September 08
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2019-09-08
Bulletin Contents
St. Demetrios Calendar
Readings and Information
Parish News and Events
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Saints and Feasts
Wisdom of the Fathers
Hymns of the Day
Message from His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
General Information
- Phone:
- (781) 237-5561
- Fax:
- (781) 237-8612
- Email:
- office@stdemetriosweston.org
- Street Address:
- 57 Brown Street
- Weston, MA 02493
Contact Information
Services Schedule
Matins Sunday - 8:30 a.m. Weekdays - 9:00 a.m.
Liturgy Sunday - 9:30 a.m. Weekdays - 9:30 a.m.
Past Bulletins
- Publish Date:
- 2019-09-15
- Publish Date:
- 2019-09-01
- Publish Date:
- 2019-08-25
- Publish Date:
- 2019-08-04
- Publish Date:
- 2019-07-28
- Publish Date:
- 2019-07-21
St. Demetrios Calendar
NATIVITY OF THE THEOTOKOS, September 8
- Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 8:30 am
- Church School
- Ministry Fair
MONDAY, September 9
- Greek School Teacher Meeting, 6 pm
TUESDAY, September 10
- Greek School, 4 pm
WEDNESDAY, September 11
- Prayer Shawl Ministry, 2 pm
- Philoptochos Board Meeting, 7 pm
SATURDAY, September 14
Exaltation of the Holy Cross
- Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 9 am
SUNDAY AFTER THE HOLY CROSS September 15
- Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 8:30 am
- Church School
- Ministry Fair
Readings and Information
We are pleased to introduce our new Divine Liturgy books that are in your pews. We thank the generous
donors who made this possible. Please use them as you worship and pray the Liturgy. Note also that some prayers, the Creed and petitions may vary from the language of the last red book edition. Thank you.
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: 40 days for Gregory Cosmopoulos.
TODAY’S FELLOWSHIP HOUR: is graciously hosted by the family of Gregory Cosmopoulos.
TODAY’S GREETERS: Ethel Gionas.
Parish News and Events
METROPOLIS OF BOSTON GOLF TOURNAMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE METROPOLIS CAMP AND RETREAT CENTER
All are invited to play in the nineteenth annual MBC and Retreat Center Golf Tournament on Tuesday, September 24th at the Indian Ridge Country Club in Andover, MA. Each summer, roughly one third of the MBC campers received financial aid thanks to this fundraiser. The hope is to be able to support an equal number of children in the future. For more information or to register contact Eleni Kalioras at ekalioras@boston.goarch.org or 617-277-4742.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Prayer Shawl Knitters will be meeting for the first time this year in the library, this Wednesday, September 11 at 1pm. All are welcome.
WELCOME BACK BBQ & GOYA CAR WASH
Join us on September 22nd for our annual Welcome Back BBQ hosted by the Parish Council. All are invited to kick off the new year together with delicious food and great fellowship. Make sure to also have your car washed by our GOYA!
MINISTRY FAIR SEPTEMBER 8, 15, & 22
This year’s fair represents a wonderful opportunity to connect– or reconnect– with your ministries and programs of our parish. Please make sure to visit the fair. Flyers, fall/winter schedules, and ministry representatives will be present.
SPECIAL VISIT FROM HIS EMINENCE ARCHBISHOP ELPIDOPHOROS OF AMERICA
His Eminence Metroopolitan Methodios has informed us that Archbishop Elpidophoros, our new Archbishop of America, will be visiting St. Demetrios on Sunday, October 6th. His Eminence will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and we will have the opportunity to welcome and greet him as he begins his Archpastoral ministry here in America. Please place Sunday, October 6th on your calendar and be sure to be present on that special day. Thank you.
SENIOR GUILD
The first meeting of the Senior Guild will be on September 17th following the Divine Liturgy for Sts. Sophia, Hope, Faith, Love. All Senior Guild Members are welcome to come and partake of our Senior Guild Luncheon. It is a wonderful time to come and be with friends and family after the summer vacation. The Senior Guild hopes to see you there! Thank you.
FR. MANIKAS LIBRARY
Check out the magazine "Cyprus Today" which is available for circulation. If interested, you are welcomed to
borrow. So we can keep track of the interest of these magazines, please fill in your last name and the dates (month and year) on the label on the back cover. Allowed check out period is one month.
PHILOPTOCHOS CATERING
Philoptochos is delighted to offer their St. Christine's Catering Program. Visit the church website under the Philoptochos page to view the ordering menu. Thanks for using the Philoptochos Catering !
