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.

On April 28th, St. George celebrated Palm Sunday, which marks the Entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem. After Divine Liturgy, there was a procession of palms lead by the youth and children of the parish. The blessing of the palms and branches followed with parishioners holding their branches high. This year, due to difficulty acquiring pussy willow branches, a mix of boxwood branches and palm fronds were bundled for blessing.  Palm crosses were made by the Church School and handed out during the dismissal. Thanks to Anna Bouteneff, Fr. Sergei, Cathy Hotova, and Sue & Joe Galich for assembling the boxwood branches and palm fronds on Lazarus Saturday. Click on the more information link below to view several few photos.

On Thursday evening, May 2nd, the Matins Service of Great and Holy Friday with the readings of the Twelve Gospel Lessons was held. Click onto the more information link below to view a few photos. 

On Friday, May 3rd, St. George completed services for Great and Holy Friday (Good Friday) with the afternoon Vespers Service of Taking down from the Cross, and the Friday evening Matins service for Great and Holy Saturday, with the Praises (or Lamentations) at the Tomb of Christ.  Click onto the more information link below to view a few photos.  Come back in a few days to view some additional photos.

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. 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 May 5th.  Click Here to view the Paschal greeting in numerous languages.  Please click onto the more information link below to view several photos from the Pascha service.

Please click onto the following link to view our specific thanks to the many people who helped to make Lent, Holy Week and Pascha beautiful and meaningful celebrations.  Thank you for their Stewardship!

St. George recognized Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 12th during Divine Liturgy.  Prayers were offered for all of the living and departed mothers, stepmothers, daughters, stepdaughters, wives, sisters, stepsisters, great grandmothers, great granddaughters, grandmothers, granddaughters, great-aunts, aunts, nieces, godmothers, and all those who "mothered" us in our time of need. Click onto the more information link below to view a few photos.

St. George learned of the repose of Vanthi Nani on Tuesday, May 14th. We extend our deepest condolences to Vanthi’s husband Koco Nani, her daughter Entela Gjylapi, her son Olsi George Nani, and to her extended family.  Click onto the following link to view her Obiturary-Vanthi Nani.  May her memory be eternal!   I perjetshem kujtimi! 

St. George extends congratulations to Luiza Tollkuci and Evan Stamps who were married on Saturday, May 18th.  We also wish to congratulate Luiza's parents, Nardi and Silijana, her sister Kristina Tollkuci, and her grandparents Nikolas and Liuiza Tollkuci. Many Years!  Për Shumë Vjet!  Click onto the more information link below to view a few photos. 

On Sunday, May 26th, St. George recognized Memorial Day by praying for all of our deceased military veterans from the parish family. Memorial Day is a holiday that was established to officially remember those who have died in service to our country. St. George expanded our remembrance to include all the deceased veterans of our “parish family”, adding relatives of our parish family that served in the military and are now deceased. We also wish to thank the living military veterans who participated during the Memorial Service by standing in vigil (Veterans Day was established to officially thank our living veterans).  Prayers were said for 105 deceased veterans - click onto the following to view the list of names: St George - Names of Deceased Military Veterans.  Memory Eternal!  Please click onto the more information link below to view a  few photos from the service.

Congratulations to our 2024 Graduates who recently completed their studies and graduated. We extend our best wishes to them for continued success!
 
TJ Coughlin – received a Master’s Degree in Film and Television Production from Loyola Marymount University (Los Angeles, CA)
Hayley Dionis – graduated from Greenwich High School
Erin Galich – received a B.A. in Psychology from Central Connecticut State University (New Britain). 
James Goetz – graduated from the University of Maryland with a B.A. in Economics. 
Pandora Kerma – received her Associate degree in Photography at Connecticut  State Community College (Housatonic Campus, Bridgeport)
Christopher Michael – received his Master’s of Education from Columbia University

St. George wishes to thank the Teuta Ladies Society for organizing and holding a Spring Brunch after Divine Liturgy on Sunday, June 2nd.  We specifically wish to thank all those who prepared dishes and desserts, and helped with the set-up and cleanup, and for those who came out to support the fundraiser.  It was a rewarding display of fellowship and stewardship. Click onto the more information link to view several photos. 

St. George was saddened to learn that Archpriest John Scollard unexpectedly fell asleep in the Lord on Friday, May 31st. Fr. John has been attached and serving as the Dean of Saint George Albanian Orthodox Cathedral in Boston.  

For 35 years, he was the former pastor of Saint John the Baptist Church in South Boston until the parish was tragically destroyed by fire in 2013.

