45 Holy Martyrs of Nikopolis, Armenia
The Forty-five Martyrs of Nikopolis contested during the reign of Licinius, in the year 315. After many torments, they were burnt alive.
Sunday
Orthros: 7:45am
Divine Liturgy: 9:00am
Weekday/Feast Days
Orthros: 8:00am
Divine Liturgy: 9:00am
Evening Services as Scheduled: 6:00pm
Greetings. Peace Be With You.
WELCOME. It is a blessing to have you with us today. Please join us for Fellowship Hour immediately following the Divine Liturgy for some coffee and treats as well as to meet fellow parishioners. If you would like to learn more about our community and Church, you may take some brochures and take a moment to fill out a family information sheet located in the Narthex and Father Nicholas will contact you. Thank you for joining us.
HOLY COMMUNION NOTICE: While everyone is welcome to worship with us, Holy Communion is reserved for those who have been Baptized and/or Confirmed in the Eastern Orthodox Faith and have prepared through prayer, fasting and recent confession.
All Guest and Newcomers are welcome to come forward at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy to receive the Antidoron, which is bread that has been blessed.
STEWARDSHIP, OFFERINGS AND ATTENDANCE Bringing our stewardship offerings to the house of God is part of our worship of God. Our stewardship also supports our efforts to proclaim the fullness of the Gospel of Christ in Fort Worth, Texas through our ministries and outreach. Checks should be made out to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, designated in the memo for Stewardship (use your stewardship envelope), and placed in the basket. Offerings for the poor and those in need (alms) should be designated in the memo for Altar Fund. (Altar Fund is the clergy discretionary fund to help those in need.)
Our regular attendance to Sunday and Weekday Divine Liturgies and other Divine Services is important for our spiritual growth and relationship with Christ as Orthodox Christians.
Stewardship Donations Online: You can now add St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church to your online bill-pay with your bank in order to make your Stewardship Contribution Online. Simply: 1. go to your bank's website billpay 2. Add St. Demetrios as a Payee and 3. Include your envelope number in the memo/account field. It is as easy as 1, 2, 3. No more writing checks, no more envelopes! Keep your commitment, even when you are unable to attend on Sunday.
Parents: The worship experience is enhanced by having your children participate. Please help them learn proper behavior and reverence while in the Church. Teach them to cross themselves, venerate the Icons, & respond prayerfully “Lord have mercy.” If they become too loud, please take them to the Narthex/Quiet Room for a brief stay and return as soon as they have calmed. More Church etiquette may be found at http://www.stdemetrios.net/our-parish/church-etiquette
Paul Adamopoulos & Stephan Papadopoulos
Fellowship Hour: Waklieh Family
PASTORAL CARE: If you or someone you know is sick, elderly or scheduled for surgery please call the office to let us know so Fr. Nicholas can make a pastoral visit, please email him at frnicholas@stdemetrios.net. PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK/RECOVERING AND ARE OUR SHUT-INS |
Mache Fannin |
Helen Phiripes |
Estelle Hieger |
Eleni Rork |
Coula Panagopoulos |
Alexander Sofos |
James Pendelton |
Connie Sparto |
Ruth Marsh |
Ann Tsumpis |
Katina Buster |
Peter Vlahachos |
Liana Drymiotes |
Katherine Pattres |
Kaye Riopelle |
Fannie Maulsby |
Theodore Diakis |
Helen Martsoukas |
Sannie Haratsis |
Bill Moon |
Reagan Noble |
Demetrios Markos |
Dianne Thodos Mary Nation |
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Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 103.24,1.
O Lord, how manifold are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 10:1-10.
BRETHREN, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but it is not enlightened. For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law, that every one who has faith may be justified. Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on the law shall live by it. But the righteousness based on faith says, Do not say in your heart, "Who will ascend into heaven?" (that is, to bring Christ down) or "Who will descend into the abyss?" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart (that is, the word of faith which we preach); because, if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved.
Προκείμενον. Fourth Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 103.24,1.
Ὡς ἐμεγαλύνθη τὰ ἔργα σου Κύριε, πάντα ἐν σοφίᾳ ἐποίησας.
