Publish-header
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2018-11-18
Bulletin Contents
Welcome to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
At St. Demetrios
Hymns of the Day
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Saints and Feasts
Ministry News
News in Orthodoxy
St. Demetrios Ministry Calendar
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News
Platon
Organization Icon
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (817)626-5578
  • Fax:
  • (817)626-5073
  • Street Address:

  • 2020 NW 21st St.

  • Fort Worth, TX 76164-7708

Contact Information

Main Office Samia


admin@stdemetrios.net | 8176265578

Parish Priest Fr. Nicholas


frnicholas@stdemetrios.net | 6175300885

Services Schedule

Sunday

Orthros: 8:00am

Divine Liturgy: 9:00am

Weekday/Feast Days

Orthros: 8:00am

Divine Liturgy: 9:00am

Evening Services as Scheduled: 6:00pm

Past Bulletins


Welcome to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church

Christ is in our midst!

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.

 

The Mission of St. Demetrios 

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.

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

Attendance to Sunday and Weekday Divine Liturgies and other Divine Services are 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. You may also visit us online at www.stdemetrios.net and click Donate

 

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 

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At St. Demetrios

PARISH COUNCIL USHERS

Paul Adamopoulos & Christine Panagopoulos


TODAY AT ST. DEMETRIOS

Daily Bread:

"Making homelessness rare, short-term, and nonrecurring
in Fort Worth" Tara Perez with City of Fort Worth

 


Please pray for us!

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

Shut-in

Estelle Hieger

Eleni Rork

Mache Fannin

Sophie Harbert

Katina Buster

 Fannie Maulsby

James Pendelton

Ann Tsumpis

Ruth Marsh

Peter Vlahachos

Elpis Peters

Katherine Pattres

Mary Nation

Sannie Haratsis 

 

 Demetrios & Maria Markos

Sick/Recovering

Tina Theophilos Stokes

  Patrick Cooney

 Nick Phiripes

  Peter Angeletos

 

  

 

 

St. Demetrios Online

To Go to our St. Demetrios Webpage

To Visit our St. Demetrios Facebook Page

To Visit our Suunday Church School Facebook

To Visit our Greek Festival Facebook

To download the complete Vespers, Orthros and Special Hymns


Fellowship Hour

St. Demetrios Pot Luck


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

From on High did You descend, O merciful Lord, for us did You endure, three days in the tomb that we may be, released from passions in this world, You who are our resurrection and our life Glory unto You O Lord.
Ἐξ ὕψους κατῆλθες ὁ εὔσπλαγχνος, ταφὴν καταδέξω τριήμερον, ἵνα ἡμᾶς ἐλευθερώσῃς τῶν παθῶν. Ἡ ζωὴ καὶ ἡ Ἀνάστασις ἡμῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.

Apolytikion for Great Martyr Plato in the Fourth Mode

Thy Martyrs, O Lord, in their courageous contest for Thee received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since they possessed Thy strength, they cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons' strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by their prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.
Οι Μάρτυρές σου, Κύριε, εν τή αθλήσει αυτών, στεφάνους εκομίσαντο τής αφθαρσίας, εκ σού τού Θεού ημών, σχόντες γάρ τήν ισχύν σου, τούς τυράννους καθείλον, έθραυσαν καί δαιμόνων, τά ανίσχυρα θράση. Αυτών ταίς ικεσίαις, Χριστέ ο Θεός, σώσον τάς ψυχάς ημών.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

Today, the most pure temple of the Savior, the precious bridal chamber and Virgin, the sacred treasure of God, enters the house of the Lord, bringing the grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God praise her. She is the heavenly tabernacle.
Ο καθαρώτατος ναός τού Σωτήρος, η πολυτίμητος παστάς καί Παρθένος, τό Ιερόν θησαύρισμα τής δόξης τού Θεού, σήμερον εισάγεται, εν τώ οίκω Κυρίου, τήν χάριν συνεισάγουσα, τήν εν Πνευματι θείω, ήν ανυμνούσιν Άγγελοι Θεού, Αύτη υπάρχει σκηνή επουράνιος.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

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 Letter to the Ephesians 4:1-7.

Brethren, I, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.

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 Ἐφεσίους 4:1-7.

