Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Tone

Let the Heavens rejoice; let earthly things be glad; for the Lord hath wrought might with His arm, He hath trampled upon death by death. The first-born of the dead hath He become. From the belly of Hades hath He delivered us, and hath granted great mercy to the world.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Dormition in the First Tone

In giving birth, thou didst preserve thy virginity; in thy dormition, thou didst not forsake the world, O Theotokos. Thou wast translated unto life, since thou art the Mother of Life; and by thine intercessions dost thou redeem our souls from death.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Tone

Neither the grave nor death could contain the Theotokos, the unshakable hope, ever vigilant in intercession and protection. As Mother of life, He who dwelt in the ever-virginal womb transposed her to life.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

First Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Matthew 28:16-20

At that time, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age. Amen."

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Third Tone. Psalm 46.6,1.
Sing praises to our God, sing praises.
Verse: Clap your hands, all you nations.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 15:1-11.

Brethren, I would remind you in what terms I preached to you the gospel, which you received, in which you stand, by which you are saved, if you hold it fast -- unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God which is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

Gospel Reading

12th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 19:16-26

At that time, a young man came up to Jesus, kneeling and saying, "Good Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?" And he said to him, "Why do you call me good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." He said to him, "Which?" And Jesus said, "You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "All these I have observed; what do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions.

And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Saints and Feasts

August 19

12th Sunday of Matthew

August 19

Andrew the General & Martyr & his 2,593 soldiers

During the reign of Maximian, about the year 289, Antiochus the Commander-in-Chief of the Roman forces sent Andrew with many other soldiers against the Persians, who had overrun the borders of the Roman dominion. Saint Andrew persuaded his men to call upon the Name of Christ, and when they had defeated the Persians with unexpected triumph, his soldiers believed in Christ with him. Antiochus, learning of this, had them brought before him. When they confessed Christ to be God, he had Andrew spread out upon a bed of iron heated fiery hot, and had the hands of his fellow soldiers nailed to blocks of wood. Antiochus then commanded some thousand soldiers to chase the Saints beyond the borders of the empire. Through the instructions of Saint Andrew, these soldiers also believed in Christ. At the command of Antiochus, they were all beheaded in the mountain passes of the Taurus mountains of Cilicia.

August 19

Afterfeast of the Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary

August 21

The Holy Apostle Thaddaeus

The Apostle Thaddaeus was from Edessa, a Jew by race. When he came to Jerusalem, he became a disciple of Christ, and after His Ascension he returned to Edessa. There he catechized and baptized Abgar (see Aug. 16). Having preached in Mesopotamia, he ended his life in martyrdom. Though some call him one of the Twelve, whom Matthew calls "Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus" (Matt. 10:3), Eusebius says that he is one of the Seventy: "After [Christ's] Resurrection from the dead, and His ascent into Heaven, Thomas, one of the twelve Apostles, inspired by God, sent Thaddaeus, one of the seventy disciples of Christ, to Edessa as a preacher and evangelist of Christ's teaching" (Eccl. Hist. 1: 13).

August 23

Apodosis of the Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary

Concerning the Dormition of the Theotokos, this is what the Church has received from ancient times from the tradition of the Fathers. When the time drew nigh that our Savior was well-pleased to take His Mother to Himself, He declared unto her through an Angel that three days hence, He would translate her from this temporal life to eternity and bliss. On hearing this, she went up with haste to the Mount of Olives, where she prayed continuously. Giving thanks to God, she returned to her house and prepared whatever was necessary for her burial. While these things were taking place, clouds caught up the Apostles from the ends of the earth, where each one happened to be preaching, and brought them at once to the house of the Mother of God, who informed them of the cause of their sudden gathering. As a mother, she consoled them in their affliction as was meet, and then raised her hands to Heaven and prayed for the peace of the world. She blessed the Apostles, and, reclining upon her bed with seemliness, gave up her all-holy spirit into the hands of her Son and God.

With reverence and many lights, and chanting burial hymns, the Apostles took up that God-receiving body and brought it to the sepulchre, while the Angels from Heaven chanted with them, and sent forth her who is higher than the Cherubim. But one Jew, moved by malice, audaciously stretched forth his hand upon the bed and immediately received from divine judgment the wages of his audacity. Those daring hands were severed by an invisible blow. But when he repented and asked forgiveness, his hands were restored. When they had reached the place called Gethsemane, they buried there with honor the all-immaculate body of the Theotokos, which was the source of Life. But on the third day after the burial, when they were eating together, and raised up the artos (bread) in Jesus' Name, as was their custom, the Theotokos appeared in the air, saying "Rejoice" to them. From this they learned concerning the bodily translation of the Theotokos into the Heavens.