Στίχ. Εὐλόγει ἡ ψυχή μου τὸν Κύριον.
τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς ῾Ρωμαίους 10:1-10.
Ἀδελφοί, ἡ μὲν εὐδοκία τῆς ἐμῆς καρδίας καὶ ἡ δέησις ἡ πρὸς τὸν θεὸν ὑπὲρ τοῦ Ἰσραήλ ἐστιν εἰς σωτηρίαν. Μαρτυρῶ γὰρ αὐτοῖς ὅτι ζῆλον θεοῦ ἔχουσιν, ἀλλʼ οὐ κατʼ ἐπίγνωσιν. Ἀγνοοῦντες γὰρ τὴν τοῦ θεοῦ δικαιοσύνην, καὶ τὴν ἰδίαν δικαιοσύνην ζητοῦντες στῆσαι, τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ τοῦ θεοῦ οὐχ ὑπετάγησαν. Τέλος γὰρ νόμου Χριστὸς εἰς δικαιοσύνην παντὶ τῷ πιστεύοντι. Μωϋσῆς γὰρ γράφει τὴν δικαιοσύνην τὴν ἐκ τοῦ νόμου, ὅτι ὁ ποιήσας αὐτὰ ἄνθρωπος ζήσεται ἐν αὐτοῖς. Ἡ δὲ ἐκ πίστεως δικαιοσύνη οὕτως λέγει, Μὴ εἴπῃς ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ σου, Τίς ἀναβήσεται εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν; - τοῦτʼ ἔστιν Χριστὸν καταγαγεῖν - ἤ, Τίς καταβήσεται εἰς τὴν ἄβυσσον; - τοῦτʼ ἔστιν Χριστὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν ἀναγαγεῖν. Ἀλλὰ τί λέγει; Ἐγγύς σου τὸ ῥῆμά ἐστιν, ἐν τῷ στόματί σου καὶ ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ σου· τοῦτʼ ἔστιν τὸ ῥῆμα τῆς πίστεως ὃ κηρύσσομεν· ὅτι ἐὰν ὁμολογήσῃς ἐν τῷ στόματί σου κύριον Ἰησοῦν, καὶ πιστεύσῃς ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ σου ὅτι ὁ θεὸς αὐτὸν ἤγειρεν ἐκ νεκρῶν, σωθήσῃ· καρδίᾳ γὰρ πιστεύεται εἰς δικαιοσύνην, στόματι δὲ ὁμολογεῖται εἰς σωτηρίαν.
5th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 8:28-34; 9:1
At that time, when Jesus came to the country of the Gergesenes, two demoniacs met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one would pass that way. And behold, they cried out, "What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" Now a herd of many swine was feeding at some distance from them. And the demons begged him, "If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of swine." And he said to them, "Go." So they came out and went into the swine; and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and perished in the waters. The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, and what had happened to the demoniacs. And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood. And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city.
5th Sunday of Matthew
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 8:28-34, 9:1
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐλθόντος τῷ Ἰησοῦ εἰς τὸ πέραν εἰς τὴν χώραν τῶν Γεργεσηνῶν ὑπήντησαν αὐτῷ δύο δαιμονιζόμενοι ἐκ τῶν μνημείων ἐξερχόμενοι, χαλεποὶ λίαν, ὥστε μὴ ἰσχύειν τινὰ παρελθεῖν διὰ τῆς ὁδοῦ ἐκείνης. καὶ ἰδοὺ ἔκραξαν λέγοντες· τί ἡμῖν καὶ σοί, ᾿Ιησοῦ υἱὲ τοῦ Θεοῦ; ἦλθες ὧδε πρὸ καιροῦ βασανίσαι ἡμᾶς; ἦν δὲ μακρὰν ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν ἀγέλη χοίρων πολλῶν βοσκομένη. οἱ δὲ δαίμονες παρεκάλουν αὐτὸν λέγοντες· εἰ ἐκβάλλεις ἡμᾶς, ἐπίτρεψον ἡμῖν ἀπελθεῖν εἰς τὴν ἀγέλην τῶν χοίρων. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· ὑπάγετε. οἱ δὲ ἐξελθόντες ἀπῆλθον εἰς τὴν ἀγέλην τῶν χοίρων· καὶ ἰδοὺ ὥρμησε πᾶσα ἡ ἀγέλη τῶν χοίρων κατὰ τοῦ κρημνοῦ εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν καὶ ἀπέθανον ἐν τοῖς ὕδασιν. οἱ δὲ βόσκοντες ἔφυγον, καὶ ἀπελθόντες εἰς τὴν πόλιν ἀπήγγειλαν πάντα καὶ τὰ τῶν δαιμονιζομένων. καὶ ἰδοὺ πᾶσα ἡ πόλις ἐξῆλθεν εἰς συνάντησιν τῷ ᾿Ιησοῦ, καὶ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν παρεκάλεσαν ὅπως μεταβῇ ἀπὸ τῶν ὁρίων αὐτῶν. Καὶ ἐμβὰς εἰς πλοῖον διεπέρασε καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς τὴν ἰδίαν πόλιν.