Ἀδελφοί, παρακαλῶ οὖν ὑμᾶς ἐγώ, ὁ δέσμιος ἐν κυρίῳ, ἀξίως περιπατῆσαι τῆς κλήσεως ἧς ἐκλήθητε, μετὰ πάσης ταπεινοφροσύνης καὶ πρᾳότητος, μετὰ μακροθυμίας, ἀνεχόμενοι ἀλλήλων ἐν ἀγάπῃ, σπουδάζοντες τηρεῖν τὴν ἑνότητα τοῦ πνεύματος ἐν τῷ συνδέσμῳ τῆς εἰρήνης. Ἓν σῶμα καὶ ἓν πνεῦμα, καθὼς καὶ ἐκλήθητε ἐν μιᾷ ἐλπίδι τῆς κλήσεως ὑμῶν· εἷς κύριος, μία πίστις, ἓν βάπτισμα, εἷς θεὸς καὶ πατὴρ πάντων, ὁ ἐπὶ πάντων, καὶ διὰ πάντων, καὶ ἐν πᾶσιν ἡμῖν. Ἑνὶ δὲ ἑκάστῳ ἡμῶν ἐδόθη ἡ χάρις κατὰ τὸ μέτρον τῆς δωρεᾶς τοῦ Χριστοῦ.

Gospel Reading

9th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 12:16-21

The Lord said this parable: "The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' And he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." As he said these things, he cried out: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

9th Sunday of Luke
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 12:16-21

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην· Ἀνθρώπου τινὸς πλουσίου εὐφόρησεν ἡ χώρα· καὶ διελογίζετο ἐν ἑαυτῷ λέγων· τί ποιήσω, ὅτι οὐκ ἔχω ποῦ συνάξω τοὺς καρπούς μου; καὶ εἶπε· τοῦτο ποιήσω· καθελῶ μου τὰς ἀποθήκας καὶ μείζονας οἰκοδομήσω, καὶ συνάξω ἐκεῖ πάντα τὰ γενήματά μου καὶ τὰ ἀγαθά μου, καὶ ἐρῶ τῇ ψυχῇ μου· ψυχή, ἔχεις πολλὰ ἀγαθὰ κείμενα εἰς ἔτη πολλά· ἀναπαύου, φάγε, πίε, εὐφραίνου. εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ Θεός· ἄφρον, ταύτῃ τῇ νυκτὶ τὴν ψυχήν σου ἀπαιτοῦσιν ἀπὸ σοῦ· ἃ δὲ ἡτοίμασας τίνι ἔσται; οὕτως ὁ θησαυρίζων ἑαυτῷ, καὶ μὴ εἰς Θεὸν πλουτῶν.

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Wisdom of the Fathers

I cannot be silent about the story of Hesychius the Horebite. He passed his life in complete negligence, without paying the least attention to his soul. Then he became extremely ill, and for an hour he left his body.
St. John Climacus
Ladder of Divine Ascent. Step 6: On Remembrance of Death, 6th Century

And when he came to himself, he begged us all to leave him immediately. And he built up the door of his cell, and he stayed in it for twelve years without ever uttering a word to anyone, and without eating anything but bread and water.
St. John Climacus
Ladder of Divine Ascent. Step 6: On Remembrance of Death, 6th Century

Take heed, then, often to come together to give thanks to God, and show forth His praise. For when ye assemble frequently in the same place, the powers of Satan are destroyed, and the destruction at which he aims is prevented by the unity of your faith.
St. Ignatius of Antioch
Epistle to the Ephesians Ch. 13, 2nd century

It is only when in the darkness of this world we discern that Christ has already "filled all things with Himself" that these things, whatever they may be, are revealed and given to us full of meaning and beauty. A Christian is one who, wherever he looks, finds Christ and rejoices in Him.
Fr. Alexander Schmemann
For the Life of the World, p. 113, 20th century

Just as the Fathers lay down that perfect love knows no sin, so I for my part declare that a perfect sense of death is free from fear ... The remembrance of death, like all other blessings, is a gift of God- He who has died to all things remembers death ...
St. John Climacus
Ladder of Divine Ascent. Step 6: On Remembrance of Death, 6th Century

So by his true and praise-worthy repentance the Lord showed us that even after long negligence He accepts those who desire to amend. The remembrance of death and sins precedes weeping and mourning ... The remembrance of death is a daily death ...
St. John Climacus
Ladder of Divine Ascent. Step 6: On Remembrance of Death, 6th Century

