St. Demetrios Calendar

1ST SUNDAY OF LUKE, September 23
- Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 8:30 am
- Church School
- Ministry Fair
- Welcome Back BBQ
- GOYA Car Wash
- Jr. GOYA Launch Party at Vekiarides Home, 4 pm

TUESDAY, September 25
- Inner-City Outreach
- Greek School, 4 pm

WEDNESDAY, September 26
Falling Asleep of St. John the Theologian
- Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 9 am
- Prayer Shawl Ministry, 1 pm

SATURDAY, September 29
- Habitat for Humanity Playhouse Building Day, 8 am

2nd SUNDAY OF LUKE, September 30
- Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 8:30 am
- Church School
- Philoptochos Luncheon

Parish News and Events

PHILOPTOCHOS

The Welcome Back Philoptochos Luncheon will be next Sunday, September 30th in the large social hall. There is no cost and if you would like to attend sign up during fellowship hour.

ST. DEMETRIOS BOOKSTORE

The St. Demetrios Bookstore is open to greek the new ecclesiastical year. Take a few moments to stop by and check out our new arrivals. There are inspirational books in Greek and English for adults and children. There are also St. Demetrios crosses in gold and silver, icons, prayer bracelets, and prosfora seals from the Holy Land all suitable gifts.

ST. DEMETRIOS INNER-CITY OUTREACH

Volunteers are needed Tuesday, September 25th for the St. Demetrios Inner-City Outreach Team which is currently helping St. Francis House in Boston, the largest nonsectarian day shelter in the region. Help is needed in food services and clothing distribution. Transportation is provided. Call Peter Mitsakos at 781-899-6583 or email at tpmitsakos@comcast.net. Learn more about St. Francis House at: www.stfrancishouse.org.

WELCOME BACK BBQ AND CAR WASH

Join us today, Sunday, September 23rd for our annual Welcome Back BBQ hosted by the Parish Council. Let’s kick off the new year together with delicious food and great fellowship. Make sure to also have your car washed by our GOYA!

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY MINISTRY

All are welcome to attend the next building project day on September 29th here at St. Demetrios! Come to the church at 8 am ready to work! There will be a table at fellowship hour to sign up and with more information.

Jr. GOYA (Grades 6-8)

Please note, there’s been a change in date and time! Join us on September 23^rd at the Vekiarides house from 4-6pm for our first Jr. GOYA night. We will have dinner and a discussion with Fr. Vinnie. Please RSVP to Fr. Vinnie or Renee (rvekiarides@321foundation.org). Also, make sure to bring a change of clothes to church on September 23^rd for the GOYA Car Wash!!

60TH ANNIVERSARY RESEARCH PROJECT HELP

In celebration of its 60th anniversary, St. Demetrios is preparing an online, multi-media version of its history. In the next few months we’ll be seeking historical information from parishioners and we’ll be conducting interviews with long-time church members. We are looking for five HS seniors and/or college students with a serious interest in history or journalism to do interviews and collect materials. The selected students will receive training and equipment. Students will earn a stipend for each assignment completed. Send a brief resume and letter to Dr. Manny Paraschos at the church office by Sept. 28. Access to transportation is essential. For more information contact manoparas@gmail.com.

ST. DEMETRIOS DIRECTORY

As part of our 60th Anniversary activities, we will be publishing an updated membership directory. We will be reaching out to you for confirmation of the accuracy of your contact information (address, phone number, email etc.)

There will alo be an opportunity, as in the past, for business and underwriter support.

More information will be forthcoming. Feel free to contact Georgia Gefteas with any questions– 781-431-7479

SPONSORING FELLOWSHIP HOUR

The calendar is open for any one wishing to sponsor coffee hour this coming year. If you are interested please contact Pam Brody at 781-864-6427.

