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St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2020-06-21
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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

Our Heroes

People seem to need heroes. We seek role models to look up to, to emulate, and maybe even idealize. Hero worship, it is called in contemporary parlance. This, of course, in theological parlance would be called idolatry. Our worship is due to God alone. Our heroes, therefore, should be those whose exemplary life glorified God in one way or another. As Christians, therefore, we should look up to those who sacrificed for the name of Jesus Christ. In Church, we learn of and celebrate those heroes whose lives were dedicated to Christ Jesus. They are the saints, the holy ones of God.

In our day and age, everyone seems to be striving to be rich and famous, sexy and brilliant, loved and liked in our social media. Is it not insane? What should be the case, though, is that we would want to emulate the men and women of God. We should strive to be more like the saints. In the Divine Liturgy, we ourselves are called "the holy people of God." We should want practically speaking to become saints as well.

This is not arrogant or proud. It is humble and sincere, because what it means practically is to try to do what Jesus would do. Or better, what Jesus would want us to do. This indeed is why God became man. He became man to lead us to salvation. We are led when we follow His Way, live by His teachings, and love one another. He established His Church that we may be holy as He is holy. We should long to be back in His Church and strive always to be led by Him, for, as it says in Hebrews, “He is the same today, yesterday, and forever.”


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Archpastoral Encyclical

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Upcoming Divine Services and Holy Days

YouTube SERVICES

Although the Church will re-open for in person services, we will still live stream for those who may not attend out of an abundance of caution. Please join us on line for Sunday Divine Liturgy via YouTube.  Click HERE and you will go directly to the St. Demetrios livestream. Orthros, 9 a.m. Divine Liturgy, 10 a.m.

FEAST OF THE HOLY APOSTLES

Holy Apostles

 

Tuesday, June 30

Divine Liturgy at 9:30 a.m.

 


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Announcements

Deacon Noah to Preach Sunday

We have been blessed to have Deacon Noah Hendricks assisting in the Sunday Divine Liturgy these past two weeks. He will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. This Sunday, Deacon Noah will offer the sermon.


WE ARE OPEN FOR IN PERSON WORSHIP

As of last Sunday, we are open for public worship, as the photo indicates, with a light crowd and respectful of social distancing. We look forward to your attendence if, and only if, you are comfortable doing so. Please be considerate of others and share the responsibility of maintaining a safe and controled worship environment. Your Parish Council will be on hand to assist you in doing your part in maintaining the protocols listed below.

What should you do for your part?

  • Please arrive early. The procedures upon entry may take some time. You will need to register with your name, phone number and email address prior to entering the sanctuary.
  • If you are elderly, in a more vulnerable situation, or have been exposed to anyone who has contracted the Coronavirus, STAY HOME and watch our services via YouTube.
  • Wash or sanitize your hands immediately before entering the sanctuary. 
  • Allow the Parish Council member on duty to take your temperature (we have no touch thermometers) and ask important questions about your health and contacts.
  • Wear a mask.  Masks will be required. Bring one from home, but if you do not have one, one will be provided for you.
  • Maintain a minimum of 6 feet social distancing while in the services. Only immediate families will be able to sit together.
  • When receiving Holy Communion, open your mouth wide and tilt your head back so that communion may be dropped into your mouth without touching. Do not wipe your mouth with the cloth.
  • Antidoron will be given on request only in a plastic bag.
  • Do not kiss any icons or the hand of the priest. Bow before the icon. Do not shake any hands or hug your friends. Do not congregate outside following the liturgy. Please return to your cars and homes.
  • A collection tray will not be passed, but please offer a weekly donation. We are way behind in our budget. A basket to deposit your checks, envelopes or cash will be placed at the back of the sanctuary.

ORTHODOX STUDY GROUP

Our weekly Study Group is on Summer Break. We will resume in September. You still are welcome to join Fr. George Kokhno's group. They will continue to meet on Zoom on Friday’s, Saturdays and Tuesdays only. Log in information is below.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2100687480?pwd=UmZYU29xaHVKeWJtLzlGd1J4M0NvUT09

Meeting ID: 210 068 7480
Password: 208156


HELP FOR OUR PARISHIONERS

If you or a loved one needs help with grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions, or other needs that do not involve personal contact please call Tom Coghill at 757-784-6410. Also, volunteers are needed to help.


