Publish-header
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2021-04-04
Bulletin Contents
03_calvary
Organization Icon
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

Veneration of the Holy Cross

This Sunday, we commemorate the Holy Cross. We call the day the Veneration of the Holy Cross. It is a reminder that we are midway through Great Lent, and our focus should be on the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. He is our strength.

In the gospel lesson of the Divine Liturgy on Sunday we will hear the words of Jesus Christ, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow.” (Mark 8:34).

These words are recorded in three of the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Only in Luke, though, is there a slight but significant difference: one word, “daily.”

“If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me daily.” (Luke 9:23)

We are not Christians once a week, just on Sunday. We are Christians every day. This is most important to keep in the forefront of our minds especially if we are among those who are still reticent about attending Church services. 

Our faith is in Jesus Christ, who was crucified for our salvation. He took up His Cross, but He also challenged us to take up our crosses as well. In other words, His is a call to sacrificial love, sacrificial giving, sacrificial commitment, and sacrificial devotion to Him. Luke adds: “daily.”

We cannot take up our cross and follow Christ unless we somehow have accepted a willingness to commit to Him and His Way. This commitment, this struggle to follow is daily. His way is the Way of the Cross, which He took up in order to save us. So, our daily life should also be one of taking up the Cross.

Do we bear a cross? Do we carry a burden for Him? By this, of course, I do not mean do we wear a gold cross around our necks? Sure, that is nice, but not really enough. Or do we have a cross among our icons? That is good for veneration, but that too is not enough. To truly venerate the Cross of Christ, we must carry a cross like His and follow.

His Cross saves us. His is a Cross of love and sacrifice. It is His Cross that gives meaning to our very existence. To possess His Cross, we must take up our cross and follow. Follow Him all the way to the Cross...daily.


BACK TO TOP

Upcoming Divine Services and Holy Days

Χαιρετισμοί - SALUTATIONS TO THE THEOTOKOS

On Friday evenings, the Salutations to the Theotokos (Χαιρετισμοί) will be sung beginning at 7 p.m. This Friday is the third of five Salutations services.

Confessions will be heard on Friday after the service or by appointment.


LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS

During Great Lent, each Wednesday, the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts will be read beginning at 5:30 p.m. 


WE ARE OPEN for In Person Worship Services

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.  

YouTube SERVICES

Click HERE to view the Sunday services on YouTube. Orthros, 9 a.m. Divine Liturgy, 10 a.m.

HOLY WEEK & PASCHA

Please note, ALL Holy Week Services are in person. Although they are available on YouTube, we encourage your attendance. Many of the services do not fill the sanctuary so there is ample social distancing. Especially if you have been vaccinated, there is really no reason not to attend in person.

April 25, Palm Sunday

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

     NO evening Bridegroom service 

April 26, Holy Monday

     Orthros of the Bridegroom, 7 p.m.

April 27, Holy Tuesday

      Orthros of the Bridegroom, 7 p.m.

April 28, Holy Wednesday

     The Sacrament of Holy Unction, 7 p.m.

April 29, Holy Thursday

     Divine Liturgy of St. Basil (The Institution of the Last Supper), 9:30 a.m.

     Orthros of the Passion (12 Gospels), 7 p.m.

April 30, Good Friday

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

     Lamentation Service, 7 p.m.

May 1, Holy Saturday

     Divine Liturgy of St. Basil, 9:30 a.m.

May 2,  "Midnight" Resurrection Service

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

May 3,  Pascha (Easter Sunday)

     Agape Vespers, 11 a.m.

_____________________________________________

26 Απριλίου, Μεγάλη Δευτέρα

     Ο Όρθρος του Νυμφίου, 7 μμ.

27 Απριλίου, Μεγάλη Τρίτη

     Ο Όρθρος του Νυμφίου, 7 μμ.

28 Απριλίου, Μεγάλη Τετάρτη

     Μέγα Ευχέλαιον, 7 μμ.

