WISDOM OF THE SAINTS
Do you ask why God was born among men? Here is the reason for God’s presence among men. Our nature was sick and needed a doctor. Man had fallen and needed someone to raise him up. He who had ceased to participate in the good needed someone to bring him back to it. He who was shut in darkness needed the presence of life. The prisoner was looking for someone to ransom him, the captive for someone to take his part. He who was under the yoke of slavery was looking for someone to set him free. Were these trifling and unworthy reasons to impel God to come down to visit human nature…?
- St. Gregory of Nyssa
Apolytikion: Against all hope, the bonds of
barrenness are loosed today. For, God has
hearkened unto Joachim and Anna clearly
promising that they would bear a godly maiden.
He who commanded the angel to cry out to her,
"Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you," will
be born of her, the infinite One Himself,
becoming man.
Kontakion: Today the world rejoices in the
conception of Anna, wrought by God. For she
bore the One who beyond comprehension
conceived the Logos.
According to the ancient tradition of the
Church, since Saint Anna, the Ancestor of God,
was barren she and her husband Joachim
remained without children until old age.
Therefore, sorrowing over their childlessness,
they besought God with a promise that, if He
were to grant them the fruit of the womb, they
would offer their offspring to Him as a gift. And
God, hearkening to their supplication, informed
them through an Angel concerning the birth of
the Virgin. And thus, through God's promise,
Anna conceived according to the laws of nature,
and was deemed worthy to become the mother
Conception by St. Anna of the Theotokos Dec. 9
of the Mother of our
Lord.
Reading courtesy of
Narthex Press
Apolytikion courtesy of
Narthex Press
Kontakion courtesy of
Narthex Press
Volume 9, Issue 11 December 2009
Presidents Message
Parish Council
Care Committee
Women’s Book Group
History Book Savings
2
Christmas Needs
Christmas Caroling
Waterville Liturgy
Book Store Christmas
Coffee Hour Needs
Spare Tire
Summer Request
3
Ta Nea
We Give Thanks
OCMC
4
Stewardship Report
Financials
5
Bible Readings
Our Prayers
Memorial
Recent Christmation
Recent Baptism
Coffee Hours
6
December Calendar 7
Dedication
Altar Angels
Patrons
8
Inside this issue:
The Messenger
ST. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
Editor: Cathy Speronis
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
UNDERWRITING
THE MESSENGER
We invite parishioners to help subsidize
our newsletter. You can support
publication of The Messenger in the
following ways:
Sponsor the Monthly Dedication
Page @ $75.00 per month.
Become a Messenger Patron
@ $50.00 for the year.
Your support is greatly appreciated!
MEMBERS OF THE PARISH COUNCIL 2009
Lee Speronis, President………………………...942-7822
Susan Jonason, Vice-President………………...945-2964
Kathy Fitzpatrick , Secretary…..……………...942-7532
Ambrose Smitherman, Treasurer……….…….866-7717
George Leakos……………………………...…..989-2166
George Brountas………………………………..989-4987
Kevin Cox……………………………………….667-6257
Christopher Limberis…………………………..942-9243
Jack Montgomery………………………………945-6022
Women’s Orthodox
Book Group
The Women’s Book Group is taking a
break during the month of December.
The next meeting will be towards the end
of January. We continue to read
The Mountain of Silence by Kyriacos
Markides. We will be discussing
chapters 10 - 13 at the January meeting.
Please contact Marina Smitherman
(866-7717) or Presvytera Lisa
(947-4709) if you are interested
in taking part in the group.
All ladies are welcome!
Dear Fellow Members of The Saint George Family,
In this time of holiday spirit I wish to take a moment to thank all of
you in the Saint George family for the incredible year of warmth
that you have given to myself and my family.
Last weekend our children with the guidance of our remarkable and
dedicated Sunday school staff performed two acts of charity by
delivering food to the needy at Manna Ministries and by spreading
cheer to some of our elderly friends at Ross Manor nursing home.
To witness our children performing outreach activities for Saint
George is truly inspiring. It is a joy to see them carrying on the
traditions of Saint George in the light of Christ.
Thank you to all who attended the General Assembly on November
29th. We had a large turnout and were able to get a lot of input
from our community members. This input is important as it helps
us to unify our community and guides us in our decisions.
May you all enjoy the blessings and spirit of a wonderful
Christmas as you celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior.