BASILE PERFORMANCE

Tickets to see Basile the comedian on October 20th are selling fast! For tickets or to reserve a table please make your reservation as soon as possible by contacting Pam Brody at 781 864–5327 or brodster52@yahoo.com

APPEAL– CAR DONATION NEEDED

If you or anyone you know has a working car that is no longer needed consider donating it to the church for a seminarian in need. For more information contact the church office.

ST. DEMETRIOS 60TH ANNIVERSARY

2019 marks the 60th Anniversary of our St. Demetrios Community. A committee co-chaired by Peter and Stephen
Condakes has begun to think about ways to celebrate this milestone. Soon they will share some events and ways that we can all participate as we mark this joyous jubilee year of our Church. We hope our entire community will come together as one family in thanking God for our beloved St. Demetrios.

PHILOPTOCHOS

Thank you to our wonderful St. Demetrios Community who have generously donated to the Panagia Icon Fund. We are nearing our goal and there is still time to donate. For those who haven't donated please prayerfully consider a donation.Thank you again for your generosity and love.

USHERING GUIDELINES

As the Church School year comes to a start, we ask that everyone assist us by waiting patiently in your seats for the children to receive Holy Communion first so that they may get to their classes.
In order to facilitate this process as efficiently as possible, we ask that Church School Teachers, Children and their parents be dismissed first for communion. All other parishioners are asked to stay in their seats and wait for the ushers to dismiss their row. We appreciate your patience and your support!

ST. DEMETRIOS ORTHO-TAXI SERVICE

We miss you when you are not with us! If you need a ride to and from church consider taking the St. Demetrios Ortho-Taxi service. If you are interested call the church office (781-237-5561) by Friday at noon for Sunday Liturgy, or two days in advance for other services or events. You will receive a call from your driver to arrange pick-up times. The roundtrip fare is $5 to be donated to the Senior Guild.

SUNDAY GREETERS

We are looking for additional people to help greet/welcome our parishioners to church on Sunday mornings. All those who are interested in being a part of this wonderful program please contact Angel Hatgelakas through Marianne at the church office. Tel: 781-237-5561 or email: office@stdemetriosweston.org. Thank you.

GROUND ZERO CHURCH OF ST. NICHOLAS

To learn more about the rebuilding efforts of St. Nicholas National Shrine in New York City and how you can be a part of history please visit: www.stnicholaswtc.org.

USHERING

If you are interested in joining the Usher Team please contact Georgia Gefteas at gghome1@verizon.net or 978-973-7476.

WWW.GOARCH.ORG

The webpage of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has a great amount of resources for anyone looking to learn more about the faith. You can find the daily readings of the church, information about saints, what we believe, and prayers for any occasion. Additionally, you can stay up to date with news that affects us as Christians. Be sure to check www.goarch.org regularly!

PHILOXENIA HOUSE

Located near HCHC in Brookline, the Philoxenia House offers a home and hospitality to patients and those who accompany them while they are undergoing treatment in the Boston area. For several years a few of us visit the home twice a year to try to brighten their lives by planting flowers. This is a joy for us. For more information regarding this ministry please contact Betty Titus, 781.237.4748, or Eleanor Spiliakos, 978.443.3746.

WHAT IS THE ORTHODOX CHURCH

Being asked this during our festival a number of times — we as Orthodox Christians ought to respond:

“The Orthodox Christian Church is a worldwide body of believers who confess and worship Jesus Christ as the Son of God, as Lord and Messiah. This body has a tangible and continuous history of Christian faith and practice from the time of Christ’s Apostles. The use of the adjective ‘orthodox’ to describe the Church dates back to the earliest centuries and was applied to those Christians who maintained the tradition transmitted by Christ’s Apostles (1 Thess 2:15)”

FR. MANIKAS LIBRARY

Come and visit the Fr. Manikas Library and check out one of our many books on a variety of different topics. After Divine Liturgy, please stop by the library and see what we have to offer. See Cindi Dabrowski in the library for assistance on picking out a selection to take home and further your knowledge of our faith.