Congratulations to...

Natalie Nowicki on her Baptism. Her sponsors are David Pearson and Pam Scruggs. May God grant her many years!


CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GRADUATES

In addition to those whom we recognized in last week's e-bulletin, we also would like to congratulate...

Christos Konstantinou who graduated from Lafayette High School. He plans to attend James Madison University in the Fall.

If we have missed anyone, please let Fr. Gianulis know so they too can be recognized in next week's bulletin.


SOUND SYSTEM

At some point in the near future, we will return to our beloved Church to worship together. Many of you are well aware that our sound system is not the best. The parish Council has investigated and have a reasonable bid to upgrade and improve the system. As this is "off budget" we would like to raise the money from donations. $1000 has already been donated. About $4000 more is needed. If you are among those who cannot hear Father's sermons, or want to help others who have a hard time hearing, you might wish to contribute to this cause. Please send your donation earmarked for SOUND SYSTEM to the Church Office. And thank you.


STEWARDSHIP OFFERINGS

Although Church services are suspended for the time being, we still are in need of your weekly stewardship offerings. Please continue to give through our web page stdemva.com or send your weekly offering checks by mail. We have PayPal for your convenience.


Shop Amazon Smile for St. Demetrios

Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church whenever you shop on AmazonSmile. Same products, same prices, same service, but we get a donation. Click the link below to learn more.

https://smile.amazon.com/ch/20-4454773


Archdiocese Announces COVID-19 Relief Program

New York - The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America announces the creation of the “Greek Orthodox Archdiocese COVID-19 Relief Fund” as an important part of its efforts to support those around the country who have been impacted by the current pandemic. One-time grants of up to $2,500 will be made available to those who are facing extreme financial hardship as a result of COVID-19. His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros had urged the creation of the Fund and commented: “During this desperate time, we believe it is our responsibility to provide, in addition to our spiritual care, material support for our brothers and sisters who are facing unexpected financial hardship. We now have the ability to provide funding up to $500,000, but I want to challenge everyone to help our Church raise an additional $500,000, as we expect the consequences of the Pandemic to extend at least through the end of this year. We are committed to helping people in their daily lives, and are grateful to those who will join our cause.” Archbishop Elpidophoros named Bishop Apostolos of Medeia to lead a committee to approve applications for relief. Those facing an economic or financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, and in need of emergency help with expenses such as rent, mortgage, utilities, food, childcare, medical, funeral or other daily costs, may apply to the COVID-19 Relief Fund, which has been privately funded, through the GOARCH website https://www.goarch.org/covid19relief Those who wish to contribute to the Fund may do so at www.goarch.org/covid19/donate. Twitter https://bit.ly/twittercovid19reliefvideo Facebook: https://bit.ly/fb-covid19-video YouTube: http://bit.ly/youtube-covid19-release-video


Visit us on Facebook

GO FUND ME PAGE

We now have a Go Fund Me page for St. Demetrios. Help spread the word on it, share it with friends and boost it if you can.  That can be on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc.  


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Second Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Mark 16:1-8

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint Jesus. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back, for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to any one, for they were afraid.