In the Love of Christ,
Lee Speronis
President, Parish Council
PAGE 2 THE MESSENGER VOLUME 9, I SSUE 11 PAGE 2 THE MESSENGER VOLUME 9, I SSUE 11
ST. GEORGE “CARE COMMITTEE” ALWAYS LOOKING FOR MEMBERS
What a wonderful way to be involved in our St. George community while helping others!
The next Care Committee meeting is to be announced. For more information or if you know of a need the Committee
could meet, please contact Presvytera Lisa (947-4709)
Dear Friends,
Be advised that the St. George
History books are for sale at
half price ($25.00) each
for the Christmas season.
Please see Maria Brountas
if you are interested.
Call 942-5718 or 299-3839
This is a great Christmas gift
for everyone!
DECEMBER HAPPENINGS
PAGE 3 THE MESSENGER VOLUME 9, I SSUE 11
St. George Christmas Needs
A Christmas Offering Envelope is attached to this month's Messenger in hopes that you will bring it to
church, or drop it in the mail, if you find you are unable to attend services. It is our fervent hope that you will
take this opportunity to honor our Lord at His Nativity, along with helping His church.
Also, please consider sending your Christmas card to adorn the Christmas Card Tree in the narthex. It is
always lovely to see all the beautiful cards with church-family greetings displayed. Any accompanying
donations will go into the Christmas Card Tree Fund.
In addition, we invite parishioners to donate one or more Poinsettias to decorate the church. If you wish your
flowers to be in memory of a loved one, please leave a message in the church office.
Christmas Caroling - December 17th
Church Christmas caroling is planned once again to our parishioners in local nursing homes. Everyone is welcome to join in! On Thursday evening, December 17th, meet at 6 pm in the lobby of the Maine Veterans Home off Hogan Road. After caroling there, we plan to go to Ross Manor on Broadway, and then finish off the evening with desserts at Captain Nick's Restaurant. Please RSVP interest to Presvytera Lisa (947-4709).
Waterville Liturgy Fr. Adam will celebrate Divine Liturgy for parishioners in the Waterville-area on Saturday, December 19th, at
the Church of the Sacred Heart on Pleasant Street in Waterville. This Liturgy will be at 10 am in the chapel
next to the main sanctuary. Enter by the parking-lot doors and go up one flight of stairs. Everyone is welcome!
Coffee Hour Needs
Thanks to everyone for the great response of food donations for the Church-sponsored coffee hours!
Current needs for the Nativity Lenten period include canned tuna, chips, bread, cookies, and juice.
Church Bookstore Offers Christmas Items
Please take a moment at church to check out the new offerings in the church bookstore in the narthex. There are Orthodox Christmas cards, plus beautiful icons and books.
Offer of New Spare Tire to Benefit Church
Medea Gurtskaia, before leaving for Nebraska, donated a brand new spare tire to the church for the church's
benefit. The tire is a Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring steel-belted radial (P205/55R16). Medea is hoping for a do-
nation of $50 to the church. If you are interested in the tire, please contact Presvytera Lisa (947-4709).
Seeking Vacation Rental A past parishioner who now lives in Massachusetts would love to rent a cottage in Maine, some place on the
water, for the summer. Please let Presvytera Lisa know of any possibilities (947-4709).
PAGE 4 THE MESSENGER VOLUME 9, I SSUE 11 PAGE 4 THE MESSENGER VOLUME 9, I SSUE 11
All news is welcome! If you have anything you would like to share you can call me at my number above. If I’m not in, please leave me a message. You can also email me at [email protected]. Continued prayers to those in need. May you all have a Blessed Nativity. In love and faith, Cathy
TA NEA (The News)
By Cathy Speronis 118 Poplar Street Bangor, ME 04401 (942-7822)
The Sunday School children had a charitable outing delivering food to Manna Ministries and Thanksgiving cards to
Ross Manor on Sunday, November 22nd. While at Manna, they were filmed by the WABI news crew and had an
appearance on the Channel 5 news.
Congratulations to Susan Jonason for being one of the City of Bangor's 34 recipients of the Paul Bunyan
Citizenship Award! The awards are part of the city's 175th anniversary-year celebration.
Maxim Bergfeld Davis recently appeared in the delightful Orono High School production of Rodgers and
Hammerstein's Cinderella. Max was the Prince and did a great job! Congratulations to him and to his mom, Cate!
Susan Jonason, Christopher & Eugenia Luck and Cathy & Elena Speronis attended the Bangor
Symphony Youth Orchestra’s Fall Concert on November 22nd at the University of Maine. Among the talented
musicians were Isabelle Jonason on viola, Madison Luck on cello, and Samantha Luck on piccolo and vocals -
Congratulations to them on an outstanding performance! It was a wonderful concert and reminds us of how
exceptionally talented our children are.
