Sunday
Orthros: 7:45am
Divine Liturgy: 9:00am
Weekday/Feast Days
Orthros: 8:00am
Divine Liturgy: 9:00am
Evening Services as Scheduled: 6:00pm
It is a blessing to have you join us today. We hope that as you enter into the house of our Lord, you will be transformed during the Divine Liturgy through the humble prayers of the people, their expressions of faith, the all-praising hymns and the love of Jesus Christ.
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.
to proclaim the Good News of Salvation
through the Orthodox Christian Faith
for the glory of our Triune God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We are a loving community of believers who journey
towards our Lord Jesus Christ and one another through our
WORSHIP, FELLOWSHIP, EDUCATION/SPIRITUAL GROWTH,
WITNESS, and SERVICE.
We invite all people to join us on this journey towards the Kingdom of Heaven.
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.
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.)
Attendance to Sunday and Weekday Divine Liturgies and other Divine Services are important for our spiritual growth and relationship with Christ as Orthodox Christians.
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. You may also visit us online at www.stdemetrios.net and click Donate
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
Ash Azer & Timothy Strong
Potluck Items Appreciated
Festival Baking: Melos
Join us after liturgy in preparing the item our patrons asked for us to bring back to the festival. We need you!
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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 |
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Shut-in |
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Estelle Hieger |
Eleni Rork |
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Mache Fannin |
Sophie Harbert |
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Katina Buster |
Fannie Maulsby |
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James Pendelton |
Ann Tsumpis |
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Ruth Marsh |
Peter Vlahachos |
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Elpis Peters |
Katherine Pattres |
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Mary Nation |
Sannie Haratsis |
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Demetrios & Maria Markos |
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Sick/Recovering |
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Tina Theophilos Stokes |
Patrick Cooney |
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Nick Phiripes |
Peter Angeletos |
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All the world has found in you a victor, a mighty champion in times of danger, a contender in war who turned the nations back. The boastful pride of Lyaios you put to shame, and you inspired Nestor's courage in the stadium. Therefore, great and holy martyr Demetrios, we pray that you implore Christ, our God, and ask that his great mercy may be granted us.
Μέγαν εὕρατο ἐv τοῖς κιvδύvοις, σὲ ὑπέρμαχοv, ἡ οἰκουμένη, Ἀθλοφόρε τὰ ἔθνη τροπούμενον. Ὡς οὖν Λυαίου καθεῖλες τὴν ἔπαρσιν, ἐν τῷ σταδίῳ θαῤῥύvας τὸν Νέστορα, οὕτως Ἅγιε, Μεγαλομάρτυς Δημήτριε, Χριστὸν τὸν Θεὸν ἱκέτευε, δωρήσασθαι ἡμῖν τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.
Prokeimenon. Plagal Fourth Mode. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.
The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 3:9-17.
Brethren, we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it. For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw - each man's work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If any one destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and that temple you are.
Προκείμενον. Plagal Fourth Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 75.11,1.
Εὔξασθε καὶ ἀπόδοτε Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν.
Στίχ. Γνωστὸς ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ ὁ Θεός, ἐν τῷ Ἰσραὴλ μέγα τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ.
τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Κορινθίους α' 3:9-17.
