ST. NICHOLAS-the Wonder-Worker
Dear E Mail Faithful:
GREETINGS in the Name of Our Lord, GOD and Saviour JESUS Christ! I pray this finds you in the best of health and spirits.
Please keep in your holy prayers NICK Ramacciatto, JOULIA Vitaliy, JIM Frank and MIKE Kanazeh.
It is that time of year to consider a gift to your Church of St. George in the form of a large icon covered glass candle to be placed in front of the Holy Altar and lit on Christmas and at every Sunday Divine Liturgy from Christmas until Pascha in April. The donation for each candle is only $25.00 and they can be lit for the health and well-being of yourself or a loved one and also in memory of a departed loved one. Please reserve your candle now by e mailing us.
LADIES RETREAT & GATHERING will be held this coming Saturday from 9:00 AM till 5:00 PM at the home of Cindy Rappold-all ladies are asked to attend this informative and fun day. Please contact Ladies Guild President GABRIELLE STEVENS [407-683-9040] for more information.
CHRISTMAS DECORATING of our Church will take place this coming Saturday, December 10th beginning at 10:00 AM, please contact Sub/Deacon CHARLES PATRICK for more information on helping [321-230-3342]
EPIPHANY DIVING FOR THE CROSS Divers are needed: If you are between the ages of 7 and 18, are a good swimmer and know diving, like getting wet and love JESUS, please contact the Church office at 407-422-3230, Thanks.
UPDATE OF INFORMATION NEEDED: In order for us to be able to remember faithful for their birthdays or anniversaries and also the date of the falling-asleep-in-the-Lord of departed loved ones; we need the day and month for everyone. Please e mail me this information so that we can update our data base-the year is only requested for the departed.
CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE: Saturday, December 24th: Tableau with the children will begin at 7:30 PM followed by the NATIVITY DIVINE LITURGY at 8:00 PM [those desiring to receive Holy Communion should fast from 3:30 that afternoon]. There will be a supper following the Divine Liturgy; Sunday, December 25th we shall have a special Typica Service [with Holy Communion] beginning at 10:00 AM. There will be no luncheon following the Christmas Typica Service. I pray you have a wonderful St. NICHOLAS Day and remainder of the week. GOD Bless!
+Father John
Saint NICHOLAS:
This Saint lived during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great, and reposed in 330, As a young man, he desired to espouse the solitary life. He made a pilgrimage to the holy city Jerusalem, where he found a place to withdraw to devote himself to prayer. It was made known to him, however, that this was not the will of God for him, but that he should return to his homeland to be a cause of salvation for many. He returned to Myra, and was ordained bishop. He became known for his abundant mercy, providing for the poor and needy, and delivering those who had been unjustly accused. No less was he known for his zeal for the truth. He was present at the First Ecumenical Council of the 318 Fathers at Nicaea in 325; upon hearing the blasphemies that Arius brazenly uttered against the Son of God, Saint Nicholas struck him on the face. Since the canons of the Church forbid the clergy to strike any man at all, his fellow bishops were in perplexity what disciplinary action was to be taken against this hierarch whom all revered. In the night our Lord Jesus Christ and our Lady Theotokos appeared to certain of the bishops, informing them that no action was to be taken against him, since he had acted not out of passion, but extreme love and piety. The Dismissal Hymn for holy hierarchs, The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock ... was written originally for Saint Nicholas. He is the patron of all travellers, and of sea-farers in particular; he is one of the best known and best loved Saints of all time.
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 Nicholas, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.
Kontakion in the Third Tone
Saintly One, (St. Nicholas) in Myra you proved yourself a priest; for in fulfilling the Gospel of Christ, venerable One, you laid down your life for your people and saved the innocent from death. For this you were sanctified as One learned in divine grace.