The parish of St. George extends a heartfelt welcome to Fr John Jillions and the parishioners of Holy Ghost Church. Fr. Jillions gratitiously volunteered to co-celebrate Divine Liturgy on The Feast of Theophany at St. George for both parishes. On Satuirday, Vespers for the Eve of Theophany were hosted and co-celebrated at Holy Ghost Church in Bridgeport. 

The parish of St. George extends a heartfelt welcome to Father John Mikitish who will be serving Divine Liturgy for the month of January.

We extend our sympathy to Elsie Gartsu and family on the loss of her sister, Paula Cane.  May Paula’s memory be eternal!
 

We extend our sympathy to Peter Dacey and his family at the loss of their uncle, Peter Costulas.  May Peter’s memory be eternal!

We welcome back Father Sergei Bouteneff who will fill in for us for the next three months with Archbishop Nikon’s blessing.

The parish of St. George was saddened to learn that Christy Lambert passed away on Friday, February 8th.  We offer our condolences to Katherine, Nancy, and Thomas and their families. Memory eternal!

Our sincere thanks go to Laura Chadwick who has left the Parish Council after serving her term. At the semi-annual Parish Meeting, which was held on February 10th, Laura Coughlin was elected to join the Council for a new 3-year term. Laura joins the current Council members Joe Chadwick, Luba Csernica, Peter Dacey, Joseph Galich, Louise Gallagher, Cathy Hotova, Bill Kovachi. and Bob Lazar. Many Years! Për Shumë Vjet!

Many thanks to Laura Chadwick who published the Weekly Bulletin the past 7 months.  Additionally, we wish to thank Kim O’Brien who has volunteered to take over the preparation of the weekly bulletin going forward - we appreciate her stewardship in taking on this role. 

Many thanks for supporting the “Pajama Collection for Children in Poverty.”  The program has been very important to the Orthodox Women's Council.  Thank you for helping make it a success!

Many thanks go out to all that donated items for the Easter baskets for the residents of the Homes of the Brave.  A special meal is being prepared for them on Easter Sunday by Trumbull Helps who will also distribute the baskets. Thank you for making their holiday extra special!

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

Thank you for the following donations to the Petafi:   Alice Vasil in memory of her husband William and Karen Masek in memory of the Michael Family. 

Donation for the flowers for the Cross on the Petafi in memory of Pandora Dionis, who decorated the Cross for many years: Sandy and Mike Long, Andrea Snedegar and Drew Schoenfeld, Laura and Dave Denisevich, Ted and Janet Dionis and Pauline Dionis.

Thank you to the ‘Myrrh-bearing Women” who decorated the Petafi: Jean Brideau, Mary DiIulio, Louise Karoli Gallagher, Cathy Hotova, Dolores Nauchy, Jeanette Nichio, JoAnn Soter and Pauline Dionis.

A special thanks to Louise Karoli Gallagher for the beautifully dyed and wrapped Pascha Eggs.

Thank you to Ron Dougiello of Commerce Hill Funeral Home in Bridgeport for the lillies to beautify the inside of the church.

Jennifer Goetz for decorating the Church for Holy Pascha.

Fr Sergei Bouteneff who served all the Lenten, Holy Week and Paschal services for us.

The Choir and its Directors, Laura Chadwick and Karen Masek, for their preparation and singing throughout Holy Week and Pascha. 

Cantors Charles Soter and Peter Dacey for their dedication and singing at all the services.

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.

On Sunday during Divine Liturgy, St. George remembered all of the living and departed mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, and all the special women in over lives, in prayer.  Additionally, our thanks go out to Ron Dougiello of Commerce Hill Funeral Home, who donated long-stemmed roses which were given out as a gift to all mothers in attendance.

The St. George parish wishes to thank Fr. John Mikitish who served Divine Liturgy the past two weeks.  

The parish of St. George extends a welcome to Fr John Jillions and the parishioners of Holy Ghost Church.  Fr. Jillions celebrated Divine Liturgy at St. George for both parishes on Sunday, May 19th.  On Sunday, May 26th, the St George parish will join the Holy Ghost Church parish for Divine Liturgy in Bridgeport.