These things has the Church received from the traditions of the Fathers, who have composed many hymns out of reverence, to the glory of the Mother of our God (see Oct. 3 and 4).

August 24

Cosmas of Aetolia, Equal to the Apostles

Our holy Father Cosmas was from the town of Mega Dendron (Great Tree) of Aetolia. At the age of twenty, he went to study at the school of the Monastery of Vatopedi on the Holy Mountain. Later, he came to the Athonite Monastery of Philotheou where he was tonsured. With the blessing of his abbot, he departed for Constantinople where he learned the art of rhetoric, and thereafter, he began to preach throughout all the regions of northern Greece, the Ionian Islands, but especially in Albania, for the Christian people there were in great ignorance because of the oppression and cruelty of the Moslems. Finally, in 1776, after having greatly strengthened and enlightened the faithful, working many signs and wonders all the while, he was falsely accused by the leaders of the Jewish people and was executed by strangulation by the Moslem Turks in Albania.

Wisdom of the Fathers

The sign that thou lovest God, is this, that thou lovest thy fellow; and if thou hatest thy fellow, thy hatred is towards God. For it is blasphemy if thou prayest before God while thou art wroth. For thy heart also convicts thee, that in vain thou multipliest words: thy conscience rightly judges that in thy prayers thou profitest nought.

St. Ephraim the Syrian

ON ADMONITION AND REPENTANCE.

Wherefore then doth Christ thus reply to him, saying, "There is none good?" Because He came unto Him as a mere man, and one of the common sort, and a Jewish teacher; for this cause then as a man He discourses with him. And indeed in many instances He replies to the secret thoughts of them that come unto Him.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 63 on Matthew 19, 4th Century

'But I say to you,' the Lord says, 'love your enemies; do good to those who hate you, pray for those who persecute you.' Why did he command these things? So that he might free you from hatred, sadness, anger and grudges, and might grant you the greatest possession of all, perfect love, which is impossible to possess except by the one you loves all equally in imitation of God.

St. Maximos the Confessor

Unknown, 7th century

Rise from love of the world and love of pleasure. Put care aside, strip your mind, refuse your body. Prayer, after all, is a turning away from the world, visible and invisible. What have I in heaven? Nothing except simply to cling always to You in undistracted prayer. Wealth pleases some, glory others, possessions others, but what I want is to cling to God and to put the hopes of my dispassion in Him (cf. Ps. 72:25, 28).

St. John Climacus

Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 28: On Prayer; Paulist Press pg. 277, 6th century

Fr. Michael Kontogiorgis, Parish Priest

Apolytikion of Dormition of the Theotokos

First Tone

In birth, you preserved your virginity; in death, you did not abandon the world, O Theotokos. As mother of life, you departed to the source of life, delivering our souls from death by your intercessions.

Kontakion of Dormition of the Theotokos

Second Tone

Church Services

Sunday, August 19

Twelfth Sunday of Matthew
8:50 am - Matins & Divine Liturgy

Sunday, August 26

Thirteenth Sunday of Matthew
8:50 am - Matins & Divine Liturgy

Parish News

The Festival is Here

Greek Festival Happens This Week

The Greek Festival will be held August 18 & 19. Preparations have been underway for weeks. Permits have been obtained, workers assigned, supplies, tents, food ordered. Check out the article in the Winchester Star that was published August 16, 2018 below.

Jill Karalis is this year's Chairwoman. Please remember to check in with Jill if you do not have an assignment and would like to work. Please do not show up at a booth without prior assignment.

All workers are required to follow health and safety regulations without exception.

Thank you to all who have already helped and to those scheduled to help.

Let's make this year's Festival the best one yet.

Winchester Star Article - August 16, 2018

Winchester Greek Festival 2018 Flyer

Church Air Conditioner

Update - An HVAC company that has been highly recommended was brought in and they came up with a solution to our AC issues with the church unit, issues that have been going on for many years. The problem they told us is that there are no return vents from the second pew to the back of the Altar and our existing return vents are not balanced properly (resulting in cold/hot spots throughout the church), among other things. Their solution - install return vents, balance the system and seal a leak in the attic ductwork (that they found was causing an approximate 14% cooled air loss).