Click onto the following link to view an In Memoriam from the OCA: https://www.oca.org/in-memoriam/archpriest-john-scollard  St. George held a Memorial Service for Fr. John on Sunday, June 2nd after Divine Liturgy. I perjetshem kujtimi! 

The parish marked the end of the Church School year on Sunday, June 9th with a short Recognition and Commencement exercise immediately after Divine Liturgy. Our congratulations go out to the Students, and our thanks go to Curt Dionis for coordinating the Church School program, and to Pauline Dionis and Nicole Dionis for their teaching and backup coordination efforts to the program. Many years!  Click onto the more information link below to view a few photos.

St. George recognized Fathers’s Day on Sunday, June 16th.  Names were read by Peter Dacey after our Reader Service, as seen in the photo on the left. The choir led the singing of Memory Eternal after the reading of the names of the departed, and Many Years after reading the names of those living.

Congratulations to Sarah (O’Brien) and Brian Davis on the birth of their son, Banks Calloway, born June 12, 2024. He joins big sisters, River and Saylor. Grandparents are John and Kim O’Brien and great-grandmother is Toni Barmashi.  Per Shume Vjet!  Many Years!                                         
 

St. George celebrated the Feast of Pentecost on Sunday, June 23rd with Divine Liturgy immediately followed by the Kneeling Vespers.  The Feast commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit and is also seen as the culmination of the revelation of the Holy Trinity. 

The Troparian for Pentecost:  Blessed art You O Christ Our God / You have revealed the fishermen as most wise / By sending down upon them the Holy Spirit / Through them You drew the world into Your net / O Lover of Man, Glory to You!

Click onto the more information link below to view a few photos.

On Sunday, July 7th, we commemorated All Saints of America.  We were blessed that Fr Sergei shared an icon of Saint Herman containing his relics, which was located on the center table of the church. Saint Herman’s relics are enshrined in a small reliquary at the bottom of the icon (below his feet). Click onto the more information link below to view some photos and to read additional information about the St. Herman icon and St. George's icon of Albanian and American saints. 
 

On Sunday July 21st (the 4th Sunday after Pentecost) St. George wishes to thank The Right Reverend Nikodhim, Bishop of Boston and the Albanian Archdiocese, for serving Divine Liturgy for us.  After Divine Liturgy, the parish welcomed Bishop Nikodhim as he joined us for Coffee Hour in the church hall. Click onto the more information link below to view a few photos.

St. George welcomed and wishes to thank Fr. Dennis Rhodes for serving Divine Liturgy for us on Sunday, August 11th.  We celebrated the Feast of the Transfiguration, which was transferred from Tues, Aug 6th.  After Divine Liturgy, Fr. Dennis blessed grapes, fruit, and vegetables that is traditional on this feast day.  Fr. Dennis was our parish priest from 2010 through 2018, after which he retired after serving 40 years as a priest. Click onto the more information link below to view some photos.

We congratulate Haley Dionis who is receiving a scholarship for the 2024-2025 school year from the Thomas and Katherine LaBache Scholarship Fund. The St. George parish offers best wishes to Haley for a successful year!

St. George held a Parish Picnic after Divine Liturgy on Sunday, August 25th.  The picnic was held outside on the rear yard, and was a fundraiser hosted by the Teuta Ladies Society. Many thanks to all that supported the picnic by cooking and preparing salads and sides of food, managed the grills, set-up and broke down the tents, tables, chairs, and grills, and helped with all the final clean-up.  And finally a thank you to all who supported the event by participating. We would especially like to thank Mary, John, & Maribeth DiIlulio, and Pierre Rhodes (Maribeth's boyfriend and owner of Beyond All Drones).  Pierre took numerous drone photos and put together a video of the picnic from above. Click onto the more information link below to view photos and the video from the day. 

The first day of the Liturgical New Year in the Orthodox Church is September 1st.  At the end of Divine Liturgy, and after the Ambo Prayer, the following prayer was read for the Church’s New Year:  Prayer for the New Year.  Click onto the more information link below to view two photos.

On Sunday, September 1st after Divine Liturgy, St. George held a memorial service on the occasion of the 5th year anniversary of Archbishop Nikon's death.  His Eminence, Archbishop Nikon served as the Archbishop of Boston, New England, and the Albanian Archdiocese. Click onto the more information link below to view a few photos.
 

The St George community would like to extend their condolences to the O’Brien family on the passing of John’s mother, Mary O’Brien, on September 1, 2024. May her memory be eternal!

We wish to give our best wishes for continued success to our collegians: 

Hayley Dionis who is beginning her college career at Furman University (South Carolina).