We were amazed to see that one who had before been so negligent was so suddenly transfigured by this blessed change and transformation. We reverently buried him in the cemetery near the fort and after some days we looked for his holy relics, but did not find them.
St. John Climacus
Ladder of Divine Ascent. Step 6: On Remembrance of Death, 6th Century

The thought of death is the most necessary of all works ... He who hourly yields himself to it is a saint- insensibility of heart dulls the mind, and abundance of food dries the fountains of tears ...
St. John Climacus
Ladder of Divine Ascent. Step 6: On Remembrance of Death, 6th Century

But when he was about to die, we broke open the door and went in, and after many questions this alone was all we heard from him: 'Forgive me! No one who has acquired the remembrance of death will ever be able to sin.'
St. John Climacus
Ladder of Divine Ascent. Step 6: On Remembrance of Death, 6th Century

And, always remaining motionless, he was so wrapt in spirit in what he had seen in his ecstasy that he never changed his place but was always as if out of his mind, and silently shed hot tears.
St. John Climacus
Ladder of Divine Ascent. Step 6: On Remembrance of Death, 6th Century

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Saints and Feasts

Platon
November 18

Plato the Great Martyr of Ancyra

Saint Plato contested in martyrdom in 266, when Agrippinus was proconsul. He was from the city of Ancyra in the province of Galatia.

November 19

Obadiah the Prophet

The Divine Scriptures do not tell us with any certainty when the Prophet Obadiah lived nor what was his homeland. Thus, some say that he is that Obadiah who was Ahab's steward, who, because of Jezebel's wrath, hid one hundred prophets in a cave and fed them with bread and water (III Kings 18:4), and that he later became a disciple of Elias the Prophet about 903 B.C. But others surmise from the words of the same prophetical book that he is somewhat later than Joel (celebrated on Oct. 19). He is also called Obdiu, or Abdiu, or Obadiah; his name means "servant of God." His book of prophecy, which consists of only one chapter, is ranked fourth among the minor Prophets.

November 20

Gregory the Righteous of Decapolis

Saint Gregory who was from Irenopolis of the Decapolis of Asia Minor, was the son of Sergius and Mary. He became a monk as a young man, and after struggling for many years in virtue and prayer under obedience to a wise spiritual father, he was informed by revelation that it was the will of God for him to live, like the Patriarch Abraham, with no certain dwelling, moving from place to place. His journeyings took him to Ephesus, Constantinople, Corinth, Rome, Sicily, Thessalonica, and again to Constantinople, where, after many labours in defence of Orthodoxy against Iconoclasm, he reposed in peace in the first half of the ninth century. He had two disciples, one of whom was Saint Joseph the Hymnographer (see Apr. 3), who wrote the Menaion service for Saint Gregory, his father in Christ.

Vmentrnc
November 21

The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

According to the tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was brought to the Temple at three years of age, where she was consecrated to God and spent her days until she was fourteen or fifteen years old; and then, as a mature maiden, by the common counsel of the priests (since her parents had reposed some three years before), she was betrothed to Joseph.

November 22

Archippus the Apostle, Philemon the Apostle & his wife, Apphia, Onesimos the Disciple of Paul

Philemon, who was from Colossae, a city of Phrygia, was a man both wealthy and noble; Apphia was his wife. Archippus became Bishop of the Church in Colossae. All three were disciples of the Apostle Paul. Onesimus, who was formerly an unbeliever and slave of Philemon, stole certain of his vessels and fled to Rome. However, on finding him there, the Apostle Paul guided him onto the path of virtue and the knowledge of the truth, and sent him back to his master Philemon, to whom he wrote an epistle (this is one of the fourteen epistles of Saint Paul). In this epistle, Paul commended Onesimus to his master and reconciled the two. Onesimus was later made a bishop; in Greece he is honoured as the patron Saint of the imprisoned. All these Saints received their end by martyrdom, when they were stoned to death by the idolaters. Saint Onesimus is also commemorated on February 15.

