This Sunday, we commemorate one of the greatest saints of the Church – certainly among the most popular! – and for good reason.

In 280 AD, Nicholas was born of wealthy parents in a small town known as Patara, (near Cappadocia) in Asia Minor.  Early in life, he lost his parents, but not before they gave him what he would need in life to succeed – not wealth and fortune, but the gift of faith and piety.

That, my friends, is the best gift you can give your children. He is as relevant now as ever, and example for the ages. St. Nicholas was a committed Christian in a time when it was not even legal to be one openly.

Although he was among the champions for Orthodox teaching at the First Ecumenical Council of the Church in Nicaea, a staunch defender of the doctrines of the Christian Faith that we now take for granted, one who articulated and defended the dogma of the Holy Trinity, particularly the divinity of Christ Jesus; still, it is his love and generosity for which he is most admired and remembered. The stories of his generosity were many and great, and soon they spread far and wide. Some may perhaps have been exaggerated, and others maybe contrived, but they all had their source in truth: In the love that this humble bishop had for others, especially for children. Nicholas loved to travel among the people -- in cognito with the flock he loved. He is known for his empathy and compassion; best known for his charity. 

Because of this exemplary life, his story has spread throughout the ages and the legends abound.  He became the most popular saint in Europe. Among all the saints of the Church, more congregations have selected him as their patron than any other saint in the entire history of the church east and west. His life of sacrificial giving was so remarkable that his fame has endured even to this day. Look how his example of giving to others dominates the Christmas season! Santa Claus –yes, jolly old St. Nick — embodies the season.

Unfortunately, poor old St. Nick has stopped being portrayed as an advocate of the poor, a teacher of the Faith, a defender of children, and an ambassador of Christ’s good will.  Instead he has become now a purveyor of materialism. He has become a jolly old salesman who peddles the wrappings and trappings of Christmas at the expense of the spiritual values he once championed. Sadly, many of us have been ensnared in the trap that this wily, old man prepares for us each year. 

Let it not be so for us. Let us Orthodox Christians love him as the Church has taught us. Let us be inspired by his example. Let us offer him due reverence and veneration. I would say, all who are named for St. Nicholas; all who have a family member named for St. Nicholas; all who admire the example of St. Nicholas; all who wish to venerate this holy man: Let us give proper honor and reverence to the saint – the holy man of God - in Church. 

May God bless you, through the prayers of St. Nicholas, throughout this holy season of the Nativity Fast.

Join us for Sunday services. Religious services are not included in the maximum numbers restrictions in Governor Northam's most recent Executive Order (EO67). The following safety precautions are in place.

• Please arrive early and register prior to entering the sanctuary. 
• If you have been exposed to anyone who has contracted the Coronavirus, please stay home and watch our services via YouTube.
• Wash or sanitize your hands before entering the sanctuary. 
• Please wear a mask. Masks will be required.
• Sit socially distanced from others. 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. 
• Antidoron will be given out using plastic baggies.
• Reverence but do not kiss any icons or the hand of the priest. Do not shake any hands or hug your friends and do not congregate outside following the liturgy. 

The Church will be open between 6 and 7 p.m. every Wednesday for personal prayer and meditation. All are welcome.

Thursday, Dec. 24th - Christmas Eve

Vesperal Divine Liturgy beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 25th - The Nativity of our Lord, Chrismas Morning

Orthros, 8:45 a.m.

Divine Liturgy, 10:00 a.m.

We are invited to join in the celebration of their Patronal Feast Day at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Virginia Beach. 

Great Vespers, Saturday at 5 p.m.

This year, there will be no coordinated collection and purchase of poinsettias to decorate the sanctuary. However, if you would like to brighten up the church by bringing plants to place before the altar, your contribution would be welcome and appreciated.

Thank you all who participated in the Salvation Army Angel Tree project this year! Don't forget that this year, after you do your shopping, you need to deliver your gifts directly to the Salvation Army office at 216 Ironbound Road (the old VA Gazette building) by December 7th. If using Amazon to purchase gifts, don’t forget to link your account to Amazon Smile (see below) so that Saint Demetrios can benefit as well!  Contact Christina Kokolis (757-784-4697) with any questions.

During this pandemic, more people are Christmas shopping on line. You can help St. Demetrios by doing so. 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

Join us this evening. We will meet via Zoom for the Orthodox Study Group each THURSDAY at 7 p.m. 

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85443892141?pwd=U283M1VRcUhCTXFRM0d5WXJIeGxuUT09

Meeting ID: 854 4389 2141
Passcode: 315679

We will not have in-person Sunday School classes at this time. However, parents, you are encouraged to "home school" your children in matters of the faith. In reality, this is a great opportunity to spend time with your children and learn more about the Faith together. Below is an excellent resource: https://tending-the-garden.com/virtualsundayschool/  

Elias Paparis: Receiving treatment in Erie, PA

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.

Although Church services are available now, we are still in need of your weekly stewardship offerings, perhaps more now that ever. With limited attendance, our collections are way down. In addition, please complete a stewardship card so we can plan for remainder of 2020.

You can continue to give through our web page www.stdemva.com or send your weekly offering checks by mail. We have PayPal for your convenience.

Now that we have returned to our beloved Church to worship together. Many of you are again 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. $2005.00 has already been donated. About $ 3,000 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.

Updates on Orthodox Church news items can be found on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=saint%20demetrios%20greek%20orthodox%20church%20-%20williamsburg%20va.

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.