St George wishes to thank Fr. John Jillions and the parishioners of Holy Ghost parish for welcoming us to join them for Divine Liturgy on Sunday, May 26th.  Additionally, we thank them for the delicious luncheon and fellowship after services. 

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

We continue to pray for Fr. Dennis Rhodes who is volunteering with missionary work in Albania this month. 

July 6th marked the 50th anniversary of His Eminence, Archbishop Nikon's ordination to the priesthood. On May 9, 2012, Archbishop Nikon was elevated to the rank of Archbishop.  Many Years!  Për Shumë Vjet!

St. George was pleased to have been visited by our former pastor, Father Dennis Rhodes on Sunday, July 7th.  Father Dennis co-celebrated Divine Liturgy with Father Sergei Bouteneff.

On Sunday, July 7th and capitalizing on the celebration of Independence Day, the parish of St. George acknowledged and honored its Veterans and First Responders (police, firefighters, and medical personnel) - the brave who keep us safe. 

Congratulations to our 2019 Graduates who recently completed their studies and graduated.  We extend our best wishes to them for continued success!

John Babich - Graduated from Fairfield Warde High School (Fairfield).
Hope Caliendo – Graduated from King’s College (Pennsylvania) with a double-degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology. 
Amy Hurd – Graduated from Bryant University (Rhode Island) with a degree in Data Science.
Jordan Paige Veneri – Graduated from Saint Anselm College (New Hampshire) with a degree in Biology. 
Kristina Tolkuci – Graduated from Arcadia University (Pennsylvania) with a degree in International Business.

Many Years! Për Shumë Vjet!

Congratulations to the following collegians, and to their parents, who were named the 2019 Scholarship Recipients of the Thomas & Katherine LaBache Fund:
 
TJ Coughlin – a senior at the University of Maryland
Kristen Babich – a senior at the St. Joseph University
John Babich – a freshman at the University of Maryland
Jacqueline Goetz – a senior at the University of Connecticut
George Goetz – a junior at Pennsylvania State University
Carly Jane Nicholas – a junior at Providence College
 
The St. George parish offers continued success and best wishes to these young adults.

The St. George parish was saddened to learn that Archpriest Steven John Belonick passed away on August 7, 2019.  Before becoming ill, Fr. Steven served at Holy Ghost parish in Bridgeport from 2013 -2017.
Click on the following link to read the OCA Memoriam for Fr. Steven: https://oca.org/in-memoriam/archpriest-steven-belonick  May Father Steven’s memory be eternal!

On Sunday, Aug 18th after Divine Liturgy, volunteers assembled 24 backpacks with school supplies as part of the FOCUS Backpack Drive.  This charity project, coordinated with Holy Ghost Church (Bridgeport) is supporting the middle school students at Roosevelt Middle School in Bridgeport.   Many thanks to the numerous parishioners who donated monies and/or specific supplies required to fill the backpacks.   Also, a heartfelt thank-you to Karen Masek who coordinated the project for St. George. Click onto the more information link below to view a few photos. 

The following is a status of some of our young adults currently enrolled in college. We give our best wishes for their continued success!
 
Kristen Babich – Senior majoring in Elementary Education at Saint Joseph's University (Pennsylvania).
John Babich– Freshman attending the University of Maryland.
Henry Brunneau – Sophomore attending the University of Maine.
TJ Coughlin – Senior majoring in Finance at the University of Maryland.
Haley Flynn – Senior majoring in Business, attending the University of New Hampshire.
Eric Flynn - Senior majoring in Business, attending the University of Rhode Island.  
George Goetz - Junior majoring in Business at Penn State.
Jackie Goetz – Senior majoring in Biology at the University of Connecticut.
Carly Jane Nicholas – Junior at Providence College (Rhode Island)
John Veneri - Junior majoring in Business Management attending Coastal Carolina University (South Carolina)
Eve Wight - Senior attending the University of Vermont.
Owen Wight – Sophomore at the University of Connecticut

We were saddened to learn of the passing away of James (Jim) Pando on Wednesday, August 28th.  St. George extends it’s condolences to his wife Mary Ann, daughter Susan (Athanasios) Lazos, and son Michael. Memory Eternal!