That work was recently done. During the course of the work they discovered a damper in the duct work that was redirecting cold air from the front of the church to the rear. They corrected that air flow issue. It took two men working for six hours to do the job.

As a result of that work, the Altar temperatures are more in line with where they need to be. Bear with us as we find a thermostat temperature setting that will work best.

Thanks for your patience all these weeks.

Many Thanks...

Many Thanks...

Dr. George Harris has resigned from the Parish Council as a result of additional duties at the hospital. Many thanks to Dr. George for his years of service.

Philoptochos Outreach Series

September 13th

The first presentation being offered in the Ladies Philoptochos Outreach Series will feature Theresa Hudson, with the FBI and Tom Hickey, with the DEA, SA. They will offer a presentation on Human Trafficking and Drug Trends in the Winchester area. The presentation will be held on Thursday, September 13th, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm, and will take place at the church social hall. Refreshments will be served.

All are welcome. Bring your friends and relatives.

Holy Communion / Church Etiquette

Receiving Holy Communion / Church Etiquette

Just some reminders about receiving Holy Communion when properly prepared to do so.....

As with all the Greek Orthodox Church's Sacraments, Holy Communion is offered to Orthodox Christians who are sacramentally in good standing with the Church. This would mean among other things that if married the wedding took place in the Orthodox Church, if divorced (and were married in the Orthodox Church) an Ecclesiastical Divorce has been obtained, and that you are not under penance placed by a Father Confessor, etc. The Orthodox Church does not practice open Communion.

When approaching the Chalice, please quietly say your Baptismal name as you take the red cloth and place it under your chin.

Also, please open your mouth to allow the communion spoon to enter, and once it has please close your mouth around the spoon to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Please do not sip, as if sipping soup.

Also, don't forget we have a closed-circuit real-time broadcast, with sound, of the services on the monitor in the Social Hall. If your youngster needs a short break please step into the hall until he/she feels ready to rejoin the congregation, while you continue to be able to participate in the service. Thank you.

Please remember that all movement in the church should be curtailed during all processions, the reading of the Epistle/Gospel, the recitation of the Creed and Lord's Prayer and during the sermon, and whenever the priest is facing the congregation (which indicates he is conveying the blessings of God).

Thank you for your attention to these reminders.

If you are married but have not been married in the Orthodox Church, or if divorced and were married in the Orthodox Church and have not received an Ecclesiastical Divorce, please contact Fr. Michael to discuss the process of restoring you back into the Sacramental life of the Church.

Coffee Hour

Everyone is welcome to join in fellowship during the Coffee Hour following the Divine Liturgy on Sundays. If you would like to host a coffee hour, please see the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board next to Father's Study.

The Ladies Philoptochos Society coordinates the hosting of our Coffee Hours. Everyone is welcome to volunteer to host a coffee hour. For more information regarding hosting a Coffee Hour, please contact Kate Conant at (240) 422-0738.

Philoptochos Social Services Outreach

Assistance Needed - Help Us Help You or Those You Know
The Ladies Philoptochos Social Services Committee needs your help. If you need some assistance in getting to medical or other appointments, a ride to church, shopping or financial assistance or would welcome a quick visit just because, or know of anyone who does, the Social Services Committee would like to hear about it. Please let Father Michael know (540-667-1416 or frmichael.dormition@gmail.com) and he will pass it on to the Committee.

This information will be held in the strictest confidence by the Committee and shared with only a select number of Philoptochos members.

Help us reach out to you or those you know who could use a helping hand.

For a comprehensive list of resources in the Metropolitan Winchester area, please click on the link below.

Winchester Community Resources

Altar Servers

Young men between the ages of 10 to 18 are invited to be considered for serving in the Holy Altar. Altar Servers should strive to arrive by 10:00 am. For more information, please see Father Michael.

Cell Phones

Cell phones should be silenced or turned off during Church services. Thank you for remembering.

C-CAP (Congregational Community Action Project)

Please help the less fortunate by donating non-perishable foods, pantry items clothing and baby items. Place your donations in the C-CAP collection bin in the Social Hall. Thank you.

Lending Library

Did you know the Church has a Lending Library?

