St. George Greek Orthodox Church

30 East Forge Road - Media, PA 19063-4345 Telephone: 610-459-0366 FAX: 610-459-1015

Email: office@stgeorgemedia.org FrAnastasios@stgeorgemedia.org

Volume 34, Issue 5 Check the St. George website for the most up to date information May 2020

CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY RISEN!

Χριστός ἀνέστη! Ἀληθῶς ἀνέστη!

HOLY ASCENSION - may 28th The Lord Jesus passed forty days on earth after His Resurrection from the dead, appearing continually in various places to His disciples, with whom He also spoke, ate, and drank, thereby further demonstrating His Resurrection. On this Thursday, the fortieth day after Pascha, He appeared again in Jerusalem. After He had first spoken to the disciples about many things, He gave them His last commandment, that is, that they go forth and proclaim His Name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. But He also commanded them that for the present, they were not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait there together until they receive power from on high, when the Holy Spirit would come upon them. Saying these things, He led them to the Mount of Olives, and raising His hands, He blessed them; and saying again the words of the Father's blessing, He was parted from them and taken up. Immediately a cloud of light, a proof of His majesty, received Him. Sitting thereon as though on a royal chariot, He was taken up into Heaven, and after a short time was concealed from the sight of the disciples, who remained where they were with their eyes fixed on Him. At this point, two Angels in the form of men in white raiment appeared to them and said, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into Heaven? This same Je-sus, Who is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into Heaven" (Acts 1:11). These words, in a complete and concise manner, declare what is taught in the Symbol of Faith concerning the Son and Word of God. Therefore, having so fulfilled all His dispensation for us, our Lord Jesus Christ ascended in glory into Heaven, and sat at the right hand of God the Father. As for His sacred disciples, they returned from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem, rejoicing because Christ had promised to send them the Holy Spirit. It should be noted that the Mount of Olives is a Sabbath's day journey from Jerusalem, that is, the distance a Jew was permitted to walk on the day of the Sabbath. Ecumenius writes, "A Sabbath day's journey is one mile in length, as Clement says in his fifth Stromatis; it is two thousand cubits, as the Interpretation of the Acts states." They draw this conclusion from the fact that, while they were in the wilderness, the Israelites of old kept within this distance from the Holy Tabernacle, whither they walked on the Sabbath day to wor-ship God.

Holy Metropolis of New Jersey

His Eminence Metropolitan EVANGELOS +

St. George Greek Orthodox Church

Presiding Priest - Fr. Anastasios P. Bourantas, Protopresbyter

2020 Parish Council Members Demetrios Psihalinos, President

Angelica Politarhos-Santora, 1st Vice-President

Constandean Lambardakis, 2nd Vice-President

Demetrios Christoforatos, Treasurer

Filaretos Hanos, Financial Secretary Drew M. Nayman, Assistant Financial Secretary

Sonya Bohmann, Secretary

Speroula Fotiades-Alexander

Athanasios Arsenlis

Christos Christou Paraskevi Galiatsatos

Steve Kanteliotis

Nikolaos Liolios

Emmanuel Papadopoulos

Constantina Vasques

Organizations

Office Manager - Katherine B. Mudrick

Chanters - Michael Matekovic, Anastasios Lazaridis

Choir - Stephanie Kalogredis, Director

Custodian - Accountant - George Kaffes

Philoptochos - Ai Mirophoroi – Paraskevi Galiatsatos, President

GOYA - Fotini Gouliaberis, Christina Konstantopoulos, GOYA Presidents, Coordinator: Anthoula Psihalinos

JOY/HOPE - Anthoula Psihalinos, Advisor

Sunday School Director - Sonya Bohmann, Director

Bookstore - Presvytera Nicoletta Bourantas

GOYA Basketball - George Apostolopoulos, Demetrios Psihalinos Coaches (boys), Constantina Vazques,

Demetrios Christoforatos Coaches, (girls)

Basketball Liasion - Demetrios Christoforatos

Vacation Church School - Anthoula Psihalinos

Greek Folk Dance - (HOPE) Daisy Diavastis, Madeline Psihalinos (JOY) Anthoula Psihalinos, Fotini Gouliaberis

(Assistant) (GOYA) Phil Voutsakis

Young Adult Leaders: Phil Voutsakis

Aristotle Academy at St. George - Elias Pantelidis, Director, Alexander Kopatsis, President Chion Society of St. Markella - Marco Tourlitis, President

AHEPA - Emmanuel Papadopoulos, President

Daughters of Penelope - Vicki Wilson, President

Parish Council Committee Chairpersons Building Expansion - Constandean Lambardakis, Demetrios Psihalinos, Demetrios Christoforatos, Nikolaos Yiantsos

