The parish of St. George extends our thanks to the many people who helped to make our Christmas services beautiful and meaningful celebrations, and to those who helped support St. George with their dedicated stewardship work over the past year. Click onto the more information link below to view details. 

On Sunday, January 14th, St. George welcomed The Right Reverend Nikodhim, Bishop of Boston and the Albanian Archdiocese, who served Divine Liturgy for us. This was his first visit to St. George as Bishop. We also welcomed Barry Migyanko, the Diocesan Executive Administrator, who accompanied Bishop Nikodhim.  Finally, the parish of St. George wishes to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Bill Kovachi (and to his family). In a special surprise after Divine Liturgy, Bill was awarded the honor of the Knight of St. George award from Bishop Nikodhim. The Knight of St. George is the “highest honor that can be bestowed upon a layperson in the Archdiocese”, where the recipient is well recognized both for service to their parish as well as the Archdiocese over an extended period of time. May God bless Bill as he continues his Stewardship work for our community.  Click onto the more information link to view several photos. 

On Sunday, February 4th, St. George celebrated the Feast of The Meeting of Our Lord in the Temple (referred to as “Papandia” in Albanian). The feast was transferred from Friday, Feb 2nd.   For our Teuta Ladies Society, this day is their Patronal Feast, with 2024 marking the 93rd year of the Teuta Society’s founding.Traditionally the Teuta Society offers 5 loaves, wheat, wine and oil for the celebration, and grure, (a boiled-wheat confection) for the health of the parish family. Adding to the joy of the occasion was the presence Deacon Eugene & Livia Shkurti. Deacon Eugene joined Fr. Sergei in serving Divine Liturgy. He is in his third and final year of studies at Saint Vladimir’s Seminary in NY.  Click onto the more information link below to view a few photos.
 

The Teuta Ladies sponsored a Lakror Workshop & Social on Saturday, February 10th. Lakror is a taditional Albanian pie typically made with a vegetable filling. A group of 14 women participated. The workshop purpose was to learn how to make lakror or to brush up on techniques, but also to be social and fun. At the end of the baking session, the group had a lunch sampling their creations. Many thanks to Laura Denisevich who organized, purchased the ingredients, and coordinated the event.  Click onto the more information link below to view photos from the day.

Recently, food donations were delivered to a food pantry and two soup kitchens.  Throughout the year, St. George maintains the collection of non-perishable food stuffs, personal hygiene products and household cleaning products. Several times a year, those donations are delivered to one of our local food pantries. Recently a delivery of those donations was made to the Monroe Food Pantry – thanks to Greg Buzi Sr. for making the delivery.  Between November 2023 and early February 2024, St. George’s parishioners collected frozen hams and turkeys to distribute to local soup kitchens during February when donations are historically low.  On Monday, Feb 19th, 20 frozen hams and turkeys were delivered to the Thomas Merton Family Center (Bridgeport) and the Beth-El Center (Milford) who operate soup kitchens.  Thanks go out to Brooke & Sophie Dionis and their mother Nicole, and Fr. Sergei for making the deliveries. Finally, many thanks to our parishioners who support these outreach initiatives, those who purchased and donate all the foods, hygiene products, and cleaning products throughout the year.  Click onto the more information link below to view a larger photo.

The St George community would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Jean Brideau on the passing of her brother, John Rafail, who passed away in Oregon last week. We also extend our condolences to the Galich family on the passing of Joe’s brother, George Galich.  Memory eternal!

On Sunday, March 3rd after Divine Liturgy, the Teuta Ladies Society of St. George held its annual luncheon for its members at Vazzy’s in Bridgeport.  This year marks the 93rd year of the Teuta Society’s founding.  The Teuta Ladies continue to be the most important driver of St. George’s fundraising, charitable, and social efforts.  Click onto the more information link below to view several photos from the luncheon. 

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.
 

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.

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.

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.

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.