Welcome to Saint George - “THE CHURCH THAT FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST BUILT”
"The Holy Fathers have appointed the commemoration of Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight here, on the eve of the holy Forty-day Fast, demonstrating to us not by simple words, but by actual deeds, how beneficial fasting is for man, and how harmful and destructive are insatiety and the transgressing of the divine commandments. For the first commandment that God gave to man was that of fasting, which the first-fashioned received but did not keep; and not only did they not become gods, as they had imagined, but they lost even that blessed life which they had, and they fell into corruption and death, and transmitted these and innumerable other evils to all of mankind. The God-bearing Fathers set these things before us today, that by bringing to mind what we have fallen from, and what we have suffered because of the insatiety and disobedience of the first-fashioned, we might be diligent to return again to that ancient bliss and glory by means of fasting and obedience to all the divine commands. Taking occasion from today's Gospel (Matt. 6:14-21) to begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask forgiveness this day, first from God, then from one another and all creation."
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone:"When the women Disciples of the Lord had learned from the Angel the joyful message of the Resurrection and had rejected the ancestral decision, they cried aloud to the Apostles triumphantly: Death has been despoiled, Christ God has risen, granting His great mercy to the world."
Kontakion in the Plagal of the Second Tone:"O Master, Prudence, Guide of Wisdom, Instruction to the foolish and Defender of the poor, strengthen my heart and grant it discernment. Give me words, Word of the Father, for behold, I shall not keep my lips from crying out to You, "O Merciful One, have mercy on me who has fallen."
Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal of the Second Tone:"O Master, Prudence, Guide of Wisdom, Instruction to the foolish and Defender of the poor, strengthen my heart and grant it discernment. Give me words, Word of the Father, for behold, I shall not keep my lips from crying out to You, "O Merciful One, have mercy on me who has fallen."
Resurrectional Kontakion in the Fourth Tone:"Savior and Deliverer is He who raised up from the tomb and from the bonds those born on earth, for He is God; and He destroyed Hades' bars and gates, and on the third day arose, as the Master of all."
The Evening at St. George's will be held this Wednesday, February 29th with the Vespers/Typica Service beginning at 6:00 PM followed by our weekly Pot-Luck supper at 6:30 PM [please bring a dish to share.] Our Bible Study topic is: "HOW SERIOUSLY SHOULD WE TAKE THE LENTEN JOURNEY?
Please remember the weekly 'Feeding of our homeless brothers and sisters' this Friday, March 2nd, beginning at 5:00 PM in the parking lot behind the Church. If you have some delicious food to share or any items of clothing and other essentials ESPECIALLY BLANKETS {remember our homeless brothers and sisters are outside almost constantly and the weather is turning cold} that can be distributed to the homeless, please bring them to Church either on Friday or next Sunday. Also, if you would like to volunteer to help, please contact the Church office at 407-422-3230, thank-you!
This coming Sunday, February 26th is the Sunday of FORGIVENESS [Cheese Fast]; we also commemorate St. PORPHYRIOS, Bishop of Gaza and St. PHOTONI and sisters.
"Saint Porphyrios had Thessalonica as his homeland. He became a monk in Scete of Egypt, where he lived for five years. He went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem, after which he spent five years in much affliction in a cave near the Jordan. Stricken with a disease of the liver, he departed to Jerusalem, where he was ordained presbyter and appointed Keeper of the Cross at the age of 45. Three years later he was made Bishop of Gaza. He suffered much from the rulers and pagans of Gaza; but with the friendship of Saint John Chrysostom, and the patronage of the Empress Eudoxia, he razed the temple of the idol Marnas in Gaza and built a great church to the glory of God. He reposed in 450."
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone:"The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of faith, an icon of meekness, and a teacher of temperance; for this cause, thou hast achieved the heights by humility, riches by poverty. O Father and Hierarch Porphyrios, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved."
Kontakion in the Second Tone:"Arrayed with a most sacred life, thou wast adorned with the priestly vestment, O all-blessed and godly-minded Porphyrios; and thou art conspicuous for miracles of healing, interceding unceasingly for us all."
SAINT PHOTINI, the Samaritan Woman.
"Saint Photini was the Samaritan Woman who encountered Christ our Saviour at Jacob's Well (John 4:1-42). Afterwards she laboured in the spread of the Gospel in various places, and finally received the crown of martyrdom in Rome with her two sons and five sisters, during the persecutions under the Emperor Nero."
Apolytikion in the Third Tone:"All illumined by the Holy Spirit, thou didst drink with great and ardent longing of the waters Christ Saviour gave unto thee; and with the streams of salvation wast thou refreshed, which thou abundantly gavest to those athirst. O Great Martyr and true peer of Apostles, Photini, entreat Christ God to grant great mercy unto us."
Kontakion in the Third Tone:"Photini the glorious, the crown and glory of the Martyrs, hath this day ascended to the shining mansions of Heaven, and she calleth all together to sing her praises, that they might be recompensed with her hallowed graces. Let us all with faith and longing extol her gladly in hymns of triumph and joy."