ST. DEMETRIOS SILENT AUCTION FOR 60TH ANNIVERSARY GALA
The Auction Committee has a “wish list” for the November 60th Anniversary Gala Silent Auction. If you wish to contribute an item for auction fundraising, it would be greatly appreciated. Some suggestions that are always popular and succeed at fund raising: Tickets to sports events, theater, concerts (Pops, Symphony, etc.), gift certificates to restaurants, spas, cooking classes, and photo shoots, timeshare weeks, vacation home weeks, jewelry pieces, or any other ideas you might have. Please contact Kathy Hamilton for questions or donations: 508-358-5520 Suzzane Polymeros, Carolyn DelGizzi, Bobi Koukounaris Thank you so much!
ALKISTIS PROTOPSALTIS CONCERT
As part of the 60th Anniversary we are please to announce that we have begun selling tickets the upcoming Alkistis Protopsalti concert on September 28th. This event will be held at Sanders Theater at Harvard University. Tickets are selling fast! Prices are $55, $75, or $95. You can call Sanders Theater Box Office at 617-496-2222 or visit https://www.boxoffice.harvard.edu for ticket sales. For more information there will be a table at coffee hour or you can contact concertevent@stdemetriosweston.org
SAVE THESE DATES
Sunday, September 27 - Welcome Back BBQ
Saturday, September 28 - Alkistis Protopsaltis Concert, Sanders Theatre, Cambridge
Friday, October, 25 - Vespers for St. Demetrios
Saturday, October 26 - St. Demetrios Feast Day Liturgy
Saturday, November 2 - St. Demetrios Gala Dinner Dance, Westin Hotel in Waltham
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.
60TH ANNIVERSARY EVENTS
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!
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 gaghome1@gmail.com 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!
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Tone. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18.
Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
Gospel Reading
Sunday before Holy Cross
The Reading is from John 3:13-17
The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."
Saints and Feasts
September 08
The Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary
According to the ancient tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was born of barren and aged parents, Joachim and Anna, about the year 16 or 17 before the birth of Christ. Joachim was descended from the royal line of David, of the tribe of Judah. Anna was of the priestly tribe of Levi, a daughter of the priest Matthan and Mary, his wife.
September 08
Sophronios, Bishop of Iberia
September 09
The Holy & Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna
Today, the day following the Nativity of the most holy Theotokos, we celebrate the synaxis of Saints Joachim and Anna, honouring them as her parents.
September 09
The Holy & Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna
Today, the day following the Nativity of the most holy Theotokos, we celebrate the synaxis of Saints Joachim and Anna, honouring them as her parents.
September 09
Theophanes the Confessor
September 09
Memory of the Third Holy Ecumenical Council in Ephesus
September 09
Afterfeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
September 09
Severian the Martyr of Sebastia
Saint Severian, a senator from Sebastia, was both an illustrious man of wealth and a fearless Christian. Because he encouraged the holy Forty Martyrs of Sebastia to stand fast in their confession, he was given over to terrible torments, and received his own crown during the reign of Licinius and Lysius the Duke, about the year 315.
September 10
Afterfeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
September 10
Menodora, Metrodora, & Nymphodora the Martyrs
These Martyrs, sisters according to the flesh, were from Bithynia. They lived in virginity on a mountain near the Pythian hot springs of Bithynia, devoting themselves to asceticism and prayer. Betrayed to the local governor, Fronto, they were subjected to frightful tortures, and so gave up their holy souls into the hands of God. They contested for the Faith during the reign of Maximian, in the year 304.
September 10
Poulcheria the Empress
September 11
Theodora of Alexandria
This saint lived in the fifth century. Out of remorse for the adultery that she committed with another man, she fled from her husband's house, renamed herself Theodore, clothed herself as a man, and pretending to be a eunuch, entered a monastery of men. Her identity as a woman was discovered only after her death.
September 11
Euphrosynos the Cook
September 11
Demetrios & Evanthea the Martyrs & their son Demetrianos
September 11
Sergius and Herman of Valaam, Finland
September 11
Afterfeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
September 11
Deinol the First Bishop of Bangor
September 12
Apodosis of the Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary
September 12
Autonomos the Martyr
This saint was a bishop in Italy. Fleeing from the persecution of Diocletian in 298, he came to Bithynia, where he went from place to place converting many from the idols to the true God. Because of this, one day as he was celebrating the Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Archangels, they who worshipped wood and stones fell upon him and beat him to death with staves and stones.
