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St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2024-03-17
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Eden
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St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • 757-220-0994
  • Street Address:

  • 4900 Mooretown Road

  • Williamsburg, VA 23188


Contact Information








Services Schedule

Sunday Services -- Kuriakh:

Orthros, 8:45 a.m.

Divine Liturgy, 10:00 a.m.

OrqroV, 0845 pm.

Q. Leitourgia, 1000 pm.

 

Weekday Holy Days (as scheduled):

Orthros, 8:45 a.m.

Divine Liturgy, 9:30 a.m.

KaqhmerineV EorteV:

OrqroV, 0845 pm.

Q. Leitourgia, 0930 pm.

 


Past Bulletins


Message from Fr. Gianulis

Me_and_athan

Beginning the Lenten Journey

Jesus said, “The Kingdom of Heaven is within you.” He also said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

The 7-week period of Great Lent (March 18 – Apr. 26) provides an ideal time to look to our spiritual lives, to introspect that we might discover a deeper faith. Looking inward is where we find God's Kingdom within us. Christ is the light of the world who can help us purify our hearts, reconnect to His teachings, and become ourselves lights by which others can see Christ’s light reflected from our hearts and souls.

Here are a few ways to grow in Christ during Great Lent:

  • Fast at least moderately and according to your faith and best ability.
  • Read the Bible daily.
  • Read one of the many available edifying, spiritual books easily available.
  • Pray every day at home and participate in the Lenten services.
  • Go to confession (offered each week before Presanctified Liturgy or after Salutations).
  • Forgive one another, especially anyone with whom you have had a misunderstanding, no matter who is to blame. You should sincerely be the one who asks forgiveness first.
  • Visit a shut in or hospitalized friend.
  • Receive Holy Communion often after sincere sorrow for your sins and proper preparation.
  • Do acts of charity and kindness. Be a cheerful giver and generous.
  • Work for the good of the Church right here in your own parish.
  • Support Missions. Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) or International Christian Charities (IOCC).
  • Participate in the pan-Orthodox Vespers service on Sunday, March 24th at Annunciation Cathedral in Norfolk.

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Upcoming Divine Services and Holy Days

Memorial Service This Sunday

The 40-Day Memorial Service for Gus Zacharopoulos will be sung this Sunday at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. May his memory be eternal.

The family will host the coffee fellowship and invites you to join them for refreshments.


Sunday of Orthodoxy Great Vespers

Every year, the clergy and faithful of Hampton Roads gather on the first Sunday of Great Lent for a Pan-Orthodox Vespers and Procession of icons. This year, Sunday of Orthodoxy falls on the Eve of the Feast of the Annunciation, March 24. Come join us for the Triumph of Orthodoxy and the Feastday of our sister parish in Norfolk.

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral at 5:00 p.m. The guest homilist will be Homilist: Dr. Edith M. Humphrey, William F. Orr Professor Emerita of New Testament (Pittsburgh Theological Seminary) who will speak on the theme: “Icons and Incarnation: You Can”t Have One Without the Other” 


Ψυχοσαββατο (Saturday of the Souls)

Saturday of the Souls will be celebrated on March 16 and 23.

Divine Liturgy, 9:30 a.m.

Memorial Service, 10:30 a.m.

Please submit names of departed loved ones for Father Gianulis to be commemorated. The names submitted last week will not be kept and read this week. However, the names submitted for this Saturday will be kept and read in memorium also next Saturday


PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY DURING GREAT LENT

The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts will be read every Wednesday during Great Lent, starting next week, at 5:30 p.m. Following the liturgy we will gather in the fellowship room for a Lenten Pot Luck meal. Please bring a dish and stay.


Salutations to the Theotokos

The Salutations to the Theotokos is sung on the first five Fridays of Great Lent beginning next week on March 22. The first of these services will be at 7:30 p.m.  All the following will begin at 6 p.m. 


