There are four Wednesdays and Fridays in the course of the year in which the Church guidelines instruct no fasting. They are the week after Pascha, the week after Pentecost, the week after Christmas, and next week. Why next Wednesday and Friday? Because this Sunday is the first week of the Triodion, meaning Great Lent is just around the corner.

The Triodion is the Liturgical book that guides us in the order (rubrics), services, hymns and commemorations of the pre-Pascha period. It it is divided into three parts: Pre-Lent, Great Lent, and Holy Week. So, Sunday we begin the first leg of our journey.

The Pre-Lenten period is mainly characterized by the four Sunday Gospel lessons. Each of the four Sundays of the Pre-Lenten Period have special themes and specific passages. These are:

1. Sunday of Publican & Pharisee. The Sunday readings are 2nd Timothy 3:10-15 & Luke 18:9-14. The theme is humility and the correct observance of the teachings of God, observing without pride, and without looking down upon others. We are called to see ourselves as we truly are and compare ourselves to Christ’s teachings. There is no fasting during this week, not even on Wednesday or Friday, in preparation for the stricter 40-day fast period.

2. Sunday of the Prodigal Son. The Sunday readings are 1st Corinthians 6:12-20 & Luke 15:11-32. The theme is repentance and forgiveness. We should not judge those who have done wrong, but celebrate their return. We are called to come to “ourselves” as did the prodigal to see if we also may be “far” from our Father’s house and, if so, repent and return. In this week, Wednesday and Friday are fast days. Also, Saturday is the Memorial Saturday in which we pray for our lost loved ones and God’s consolation.

3. Week of Meat Fare (or Judgment Sunday). The Sunday readings are 1st Corinthians 8:8-9:2 & Matthew 25:31-46. The theme is the Last Judgment of Christ, when He returns to the earth again; what will happen to mankind and what is expected of mankind. We are called to see Christ in every human being and serve those in need by doing for them, not simply intending to do, but by actually doing, to bring Christ’s embrace to them. It is “Meat Fare” Sunday, known as “Apokreas” (meaning, “from meat’), in which we eat meat for the last time until Easter.

4. Week of Cheese Fare (or Forgiveness Sunday). The Sunday readings are Romans 13:11-14:4 & Matthew 6:14-21. The theme is forgiveness of one another, personal renewal and reconciliation with others, so as to prepare for the personal renewal with God during Great Lent. A sub-theme is that of Adam’s exile from paradise. We are to identify ourselves with Adam, lamenting our loss of the beauty, dignity, and delight of our original created state, while mourning our corruption in sin. We ask forgiveness of those whom we know we have offended and done wrong. In some parishes, a “Forgiveness Vespers” is offered in the evening. Eating dairy and cheese products are traditional to prepare for eating of “pure foods” – or strict fasting – the next day, Clean Monday (Kathera Theftera). This is the first day of Great Lent. Special Lenten Services, like the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts and the Salutations to the Theotokos (Chairetismoi) begin and continue throughout Lent. The 1st Saturday of Lent is a Memorial Saturday, also known as “The Miracle of St. Theodore with the Wheat.” Food fasting is strict, no meat, fish or dairy products; oil and wine are permitted on Sat & Sun. The same pattern is followed overall through Great Lent with certain exceptions based on calendar observances of particular major Feast Days.

The OCF Retreat kicks off with a Supplication to the Theotokos Service (Paraklesis) on Friday at 7 p.m.

All are welcome to attend the service, not just college students.

Saturday of the Souls Liturgy and Memorial Service will be on March 6th. Divine Liturgy will begin at 10 a.m. followed by the Memorial Service. Please bring kolliva and the names of your departed loved ones.

There are memorial sheets of paper in the narthex, or if you are unable to attend, send by mail the names of your passed loved ones directly to Fr. Gianulis at the Church address.

There will also be a Divine Liturgy and Memorial Service on Saturday, March 20th, commemorating the Miracle of the Kolliva of St. Theodore. There will not be a liturgy and memorial service on March 13th.

Please join us Sunday. By following the guidlines from the Archdiocese and with faith, you should feel comfortable and safe attending worship services. 

• Please arrive early and register at the door as you enter. 
• If you have been exposed to anyone who has the Coronavirus, please stay home and watch our services via YouTube.
• Wash or sanitize your hands before entering the sanctuary. 
• Masks will be required and are available at the door.
• Sit socially distanced from others. Only immediate families will be able to sit together.
• Antidoron will be given out using plastic baggies.
• Reverence but do not kiss any icons or the hand of the priest.  

We are walking through the Divine Liturgy step-by-step via Zoom. We have a growing number of participants and enjoy a good and informative discussion. This Thursday, we are going to talk about the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Please join our discussion and fellowship each and every Thursday at 7 p.m. 

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

Meeting ID: 854 4389 2141
Passcode: 315679

... Andrew and Kyra Florenz on the birth of their baby boy, Nicholas. Mother and baby are doing well. Sasha and Elena are thrilled with the baby - mommy's little helpers!

Elias Paparis: Undergoing treatment in Erie PA

... to the family and friends of Basil (Vasilisa Sakalis) Wowk, who fell asleep in the Lord on January 23, 2021.

Basil was an active member in the Williamsburg community, teaching opera lessons to students of the College of William and Mary and an active Chruch choir member. She will be remembered for her strong independent and free spirit.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 27, at St. Demetrios at 10 AM. As there are no funds, we are asking for donations to offset the cost of a proper burial that she may rest peacefully and eternally at Memorial Park Cemetery in Williamsburg.

...especially during this difficult time, call your priest for pastoral needs, but understand that 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. Fr. Gianulis 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.

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.

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/  

We are shooting for next Friday, February 26th, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Take out only. Fried Fish, French fries, coleslaw and dessert ($11). Online ordering should be set up shortly and drive through will be set up like we did for the drive through Festival.

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

Offering envelopes for 2021 are now available. As you enter the church building you will find them on the pew on the left. They are arranged alphabetically, please pick yours up to save postage. If you don’t find your name let Michael Thompson know and he will make sure you get envelopes. Please don’t use leftover envelopes from 2020.

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.