Amphilochios
November 23

Amphilochius, Bishop of Iconium

Saint Amphilochius, who was born in Cappadocia, shone forth in asceticism and divine knowledge even from his youth. He was consecrated Bishop of Iconium in 341, he struggled courageously against the blasphemies of Eunomius, Macedonius the enemy of the Holy Spirit, and the followers of Arius. He was present at the Second Ecumenical Council of the 150 Fathers, which took place in Constantinople, convoked during the reign of Theodosius the Great in the year 381. In 383 Amphilochius wished to persuade the Emperor Theodosius to forbid the Arians from gathering in Constantinople and to commit the churches to the Orthodox, but the Emperor was reluctant to do such a thing. The next time that Amphilochius entered the palace, he addressed Theodosius with proper honour, but slighted his young son Arcadius in his presence. Theodosius was indignant, and said the dishonour shown to his son was equally an insult to himself. To this Saint Amphilochius answered that as he would not suffer an insult to his son, so he ought to believe that God is wroth with those who blaspheme His Only-begotten. Saint Theodosius understood and admired Amphilochius' ingenious device, and he issued the desired edict in September of the same year. Saint Amphilochius, having reached deep old age, reposed in peace about the year 395. Saint Basil the Great wrote many letters to Saint Amphilochius, his friend and Fellow champion of the Faith, and at his request wrote his treatise On the Holy Spirit, which besides demonstrating the divinity of the Holy Spirit and His equality with the Father and the Son, defends the Church's unwritten ancient traditions, such as making the sign of the Cross, turning towards the East in prayer, no kneeling on Sunday, and so forth.

November 24

Our Holy Father Clement, Pope of Rome

Saint Clement was instructed in the Faith of Christ by the Apostle Peter. He became Bishop of Rome in the year 91, the third after the death of the Apostles. He died as a martyr about the year 100 during the reign of Trajan.

Katherin
November 25

Catherine the Great Martyr of Alexandria

Saint Catherine, who was from Alexandria, was the daughter of Constas (or Cestus). She was an exceedingly beautiful maiden, most chaste, and illustrious in wealth, lineage, and learning. By her steadfast understanding, she utterly vanquished the passionate and unbridled soul of Maximinus, the tyrant of Alexandria; and by her eloquence, she stopped the mouths of the so-called philosophers who had been gathered to dispute with her. She was crowned with the crown of martyrdom in the year 305. Her holy relics were taken by Angels to the holy mountain of Sinai, where they were discovered many years later; the famous monastery of Saint Catherine was originally dedicated to the Holy Transfiguration of the Lord and the Burning Bush, but later was dedicated to Saint Catherine. According to the ancient usage, Saints Catherine and Mercurius were celebrated on the 24th of this month, whereas the holy Hieromartyrs Clement of Rome and Peter of Alexandria were celebrated on the 25th. The dates of the feasts of these Saints were interchanged at the request of the Church and Monastery of Mount Sinai, so that the festival of Saint Catherine, their patron, might be celebrated more festively together with the Apodosis of the Feast of the Entry of the Theotokos. The Slavic Churches, however, commemorate these Saints on their original dates.

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Ministry News

Daily Bread Ministry

Mission:  To Spread Our Faith Through Good Works and Fighting Hunger in Our Local Community

The Daily Bread Ministry serves meals at the Presbyterian Night Shelter for the homeless on 1st and 4th Wednesdays of the month.  Please come serve.

On November 18th, we will have a guest speaker from the Fort Worth city council, Tara Perez, who is coordinating efforts to eliminate homelessness in Tarrant County.  Tara will speak to the entire Parish about where St. Demetrios can help in this effort. Please make every effort to attend this important discussion.

SCHEDULE

Wednesday Nov  28th    5:20PM – 6:30PMPresbyterian Night Shelter*

 

*The Presbyterian Night Shelter is a homeless shelter located at 2320 Poplar St. Fort Worth, TX 76113 817-632-7408 (website: http://www.journeyhome.org/).  We will meet at the Shelter at 5:10PM (gated parking is available on N. Kentucky Ave—one street over) and serve dinner at 5:20PM.  Please contact John Sempeles (682-215-3151, dfwgrimlock@yahoo.com) if interested.

 


Fellowship Hour

Accepting the task of hospitality, the patriarch [Abraham] used to sit at the entrance to his tent (cf. Gen. 18:1), inviting all who passed by, and his table was laden for all comers including the impious and barbarians, without distinction. Hence he was found worthy of that wonderful banquet when he received angels and the Master of all as guests. We too, then, should actively and eagerly cultivate hospitality, so that we may receive not only angels, but also God Himself. "For inasmuch," says the Lord, "as you have done it to one of the least of these My brethren, you have done it unto Me" (Matt. 25:40). It is good to be generous to all, especially to those who cannot repay you. St. Theodoros, the Great Ascetic

Please sign up to Host Fellowship Hour to offer hospitality to our brothers and sisters in Christ!