Bylaws - Peter Dionisos Executive Committee - Parish Council Officers and Past President

Facilities - Nikolaos Liolios, Demetrios Christoforatos, Constandean Lambardakis, Christos Christou,

Nikolaos Yiantsos, Athanasios Arsenlis

Festival - Angelica Politarhos-Santora, Demetrios Psihalinos, Nikolaos Yiantsos, Constandean Lambardakis,

Paraskevi Galiatsatos, Filaretos Hanos, Demetrios Christoforatos

Finance - Demetrios Christoforatos, Filaretos Hanos, Drew M. Nayman, Peter Dionisos, Constandean Lambardakis

Greek School - Constandean Lambardakis

Hall Rental - Paraskevi Galiatsatos

IATV/Audio Visual - Constandean Lambardakis, Nikolaos Yiantsos

Personnel - Executive Committee

Stewardship - Drew M. Nayman

Web Master & Strategic Planning - Constandean Lambardakis

Youth Liaison - Sonya Bohmann, Constandean Lambardakis

Golf Classic - Demetrios Christoforatos, Filaretos Hanos, Steve Kanteliotis, Constandean Lambardakis Honorary Pangari Captain: Judge Kenneth N. Miller

May 2020

Check the St. George Website for the most up to date information www.stgeorgemedia.org

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Paraklesis to the

Theotokos for

health and healing

5:00 pm

2 Great Vespers

Pentecostarion–

Myrrh-bearers

5:00 pm

3 Sunday of Myrrh-

Bearing Women

Orthros 8:45 am

followed by Liturgy

4 5 St. Irene of

Thessaloniki

Orthros 8:45 am

followed by Liturgy

6 7 Virtual Parish Council Meeting 8:00 pm

8 9

10 Sunday of the

Paralytic

Orthros 8:45 am

followed by Liturgy

Happy Mother’s Day

11 12 13 Mid-Pentecost

14 15 16

17 Sunday of the

Samaritan Woman

Orthros 8:45 am

followed by Liturgy

18 19 20 21 SS Constantine &

Helen, Equal-to-the

Apostles

Orthros 8:45 am

followed by Liturgy

22 23

24 Sunday of the

Blind Man

Orthros 8:45 am

followed by Liturgy

25 Memorial Day

Cemetery

Visitations

See list in bulletin

26 27 Holy Ascension

Great Vespers

6:00 pm

28 Holy Ascension

Orthros 8:45 am

followed by Liturgy

29 30

31 Fathers of the

First Ecumenical

Council

Orthros 8:45 am

followed by Liturgy

THIS MONTH AT THE BOOKSTORE

Stop by and visit the BOOKSTORE to purchase these featured books and many other Religious books, gifts, handmade jewelry and other helpful resources that are now available for purchase. The bookstore is open during office hours and Sunday’s following Liturgy.

CHILDREN BOOK

“A Child’s Guide to Prayer”, By: Ancient Faith Publishing - Illustrator: Tara Pappas

A Child's Guide to Prayer is a beautifully illustrated prayer book for Orthodox Christian children aged 5-10 who are just developing a habit of prayer. The selection includes morning and evening prayers, prayers during the day, at mealtimes, for family and friends, and prayers of and to the saints - along with psalms to pray and prayers that have to do with communion and confession. All the prayers were carefully selected by priests and youth workers to ensure their age-appropriateness. The 120-page guide also includes brief instructions on how to pray, why we pray, and a list of different ways to pray. The book concludes with several blank pages for personal prayer requests.

ADULTS BOOKS

“A Journal of Thanksgiving”, By: Nicole M. Roccas

Throughout Scripture and patristic writings, Christians are consistently enjoined to give thanks to God in all things. But it can be easy to forget to give thanks on a daily basis, especially in times of trial. This journal contains an inspiring quotation for each day of the year, plus space to record brief thanksgivings for three years in a row. With a consistent practice of giv-ing specific thanks to God each day of the year, you will see your life transformed.

“Prayer Spa: Ancient Treatments for the Modern Soul”, By: Jennifer Anna Rich “In this lovely book, Rich presents the timeless wisdom of the Christian East in a way that contemporary men and women will find attractive—and then find themselves being changed from consumers into worshipers, grateful and

receptive, increasingly attuned to the immensity and mystery of their Creator.” —Frederica Mathewes-Green, author of “The Jesus Prayer” and “Facing East”

While many Christians like the idea of prayer, the act of spending time alone with God keeps eluding them, as the pressing tasks of the day push ahead in line. Prayer Spa offers gentle instruction in honoring mind, body and soul for

a few minutes each day. With a little bit of practice, it is possible to form new habits of expanding neural pathways, relaxing tight muscles, and nourishing the interior self through prayer.

