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St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2022-03-20
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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

Manuel Missionaries to Visit St. Demetrios

 

New Seminary and a New Home


Work team poses in front of the main seminary building    

As the mission continues to grow in Guatemala, so does our need for more space. The past summer Fr. Evangelos Patá (Vicar in Guatemala) began to move and build a new seminary center on a mountain overlooking the department capital of Huehuetenango to better fit the needs of the seminary and the church more generally. The work they are doing is truly tremendous and is a monumental work. The Vicar has work teams come from all over the mission (over 100 communities) on a weekly basis where they are provided food and housing while they continue to work on the new seminary buildings. Sometimes there are up to 25 workers in one week, not counting the seminarians and others who are on the grounds to help with the effort. 

 

Work team mixing cement and other ingredients to make concrete for the seminary building. 


Serving Divine Liturgy with local Guatemalan Clergy (Vicar Fr. Evangelos center, Fr. Blas right, Fr. Daniel left) at the new seminary building construction site. 

The new seminary is about four hours away from the previous seminary site in Aguacate. It will be more centrally located to many of the communities and also have better access to the department capital of Huehuetenango, just a twenty minute drive down the mountain. It also means we need to move ourselves. In fact, we have already moved out of Aguacate and found a small apartment near the new seminary in Huehuetenango. 

 

Fr. Thomas and Jesse Brandow packing up and heading out of the village of Aguacate for the big city in Huehuetenango. 

We are primarily moving out so that we can continue our work developing the Saint Andrew Seminary Curriculum, teaching the seminarians and generally preparing them for their lives as leaders and clergy in the mission. It is a big change for us. We have been in the scenic village of Aguacate for almost three years now. We are moving from a small isolated village where the majority are Orthodox Christians, to a much larger city with many of the comforts of modern life but not directly connected to any organic parish aside from the seminary itself.

Fr. Thomas will be commuting to work at the seminary during the week and will be sent out to various communities on the weekends to serve the Divine Liturgy and any sacraments as needed. We will of course be returning to Aguacate on a regular basis as it is by far the largest community in the mission as a whole, over 1,000 members, and therefore has many needs. Aguacate is also where the mission supports the San Andrés medical clinic, where we host local Guatemalan resident doctors and dentists throughout the year as well as bring in medical teams from the USA to help serve the medical needs of the people. 


Tending a young boy who smashed his finger in a corn mill


Medical team with Guatemalan dentists before their week of service in the San Andrés Clinic, Aguacate. Much love in Christ, February 26- March 5, 2022) 

We ask you all to please pray for the whole mission, the Vicar, local clergy, seminarians, local leaders and all the faithful as we undertake these major tasks during the time of great transition and change. 


View of the mountains surrounding our new apartment in Huehuetenango

Baby Watch 2022- We also ask for you all to continue to pray for Presvytera Elizabeth and the new baby as her due date is fast approaching, end of the month. 

Fr. Thomas, Presbytera Elizabeth, Vasili and baby 

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Upcoming Divine Services and Holy Days

WE ARE OPEN FOR IN PERSON WORSHIP

Please join us every Sunday. Divine Liturgy begins at 10 a.m.

For the health and well-being of all, we encourage you to wear a mask. It is not required, just recommended.

Holy Communion is being distributed by using seperate spoon for each individual.


PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY

Presanctified Liturgy on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m.

A Lenten Pot Luck dinner and fellowship to follow in the parish hall. Please bring a lenten plate to share.


Salutations to the Theotokos

Μικρὸν Ἀπόδειπνον καὶ Χαιρετισμοί

The Salutations to the Theotokos will be sung on Friday at 7 p.m.  Confessions will follow the service or can be heard prior to the service if arranged with Fr. Milton. If you are helping with the Fish Fry, come over afterwards. Dress as you are is fine.


Annunciation to the Theotokos

Friday, March 25

Orthros, 8:45 a.m.

Divine Liturgy, 9:30 a.m.

Third Salutations, 10:30 a.m.

