The Synaxarion is the list of the saints and commemorations of every day of the year as found in the liturgical books of the Church. In this week's message, I would like to walk with you through Holy Week using the path of the Synaxarion.  

On Palm Sunday we celebrate the resplendent and glorious feast of the entry of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ into Jerusalem.

On Holy and Great Monday we commemorate the blessed and noble Joseph; also the cursing and withering of the fruitless fig tree.

On Holy and Great Tuesday we remember the parable of the ten virgins from the Holy Gospel.

On Holy and Great Wednesday, the Holy Fathers ordained that commemoration should be made of the anointing of the Lord with myrrh by the woman, who was a sinner; for this occurred shortly before the Passion of the Savior and He said is in preparation for His burial.

On Holy and Great Thursday we remember the Passover (Pascha) meal in the upper room shared by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with His blessed Disciples, in which He instituted the Holy Mystery of holy Communion; also commemorated is His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane and betrayal by the loathsome Judas Iscariot.

On Great Friday we observe the holy, saving and awesome Passion of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ; the spitting, the scourging, the whipping, the scorn, the mocking, the purple robe, the reed, the sponge, the vinegar, the nails, the spear, and above all, the cross and death, which He willingly suffered for us.  We also remember the confession unto salvation of the penitent thief, who was crucified with Him.

On Holy and Great Saturday we commemorate the burial of the Divine Body of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ, and His descent into Hades, through which the human race was recalled from corruption and was transplanted to eternal life.

On the holy and great Sunday of Pascha we celebrate the life-giving resurrection of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ!

To Him be glory and dominion to the ages of ages. Amen.

Confessions will be heard during Holy Week following the Services of the Bridegroom on Monday and Tuesday. No confessions will be heard after Holy Wednesday.

You may also schedule an appointment. 

April 27, Saturday of Lazarus

Orthros, 9 a.m. Divine Liturgy, 10 a.m.

April 28, Palm Sunday, The Entry into Jerusalem.      

Orthros, 9 a.m. Divine Liturgy, 10 a.m.

April 29, Holy Monday.  

Orthros of the Bridegroom, 6 p.m.

April 30, Holy Tuesday. 

Orthros of the Bridegroom, 6 p.m.

May 1, Holy Wednesday.  

The Sacrament of Holy Unction, 6 p.m.

May 2, Holy Thursday.  

Institution of the Last Supper, St. Basil’s Liturgy, 9 a.m.

Orthros of the Passion (12 Gospels), 6 p.m.

May 3, Good Friday

Great Vespers — the Descent from the Cross, 3 p.m.

       Lamentation Service, 6 p.m.

May 4, Great Saturday.    

Divine Liturgy of St. Basil, 9 a.m.

Resurrection Service, 10:30 p.m.

Paschal Proclamation, 11 p.m. followed by Orthros and the Divine Liturgy.  

May 5, Pascha (Easter Sunday), Agape Vespers, 11 a.m.

27 Απριλίου, Σάββατο του Λαζάρου

Ο Όρθρος, 9 πμ. Θεία Λειτουργία, 10 πμ.

28 Απριλίου, Κυριακή τῶν Βαΐων

Ο Όρθρος, 9 πμ. Θεία Λειτουργία, 10 πμ.

29 Απριλίου, Μεγάλη Δευτέρα 

Ο Όρθρος του Νυμφίου, 6 μμ.

30 Απριλίου, Μεγάλη Τρίτη

Ο Όρθρος του Νυμφίου, 6 μμ.

1 Μαΐου, Μεγάλη Τετάρτη  

Μέγα Ευχέλαιόν, 6 μμ.

2 Μαΐου, Μεγάλη Πέμπτη  

Η Θεία Λειτουργία του Αγ. Βασιλείου (Ο Μυστικός Δείπνος), 9 πμ      

     Ο Πάθος του Χριστού (τα 12 Ευαγγέλια), 6 μμ.

