A Word from Father Rick · Xristougenna! Blessed Nativity of our Lord! In Christ, +Fr. Rick A Word...

V O L U M E 2 0 , I S S U E 1 1 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4

12.14 St. George Greek

Orthodox Church

St. Paul, Minnesota

in this issue

Par ish Accompl ishments

P.3

Par ish News P.4-5

Youth News P.6

Rose lawn Program P.7

Dear Brothers & Sisters in

Christ,

As we enter into the month of

December we are already two

weeks along in the Advent Fast.

I hope that we are using this

time well to prepare for the

Feast of the Nativity of our Lord

on Dec.25th by fasting from all

meat and dairy products, spend-

ing time in personal reflection,

moral self-inventory, repentance

and confession, and communal

worship. These ascetical efforts

will help Jesus Christ be incar-

nate in the world through our

words and actions.

Looking ahead we invite eve-

ryone to participate in the

Philoptochos Advent Luncheon

and Family Night on Saturday

December 6th, Parish Council Elections on Dec. 7th, Loaves &

Fishes on Mon. Dec. 8th, Church

Cleaning on Sat. Dec. 20th, and

the Nativity services on Dec.24-

25th. Thus, there are numerous

opportunities to get involved.

Just a reminder that we are

well into our season (October

through May) of Saturday Ves-

pers services which begin at

5pm and last about 45 minutes.

Participating in the Vespers wor-

ship is a great way to prepare for

Sunday Divine Liturgy but is an

acceptable substitute if not able

to attend Sunday liturgy. They,

along with weekday services

provide a slightly different at-

mosphere (less people, more

quiet) to experience the presence

of God and bow down before

Him. All this could be said

about Sunday morning Orthros

(year round) too, that begins at

8:15am. I encourage everyone to

make a point of participating in

these worship services at least a

few times a year.

As usual, I will be visiting sick

and homebound parishioners the week or two before Christ-

mas. If you would like to also

visit them or have me bring a

gift to them, please let me know.

If there is someone that needs a

visit, please let me know. Visita-

tions are one of the core minis-

tries of our parish. Please pray

for those who are not able to

attend worship and fellowship

activities.

As we reflect on the Birth of

our Savior, much of our time

this season, like previous years,

will be spent going to holiday

parties, family get-togethers and

shopping. All of these are rooted

in the celebration rituals sur-

round the Feast of Jesus’ Nativi-

ty. But how many of them actu-

ally specifically outwardly re-

member and acknowledge that

fact? Unfortunately, some go in

the opposite direction. Some

holiday parties involve raucous

revelry with excess eating and

drinking. Some families gather

but not at church for liturgy on

Christmas Day. Some shopping

is for those who have more than

enough while starving, hungry,

homeless people remain so.

Some gift giving does not in-

clude generosity to the Church

in thanksgiving for God’s great

gift of His only-begotten Son,

born in the flesh.

While lamentable, all these

things are easily overcome by

turning our hearts and minds

back towards God through re-

newed habits of heart and mind

leading to new habits of behav-

ior. It’s called repentance and

it’s a never-ending task of our

lives in relationship to God. The

fleeting happiness of worldly

events can be turned into a deep,

enduring joy through a life in

communion with our Creator.

It’s what He seeks; it’s how He

made us; it’s where our true

home is. Let us be like the Magi,

the three Wise Men, who intent-

ly listened for the signs of a

coming Savior; who diligently

searched for the mysterious

King; who brought Him gifts

and bowed down before Him.

For the year 2015, the Archdi-

ocese Stewardship theme high-

lights the Family. Stewardship

pledge card and brochures will

be mailed very soon. Please con-

sider your commitment prayer-

fully. Also, please give gener-

ously during this month of De-

cember in order for all of us to

work together to fulfill our sup-

port the ministries of our parish,

Metropolis of Chicago, Archdio-

cese of American and many

charitable organizations. Kala

Xristougenna! Blessed Nativity

of our Lord!