Second Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 16:1-8

Καὶ διαγενομένου τοῦ σαββάτου Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ καὶ Μαρία ἡ τοῦ ᾿Ιακώβου καὶ Σαλώμη ἠγόρασαν ἀρώματα ἵνα ἐλθοῦσαι ἀλείψωσιν αὐτόν. καὶ λίαν πρωῒ τῆς μιᾶς σαββάτων ἔρχονται ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, ἀνατείλαντος τοῦ ἡλίου. καὶ ἔλεγον πρὸς ἑαυτάς· τίς ἀποκυλίσει ἡμῖν τὸν λίθον ἐκ τῆς θύρας τοῦ μνημείου; καὶ ἀναβλέψασαι θεωροῦσιν ὅτι ἀποκεκύλισται ὁ λίθος· ἦν γὰρ μέγας σφόδρα. καὶ εἰσελθοῦσαι εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον εἶδον νεανίσκον καθήμενον ἐν τοῖς δεξιοῖς, περιβεβλημένον στολὴν λευκήν, καὶ ἐξεθαμβήθησαν. ὁ δὲ λέγει αὐταῖς· μὴ ἐκθαμβεῖσθε· ᾿Ιησοῦν ζητεῖτε τὸν Ναζαρηνὸν τὸν ἐσταυρωμένον· ἠγέρθη, οὐκ ἔστιν ὧδε· ἴδε ὁ τόπος ὅπου ἔθηκαν αὐτόν. ἀλλ᾿ ὑπάγετε εἴπατε τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ καὶ τῷ Πέτρῳ ὅτι προάγει ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν· ἐκεῖ αὐτὸν ὄψεσθε, καθὼς εἶπεν ὑμῖν. καὶ ἐξελθοῦσαι ἔφυγον ἀπὸ τοῦ μνημείου· εἶχε δὲ αὐτὰς τρόμος καὶ ἔκστασις, καὶ οὐδενὶ οὐδὲν εἶπον· ἐφοβοῦντο γάρ.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. First Tone. Psalm 32.22,1.
Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 2:10-16.

Brethren, glory and honor and peace for every one who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality. All who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. When Gentiles who have not the law do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

Προκείμενον. First Tone. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 32.22,1.
Γένοιτο, Κύριε, τὸ ἔλεός σου ἐφ' ἡμᾶς.
Στίχ. Ἀγαλλιᾶσθε δίκαιοι ἐν Κυρίῳ

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς ῾Ρωμαίους 2:10-16.

Ἀδελφοί, δόξα δὲ καὶ τιμὴ καὶ εἰρήνη παντὶ τῷ ἐργαζομένῳ τὸ ἀγαθόν, Ἰουδαίῳ τε πρῶτον καὶ Ἕλληνι· οὐ γάρ ἐστιν προσωποληψία παρὰ τῷ θεῷ. Ὅσοι γὰρ ἀνόμως ἥμαρτον, ἀνόμως καὶ ἀπολοῦνται· καὶ ὅσοι ἐν νόμῳ ἥμαρτον, διὰ νόμου κριθήσονται· οὐ γὰρ οἱ ἀκροαταὶ τοῦ νόμου δίκαιοι παρὰ τῷ θεῷ, ἀλλʼ οἱ ποιηταὶ τοῦ νόμου δικαιωθήσονται. Ὅταν γὰρ ἔθνη τὰ μὴ νόμον ἔχοντα φύσει τὰ τοῦ νόμου ποιῇ, οὗτοι, νόμον μὴ ἔχοντες, ἑαυτοῖς εἰσιν νόμος· οἵτινες ἐνδείκνυνται τὸ ἔργον τοῦ νόμου γραπτὸν ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν, συμμαρτυρούσης αὐτῶν τῆς συνειδήσεως, καὶ μεταξὺ ἀλλήλων τῶν λογισμῶν κατηγορούντων ἢ καὶ ἀπολογουμένων, ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ὅτε κρινεῖ ὁ θεὸς τὰ κρυπτὰ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, κατὰ τὸ εὐαγγέλιόν μου, διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ.


Gospel Reading

2nd Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 4:18-23

At that time, as Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left their boat and their father, and followed him. And he went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.

2nd Sunday of Matthew
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 4:18-23

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, περιπατῶν δὲ παρὰ τὴν θάλασσαν τῆς Γαλιλαίας εἶδε δύο ἀδελφούς, Σίμωνα τὸν λεγόμενον Πέτρον καὶ ᾿Ανδρέαν τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ, βάλλοντας ἀμφίβληστρον εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν· ἦσαν γὰρ ἁλιεῖς· καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· δεῦτε ὀπίσω μου καὶ ποιήσω ὑμᾶς ἁλιεῖς ἀνθρώπων. οἱ δὲ εὐθέως ἀφέντες τὰ δίκτυα ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ. Καὶ προβὰς ἐκεῖθεν εἶδεν ἄλλους δύο ἀδελφούς, ᾿Ιάκωβον τὸν τοῦ Ζεβεδαίου καὶ ᾿Ιωάννην τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ, ἐν τῷ πλοίῳ μετὰ Ζεβεδαίου τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτῶν καταρτίζοντας τὰ δίκτυα αὐτῶν, καὶ ἐκάλεσεν αὐτούς. οἱ δὲ εὐθέως ἀφέντες τὸ πλοῖον καὶ τὸν πατέρα αὐτῶν ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ. Καὶ περιῆγεν ὅλην τὴν Γαλιλαίαν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς διδάσκων ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς αὐτῶν καὶ κηρύσσων τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τῆς βασιλείας καὶ θεραπεύων πᾶσαν νόσον καὶ πᾶσαν μαλακίαν ἐν τῷ λαῷ.