DAILY READINGS APP

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has developed and released a Daily Readings App for iOS and Android. It offers the daily Epistle and Gospel readings of the day as well as the saints that are commemorated on that day. Furthermore, it offers prayers, dates of future Feast Days and fasting guidelines.

It’s a great resource that is offered by our Archdiocese. Sign into your app store and download it today!

BE THE BEE WEBSERIES

The National Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries offers a weekly web video series on YouTube called “Be the Bee” each week a question or theme about our faith is answered in just 5 minutes! Check out this new and interesting approach to learning about our faith! Go to: www.youtube.com/user/y2am to see the entire series!

Readings and Information

Today’s Epistle Reading (II Corinthians 9:6-11) is found on page 93 in your Red Liturgy Book.

Today’s Gospel Reading (Luke 3:31-36) is not found in your Red Liturgy Book.

Resurrectional Apolytikion, “From On High” is found on page 172 in your Red Liturgy Book.

Thanksgiving prayers, for after Communion, are found on page 40 in your Red Liturgy Book.

TODAY’S USHERS: Chris Pashos, Captain; George Gatzunis; Steve Sotir; Dean Coclin; Linda Theoharis; Gina Pagonis ; Tom Gatzunis; Laz Vekiarides; Nick Mitrokostas.

TODAY’S MEMORIAL: there is no memorial today.

TODAY’S FELLOWSHIP HOUR: there is no fellowship hour today. Join us for the Welcome Back BBQ!

TODAY’S GREETERS: Olga Newkirk.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Grave Tone. Psalm 63.11,1.
The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord.
Verse: Oh God, hear my cry.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 4:22-27.

Brethren, Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, the son of the free woman through promise. Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not in travail; for the children of the desolate one are many more than the children of her that is married."

Gospel Reading

1st Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 5:1-11

At that time, as Jesus was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." For he was astonished, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men." And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

Wisdom of the Fathers

For now they were well instructed beforehand...But mark both their faith and their obedience. For though they were in the midst of their work when they heard His command, they delayed not, they procrastinated not, they said not, "let us return home, and converse with our kinsfolk," but "they forsook all and followed."

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 14 on Matthew 4, 4th Century

Because such is the obedience which Christ seeks of us, as that we delay not even a moment of time, though something absolutely most needful should vehemently press on us.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 14 on Matthew 4, 4th Century

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Tone

From on high didst Thou descend, O Compassionate One; to burial of three days hast Thou submitted that Thou mightest free us from our passions. O our Life and Resurrection, Lord, glory be to Thee.

Apolytikion for Conception of the Forerunner in the Fourth Tone

Rejoice, O thou barren one who hadst not borne until now; for lo, in all truth thou hast conceived the lamp of the Sun, and he shall send forth his light over all the earth, which is afflicted with blindness. Dance, O Zacharias, and cry out with great boldness: The one to be born is the blest Prophet of God Most High.

Apolytikion for St. Demetrios in the Third Tone

The world has found in you a great champion in time of peril, as you emerged the victor in routing the barbarians. For as you brought to naught the boasts of Lyaios, imparting courage to Nestor in the stadium, in like manner, holy one, great Martyr Demetrios, invoke Christ God for us, that He may grant us His great mercy.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Tone

O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the creator most constant: O despise not the voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, O thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.

Saints and Feasts

September 23

1st Sunday of Luke

September 23

The Conception of St. John the Baptist

This came to pass fifteen months before the birth of Christ, after the vision of the Angel that Zacharias, the father of the Forerunner, saw in the Temple while he executed the priest's office in the order of his course during the feast of the Tabernacles, as tradition bears witness. In this vision, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias and said to him, "Thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John" (Luke 1:13). Knowing that Elizabeth was barren, and that both he and she were elderly, Zacharias did not believe what the Angel told him, although he had before him the example of Abraham and Sarah, of Hannah, mother of the Prophet Samuel, and of other barren women in Israel who gave birth by the power of God. Hence, he was condemned by the Archangel to remain speechless until the fulfilment of these words in their season, which also came to pass (Luke 1:7-24).