In Christ, +Fr. Rick

A Word from Father Rick

2014 Accomplishments (as reported at 11-16-2014 Parish Assembly Meeting)

page 3

Church Staff and Office Hours

Church Office Hours

M-F 9:00 AM—3:00 PM

Rev. Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews, Presbyter

(651) 222-6220

Email: [email protected]

Julie Delton,

Administrative Assistant

(651) 222-6220


Jon Kennedy,

Parish Council President

(651) 653-9756


Lani Hattling,

Sunday School Director

(763) 551-4876


Stella Hofrenning,

Greek School Director

(651) 917-2668


Reva Adkins,

Philoptochos President

(651) 337-1118


Glad Tidings—Editor

Email:

GladTidings @stgeorgegoc.org

Andrea Faches & Eric Chadwick,

Loaves and Fishes Coordinators


Submissions for upcoming issues

are due by the 11th of the preceding

month.

St. Paul. MN

We need several festal icons relating to the Sundays of Matthew. Please consider donating one

or more of these at $75 per icon. Please include donor name and names of dear loved ones

(departed or living). See list in social hall for other icons to be donated. Thank you!

Festal Icons Needed

Jesus Raises

Widow’s Son at Nain

1. Various Capital Projects

— Iconography Program Plan and Recommendation (vote today)

— New sanctuary skylights and stained glass cleaning & repair

— Repaired back building wall

— Long-term brick repair plan in place for the building

— Parking Lot seal, repair and striping plan in place

2. Completion of Nickitas Memorial Donation & national video scholarship funding

3. Roselawn revenue received

4. Successful Greek Festival and Festival of Nations

5. Festival equipment donations received

6. Parish increased its giving and average pledge donation

7. Maintained and Improved Positive Financial Condition

8. Implemented Managed Investment Fund strategy

9. Landscaping and grounds improvements

10.Permanent Admin. Assistant hired

11.Improved longer term planning process and mentality

12.Increased Missions & Benevolence activities

13.Launched youth ushering and youth stewardship programs

14.Increase in family and youth social events

15.Close to final decision for youth minister selection

16.75th Anniversary Program Kickoff

17.Hierarch visits, Bishop Demetrios visited twice

18.National Clergy-Laity Conference attendance in Philadelphia,

brought some good ideas & presentation to be scheduled

Parable of Rich Man & Lazaros

Parish Elections Dec. 7

New Candidates running for election

to the Parish Council are:

Steve Arsenault

Alexis Bighley

Phyllis Kapetanakis

Dan Simon

Andrea Walkush

Christmas Services Christmas-Eve

8:00 a.m. Royal Hours

10:00 a.m. Vesperal Liturgy

Christmas

9:00 a.m. Orthos

10:00 a.m. Liturgy

Praying for Others The parish

council is initiating an effort to en-

courage prayers for those in need who

welcome the prayers of others. At the

person’s request, his/her name will be

placed in the bulletin so that her/she

may be remembered in prayer by all

during the Divine Liturgy and in per-

sonal prayers throughout the week.

Personal circumstances, such as medi-

cal condition, will NOT be listed, only

names. If you would like your name

included in the bulletin to request

prayers, please contact the church

office, Fr. Rick or a parish council

member.

Stewardship 2015: Please begin

considering how you will increase

your giving of Time, Talents and

Treasures to the parish in Year 2015.

Brochures and pledge cards will be

mailed and available in the church

office.

Adopt-A-Family for Christmas

This year St. George parish will be

adopting several families

for FOCUS . Please sign up for an in-

dividual(s) in the social hall. Lists of

what is needed will be available. Let’s

make this the best Christmas ev-

er. Items due Sunday, December

14. Please contact Iulian Ciuta or

George Mastorgiorgis of the Missisons

& Benevolence Committee if you have

any questions.

Donate a Coat/Jacket Fall and

winter coats needed at FOCUS Minne-

sota who is partnering with two local

high schools to help youth at risk,

both boys & girls, ages 14-20. It does

not need to be new but it must be

clean and in working order. Please

consider this easy way to help a

young person in need this winter. Call

Vera Proctor with any questions: 651-

324-2705. Drop-off times at FOCUS

Minnesota: Wed. Thurs. Friday 10:00am

- 2:00 pm;Sun5pm. As always, you can

drop of items (including jackets/coats)

here at church and someone will de-

liver to FOCUS-MN.

Got Any Photos of St. George?

For our 75th Anniversary year, we are

soliciting photos. You can scan and

email them [email protected].

Or the office can scan them for your

and return them. Thanks for sharing!

Birthday, Wedding, Baptism

Dates Needed We are updating our

database and missing some infor-

mation. Please email or call the church

office to update this information. 651-

222-6220 or [email protected]

Support Nathan Hoppe Missions

OCMC missionary Nathan Hoppe and

his work in Albania. To learn more

aboutNathan, go to this link (http://

www.ocmc.org/about/

view_missionary.aspx?