Please note that the Salutations (not the entire Akathistos with Apodipnon) will take place at the end of the Divine Liturgy on Friday morning.  NO Salutations in the evening.


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FROM YOUR PARISH COUNCIL

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Champions Campaign Update
 
It has been three weeks since we launched our Champions debt reduction campaign.  We are pleased to report that during this short period, we have made good progress in raising funds.  Through the generous contributions of a small group of your fellow parishioners, we will be making a $150,000 payment on our loan principal.  All total, for 2022, we have reduced the debt by $225,000 when we include contributions from parish revenues.  We are on our way but still need broader support.  
 
In our mailing, we asked for the return of your pledge cards by March 25th to help us plan our path forward for the campaign.  Thus far, only 10% of the pledge cards have been returned.  Please let us know what your intention is regarding your family's contribution by March 25th if at all possible.  Remember, all donations, no matter the size, are welcome.  So, join your fellow parishioners and take the step up to become a champion for St. Demetrios and secure the future of our beautiful parish.  
 
If you have questions regarding the campaign, our campaign chair, Tom Jouvanis, will be sitting at a separate table during coffee hour with our trusted little donkey by his side.  
 
God bless you all for your generosity and commitment to St. Demetrios. 
 
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Announcements

GUATEMALA MISSION PARTNERS HERE SUNDAY

This coming Sunday, we are pleased to welcome our Guatemala Missionary partners Father and Presbytera Thomas Manuel. Fr. Thomas will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and offer the sermon. At the coffee fellowship, they will share some pictures and answer questions about the work they are doing.

Join us in welcoming them here and encouraging the mission work they are doing.


SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE

Anyone who wishes to support IOCC’s humanitarian response to the Ukraine crisis is asked to pray for all those affected and the people serving them, to share what IOCC is doing in order to spread the word, and to give as they are able financially. To make a donation toward these efforts, please visit iocc.org/ukraine22 or call 877.803.4622.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese also has a donation page on their web site. Click here for more information.


Man of God Movie Outing

We are looking forward to our movie outing Monday, March 21st to see MAN OF GOD, the highly anticipated award-winning film based on the inspiring life of our beloved Orthodox saint, Saint Nektarios of Aegina.

If you missed out on getting a ticket for this Monday, note that it will be in Williamsburg at the Movie Tavern Theater again on March 28.  Click the link below to select and purchace your tickets.


YOUTH RETREAT!

Save the date! We will be having a teaching Liturgy and Children’s retreat on Saturday, April 16 (Lazarus Saturday).  All children are invited to attend! We will start the day with a teaching Liturgy at 9:30 a.m., followed by a pancake luncheon; then crafts, palm folding and breakout sessions for the kids. Contact Linda Jouvanis or Christina Kokolis for more information.
 
Also, don't forget to have them support the MISSION COIN BOX that was sent home. It is a great teaching tool about Orthodox Missions, especially during Great Lent with the emphasis on fasting, prayer and charity. The coin boxes are to be returned to the Sunday School teachers on Palm Sunday.
 
Thank you!  
The Sunday School Staff

FRIDAY FISH FRY

The Friday Fish Fry on Fridays from 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. through April 15th. This is an open to the public, weekly fund raising event for St. Demetrios. Runners are needed. If you can help, please contact Tom Coghill (757) 784-6410 or Maria Reed (804)314-5655.


COFFEE FELLOWSHIP

Please consider hosting our Coffee Fellowship one Sunday in the future. To sign up, just click HERE
 
If you choose to host a coffee hour, you can bring simple breakfast items to break the morning fast (no meat during Great Lent). Please provide disposable plates/napkins/utensils, and help with set up and clean up.  Parish Council will provide the coffee and can assist as needed. Thank you all for volunteering!

Lenten Pot Luck Suppers

You are invited to join us each and every Wednesday throughout Great Lent following the Liturgy of the Pre-sanctified Gifts for a lenten pot luck supper. Please bring a lenten/vegan dish to share. This is great fellowship!


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 he will return your call at his earliest convenience.