Ἀδελφοί, Θεοῦ γάρ ἐσμεν συνεργοί· θεοῦ γεώργιον, θεοῦ οἰκοδομή ἐστε. Κατὰ τὴν χάριν τοῦ θεοῦ τὴν δοθεῖσάν μοι, ὡς σοφὸς ἀρχιτέκτων θεμέλιον τέθεικα, ἄλλος δὲ ἐποικοδομεῖ. Ἕκαστος δὲ βλεπέτω πῶς ἐποικοδομεῖ. Θεμέλιον γὰρ ἄλλον οὐδεὶς δύναται θεῖναι παρὰ τὸν κείμενον, ὅς ἐστιν Ἰησοῦς Χριστός. Εἰ δέ τις ἐποικοδομεῖ ἐπὶ τὸν θεμέλιον τοῦτον χρυσόν, ἄργυρον, λίθους τιμίους, ξύλα, χόρτον, καλάμην, ἑκάστου τὸ ἔργον φανερὸν γενήσεται· ἡ γὰρ ἡμέρα δηλώσει, ὅτι ἐν πυρὶ ἀποκαλύπτεται· καὶ ἑκάστου τὸ ἔργον ὁποῖόν ἐστιν τὸ πῦρ δοκιμάσει. Εἴ τινος τὸ ἔργον μένει ὃ ἐποικοδόμησεν, μισθὸν λήψεται. Εἴ τινος τὸ ἔργον κατακαήσεται, ζημιωθήσεται· αὐτὸς δὲ σωθήσεται, οὕτως δὲ ὡς διὰ πυρός. Οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι ναὸς θεοῦ ἐστε, καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ θεοῦ οἰκεῖ ἐν ὑμῖν; Εἴ τις τὸν ναὸν τοῦ θεοῦ φθείρει, φθερεῖ τοῦτον ὁ θεός· ὁ γὰρ ναὸς τοῦ θεοῦ ἅγιός ἐστιν, οἵτινές ἐστε ὑμεῖς.
9th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 14:22-34
At that time, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately he spoke to them, saying "Take heart, it is I; have no fear."
And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they entered the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret.
9th Sunday of Matthew
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 14:22-34
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἠνάγκασεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς τοὺς μαθητὰς ἐμβῆναι εἰς τὸ πλοῖον καὶ προάγειν αὐτὸν εἰς τὸ πέραν, ἕως οὗ ἀπολύσῃ τοὺς ὄχλους. Καὶ ἀπολύσας τοὺς ὄχλους ἀνέβη εἰς τὸ ὄρος κατ᾽ ἰδίαν προσεύξασθαι. ὀψίας δὲ γενομένης μόνος ἦν ἐκεῖ. Τὸ δὲ πλοῖον ἤδη σταδίους πολλοὺς ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς ἀπεῖχεν, βασανιζόμενον ὑπὸ τῶν κυμάτων, ἦν γὰρ ἐναντίος ὁ ἄνεμος. Τετάρτῃ δὲ φυλακῇ τῆς νυκτὸς ἦλθεν πρὸς αὐτοὺς περιπατῶν ἐπὶ τὴν θάλασσαν. Οἱ δὲ μαθηταὶ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης περιπατοῦντα ἐταράχθησαν λέγοντες ὅτι Φάντασμά ἐστιν, καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ φόβου ἔκραξαν. Εὐθὺς δὲ ἐλάλησεν [ὁ ᾽Ιησοῦς] αὐτοῖς λέγων, Θαρσεῖτε, ἐγώ εἰμι· μὴ φοβεῖσθε. Ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ Πέτρος εἶπεν, Κύριε, εἰ σὺ εἶ, κέλευσόν με ἐλθεῖν πρὸς σὲ ἐπὶ τὰ ὕδατα· ὁ δὲ εἶπεν, ᾽Ελθέ. καὶ καταβὰς ἀπὸ τοῦ πλοίου ὁ Πέτρος περιεπάτησεν ἐπὶ τὰ ὕδατα καὶ ἦλθεν πρὸς τὸν ᾽Ιησοῦν. Βλέπων δὲ τὸν ἄνεμον ἐφοβήθη, καὶ ἀρξάμενος καταποντίζεσθαι ἔκραξεν λέγων, Κύριε, σῶσόν με. Εὐθέως δὲ ὁ ᾽Ιησοῦς ἐκτείνας τὴν χεῖρα ἐπελάβετο αὐτοῦ καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ, ᾽Ολιγόπιστε, εἰς τί ἐδίστασας; καὶ ἀναβάντων αὐτῶν εἰς τὸ πλοῖον ἐκόπασεν ὁ ἄνεμος. Οἱ δὲ ἐν τῷ πλοίῳ προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ λέγοντες, ᾽Αληθῶς Θεοῦ υἱὸς εἶ. Καὶ διαπεράσαντες ἦλθον ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν εἰς Γεννησαρέτ.