MissionaryId=1). We are encouraging

everyone to become regular support-

ers of Nathan’s work through OCMC.

You can do that by making a monthly

or yearly donation on this

page: www.ocmc.org/donate/

donation_info.aspx?

DonationType=Missionary. Be sure to

select “The Hoppe Family (Albania)”

in the missionary tab. Thanks in ad-

vance for your support.

Axios! Chris Avromopoulos, the dioce-

san Youth Director was ordained to

the Deaconate on November 22nd.

St. George Community Night is Saturday, Dec. 6—Feast of Saint Nicholas

A fun evening is planned for everyone

to participate. Please check the Youth

Page for details.

Christmas Program is Dec. 21 Rehearsals are Dec. 7 and Dec. 14

Parents, please check out the details

on the Youth Page if you would like

your children to participate .

Address Change

Sam and Joan Kantos

41301 Woodhaven Drive W

Palm Desert, CA 92211

(Nov. 1– April 30)

Parish Parish

NewsNews

tel:651-324-2705

tel:651-324-2705

mailto:[email protected]


http://www.ocmc.org/about/view_missionary.aspx?MissionaryId=1




http://www.ocmc.org/donate/donation_info.aspx?DonationType=Missionary



St. Paul. MN

page 5

"SPOTLIGHT SUNDAY ~ MISSIONS & BENEVOLENCE COMMITTEE

In celebration of St. George's upcoming 75th Anniversary, an organization of the church will be featured each

month. On December 7, 2014 we will spotlight the Missions & Benevolence committee. Members will feature

history & interesting facts of their ministry in the Social hall following the Divine Liturgy. We invite all those

who have served on this committee over the years to reunite on this Sunday for a group photo, which will be fea-

tured in the 75th Anniversary Commemorative Album.

The Saint George Missions and Benevolence Committee is concerned with promoting philanthropy in its original

and purest expression i.e., love for one’s fellow man, love expressed in thought, word, and deed, cognizant of the

fact that God is love. To accomplish this goal, the Missions and Benevolence Committee will emulate the work of

the Greek Orthodox Archdioceses National Philanthropy at the parish level, working closely with various commu-

nity organizations and our ladies¹ Philoptochos Society.

On October 27, 2014, Peter Nickitas, on behalf of his sister Athena Priest and our St. George parish, travelled to New

York and presented Steven Christoforou and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America the $15,000 bequest of his

father, James W. Nickitas. These funds will be matched two-for-one by Leadership 100 Endowment to form the new

James W. Nickitas Scholarship Fund for the Orthodoxy in Motion Youth Video Contest. The contest is for all youth

across the US to create short videos about the Orthodox Faith. Judges will evaluate the videos and recognize the top

three who will be awarded scholarships from the newly created fund. Also accompanying Peter were Jim's rela-

tives Elena Kyrkostas, Kathy & George Boulukos of New York. Parish Assembly meeting on April 27, 014 authorized

the transfer of his bequest from our parish to the Archdiocese.

St. George Greek Orthodox Church

1940

Fr. Constantine Capoyianis

Parish Priest 1940-1949

Makers Mall- a Celebration of Giving Feast Day of Saint Nicholas Saturday, Decelmber 6 following Vespers

Join your Church family and friends this month for our

first ever Makers Mall. Let’s celebrate this season of giv-

ing- by creating gifts. The Social Hall will be set up ‘mall-

style’ with creation stations manned by expert arti-

sans. Come and make to your heart’s desire.

Who’s on your shopping list? Each child will receive an

elderly parishioner (or two if they are ambitious) whom

they can add to their own shopping list. They can then

create a unique greeting card and small gift for their pa-

rishioner and all the others on their list.

6:00 Pasta Dinner

6:30 Celebration of Giving/shopping lists

6:45 Makers Mall will be open for ‘business’!

Bonus: Optional for those interested. A Cookie Exchange-

add sharing to giving. Bring 3 dozen cookies to share and

take home 3 dozen!