Congratulation to Sharon Cyr on her recent Christmation. Na Sas Zisi!
Congratulations to Lee Speronis for receiving his certification as a Hospitality Educator from the American Hotel and
Lodging Association and also for the 300% increased enrollment in the Hospitality Management Program at Husson
University.
For gift ideas watch Cookin’ with Cathy on December 10th - WABI morning news 6 am.
Christmas Wreaths from Maine - made by the Millay Family in Surry. Please see flyers in Narthex.
Rachmaninoff Vespers - Martin Lescault, tenor soloist Friday, December 11, 2009 at 7:30 pm - Second Congregational Church, 252 Main Street, Warren
Sunday, December 13, 2009 at 2:30 pm - First Congregational Church, 55 Elm Street, Camden
Admission $15; under 18 admitted free Purchase tickets at the door or online at www.downeastsingers.org
PAGE 4 THE MESSENGER VOLUME 9, I SSUE 11 PAGE 4 THE MESSENGER VOLUME 9, I SSUE 11
OCMC Missions
The Orthodox Christian Mission Center has announced its 2010 Mission Teams. Opportunities are offered for both
summer and fall mission trips to Alaska, Albania, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Romania, South Africa, South
Korea, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. A new program is now also being offered for family participation on the
teams. For all the information, please see Fr. Adam, or contact OCMC at 877-GO FORTH, or visit their website
at http://teams.ocmc.org.
We Give Thanks
To the Flanzala Family for offering their delicious "Farm Fresh" eggs from their happy chickens for sale to benefit the
church.
To recent prosforo bakers Vasiliki Panakis and Kyvele St. Peter.
To Augie DeSiervo for always doing a fantastic job of cleaning the church.
To Medea Gurtskaia for her gift of the lovely plant that now adorns the icon of St. George. It was a favorite of hers,
and she left it as a remembrance and as a thank you to everyone at St. George for making her feel so welcome and at
home here. She has recently moved to Nebraska to be with her son. We will miss her and wish her all the best!
To Maria Brountas for offering the kollyva for her mother’s memorial.
Anonymous
Alling, Charlene
Aloupis, Angela
Aloupis, Athena
Aloupis, Vance
Andreescu, Astrid
Angel, Richard & Eleni
Aretakis, Jonathan &
Ann Cannizzaro
Barbalias, Louis
Bozoian, Michael & Irini
Brountas, Arthur & Maria
Brountas, George & Kim
Brountas, Helen
Brountas, Jeannie
Brountas, Mark & Susan
Brountas, Peter
Burgess, Paul & Polly Moutevelis
Christakos, Dianna
Cox, John & Debra Sinclair
Cox, Kevin & Sherri
Cox, Thomas & Catherine
DeJesus, Ann-Marie
DeJesus, Marianne
DeSiervo, Augie
Duddy, Athena
Eleftheriou, Basil & Barbara
Fitzpatrick, Chip & Kathy
Flanzala, Paul & Maria
George, Nicholas & Grace
Gressitt, Stevan
Harrison, Stanley
Hurinenko, Celeste
Indianos, Rose
Ireland, Cynthia
Jolander, Katherine Haliotis
Jonason, Leonidas & Susan
Karagiannes, Christos & Alice
Karris, Lambros & Cynthia
Kelley, Phyllis
Kesaris, Nicholas & Callie
Kesaris, Nick & Sue
Kulikowski, Timothy & Allison
Leakos, George
Limberis, Christopher & Nancy
Limberis, Mary
Lourides, Peter & Glenna
Lowd, Claudia
Luck, Christopher & Eugenia
Markides, Kyriacos & Emily
Markowsky, Elizabeth
McCarthy, Ken & Matrona
Metropoulos, Rev. Adam & Lisa
Metropoulos, Stephan
Michaud, Bert & Patty
Mihalopoulos, John & Eleni
Montgomery, Jack & Hope
Muller, Eugene & Maria
Page, Brian & Paula
Panakis, Athanasios & Vasiliki
Pangakis, Jerry & Martha
Paul, Georgia
Pearce, Bryan & Deta
Petrides, Christos & Vassiliki
Petrikas, George
Predaris, George & Norah
Predaris, Jon & Mary
Rees, Penny
Rozos, John S.