September 23

Xanthippe & Polyxene the Righteous

September 23

John the New Martyr of Epiros

September 23

Nicholas the New Martyr

September 24

Thecla the Protomartyr & Equal to the Apostles

This saint was from the city of Iconium. When she was eighteen years of age, she was instructed in the Faith of Christ and the hope of the resurrection by the Apostle Paul, whom also she followed, forsaking her betrothed and espousing a life of virginity for the sake of the Heavenly Bridegroom. Having preached Christ in various cities and suffered many things, she reposed in Seleucia of Cilicia at the age of 90.

September 24

The Commemoration of the Miracle of the Theotokos Myrtidiotissis in Kythyra

September 25

Euphrosyne of Alexandria

Our righteous Mother Euphrosyne, who lived during the reign of Saint Theodosius the Younger (408-450), was the daughter of Paphnutius of Egypt. Forsaking her father and his wealth, she renamed herself Smaragdus, and pretending to be a eunuch of the imperial palace, she dressed herself as a man and entered a monastery of men where her identity remained unknown until her repose thirty-eight years later.

September 25

Paphnoutios the Martyr & his 546 Companions in Egypt

September 25

Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos of Evangelistria, Mochos

September 25

Our Righteous Father Sergius of Radonezh

Our righteous Father Sergius was born in Rostov, north of Moscow, about the year 1314. Named Bartholomew in Baptism, he was brought up in Radonezh, and at the death of his parents he withdrew to the wilderness to become a monk. It is notable that without having been trained in a monastery, he was of such a spiritual stature as to be able to take up the perilous eremitical life from the beginning, without falling into delusion or despondency. When he had endured with courage the deprivations of the solitary life, other monks began to come to him, for whom he was made abbot against his will. On the counsel of Philotheus, Patriarch of Constantinople, he organized his monks according to the cenobitic life, appointing duties to each. While Anthony and Theodosius of Kiev, and the other righteous Fathers before Sergius, had established their monasteries near to cities, Sergius was the leader and light of those who went far into the wilderness, and after his example the untrodden forests of northern Russia were settled with monks. When Grand Duke Demetrius Donskoy was about to go to battle against the invading Tartars, he first sought the blessing of Saint Sergius, through whose prayers he was triumphant. Saint Sergius was adorned with the highest virtues of Christ-like humility and burning love for God and neighbour, and received the gift of working wonders, of casting out demons, and of discretion for leading souls to salvation. When he served the Divine Liturgy, an Angel served with him visibly; he was also vouchsafed the visitation of the most holy Theotokos with the Apostles Peter and John. He was gathered to his Fathers on September 25, 1392. At the recovery of his holy relics on July 5, 1422, his body and garments were found fragrant and incorrupt. His life was written by the monks of Epiphanius, who knew him.

September 25

Finbar the Confessor, First Bishop of Cork

September 26

The Falling Asleep of St. John the Evangelist and Theologian

This Apostle was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and was the son of Zebedee and Salome, and the brother of James the elder. First a fisherman by trade, he became an Apostle and the beloved Disciple of Christ. Only he of all the Disciples followed Him even to the Cross, and was entrusted with the care of our Saviour's Mother, as it were another son to her, and a brother of Christ the Teacher. After this, he preached throughout Asia Minor, especially in Ephesus. When the second persecution against the Christians began in the year 96 during the reign of Domitian, he was taken in bonds to Rome, and there was cast into a vat filled to the brim with boiling oil. Coming forth therefrom unharmed, he was exiled to the island of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. Returning again to Ephesus after the death of the tyrant, he wrote his Gospel (after the other Evangelists had already written theirs) and his three Catholic Epistles. In all, he lived ninety-five years and fell asleep in the Lord during the reign of Trajan in the year 100. He was called Theologian because he loftily expounded in his Gospel the theology of the inexpressible and eternal birth of the Son and Word of God the Father. It is for this cause that an eagle-a symbol of the Holy Spirit, as Saint Irenaeus says-is depicted in his icon, for this was one of the four symbolic living creatures that the Prophet Ezekiel saw (Ezek. 1:10).