Christmas Program Sunday December 21st --

Remaining Rehearsals: 12/ 7 ; 12/1 4 . Just a

quick reminder - the St. George Greek Orthodox Church

Christmas Program is just around the corner. The Sunday

School children will be performing the play "The Christ-

mas Path" by Gail Meena. Please make every effort to

have your child participate so that he/she will understand

what we expect of them. For other Sundays, it would be

appreciated if a few parents/SS teachers could plan a

quick lunch on these days. As we won't have full access

to the kitchen, peanut butter jelly and fruit/salads would

be great. On 12/1 4 , we will have a dress rehears-

al. Everyone is encouraged but not required to partici-

pate. However, the more that participate the more our

praises to God will be heard. If you have any ques-

tions and/or would like to help out , please email Lani

at [email protected] or call 763-227-1544 . Thank

you to all of the parents and the children that are helping

out with the play!!

Links for the youth ~

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Youth Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/GOAyouth

Follow on Twitter ~

@GOA_Youth Follow

YouTube Channels ~

Y2AM and Y2AM REAL Orthodoxy

Reflections ~

http://blogs.goarch.org/y2am/theladder

Laughter ~

http://goa-youngadults.tumblr.com/

St. George St. George St. George YouthYouthYouth


tel:763-227-1544

St. Paul. MN

Parshioners at IOCC Dinner Nov. 13

Roselawn Cemetery Program “Buy now, Save now” Program With the year coming to a close, the Roselawn Cemetery Committee is offering a year-end incentive to allow parishioners the opportunity to reserve a lot at today’s pricing and pay for it over the next 12 months. With lot prices increasing every year, we anticipate costs going up again in 2015.

Creating a common resting area for yourself and your family within the St. George Section at Roselawn Ceme-tery is a great way to establish a family legacy and support the church with needed funds for program develop-ment, sustainment and growth. These lots are now owned outright by the parish so all revenue directly bene-fits St. George and our ministries.

The program guidelines are as follows: Reserve a lot before December 31, 2014 and receive 2014 pricing. A down payment of 1/3 of the cost is re-quired to reserve a lot. On or before June 1, 2015 a payment of 1/3 of the cost must be made to the church. The balance must be paid on or before December 31, 2015.

You may pay for your lot in full up front or at any time prior to December 31, 2015. If, for any reason, all funds are not paid by the end of next year December 31, 2015, monies paid will be returned and the reserved lot will go back into inventory

2014 Pricing Monument Lot (2 graves) $5,440 Marker (Flat) Lot (2 graves) $3,060 Individual Grave (1 grave) limited availability $1,700

How do I take advantage of this program? Contact the church office, Jon Kennedy or Tom Lampros. A map of available lots is available in the church office for your review. Once you’ve identified which lot(s) you’d like to purchase, the church administrator, Jon or Tom will work with you on the necessary paperwork.

We hope all parishioners consider taking advantage of this program for the benefit of your family and church.

Luke Simon AHEPA

Athlete of the Year

Frank Mortari Ahepan of the Year

ST. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

1111 Summit Avenue

St. Paul, Minnesota 55105

Phone 651.222.6220 Fax 651.225.9276

www.stgeorgegoc.org

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage PAID

Twin Cities, MN

Permit No. 177

Glad Tidings December 2014

REGULAR WEEKLY SERVICESREGULAR WEEKLY SERVICESREGULAR WEEKLY SERVICES

Holy Confession: By Appointment

Vespers: (Sept. - May) Saturday 5:00 pm

Orthros: Sunday 8:15 am

Sunday School: (Sept. - May)

following Communion

Divine Liturgy: Sunday 9:30 am

WEEKDAY WORSHIP SCHEWEEKDAY WORSHIP SCHEWEEKDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULEDULEDULE

Saturday, December 6 Saint Nicholas

Liturgy 9:00 a.m.

Monday December 22 Saint Ignatios

Orthros 8:00 a.m. Liturgy 9:00 a.m.

Monday December 22 Saint Anastasia Pharmokalytria

Liturgy 9:00 a.m.

Wednesday, December 24 Christmas Eve

Royal Hours 8:00 a.m. Vesperal Liturgy 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, December 25 Nativity of Christ Orthros 9:00 a.m. Liturgy 10:00 a.m.