Enticing the five senses in one’s own curated space— seeing, smelling, tasting, hearing, and touching the gifts of this

created world gathered into a prayer corner, and wrapping beauty and holiness into each enjoyable session—the soul begins to crave this time of quiet connection with the One who loves best.

The Prayer Spa is always open ... drop-ins welcome! Anyone who senses the shallowness of a life lived apart from God will find therapy here. Prayer Spa offers many hands-on approaches to contemplative prayer for the person who seeks intimacy with God, including the beauty

in preparation, sources for poetic spoken prayers, prayers of stillness, prayers of the hours, and a radically simple way to pray without ceas-ing, all gifted to us by the early Christians.

PROSPHORA /ARTOCLASIA

Would you like to donate the Prosphora for a special feast day or your name day, they are available for purchase at $10.00 each. Please contact the church office for more details. Thank you. Artoclasia is available for purchase to celebrate a name day or special occasion from the Philoptochos Society, 5 loaves for $50. Please contact the church office or any Philoptochos member to order. For all memorial services and Artoclasia, we kindly ask that you also supply wine and oil for the Altar. Thank you.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Christos Anesti! Christ Has Risen! Hope this finds you well and safe during these trying times. As we go into May, it obviously look different than any of us expected. We thought we would be celebrat-ing the wonderful job our GOYA did at Sights and Sounds and preparing for Sun-day School Graduation. While these things are not happening right now, and things are being canceled there are a few things that are not being canceled.

HOPE is not canceled

LOVE is not canceled

FRIENDSHIPS and CONNECTIONS are not canceled Your Sunday School Team is here to help, and here to help keep you connected. We miss you all and we miss being together with each and every kiddo in our classes. We would like to connect and also want to be respectful of the many zoom meetings and virtual classes you are all dealing with at present. Listed below are the contact emails for your teachers. Please reach out if you are interested in connecting, having a virtual classroom or lesson or just want to say “Hi”. Director and Kindergarten Class Sonya Bohmann: sabohmann@verizon.net

Pre- School Class: Presvytera Nicoletta: presvyteracolette@yahoo.com

First Grade Class: Christina Koninis: cjkoninis@gmail.com .

Second Grade Class: Angie Christou: angie3959@aol.com

Third and Fourth Grade: Anny Psihalinos: annyp06@yahoo.com Dina Christou: DKCHRISTOU@outlook.com

Fifth and Sixth Grade: Angela Bourogiannis: abourogiannis@comcast.net Alexandra Seherlis: alexmks@outlook.com

Seventh and Eighth Grade: Aaron and Stephanie Hartmann: hartmannsundayschool@gmail.com

Ninth and Tenth Grade: Patty Cakridas Ryan: pattycakridas@yahoo.com

Eleventh and Twelfth Grade: Ernie Kollias: ernestkollias@gmail.com Stella Bebos: stellbeb@gmail.com John 16:33- “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” We will get through this, we will all be together again. When it is safe and when it is time. Until then, we miss you and remain here for you. In Love and Christ, St. George Media Sunday School Team

Sacramental Registry Funerals * On Wednesday, April 1, George Evangelou, age 85. * On, Monday, April 6, 2020, George Kramedas, age 57. * On Thursday, April 16, Angelo Nazirides, age 55. * On Friday, April 24, Georgia Pantelopulos, age 73. * On Friday, May 1, Paraskevi “Voula” Vassilakos, age 80.

Priest Discretionary Fund The Priest Discretionary Fund is used by the priest to assist those in need. Examples of how this fund is used includes, assisting the hungry and homeless, assist a parishioner in times of crisis, emergency and/or extreme financial need. The monies used to establish this Discretionary Fund will come from the generous donation of our parishioners and other anonymous donations of our community. If you have a question or a desire to contribute, please ask Father Anastasios about the use of the Discretionary Fund and how you can help.

Please remember, if you have already obtained a civil divorce, you must also receive an Ecclesiastical Divorce from the Church

This brief process is confidentially handled by the parish priest. You must complete this process in order to be in good standing with the Church, meaning that you may not partake in the Sacramental life of the Church, (example: being a sponsor at a wedding or baptism, receiving the Sacrament of Holy Communion and Holy Unction, serving on the Parish Council, voting at Parish Assemblies and entering into another marriage). Please consider your personal situation and be in good standing with the Church. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Fr. Anastasios directly.

