On Sunday, January 15^th after Divine Liturgy, the Teuta Ladies Society of St. George held their annual Post-Holiday luncheon at Gusto’s Restaurant in Milford.

Congratulations to the new members of our Parish Council for 2017 who were nominated and approved at the Parish Meeting. Luba Csernica was elected for a 3-year term, and she joins Louise Karoli Gallagher, Catherine Hotova, and Bill Kovachi who all volunteered to serve an additional year. Many Years! Për Shumë Vjet!

We wish to acknowledge and thank Jeff Jaworski who served on the Parish Council and is coming off after completing his three-year term. Many Years! Për Shumë Vjet!

We are saddened to learn of the repose of +Prifteresha Maria Montgomery on November 8, 2016, beloved wife of the Very Reverend Fr. Daniel Montgomery and their family.  Their ministry together had faithfully served our parish of Saint George for 11 years beginning in 1976. May her memory be eternal.  Click on the more information link below to view the Albanian Archdiocesan and OCA announcements.

We extend our sympathy to the family of Matushka Juliana Schmemann who died on Sunday, January 29.  She was the widow of Father Alexander Schmemann, an influential Orthodox Christian priest, teacher, and writer.  May her Memory be Eternal!

With the blessing of Archbishop Nikon, the Parish Council were installed into office after Divine Liturgy. They are: Bill Kovachi - Chairman; Peter Dacey - Vice-Chairman; Cathy Hotova - Treasurer; Luba Csernica - Financial Secretary; Louise Gallagher - Recording Secretary; Laura Chadwick - Corresponding Secretary; Joe Chadwick - Corresponding Secretary; Bob Lazar - Building and Grounds; and Joe Galich - Building and Grounds. Many Years! Për Shumë Vjet!

We extend our sympathy to the families of:  Ciara O’Driscoll a 12-year-old child from Monroe who recently died of Dravet Syndrome; and Priftëresha Maria Montgomery, wife of our former pastor, Fr. Daniel Montgomery, who died in November (see News Update below).  Memory Eternal! I Përjetshim Kujtimi!

St. George was saddened to learn that James Dionis died in his sleep on January 30^th.  James was a long-time active member of our parish community.   We extend our sympathy to his wife Pandora Dionis and to his four children: Sandra Long, Andrea Snedegar, Laura Denisevich and Theodore Dionis.  Memory Eternal! I Përjetshim Kujtimi!

The St. George parish congratulates our pastor, Fr. Dennis Rhodes, who received a Synodal Gramota on Sunday from Archbishop Nikon.  The award recognizes Fr. Dennis' long and dedicated service as a priest and to the Orthodox Church in America. Many Years!  Për Shumë Vjet!

We welcomed to St. George Church His Eminence, Archbishop Nikon who made his annual Archpastoral visit. We also welcomed and thanked Subdeacons Michael Arida, Nektary Lukianov and John Barone who also served during the Hierarchal Divine Litrugy.  Following the Liturgy, there was a dinner in the Church Hall in honor of Archbishop Nikon's visit.

We received news this week of the death, in France, of Matushka Sofia Rehbinder, sister of Priftëresha Lisa Bouteneff.  We extend our sincere condolences to the Bouteneff family. Memory Eternal! I Përjetshim Kujtimi!

We were saddened to learn that on Tuesday, March 7^th, William Vasil, a long-time devoted member of our parish community, departed this life. We extend our condolences to his wife, Alice, and his family.  May his memory be eternal!

We extend our thanks to the many people who helped to make Lent, Holy Week and Pascha beautiful and meaningful celebrations:

• The “Myrrhbearing Women” –Mary DiIulio, Louise Karoli Gallagher, Dolores Nauchy, JoAnn Soter, Pauline Dionis, Jean Brideau, Cathy Hotova, Sharon Buzi, Voula Zargos—who decorated the Petafi on Holy Friday morning.
• Alice Vasil, who donated the Petafi flowers and the Easter Eggs in memory of her husband William Vasil.
• The Masek Family who also donated toward the Petafi flowers in memory of Rev. Lambi Michael and Famiy
• Jennifer Goetz for decorating the Church for Holy Pascha.
• Mary DiIulio for the new bows which adorn the Paschal Banner.
• Ron Dougiello of Commerce Hill Funeral Home in Bridgeport for the lilies that beautify the inside of the Church.
• The Teuta Ladies Society for the beautiful red eggs.
• Cantors Van Michael and Charles Soter and their assistants Greg Buzi II and Peter Dacey for their dedication and singing at every service.
• The Choir and its Directors, Karen Masek and Laura Chadwick for their preparation and singing throughout Holy Week and Pascha.
• Our volunteer readers.
• Bob Lazar for his assistance in the sanctuary.
• The Altar Servers for their time and assistance.
• Sue Galich and her helpers for organizing the Children’s Egg Hunt and Coffee Hour.