CONFESSIONS

Confessions will be heard throughout Great Lent prior to the Presanctified Liturgies or following the Salutations, with the exception of the first one.


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Announcements

MISSIONS SUNDAY

This Sunday is observed throughout the Archdiocese as "Missions Sunday" in support of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center. This observance reminds us of the importance of preaching Christ's "gospel of peace" and offer support to those who bring these "glad tidings." As St. Paul reminds us: "How then shall they call on HIm in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him in whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?" (Romans 10:14)

This Sunday a special tray will be passed to support the great work of OCMC.


LENTEN POT-LUCK SUPPERS

Join us every 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.


Mount Athos Exhibit

The Mount Athos Foundation of America and the Mount Athos Center of Thessaloniki exhibit Mount Athos: The Ark of Orthodoxy will be on display at St. Demetrios from March 03, 2024, through April.

PANTOKRATOROS

The exhibit features one panel for each of the twenty Athonite monasteries. Additional panels reflecting life on the Holy Mountain include narratives on its history and institutions, art, architecture, natural environment, and spiritual life.

The exhibition’s panels and accompanying book feature dramatic photography taken at each of the monasteries, and narratives explaining their vast and impressive histories. Monasteries such as Great Lavra, Vatopedi, Iveron, Zographou, Xenophontos, and Esphigmenou have histories dating back over 1,000 years. Spiritually, Mount Athos is a community of persons dedicated to the uninterrupted worship of God through ascetical practice, where the daily spiritual and material life of the monks unfolds with the liturgical life at its epicenter. Writers from Byzantine times to today have praised both the natural beauty of the location and the virtuous life of the ascetics, viewing it as the ideal place for asceticism, as an ideal realm of God on Earth.

An opening Blessing Service will be held on Sunday, March 3rd at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. 

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


STEWARDSHIP REMINDER

Dear Fellow Parishioners,

A friendly reminder and update about our 2024 stewardship. Last year we had a record 54 Stewardship forms completed, currently only 30. Our response rate is improving, but still has a way to go to meet last year and hopefully exceed it. Please take a few moments to complete the Stewardship form after prayerfully considering your 2024 giving. The Parish Council relies on Stewardship in making business decisions.
 
This is even more important because of the church roof replacement project. The Stewardship form was mailed with the church calendar and the form is available at church. Thank you for your continued support of St. Demetrios!
 
As St. John Chrysostom reminds us; A rich man is not one who has much, but one who gives much. For what he gives away remains his forever!
 
Michael Thompson
Stewardship Chairman   

FRIDAY FISH FRY

Friday Fish Fry Five is this Friday. We expect to continue our success of the last four weeks. Please volunteer this Friday, we have several regulars who can’t make it. In naval terms, we need all hands on deck because a storm's a brewing. Lots of hungry appreciative customers are coming to enjoy our fish fry. We need the help with the record number of customers we are serving. If you can’t, please support the fish fry by enjoying a meal and telling family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers.


SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTES

Sunday of Orthodoxy is on March 24th. The children will take part in the icon procession. Please remind your children to bring their favorite icon from home to hold during the procession. We will also have some extra icons in case you can not bring your own.


CAMP GOOD SHEPHERD - VIRGINIA

We have a wonderful Greek Orthodox Youth Camp in the area, at Camp Piankatank in Hartfield, VA. It is growing and we are now offering two weeks. Week 1: July 7-13 (Completed 5th Grade - 8th Grade) Week 2: July 14-20 (Completed 9th Grade - 12th Grade)
 
The Registration Fee is $500 but Fr. Milton has scholarship funds available. Just speak to him.
 
Registration is now open. Please see the flyer below and follow the link REGISTER FOR CAMP. 
 

COFFEE FELLOWSHIP

Sign Up Main Image

We have updated the link to sign up for Coffee Fellowship. Click HERE to add you name as a host for an upcoming, post liturgy fellowship.

Have leftovers or extra goodies after Christmas? Bring them to Coffee Hour this Sunday and get ready for the New Year!


