We have learned of the passing of Bob Forbes, the husband of former parishioner and Council President, Mary Forbes. Bob was a great friend of St. George, often times volunteering his labor at our fundraisers.  Our prayers and condolences go out to the Forbes family.  May his Memory be Eternal.

Our December Charity Collection brought in a total of $216.00 for the Fisher House, an organization that provides a “Home away from Home” for wounded veterans and their families at VA hospitals around the country. Thank you for your generosity!

Today, on the Sunday closest to January 23rd, the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision, we observe Sanctity of Life Sunday and pray for all the victims of abortion.

We were saddened to learn that Vinnie Soter passed away on Saturday, January 28th.  Please pray for his widow, Angie, and his brother, Charlie, and their families. May Vinnie’s memory be eternal!

We recently learned of the following deaths:  Fr. Joseph Kreta died in Arizona on February 2. He was the father of Fr. John and Evelyn (Leka) Kreta.  Martha Tennant died in Bridgeport on February 3. She was the mother of Martha Todeasa, wife of Fr. Cornel Todeasa.  Memory Eternal!

We thank the members of the Teuta Ladies’ Society for their donation to the Church from the proceeds of last week’s Lakror Luncheon.

Many Years also to Dr. Robert Patrignelli, grandson of Jack and Helen Reh, who has been named one of Connecticut’s top Doctors of Dermatology by Connecticut Magazine.

We have learned of the passing of Deacon John Zarras on Sunday, April 1st.  Deacon John visited with us and served Divine Liturgy numerous times at St. George.  He had been, for many years, a member at Holy Trinity Greek Church in Bridgeport and most recently was serving as a deacon at Christ the Savior Church in Southbury. May Deacon John’s memory be eternal!

Many Years to Savannah Rae Smith who received the Holy Mysteries of Baptism and Chrismation in Saint George Church last Sunday. The Godparents were Joseph Cote and Nicolette Nassif. Savannah is the daughter of Donald and Carley Cagle Smith.

Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen! is the traditional Orthodox Christian Paschal greeting.   The St. George community recently completed the service cycle of Great Lent, Holy Week with the celebration of midnight Pascal Liturgy.

Click Here to view the Paschal greeting in numerous languages.

We extend our thanks to the many people who helped to make Lent, Holy Week and Pascha a beautiful and meaningful celebration: Mary Nastu for donating the flowers for the Cross on the Petafi in memory of her brother, Arthur Lika. Pandora Dionis for decorating the Holy Cross for the Petafi. The women and children who decorated the Petafi on Holy Friday morning (it was done in a record-breaking time of 1 hour and 30 minutes!) Bob Lazar, Cheryl Themel and Jennifer Goetz for decorating the church for Holy Pascha. Ron Dougiello for the flowers that beautify the inside of the church. The Teuta Ladies Society for the beautiful red eggs. Nancy Hurd for the donation of a candle on the Petafi for the blessings and health of her family. Mary Nikola for the donation of a candle on the Petafi in memory of her husband Steve. Cantors Van Michael and Charles Soter for their dedication and singing at every service. The Choir 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 Wight for organizing the Children’s Egg Hunt and Coffee Hour. Those who simply came to pray and celebrate the services.

Victoria Nichio, daughter of Richard Nichio, Jr., has been accepted into the Nutritional program at the University of Rhode Island.   Julia Garofalo, daughter of Deborah Garofalo, has been accepted into the Architectural program at Harvard University.  Many Years to our scholars!

Matthew Masek and Jeannine Bellizzi were married at Saint Thomas Catholic Church in Oxford, Conn., on April 21st. Their marriage will be blessed in the Orthodox Church at a later date. Matthew is the son of Karen and Albert Masek. Many Years to the happy couple!

Many thanks to our “Myrrhbearing Women” who decorated the Petafi (Christ’s Tomb) on Holy Friday and who removed the flowers for distribution to the faithful Holy Friday evening: Gloria Athanas, Vi Bowe, Sharon Buzi, Janet Caliendo, Pandora Dionis, Pauline Dionis, Mary Nastu, Dolores Nauchy, Andrea Snedegar, and Jo Ann Soter. Thanks also to Hope and Philip Caliendo who cleaned the glass covering the holy Icons.