Remember in Prayer for Health

Gus Zacharopoulos

Sonny Halioris

Peter and Beverly Daikos

John and Connie Pavlides


Congratulations to...

Alexander Joshua Coleman on his Baptism. Alex's godfather is Michael Thompson. We welcome and congratulate him on this faithful decision as he comes to the fruition of his journey in the Faith.

May God grant him many years!


LADIES OF ST. DEMETRIOS

The LADIES OF ST. DEMETRIOS will be taking orders for TSOUREKI and BABKA from now through Sunday, April 10.  To place your order please fill out the form below and submit it to Linda Jouvanis during COFFEE HOUR or contact Athena Canavos at (757) 220-1073 to place your order.  ORDER PICK-UP IS PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 17 (AFTER DIVINE LITURGY).  Please make checks payable to Ladies of St. Demetrios.  THANK YOU!


William & Mary Rideshare

We are truly blessed in this community with a large group of William & Mary students who attend church.  Our parish men's group, the St. Demetrios Legion, is in the process of compiling a list of parishioners who are available to drive our students to and from services.  In Great Lent, the need for providing rides for the students has greatly increased.  If you have an interest in supporting this worthwhile ministry, please email Nathan Liu, Alex Podyachev, and/or Tom Jouvanis at the following email addresses: nsliu@wm.edu, alexastro@cox.net, and tajouvanis@aol.com.  God bless you for your support.

BOOKSTORE NEWS

“Hello, are you ready for the Lenten Season?  Have you made your devotional reading plans?  Stop by the bookstore and see the new inspirational Lenten books that will feed your soul. We have new books for both adults and children.  There will be more Lenten and Pascha items coming in the weeks ahead.”


CHURCH LENDING LIBRARY

The Church’s Library is a wonderful resource for learning more about many topics. There are many interesting and worthwhile books relevant to Orthodoxy for parishioners to check out, enjoy and learn from. The can be easily checked out. Connie Pavlides developed a system for checking-out and checking-in the borrowed books that is a straight forward and self-explanatory.
If someone would be willing to take over maintaining the library, Connie would be most appreciative as it is hard for her to get out too much any more. Please let Fr. Gianulis know your willingness to help. She will happily train you. 

GREEK LANGUAGE CLASSES

Although we do not have a Greek School per se, we are offering Greek Language classes for children and adults. For more information, contact Demetra Demetriou at demetrademetriou7@hotmail.com


FISH, Inc.

FISH welcomes donations of coats, shoes, clothing, housewares. Clothing most needed now: new underclothing for all sizes, men's jeans, shoes, towels, blankets and bed sheets. Food and toiletry donations.  Donations most needed right now: boxed cereal, applesauce, bar soap and laundry detergent.


Shop Amazon Smile for St. Demetrios

Use Amazon Smile and designate St. Demetrios as the charity of choice. It is easy to do.

Click the link below to learn more.

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

Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church whenever you shop on AmazonSmile. Same products, same prices, same service, but we get a donation. $56.61 was sent to St. Demetrios in December, but we could do much better if all our parishioners designated St. Demetrios Williamsburg as their Amazon Smile charity.


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

Sixth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:36-53

At that time, Jesus, having risen from the dead, stood in the midst of his disciples and said to them, "Peace to you." But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. And he said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? See my hands and feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have." And when he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.

Then he said to them, "These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled. Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high."

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and they returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.

