January 26
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2020-01-26
Bulletin Contents
St. Demetrios Calendar
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Readings and Information
Parish News and Events
Saints and Feasts
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:
- 2020-01-19
- Publish Date:
- 2020-01-12
- Publish Date:
- 2020-01-05
- Publish Date:
- 2019-12-29
- Publish Date:
- 2019-12-22
- Publish Date:
- 2019-12-15
St. Demetrios Calendar
15th SUNDAY OF LUKE, January 26
- Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 8:30 am
- Church School
- Greek Dancing
- General Assembly Meeting
TUESDAY, January 28
- Greek School, 4 pm
WEDNESDAY, January 29
- Prayer Shawl Ministry, 1 pm
THURSDAY, January 30
Three Hierarchs
- Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 9 am
- Senior Guild Luncheon
- Basketball Practice, 6 pm
SATURDAY, February 2
- Agape Prayer Group, 8:30 am
- JOY Basketball Game, 12 pm
- GOYA Girls/Boys Basketball Games, 6 pm/7 pm
PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD, February 2
- Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 8:30 am
- Godparent Sunday
- Church School
- Church School Staff Meeting
- Greek Dancing
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. Grave Tone. Psalm 28.11,1.
The Lord will give strength to his people.
Verse: Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory.
The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to Timothy 4:9-15.
Timothy, my son, the saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and suffer reproach, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things. Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Till I come, attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands upon you. Practice these duties, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress.
Gospel Reading
15th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 19:1-10
At that time, Jesus was passing through Jericho. And there was a man named Zacchaios; he was a chief collector, and rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not, on account of the crowd, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaios, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today." So he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it they all murmured, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner." And Zacchaios stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost."
Readings and Information
Today’s Epistle Reading (I Timothy 4:9-15) is found on page 115 in your spiral Gospel and Epistle Book.
Today’s Gospel Reading (Luke 19:1-10) is found on page 116 in your spiral Gospel and Epistle Book.
Resurrectional Apolytikion, “By your cross” is found on page 105 in your Blue Liturgy Book.
Thanksgiving prayers, for after Communion, are found on page 91 in your Blue 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: 40 days for Yiorgos Savvides; 5 years for John-Peter Iakovos Orfanakos; 20 years for Olga Calivas.
TODAY’S FELLOWSHIP HOUR: is graciously hosted by the Calivas & Newkirk Families.
TODAY’S GREETERS: Ethel Gionas.
Parish News and Events
SAVE THE DATE: RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
On February 15, 2020 the Philoptochos will be hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 am- 3 pm. Early registration can be done by visiting redcrossblood.org.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
There will be a general assembly next Sunday, January 26. All stewards are encouraged to attend in order to meet quorum of 50.
HOUSE AND BUSINESS BLESSINGS
During the Theophany season, we sanctify our home so that we may extend the grace of God to where we live. Fr. Nick and Fr. Vinnie are available to come and bless your homes and places of business. To schedule a house blessing, please call the main office or email either Fr. Nick or Fr. Vinnie. Additionally, we have provided a pamphlet with instructions and prayers on how to bless your home, together as a family. Please pick one up in the narthex.
GODPARENT SUNDAY– FEBRUARY 2
Please invite your child’s/children’s Godparents to come with you to church next Sunday, February 2. This is an opportunity for our students to receive communion with their Godparents and have fellowship with each other, strengthening their bond.
GOYA WING-A-THON- FEBRUARY 2ND
The GOYA will hold its seventh annual Wing-A-Thon on February 2nd, just in time for the Super Bowl! Grab some fresh delicious wings in time for the big game! Get them while they're hot!
SENIOR GUILD
The Senior Guild would like to thank all of the ladies and gentlemen who cook, and assist with each luncheon.The next Senior Guild Luncheon Meeting will be on the 30th of January (The Three Hierarchs), following Divine Liturgy. Dates will be forthcoming for future meetings. Please read the Sunday bulletins for updates on the schedule. There will not be meeting in February due to the possibility of inclement weather. The Senior Guild hopes to see you on January 30th!
SHOES AND WINTER JACKET FOR THE HOMELESS
Sturdy, gently used men’s and women’s shoes including sneakers, as well as warm parkas and jackets are needed to replenish the winter supplies at St. Francis House in Boston, the largest nonsectarian day shelter in the state. We will begin collecting throughout the month of January. Collection boxes are
located outside the coatroom in the main lobby.