Seviciu, Alex & Claudia
Shaw, Allen & Joan
Skoufis, Mrs. Peter J.
Smith, Barbara
Smitherman, Ambrose & Marina
Soulas, Doris and Bob
Speronis, Lee & Cathy
Spofford, John & Koula
St. Peter, Sheldon & Kyveli
Stamos, Paula Pangakis
Stanley, Anna
Stroian, Anne-Marie & Matei Ilina
Theoharidis, Steven & Lisa
Vafiades, Scott & Domenica
Vardamis, Alex & Fran
Walter, Dr. David & Donna
Wells, Joe & Olga
Wirta, Sophia
Wlodkowski, Paul & Alexandra
Zacas, Miltiades & Dora Klimis-
2009 Stewardship Status (as of 11/15/09)
Stewardship Target ……..….….$50,000 Stewardship Gifts Pledged…….$ 51,406
Stewardship Units pledged…………..87 Stewardship Gifts Rec’d…….…- 47,181
Percentage of Goal Achieved…….102.7% Current Stewardship Deficit…..$ 4,225
PLEDGES RECEIVED AS OF NOVEMBER 15, 2009
STEWARDSHIP REPORT
PAGE 5 THE MESSENGER VOLUME 9, I SSUE 11 PAGE 5 THE MESSENGER VOLUME 9, I SSUE 11
FINANCIAL STATEMENT as of November 23, 2009
November ‘09 YTD ’09
RECEIPTS $ 3,793.00 $ 79,610.05
DISBURSEMENTS $ 6,797.76 $ 82,164.91
Surplus/(Deficit) $ (-3,004.76) $ (-2,554.86)
Thank you and may God bless us, everyone!
Hope P. Montgomery, Chair - Stewardship Committee ‘09
BIBLE READINGS
DECEMBER 2009
1. 1 Timothy 1:8-14
Luke 19:45-48
2. 1 Timothy 1:18-20; 2:8-15
Luke 20:1-8
3. 1 Timothy 3:1-13
Luke 20:9-18
4. Matthew 25:1-13
Galatians 3:23-29; 4:1-5
Mark 5:24-34
5. Luke 6:17-23
Galatians 5:22-26; 6:1-2
Matthew 11:27-30
6. Luke 24:1-12
Hebrews 13:17-21
Luke 13:10-17
7. 1 Timothy 5:1-10
Luke 20:27-44
8. 1 Timothy 5:11-21
Luke 21:12-16
9. Galatians 4:22-27
Luke 8:16-21
10. 1 Timothy 6:17-21
Luke 21:28-33
11. 2 Timothy 1:1-2; 8-18
Luke 21:37-38, 22:1-8
12. John 10:1-9
Ephesians 5:8-19
John 10:9-16
13. Luke 24:13-35
Colossians 3:4-11
Luke 14:16-24;
Matthew 22:14
14. 2 Timothy 2:20-26
Mark 8:11-21
15. 2 Timothy 1:8-18
Mark 2:23-28; 3:1-5
16. 2 Timothy 4:9-22
Mark 8:30-34
17. Luke 11:47-54; 12:1
Hebrews 11:33-40; 12:1-2
Mark 9:10-15
18. Titus 1:15-16; 2:1-10
Mark 9:33-41
19. Hebrews 10:32-38
Luke 13:19-29
20. Luke 24:36-53
Hebrews 11:9-10; 32-40
Matthew 1:1-25
21. Hebrews 3:5-11, 17-19
Mark 9:42-50; 10:1
22. Hebrews 4:1-13
Mark 10:2-12
23. Hebrews 5:11-14; 6:1-8
Mark 10:11-16
24. Hebrews 1:1-12
Luke 2:1-20
25. Matthew 1:1-25
Galatians 4:4-7
Matthew 2:1-12
26. 1 Timothy 6:11-16
Matthew 12:15-21
27. John 20:1-10
Acts 6:8-15; 7:1-5, 47-60
Matthew 2:13-23
28. Hebrews 8:7-13
Mark 10:46-52
29. Hebrews 2:11-18
Matthew 2:13-23
30. Hebrews 10:1-18
Mark 11:22-26
31. 1 Timothy 6:11-16
Matthew 12:15-21
OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU!