The books available for borrowing are in the bookcase next to the Gift Shop by the wall. Most of the books on display are available to be borrowed (those not are on a separate shelf which is marked as reference only). Feel free to check out the available books. If interested in borrowing a book, fill out the card in the back of the book and leave it in the basket in the bottom corner. It's the honor system, so once you have read the book, please don't forget to return it so others may borrow it. Happy reading!!!

Calendars for 2018

Wall calendars and pocket icon calendars for 2018 are available in the social hall. If you cannot come to the church, please let us know and we will mail you one.

Parish Calendar

Upcoming liturgical services, meetings and events can be viewed on the parish’s website calendar and are listed in the Sunday bulletin. To view the Parish Calendar Click here.

All parish organizations are requested to coordinate with Father Michael the date and time of proposed meetings and events to help prevent scheduling conflicts. Email bulletin announcements or updates to frmichael.dormition@gmail.com. Everyone's cooperation is appreciated.

Bulletin Submission Guidelines

Bulletin Announcements

Announcements for the Sunday e-bulletin and printed bulletin may be submitted by e-mail to frmichael.dormition@gmail.com. The deadline for announcements is Monday evenings by 8:00 pm for the upcoming bulletin.

All announcements must be in connection with Parish events, activities, fundraisers or community services. Fundraiser and community service announcements must be for non-commercial/non-profit events and activities. Submitted announcements must be furnished as desired for placement and are subject to editing. Submission does not imply acceptance for publication.

All ministries are requested to coordinate with Father Michael, as early as possible, the date and time of proposed meetings and events to prevent scheduling conflicts. E-mail new postings, updates and changes to Father. Everyone's cooperation is expected.

To ensure the privacy of our Parishioners, announcements for births, baptisms, and weddings are not automatically included. The family should make this request to Fr. Michael.

All announcements should be brief and concise including accurate contact information. All submissions are subject to approval for insertion and to editing.

Directions to the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church

We welcome you to worship with us on Sunday and whenever the Divine Liturgy is celebrated. Matins begins at 8:50 am and the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am.

Click here for Google Map & Specific Driving Directions »

DIRECTIONS TO THE DORMITION CHURCH FROM THE NORTH:

1. Proceed south on Interstate 81 South heading toward Winchester
2. Take exit 317 for VA-37/ US-11 toward US-522 N/ US-50 W/ Winchester/ Stephenson (0.3 mi)
3. Turn right at US-11 S/ VA-37 S/ Martinsburg Pike, Continue to follow VA-37 S (3.8 mi)
4. Take the ramp to US-50 E/ Northwestern Pike (0.2 mi)
5. Turn left at US-50 E/ Northwestern Pike, Continue to follow US-50 E (0.6 mi )
6. Turn left at Omps Dr, Continue to entrance of the Church`s parking lot (100 ft)
7. Turn left into the Church`s parking lot.

DIRECTIONS TO THE DORMITION CHURCH FROM THE SOUTH:

1. Proceed north on Interstate 81North heading toward Winchester
2. Take exit 310 for VA-37 toward US-11/VA-642/ Winchester/ Kernstown/ US-50/ US-522/ Berkely Spgs/ Romney (0.2 mi)
3. Turn left at VA-37 N (5.2 mi)
4. Take the US-50 ramp to Winchester/ Romney (0.3 mi)
5. Turn right at US-50 E/ Amherst St (0.5 mi)
6. Turn left at Omps Dr, Continue to entrance of the Church`s parking lot (100 ft)
7. Turn left into the Church`s parking lot.

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Tone

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Dormition in the First Tone

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Tone

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Epistle Reading

Gospel Reading

Saints and Feasts

12th Sunday of Matthew

Andrew the General & Martyr & his 2,593 soldiers

Afterfeast of the Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary

The Holy Apostle Thaddaeus

Apodosis of the Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary

Cosmas of Aetolia, Equal to the Apostles

Wisdom of the Fathers

Fr. Michael Kontogiorgis, Parish Priest

Apolytikion of Dormition of the Theotokos

First Tone

Kontakion of Dormition of the Theotokos

Second Tone

Church Services

Sunday, August 19

Sunday, August 26

Parish News

The Festival is Here

Church Air Conditioner

Many Thanks...

Philoptochos Outreach Series

Holy Communion / Church Etiquette

Coffee Hour

Philoptochos Social Services Outreach

Altar Servers

Cell Phones

C-CAP (Congregational Community Action Project)

Lending Library

Calendars for 2018

Parish Calendar

Bulletin Submission Guidelines

Bulletin Announcements

Directions to the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church