60TH ANNIVERSARY GALA PHOTOS
To view images from the event visit: https://aretiphoto.shootproof.com/gallery/StDemetriosGala/
You can download a complimentary websize/watermarked image and also purchase prints or digital files as needed. For more information, contact Areti Bratsis at 508-698–0150 or areti@aretiphoto.com. www.aretiphoto.com
SAVE THE DATE: RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
On February 15, 2020 the Philoptochos will be hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive. More information on pre registration will be forthcoming.
60th Anniversary Commemorative Album
The 60th Anniversary Commemorative Album committee is hard at work! The album will be published in late Spring 2020. Please consider purchasing an ad in the album, It’s a wonderful way to send a congratulatory message to the
community, honor the memory of a loved one, celebrate your family or feature a business. The form can be found at: https://www.stdemetriosweston.org/forms-and-resources
In addition, we are currently collecting photos to include in the album. If you have any high quality photos from the last 60 years that you would like to submit for consideration, please do so by emailing them to
photos@stdemetriosweston.org or mailing them to Album Committee c/o St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church,
Weston, MA 02493. We are particularly interested in group photos from the last 20 years. With each submission, please identify who is in the photo as well as when and where the photo was taken.
ST. DEMETRIOS BOOKSTORE
Discover the rich collection of inspirational books for adults and children in our bookstore. The collection includes outstanding texts, written by our very own clergy and parishioners. There are also beautiful icons, St. Demetrios crosses and prayer bracelets from various Greek monasteries.
PHISHING SCAM
It has come to our attention that someone is sending fraudulent emails pretending to be Fr. Nick and asking for electronic gift cards. Please do not respond to this message and immediately mark as spam and delete. Many of the emails are being sent from a gmail email account– our parish email addresses are not associated with gmail. They will have “@stdemetriosweston.org” as the ending.St. Demetrios and its priests will never ask for funds via electronic gift cards ever. If you have any questions or concerns please call the main office, 781-237-5561.
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.
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.
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!
Saints and Feasts
January 26
15th Sunday of Luke
January 26
Xenophon & his Companions
This Saint, a wealthy nobleman of Constantinople, was filled with piety toward God. He had two sons, Arcadius and John, whom he sent to Beirut to study law. But they were shipwrecked during their voyage; barely saved, they forsook all things and departed for Palestine. Saint Xenophon and his wife Mary, ignorant of what had happened, went in search of their sons. On finding them in Jerusalem, dressed in the habit of monks, they also took up the monastic life. And thus, having completed their lives in holiness, they departed for the Lord about the beginning of the sixth century. Saint Xenophon and his sons reposed at Saint Sabbas Monastery, and Mary at the Monastery of Saint Theodosius.
January 27
Peter the Righteous of Egypt
January 27
Demetrios the New Martyr of Constantinople
January 27
Removal of the Relics of John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople
This event took place on this day in the year 438, when Saint Theodosius the Younger had been Emperor for thirty years; he was the son of Arcadius, and Eudoxia, who had exiled Saint John. The Archbishop of Constantinople at that time was Proclus, who had been the Saint's disciple (see Nov. 13 and Nov. 20).
January 28
Theodosius of Totma
January 28
Isaac the Syrian, Bishop of Ninevah
The great luminary of the life of stillness, Saint Isaac, was born in the early seventh century in Eastern Arabia, the present-day Qatar on the Persian Gulf. He became a monk at a young age, and at some time left Arabia to dwell with monks in Persia. He was consecrated Bishop of Nineveh (and is therefore sometimes called "Saint Isaac of Nineveh"), but after five months received permission to return to solitude; he spent many years far south of Nineveh in the mountainous regions of Beit Huzaye, and lastly at the Monastery of Rabban Shabur. He wrote his renowned and God-inspired Ascetical Homilies toward the end of his long life of monastic struggle, about the end of the seventh century. The fame of his Homilies grew quickly, and about one hundred years after their composition they were translated from Syriac into Greek by two monks of the Monastery of Mar Sabbas in Palestine, from which they spread throughout the monasteries of the Roman Empire and became a guide to the hesychasts of all generations thereafter.