 The Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America at its regular Spring Session elevated our hierarch, Bishop Nikon, to the rank of Archbishop. He is now known as “His Eminence, Nikon, Archbishop of Boston, New England and the Albanian Archdiocese.” His Eminence will celebrate the 10th anniversary of his consecration as a Bishop on May 25th.  God grant him Many Years!

On Sunday at Divine Liturgy, all of the living and departed mothers, grandmothers, and godmothers of our Parish community were remembered in prayer. Our thanks to Ron Dougiello who donated flowers for in front of the Iconostasis, and long-stemmed roses as a gift to all mothers.

Congratulations to the Students and Teachers of our Church School as they complete another year of instruction in the Orthodox Faith. Many Years!

The Monroe/Trumbull Relay for Life was held on Friday and Saturday, June 8th & 9th.  Our congratulations go out to our parishioners who participated on the teams, and all others who supported the fundraising activities to make this first-time effort in our parish community a success.  A special thank you goes out to Sharon Buzi who coordinated the entire program for St. George.

Congratulations and thanks go out to the many people who helped to make the Food Fest a success!  Proceeds from the Festival totaled $4,724.00.

On Father's Day, St. George prayed for the health and memory of all the Fathers, Grandfathers, Step-fathers and Godfathers of our parish community.  A coffee hour was held in their honor after Divine Liturgy.

We have learned of the death this week of Louise Moran, mother of Linda Lazar.  We offer our condolences to Linda and her family.  May Louise's memory be eternal!

We congratulate and extend our best wishes for future success to our recent graduates!

High School:

Nicholas Demetri graduated from Shelton High School.

James Lazor graduated from Chase Collegiate School in Waterbury.

Lauren Rubis graduated from Masuk High School in Monroe.

College:

Julia R. Snedegar graduated cum laude from the University of Connecticut with a B.S. in Allied Health Science.

Christopher Michael graduated from California State University, Fresno with a B.A. in Design and a B.A. in Art History.

We were saddened to learn that Vangel Marko passed away on Wednesday, July 18th.  We extend our condolences to his wife, Elsie, and his entire family.  Memory eternal!

On Sunday, July 22nd, William Edward Pinunsky, son of Edward and Oli (Vllahu) Pinunsky, was received into the Orthodox Church through the Sacred Mysteries of Baptism and Chrismation. His Godparents were Thomas and Priscilla Carameta. Many Years!

On Saturday, July 28th, Joanne Tallcouch passed away.  We express our sympathy to her husband Chris and to the Tallcouch family.  May her Memory be Eternal!

We welcome to Saint George Father Sergei Bouteneff who is celebrated the Divine Liturgy in Father Dennis’ absence.

We are grateful to those who have volunteered their time to assist with the maintenance of the Church grounds. Many thanks to Bob Lazar, Joe Galich, Jim Denisevich, John O’Brien, and Jim Bowe.

Allyson and David Hirst were blessed on August 22nd with the birth of a daughter, Elizabeth Grace. Congratulations to the new parents and to grandparents, Peter and Cheryl Themel!

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

Chris Adams – Graduate School pursuing his Masters Degree at the University of Connecticut majoring in Actuarial Science.

Rebecca Chadwick - Graduate School pursuing her Masters Degree in Elementary Education at the University of Bridgeport.

Kelly Coughlin - Sophomore at the College of New Jersey majoring in Criminology.

Sarah Csernica - Junior at the University of Connecticut majoring in Accounting.

Steve Csernica - Graduate School at Lehigh University (Pennsylvania) pursuing a PhD in Chemical Engineering.

Allison Cryan – Sophomore at Housatonic Community College (Connecticut) pursuing a General Studies program.

Andrew Cryan – Pursuing an Associates degree in General Studies at Gateway Community College (Connecticut).