December 2014

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

+PROPHET AARON

ADVENT FAST

2

ADVENT FAST

7pm-9pm Catechism Class

3

+FAST DAY

ADVENT FAST

11:30am-4:30pm FOCUS MN - Food Shelf

4

+ST. BARBARA & +ST.JOHN DAMASCUS

ADVENT FAST

10am-2:30pm FOCUS MN - Work Day (odd jobs)

5

+FAST DAY

+ST. SAVAS

ADVENT FAST

10:30am-2:30pm FOCUS MN - Clothes Closet

8pm Christmas Concert - Liturgical Hymns of Nativity (St Mary's Orthodox Cathedral)

6

+ST. NICHOLAS

ADVENT FAST

9:00am LITURGY

9:30am Divine Liturgy (Eau Claire, Wisc.)

11:30am Philoptochos Advent Luncheon (Pool and Yacht Club)

5pm VESPERS

6pm Family Night

7

10TH SUN. LUKE

ADVENT FAST

8:15am ORTHROS

9:30am LITURGY

11:30am Parish Council Elections

4pm-7:30pm FOCUS MN - Serve a Meal

8

ADVENT FAST

5pm-7pm Loaves & Fishes (Faith Lutheran Church)

7pm-Parish Council Mtg.

9

+CONCEPTION OF ST. ANNA

ADVENT FAST

12pm-1pm OCF at UST (UST)

10

+FAST DAY

ADVENT FAST


11

ADVENT FAST


12pm-2pm MEOCCA Meeting (St. Mary Romanian Orthodox Church)

12

+FAST DAY

+ST. SPYRIDON

ADVENT FAST


13

+ST. HERMAN OF ALASKA

ADVENT FAST

5pm VESPERS

14

+11TH SUN. LUKE

ADVENT FAST

8:15am-9:30am ORTHROS

9:30am-11am LITURGY

12pm-12:30pm Acolyte Training


15

+ST. ELEFTHERIOS

ADVENT FAST

16

ADVENT FAST

17

+FAST DAY

+ST. DIONYSIOS & PROPHET DANIEL

ADVENT FAST


6:30pm-8pm Choir Practice

18

ADVENT FAST

12am-2am Ahepa Mtg (Gyropolis)


19

+FAST DAY

ADVENT FAST


20

+ST. IGNATIOS THE GODBEARER

ADVENT FAST

8:00am ORTHROS

9:00am LITURGY

5pm VESPERS

21

+SUN. B4 NATIVITY

ADVENT FAST

8:15am ORTHROS

9:30am LITURGY

11:30am Children’s Christmas Program


22

+ST. ANASTASIA PHARMOKALYTRIA

ADVENT FAST

9:00am LITURGY

23

ADVENT FAST

24

+CHRISTMAS EVE

+FAST DAY

ADVENT FAST

8am ROYAL HOURS

10am VESPERAL LITURGY


25

+NATIVITY OF CHRIST

9:00am ORTHROS

10:00am LITURGY

Office Closed

26

+NO FASTING

+SYNAXIS OF THEOTOKOS

Office Closed

27

+NO FASTING

+ST. STEPHANOS PROTOMARTYR

28

+NO FASTING

+SUN. AFT. NATIVITY

8:15am ORTHROS

9:30am LITURGY


29

+NO FASTING

30

+NO FASTING

31

+APODOSIS OF NATIVITY- ST. MELANIE

+NO FASTING


COMING IN JANUARY

1 CIRCUMCISION OF OUR LORD / ST. BASIL

3 Ahepa Holiday Party

6 THEOPHANY OF OUR LORD

11 Vasilopita

18 STS. ATHANASIOS & CYRIL

19 Martin Luther King Holiday

25 ST. GREGORY THE THEOLOGIAN

St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1111 Summit Avenue, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55105

651-222-6220 www.stgeorgegoc.org

CHURCH FLOWER DECORATIONS FOR CHRISTMAS

We welcome your donations for floral decorations for Christmas.

Please print clearly the names of loved ones you wish to memorialize.

Names will be listed in the Christmas Bulletin. Mark your check as

“Christmas Flowers” to be credited for this donation.

Deadline for donation is Sunday December 21th

.

St. George Christmas Flowers Donation

In memory of: (Please Print Clearly) _______________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Please print your name here: _____________________________________________________

Amount Enclosed: ___________

A donation must accompany this form.

Please make your check payable to St. George Christmas Flowers.

Thank You!

Parish Christmas Card Now is the time to sign up for the Parish Christmas card. To be included simply

submit the names to be listed in the card and return this form to the

Church Office.