The Forty-five Martyrs of Nikopolis contested during the reign of Licinius, in the year 315. After many torments, they were burnt alive.
After the Crucifixion of our Lord, His most precious robe was obtained by lot by a certain Elioz, a Georgian soldier who took part in the execution. He in turn brought it to Georgia where it remained until that land was overrun by the Persians. Shah Abbas, seeking to establish good relations with Tsar Michael Feodorovich, sent the Robe to Moscow as a gift for the Tsar and Patriarch Philaret. This took place in March of 1625, and was appointed to be celebrated on this day in July.
Saint Anthony, who was born in the province of Chernigov, was tonsured in the Monastery of Esphigmenou on the Holy Mountain, Athos, from whence he was sent by his abbot to Kiev to plant the monastic life in 1013, two years before the death of Saint Vladimir, Great Prince of Kiev. Dwelling at first as a hermit, the Saint gradually drew to himself others wishing to emulate his way of life. When the number of the brethren grew, a wooden church in honour of the Dormition of the Theotokos was built, thus laying the foundation of what was to become the renowned Kiev Caves Lavra. Refusing the abbotship, Saint Anthony entrusted this to his disciples, first to the blessed Barlaam, then to Saint Theodosius (See May 3), and his whole life struggled as a cave-dwelling hermit. He reposed in peace in 1073 at the age of ninety.
Saint Olga, renowned for her wisdom and sobriety, in her youth became the wife of Igor, Great Prince of Kiev, who ruled during the tenth century. After her husband's death, she herself ruled capably, and was finally moved to accept the Faith of Christ. She traveled to Constantinople to receive Holy Baptism. The Emperor, seeing her outward beauty and inward greatness, asked her to marry him. She said she could not do this before she was baptized; she furthermore asked him to be her Godfather at the font, which he agreed to do. After she was baptized (receiving the name of Helen), the Emperor repeated his proposal of marriage. She answered that now he was her father, through holy Baptism, and that not even among the heathen was it heard of a man marrying his daughter. Gracefully accepting to be outwitted by her, he sent her back to her land with priests and sacred texts and holy icons. Although her son Svyatoslav remained a pagan, she planted the seed of faith in her grandson Vladimir (see July 15). She reposed in peace in 969.
In 451, during the reign of the Sovereigns Marcian and Pulcheria, the Fourth Ecumenical Council was convoked in Chalcedon against Eutyches and those of like mind with him. After much debate, the Fathers who were the defenders of Orthodoxy, being 630 in number, agreed among themselves and with those who were of contrary mind, to write their respective definitions of faith in separate books, and to ask God to confirm the truth in this matter. When they had prepared these texts, they placed the two tomes in the case that held Saint Euphemia's relics, sealed it, and departed. After three days of night-long supplications, they opened the reliquary in the presence of the Emperor, and found the tome of the heretics under the feet of the Martyr, and that of the Orthodox in her right hand. (For her life, see Sept. 16.)