Saint Callinicus was from Cilicia. Because he preached Christ and turned many pagans away from the idols, he was seized by Sacerdon the Governor, who subjected him to many tortures, then had him shod with shoes in which nails had been fixed upright, and compelled him to run to the city of Gangra, where he was burned alive in a furnace.
Saint Silas was a companion and fellow labourer of the Apostle Paul: "And Paul chose Silas and departed...and he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches" (Acts 15:40-41). He later became Bishop of Corinth, and reposed in peace. Saint Silvanos became Bishop of Thessalonica, and also reposed in peace. Saint Crescents, whom Saint Paul mentions in his Second Epistle to Timothy(4:10), became Bishop of Chalcedon, and brought many to the Faith. As for him whom the Apostle of the Nations praises as "my well-beloved Epenetus, the first-fruits of Achaia unto Christ" (Roman 16:5), he became Bishop of Carthage, and after enduring many afflictions from the idolators, and bringing many of them to Christ, he departed to the Lord.
Saint Joseph of Arimathea was a prominent Jewish leader during the time of Jesus Christ. He is mentioned in the Gospels as being a rich man from Armiathea who was a secret disciple of Christ due to his status in the Sanhedrin. After the crucifixion and death of our Lord, Joseph approached Pontius Pilate out of piety and asked for the body of Jesus so that he might bury it honorably. He, together with Saint Nicodemus, removed the body of Christ from the cross in the presence of the Theotokos and the Myrrh-Bearing Women, wrapped it in a linen shroud, anointed it with spices, and laid it in a new tomb that he owned. This disciple later traveled the world proclaiming the Gospel until he reposed in peace in England. The Church commemorates him individually on July 31st and along with the Myrrh-Bearing Women and Nicodemus on the 3rd Sunday of Pascha (the Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-Bearers).
Saint Phocas was a gardener in a small village on the south coast of the Black Sea. He lived a simple life, carrying out acts of piety and love for all around him, even serving the pagans of the village, some of who left their ways and followed Christ. The local governor heard of this and sent soldiers to kill him. The saint stumbled upon these very soldiers and, without disclosing his name, ministered to them by receiving them into his home, feeding them, and giving them rest. That night he dug a grave for himself in his garden and prepared for all his possessions to be given away after his death.
The next morning, Phocas disclosed to the soldiers that it was he whom they were seeking to kill. The soldiers were distraught, not wanting to kill the saint who had shown them so much kindness. Phocas insisted that they must carry out their mission as he willingly laid his head beneath the sword. They proceeded to execute him and then bury him in the grave he dug in his garden. The site later became a source of miracles, and eventually a Church was erected upon it. Saint Phocas is frequently invoked for those who travel by sea. His life was recorded by Saint Asterius of Amasia (see October 10th).
NEEDED: Feast Day Flowers for the Panagia $175
DONATED: Feast Day Luncheon by Dennis & Morfoula Mouzakis & Dina Panagopoulos
THANK YOU!!!!!!
A JOYOUS THANK YOU !!!!!
So many of you have made or pledged to make donations to the Consecration of St. Demetrios.
Your contributions are critical to the efforts of consecrating our St. Demetrios Church. If you have not yet made a donation and would like to, please contact Fr. Nicholas Hadzellis at frnicholas@stdemetrios.net or 617-530-0885.
