St. Demetrios Calendar

SUNDAY OF ST. GREGORY PALAMAS, March 24
- Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 8:30 am
- Church School
- Greek School Independence Day Program
- Greek Dancing Program

MONDAY, March 25
Annunciation
- Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 9 am
- Senior Guild Luncheon

TUESDAY, March 26
- Greek School, 4 pm

WEDNESDAY, March 27
- Prayer Shawl Ministry, 1 pm
- Presanctified Divine Liturgy, 6 pm

THURSDAYy, March 28
- Inner City Outreach

FRIDAY, March 29
- Salutations to the Theotokos, 7 pm

SATURDAY, March 23
- Parish Council Retreat, 9 am

SUNDAY THE HOLY CROSS, March 31
- Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 8:30 am
- Church School
- Oratorical Festival
- Jr. GOYA Service Project

Parish News and Events

METROPOLIS OF BOSTON PHILOPTOCHOS EVENT

Join us on Thursday, May 2 for an evening with Chef Maria Loi, Greek food ambassador, restaurateur and healthy lifestyle expert and Dr. Stefanos Kales, Professor of Medicine Harvard Medical School discussing Maria's book The Greek Diet. Tickets: $65. For more information, contact Theresa Nibi at (617) 519-5010 or theresanibi@gmail.com.

RACHMANINOFF LITURGY OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM CONCERT

Sunday, May 19, 2019 at 4:00 pm the Rachmaninoff Choir with Dr. Anthony Antolini, Conductor from Bowdoin College. Tickets: $10. Contact: Matina Psyhogeos at (781) 609-2959 or Candace Hetzner (617) 251-4825 or events@stdemetriosweston.org for more information.

UPCOMING GOYA EVENTS

Join us for a number of upcoming and exciting GOYA events!

3/30- Daniel’s Kitchen service project in Framingham. Sign up is limited, be sure to register ASAP.

4/5- GOYA Retreat AT Taxiarchae in Watertown, 6-9 pm. Email Fr. Vinnie for more details.

4/19-20- GOYA Lock-in Overnight Retreat at St. Demetrios

PALM SUNDAY FISH LUNCHEON

Sunday, April 21, immediately following the Divine Liturgy. Tickets - Adults: $25. Children: $5. Contact Susan Denn at 508-380-5515 or smdenn@comcast.net; Eugenia Kourlos at 508-735-8866 or ekourlos@gmail.com

LENTEN ORTHODOX LIFE SERIES

Lent is a time to learn and strengthen our faith. The book of Hebrews is the book that we hear during Sunday Services during Lent. Dr. James Skedros will lead a study of Hebrews and discussion. Please join us every Monday for the Compline service at 6 pm followed by the study of Hebrews. All are welcome!

ST. DEMETRIOS INNER-CITY OUTREACH

Volunteers are needed Thursday, March 28th 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.

PARISH RETREAT- APRIL 6

Join us on April 6^th from 10 am—2 pm for a Lenten parish retreat here at St. Demetrios. Fr. Alex Goussettis Director of the Center for Family Care of the Greek Orthodox
Archdiocese of America will be offering a retreat entitled “Repentance in a Contemporary World”.
Early registration is $10, after March 29th it is $15. To RSVP, email the office at office@stdemetriosweston.org or call 781-237-5561.

SAVE THESE DATES

Saturday, April 6 - St. Demetrios Parish Retreat

Sunday, May 19 - Rachmaninoff Choir Concert, Anthony Antolini, Professor at Bowdoin College, Conductor

Saturday, June 15 - Family Day (details to follow)

Saturday, September 28 - Alkistis Protopsaltis Concert, Sanders Theatre, Cambridge. Details to follow.

Saturday, November 2 - Saint Demetrios Gala Dinner Dance, Westin Hotel in Waltham

BOTTLE CAP FUNDRAISER

Throughout Great Lent we will be collecting plastic bottle caps. For every cubic meter of bottle caps collected a wheelchair will be donated to a child in need. There will be boxes throughout the church for collections.

HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE– 2020

A number of parishioners have asked if we will be planning a trip back to the Holy Land. Since such trips take a long time to plan and secure accommodations we are thinking of a pilgrimage in February of 2020. This time frame allows for best accommodations, pricing and planning. If interested or just have questions please speak with Fr. Nick or call the office. Thank you.

SPONSORING FLOWERS

If you would like to sponsor altar flowers in memory of loved ones or in honor of a special occasion please contact the church office for more details on available dates.

Please consider sponsoring the flowers that adorn the icon of the Theotokos for the Salutations service. If you are interested please contact the church office.