January 28
Ephraim the Syrian
Saint Ephraim was born in Nisibis of Mesopotamia some time about the year 306, and in his youth was the disciple of Saint James, Bishop of Nisibis, one of the 318 Fathers at the First Ecumenical Council. Ephraim lived in Nisibis, practicing a severe ascetical life and increasing in holiness, until 363, the year in which Julian the Apostate was slain in his war against the Persians, and his successor Jovian surrendered Nisibis to them. Ephraim then made his dwelling in Edessa, where he found many heresies to do battle with. He waged an especial war against Bardaisan; this gnostic had written many hymns propagating his errors, which by their sweet melodies became popular and enticed souls away from the truth. Saint Ephraim, having received from God a singular gift of eloquence, turned Bardaisan's own weapon against him, and wrote a multitude of hymns to be chanted by choirs of women, which set forth the true doctrines, refuted heretical error, and praised the contests of the Martyrs.
Of the multitude of sermons, commentaries, and hymns that Saint Ephraim wrote, many were translated into Greek in his own lifetime. Sozomen says that Ephraim "Surpassed the most approved writers of Greece," observing that the Greek writings, when translated into other tongues, lose most of their original beauty, but Ephraim's works "are no less admired when read in Greek than when read in Syriac" (Eccl. Hist., Book 111, 16). Saint Ephraim was ordained deacon, some say by Saint Basil the Great, whom Sozomen said "was a great admirer of Ephraim, and was astonished at his erudition." Saint Ephraim was the first to make the poetic expression of hymnody and song a vehicle of Orthodox theological teachings, constituting it an integral part of the Church's worship; he may rightly be called the first and greatest hymnographer of the Church, who set the pattern for these who followed him, especially Saint Romanos the Melodist. Because of this he is called the "Harp of the Holy Spirit." Jerome says that his writings were read in some churches after the reading of the Scriptures, and adds that once he read a Greek translation of one of Ephraim's works, "and recognized, even in translation, the incisive power of his lofty genius" (De vir. ill., ch. CXV).
Shortly before the end of his life, a famine broke out in Edessa, and Saint Ephraim left his cell to rebuke the rich for not sharing their goods with the poor. The rich answered that they knew no one to whom they could entrust their goods. Ephraim asked them, "What do you think of me?" When they confessed their reverence for him, he offered to distribute their alms, to which they agreed. He himself cared with his own hands for many of the sick from the famine, and so crowned his life with mercy and love for neighbor. Saint Ephraim reposed in peace, according to some in the year 373, according to others, 379.
January 28
Palladios the Hermit of Antioch
January 28
James the Righteous
January 28
Grace the Martyr
January 29
Removal of the Relics of Ignatius the God-bearer
Saint Ignatius was a disciple of Saint John the Theologian, and a successor of the Apostles, and he became the second Bishop of Antioch, after Evodus. He wrote many epistles to the faithful, strengthening them in their confession, and preserving for us the teachings of the holy Apostles. Brought to Rome under Trajan, he was surrendered to lions to be eaten, and so finished the course of martyrdom about the year 107. The remnants of his bones were carefully gathered by the faithful and brought to Antioch. He is called God-bearer, as one who bare God within himself and was aflame in heart with love for Him. Therefore, in his Epistle to the Romans (ch. 4), imploring their love not to attempt to deliver him from his longed-for martyrdom, he said, "I am the wheat of God, and am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found to be the pure bread of God."
Saint John Chrysostom has a homily in honour of the translation of the Saint's relics (PG 50:587).
January 29
Laurence the Recluse of the Kiev Caves
January 29
Ignatius and Nicandrus of Sinai
January 29
Gildas the Wise
January 30
Synaxis of The Three Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, & John Chrysostom
This common feast of these three teachers was instituted a little before the year 1100, during the reign of the Emperor Alexis I Comnenus, because of a dispute and strife that arose among the notable and virtuous men of that time. Some of them preferred Basil, while others preferred Gregory, and yet others preferred John Chrysostom, quarreling among themselves over which of the three was the greatest. Furthermore, each party, in order to distinguish itself from the others, assumed the name of its preferred Saint; hence, they called themselves Basilians, Gregorians, or Johannites. Desiring to bring an end to the contention, the three Saints appeared together to the saintly John Mavropous, a monk who had been ordained Bishop of Euchaita, a city of Asia Minor, they revealed to him that the glory they have at the throne of God is equal, and told him to compose a common service for the three of them, which he did with great skill and beauty. Saint John of Euchaita (celebrated Oct. 5) is also the composer of the Canon to the Guardian Angel, the Protector of a Man's Life. In his old age, he retired from his episcopal see and again took up the monastic life in a monastery in Constantinople. He reposed during the reign of the aforementioned Emperor Alexis Comnenus (1081-1118).