29 Απριλίου, Μεγάλη Πέμπτη

     Η Θεία Λειτουργία του Αγ. Βασιλείου (Ο Μυστικός Δείπνος), 9:30 πμ      

     Ο Όρθρος του Πάθος του Χριστού (τα 12 Ευαγγέλια), 7 μμ.

30 Απριλίου, Μεγαλη Παρασκευή

      Ο Μέγας Εσπερινός (Αποκαθήλωσης), 3 μμ.

      Ο Επιτάφιος Θρήνος, 7 μμ.

01 Μαΐου, Μέγα Σάββατο

      Η Θεία Λειτουργία του Αγ. Βασιλείου (Πρώτη Ανάσταση), 9:30 πμ.

      Η Ανάστασis,  Ο Όρθρος, Θεία Λειτουργία, 11 μμ.

02 Μαΐου, Κυριακή του Πάσχα

      Ο Μέγας Εσπερινός της Αγάπης, 11 πμ.    


BACK TO TOP

Announcements

ORTHODOXY 101

Study and discussion each and every Thursday at 7 p.m. via Zoom. This week, we continue our series on some basic catechism topics. This Thursday, Scripture and Tradition. 

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

Meeting ID: 854 4389 2141
Passcode: 315679


BOOKSTORE OPEN

Our St. Demetrios Bookstore has been moved to the anteroom, next to the table where you sign in as you enter the church.

We have new Lenten books and other items, like red egg dye and egg wraps. Please take a look.  If you are looking for a particular book title or item please talk to Aurora Thompson.


FRIDAY FISH FRY HELP ALWAYS NEEDED

We VERY MUCH need volunteers to help with the Friday Fish Fry from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. It is drive through only, but help is needed in the kitchen. 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.


"I was sick and you visited me." Mt. 25:36

Elias Paparis: St. Vincent Hospital, Erie PA


Your Priest is as Close as Your Telephone

...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.


AN INVITATION FROM THE HELLENIC SOCIETY PAIDEIA

On behalf of the Hellenic Society Paideia of Virginia, I would like to invite you and your parishioners to a presentation by US Navy Admiral (Retired) James Stavridis, PhD, with the title "Sailing True North: What I've Learned as a Hellene About Character." We have scheduled a virtual Zoom audio and visual presentation open to the public on Thursday, April 8 at 7PM. The Zoom call can accommodate a large number of people for a virtual presentation that will take approximately one hour including Q&A.  To join the discussion, follow the link   https://goarch.zoom.us/j/8194270907
 
In addition to his remarkable naval service and professional achievements, Admiral Stavridis is the author of several books including "Sailing True North: Ten Admirals and the Voyage of Character," that includes Themistocles and the sea battle of Salamis (480 BC). He is the recipient of numerous military and professional awards, including the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate award, the Leadership 100 award, the Alpha Omega Council award and the Chian Federation Homeric award.

Shop Amazon Smile for St. Demetrios

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


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.  


BACK TO TOP

FROM YOUR PARISH COUNCIL

UPDATE: SOUND SYSTEM DOLLAR-FOR-DOLLAR CHALLENGE

Congratulations to all those who contributed to the sound system! You raised $7,285.00 or $2,285.00 more than the original goal of $5,000.00 goal. This will ensure we have enough funds for the new sound system. Thank you for your generosity!!! A list of the donors is posted on the bulletin board next to the bookstore.

STEWARDSHIP UPDATE

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!"

Are you a 2021 Steward of St. Demetrios? If not, add your name to the list by filling out a stewardship card!

We now have 64 Stewards of St. Demetrios with 41 stewardship pledges towards our 2021 goal of 100 and totaling $86,555. This is 43 percent of our goal of $200,000.00 for 2021 and 41 percent of our stewardship pledge goal of 100 stewardship pledges. Bishop Apostolos in his meeting with the Parish Council, could not underscore enough the need for all parishioners to be active stewards. If you are already a steward, encourage your church friends and family to join you! If you are not a 2021 steward, please become one! It takes just a few minutes to complete a form. All gifts to St. Demetrios are truly appreciated! The stewardship pledge allows the Council to plan financially for 2021. Even though you may have already decided what you plan to give each week, month, or annually, without a stewardship form completed the Council has no way to accurately understand where we are headed.