SENIOR GUILD

The next Senior Guild meeting will be on March 25th (The Annunciation) following Divine Liturgy. Make sure to wear your blue and white! We are planning a Newport Rail Tour in Newport, RI on June 20th. We hope you can join us! 40 people are needed to attend this event. More details and the price will be determined in the coming weeks. If you have questions contact Artemis Martakis at 508-785-0045. The Senior Guild hopes to see you there!

60TH ANNIVERSARY EVENTS

The 60th Anniversary Committee continues to organize several events to celebrate this special milestone of our
beloved Church. Thus far, the Welcome Back BBQ, the Young Adult Event, Holiday at Pops and singing carols to the Seniors from our Parish, are just a small sample of community fellowship involving parishioners from the past and present.

We need your help in chairing and working on the many events that are planned for 2019. Please contact Peter Condakes at 617-571-8540 or Stephen Condakes at 781-235-8429 if you are interested in participating. Don't forget to mark your calendars Saturday, November 2 for the Saint Demetrios 60th Anniversary Gala at the Westin-Waltham!

Saturday, April 6 - St. Demetrios Parish Retreat

Sunday, May 19 - Rachmaninoff Choir Concert, Anthony Antolini, Professor at Bowdoin College, Conductor

Saturday, June 15 - Family Day (details to follow)

Saturday, September 28 - Alkistis Protopsaltis Concert, Sanders Theatre, Cambridge

Saturday, November 2 - Saint Demetrios Gala Dinner Dance, Westin Waltham

HOMEBOUND VISITATION
Our clergy along with our Philoptochos will be visitinghomebound parishioners over the next few weeks. If someone you know would appreciate a visit, please contact the church office.

ST. DEMETRIOS BOOKSTORE

Take a few moments to stop by and check out our new arrivals such as: Parenting Toward the Kingdom by Dr. Philip Mamalakis of the HC/HC School of Theology. This book will help you make connections between the spiritual life of the Orthodox Church and the ongoing challenges of raising children. Another new arrival is St. Demetrios Children’s Book, including a CD. There are inspirational books in English and Greek for adults and children and also St. Demetrios crosses in gold and silver, icons, prayer bracelets, and prosforo seals from the Holy Land all suitable gifts.

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.

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.

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!

Saints and Feasts

March 24

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas

This divine Father, who was from Asia Minor, was from childhood reared in the royal court of Constantinople, where he was instructed in both religious and secular wisdom. Later, while still a youth, he left the imperial court and struggled in asceticism on Mount Athos, and in the Skete at Beroea. He spent some time in Thessalonica being treated for an illness that came from his harsh manner of life. He was present in Constantinople at the Council that was convened in 1341 against Barlaam of Calabria, and at the Council of 1347 against Acindynus, who was of like mind with Barlaam; Barlaam and Acindynus claimed that the grace of God is created. At both these Councils, the Saint contended courageously for the true dogmas of the Church of Christ, teaching in particular that divine grace is not created, but is the uncreated energies of God which are poured forth throughout creation: otherwise it would be impossible, if grace were created, for man to have genuine communion with the uncreated God. In 1347 he was appointed Metropolitan of Thessalonica. He tended his flock in an apostolic manner for some twelve years, and wrote many books and treatises on the most exalted doctrines of our Faith; and having lived for a total of sixty-three years, he reposed in the Lord in 1359.

His holy relics are kept in the Cathedral of Thessalonica. A full service was composed for his feast day by the Patriarch Philotheus in 1368, when it was established that his feast be celebrated on this day. Since works without right faith avail nothing, we set Orthodoxy of faith as the foundation of all that we accomplish during the Fast, by celebrating the Triumph of Orthodoxy the Sunday before, and the great defender of the teachings of the holy Fathers today.

March 24

Forefeast of the Annunciation

March 24

Bp. Artemon

March 24

Theonas of Thessolonica

March 24

Zachariah the Recluse

March 25

Annunciation of the Theotokos

Six months after John the Forerunner's conception, the Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth, a town of Galilee, unto Mary the Virgin, who had come forth from the Temple a mature maiden (see Nov. 21). According to the tradition handed down by the Fathers, she had been betrothed to Joseph four months. On coming to Joseph's house, the Archangel declared: "Rejoice, thou Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." After some consideration, and turmoil of soul, and fear because of this greeting, the Virgin, when she had finally obtained full assurance concerning God's unsearchable condescension and the ineffable dispensation that was to take place through her, and believing that all things are possible to the Most High, answered in humility: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." And at this, the Holy Spirit came upon her, and the power of the Most High overshadowed her all-blameless womb, and the Son and Word of God, Who existed before the ages, was conceived past speech and understanding, and became flesh in her immaculate body (Luke 1:26-38).