Evyenia Aretakis Louis Barbalias
Marianna DeJesus Chip Fitzpatrick
Kay Gaddis Electra Giatrelis
Aristea Halkedis Mary Limberis
Mike McNamara Kosta Shanos
Alyce Speronis Helen Speronis
Jim Stanley
The son of Joanne Brountas Levine
PLEASE REMEMBER THESE SPECIAL
PEOPLE IN YOUR DAILY PRAYERS
PAGE 6 THE MESSENGER VOLUME 9, I SSUE 11 PAGE 6 THE MESSENGER VOLUME 9, I SSUE 11
*COFFEE HOUR * *BOUQUETS*
November 8th - Vasiliki Panakis and Family
November 15th - The Church
November 22nd - The Church
November 29th - George Leakos &
Sharon Cyr
Thanks to those who offered Coffee Hours
during this past month!
MEMORIAL SERVICES OFFERED
On November 29th a 5-year Memorial was
held by Maria & Arthur Brountas for Maria’s
mother, Evgenia Giannibas.
MAY HER MEMORY BE ETERNAL
Recent Baptism
On Saturday, November 28th, Fr. Adam
baptized little Maria Eleni, daughter of Elena
& Elias Nawfel of Waterville. The baptism
was in Waterville with many relatives in
attendance. Elena’s cousin Ellen Nordquist is
Maria Eleni’s godmother. Our very best wishes
to the family!
Na Sas Zisi!
Recent Christmation
On Sunday afternoon, November 1st, Fr. Adam
chrismated Sharon Cyr into the Orthodox
Faith. Sharon took the Orthodox name, Mary,
in memory of her beloved grandmother. Maria
Brountas is her sponsor. May God richly bless
them all!
Na Sas Zisi!
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3
5:30 pm
Vesperal
Liturgy for
Sts. Barbara
and John of
Damascus
4 5
5:00 pm
Great
Vespers in
Portsmouth,
NH for St.
Nicholas
6 9 am
Orthros with
Liturgy
following for
10th Sunday
of Luke
St. Nicholas
7 8 5:30 pm
Vesperal
Liturgy
following for
Conception of
the Theotokos
9 10 11 12 9 am
Orthros
with Liturgy
following for
St. Spyridon
No Great
Vespers
13 9 am
Orthros with
Liturgy
following for
11th Sunday
of Luke
14 15 9 am
Orthros with
Liturgy for
St.
Eleutherios
16 17 6 pm
Christmas
Caroling to
the Nursing
Homes
18 19 10 am
Liturgy in
Waterville
NO GREAT
VESPERS
20 9 am
Orthros with
Liturgy
following for
Sunday before
Nativity of
our Lord
21 22 23 24 9 am
Royal Hours
for Nativity
5:30 pm
Vesperal
Liturgy for
the Nativity of
our Lord
25 26
6 pm
Great Vespers
27 9 am
Orthros with
Liturgy
following for
Sunday after
Nativity of
our Lord
28 29 30 31 5:30 pm
Vesperal
Liturgy for
the Circumci-
sion of our
Lord and for
Saint Basil
the Great
January 1 January 2
6 pm
Great Vespers
January 3
9 am Orthros
with Liturgy
following for
Sunday before
Theophany
January 4 January 5 January 6
9 am Orthros
with Liturgy
following and
blessings of
waters for
Theophany
January 7
9 am Orthros
with Liturgy
following for
St. John the
Baptist
January 8 January 9
6 pm
Great Vespers
DECEMBER 2009
90 Sanford Street
Bangor, Maine 04401
ST. GEORGE GREEK
ORTHODOX CHURCH
Rev. Fr. Adam Metropoulos
Church Phone: (207) 945-9588
Parish Home Tel: (207) 947-4709
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.stgeorge.me.goarch.org
St. George Altar Angels Altar Angels help to defray the costs of the altar supplies
for St. George. These supplies include candles, incense,
wine, etc. which are used for the services.
If anyone is interested in becoming an Altar Angel (a $50.00 donation) Please contact a Parish Council Member
This issue of The
Messenger
is sponsored by
THE ALOUPIS
FAMILY
In Loving Memory of
PETER ALOUPIS
Athena & Angela Aloupis Athena & Bill Duddy
Frances Fierro Andrew C. Files
Pete & Maria Metropoulos
Fr. Adam and Presvytera Lisa Metropoulos
Jack & Hopie Montgomery
Helen B. Nichols
Jon & Mary Predaris
Helen Rozos
John Rozos
Mike & Sharon Rozos
Bob & Doris Soulas
Lee & Cathy Speronis
Anna Stanley
Scott Nicholas & Domenica Vafiades
2009 PATRONS OF THE MESSENGER
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
P A I D Permit # 46
Bangor, ME