It is believed that the Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel was transferred to this day from March 26 so that it could be celebrated more festively than in the period of the Great Fast; and, in fact, all the miracles of the Archangel are celebrated on this feast day, which has been listed here in the church books since the ninth century.
These Martyrs contested in Ancyra in 106, during the reign of the Emperor Trajan. Saint Proclus was seized as a Christian and, confessing his faith, was burned on his sides and belly, was hung upon a beam with heavy stones tied to his feet, and finally was taken away to be shot with arrows. As he was being led forth, his nephew Hilary encountered him and greeted him, and was himself seized. After his uncle had been slain with arrows, Hilary, because he would not deny Christ, was tormented, then beheaded.
According to some, the Saint Stephen celebrated today was a nephew of Saint John of Damascus, different from the one celebrated on October 28, who later also became a Bishop.
Saint Golindoux was a Persian, living in the reign of Chosroes II, King of Persia (590-628), and of Maurice, Emperor of New Rome (582-602). Moved by a divine revelation to become a Christian, she was betrayed to Chosroes by her husband and was cast into a dungeon called Oblivion for eighteen years, withstanding all attempts to make her deny Christ, and preserved by the grace of God. Set at liberty through the visitation of an Angel, she went to Jerusalem, and then to Constantinople, where she fell asleep in peace. She was called Mary in holy Baptism.
FESTIVAL BAKING DATES!!!!!!!
We N E E D your hands more now than ever!!!
Thursday, August 17: Galakabouriko
August 26 & 27: Spanakopita
THIS IS GOING TO BE A BIG ONE FOLKS!!!
Since 1967, St. Demetrios has hosted the Greek Food Festival in Fort Worth.
This will be our 50th year!!!
We want this year to knock our shoes off. OPA!!!
Fellowship hour is our second communion. During the Divine Liturgy, we commune with Jesus Christ by receiving His Holy Body and Precious Blood.
During fellowship hour, we commune with one another, as the Body of Christ, usually over coffee and snacks.
During this time we are encouarged to build relationships and befriend new members of the community. Our children are a big part of this as they play together.
So help us!
Please help guide your children away from the stage! The stage area, while very attractive to play, presents a fall hazard where your child can get seriously hurt. (we know through experience)
Please keep an eye on and clean up after your children. While many churches have a designated nursery room with committed adult supervision, we simply have under-supervisied play areas. While the children love each other and play very well together, they can get into mischief, and they make messes, even when they are sitting right next to us. Please keep an eye on your children and help them clean up their messes.
We only have a handful of parishioners who volunteer their time to clean up the fellowship hall, bathrooms and classrooms. Please, help them to not get burned out, they are providing a critical ministry to our parish.
Additionally, we ask that you please keep all riding toys near the stage area. It is very dangerous for our elderly and our youth for them to ride these toys through the tables or near the food areas.
Thank you for your attention. We appreciate your help.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 13, 2017 following the Divine Liturgy
Members of St. Demetrios will ask for the Lord’s blessing to come upon all of those who are beginning the new academic year. It is good to begin the year by dedicating all things to the glory of God.
All School and Sunday Church School & College students, teachers, professors and staff are invited to bring your backpacks, school bags, & briefcase to be blessed at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy.
Dormition of the Mother of God
August 1, 3, 8, 10 Paraklesis 6:00pm
August 2, 4, 7, 9, 11 Paraklesis 12:00pm
August 5, 14 Great Vespers 5:00pm
August 15 Orthros 8:00am & Divine Liturgy 9:00am
You are the Voice of Christ in a Changing World
“As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
John 20:21
Are you a good and faithful servant? As Orthodox Christians, we have been given a sacred trust. We have received the treasure of the Gospel – the Good News of Jesus Christ. With this sacred trust comes the great responsibility to share it.
If we compare ourselves to the stewards in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), do we multiply the treasure for which we are responsible and for which we will be held accountable when the master returns? Or do we bury our treasure in the ground, offering back only that which was given to us? Jesus said “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” (John 20:21). At the end of our life, will He say to us, “Well done good and faithful servant”?
As recipients and stewards of this great treasure, we are called to protect it, keeping its message pure.