Bearing in her womb the Uncontainable One, the blessed Virgin went with haste from Nazareth to the hill country of Judea, where Zacharias had his dwelling; for she desired to find Elizabeth her kinswoman and rejoice together with her, because, as she had learned from the Archangel, Elizabeth had conceived in her old age. Furthermore, she wished to tell her of the great things that the Mighty One had been well-pleased to bring to pass in her, and she greeted Elizabeth and drew nigh to her. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, she felt her six-month-old babe, Saint John the Baptist, prophesied of the dawning of the spiritual Sun. Immediately, the aged Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and recognized her as the Mother of her Lord, and with a great voice blessed her and the Fruit that she held within herself. The Virgin also, moved by a supernatural rejoicing in the spirit, glorified her God and Savior, saying: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour," and the rest, as the divine Luke hath recorded (1:39-55)

March 26

Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel

This festive Synaxis is celebrated to the glory of the Archangel Gabriel, since he ministered to the marvelous mystery of God's incarnate dispensation.

March 26

Irenaeus the Hieromartyr of Hungary

March 26

26 Martyrs in Crimea

March 27

Matrona of Thessalonica

This martyr was the servant of a certain Jewish woman named Pantilla, the wife of the Governor of Thessalonica. When Matrona refused to follow her mistress into the synagogue Pantilla beat her so severly that she died in a few days, and thus received the crown of her confession.

March 27

Paul, Bishop of Corinth

March 28

Hilarion the New

Saint Hilarion took up the monastic life from his youth and lived in seclusion. Later, as Abbot of the Monastery of Pelecete in Asia Minor (believed to be in Bithynia, not far from Triglia), he suffered much from the Iconoclasts, and reposed in the year 754.

March 28

Herodion the Apostle of the 70

March 28

Stephen the Wonderworker

March 29

Mark, Bishop of Arethusa

Saint Mark was Bishop of Arethusa in Syria. In the days of Saint Constantine the Great, Saint Mark, moved with divine zeal, destroyed a temple of the idols and raised up a church in its stead. When Julian the Apostate reigned, in 361, as the pagans were now able to avenge the destruction of their temple, Saint Mark, giving way to wrath, hid himself; but when he saw that others were being taken on his account, he gave himself up. Having no regard to his old age, they stripped him and beat his whole body, cast him into filthy sewers, and pulling him out, had children prick him with their iron writing-pens. Then they put him into a basket, smeared him with honey and a kind of relish of pickled fish, and hung him up under the burning sun to be devoured by bees and wasps. But because he bore this so nobly, his enemies repented, and unloosed him.

March 29

Martyr Cyril the Deacon and Those with him

Saint Cyril was a deacon from Heliopolis in Phoenicia. During the reign of the Emperor Constantius, son of Saint Constantine, he had also broken the idols in pieces. When Julian came to power, Saint Cyril was seized by the idolaters and his belly was ripped open. The other holy Martyrs celebrated today, martyred in Gaza and Ascalon during the reign of Julian, were men of priestly rank and consecrated virgins; they were disemboweled, filled with barley, and set before swine to be eaten. The account of all the above Saints is given in Book III, ch. 3, of Theodoret of Cyrrhus' "Ecclesiastical History."

March 29

The Holy Martyrs Jonas and Barachesius

As for the holy Martyrs Jonas and Barachesius, they were monks from Persia who lived in the reign of Sapor II, King of Persia from 325 to 379. These Saints found nine Christians in prison suffering for their faith, and comforted them, encouraging them to stand fast till the end, which they did, and received the crown of martyrdom. Because of this, Saints Jonas and Barachesius also were seized, and commanded to worship the fire, the sun, and the water. When they refused, Jonas, among other tortures, had his hands and feet cut off, was crushed in a device that broke his bones, and was sawn asunder. Barachesius was dragged naked over thorns, his whole body was pierced with sharp reeds and then broken in the same device employed upon Jonas, and when boiling pitch was poured down his throat, he gave up his soul into the hands of God.

March 29

Eustathios the Confessor, Bishop of Bithynia

March 30

John Climacus the Righteous, author of The Divine Ladder of Ascent

This Saint gave himself over to the ascetical life from his early youth. Experienced both in the solitary life of the hermit and in the communal life of cenobitic monasticism, he was appointed Abbot of the Monastery at Mount Sinai and wrote a book containing thirty homilies on virtue. Each homily deals with one virtue, and progressing from those that deal with holy and righteous activity (praxis) unto those that deal with divine vision (theoria), they raise a man up as though by means of steps unto the height of Heaven. For this cause his work is called "The Ladder of Divine Ascent." The day he was made Abbot of Sinai, the Prophet Moses was seen giving commands to those who served at table. Saint John reposed in 603, at eighty years of age. See also the Fourth Sunday of the Fast.