If you can’t find your stewardship pamphlet/card or need a new one there are additional stewardship forms and envelopes available as you enter the church on the left along with a drop box for your completed stewardship pamphlet/cards. You can also send a letter to St. Demetrios with Stewardship noted on the front. Please complete a stewardship form and be counted on the Stewards listing inside the glass doors as you enter the building.

As St. Paul (Corinthians 9:6-7) admonishes us, "He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So, let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver."

Although Church services are now available, the collection tray is not being passed and many are not attending out of abundant caution. With limited attendance, our collections are still down. You can continue to contribute through our web page www.stdemva.com, send your weekly offering checks by mail, or use PayPal for your convenience.

BACK TO TOP

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Tenth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 21:1-14

At that time, being raised from the dead, Jesus revealed himself to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any fish?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. The disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Tenth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 21:1-14

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐφανέρωσεν ἑαυτὸν πάλιν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τοῖς μαθηταῖς ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης τῆς Τιβεριάδος· ἐφανέρωσε δὲ οὕτως. ἦσαν ὁμοῦ Σίμων Πέτρος, καὶ Θωμᾶς ὁ λεγόμενος Δίδυμος, καὶ Ναθαναὴλ ὁ ἀπὸ Κανᾶ τῆς Γαλιλαίας, καὶ οἱ τοῦ Ζεβεδαίου, καὶ ἄλλοι ἐκ τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ δύο. λέγει αὐτοῖς Σίμων Πέτρος· ὑπάγω ἁλιεύειν. λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· ἐρχόμεθα καὶ ἡμεῖς σὺν σοί. ἐξῆλθον καὶ ἐνέβησαν εἰς τὸ πλοῖον εὐθύς, καὶ ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ νυκτὶ ἐπίασαν οὐδέν. πρωΐας δὲ ἤδη γενομένης ἔστη ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἰς τὸν αἰγιαλόν· οὐ μέντοι ᾔδεισαν οἱ μαθηταὶ ὅτι ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐστι. λέγει οὖν αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· παιδία, μή τι προσφάγιον ἔχετε; ἀπεκρίθησαν αὐτῷ· οὔ. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· βάλετε εἰς τὰ δεξιὰ μέρη τοῦ πλοίου τὸ δίκτυον, καὶ εὑρήσετε. ἔβαλον οὖν, καὶ οὐκέτι αὐτὸ ἑλκύσαι ἴσχυσαν ἀπὸ τοῦ πλήθους τῶν ἰχθύων. λέγει οὖν ὁ μαθητὴς ἐκεῖνος, ὃν ἠγάπα ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς, τῷ Πέτρῳ· ὁ Κύριός ἐστι. Σίμων οὖν Πέτρος ἀκούσας ὅτι ὁ Κύριός ἐστι, τὸν ἐπενδύτην διεζώσατο· ἦν γὰρ γυμνός· καὶ ἔβαλεν ἑαυτὸν εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν· οἱ δὲ ἄλλοι μαθηταὶ τῷ πλοιαρίῳ ἦλθον· οὐ γὰρ ἦσαν μακρὰν ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς, ἀλλ᾽ ὡς ἀπὸ πηχῶν διακοσίων, σύροντες τὸ δίκτυον τῶν ἰχθύων. ὡς οὖν ἀπέβησαν εἰς τὴν γῆν, βλέπουσιν ἀνθρακιὰν κειμένην καὶ ὀψάριον ἐπικείμενον καὶ ἄρτον. λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· ἐνέγκατε ἀπὸ τῶν ὀψαρίων ὧν ἐπιάσατε νῦν. ἀνέβη Σίμων Πέτρος καὶ εἵλκυσε τὸ δίκτυον ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, μεστὸν ἰχθύων μεγάλων ἑκατὸν πεντήκοντα τριῶν· καὶ τοσούτων ὄντων οὐκ ἐσχίσθη τὸ δίκτυον. λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· δεῦτε ἀριστήσατε. οὐδεὶς δὲ ἐτόλμα τῶν μαθητῶν ἐξετάσαι αὐτὸν σὺ τίς εἶ, εἰδότες ὅτι ὁ Κύριός ἐστιν. ἔρχεται οὖν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς καὶ λαμβάνει τὸν ἄρτον καὶ δίδωσιν αὐτοῖς, καὶ τὸ ὀψάριον ὁμοίως. Τοῦτο ἤδη τρίτον ἐφανερώθη ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ ἐγερθεὶς ἐκ νεκρῶν.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Tone. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6.

BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek."

Προκείμενον. Plagal Second Tone. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 27.9,1.
Σῶσον, Κύριε τὸν λαὸν σου καὶ εὐλόγησον τὴν κληρονομίαν σου.
Στίχ. Πρὸς σἐ, Κύριε, κεκράξομαι ὁ Θεός μου.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 4:14-16, 5:1-6.

Ἀδελφοί, ἔχοντες οὖν ἀρχιερέα μέγαν, διεληλυθότα τοὺς οὐρανούς, Ἰησοῦν τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ θεοῦ, κρατῶμεν τῆς ὁμολογίας. Οὐ γὰρ ἔχομεν ἀρχιερέα μὴ δυνάμενον συμπαθῆσαι ταῖς ἀσθενείαις ἡμῶν, πεπειραμένον δὲ κατὰ πάντα καθʼ ὁμοιότητα, χωρὶς ἁμαρτίας. Προσερχώμεθα οὖν μετὰ παρρησίας τῷ θρόνῳ τῆς χάριτος, ἵνα λάβωμεν ἔλεον, καὶ χάριν εὕρωμεν εἰς εὔκαιρον βοήθειαν. Πᾶς γὰρ ἀρχιερεύς, ἐξ ἀνθρώπων λαμβανόμενος, ὑπὲρ ἀνθρώπων καθίσταται τὰ πρὸς τὸν θεόν, ἵνα προσφέρῃ δῶρά τε καὶ θυσίας ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν· μετριοπαθεῖν δυνάμενος τοῖς ἀγνοοῦσιν καὶ πλανωμένοις, ἐπεὶ καὶ αὐτὸς περίκειται ἀσθένειαν· καὶ διὰ ταύτην ὀφείλει, καθὼς περὶ τοῦ λαοῦ, οὕτως καὶ περὶ ἑαυτοῦ, προσφέρειν ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν. Καὶ οὐχ ἑαυτῷ τις λαμβάνει τὴν τιμήν, ἀλλὰ καλούμενος ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ, καθάπερ καὶ Ἀαρών. Οὕτως καὶ ὁ Χριστὸς οὐχ ἑαυτὸν ἐδόξασεν γενηθῆναι ἀρχιερέα, ἀλλʼ ὁ λαλήσας πρὸς αὐτόν, Υἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε. Καθὼς καὶ ἐν ἑτέρῳ λέγει, Σὺ ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδέκ.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Holy Cross
The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1

The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."