The parish of St. George wishes to congratulate Nikolas Nani on the occasion of his recent Baptism in Albania.  Congratulations are also extended to his parents Ledi and Olsi, and brothers Kosta and Evan. Click onto the more information link to view three photos. Many Years! Për Shumë Vjet!

His Eminence, the Most Reverend Nikon, Archbishop of Boston, New England, and the Albanian Archdiocese, fell asleep in the Lord on Sunday, September 1, 2019.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife Sarah (Arthur) Liolin and dear brothers John and Billy Liolin. He is survived by his devoted & loving brothers, The Very Reverend Arthur Liolin and his wife Margaret of Milton and James Liolin and his wife Christina of NY; in addition he is survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces & grandnephews.

Link to view statements from the Albanian Archdiocese and Diocese of New England - Statements

Link to the OCA Memoriam - https://www.oca.org/in-memoriam/his-eminence-archbishop-nikon

We were saddened to learn of the death of Don Jordan.  We extend condolences to wife Shirley; daughter Beth & son-in-law Mike and grandchildren Jordan & John Veneri; and daughter & son-in-law Sue & Tom Batura. Memory Eternal!

Per the statute of the Orthodox Church in America, the office of the bishop of the Albanian Archdiocese was declared vacant with the death of Archbishop Nikon. His Eminence, Metropolitan Tikhon informed the Holy Synod that he will serve as the Locum Tenens of the Albanian Archdiocese for the immediate future.
As Locum Tenens, Metropolitan Tikhon’s primary responsibility is to see to the election of a new bishop and to maintain the widowed diocese in the interim period. (As is the Orthodox Church practice, when a Diocese loses a Bishop to death, it is referred to as “widowed.”).  Additionally, Metropolitan Tikhon will attend to other administrative and pastoral matters.
Click on the following link to view the attached letter from Metropolitan Tikhon. Albanian Diocese Announcement

On September 8th, after the first Sunday Divine Liturgy after Archbishop Nikon's death, the parish of St. George held a Memorial Service in his memory. Click onto the more information link to view two photos. Memory Eternal! I Përjetshim Kujtimi! 

St. George recently learned that Osman Karaja passed away on Tuesday, September 10th.. We extend our condolences to Osman’s family:  Steffie Karaja, Janus Karaja, Jane Quinn and her husband Brendan, and his grandchildren. Memory Eternal!

Saint George was saddened to hear to the death of Richard ("Ritchie") Vangel on September 21st. Condolences go out to Karen, Lorraine, and the rest of the Vangel family. Memory Eternal!

The Teuta Ladies Society held it's annual Fall Bazaar on Saturday, October 26th.  A heartful thank you goes out to all who had their hand in assisting with the Bazaar to insure it’s success. The Bazaar is St. George's major fundraising event during the calendar year, and this year our net profit was $10,413!  Click on the more information link below to view a few photos.

The parishes of St. George and Holy Ghost Church celebrated a joint Divine Liturgy at St. George on Sunday, October 27th.  Click onto the more information link below to view some photos.

We were saddened to learn that Janet Caliendo passed away on Monday, November 11th.   The St. George parish extends it’s condolences to Phil, Hope, and Philip, James Glucksnis, and to Mary & John DiIulio, and Esther Darling.  Memory Eternal!

St George hosted a Binky Patrol evening on Friday, November 15th.  Binky Patrol is an all-volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to making blankets and giving them away to children ages 0-18 who are sick, traumatized, grieving or homeless. Over 70 people participated and 130 blankets/binkies were completed and donated. These blankets will be provided to Al’s Angels who will distribule them to children who are sick and experiencing a loss.  Click onto the following links to learn more about Binky Patrol: https://binkypatrol.org/index.cfm and Al's Angels: https://www.alsangels.org/about . Many thanks to Sharon Buzi who organized and coordinated the event. To view photos of the event, click onto the more information link below. 

The children of St. George and Holy Ghost parishes participated in a joint procession and prayers after Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Entrance of the Virgin Mary into the Temple, which is commemorated on November 21st.  Parishioners of Holy Ghost Church joined the St. George Chuch parish in a joint Divine Liturgy with Fr. Sergei Bouteneff and Fr. John Jillions co-celebrating the Liturgy.  Click on the more information link below to view some photos.