September 26

Removal of the Honorable Head of Apostle Andrew the First-Called

September 27

Thursday of the 2nd Week

September 27

Callistratus the Martyr & his 49 Companions

These Martyrs contested for the Faith during the reign of Diocletian, in the year 288. Saint Callistratus was arrested as a Christian, and after being tormented, was enclosed in a sack and cast into the sea. The sack burst, and the Saint came to dry land safe and sound. Forty-nine soldiers, seeing this, also confessed Christ, and with him were cast into prison, then beheaded.

September 27

Mark, Aristarchos, and Zenon, Apostles of the 70

September 27

Akylina the New Martyr of Thessaloniki

September 27

September 29

Malachi the New Righteous Martyr of Lindos

September 30

2nd Sunday of Luke

September 30

Gregory the Illuminator, Bishop of Armenia

This Saint, a Parthian by race, was the son of Anak. He was born about the year 240 and was taught the Faith of Christ in Caesarea of Cappadocia. He entered the service of Tiridates, King of Armenia, but when discovered to be a Christian, he was subjected to many horrible torments at the King's hands, then was cast into a pit of mire with poisonous serpents and left to die. By the power of God, however, he abode there unharmed for fourteen years, his needs provided by a certain widow, until he was made known by revelation and set free. He converted to piety innumerable multitudes of Armenians, including Tiridates himself, and was consecrated bishop by Leontius, Archbishop of Caesarea, to shepherd the vast flock he had gained for Christ. He spent the last part of his life in retirement in the ascetical discipline, and reposed in peace about the year 325. Saint Gregory is honoured as the Illuminator of Armenia.

September 30

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins

St. Demetrios Calendar

Parish News and Events

Readings and Information

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Gospel Reading

Wisdom of the Fathers

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Tone

Apolytikion for Conception of the Forerunner in the Fourth Tone

Apolytikion for St. Demetrios in the Third Tone

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Tone

Saints and Feasts

1st Sunday of Luke

The Conception of St. John the Baptist

Xanthippe & Polyxene the Righteous

John the New Martyr of Epiros

Nicholas the New Martyr

Thecla the Protomartyr & Equal to the Apostles

The Commemoration of the Miracle of the Theotokos Myrtidiotissis in Kythyra

Silouan of Athos

Stephen the Martyr

Juvenaly & Peter the Aleut, New Martyrs of Alaska

The Most Holy Theotokos of Palianis

Coprios the Righteous

Tuesday of the 2nd Week

Euphrosyne of Alexandria

Paphnoutios the Martyr & his 546 Companions in Egypt

Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos of Evangelistria, Mochos

Our Righteous Father Sergius of Radonezh

Finbar the Confessor, First Bishop of Cork

The Falling Asleep of St. John the Evangelist and Theologian

Removal of the Honorable Head of Apostle Andrew the First-Called

Thursday of the 2nd Week

Callistratus the Martyr & his 49 Companions

Mark, Aristarchos, and Zenon, Apostles of the 70

Akylina the New Martyr of Thessaloniki

Gideon the Righteous

Chariton the Confessor

Our Righteous Father Alkeisonus, Metropolitan of Nicopolis; Old Epirus

Baruch the Prophet

Neophytos & Auxentios the Martyrs of Cyprus

Wenceslaus the Martyr, Prince of the Czechs

Saturday of the 2nd Week

Cyriacus the Hermit of Palestine

Martyr Petronius

Theophanes the Merciful of Gaza

Dionysios I, Patriarch of Constantinople

Malachi the New Righteous Martyr of Lindos

2nd Sunday of Luke

Gregory the Illuminator, Bishop of Armenia

Mardonios & Stratonikos the Martyrs