ICONOGRAPHY INSTALLATION

Sts. Constantine and Helen Cathedral is undertaking a major iconography project. The iconographers, Panagiotis and Dimitris Christodoulos, will be making a presentation on Thursday, March 28th at 5:30 p.m. at their church, 30 Malvern Rd. Richmond. You are invited to come hear and learn. These are our selected iconographers for the completion of our St. Demetrios project, so it may be worth the trip!


Help Needed. You Could Save a Life.

A member of our Greek American Community from Hampton Roads has been diagnosed with myelofibrosis, cancer of the bone marrow and is still in need of a stem cell transplant. Thousands of patients with diseases like sickle cell anemia and cancers like leukemia need a stem cell transplant to survive. Many patients don’t have a fully matched donor in their family and that’s when they turn to Be the Match® National Registry to find a “match” who is willing to donate.
 
The chances of finding a match are higher when looking at donors of the same ethnicity. 90% of stem cell donations are now collected through blood donations and not bone marrow donations. To join the registry, all that is required is a health survey and a cheek swab. Only persons between 18 - 40 years old are eligible to join the registry. This can be done at either an in-person event or by mail.  Please contact Elaine Jansen by phone (757) 810-5206 or email ekj30@verizon.net for more information and for help to join the registry. There is also information set out in the anteroom of the church. Donate Blood Stem Cells | Be The Match

YOUR PRIEST IS AS CLOSE AS YOUR TELEPHONE

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.


Remember in Prayer for Health

George Canavos

Peter and Beverly Daikos

Carlos Gray

Sonny Halioris

Athanasia Jouvanis

John Kaminarides

Jim Kokolis

Nikki Mageris

Nancy Marakos

John and Connie Pavlides

Nick Vlattas

 


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FROM YOUR PARISH COUNCIL

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Dear Fellow Parishioners,
 
Last week was clearly a memorable week.  Let me recount the week's events for you and take the opportunity to recognize the efforts of our volunteers.  
 
1.  Metropolis of New Jersey clergy Retreat (March 5, 6, & 7).  We hosted Metropolitan Apostolos and 54 clergy for their annual retreat. We configured Tom Paparis Hall for the conference and served three delicious meals with the clergy gaining an appreciation for the quality of our parish chefs.  Tuesday evening the clergy were treated to a lamb shank dinner prepared by Bob Marakos; on Wednesday, Barb Short and her son Tony prepared a traditional fish plaki luncheon; and on Thursday, Elpitha Paparis prepared breakfast for the clergy following the Hierarchical Liturgy.  We received numerous comments on the beautiful iconography of our church, the quality of the meals we provided and the level of our hospitality and attentiveness.  There are many more to thank, but I especially would like to recognize my wife, Linda for the beautiful room decor and for resetting the room each day with clean linens and table settings.  
 
2.  Fish Fry (March 8). In the midst of last week's events, we continued with Fish Fry on Friday.  It was record-setting with over 420 meals served.  Thanks to Yianni Palantzas and Mike Thompson for their leadership and the entire fish fry volunteer team that have turned this event into a Williamsburg tradition.  Can't wait to see what this week will bring with good weather.  
 
3.  Hierarchical Liturgy (March 9).  His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros celebrated Divine Liturgy and the first Saturday of the Souls.  It was truly a moving service and a first for the parish.  His Eminence tonsured our altar boys; provided us gifts; and gave us our charter which was my honor to accept on behalf of the parish.  The charter is on display in the Narthex by the candle stand.  On behalf of the parish, Kimi Vlahakis created a beautiful icon of St. Demetrios that was given as a gift to His Eminence.  Thank you Kimi for your artistry.  Also, thank you Ion Nichifor for taking photos to capture the event.  
 