September 12
Hieromartyr Cornatus, Bishop of Iconium
September 12
Agirus, the Hieromartyr of Cornoutus, Bishop of Iconium
September 12
Daniel of Thassos
September 12
Julian the Martyr
September 12
Theodore the Hieromartyr of Alexandria
September 13
Forefeast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross
September 13
The Consecration of the Church of the Holy Resurrection (Holy Sepulchre)
The church that is honoured far above all others is that of the Holy Resurrection, which Saint Constantine the Great constructed at the place of Golgotha, where our Saviour was crucified and buried. For a long time this place had been purposely buried beneath the earth by the Jews and heathen; furthermore, during the reign of Hadrian (117-138), a temple dedicated to Aphrodite was built over the site so that this sacred place might be even further desecrated and fall into utter oblivion. It was here that the Cross was hidden. However, at the command of the pious Emperor Constantine, excavations were made and the tokens of the saving Passion were found. It was here, then, that the very great and magnificent temple named in honour of Christ God's Resurrection-the Anastasis-was built under the supervision of the blessed Helen, while Dracilian was Eparch of Palestine and Macarius was Archbishop of Jerusalem. It was the latter, also, who exalted the venerable Cross and performed the consecration of this temple in the year 336.
September 13
Cornelius the Centurion & Martyr
Saint Cornelius was a Roman by race, a pagan by religion, a centurion in rank, an inhabitant of Caesarea of Palestine, a man pious and God-fearing who gave many alms to the people and prayed continually unto God. In accordance with an angelic vision granted to him, he sent to Joppa that they might bring the Apostle Peter. Saint Peter catechized him in the Faith of Christ and baptized all his household (Acts, ch.10). This became the beginning and the first fruits of the calling of the nations. It is said that, after this, he became a bishop, as some say, of Caesarea; but others say of Scepsis, which is not far from Troas; and that he died as a martyr.
September 13
Aristides the Philosopher
September 13
Hierotheos the Righteous of Iveron Monastery, Mount Athos
September 14
The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross
Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was already advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a journey to Jerusalem in search of the cross, about the year 325. A temple to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha, to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had been suffered. The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite destroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was made perfectly whole. Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, "Lord have mercy." It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen, until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country (see Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian). Late, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem, where he restored it to its place.
Rest from labour. A Fast is observed today, whatever day of the week it may be.
September 14
Commemoration of the 6th Ecumenical Council
September 15
Sunday after Holy Cross
September 15
Nikitas the Great Martyr
This Saint was of high birth among the Goths beyond the Danube River. He was taken by Athanaric, pagan ruler of the Goths, and after being tortured, was burned to death for his confession of Christ. According to some, this took place during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great; according to others, under the Emperor Gratian.
September 15
Philotheos the Righteous
September 15
Bessarion of Larissa
September 15
Righteous Father Symeon, Archbishop of Thessolonica
September 15
John the New Martyr of Crete
September 15
Afterfeast of the Holy Cross
September 15
Porphyrios the Actor
Wisdom of the Fathers
For since Nicodemus had said, "We know that Thou art a teacher come from God," on this very point He sets him right, all but saying, "Think Me not a teacher in such manner as were the many of the prophets who were of earth, for I have come from heaven (but) now. None of the prophets hath ascended up thither, but I dwell there."
Homily 27 on John 3, 4th Century
For not in heaven only is He, but everywhere, and He fills all things; but yet He speaks according to the infirmity of His hearer, desiring to lead him up little by little ... For after having spoken of the very great benefaction that had come to man by Baptism, He proceeds to mention another benefaction, which was the cause of this, and not inferior to it; namely, that by the Cross ...
Homily 27 on John 3, 4th Century
Hymns of the Day
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Tone
Let the Heavens rejoice; let earthly things be glad; for the Lord hath wrought might with His arm, He hath trampled upon death by death. The first-born of the dead hath He become. From the belly of Hades hath He delivered us, and hath granted great mercy to the world.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion for Nativity of the Theotokos in the Fourth Tone
Thy Nativity, O Theotokos, hath procliamed joy to the whole world; for from thee hath dawned the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, annulling the curse and bestowing the blessing, abolishing death and granting us life everlasting.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
In your holy birth, Immaculate One, Joachim and Anna were rid of the shame of childlessness; Adam and Eve of the corruption of death. And so your people, free of the guilt of their sins, celebrate crying: "The barren one gives birth to the Theotokos, who nourishes our life."
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Narthex Press