Those who simply came to pray and celebrate the services.

The St. George community recently completed the service cycle of Great Lent and Holy Week to Holy Pascha, with the celebration of the Midnight Paschal Liturgy on April 16th.  Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen!  Krishti U-Ngjall! Vërtet U-Ngjall! are the traditional Orthodox Christian Paschal greetings in both English and Albanian.  Click Here to view the Paschal greeting in numerous languages

We express our condolences to the families of: Jolanda Barber, aunt of Joseph Chadwick, and Cindy Davis, aunt of Jeffrey Jaworski, who recently departed this life. Memory Eternal! I Përjetshim Kujtimi!

The St. George parish extends it's condolences to the family of Georgika Boria who departed this life on Monday, May 1st. Memory Eternal! I Përjetshim Kujtimi!

We wish a Happy Mother’s Day to all of the Mothers, Grandmothers and Godmothers of our Parish Community!  During Divine Liturgy, we prayed for all of our Mothers, both Living and Departed, and celebrated afterwards during Coffee Hour. Many Years! Për Shumë Vjet!

We offer our condolences to Luba Geeza and her family on the death last week of Luba’s brother-in–law, Michael Arendacs. Memory Eternal! I Përjetshim Kujtimi!

Yesterday we welcomed Sophie Masek into the Holy Orthodox Church through the mysteries of Baptism and Chrismation. Sophie is the daughter of Matthew and Jeannine Masek, the granddaughter of Karen and Al Masek and great-granddaughter of Zoe Michael. Michael Masek and Jennifer Waterman were the godparents. Many Years! Për Shumë Vjet!

On Sunday, May 21^st, we welcomed Madelyn Leighton into the Holy Orthodox Church through the Mysteries of Baptism and Chrismation. Sophie is the daughter of Brian and Amy Leighton, the granddaughter of Jeffrey and Carol Jaworski and great-granddaughter of Eileen Bocchino. Jason Jaworski and Sarah Leighton were her godparents. Many Years! Për Shumë Vjet!

We congratulate the students and teachers of our Church School as they complete their school year. Many Years! Për Shumë Vjet!

St. George remembered today all those who gave their lives in defense of our country.  Memory Eternal! I Përjetshim Kujtimi!

We have learned of the death of T. John Cook, who passed away on Sunday, May 28, 2017. He was the brother of Fr. George Coca.  Memory Eternal! I Përjetshim Kujtimi!

Congratulations to our young adults who recently graduated. We extend our best wishes to them for continued success!

• Victoria Demetri – Received her Associates Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics at Gateway Community College.
• George Goetz - graduated from Weston High School.

 Many Years!         Për Shumë Vjet!

For Father's Day, St. George recognized all of the living and departed Fathers, Grandfathers and Godfathers of our Parish community with prayers during Divine Liturgy. Many Years!  Për Shumë Vjet!

On Saturday, July 1^st, Violet Polena fell asleep in the Lord. We offer our condolences to her sisters Addy Coppola and Evelyn Melnikoff and their families.  Memory Eternal! I Përjetshim Kujtimi!

We welcomed to Saint George today Father Sergei Bouteneff who is celebrating the Divine Liturgy while Father Dennis was away.  

We congratulate Wayne and Lauren Moras on the birth of their twin sons, Wayne Joseph and Greyson Cole, on July 7^th. We also congratulate the grandparents, Wayne and Melissa Moras. Many Years! Për Shumë Vjet!

St George offered special prayers today during Divine Liturgy for all those who have been affected by the recent hurricanes, fires, earthquakes and other disasters throughout the world.

The following is a status of some of our young adults currently enrolled in college. We give our best wishes for their continued success!

Jonathan Avila –Sophomore at Housatonic Community College.

Kristen Babich –  Sophomore majoring in Elementary Education at Saint Joseph's University (Pennsylvania).

Hope Caliendo – Sophomore attending King’s College (Pennsylvania) majoring in Early Childhood education.

TJ Coughlin – Sophomore majoring in Engineering at the University of Maryland.

Allison Cryan – Attending Housatonic College pursuing a degree in marketing.   