3 Μαΐου, Μεγάλη Παρασκευή         

Ο Μέγας Εσπερινός (Αποκαθήλωσης), 3 μμ.

     Ο Επιτάφιος Θρήνος, 6 μμ.

4 Μαΐου, Μέγα Σάββατο

      Η Θεία Λειτουργία του Αγ. Βασιλείου (Πρώτη Ανάσταση), 9 πμ.

      Η Ανάστασήs – 11 μμ. μετά Ο Όρθρος, Θεία Λειτουργία

5 Μαΐου, Κυριακή του Πάσχα

Ο Μέγας Εσπερινός της Αγάπης,  11 πμ.   

On Lazarus Saturday, the children will be hosted to a pancake breakfast following the Divine Liturgy. And, they will join in the folding of palms, a beautiful tradition that has to be learned and passed down. Be there on Saturday, April 27th. Divine Liturgy begins at 10 a.m.

On Palm Sunday, the children will process into Church waving palm branches for the blessing of their folded palms.

FLOWERS - Donations for flowers for all Holy Week services including the flowers for the epitaphios (sepulchre) decoration are gratefully accepted. Please make all contributions to St Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church.

MYRROPHORES (MYRRH-BEARERS) - Any of our girls interested in being Myrrophores on Good Friday, please contact Amalia Boyer at adaratsos@gmail.com

PALM SUNDAY LUNCHEON - Join us following the Divine Liturgy for an excellently prepared traditional fish luncheon. You won't get a better lunch for the price anywhere else in town. See the enclosed flyer for details.

SERVICE TIMES - Please note that most all of the evening services begin at 6 p.m. Also note that the Resurrection service begins at 10:30 p.m. with the Resurrection proclamation, the Gospel of the Empty Tomb, and the singing of Christ is Risen at 11:00 p.m. You won't want to be late.

PASCHA POT LUCK - Following the Resurrection Divine Liturgy, break the fast and enjoy cracking Easter eggs. Bring your baskets to be blessed or a dish to share. The leg of lamb and tsoureki will be provided! 

One more week left. Join us next Wednesday evening following the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts. Bring a lenten meal to share, meaning no meat, fish or dairy, and learn how many great foods can be offered while maintaining the fast.

As we continue our Lenten journey, the bookstore has a good selection of publications to help feed our hearts and minds in our journey to Pascha. Come and see the Pascha candles, eggs and other items. Also, you can custom order books.

Tuesday, a small but mighty group of volunteers finished 50 trays of pastitsio. A special thanks to the Ladies some of whom should have passed the batton to others. Perhaps you will join the race. They sure could use some help!

There is no cooking tomorrow but will need help when we prepare moussaka.  The date is TBD pending additional freezer space. We all full.

There is a Festival Planning meeting this Sunday following services. Come, see how you can lend a hand.

We have updated plan for Coffee Fellowship. Please see the flyer enclosed below to sign up and get on a team!

If you have not yet taken the time to stroll through this wonderful exhibit of the Monasteries of Mount Athos, do so. It is a fantastic exhibition of the rich cultural and religious heritage of Byzantium. It will only be here through April.

Open Sundays from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm, March 3rd – April 28th Wednesday from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm March 6th – April 31st Friday from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm March 8th – 29th, or by appointment at churchoffice@stdemva.com

Father Gianulis wants to be with you when you are hospitalized, even if you believe it is minor. However, he is not a mind reader. If you are sick and hospitalized, or have any other pastoral or sacramental need, do not hesitate to call him. He can always be reached by calling the church phone number, 220-0994. If he is not in, leave a message and it will be delivered to his cell phone.

John Kaminarides--UVA Medical Center

Nick Vlahakis--Riverside Medical Center, NN.

Christina Tipa--Sentara Hospital ICU

Peter and Beverly Daikos

Sonny Halioris

Athanasia Jouvanis

Jim Kokolis

Nikki Mageris

Nancy Marakos

John and Connie Pavlides

Nick Vlattas