James Goetz - pursuing his Masters in Finance from the University of Maryland

On Sunday, September 8th, St. George celebrated Divine Liturgy for the feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos.  This feast commemorates the birth of the Mother of Jesus Christ, which is celebrated on September 8th each year. After Divine Liturgy, we sang the Magnification to the Theotokos in celebration of her nativity.  Click onto the more information link below to view a few photos. 

St. George welcomed and wishes to thank Fr. Dennis Rhodes for serving Divine Liturgy for us on Sunday, September 15th.  He will be returning again to serve Divine Liturgy for us next Sunday, September 22nd.  Fr. Dennis was our parish priest from 2010 through 2018, after which he retired after serving 40 years as a priest.  Click onto the more information link to view a larger photo of Fr. Dennis giving his sermon.

St. George celebrated the feast of the Elevation of the Cross (also known as the Exaltation of the Cross) with Divine Liturgy on Sunday, September 15th.  This feast day was transferred from Saturday, September 14th. This feast commemorates the finding of Christ’s Cross by Saint Helen, the mother of the Emperor Constantine in the fourth century.  At the end of Divine Liturgy, Fr. Dennis lead a procession with the cross around the church with the Church School children following the cross in procession.  The procession ended at the center of the church where parishioners completed prostrations before the cross while the choir sang the hymn for the Great Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross: “Before Thy Cross, we bow down in worship, O Master, and Thy holy resurrection, we glorify!"

Immediately after this procession and prostrations, Fr. Dennis lead the parish in prayer for the beginning of the new Church School year with the Church School children gathered in the center aisle.  Sunday was the first day of classes for the 2024-2025 Church School year. Click onto the more information link below to view a few photos from the day's service.

Congratulations to Jim Bowe who turned 90 years old this past week.  His family sponsored the Coffee Hour in his honor. Many years!  Click onto the more information line below to view a few photos.

We welcomed Fr. Danaks (Fr. Dennis Rhodes) again to St. George on Sunday, September 22nd to serve Divine Liturgy for us.  Fr. Danaks was tonsured as a Hieromonk (a priest-monk) on Friday, Sept 20th (see additional info below).  St. George sang Many Years after Divine Liturgy to him, and celebrated with a cake at Coffee Hour in the Church Hall.  Click onto the more information link below to view several photos from Sunday, Sept 22nd. May God grant Fr. Danaks Many Years!
 
The opening paraklesis on Friday morning, Sept 20th, of the Albanian Archdiocese Annual Assembly included the monastic tonsure of Fr. Dennis Rhodes. Fr. Dennis is now known as Hieromonk Danaks (honoring the 2nd century Albanian martyr).  Fr. Danaks (Fr. Dennis) served as our parish priest for 8 years, from September 2010 until September 2018.  
 
The two liturgical services at the Assembly (Friday 9AM opening prayers with Fr Dennis' monastic tonsure, and the Saturday 10AM Hierarchal Divine Liturgy with ordination of Dn Jushin Skhurti, memorial service and prayers) will be aired live and available afterwards on the St. Peter & Paul parish's YouTube channel:   https://www.youtube.com/@sspeterpaulorthodoxchurcho1810   Additionally, you may click onto the following link at the Albanian Orthodox Archdiocese website, under "Assembly in Philadelphia" to view photos from the Friday opening prayers with Fr. Dennis' monastic tonsure, and some photos from the legislative session of the Assembly:  https://albanianarchdiocese.org
 

On Sunday evening at 5PM, St. George was honored to host a visit from His Grace, Bishop Nikodhim, Bishop of Boston and the Albanian Archdiocese in America, Fr. Juxhin Skhurti and his wife, Prifteresha Livia (Fr. Juxhin was ordained to the priesthood the day prior, on Saturday, Sept 21st during Divine Liturgy as part of the Annual Archdiocesan Assembly which was held at St. Peter & Paul in Philadelphia), and Fr. Grigori Pelushi.  Fr. Grigori is a visiting dignitary from the Orthodox Church in Albania, and is the chair of Radio Ngjallja and the secretary of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Albania.  He attended the Archdiocesan Assembly in Philadelphia and is visiting several parishes in the Albanian Archdiocese in America.  
 
There was a light meal available for participants and afterwards, Fr. Grigori gave a presentation on the Orthodox Church in Albania and answered a few questions from some of the parishioners.
 