Sunday of the Holy Cross
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 8:34-38, 9:1

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· Εἴ τις θέλει ὀπίσω μου ἐλθεῖν, ἀπαρνησάσθω ἑαυτὸν καὶ ἀράτω τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀκολουθείτω μοι. ὃς γὰρ ἂν θέλῃ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ σῶσαι, ἀπολέσει αὐτήν· ὃς δ᾿ ἂν ἀπολέσῃ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχὴν ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ καὶ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, οὗτος σώσει αὐτήν. τί γὰρ ὠφελήσει ἄνθρωπον ἐὰν κερδήσῃ τὸν κόσμον ὅλον, καὶ ζημιωθῇ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ; ἢ τί δώσει ἄνθρωπος ἀντάλλαγμα τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ; ὃς γὰρ ἐὰν ἐπαισχυνθῇ με καὶ τοὺς ἐμοὺς λόγους ἐν τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ μοιχαλίδι καὶ ἁμαρτωλῷ, καὶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐπαισχυνθήσεται αὐτὸν ὅταν ἔλθῃ ἐν τῇ δόξῃ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ μετὰ τῶν ἀγγέλων τῶν ἁγίων. Καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι εἰσί τινες τῶν ὧδε ἑστηκότων, οἵτινες οὐ μὴ γεύσωνται θανάτου ἕως ἂν ἴδωσι τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐληλυθυῖαν ἐν δυνάμει.


BACK TO TOP

Saints and Feasts

03_calvary
April 04

Sunday of the Holy Cross

With the help of God, we have almost reached the middle of the course of the Fast, where our strength has been worn down through abstinence, and the full difficulty of the labour set before us becomes apparent. Therefore our holy Mother, the Church of Christ, now brings to our help the all-holy Cross, the joy of the world, the strength of the faithful, the staff of the just, and the hope of sinners, so that by venerating it reverently, we might receive strength and grace to complete the divine struggle of the Fast.


April 04

Righteous Zosimas

Saint Zosimas was a monk from Palestine who lived in a monastery since his infancy. He became famous for his spiritual qualities, but searching for further illumination he went to a new monastery in the desert. The monks of this particular monastery left every year for the desert from the first week of Great Lent until Palm Sunday so as to live in complete isolation.

One year, Zosimas saw a shadowy figure in the distance and, chasing after it, discovered a female ascetic by the name of Mary (see April 1st and the 5th Sunday of Great Lent). Mary instructed Zosimas to meet her at the Jordan River on Holy Thursday of the following year to giver her Holy Communion. He did this and was again instructed by her to meet her yet again the next year during Great Lent. Zosimas entered the desert at the appointed time the following year and found the body of the blessed Mary lying dead near the place he first encountered her. A lion approached to dig a grave for Mary, and Zosimas recited the usual burial prayers. He returned to his monastery and spread the news about this blessed woman. Zosimas remained in that monastery until his death the age of 100.


April 04

George the Righteous of Maleon

This Saint took up the monastic life from his youth, and went to Mount Maleon, where a community of monks gathered about him. He foretold his death from three years before, and reposed in an odour of sanctity.


April 04

Theodoulos and Agathopous of Thessaloniki


April 04

Theonas, Archbishop of Thessaloniki, Founder and Renovator of the Sacred Monastery of Saint Anastasia of Pharmakolytria, Halkidiki


April 04

Nicetas the Hieromartyr, Struggler of Serrai (1808)


BACK TO TOP

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Tone

When You descended unto death, O Lord who yourself are immortal Life, then did You mortify Hades by the lightning flash of Your Divinity. Also when You raised the dead from the netherworld, all the Powers of the heavens were crying out: O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory be to You.
Ὅτε κατῆλθες πρὸς τὸν θάνατον, ἡ Ζωὴ ἡ ἀθάνατος, τότε τὸν ᾅδην ἐνέκρωσας τῇ ἀστραπῇ τῆς Θεότητος, ὅτε δὲ καὶ τοὺς τεθνεῶτας ἐκ τῶν καταχθονίων ἀνέστησας, πᾶσαι αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν ἐπουρανίων ἐκραύγαζον·Ζωοδότα Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν δόξα σοι.