Deadline is Sunday December 14th

St. George Community Christmas Card Names:________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

Please print your name here_______________________________________________________

Amount Enclosed: ___________________ A donation must accompany this form.

Please make your check payable to St. George Christmas Card.

Thank You!

Christmas at the St. George Bookstore One of the best places for Christmas gifts is to be found in our own St.

George Bookstore. We feature Orthodox materials, hard to get anywhere else.

We have a new shipment of greeting cards for $1.00, including Christmas cards, and icon cards.

We have excellent books for the Christmas Fast and Christmas gifts for adults and children.

Com

Always

A

“Family

Price”

We can order any

icon, any size.

New stock

of childrens

books and

toys

Orthodox

Books

Unique

gifts

We are open

Sundays after

church

Cookbook

s

Books for the Fast Greeting Cards

Adult

Children

New Iconography at St. George

On Sunday, November 16, 2014 the Parish Assembly approved a resolution to engage

two iconographers and a woodcarver to complete (1) four festal icons above the altar area and

(2) the icon of the hierarchs plus Christ in the apse, under the Platytera. Mother Theodora and

Andreas Sitorengo have accepted to complete the iconography, and Doug Trail-Johnson has

accepted to be the woodcarver and framer for the project. You may remember that Mother

Theodora is the iconographer who completed the icons on our iconostasis, and Doug Trail-

Johnson is the woodcarver who carved and installed our iconostasis just a few years ago.

Andreas Sitorengo is new to our community.

The Parish Assembly resolution is the culmination of work by the 12 member Master

Plan Committee who have met since late in 2011. The Committee has worked hard looking at the

iconographers’ designs, availability, and timing so that the two projects may be completed in

2015, the church’s 75th

anniversary.

The new iconography will bring the Feasts and the Hierarchs into the Eucharistic

celebration and greatly aid in bringing us into communion with God.

Hierarchs Iconography Four Feast Day Icons

The Committee has chosen to complete four icons above the altar; however there are

additional icons to be funded and completed.

The two iconography projects are 74% fully funded and there are opportunities for people

to contribute to the church’s icon projects.

Upon receiving blessing and approval from our hierarch Metropolitan Iakovos in

Chicago, we will commence the work.

Please see Fr. Rick for details on gifts and memorials directed to the church’s

iconography projects.

Steve Arsenault, Chairman Master Plan Committee

ST. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

1111 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN, 55105 • Tel.: (651) 222-6220 • Fax:

(651) 225-9276

Web: www.stgeorgegoc.org • E-mail: [email protected]

November 24, 2014

� St. Clement Bishop of Rome

Dear Parishioners:

This year's elections for the Parish Council will be held on December 7th .

The Parish Council members whose terms are ending are the following:

Steve Arsenault

Alexis Bighley

Eleni Hoffhines

Phyllis Kapetanakis

Tom Lampros

Dan Simon

The new candidates running for election to the Parish Council are the following:

Steve Arsenault

Alexis Bighley

Phyllis Kapetanakis

Dan Simon

Andrea Walkush

Absentee Ballots:

Requests for an absentee ballot must be made by Monday December 1st. Absentee ballots must be

received in the mail or in person by Saturday, December 6th. Please contact a Board of Elections member

to receive an absentee ballot. If you request an absentee ballot, you must use an absentee ballot to vote

and will not be able to vote in person on Election Day, December 7, 2014.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact one of the committee members below.

Sincerely,

Board of Elections

Stella Hofrenning

Irene Loudas

Mary Makredes

Georgia Panopoulos

� Rev. Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews, Presbyter

Mr. Jon Kennedy, Parish Council President

1

STATE OF THE PARISH ADDRESS 2014

St. George Greek Orthodox Church -- Saint Paul, Minnesota

The Church is Christ’s Hospital (11-16-2014)

The foreign outbreak of Ebola and the treatment of a few patients here in America infected with the disease has

created quite a stir causing us to think twice about hospital care. How many of us have ever been to a hospital?

Probably most of us and what was that experience like? Were we afraid? We probably were afraid because most

people go to the hospital because of serious injury, illness or disease. If it was serious, then we felt that our health

and our well-being, even our very life were in danger. We may have gone to the emergency room, on our own or

taken by ambulance, because the danger was imminent. Treatment was necessary right now, it could not wait any

longer. A broken bone, bleeding, difficulty breathing, a heart attach, a stroke are just some of the emergent

conditions that require immediate care. One of the other main reasons we go to the hospital is for surgery. It could

be part of an emergency but often, although it is important, it does not require immediate attention but can be

planned and scheduled a few days or weeks in advance. These types of procedures often include either orthopedic

repairs of bones and joints, cardiac procedures on our heart, or surgical oncology—the removal of cancerous tissue.