Additionally, Bishop Nikodhim presented to St. George a new Antimension.  An antimension is a gold colored cloth that has an icon of the Burial of Christ. Sewn into many antimensions are a relic of a martyr, and in the St. George antimension, there is a relic of the Hieromartyr Januarius.  Click onto the following link to read about the many miracles attributed to Hieromartyr Januarius Bishop of Benevento.  Bishop Nikodhim made a notation "St. Januarius" on the antimension in the upper right corner.  The antimension sits on the Altar table and gives permission from the bishop, in our case Bishop Nikodhim, for our community to exist as a parish and to serve Divine Liturgy.  Bishop Nikodhim’s signature is also located on the antimension.  Click onto the more information link below to view 2 photos. 
 
Many thanks go out to parishioners who set-up for the event, donated and prepared food, dishes, desserts, and beverages for the meal, and cleaned up afterward.  Special thanks go to Louise Gallagher, Curt Dionis, Pauline Dionis, and Laura Coughlin for their lead, organization and extra efforts in putting this event together. 
 
Click onto the more information link below to view several photos.

At the end of Divine Liturgy on Sunday, September 29th, St. George held a memorial service for Fr. Arthur Liolin on the 1-year anniversary of his death.  Fr. Arthur was the former pastor of St. George Albanian Orthodox Cathedral in Boston, and our former long-time Chancellor of the Albanian Orthodox Archdiocese in America. I perjetshem kujtimi! Click onto the more information link below to view some photos from the memorial service.
 

On Sunday, October 6th after Divine Liturgy, Saint George recognized our Choir Directors, Singers, Chanters  and Readers as part of the commemoration of “Church Musician Sunday”.  The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America designated the Sunday following the commemoration of Saint Romanus the Melodist (October 1st) as “Church Musician Sunday.” This annual designation highlights the essential role of liturgical music in Orthodox Christian worship and the important role of church musicians in the life of the Church. Those who serve in our musical ministries were publicly thanked, given a Thank you card which was signed by our Church School, and recognized with the parish singing to them Many Years!

The photo on the left is an icon located at St. George on the rear (or north-side) wall of the choir -  it is the Icon of the Feast of the Protection of the Most-Holy Theotokos.  The St. George icon shows the Theotokos standing above the faithful with her arms outstretched in prayer, but below the Theotokos, in the center of the icon, stands Saint Romanus the Melodist, the famous hymnographer whose feast is also celebrated on the same day. On the lower left corner of the icon is his choir. 

Click onto the more information link below to view several photos.
 

St. George was saddened to learn that James Rubis passed away on Friday, October 4th.  The family has requested that the funeral and burial services be private. Click onto the following link to read James Rubis' obituary. We extend our sympathies to Jim's wife Gloria, his children Michael, Christopher, and Michele, his sister Viola Watson, and their extended family.  Memory Eternal! I perjetshem kujtimi! 

Click onto the following link to view and listen to an interview of Fr. Grigori Pelushi with Bishop Nikodhim. Fr. Grigori is a visiting dignitary from the Orthodox Church in Albania, and is the chair of Radio Ngjallja in Albania. Fr. Juxhin Skhurti served as a translator during the interview. The interview was conducted on October 3, 2024 in Boston, MA at the St. George Albanian Orthodox Cathedral -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk66DImFNGU
 
Bishop Nikodhim, Fr. Grigori, and Fr. Juxhin recently visited St. George on September 22nd, when Fr. Grigori gave a presentation to parishioners on the Orthodox Church in Albania. Click onto the following link to view an news update on that visit:  Welcome to Fr. Grigori Pelushi from the Orthodox Church of Albania
 

St. George was saddened to learn that a former parishioner, Virginia (Spiro) Schutte passed away on Monday, Oct 7th.  We extend our condolences to her husband Dennis, her sons David and Fr. Dennis, and their extended family. Click onto the following link to view her Obituary.  Memory Eternal! I perjetshem kujtimi! 

On Saturday, October 12th, Fr Sergei blessed the marriages of Sarah and Brian Davis and Chelsey and Hans Lugus. Thank you to Fr Sergei, Charlie Soter, and Peter Dacey for their participation in this joyous service. We wish both couples Many Years!

St. George held it's annual Fall Bazaar on Saturday, October 26th. The Bazaar is St. George's major fundraising event during the calendar year. A heartfelt thank-you goes out to all who had their hand in assisting with the Bazaar in some way - with organizing, set-up, cooking, baking, donating, working the event, and cleaning up at the end.  The Bazaar featured Ethnic dishes, Take-out meals, Albanian pastries, Take-A-Chance table, and Handcrafted items for sale.  We especially wish to recognize and thank the women of the Teuta Society who are the major driver and effort behind this event. Click onto the following link to view the 2024 Bazaar Ad Book - we ask you to review and note the businesses that supported us, and return the gesture by supporting their businesses. Click onto the more information link below to view several photos.