Apolytikion for Sun. of the Holy Cross in the First Tone

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth.
Σώσον Κύριε τόν λαόν σου καί ευλόγησον τήν κληρονομίαν σου, νίκας τοίς Βασιλεύσι κατά βαρβάρων δωρούμενος καί τό σόν φυλάττων διά τού Σταυρού σου πολίτευμα.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Tone

To you, defender and commander in a time of war, I, your City, offer gratitude for victory, for you rescued me from suff'rings, O Theotokos. Since the power you possess is unassailable, from all dangers I entreat you to deliver me, that I may cry to you: Rejoice, O unwedded Bride.
Τὴ ὑπερμάχω στρατηγῶ τὰ νικητήρια, ὡς λυτρωθεῖσα τῶν δεινῶν εὐχαριστήρια, ἀναγράφω σοὶ ἡ Πόλις σου Θεοτόκε, Ἀλλ' ὡς ἔχουσα τὸ κράτος ἀπροσμάχητον, ἐκ παντοίων μὲ κινδύνων ἐλευθέρωσον, ἵνα κράζω σοί, Χαῖρε νύμφη ἀνύμφευτε.
BACK TO TOP

Wisdom of the Fathers

Interior crosses can found at all times, and more easily than exterior ones. You have only to direct your attention to yourself and examine yourself with a sense of repentance, and a thousand interior crosses will at once present themselves to you. . . Interior crosses are sometimes so burdensome that the sufferer can find no consolation whatever in anything. All this can happen to you too! But in whatever position you may be, and whatever sufferings of the soul you may feel, do not despair and do not think that the Lord has abandoned you. NO! God will always be with you and will invisibly strengthen you even when it seems to you that you are on the very brink of perdition.
St. Innocent of Alaska
The Lenten Spring, SVS Press, p. 148, 19th Century

If you would be victorious, taste the suffering of Christ in your person, that you may be chosen to taste His glory. For if we suffer with Him, we shall also be glorified with Him. Blessed are you if you suffer for righteousness' sake. Behold, for years and generations the way of God has been made smooth through the Cross and by death. The way of God is a daily Cross. The Cross is the gate of mysteries.
St. Isaac the Syrian
The Orthodox Way: Revised Edition, SVS Press, p. 129

BACK TO TOP

St. Demetrios Parish Calendar

  • St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church

    April 4 to May 2, 2021

    SUN
    MON
    TUE
    WED
    THU
    FRI
    SAT
    4
    9:00AM Orthros
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
    11:15AM Procession of the Holy Cross
    5
    6
    7
    5:30PM Presanctified Liturgy
    7:00PM OCF via Zoom
    8
    7:00PM Orthodox Study Group
    9
    7:00PM Salutations (Οι Χαιρετισμοι)
    8:00PM Confessions
    10
    11
    9:00AM Orthros
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
    12
    13
    14
    5:30PM Presanctified Liturgy
    7:00PM OCF via Zoom
    15
    7:00PM Orthodox Study Group
    16
    7:00PM Salutations (Ο Ακαθιστος Υμνος)
    8:00PM Confessions
    17
    6:00PM Archbishop Elpidophoros Visit
    18
    9:00AM Orthros
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
    19
    6:30PM Parish Council Mtg.
    20
    21
    5:30PM Presanctified Liturgy
    7:00PM OCF via Zoom
    22
    7:00PM Orthodox Study Group
    23
    24
    Saturday of Lazarus
    9:00AM Orthros
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
    25
    PALM SUNDAY
    9:00AM Orthros
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
    26
    3:00PM Confessions
    7:00PM Orthros of the Bridegroom
    27
    3:00PM Confessions
    7:00PM Orthros of the Bridegroom
    28
    7:00PM OCF via Zoom
    7:00PM Holy Unction
    29
    HOLY THURSDAY
    9:30AM Vesperal Divine Liturgy
    7:00PM Passion Service
    30
    GOOD FRIDAY
    3:00PM Vespers of the Cross
    7:00PM Lamentations Service
    1
    MAY
    HOLY SATURDAY
    9:30AM Divine Liturgy of St. Basil
    11:00PM Resurrection Service
BACK TO TOP