 


GOYA News

GOYA is still collecting cans of green beans for the NICA charity.
GOYAns who are available to meet on Saturday the 17th will deliver the food to NICA.
 
Sunday, November 18th, GOYA meeting and then bowling.
Thank you,
Sophia :)

Children's Word

Our Assignment

Have you ever worked on something that you thought was really good, but then it turned out it wasn’t? Maybe you turned in something at school that you were proud of, but you still got a bad grade?

Sometimes we might think we’re doing really well, but maybe we aren’t! Sometimes we forget to really read the assignment, or sometimes we get confused about it!

In today’s Gospel reading, we hear a story about a rich man who had everything. He had lots of food, lots of money, lots of space to keep his stuff. He thought everything was going well. Everything was going his way!

But then that night, God told the man he was not doing the right thing! He had been taking care of himself and not caring for other people. This man thought he was doing everything right, but he was doing everything wrong!

Let’s always think about what God wants from us! Let’s think carefully about the assignment He has given us, like we do with our school assignments too. And what’s that assignment? God asks us to love God and love our neighbor. When we do that assignment, we will always be right with God!

ST. PHILARET OF MOSCOW: “HE SPEAKS LIKE AN ANGEL”

Do you listen to your priest when he gives a sermon? You might hear him talk about the Gospel reading for the day, or give some advice about how we can live as good Christians.

This week we celebrate a saint who was really one of the best preachers. When Philaret was a young man, the bishop said about him, “I give sermons like a man, but he speaks like an angel!” Isn’t that a great compliment!

Later on, Saint Philaret became the bishop (the metropolitan) of Moscow, Russia. He was so smart, but he talked to people so that they could understand. When he was bishop, he made the schools better so that the young men could learn how to be better priests.

Saint Philaret was a man in charge, but he was also a holy man too. He knew how important it is to pray and to try to grow closer and closer to God. In fact, he wrote a very special prayer you can learn to say every morning. With this prayer, we ask for what God wants, not what we might want. That’s because God knows us and loves us more than we even know and love ourselves!

Ask your parents if they can help you find this prayer, and maybe you can try to learn it.

We celebrate St. Philaret this Monday, November 19th (Dec. 2nd, OC)

Click here to download your free copy of The Children’s Word.

 


Cleaning Ministry

Cleaning Ministry

The purpose of the Cleaning Ministry is to come to church once a month(3rd Sunday of the Month) to pick up after services and fellowship hour to keep our church well maintained so members and visitors have a pleasant experience.

Colossians 3:17 says, "And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." Even in something as "unglamorous" as cleaning the church we bring God glory if we are doing it in his name!

There are always opportunities with The Cleaning Ministry and we are always looking to grow...please join us!  See Hanan Azer or Fr. Nicholas for more information


Philoptochos

Thanksgiving Ham and Turkey Raffle: $2 / per ticket, $5 / 3 tickets.

VASILOPITA SALE

 

$15.00  per loaf

 

 

 

Order Deadline:            Sunday, December 23, 2018

 

Contact:                         Biji at (682) 521-4143

 

Pick-Up Date:                Thursday, December 27th 1:00 a.m. – 3:00pm Or Sunday, December 30th.

 

 

 

*All loaves must be paid for by December 24, 2018.  Checks can be made out to St. Barbara Philoptochos.

 

 


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News in Orthodoxy

Why Should I Stop and Smell the Flowers?

11/02/2018

This year, I attended my first OCF retreat at St. Methodios Faith & Heritage Center in New Hampshire. I went along with 25 other college students from the Northeast region of the United States.

The retreat was held on a day that was brisk but not to the point where we were freezing. We lit fires every night, went hiking through the beautiful trails behind the camp, and participated in the intimacy of divine services, including Paraklesis, Vespers, and Liturgy.

The theme of the retreat was “Smell the Flowers: The Easy Path to the Kingdom”, and our service work was the perfectly unplanned task of landscaping; we planted flowers in front of the camp’s main dining hall.