This is difficult to do in a time when knowledge of the faith is informed so much by popular culture. Orthodox Christians in America m
ay rely too heavily on our culture to bind people to the faith, often at the expense of knowledge of the Gospel message and the
We are called to guard the Gospel message, but not to hoard it. We are instructed not to hide our light under a bushel (Matthew 5:15). As Jesus Christ sends us to be His voice in a changing world, we must also remove impediments or perceived impediments to non-Orthodox inquirers that seek His Truth. What messages do we send out intentionally or unintentionally? What might cause the Gospel message to be ignored or misunderstood? faith. As each generation becomes increasingly assimilated, these cultural ties become less effective in keeping people engaged in the life of the Church. For many, knowledge of the faith is insufficient to appreciate the unique teachings and traditions of Orthodox Christianity. Without a clear knowledge of our faith, we have become less able to share our it as we have been called to do.
Since the first Orthodox Christians came to America, the local parish has served as a guardian of the faith and also of the culture from which it was transplanted. Parishes must think carefully about how they share the faith with others. Thoughtful and sensitive consideration must be given to our outreach efforts in order to identify what aspects of our parish life may be creating potential stumbling blocks for others.
As we share the voice of Christ, the message we share is one of hope, truth, grace, divine power, life and invitation. In this busy, ever-changing world, His voice of wisdom is needed to guide us in discerning what is good, what is true and what will bring us closer to Him and to one another.
We live in a physical world that places great value on material possessions. Material possessions and wealth may bring power and status. But wealth and possessions can be fleeting. Circumstances change. It is the voice of Jesus Christ and the truth of His Gospel that remain constant. In our spiritual relationship with our Creator, we realize that we are called to be good stewards of His creation. And as stewards of His Gospel, we are called to use our material, worldly possessions to meet the needs of others.
The base from which we serve as the Voice of Christ in a Changing World is the parish. A strong parish provides opportunities for sharing the Good News of Christ, for welcoming those that are searching for a spiritual home, and a base from which we are sent out into the world. The parish also provides a place for worship, community and education in the faith. To be stewards of the Gospel, we need to be stewards of our parish. This requires the vision and inspiration to see the parish, not as it is, but as it could be. We are called to offer ourselves and our treasure to make our local church all that is can be.
We conclude with these words of Archbishop Demetrios of America: “…we are called to be the light of the world; we are sent into a changing world to offer the voice of Christ to those who are not connected to the Church. This includes those who have never heard the voice of Christ, others who have not been prepared to listen, and still others who need a new invitation to return to Him. For these and even others who are distracted by disparate and deceptive ideas, the voice of Christ through us offers meaning and purpose in truth and love. In fulfilling our commission from God, we must continue to strengthen our ministries of outreach and evangelism so that our clergy and laity have the guidance, programs, and resources to offer His voice clearly and effectively” (from the Reflections of Archbishop Demetrios of America on the Theme of the Clergy-Laity Congress of 2016).
Prosphoro- Dimitra Cudd
5th Sunday of Matthew
7:45AM Orthros
9:00AM Divine Liturgy
11:30AM GOYA Meeting
45 Holy Martyrs of Nikopolis, Armenia
Euphemia the Great Martyr
6:30PM Parish council meeting
Proclus & Hilary the Martyrs of Ancyra
Synaxis of Archangel Gabriel
Aquila the Apostle among the 70
The Holy Martyrs Cyricus and His Mother Julitta
Prosphoro - Hadzellis Family
Sunday of the Holy Fathers
7:45AM Orthros
9:00AM Divine Liturgy
11:00AM Hope/Joy
11:30AM Long-term Planning Meeting
The Holy Great Martyr Marina (Margaret)
Holy Martyr Emilian
Macrina the Righteous, sister of St. Basil
The Glorious Prophet Elias (Elijah)
John and Symeon the Fool for Christ
Mary Magdalene, the Holy Myrrh-bearer and Equal to the Apostles
7th Sunday of Matthew
Prosphoro- Dimitra Bakintas
7:45AM Orthros
9:00AM Divine Liturgy
11:00AM Festival Meeting
Christina the Great Martyr of Tyre