Haley Flynn – Sophomore attending the University of New Hampshire.

Eric Flynn - Sophomore attending the University of Rhode Island.  

George Goetz - Freshman majoring in Engineering and Business at Penn State.

Jackie Goetz – Sophomore majoring in Biology at the University of Connecticut.

Amy Hurd – Junior at Bryant University (Rhode Island).

Adam Nichio – Senior majoring in Photography at Norwalk Community College. 

Anthony Nichio – Senior majoring in Finance at the University of Connecticut.

Kristina Tolkuci – Junior at Arcadia University (Pennsylvania). 

John Veneri - Freshman attending Cape Cod Community College

Jordan Paige Veneri – Junior attending Saint Anselm College (New Hampshire) majoring in Biology.

Eve Wight - Sophomore attending the University of Vermont.

We offer our sympathy to Fr. George Coca and his family on the death of his niece, Patricia Cook Johnson, who departed this life on September 6^th.  Memory Eternal!  I Përjetshim Kujtimi!

We prayed today for the students and teachers of our Church School as they begin another year of instruction.  Many Years! Për Shumë Vjet!

On Sunday, September 24^th, our good friend and faithful parishioner, George Barmashi, departed this life, leaving behind his wife, Antonette and his daughter Kimberly and her family. May George’s memory be eternal!

We learned of the death on October 18^th, of Virginia Cook, the sister-in-law of Fr. George Coca.  Memory Eternal! I Përjetshim Kujtimi!

We extend our gratitude to everyone who worked so hard to make yesterday’s Teuta Ladies’ Society Bazaar a success.  Many Years! Për Shumë Vjet!

We learned of the death on October 23^rd, of Matushka Marie Kreta, the mother of Fr. John Kreta and mother-in-law of Evelyn Leka Kreta. Memory Eternal! I Përjetshim Kujtimi!

During this Veteran’s Day weekend, we extend our heart-felt gratitude to all those who serve and have served our country in the Armed Forces. Many Years! Për Shumë Vjet!

We extend our condolences to the families of the following individuals who died recently:  Hortense Kelly, mother of Cheryl Adams, Albert Masek, Sr., father-in-law of Karen Masek, Valentina Rhodes, ex-wife of Fr. Dennis.  Memory Eternal! I Përjeshim Kujtimi!

We offer prayers today for the Albanian people and nation in honor of Albanian Flag Day—Ditë e Flamurit.  Many Years! Për Shumë Vjet!

Sarah and Brian Davis welcomed a baby girl, River Madison, on October 17, 2017.  Her grandparents are Kim and John O’Brien and her great-grandmother is Toni Barmashi. Many Years! Për Shumë Vjet

We congratulate the following young people who are receiving scholarships from the Thomas and Katherine LaBache Scholarship Fund:

• Jonathan Avila
• Kristen Babich
• Hope Caliendo
• Timothy Coughlin
• George Goetz
• Jacqueline Goetz
• Kristina Tollkuçi

Many Years!   Për Shumë Vjet!

On December 10, 2017, Grace Louise was born to Lara (Lazar) and Peter Kokenos.  We offer our congratulations to the parents, to big brothers Andrew & Jeremy and to grandparents Bob & Linda Lazar.  Many Years! Për Shumë Vjet!

Saint George Church recently received a $10,000.00 bequest from the estate of Florence Chala. In accordance with the terms of her will, $5,000.00 will be set aside for the beautification of the Church. The other $5,000.00 will be available for regular expenses. We thank Florence for remembering Saint George Church in her will. Memory Eternal! I Përjetshim Kujtimi!

Christ is born! Glorify Him!  Krishti U-Lind! Lavdërojeni! are the traditional Orthodox Christian Christmas greetings in both English and Albanian. The St. George Community recently completed the service cycle of Advent with the Christmas Eve Festal Matins (including a traditional singing of Christmas Carols after services), and Divine Liturgy, for the Nativity of the Lord.

We ask God’s blessings upon Linley Faith Hirst who was received into the Orthodox Church yesterday through the Mysteries of Holy Baptism and Chrismation. Peter Hirst and Sophia Sak were the Godparents. She is the daughter of David and Allyson (Themel) Hirst, and the granddaughter of Peter and Cheryl Themel. Many Years! Për Shumë Vjet!

We extend our sympathy to Fr. Stephen & Debra Masliuk on the death of their son, Benjamin. Memory Eternal! I Përjetshim Kujtimi!