The premise of the retreat was based off of a story from the book Wounded by Love, written by St. Porphyrios of Mount Athos. Briefly, St. Porphyrios was visiting the island of Patmos at the cave where St. John received the Revelation. He was overcome with grace and happiness from the Holy Spirit and wanted to escape in solitude to fully enjoy it, yet he couldn’t because of the amount of tourists surrounding him.

St. Porphyrios stepped away from the cave, in hopes to come back at a later time and experience the Holy Spirit once more. After returning to the cave, St. Porphyrios’ prayer felt dry and empty, and he did not feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. After stepping outside of the cave of Revelation, he decided to stop and smell the flowers.

He was overcome with awe and understanding when he contemplated the beauty and miracle of creation, which he experienced when he decided to take a moment to observe the flowers. St. Porphyrios came to an understanding at that time that God does not work on our time – He works in His time.

Initially, I was nervous to go on the OCF retreat, as I am currently a catechumen for the Orthodox Church and always felt as though I knew less than those around me – those already established in their faith and knowledge of the Church. To my surprise, there were other catechumens and many other converts.

The first night those who were raised within the Orthodox Church, those who have converted to the Orthodox Church, and those going through catechumenate stayed up until hours of the morning talking about our individual journeys in Orthodoxy.

This was the first time since deciding to be a part of the Church that I was surrounded by peers who were as passionate, enthusiastic, and so inspirational with their faith in Orthodoxy as I was. Conversations of faith were like wildfire that just kept burning. In the beginning, I thought to myself, “How could I be involved in these conversations of faith when there is SO much I still don’t know?”

I was comforted by the story of St. Porphyrios. Before coming a saint, before becoming a shepherd of God, he had a second-grade education. One thing I learned on this retreat is that it’s okay to not know everything and, in a sense, we will never know everything. We are all on a continuous journey, and we all have much to learn.

This post was written by Samantha Fricke, a student at the University of Binghamton. She is a senior studying psychology.


http://www.ocf.net/why-should-i-stop-and-smell-the-flowers/
This year, I attended my first OCF retreat at St. Methodios Faith & Heritage Center in New Hampshire. I went along with 25 other college students from the Northeast region of the United States. The retreat was held on a day that was brisk but not to the point where we were freezing. We lit fires […]

Sending Thoughts and Prayers

11/09/2018

Why does it seem like there’s so much hate and pain in the world? Shootings and many acts of violence plague our nation. Division in politics and the politicization of these traumatic events turn tragedy into arguments with seemingly no end in sight. The media paints a picture of our nation of intense pain and suffering of the people that desensitizes us to violence.

“Thoughts and prayers” are given freely on social media. Many people disregard their power either in their unfaithfulness or their desire to see political action. But are prayers that useless? No. We live in fallen world, so there is going to be pain, disease and suffering.

Prayers are a source of strength. They’re not supposed to be magic wishes to just make the problems go away. Tragedies happen, and that’s it, we can’t control it, but we can control our reaction to it. If we ask our Lord for strength, we can bear the tragedies ever more gracefully and with humility. We can really extend our hearts to those who need them through prayer. Sending prayers calls our Lord and His saints to grant forgiveness and bestow strength. Send prayers, partake in the healing that Christ grants.

In the Epistle reading from today, 1 Thessalonians 5:9-13 & 5:24-28, St. Paul gives us advice for how to conduct our lives within this fallen world:

Brethren, God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we wake or sleep we might live with him. Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. But we beseech you, brethren, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. He who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. Brethren, pray for us. Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. I adjure you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the brethren. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

The antidote for the suffering in the world is the peace of heaven which is experienced in our relationship with Christ Jesus. When we partake in the sacraments, pray to Him and do good things in His name, we can join in on the healing of the world and perform His will “on Earth as it is in Heaven.”

Our generation is feeling a lot of loneliness and isolation that can tragically manifest itself in violence. Social media can connect us but also make us feel disconnected. We have to learn and force ourselves to go out into our lives and our college campuses to love as He loves. The pain and suffering can feel like there’s darkness all around us. Luckily, we have light, we have The Light and The Way! Be the beacon of God’s love that our world so desperately needs. Love so that you may bring light into the darkness, emboldened by God’s presence in your life and the humanity we all share.

Reminiscent is the morning prayer of St. Philaret,

“Give me strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring. Direct my will, teach me to pray, pray Yourself in me. Amen.”