January 30
Hippolytos, Pope of Rome
January 30
Athanasia the Martyr & her 3 daughters
January 31
Cyrus & John the Unmercenaries
These Saints lived during the years of Diocletian. Saint Cyrus was from Alexandria, and Saint John was from Edessa of Mesopotamia. Because of the persecution of that time, Cyrus fled to the Gulf of Arabia, where there was a small community of monks. John, who was a soldier, heard of Cyrus' fame and came to join him. Henceforth, they passed their life working every virtue, and healing every illness and disease freely by the grace of Christ; hence their title of "Unmercenaries." They heard that a certain woman, named Athanasia, had been apprehended together with her three daughters, Theodora, Theoctiste, and Eudoxia, and taken to the tribunal for their confession of the Faith. Fearing lest the tender young maidens be terrified by the torments and renounce Christ, they went to strengthen them in their contest in martyrdom; therefore they too were seized. After Cyrus and John and those sacred women had been greatly tormented, all were beheaded in the year 292. Their tomb became a renowned shrine in Egypt, and a place of universal pilgrimage. It was found in the area of the modern day resort near Alexandria named Abu Kyr.
January 31
Holy Women Martyrs Theodote, Theoktiste and Eudoxia
January 31
Our Righteous Father Arsenius of Parus
January 31
Elias Ardounis the New Righteous-Martyr of Mount Athos
January 31
Aed from Ferns
February 01
Trypho the Martyr
The Holy Martyr Trypho was from Lampsacus in Phrygia, and as a young man he tended geese. Being filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, he also healed sufferings and cast out demons. During the reign of the Emperor Decius, about the year 250, he was betrayed as a Christian and taken to Nicaea, where he was beaten, bound to horses and dragged over rough ground, then dragged naked over nails; his sides were burned with torches; finally he was sentenced to beheading, but gave up his holy soul in his torments before the stroke of the sword. Saint Trypho is one of the Holy Unmercenaries, and is also invoked for the protection of gardens from insects and pests.
February 01
Forefeast of the Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple
February 01
Timothy the Confessor
February 01
Perpetua & her Companions
February 01
Bridget of Ireland
When Ireland was newly converted to the Christian Faith, the Holy Abbess Bridget devoted herself to the establishment of the monastic life among the women of her country, and founded the renowned convent of Kildare-Kil "Cell (or Church)" Dara "of the Oak." She was especially renowned for her great mercifulness, manifested in her lavish almsgiving and in miracles wrought for those in need. The Book of Armaugh, an ancient Irish chronicle, calls Saint Patrick and Saint Bridget "the pillars of the Irish" and says that through them both, "Christ performed many miracles." She reposed in peace about the year 525.
February 01
Our Holy Father Basil, Archbishop of Thessolonica
February 01
Anastasios the New Martyr of Navplion
February 01
The Four Martyrs Andrianus, Polyeuktos, Plato and George who contested in Megara
February 02
The Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple
When the most pure Mother and Ever-Virgin Mary's forty days of purification had been fulfilled, she took her first-born Son to Jerusalem on this, the fortieth day after His birth, that she might present Him in the temple according to the Law of Moses, which teaches that every first-born male child be dedicated to God, and also that she might offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons, as required by the Law (Luke 2:22-24; Exod. 13:2; Lev. 12:6-8). On this same day, a just and devout man, the greatly aged Symeon, was also present in the temple, being guided by the Holy Spirit. For a long time, this man had been awaiting the salvation of God, and he had been informed by divine revelation that he would not die until he beheld the Lord's Christ. Thus, when he beheld Him at that time and took Him up into his aged arms, he gave glory to God, singing: "Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Master. . ." And he confessed that he would close his eyes joyfully, since he had seen the Light of revelation for the nations and the Glory of Israel (Luke 2:25-32). From ancient times, the Holy Church has retained this tradition of the churching of the mother and new-born child on the fortieth day and of the reading of prayers of purification.
The Apodosis of the Feast of the Meeting in the Temple is usually on the 9th of February. This, however, may vary if the Feast falls within the period of the Triodion. Should this occur, the Typicon should be consulted for specific information concerning the Apodosis of the Feast.
February 02
Gabriel the New Martyr of Constantinople
February 02
Jordan the New Martyr
February 02