On Saturday, April 20th, Sydney May Gartsu was received into the Orthodox Church through the sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Chrismation. Congratulations to her parents, Crystal and Jason Gartsu, her godmother, Gretta Lee Cynthia (Gartsu) Flynn, grandparents Elsie and Tom Gartsu, and the extended Gartsu family. Sydney May was churched the following day, on Sunday April 21st.  God grant her Many years! Click onto the more information link below to view a larger photo from the Churching.

On Sunday April 14th (the 4th Sunday of Great Lent, commemorating St. John Climacus (of The Ladder)), St. George welcomed The Right Reverend Nikodhim, Bishop of Boston and the Albanian Archdiocese, who served Divine Liturgy for us. After Divine Liturgy, Bishop Nikodhim joined the parish for it’s Coffee Hour in the church hall. Click onto the more information link below to view a few photos.

St. George wishes to thank Greg Buzi II who on Thursday evening, April 11th, hosted a short prayer service followed by a screening of the movie “Man of God” in the church hall. “Man of God” is a movie about St. Nectarios of Aegina. The movie originally was released in April 2021.
The Storyline from Wikipedia:  Man of God brings to life the incredible true story of Saint Nectarios of Aegina, Greece. A priest of the common people, his humility annoyed the prideful orthodox clergy of the day. In contrast to his religious superiors - the bishops and patriarchs mesmerized by worldly honors and power - Nectarios cared for the poor; taught peasant girls to read and write; inspired by example young men to enter the priesthood; and wrote books and delivered sermons that uplifted nations of believers. In this exquisitely made film, relive Nectarios' inspiring devotion and perseverance as, despite the efforts of the religious establishment to discredit him and dismantle his good works over decades, he embraced humility and inspired thousands to become one of Greece's most renowned saints.

At Divine Liturgy on the third Sunday of Great Lent (April 7th), St. George commemorated the Veneration of the Cross. The Cross is venerated as it stands in the middle of the Church at the middle of Great Lent, reminding us of Christ’s redemption. The Troparian for the day:  O Lord, save Your people, / and bless Your inheritance. / Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians, / over their adversaries. / And by virtue of Your Cross / preserve Your habitation! Click onto the more information link below to view a few photos.

On Sunday, March 24th, St. George recognized the Sunday of Orthodoxy, (or The Triumph of Orthodoxy) on the 1st Sunday of Great Lent. Our parish celebrates an annual Albanian secular tradition called the “icon auction” or “Konizmat”, which began back in February when parishioners took home some of the church icons they bid on as part of a Stewardship tradition.  On Sunday (for The Triumph of Orthodoxy), the persons who took “their” icon home back in February returned them back to the church during the procession of the Great Entrance. To learn more, click onto the following link:  Konizmat Icon Auction
 
Additionally, at the end of Divine Liturgy, St. George held prayers for the blessing and guidance of the Albanian Archdiocese, along with a  memorial service for all of our departed diocesan hierarchs, and for the priests and priftëresha who served our parishes.  This is a new commemoration inaugurated by Bishop Nikodhim, and will be held annually on the Sunday before the Feast of the Annunciation, which is March 25th each year.  Please click onto the more information link below to view some photos.