Next time you see a tragedy on the news, write down the names of the victims, pray for their souls, and pray for the strength of their families. Forgive others, and come to know Christ. Pray He strengthens you to participate in the healing and love that our fallen world thirsts for.

 


http://www.ocf.net/sending-thoughts-and-prayers/
Why does it seem like there’s so much hate and pain in the world? Shootings and many acts of violence plague our nation. Division in politics and the politicization of these traumatic events turn tragedy into arguments with seemingly no end in sight. The media paints a picture of our nation of intense pain and […]
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St. Demetrios Ministry Calendar

  • St. Demetrios Ministry Calendar

    November 18 to December 3, 2018

    Sunday, November 18

    Prosphoro - Hadzellis

    9th Sunday of Luke

    7:00AM Ushers: Gus Galanis,Tigist Yemenu

    7:45AM Orthros

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

    11:00AM Caglage fellowship Hour

    11:00AM Kiki & George Caglage 3 and 17 year Memorial

    11:30AM GOYA Meeting

    11:30AM Cleaning ministry

    1:00PM GOYA bowling

    Monday, November 19

    Obadiah the Prophet

    9:00AM Meals on Wheels: Ron & Elaine Kirk

    Tuesday, November 20

    The Forefeast of the Presentation of the Theotokos into the Temple

    9:00AM Meals on Wheels: Marrlen Kime

    Wednesday, November 21

    The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

    9:00AM Meals on Wheels: Irene Cline

    Thursday, November 22

    Archippus the Apostle, Philemon the Apostle & his wife, Apphia, Onesimos the Disciple of Paul

    9:00AM No Meals on Wheels: Holiday

    Friday, November 23

    Amphilochius, Bishop of Iconium

    9:00AM No Meals on Wheels: Holiday

    Saturday, November 24

    Our Holy Father Clement, Pope of Rome

    Sunday, November 25

    13th Sunday of Luke

    Prosphoro- Dimitra Bakintas

    7:00AM Ushers:Paul Adamopoulos,Christine Panagopoulos

    7:45AM Orthros

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy- Feast of St. Katherine the Great Martyr

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

    11:00AM Tentative: Daily bread- Homeless presentation

    Monday, November 26

    Alypius the Stylite of Adrianopolis

    9:00AM Meals on Wheels: Father

    Tuesday, November 27

    James the Great Martyr of Persia

    9:00AM Meals on Wheels- Dr. Cliff Beasley

    Wednesday, November 28

    Stephen the New

    9:00AM Meals on Wheels: Biji Johnnides & Anna Panagopoulos

    5:20PM Daily Bread: Presbyterian Night Shelter

    Thursday, November 29

    Paramonus, Philumenus, and their 370 Companion Martyrs in Bithynia

    9:00AM Meals on Wheels: Chris and Cathy Xydas

    Friday, November 30

    Andrew the First- Called Apostle

    9:00AM Meals on Wheels: Kaity Sempeles

    Saturday, December 1

    Nahum the Prophet

    Sunday, December 2

    Prosphoro- Marina Beasley

    14th Sunday of Luke

    7:00AM Chris kime,Tim Strong

    7:45AM Orthros

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

    4:00PM Philoptochos Christmas Party- Sparto's House

    Monday, December 3

    The Holy Prophet Sophonias (Zephaniah)

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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

Archdiocesan Cathedral Philoptochos Honors Archbishop Demetrios at Annual Chrysanthemum Ball

11/20/2018

NEW YORK – The Archdiocesan Cathedral Philoptochos Society honored His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Geron of America at their coveted Annual Chrysanthemum Ball held the evening of November 16, 2018, at the prestigious Metropolitan Club.
https://www.goarch.org/-/archdiocesan-cathedral-philoptochos-honors-archbishop-demetrios-at-annual-chrysanthemum-ball

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for Thanksgiving Day - November 22, 2018

11/16/2018

We give thanks to God on this blessed day as we do and should on every day for His gift of life. This is a day to reflect on the many aspects and experiences of our lives for which we are grateful; but at the foundation of all of this is life we have been given by God and our gratitude to Him for what He has done for us. As we offer all honor and glory, we praise the name of God with a song, and we magnify Him with thanksgiving (Psalm 69:30).
https://www.goarch.org/-/encyclical-of-archbishop-demetrios-for-thanksgiving-day-november-22-2018
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