4.  Ten-Year Celebration Dinner Dance (March 9).  The week was capped off with our ten-year celebration gala with His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros as our guest of honor.  There were close to 280 attendees.  We were treated to the piano stylings of Jacob and Max Gregoire during cocktail hour; led in the National Anthems by Demetra Demetriou and by Philip and Mary Hotz; a rousing performance by the Colonial Williamsburg Fife & Drum Corps; beautiful Greek dancing by our youth led by Christina Emmanouil; great food from Costa Theodorogiannis; and the music of Apollonia.  The celebration was glorious and a lot of fun.  A big thank you to Elli Kaminarides Williams, Christina Kokolis and the event planning committee.  I would also like to recognize my wife Linda Jouvanis for her tireless efforts to attending to the numerous details associated with the celebration.  
 
Last week was such a great week.  We should all be proud of our parish and what we have accomplished by hard work and the grace of God. Please excuse me if I failed to acknowledge anyone for their efforts.  It would truly a parish-wide effort and success.  I also want to apologize for any errors or omissions in the program book for the event.  
 
It is my honor to be the president of the parish council.  Thank you for your support and God bless the parish of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of Williamsburg, VA.  
 
Athanasios (Tom) Jouvanis
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FLYERS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST

    Sunday of Orthodoxy Great Vespers

    Sunday of Orthodoxy Great Vespers

    You are invited and encourace to attend. This year, the Great Vespers will be held at Annunciation Cathedral in Norfolk. Details in the enclosed flyer.


    Friday Fish Fry

    Friday Fish Fry

    Fridays beginning on February 16 through March 29. Helpers are always welcome and needed.


    CAMP GOOD SHEPHERD 2024

    CAMP GOOD SHEPHERD 2024

    The registration for Camp Good Shepherd has opened. Please see the attached flyer. Scholarships are available. Please see Fr. Milton.


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Eighth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:11-18

At that time, Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus has lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabboni," which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, "Do not touch Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God." Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and she told them that He had said these things to her.

Eighth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 20:11-18

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, Μαρία εἱστήκει πρὸς τὸ μνημεῖον κλαίουσα ἔξω· ὡς οὖν ἔκλαιε, παρέκυψεν εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ θεωρεῖ δύο ἀγγέλους ἐν λευκοῖς καθεζομένους, ἕνα πρὸς τῇ κεφαλῇ, καὶ ἕνα πρὸς τοῖς ποσίν, ὅπου ἔκειτο τὸ σῶμα τοῦ Ἰησοῦ, καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῇ ἐκεῖνοι· Γύναι, τί κλαίεις; λέγει αὐτοῖς· Ὅτι ᾖραν τὸν Κύριόν μου, καὶ οὐκ οἶδα ποῦ ἔθηκαν αὐτόν· καὶ ταῦτα εἰποῦσα ἐστράφη εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω, καὶ θεωρεῖ τὸν Ἰησοῦν ἑστῶτα, καὶ οὐκ ᾒδει ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ἐστι. Λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Γύναι, τί κλαίεις; τίνα ζητεῖς; ἐκείνη δοκοῦσα ὅτι ὁ κηπουρὸς ἐστι, λέγει αὐτῷ· Κύριε, εἰ σὺ ἐβάστασας αὐτόν, εἰπέ μοι ποῦ αὐτὸν ἔθηκας, κᾀγὼ αὐτὸν ἀρῶ· λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Μαρία· στραφεῖσα ἐκείνη λέγει αὐτῷ· Ῥαββουνί· ὃ λέγεται Διδάσκαλε· λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ Ἰησοῦς, Μή μου ἃπτου· οὔπω γὰρ ἀναβέβηκα πρὸς τὸν πατέρα μου, πορεύου δὲ πρὸς τοὺς ἀδελφούς μου, καὶ εἰπὲ αὐτοῖς· Ἀναβαίνω πρὸς τὸν πατέρα μου καὶ πατέρα ὑμῶν, καὶ Θεόν μου καὶ Θεὸν ὑμῶν· ἔρχεται Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ ἀπαγγέλλουσα τοῖς μαθηταῖς ὅτι ἑώρακε τὸν Κύριον· καὶ ταῦτα εἶπεν αὐτῇ.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Fourth Tone. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4.

Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand.

Προκείμενον. Plagal Fourth Tone. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 75.11,1.
Εὔξασθε καὶ ἀπόδοτε Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν.
Στίχ. Γνωστὸς ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ ὁ Θεός, ἐν τῷ Ἰσραὴλ μέγα τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς ῾Ρωμαίους 13:11-14, 14:1-4.

Ἀδελφοί, νῦν ἐγγύτερον ἡμῶν ἡ σωτηρία ἢ ὅτε ἐπιστεύσαμεν. Ἡ νὺξ προέκοψεν, ἡ δὲ ἡμέρα ἤγγικεν· ἀποθώμεθα οὖν τὰ ἔργα τοῦ σκότους, καί ἐνδυσώμεθα τὰ ὅπλα τοῦ φωτός. Ὡς ἐν ἡμέρᾳ, εὐσχημόνως περιπατήσωμεν, μὴ κώμοις καὶ μέθαις, μὴ κοίταις καὶ ἀσελγείαις, μὴ ἔριδι καὶ ζήλῳ. Ἀλλʼ ἐνδύσασθε τὸν κύριον Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν, καὶ τῆς σαρκὸς πρόνοιαν μὴ ποιεῖσθε, εἰς ἐπιθυμίας. Τὸν δὲ ἀσθενοῦντα τῇ πίστει προσλαμβάνεσθε, μὴ εἰς διακρίσεις διαλογισμῶν. Ὃς μὲν πιστεύει φαγεῖν πάντα, ὁ δὲ ἀσθενῶν λάχανα ἐσθίει. Ὁ ἐσθίων τὸν μὴ ἐσθίοντα μὴ ἐξουθενείτω, καὶ ὁ μὴ ἐσθίων τὸν ἐσθίοντα μὴ κρινέτω· ὁ θεὸς γὰρ αὐτὸν προσελάβετο. Σὺ τίς εἶ ὁ κρίνων ἀλλότριον οἰκέτην; Τῷ ἰδίῳ κυρίῳ στήκει ἢ πίπτει. Σταθήσεται δέ· δυνατὸς γάρ ἐστιν ὁ θεὸς στῆσαι αὐτόν.


Gospel Reading

Forgiveness Sunday
The Reading is from Matthew 6:14-21

The Lord said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

"And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Forgiveness Sunday
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 6:14-21

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· ᾿Εὰν γὰρ ἀφῆτε τοῖς ἀνθρώποις τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν, ἀφήσει καὶ ὑμῖν ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ὁ οὐράνιος· ἐὰν δὲ μὴ ἀφῆτε τοῖς ἀνθρώποις τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν, οὐδὲ ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ἀφήσει τὰ παραπτώματα ὑμῶν. ῞Οταν δὲ νηστεύητε, μὴ γίνεσθε ὥσπερ οἱ ὑποκριταὶ σκυθρωποί· ἀφανίζουσι γὰρ τὰ πρόσωπα αὐτῶν ὅπως φανῶσι τοῖς ἀνθρώποις νηστεύοντες· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ἀπέχουσι τὸν μισθὸν αὐτῶν. σὺ δὲ νηστεύων ἄλειψαί σου τὴν κεφαλὴν καὶ τὸ πρόσωπόν σου νίψαι,ὅπως μὴ φανῇς τοῖς ἀνθρώποις νηστεύων, ἀλλὰ τῷ πατρί σου τῷ ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ, καὶ ὁ πατήρ σου ὁ βλέπων ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ ἀποδώσει σοι ἐν τῷ φανερῷ. Μὴ θησαυρίζετε ὑμῖν θησαυροὺς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ὅπου σὴς καὶ βρῶσις ἀφανίζει, καὶ ὅπου κλέπται διορύσσουσι καὶ κλέπτουσι· θησαυρίζετε δὲ ὑμῖν θησαυροὺς ἐν οὐρανῷ, ὅπου οὔτε σὴς οὔτε βρῶσις ἀφανίζει, καὶ ὅπου κλέπται οὐ διορύσσουσιν οὐδὲ κλέπτουσιν· ὅπου γάρ ἐστιν ὁ θησαυρὸς ὑμῶν, ἐκεῖ ἔσται καὶ ἡ καρδία ὑμῶν.