Please remember we need all donations to be made by August 1st. THANK YOU!
| Donated | Pledged |
| Stacey Adamopoulos | Michael Adamopoulos |
| Paul & Melissa Adamopoulos | |
| George Alexandrides | |
| Anthe Anagnostis | |
| Anonymous (2) | |
| Sarah Jo Antonio | |
| Dr. Cliff & Marina Beasley | |
| Jim & Mary Kay Bishop | Jim & Mary Kay Bishop |
| St. Barbara's Philoptochos Chapter | |
| Irene & Jim Cline | |
| Deborah Connor | |
| Michael & Jenna Copeland | |
| Dimitra & Jim Cudd | |
| Leonidas Diamantopoulos | |
| Peter & Joanie Doas | |
| Jim & Kathy Drury | |
| Mark & Susan Enterline | |
| Bakintas & Greene Families | |
| Dina Panagopoulos & Family | |
| Gus Galanis | |
| Ken & Maggie George | |
| Michelle Gutt | |
| Fr. John & Candice Haby | |
| Michael & Soula Hadjikirakos | |
| Katherine, Pelagia, Nicholas & Paraskevi Hadzellis | |
| Sophie Harbert | |
| Luis & Evagelia Hernandez | |
| Phil & LeeAnn Hieger | |
| Biji & George Johnnidis | |
| Maria & Derek Johnson | |
| George & Sonya Kallinikos | |
| Kosta & Marina Katzianis | |
| Mary Kime | |
| Chris & Marrlen Kime | |
| Matthew Lee | |
| Mary Mayo | |
| Sandra & Gary McClellan | |
| Stathis & Laura Michaelides | |
| Walter & Toni Miller | |
| Dennis & Mourfoula Mouzakis | |
| Connie Nixon | |
| Caleb & Ellen Palmer | |
| Dean & Christine Panagopoulos | |
| Dina Panagopoulos | |
| Peter & Sharmie Panagopoulos | |
| Panagiotis, Sarah Elizabeth, Constance & Katherine Panagopoulos | |
| Taso Panagopoulos | |
| Tom & Anna Panagopoulos | |
| Dino & Kari Panagopoulos | |
| Tom & Dolly Peters | |
| Elaine & Chuck Reidl | |
| John & Kaity Sempeles | |
| Lemonia & David Shaw | |
| Elias & Samia Shiber | |
| Carol & Adam Siegel | |
| Bessie Sparto | |
| Georgia & Dino Sparto | |
| Angelo Spelios | |
| Brenda Stearns | |
| Dianne Thodos | |
| Yvonne Travis | |
| Nick & Stephanie Tsumpis | |
| Ernie & Mary Valamides | |
| George & Janice Vardakis | |
| Gloria Vardakis | |
| Sean, Angela & Christopher Wilson | |
| Chris & Cathy Xydas | |
| Michael Zanetakis | |
| Angela Zureikat |
| July | Time | |||
| 29 | Melos | After Liturgy | ||
| August | ||||
| 4 | Spanakopita | 9:00am | ||
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5 6 |
Spanakopita Spanakopita |
After Liturgy After Liturgy |
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| 24 | Pastitsio Meat Browning | 9:00am | ||
| 26 | Pastitsio | After Liturgy | ||
| September | ||||
| 11 | Rolls | 9:00am | ||
| 15 | Tyropita | 9:00am | ||
| 16 | Tyropita | After Liturgy | ||
| 28 | Moussaka | 9:00am | ||
| 29 | Moussaka | 9:00am | ||
| 30 | Moussaka | After Liturgy | ||
| October | ||||
| 9 | Nut Chopping | 9:00am | ||
| 16 | Kourambiethes | 9:00am | ||
| 20 | Baklava | 9:00am | ||
| 21 | Baklava | After Liturgy | ||
| 31 | Melo Dipping | 9:00am | ||
| November | ||||
| 2 | Triogina | 9:00am | ||
| 3 | Karithopita & Ekmek | 9:00am | ||
| 4 | Assortments | After Liturgy | ||
| 6 | Bread | 9:00am | ||
| 7 | Souvlaki Prep | 6:30pm | ||
| 8 | Shrimp & Saganaki Prep | Anytime | ||
SUNDAY, AUGUST 12, 2018 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.