The parish of St. George extends it's congratulations to Fr. Sergei Bouteneff on the occassion of this 42th Anniversary of his Priestly ordination.  God Grant You Many Years!

Many thanks to everyone who attended the fashion show hosted by The Women’s Orthodox Council. A special thank you to our ‘models’ Sharon Buzi, Luba Csernica and Kim O’Brien.  You all made the event a huge success. Your donation supports many charities in our neighboring communities and they are grateful.

St. George held it's annual St. Nicholas party for the children of the parish on Sunday, December 8th after Divine Liturgy.  Click onto the more information link to view some photos.

From a local newspaper photo:  Photo of the leaders who directed the drive that built the first St. George Church on Howard Avenue in Bridgeport.  The first Orthodox church services were held in Bridgeport on Palm Sunday, April 12, 1925.  At that time and up to the dedication of the church on Howard Avenue, worship was conducted in various community halls and buildings.    

Lower Row, (left to right): Philip Cotmil, Rev. Vasil Mandy, Rev. Sotir Tallcouch, Louis Theodos.
  
Middle Row, (left to right): Sotir Dmitri, Peter Atanas, Theodore Dionis, Costa Vangel.  

Top Row, (left to right): George Polena, Peter Tallcouch, Unidentified, Costa H. Jordhamo.
 

Fr. Vasil and Prifteresa Efrosinia Mandy.  Fr. Vasil was the first priest of our community in Bridgeport.  Date unknown.

(Newspaper photo – date unknown). St. George Church at 521 Howard Avenue; located in the West End of Bridgeport. The church (originally St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church) was purchased in1937 and consecrated as St. George Albanian Orthodox Church on September 5, 1938.  The Howard Avenue church was sold in May 1977 as plans evolved to move to a new church in Trumbull.

Architect’s rendering of the front view of the Trumbull church used for necessary building permit and zoning approvals.  The church was sized to hold 220 people and designed in the shape of a cross.

At a joint Divine Liturgy at St. George with Holy Ghost Church, Fr. John Jillions discussed the Icon of the Feast of the Nativity of Christ with the children of both parishes.  Click onto the more information link below to view a few photos. 

Many thanks to Ron Dougiello of the Commerce Hill Funeral Home for donating the beautiful poinsettias for Christmas.

At the Christmas Eve services, following the Compline with the blessing of the bread, the parish community sang Christmas carols accompanied by the parish children reenactment of the Nativity story in a series of tableaux. Many thanks to Laura Coughlin, Jennifer Goetz, & Dani Masek for all of the program coordination, TJ Coughlin for narrating, the Choir for leading us with the singing of the carols, and finally we thank the Parish children for their participation.  Click onto the more information link to view additional photos.

Thanks to Vi & Jim Bowe, Louise Gallager, Jennifer Goetz, and Bob Lazar for decorating the church for the Christmas season. 

We also wish to thank to our Choir, Choir Directors, and Chanters for their Stewardship of time and talents

Many years to Christy Kobeli who joined our St. George parish on Christmas Day. 

Christ is born! Glorify Him!  Krishti U-Lind! Lavdërojeni! are the traditional Orthodox Christian Christmas greetings in both English and Albanian. After the Christmas Day Divine Liturgy, the parish community sang Christmas carols accompanied by the parish children reenactment of the Nativity story in a series of tableaux. Many thanks to Jennifer Goetz, Sue Galich, Anna Bouteneff, Melissa Galich, Erin Galich, and Jackie Goetz for all of the program coordination, James Goetz for narrating, the Choir for leading us with the singing of the carols. Finally, we thank the Parish children for their participation.  Click onto the more information link to view additional photos.

At the first Liturgy of the new year, the Saint George parish will offer special intercessory prayers as we inaugurated not only a New Year, but a new decade and the 95th anniversary of the founding of our church community.  To read a historical narrative of the St. George church’s founding, please click onto the following link:  https://www.stgeorgetrumbull.org/parish_history