St. George Church of Troy

Lenten Services

Great Lent
Services are as follows:
Monday’s - Great Compline at 6:00 PM.
Wednesday’s - Pre-Sanctified Liturgy at 6:30 PM with
Lenten Meal to follow.
Friday’s - Laudation at 6:30 PM with Lenten Meal to
follow.

Click "Read More" below for more on the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts by Father Thomas Hopko

Sunday School Creative Arts

Click here for information on the Sunday School Creative Arts

Veneration of the Cross

3rd Sunday of Great Lent
Veneration of the Cross
Commemorated on March 7

The Third Sunday of Lent is that of the Veneration of the Cross. The cross stands in the midst of the church in the middle of the lenten season not merely to remind men of Christ's redemption and to keep before them the goal of their efforts, but also to be venerated as that reality by which man must live to be saved. "He who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me" (Mt.10:38). For in the Cross of Christ Crucified lies both "the power of God and the wisdom of God" for those being saved (1 Cor.1:24).

PEACE ROCK

Even in the midst of a stormy sea of trouble, we can have peace in Jesus, a peace as solid as a rock. But if we give in to worry and fear, we will be in danger of sinking.

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace.

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!

I have overcome the world. -John 16:33 NIV

Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee

Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee Beginning of the Lenten Triodion
Commemorated on January 24

The Sunday after the Sunday of Zacchaeus is devoted to the Publican and the Pharisee. At Vespers the night before, the TRIODION (the liturgical book used in the services of Great Lent) begins.

Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee who scrupulously observed the requirements of religion: he prayed, fasted, and contributed money to the Temple. These are very good things, and should be imitated by anyone who loves God. We who may not fulfill these requirements as well as the Pharisee did should not feel entitled to criticize him for being faithful. His sin was in looking down on the Publican and feeling justified because of his external religious observances.

The second man was a Publican, a tax-collector who was despised by the people. He, however, displayed humility, and this humility justified him before God (Luke 18:14).

The lesson to be learned is that we possess neither the Pharisee's religious piety, nor the Publican's repentance, through which we can be saved. We are called to see ourselves as we really are in the light of Christ's teaching, asking Him to be merciful to us, deliver us from sin, and to lead us on the path of salvation.

Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Feast of the Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
Commemorated on January 6

Theophany is the Feast which reveals the Most Holy Trinity to the world through the Baptism of the Lord (Mt.3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22). God the Father spoke from Heaven about the Son, the Son was baptized by the St John the Forerunner, and the Holy Spirit descended upon the Son in the form of a dove. From ancient times this Feast was called the Day of Illumination and the Feast of Lights, since God is Light and has appeared to illumine "those who sat in darkness," and "in the region of the shadow of death" (Mt.4:16), and to save the fallen race of mankind by grace

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

Click here for a Archpastoral message from His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah for the Nativity of Christ 2009
Click here for The Nativity Season on the Antiochian website

St Nicholas the Wonderworker

St Nicholas the Wonderworker and Archbishop of Myra in Lycia
Commemorated on December 6

This Saint lived during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great, and reposed in 330, As a young man, he desired to espouse the solitary life. He made a pilgrimage to the holy city Jerusalem, where he found a place to withdraw to devote himself to prayer. It was made known to him, however, that this was not the will of God for him, but that he should return to his homeland to be a cause of salvation for many. He returned to Myra, and was ordained bishop. He became known for his abundant mercy, providing for the poor and needy, and delivering those who had been unjustly accused.There was a certain formerly rich inhabitant of Patara, whom St Nicholas saved from great sin. The man had three grown daughters, and in desparation he planned to sell their bodies so they would have money for food. The saint, learning of the man's poverty and of his wicked intention, secretly visited him one night and threw a sack of gold through the window. With the money the man arranged an honorable marriage for his daughter. St Nicholas also provided gold for the other daughters, thereby saving the family from falling into spiritual destruction. In bestowing charity, St Nicholas always strove to do this secretly and to conceal his good deeds.

No less was he known for his zeal for the truth. He was present at the First Ecumenical Council of the 318 Fathers at Nicaea in 325; upon hearing the blasphemies that Arius brazenly uttered against the Son of God, Saint Nicholas struck him on the face. Since the canons of the Church forbid the clergy to strike any man at all, his fellow bishops were in perplexity what disciplinary action was to be taken against this hierarch whom all revered. In the night our Lord Jesus Christ and our Lady Theotokos appeared to certain of the bishops, informing them that no action was to be taken against him, since he had acted not out of passion, but extreme love and piety. The Dismissal Hymn for holy hierarchs, The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock ... was written originally for Saint Nicholas. He is the patron of all travellers, and of sea-farers in particular; he is one of the best known and best loved Saints of all time.

Click "Read More" below

The ARK

The Ark" is OCN's 24/7 Internet Radio station featuring contemporary music from
Orthodox artists or songs compatible with an Orthodox perspective.

The Rudder

Click on the picture above to listen to the Rudder
OCN's 24/7 Internet Radio station featuring Orthodox sacred music.