It's THAT time again Parents!!!
Time to Register for Sunday Church School!!!
We need all students to be registered no later than August 12th!
Please visit www.stdemetrios.net and sign them up!
We have LOTS of movement this year, so please help us out and register by August 12th.
Questions, contact Presvytera Shyla at 617-530-0884.
THANK YOU!
Prosfora: Open
9th Sunday of Matthew
7:30AM usher:Ash Azer, Tim Strong
7:45AM Orthros
9:00AM Divine Liturgy
11:00AM Festival Baking: MELOS
Silas, Silvan, Crescens, Epenetus and Andronicus the Apostles of the 70
9:00AM Meals on Wheels: Kypreos
Forefeast of the Precious Cross
9:00AM Meals on Wheels- Marrlen Kime
The Holy Seven Maccabee Children, Solomone Their Mother, and Eleazar Their Teacher
9:00AM Meals on Wheels: Fr. Nicholas
11:00AM Paraklesis service
Translation of the Relics of Stephen the Protomartyr
9:00AM Meals on Wheels Chris & Cathy Xydas
6:00PM Paraklesis Service
Isaacius, Dalmatus, & Faustus, Ascetics of the Dalmation Monastery
9:00AM Meals on Wheels-Chelsey Papadopoulos
11:00AM Paraklesis Service
Seven Holy Youths of Ephesus
9:00AM Festival Baking: SPANA
Prosphoro- Marina Beasley
10th Sunday of Matthew
7:30AM ushers :Jenna Copeland, Paul Adamopoulos
7:45AM Orthros
9:00AM Divine Liturgy
11:00AM Festival Baking: SPANA
11:00AM Fellowship Hour: Pot luck
4:45PM Great vespers
Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
8:00AM Orthros
9:00AM Divine Liturgy
9:00AM Meals on Wheels: Open
Afterfeast of the Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
9:00AM Meals on Wheels- Marrlen Kime
5:00PM Paraklesis Service
6:30PM Parish Council Meeting
Emilian the Confessor & Bishop of Cyzikos
9:00AM Meals on Wheels- Biji Johnnides & Anna Panagopoulos
11:00AM Paraklesis Service
The Holy Apostle Matthias
9:00AM Meals on Wheels:
9:00AM Meals on Wheels: Megan Hieger
6:00PM Paraklesis Service
Laurence the Holy Martyr & Archdeacon of Rome
9:00AM Meals on Wheels: Chelsey Papadopoulos
9:00AM Meals on Wheels: Kaity Sempeles
11:00AM Paraklesis Service
Euplus the Holy Martyr & Archdeacon of Cantania
9:00AM TENTATIVE: moving back into church
Prosfora: Open
11th Sunday of Matthew
7:30AM ushers:Stephan Papadopoulos,Gus Galanis
7:45AM Orthros
9:00AM Divine Liturgy
10:30AM Blessing of the Backpacks
11:00AM 40 Day Memorial Richard Lewis
11:00AM Fellowship Hour: Jones Family
12:30PM Greek Senior Dance Practice
Apodosis of the Transfiguration
July 25, 2018
WASHINGTON – His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America held today in the Cathedral of Saint Sophia a memorial service for the fire victims in Eastern Attica, Greece. The Archbishop is in the Nation’s Capital on the invitation of the Secretary of State of the United States, Mike Pompeo, to attend and participate in the first-ever Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom (a separate release will cover this event), held in the State Department, July 24-25, 2018.
The Archbishop also prayed for the repose of the soul of Protopresbyter Spyridon Papapostolou, who was among the victims of the fires and was a personal friend of the Archbishop. Fr. Spyridon served for many years as proistamenos of the Church of Saint Nicholas in Halandri, a suburb of Athens. He also had a direct connection with the Cathedral of Saint Sophia in Washington, as his brother Harilaos Papapostolou of blessed memory served for many years as the master chanter and choir leader of the Cathedral.