March 30

Sosthenes, Apollos, Cephas, Caesar, & Epaphroditos, the Apostles of the 70

March 30

Zacharias the New Martyr

Readings and Information

Today’s Epistle Reading (Hebrews 1:10-14;2:1-3) is found on page 138 in your Red Liturgy Book.

Today’s Gospel Reading (Mark 2:2-12) is found on page 139 in your Red Liturgy Book.

Resurrectional Apolytikion, “When You Descended” is found on page 170 in your Red Liturgy Book.

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

TODAY’S USHERS: Arthur Loridas, Captain; Stavroula Margaritis; Andrew Mavrikos; Jim Mavrikos; Greg Vasil; Elaine Ward; Tom Camp; Amalie George; Manny Makkas.

TODAY’S MEMORIAL: 1 year for Nicholas Tsoucalas and 1 1/2 years for Catherine Tsoucalas.

TODAY’S FELLOWSHIP HOUR: is graciously hosted by the St. Demetrios Greek School, the Tsoucalas/Argyrople

Family and Theoharis Family.

TODAY’S GREETERS: Olga Newkirk.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Second Tone. Psalm 117.14,18.
The Lord is my strength and my song.
Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 1:10-14; 2:1-3.

"IN THE BEGINNING, Thou, Lord, didst found the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end." But to what angel has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet?" Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?

Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
The Reading is from Mark 2:1-12

At that time, Jesus entered Capernaum and it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak thus? It is a blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-he said to the paralytic-"I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home." And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

Wisdom of the Fathers

Now Matthew indeed saith, that "they brought him," but the others, that they also broke up the roof, and let him down. And they put the sick man before Christ, saying nothing, but committing the whole to Him.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 29 on Matthew 9, 1. B#54, pp. 195, 196, 4th Century

For though in the beginning He Himself went about, and did not require so much faith of them that came unto Him; yet in this case they both approached Him, and had faith required on their part. For, "Seeing," it is said, "their faith;" that is, the faith of them that had let the man down.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 29 on Matthew 9, 1. B#54, pp. 195, 196, 4th Century

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Tone

When Thou didst descend unto death, O Life Immortal, then didst Thou slay Hades with the lightning of Thy Divinity. And when Thou didst also raise the dead out of the nethermost depths, all the powers in the Heavens cried out: O Life-giver, Christ our God, glory be to Thee.

Apolytikion of Forefeast of the Annunciation in the Fourth Tone

Today is the prelude of universal joy; let us keep the forefeast in gladness. For, behold, Gabriel cometh with fear and wonder unto the Virgin, bringing her the good tidings: Rejoice, thou who art full of grace; the Lord is with thee.

Apolytikion of Sun. of St. Gregory Palamas in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone

O Gregory the Miracle Worker, light of Orthodoxy, support and teacher of the Church, comeliness of Monastics, invincible defender of theologians, the pride of Thessalonica, and preacher of grace, intercede forever that our souls may be saved.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone

At the great Archangel's voice, O Theotokos, the All-holy Spirit came upon thee and thou didst conceive Him that is one in essence and throne with God the Father, O Adam's recovery.

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins

St. Demetrios Calendar

Parish News and Events

Saints and Feasts

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas

Forefeast of the Annunciation

Bp. Artemon

Theonas of Thessolonica

Zachariah the Recluse

Annunciation of the Theotokos

Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel

Irenaeus the Hieromartyr of Hungary

26 Martyrs in Crimea

Matrona of Thessalonica

Paul, Bishop of Corinth

Hilarion the New

Herodion the Apostle of the 70

Stephen the Wonderworker

Mark, Bishop of Arethusa

Martyr Cyril the Deacon and Those with him

The Holy Martyrs Jonas and Barachesius

Eustathios the Confessor, Bishop of Bithynia

John Climacus the Righteous, author of The Divine Ladder of Ascent

Sosthenes, Apollos, Cephas, Caesar, & Epaphroditos, the Apostles of the 70

Zacharias the New Martyr

Readings and Information

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Gospel Reading

Wisdom of the Fathers

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Tone

Apolytikion of Forefeast of the Annunciation in the Fourth Tone

Apolytikion of Sun. of St. Gregory Palamas in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone