechism *7:00pm Parish *7:00pm Orthodox- +10:00am LITURGY Class Council Catholic *5:00pm Radio Conversation Program KKMS *11:30am Parish *7:00pm Bible St. Charles Borrom 980am Council Elections Study at Fr. Rick's Catholic Church Home +5:00pm VESPERS + ADVENT FAST+ 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 +11TH SUN. LUKE +ST. +FAST DAY +ST. DIONYSIOS +FAST DAY - HOLY ELEFTHERIOS & PROPHET FOREFATHERS DANIEL *9:30am FAITH Youth Group +8:15am ORTHROS +9:00am LITURGY *9:30am Sunday School Classes *5:00pm Loaves *5:00pm Radio +10:00am LITURGY & Fishes Program KKMS *5:00pm Spiritual 980am *11:30am Acolyte *7:00pm Youth Life Cmte Training & Family Ministry +5:00pm VESPERS Mtg. + ADVENT FAST+ 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 +ST. IGNATIOS +ST. ANASTASIA +FAST DAY +FAST DAY +SYNAXIS OF THE GODBEARER PHARMOKALYTRIA +CHRISTMAS EVE THEOTOKOS +SUNDAY B4 +NATIVITY OF NATIVITY Office Closed CHRIST +8:15am ORTHROS +9:00am LITURGY +8:00am ROYAL *9:30am Sunday HOURS Office Closed *5:00pm Radio School Classes Program KKMS +10:00am LITURGY +10:00am +9:00am ORTHROS 980am *11:30am Children's *7:00pm VESPERAL +10:00am LITURGY Christmas Program Stewardship Cmte LITURGY +5:00pm VESPERS 27 28 29 30 31 +ST. STEPHANOS +FAST DAY +APODOSIS OF PROTOMARTYR NATIVITY- ST. +SUNDAY AFT. MELANIE NATIVITY +8:15am ORTHROS *9:30am Sunday School Classes +10:00am LITURGY + ADVENT FAST+ Coming in January... 1. ST. BASIL THE GREAT/ CIRCUMCISION OF OUR LORD 6. THEOPHANY OF OUR LORD 9. GOYAL Basketball Tourney Coaches Meeting 10. Vasilopita Celebration 17. ST. ANTHONY THE GREAT 24. TRIODION BEGINS 30. THREE HIERARCHS St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1111 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105 + Rev. Father Richard Demetrius Andrews -- Phone: (651) 222-6220 -- www.stgeorgegoc.org +

Your Kingdom, O Christ our God, is a Kingdom of all the ages, and Your rule is from generation to generation. Made flesh of the Holy Spirit and made man of the ever-virgin Mary, You have enlightened us by Your coming. Light of Light, Brightness of the Father, You have made the whole creation shine with joy. All that has breath praises You, the Image of the glory of the Father. O God who are, and who has ever been, who has shone forth from a Virgin, have mercy upon us. (Third Stichera Hymn of Vespers Nativity of Christ) December 20, 2009 St. Ignatios the Godbearer, Bishop of Antioch Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: When we read the newspaper or watch television, sadly we are reminded daily of the darkness and evil that exists in our society. Even if we have not been touched directly by this evil, we may feel oppressed and overwhelmed by the busyness and responsibilities of our own life. This may lead us to feel despair and alienation. Thankfully, the holidays bring needed relief from our hectic schedule and provide opportunity to have fellowship with family and friends. However, for some the holidays are painful reminders of the loss of loved ones and/or the absence of healthy, functional relationships. The one true antidote to all this worldly pain is our Lord Jesus Christ. The hymn above asserts that Christ enlightens us by His Incarnation, that He is the brightness of God the Father and that He makes the whole creation shine with joy. The key to receiving this antidote is also found in the hymn where it states that All that has breath praises You. Surely, Christ is our God. If we truly believe and profess this then we must act in accordingly. Praise means to express approval or admiration. In the religious context praise means to give grateful homage as an act of worship. We praise God through daily prayer and weekly communal worship. Our words and actions throughout the day are further opportunity to praise Christ our God. We must not be led astray by the worldly celebrations of Christmas. Rather, we must guard against the busy, materialistic intrusions with an ascetic spirit and life-style of prayer, fasting, almsgiving and silence. This will deepen our experience of the incarnate Christ and bring true (not a fleeting or transient) joy into our celebration that begins on Christmas Day and continues for twelve days leading into Theophany on January 6 th. We invite everyone to gather for the communal praise and glorification of God in the wonderful beauty of our Orthodox worship. The following services will be celebrated: Sunday, December 20 SUNDAY BEFORE NATIVITY- Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:15AM/10:00AM Children s Christmas Program 11:30AM Tuesday, December 22 ST. ANASTASIA THE PHARMOKALYTRIA- Divine Liturgy 9:00AM (a portion St. Anastasia s relics reside in our altar table) Thursday, December 24 EVE OF NATIVITY- Royal Hours & Vesperal Liturgy 8:00AM/10:00AM Friday, December 25 NATIVITY OF OUR LORD- Orthros & Divine Liturgy 9:00AM/10:00AM Sunday, December 27 SUNDAY AFTER NATIVITY & ST. STEPHANOS (time same as Dec.20 th ) Friday, January 1, 2010 ST. BASIL THE GREAT & CIRCUMCISION OF OUR LORD (time same as Dec.25 th ) Sunday January 3 SUNDAY BEFORE THEOPHANY- (time same as Dec.20 th ) If you are traveling for the holidays, we pray safe travels and warm memories with your loved ones. Please enjoy our parish Christmas Card which is enclosed with this mailing. Please read the enclosed brochure on the Nativity by Fr. Thomas Fitzgerald. Please see the enclosed envelope to make a special Christmas offering. Thank you again for your support! Blessed Christmas! / Καλαϖ Χριστουϖγεννα! Rev. Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Saint Paul, Minnesota