Attending the memorial were the representative of the Embassy of Greece in Washington First Consellor Dimitrios Angelosopoulos, Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Andrew Manatos, and others.
Following the memorial trisagion the Archbishop stated: “We conducted a memorial service for the eternal memory and repose of the souls of the innocent people who lost their lives in this unprecedented fire in Eastern Attica. We also prayed for God’s help and comfort and solace to the families of victims. This was an event of extraordinary proportions, of speed and intensity not seen before. We understand the great difficulties the Greek State will face in its effort to repair, compensate and rebuild all that was destroyed, and in this effort, we, as the Greek Orthodox Church here in America, are willing to help in any way possible so that wounds and traumas caused by this terrible disaster may heal as quickly as possible. We believe that God will help and support the efforts to revitalize the afflicted areas but mostly to strengthen and offer solace to the people.”
== 30 ==
July 24, 2018
Protocol Number 127/18
Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God;
Yes, I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand
(Is. 41:10).
To the Clergy and the Faithful of the Holy Archdiocese of America
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We all have learned of the devastating fires in Attica, Greece that have claimed the lives of dozens of people, injured many others, and destroyed countless homes and properties. We are filled with agony and pain as we watch the horrifying images and hear the tragic stories coming from Greece.
On behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Holy Archdiocese of America we share the sorrow of our beloved people of Greece and we offer our fervent prayers. May our merciful Lord grant eternal life to those who perished and courage to those who survived.
As Orthodox Christians we must offer hope and support. Therefore, on Sunday, July 29, 2018, we ask all of the parishes of our Holy Archdiocese to offer a special Memorial Service for those who have lost their lives to this tragedy. Additionally, we ask that our parishes take a special collection on this Sunday, July 29, and on Sunday, August 5, dedicated to an effort to bring comfort, aid, and hope to those whose homes and communities have been destroyed. All collections, either from parishes or individuals, should be sent payable to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese (8 East 79th Street, NY, NY 10075) and designated for the Attica fires Relief Fund. Our prayers and our gifts of love will assist those in need and will also be a witness of the strong bonds of Faith and heritage that we share with the people of Greece, especially in this time of tragedy.
Knowing the boundless generosity and love of you, the faithful of America, we are confident that you will respond most generously to this appeal to help heal the pain of the Greek people. They will need the assistance now and in the future to recover from this devastating tragedy.
With paternal love in Christ,
† DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America
July 24, 2018
NEW YORK – The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America expresses its deep sorrow and agony for the disastrous fires in eastern Attica, Greece, which yesterday, July 23, 2018, destroyed inhabited areas and woodland, caused the loss of life of dozens of our fellow human beings, injured many others, and devastated homes and property. There is currently a significant number of missing persons.
“I express my sincere condolences to the people of Greece for this unexpected tragedy. As Greek Orthodox in America, we stand by and with our affected brothers and sisters in Greece and we fervently pray to God for the families impacted by this tragic calamity. We hope that favorable conditions will soon be restored for the return of life and progress in the destroyed areas,” said His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America.
The Archbishop sent letters of condolence to the President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Prime Minister of Greece Alexis Tsipras, Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece, Metropolitan Nikolaos of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki, and Metropolitan Kyrillos of Kifissia, Amaroussion and Oropos.
In addition, Archbishop Demetrios wrote an Encyclical to the reverend clergy and the faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, asking them to hold a prayer service this Sunday, July 29, 2018 for the health, relief and support of the fire victims, and to offer a special memorial service for those who have lost their lives to this tragedy.
In the same Encyclical, the Archbishop asks the parishes to conduct a special fundraiser (to pass a special tray) on the following two Sundays to alleviate the suffering victims and offer help and hope to those whose homes and fortunes have been totally destroyed. All offers and contributions of either parishes or individuals should be sent payable to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America with a memo indicating Attica Fires Relief Fund.
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