Remember that the Divine Liturgy begins at 10:00 AM. Following the Divine Liturgy, we have our weekly luncheon which is free. Donations [which go towards purchasing paper goods and supplies for the Church] are greatly appreciated, thank-you.
There is a discussion table during the luncheon with this coming Sunday's topic being: ‘IS IT POSSIBLE TO "FORGIVE" AND "FORGET"?’
We are now taking sponsorships for Pascha glass candles that will be placed in front of the Holy Altar and will be lit on PASCHA Saturday night before the Holy Resurrection Service and re-lit at every Divine Liturgy from Pascha till next Christmas. This is a wonderful way of keeping a light for the health of your loved ones or in memory of departed faithful lit before the Holy Altar of God. The donation for each candle is only $25.00.
EUDOKIA, The Martyr of Heliopolis - commemorated March 1st.
"This Saint, who was from Heliopolis of Phoenicia (Baalbek in present-day Lebanon), was an idolater and led a licentious life. Being beautiful beyond telling, she had many lovers, and had acquired great riches. Yet brought to repentance by a monk named Germanus, and baptized by Bishop Theodotus, she distributed to the poor all her ill-gotten gains, and entered a convent, giving herself up completely to the life of asceticism. Her former lovers, enraged at her conversion, her refusal to return to her old ways, and the withering away of her beauty through the severe mortifications she practiced, betrayed her as a Christian to Vincent the Governor, and she was beheaded, according to some, under Trajan, who reigned from 98 to 117, according to others, under Hadrian, who reigned from 117 to 138."
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone:"In thee the image was preserved with exactness, O Mother; for taking up thy cross, thou didst follow Christ, and by thy deeds thou didst teach us to overlook the flesh, for it passeth away, but to attend to the soul since it is immortal. Wherefore, O righteous Eudokia, thy spirit rejoiceth with the Angels.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone:"When thou wast brought up from the mire of transgression, like a most precious stone whose brightness is darkened, repentance made thee shine again with godliness; and when thou hadst reached the height of ascetical striving. Christ made thee illustrious with the glory of contest, and hath bestowed on thee His grace to heal, O wise Eudokia, thou rival of angel-kind." p> PLEASE GO TO OUR 'ALTAR' PAGE TO READ THE HOLY SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY, February 26th in Engish and phoenetical Arabic.
FIRST SATURDAY OF GREAT LENT {St. THEODORE Tyro} - March 3rd.
"Julian the Apostate, knowing that the Christians purify themselves by fasting most of all during the first week of the Fast -- which is why we call it Clean Week -- planned to defile them especially at that time. Therefore he secretly commanded that during those days the markets be filled with foods that had been defiled with the blood of animals offered in sacrifice to idols. But by divine command the Martyr Theodore (see Feb. 17) appeared during sleep to Eudoxius, then Archbishop of Constantinople. The Saint revealed to him the tyrant's plan, then told him to call the faithful together immediately on Monday morning and prevent them from purchasing those foods, but rather to make kollyva to supply their needs. The bishop asked what kollyva might be, and the Saint answered, "Kollyva is what we call boiled wheat in Euchaita." Thus, the purpose of the Apostate was brought to nought, and the pious people who were preserved undefiled for the whole of Clean Week, rendered thanks to the Martyr on this Saturday, and celebrated his commemoration with kollyva. These things took place in 362. Wherefore, the Church keeps this commemoration each year to the glory of God and the honour of the Martyr."
Apolytikion in the Second Tone:"Great are the achievements of faith! In the fountain of flame, as by the water of rest, the holy Martyr Theodore rejoiced; for having been made a whole-burnt offering in the fire, he was offered as sweet bread unto the Trinity. By his prayers, O Christ God, save our souls."
Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone :"Having received the Faith of Christ in thy heart as a breastplate, thou didst trample upon the enemy hosts, O much-suffering champion; and thou hast been crowned eternally with a heavenly crown, since thou art invincible."
St. GEORGE the Trophy Bearer-Patron Saint of our Holy Church
HOMELESS FEEDING & CARING MINISTRY: St. George's is Blessed to be the Homeless Feeding Center in downtown Orlando, Florida. Everyday we are fortunate to feed brunch to over 200 people. On Friday's our faithful through the Ephraim Project prepare and serve between 300 homeless men, women and children. We also gather clothing, shoes and other items that our homeless brothers and sisters are in need of and share these with them. In addition to the Friday supper, we also are Blessed to prepare and serve food to the homeless who come to our Church seven afternoons a week. Other 'feeding' ministries also utilize our grounds to provide supper the other evenings of the week. We always welcome, not only the blessed homeless, but all those who would like to help with this Blessed ministry. For more information, please contact the Church office at 407-422-3230-GOD BLESS YOU!
MAY CHRIST OUR TRUE GOD ALWAYS BLESS YOU AND ALL THE FAITHFUL, AMEN.
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Hierarchal Divine Liturgy Sunday February 19th, 2012