Considering how vulnerable we feel when being admitted to the hospital, we are then hypersensitive to how we

are treated once there. To the clerks, nurses and doctors do we seem like a number or a person? We have witnessed a

transformation in hospital care from a numbers approach to a more humane, person-oriented approach. Most, not all,

but most of the personnel at a modern day hospital are very attentive to that vulnerability we feel, seeking to

reassure us that everything will be ok, making us feel like we are the most important person under their care and that

we will be treated with the highest standards of medicine. This is accomplished by little things: using our first name,

speaking in calm tone of voice, placing their hand on our hand, and frequently checking on us just to name a few.

Even the way hospitals are decorated has changed. The interior design has transformed to feel less institutional and

more like home with warm colors, carpeted hallways and relaxing music. Why the difference in care from yesteryear

to now? It is because the medical profession realized that one of the most important components of healing is the

mental and emotional disposition of the patient, not just the medicine they receive and the procedures they undergo.

Spiritual care in hospitals has similarly transformed. When hospitals were first turned over to county governments

and private healthcare, chaplain care was put to the side. “That’s what church hospitals do but it’s not necessary.”

They realized they were wrong, spiritual care is extremely important to patients and their healing.

Now having all these memories and images of our own hospital experience, translate that to the Church and to our

parish specifically. Why do this? Well, in today’s Gospel reading, for the Feast Day of St. Matthew the Apostle and

Evangelist (Matthew 9:9-13), Jesus says, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick”

(v.12). Now Jesus said this in response to the Pharisees who were questioning His disciples about why their Teacher

ate with tax collectors and sinners (v.11) because this was forbidden according to strict interpretation of Mosaic

Law. So, Jesus is inferring that sinners are sick, that they have an illness. Jesus is also implying that He Himself is a

physician, one who can help heal other people. This is no surprise for we know from the Gospel accounts that Jesus

healed many people, often miraculously. Jesus foretold this when He quoted from the Prophecy of Isaiah right after

His baptism and temptation in the wilderness. 18"The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me

To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives

And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of

the LORD." Luke 4:18-19 [Is.61:1-2]

The healing ministry of Jesus Christ was given to His Apostles. 1And when He had called His twelve disciples to

Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of

disease. (Matthew 10:1) 8Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. 9And

heal the sick there, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.' (Luke 10:8-9)

This healing ministry must have been unique and distinct from the medical profession because St. Luke the

Evangelist was a medical physician (Colossians 4:14) before he became an Apostle. From the Church’s perspective

medical healing is not in opposition to spiritual healing but it is part of a larger whole. In addition, the healing

ministry of the Church is not somehow different than that of Jesus Christ. Rather, the Church becomes the main

vehicle of the healing that comes from God in Christ Jesus. What do we pray? Everyday we pray the Trisagion

Prayers which include the prayer: “All-holy Trinity have mercy on us; Lord forgive our sins; Master pardon our

transgressions; Holy One visit and heal our infirmities.” In the Divine Liturgy, right before the Holy Body of our

Lord is lifted up and placed in the chalice, the priest’s prays, “Therefore Master, guide the course of our life for our

benefit according to the need of each of us. Sail with those who sail; travel with those who travel and heal the sick,

Physician of our souls and bodies.” When the priest anoints the faithful with the Holy Unction oil he prays, “Holy

Father, Physician of our souls and bodies, have mercy, forgive, save and heal your servant.”

2

Thus, returning to our little hospital of St. George parish, we must ask the following questions: First, do I consider

myself a sinner who is spiritual sick and in need of healing? If not, then Christ does not need you and you do not

need Him because He also said at the end of today’s Gospel reading, “For I have come to call not the righteous but

sinners” (v.13).