On Sunday November 10th after Divine Liturgy (the day before Veteran’s Day), St. George recognized our Veterans for their service to our country. Children from our Church School prepared some hand-made Thank-you cards which they gave to the Vets.  Click onto the following link to view the Veteran’s Day Prayer that was read during the recognition.  Click onto the more information link below to view a several photos. Many Years!

There are two options to order from - photos show the logos in detail

St. George wishes to congratulate Fr. Sergei Bouteneff on the occasion of his 47th anniversary of his ordination into the Priesthood which will occur this coming Monday, Nov 25th.  Many Years! Për Shumë Vjet! to Fr. Sergei, and to his family. 

On Sunday, Nov 24th, a Doxology service (a prayer of praise to God) was held after Divine Liturgy recognizing Albanian Flag Day (Dita e Flamurit).  The official observation date for Flag Day (or Albanian Independence Day) is November 28th.  Click onto the following link to view a text of the Doxology service that was used.  Our thanks go to Nardi Tollkuci who read the prayer in Albanian, and also helped during Divine Litrugy by reading the Gospel lesson in Albanian.  Click on the more information link below to view a few pictures.
 

On Sunday, Dec 8th after Divine Liturgy, the parish held its St. Nicholas Party during it's Coffee Hour.   This annual event is held specifically for the parish children, but also for the parish community to gather for fellowship and seasonal joy.  There is a visit from Santa for the children, and all are requested to donate a Christmas gift to donate to local charity toy drive – this year the Church School will be collecting and delivering those gifts to St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shop and Food Bank who will distribute them to the underprivileged children of the lower Naugatuck Valley. The gathering was very well attended and enjoyed by all. Many thanks go out to Pauline Dionis, Curt & Nicole Dionis, and Laura Denisevich who handled all the major aspects of planning cooking and preparing for the celebration.  Thanks to Louise Gallagher & Cathy Hotova who helped with the cleanup, and Laura Coughlin who helped keep the coffee flowing.  A final thank you to Greg Buzi II for "arranging" Santa's visit, and to Sophie & Brooke Dionis who were Santa's helpers. Click on the more information link below to view several photos.

On Saturday, Dec 14th, a group of St. George "Elves" delivered a bag of Christmas Cheer to some of our senior parishioners who are restricted at home or haven't been able to attend church services due to age or health. The gifts were assembled and delivered to help remind these parishioners that they remain in our thoughts and prayers.  The Christmas Cheer bag contained homemade cookies, candies and baked treats, and some seasonal teas and hot chocolate, a Christmas candle, along with a handmade card from one of our church school children. Our sincere thanks go out to: Pam Buzi, Sharon Buzi, Laura Coughlin, Diane Cryan, Luba Csernica, Laura Denisevich, Pauline Dionis, Jennifer Goetz, Cathy Hotova, Karen Masek, and Kim O'Brien. We also wish to additionally thank our Church School children who created the holiday cards.  Click onto the more information link below to view some photos.

The St. George Parish Family wishes you a joyous celebration of the Nativity of our Lord.  Christ is Born! Glorify Him!  Krishti U-Lind! Lavdërojeni!  Click onto the more information link below to view photos of each page of the Community Christmas Card.

On Saturday, Dec 21st, Sylvia Sophia Ancona was received into the Orthodox Church through the Mysteries of Baptism and Chrismation.  Sunday Dec 22nd was Sylvia's Churching service (presentation in the context of community) during Divine Liturgy.  We also congratulate her parents, Marica and Blaise, and her godparents Elena Andreopoulos & Nicolas Dacey.  Many Years!  Për Shumë Vjet!  Click onto the more information link below to view two photos of the family.

Christ is born! Glorify Him!  Krishti U-Lind! Lavdërojeni! are the traditional Orthodox Christian Christmas greetings in both English and Albanian. On the Eve of the Nativity of Christ, the St. George community celebrated the Nativity with the Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil. Many thanks to Olsi Nani who read the Gospel in Albanian. Click onto the more information link below to view a few photos.

On Sunday Dec 29th St. George welcomed and thanked Bishop Nikodhim, Bishop of Boston and the Albanian Archdiocese, for serving Divine Liturgy for us.  Additionally, St. George welcomed Nikollaq Lako, an Assistant to Bishop Nikodhim. After Divine Liturgy, the parish welcomed both as they joined us for a light lunch in the church hall. Click onto the more information link below to view a few photos.