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Saints and Feasts

June 21

Nikitas the New Martyr of Nisyros


June 21

Julian the Martyr of Tarsus

This Martyr, who was born to a pagan father and a Christian mother, was from Cilicia, confessed the Christian Faith before the Proconsul Marcian, and was perfected in martyrdom at the age of eighteen, when he was put into a sack with sand and venomous serpents and cast into the sea. Saint John Chrysostom has a homily in his honour.


June 21

Terentios, Bishop of Iconium


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Tone

Although the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers guarded Your most pure body, You arose on the third day, O Savior, giving life to the world. For this reason, the heavenly powers cried out to you, O Giver of Life: Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Your kingdom! Glory to Your dispensation, only Lover of Mankind!
Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος ὑπὸ τῶν Ἰουδαίων, καὶ στρατιωτῶν φυλασσόντων τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα, ἀνέστης τριήμερος Σωτήρ, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὴν ζωήν. Διὰ τοῦτο αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν οὐρανῶν ἐβόων σοι Ζωοδότα· Δόξα τῇ ἀναστάσει σου Χριστέ, δόξα τῇ Βασιλείᾳ σου, δόξα τῇ οἰκονομίᾳ σου, μόνε Φιλάνθρωπε.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Tone

The protection of Christians unshameable, intercessor to our Holy Maker, unwavering, do not turn from the prayerful cries of those who are in sin; instead, come to us, for you are good; your loving help bring unto us, who are crying in faith to you: Hasten to intercession and speed now to supplication as a protection for all time, Theotokos, for those who honor you.
Προστασία τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀκαταίσχυντε, μεσιτεία πρὸς τὸν Ποιητὴν ἀμετάθετε. Μὴ παρίδῃς ἁμαρτωλῶν δεήσεων φωνάς, ἀλλὰ πρόφθασον, ὡς ἀγαθή, εἰς τὴν βοήθειαν ἡμῶν, τῶν πιστῶς κραυγαζόντων σοι· Τάχυνον εἰς πρεσβείαν, καὶ σπεῦσον εἰς ἱκεσίαν, ἡ προστατεύουσα ἀεί, Θεοτόκε, τῶν τιμώντων σε.
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Wisdom of the Fathers

Nothing comes without effort. The help of God is always ready and always near, but is given only to those who seek and work, and only to those seekers who, after putting all their powers to the test, then cry out with their whole heart: "Lord, help us."
St. Theophan the Recluse
19th Century

Prayer, fasting, vigil and all other Christian practices, however good they may be in themselves, do not constitute the aim of our Christian life, although they serve as the indispensable means of reaching this end. The true aim of our Christian life consists in the acquisition of the Holy Spirit of God.
St. Seraphim of Sarov
The Acquisition of the Holy Spirit: Chapter 3, The Little Russian Philokalia Vol. 1; Saint Herman of Alaska Brotherhood pg. 79, 19th century

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St. Demetrios Parish Calendar

  • St. Demetrios Parish Calender

    June 21 to July 19, 2020

    SUN
    MON
    TUE
    WED
    THU
    FRI
    SAT
    21
    9:00AM Orthros
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
    22
    6:30PM Parish Council
    6:30PM Parish Council Zoom Meeting
    23
    24
    25
    26
    5:00PM Agnew Baby Blessing
    27
    28
    9:00AM Orthros
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
    29
    30
    Holy Apostles
    9:30AM Divine Liturgy
    1
    JUL
    2
    3
    4
    Independence Day
    5
    9:00AM Orthros
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10
    11
    12
    9:00AM Orthros
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
    13
    14
    15
    16
    17
    18
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