Second, if I do consider myself a sinner and in need of spiritual healing, have I come to Jesus’ hospital, the

Church, for treatment? The Church has a lot of procedures to treat Her patients. I already mentioned the

Mystery/Sacrament of Holy Unction. This is the one we turn to when we are physically ill. But what about when we

are spiritually ill, when we feel overwhelmed by temptation and sin, when we feel alienated from God, when we

know we have hurt other people? Do we turn to Holy Unction for that? Do we turn to the Mystery/Sacrament of

Holy Confession to pour out our heart and become accountable to our spiritual father? Do we turn to the Mystery of

the Holy Eucharist to receive as the priest says for every communicant “the forgiveness of sins and life everlasting”?

These are the only Sacraments of the Church that we can and should partake of repeatedly on a frequent and regular

basis.

Third, if I am a sinner, and I do come to the Church for sacramental healing, how am I treated? Does the medical

staff know me by name? Do they treat me special or am I just a number? Do they reassure me that everything will be

ok and then provide me with top-notch care? Fourth, when we think of the church’s medical staff, who do we think

of? The priest, the secretary, the youth minister? Well, they are certainly some of the most important staff people but

in truth we are all members of the church hospital staff. We all have a responsibility to provide care to those who

come to us, whether they be members or visitors or seekers. And the best way we can be prepared to help them is if

we ourselves have sought out and received healing. What would you think if you went to Regions or United hospital

and the reception desk was empty, the halls were vacant, no one was in the exam rooms or surgery center? You

would feel pretty strange, like you were in the wrong place. Think about that when our visitors and guests arrive at

9:30am for Divine Liturgy on any given Sunday and only a few of our hospital staff are present. Similarly, what if

you were at the hospital and the nurses were coughing and sneezing all over you? What would you do if the doctors

had open gaping bleeding wounds? A healthy hospital has a healthy staff. They also have a well-trained and

knowledgeable staff. What if your nurse was not sure where or how to inject a needle for an iv? What if the doctor

did not know the human anatomy to find the proper organ to operate on? A healthy, well-trained staff also applies to

the church.

Fourth, does anyone know about our parish hospital and the services we provide? In today’s Epistle reading

(Romans 10:11 – 11:2), also for St. Matthew, the Apostle Paul asks the Christians in Rome, “How can they call on

One in whom they have not believed?” He continues, “And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never

heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? 15And how are they to proclaim him unless

they are sent?” (vv.14-15). To state it another way, if Jesus can save everyone who calls upon Him for help and

healing (v.13), then they have to first believe that He is Lord and supreme Physician. And they can only believe in

Jesus if they have first heard about Him and His healing capabilities. And they can only hear about Christ if

someone is advertising and proclaiming Him as Lord and the Great Healer. And finally, Jesus can only be

proclaimed if people are sent out for this specific purpose. That is the meaning of the word ‘apostle’ – ‘one who is

sent.’

Medical hospitals and healthcare systems have huge advertising budgets and well-developed marketing

campaigns. We just heard the Apostle Paul’s plan to advertise and market Christ the Healer and His hospital the

Church. This campaign is nothing new. It’s been around for 2,000 years. It’s a sure-fire, time-tested plan but even

the best plan cannot work without resources. So the fifth and final question is: Do we have the resources to run our

parish hospital and reach out to those in need of help and healing? It reminds me of the pastor of a parish that was

starting a campaign to build a new church facility. At the kick-off event he told the faithful that had gathered, “I

have good news and I have bad news. The good news is that we already have all the money we need to build this

church. The bad news is that it is still in your pockets.” The word ‘evangelist’ means ‘the one who brings the good

news.’

In conclusion, when we pray over and over during the liturgy, “Lord, have mercy,” let us remember that mercy

comes from the Greek word ‘eleos’ that is related to the word ‘elaion’ or ‘oil’. We use oil in our church to light the

lamps, to be the vehicle of divine protection in the sacrament of Baptism, the seal of the Holy Spirit in the sacrament

of Chrismation, and to be the healing grace of Christ in the sacrament of Unction. So, mercy is about healing and

forgiveness. When Jesus says in today’s Gospel, 13Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’

[Hosea 6:6], He is not denigrating sacrifice itself but empty sacrifices that do not serve the main purpose of God’s

plan for salvation through the mercy of healing. We the faithful of St. George parish do have the time, the talents

and the treasures to build, repair, expand, staff, train and advertise our little spiritual hospital. We are stewards,

caretakers, the staff, the nurses and the doctors of our parish. Go and learn what this means! Amen!

A Word from Father Rick · Xristougenna! Blessed Nativity of our Lord! In Christ, +Fr. Rick A Word...

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