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Saints and Feasts

Eden
March 17

Forgiveness Sunday

The Holy Fathers have appointed the commemoration of Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight here, on the eve of the holy Forty-day Fast, demonstrating to us not by simple words, but by actual deeds, how beneficial fasting is for man, and how harmful and destructive are insatiety and the transgressing of the divine commandments. For the first commandment that God gave to man was that of fasting, which the first-fashioned received but did not keep; and not only did they not become gods, as they had imagined, but they lost even that blessed life which they had, and they fell into corruption and death, and transmitted these and innumerable other evils to all of mankind. The God-bearing Fathers set these things before us today, that by bringing to mind what we have fallen from, and what we have suffered because of the insatiety and disobedience of the first-fashioned, we might be diligent to return again to that ancient bliss and glory by means of fasting and obedience to all the divine commands. Taking occasion from today's Gospel (Matt. 6:14-21) to begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask forgiveness this day, first from God, then from one another and all creation.


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March 17

Patrick the Enlightener of Ireland

Saint Patrick, the Apostle of the Irish, was seized from his native Britain by Irish marauders when he was sixteen years old. Though the son of a deacon and a grandson of a priest, it was not until his captivity that he sought out the Lord with his whole heart. In his Confession, the testament he wrote towards the end of his life, he says, "After I came to Ireland - every day I had to tend sheep, and many times a day I prayed - the love of God and His fear came to me more and more, and my faith was strengthened. And my spirit was so moved that in a single day I would say as many as a hundred prayers, and almost as many at night, and this even when I was staying in the woods and on the mountain; and I would rise for prayer before daylight, through snow, through frost, through rain, and I felt no harm." After six years of slavery in Ireland, he was guided by God to make his escape, and afterwards struggled in the monastic life at Auxerre in Gaul, under the guidance of the holy Bishop Germanus. Many years later he was ordained bishop and sent to Ireland once again, about the year 432, to convert the Irish to Christ. His arduous labours bore so much fruit that within seven years, three bishops were sent from Gaul to help him shepherd his flock, "my brethren and sons whom I have baptized in the Lord - so many thousands of people," he says in his Confession. His apostolic work was not accomplished without much "weariness and painfulness," long journeys through difficult country, and many perils; he says his very life was in danger twelve times. When he came to Ireland as its enlightener, it was a pagan country; when he ended his earthly life some thirty years later, about 461, the Faith of Christ was established in every corner.


Alexismanofgod
March 17

Alexis the Man of God

Saint Alexis was born in old Rome of illustrious parents named Euphemianus and Aglais, and at their request was joined to a young woman in marriage. However, he did not remain with her even for one day, but fled to Edessa, where he lived for eighteen years. He returned to Rome in the guise of a beggar and sat at the gates of his father's house, unknown to all and mocked by his own servants. His identity was revealed only after his death by a paper that he had on his person, which he himself had written a little before his repose. The pious Emperor Honorius honoured him with a solemn burial. The title "Man of God" was given to him from heaven in a vision to the Bishop of Rome on the day of the Saint's repose.