Memorial Day - Monday, May 25, 2020

Fr. Anastasios will be at the following cemeteries to pray for the departed:

Edgewood Cemetery: 8:30 am to 9:00 am

SS Peter & Paul Cemetery: 9:30 am to 10:30 am

Arlington Cemetery: 11 am to 11:30 am

Fernwood Cemetery: 12 NOON to 1:00 pm

Chester Rural Cemetery: 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm (Chester Rural by appointment only, please call the church office 610.459.0366)

Lawn Croft Cemetery: 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm

ATTENTION ALL GRADUATES

All St. George members who are graduating from a High School, University, College, or Technical Trade School please submit your name and the name of your school to the church office no later than May 17th. Congratulations!

DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE #246 NEWS Dear St. George Community:

Christos Anesti! We hope everyone is doing well during these unprecedented times and hopefully we will be together soon. As an organization, we are always on the lookout for families in need. Recently, our chapter has seen a need to give locally to our community. We made a donation to the Me-dia Food Bank and the Upper Darby Food Bank, which has been providing food and clothing for needy local families in and around the Media and Upper Darby area for many years as part of the outreach pro-gram. We are proud to support such worthy causes locally. On the national level, The Daughters of Penelope have proudly presented a $10,000 donation to Meals on Wheels America. Plans are still underway for our Biennial Hat Party Luncheon, which will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2020 at the Springfield Country Club. Save the date! Yours in Christ, Vicki Wilson, President Daughters of Penelope Laodice Chapter #246

Dear St. George Parishioners:

You can now make electronic payments for stewardship, trays, Easter flowers, candles, memorials, or anything else you wish to make a contribution to and it will be tracked to your St. George account. Please go to the links below:

http://www.venmo.com/StGeorgeMedia https://stgeorgemediapa.square.site/

Please light at candle for each scheduled service at the links listed.

St. George thanks you for your continued support.

HELP THE ST. GEORGE YOUTH

ADVERTISING SPACE

AVAILABLE

CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE

610-459-0366

Hollywood Grill 1811 Concord Pike

Wilmington, DE 19803

302-655-1348

Open Daily 6am to 11pm

Serving Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and

Late Night Fare

Great Place for Brunch!

DR. TED TOURLITIS, CHIROPRACTOR

Saint George Greek Orthodox Church 30 East Forge Road Media, PA 19063-4345

Rev. Fr. Anastasios Bourantas, Protopresbyter Return Service Requested

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT NO. 435 MEDIA, PA 19063

Bulletin emailed May 1, 2020

Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women - May 3 About the beginning of His thirty-second year, when the Lord Jesus was going throughout Galilee, preaching and working miracles, many women who had received of His beneficence left their own homeland and from then on followed after Him. They ministered unto Him out of their own possessions, even until His crucifixion and entombment; and afterwards, neither losing faith in Him after His death, nor fearing the wrath of the Jewish rulers, they came to the sepulchre, bearing the myrrh-oils they had prepared to annoint His body. It is because of the myrrh-oils, that these God-loving women brought to the tomb of Jesus that they are called the Myrrh-bearers. Of those whose names are known are the following: first of all, the most holy Virgin Mary, who in Matthew 27:56 and Mark 15:40 is called "the mother of James and Joses" (these are the sons of Joseph by a previous marriage, and she was therefore their step-mother); Mary Magdalene (celebrated July 22); Mary, the wife of Clopas; Joanna, wife of Chouza, a steward of Herod Antipas; Salome, the mother of the sons of Zebedee, Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus; and Susanna. As for the names of the rest of them, the evangelists have kept silence (Matt 27:55-56; 28:1-10. Mark 15:40-41. Luke 8:1-3; 23:55-24:11, 22-24. John 19:25; 20:11-18. Acts 1:14). Together with them we celebrate also the secret disciples of the Saviour, Joseph and Nicodemus. Of these, Nicodemus was probably a Jerusalemite, a prominent leader among the Jews and of the order of the Pharisees, learned in the Law and instructed in the Holy Scriptures. He had believed in Christ when, at the beginning of our Saviour's preaching of salvation, he came to Him by night. Furthermore, he brought some one hundred pounds of myrrh-oils and an aromatic mixture of aloes and spices out of reverence and love for the divine Teacher (John 19:39). Joseph, who was from the city of Arimathea, was a wealthy and noble man, and one of the counsellors who were in Jerusalem. He went boldly unto Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus, and together with Nicodemus he gave Him burial. Since time did not permit the preparation of another tomb, he placed the Lord's body in his own tomb which was hewn out of rock, as the Evangelist says (Matt. 27:60).