Emily Cryan – Senior at St. Michael’s College (Vermont) majoring in History and English, with a minor in Classics.

Nicholas Demetri - First year at Porter & Chester Institute in Stratford, CT.

James Denisevich - Junior at the University of Connecticut majoring in Mathematics and minoring in Music. 

Jason Thomas Flynn – Sophomore at North Carolina University at Wilmington.

Julia Garfalo – Senior at Boston University majoring in Architecture.

James Lazor - Freshman at Boston University.

Victoria Nichio – Sophomore at the University of Rhode Island majoring in Nutrition.

Jennifer Nikola - Graduate School at Fairfield University pursuing a Masters Degree in Sociology.

Tyler Nikola - Junior at Elon University (North Carolina) majoring in Law.

Meghan Maria Quinn – Sophomore at Keene State College (New Hampshire) with a dual major in Dance and Business.

Lauren Rubis - Freshman at Marist College (New York).

Anne Snedegar - Junior at the University of Maryland majoring in Graphic Arts. 

Caroline Snedegar - Junior at James Madison University (Virginia) majoring in Sports & Recreational Management.

Julia Snedegar – Graduate School at the University of Rhode Island pursuing a Doctorate in Physical Therapy.

Tyler Tallcouch - Junior at Keene State College (New Hampshire) majoring in Exercise Science.

Ryan Taylor - Junior at Fairfield University (Connecticut).

We express our gratitude to everyone who helped to make yesterday’s Teuta Bazaar such a success.

Congratulations to Elizabeth Grace Hirst who was received into the Holy Orthodox Church yesterday through the Mysteries of Baptism and Chrismation.

Elizabeth is the daughter of Allyson and David Hirst and granddaughter of Peter and Cheryl Themel. Her godparents are Richard Hirst, Jennifer Themel and Stacey Hirst.

Many Years to all!

We offer our condolences to Thomas Dudo on the death of his brother Nicholas, Luba Geeza on the death of her nephew Boris and Toni Barmashi on the death of her sister Geraldine Joseph.

We wish to thank all those who helped to prepare and serve dinner at the Spooner House on October 30th: Cheryl Themel, Joann Soter, Greg Buzi, Sr., Kim O’Brien, Greg Buzi, Jr., Laura Chadwick, and Fr. Dennis Rhodes.

On Sunday, the parish recognized and asked for God's blessings for all of the Veteran's and active-duty military from the parish acknowledging the country's Veterans Day holiday.  Click on the More Information link below to view a larger photo.

We congratulate the newly-elected Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard). Many Years! Për Shumë Vjet!  Click Here to view a press release from the Orthodox Church in America.

We thank the members of the Teuta Ladies’ Society for their donation to the Church of $10,000.00, from the proceeds of this year’s Bazaar.

On Thursday, November 29th, 19 parishioners gathered in the Church Hall for an afternoon of food and conversation. It was a wonderful opportunity to spend time together in fellowship. We would like to thank those who prepared the meal: Father Dennis, Cheryl Themel, and Laura Chadwick. Since it was so well received, we are planning to hold another one after Pascha.

We extend our gratitude to those who made the Albanian Independence Celebration a success. Special thanks go to Nardi Tollkuçi, Liliana Kerma, Mimoza Vala, and Donna and Ken Kerma. The evening was enjoyed by all. We even had some visitors from Stamford who found us on our web site! A donation to the Church of $544.00 was made from the proceeds.

Heartfelt thanks to Teuta Ladies Society for their generous contributions to the St. Nicholas Party and to the Church School Friends and Families for all of their help and food donations. It was truly a success!

We would like to thank John O’Brien for taking care of the Fall clean up on the Church grounds

Many Years! to Patricia Ivanov who was received into the Holy Orthodox Church on Christmas Day through the Mysteries of Chrismation and Communion.   Our congratulations also go out to Patty’s husband Kiril.  

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 Compline and Divine Liturgy for the Nativity of the Lord.