March 17

Marinos the Martyr


March 17

Paul the Righteous Martyr


March 17

Theocteristos the Confessor


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Tone

You descended from on high, O compassionate One, and condescended to be buried for three days, so that from the passions You might set us free. Our life and resurrection, O Lord, glory be to You.
Ἐξ ὕψους κατῆλθες ὁ εὔσπλαγχνος, ταφὴν καταδέξω τριήμερον, ἵνα ἡμᾶς ἐλευθερώσῃς τῶν παθῶν. Ἡ ζωὴ καὶ ἡ Ἀνάστασις ἡμῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Second Tone

O Master, Prudence, Guide of Wisdom, Instruction to the foolish and Defender of the poor, strengthen my heart and grant it discernment. Give me words, Word of the Father, for behold, I shall not keep my lips from crying out to You, "O Merciful One, have mercy on me who has fallen."
Τῆς σοφίας ὁδηγέ, φρονήσεως χορηγέ, τῶν ἀφρόνων παιδευτά, καὶ πτωχῶν ὑπερασπιστά, στήριξον, συνέτισον τὴν καρδίαν μου Δέσποτα. Σὺ δίδου μοι λόγον, ὁ τοῦ Πατρός Λόγος· ἰδοὺ γὰρ τὰ χείλη μου, οὐ μὴ κωλύσω ἐν τῷ κράζειν σοι· Ἐλεῆμον, ἐλέησόν με τὸν παραπεσόντα.
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Wisdom of the Fathers

Before we enter the Lenten fast, we are reminded that there can be no true fast, no genuine repentance, no reconciliation with God, unless we are at the same time reconciled with one another. A fast without mutual love is the fast of demons…We do not travel the road of Lent as isolated individuals but as members of a family.
Bishop KallistosWare of Diokleia

Spiritual delight is not enjoyment found in things that exists outside the soul.
St. Isaac of Syria
Unknown, 7th century

Do we forgive our neighbors their trespasses? God also forgives us in His mercy. Do we refuse to forgive? God, too, will refuse to forgive us. As we treat our neighbors, so also does God treat us. The forgiveness, then, of your sins or unforgiveness, and hence also your salvation or destruction, depend on you yourself, man. For without forgiveness of sins there is no salvation.
St. Tikhon of Zadonsk
Unknown, 18th century

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St. Demetrios Parish Calendar

  • PARISH CALENDAR

    March 17 to April 14, 2024

    SUN
    MON
    TUE
    WED
    THU
    FRI
    SAT
    17
    9:00AM Orthros
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
    11:15AM Gus Zacharopoulos Memorial
    18
    Great Lent Begins
    19
    20
    4:00PM Confessions
    5:30PM Presanctified Liturgy
    6:30PM Lenten Pot Luck Fellowship
    7:00PM OCF
    21
    22
    5:00PM Confessions
    7:00PM Salutations to the Theotokos
    23
    Miracle of St. Theodore & the Kolliva
    9:30AM Divine Liturgy
    10:30AM Memorial Service
    11:00AM Agnew Baptism
    24
    9:00AM Orthros
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
    5:00PM Sunday of Orthodox Great Vespers
    25
    ANNUNCIATION
    8:45AM Orthros
    9:30AM Divine Liturgy
    26
    6:00PM Parish Council Mtg.
    27
    4:00PM Confessions
    5:30PM Presanctified Liturgy
    6:30PM Lenten Pot Luck Fellowship
    7:00PM OCF
    28
    29
    5:00PM Confessions
    7:00PM Salutations to the Theotokos
    30
    31
    9:00AM Orthros
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
    1
    APR
    2
    3
    4:00PM Confessions
    5:30PM Presanctified Liturgy
    6:30PM Lenten Pot Luck Fellowship
    7:00PM OCF
    4
    5
    6:00PM Salutations to the Theotokos
    7:00PM Confessions
    6
    10:00AM Legion Breakfast Meeting
    7
    9:00AM Orthros
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
    8
    9
    10
    4:00PM Confessions
    5:30PM Presanctified Liturgy
    6:30PM Lenten Pot Luck Fellowship
    7:00PM OCF
    11
    12
    6:00PM Salutations to the Theotokos
    7:00PM Confessions
    13
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ARCHEPISCOPAL ENCYCLICAL

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