Sixth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 24:36-53

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἔστη ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῶν καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. πτοηθέντες δὲ καὶ ἔμφοβοι γενόμενοι ἐδόκουν πνεῦμα θεωρεῖν. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· τί τεταραγμένοι ἐστέ, καὶ διατί διαλογισμοὶ ἀναβαίνουσιν ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν; ἴδετε τὰς χεῖράς μου καὶ τοὺς πόδας μου, ὅτι αὐτὸς ἐγώ εἰμι· ψηλαφήσατέ με καὶ ἴδετε, ὅτι πνεῦμα σάρκα καὶ ὀστέα οὐκ ἔχει καθὼς ἐμὲ θεωρεῖτε ἔχοντα. καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἐπέδειξεν αὐτοῖς τὰς χεῖρας καὶ τοὺς πόδας. ἔτι δὲ ἀπιστούντων αὐτῶν ἀπὸ τῆς χαρᾶς καὶ θαυμαζόντων εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· ἔχετέ τι βρώσιμον ἐνθάδε; οἱ δὲ ἐπέδωκαν αὐτῷ ἰχθύος ὀπτοῦ μέρος καὶ ἀπὸ μελισσίου κηρίου, καὶ λαβὼν ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν ἔφαγεν. εἶπε δὲ αὐτοῖς· οὗτοι οἱ λόγοι οὓς ἐλάλησα πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἔτι ὢν σὺν ὑμῖν, ὅτι δεῖ πληρωθῆναι πάντα τὰ γεγραμμένα ἐν τῷ νόμῳ Μωϋσέως καὶ προφήταις καὶ ψαλμοῖς περὶ ἐμοῦ. τότε διήνοιξεν αὐτῶν τὸν νοῦν τοῦ συνιέναι τὰς γραφάς, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὅτι οὕτω γέγραπται καὶ οὕτως ἔδει παθεῖν τὸν Χριστὸν καὶ ἀναστῆναι ἐκ νεκρῶν τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ, καὶ κηρυχθῆναι ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ μετάνοιαν καὶ ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν εἰς πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, ἀρξάμενον ἀπὸ ῾Ιερουσαλήμ. ὑμεῖς δέ ἐστε μάρτυρες τούτων. καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν τοῦ πατρός μου ἐφ᾿ ὑμᾶς· ὑμεῖς δὲ καθίσατε ἐν τῇ πόλει ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ ἕως οὗ ἐνδύσησθε δύναμιν ἐξ ὕψους.

᾿Εξήγαγε δὲ αὐτοὺς ἔξω ἕως εἰς Βηθανίαν, καὶ ἐπάρας τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ εὐλόγησεν αὐτούς. καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ εὐλογεῖν αὐτὸν αὐτοὺς διέστη ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν καὶ ἀνεφέρετο εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν. καὶ αὐτοὶ προσκυνήσαντες αὐτὸν ὑπέστρεψαν εἰς ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ μετὰ χαρᾶς μεγάλης, καὶ ἦσαν διὰ παντὸς ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ αἰνοῦντες καὶ εὐλογοῦντες τὸν Θεόν. ἀμήν.


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 1:10-14; 2:1-3.

"IN THE BEGINNING, Thou, Lord, didst found the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end." But to what angel has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet?" Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?

Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him.

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 1:10-14, 2:1-3.

Κατʼ ἀρχάς, Κύριε, τὴν γῆν ἐθεμελίωσας, καὶ ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν σού εἰσιν οἱ οὐρανοί· αὐτοὶ ἀπολοῦνται, σὺ δὲ διαμένεις· καὶ πάντες ὡς ἱμάτιον παλαιωθήσονται, καὶ ὡσεὶ περιβόλαιον ἑλίξεις αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἀλλαγήσονται· σὺ δὲ ὁ αὐτὸς εἶ, καὶ τὰ ἔτη σου οὐκ ἐκλείψουσιν. Πρὸς τίνα δὲ τῶν ἀγγέλων εἴρηκέν ποτε, Κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου, ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου; Οὐχὶ πάντες εἰσὶν λειτουργικὰ πνεύματα, εἰς διακονίαν ἀποστελλόμενα διὰ τοὺς μέλλοντας κληρονομεῖν σωτηρίαν; Διὰ τοῦτο δεῖ περισσοτέρως ἡμᾶς προσέχειν τοῖς ἀκουσθεῖσιν, μήποτε παραρρυῶμεν. Εἰ γὰρ ὁ διʼ ἀγγέλων λαληθεὶς λόγος ἐγένετο βέβαιος, καὶ πᾶσα παράβασις καὶ παρακοὴ ἔλαβεν ἔνδικον μισθαποδοσίαν, πῶς ἡμεῖς ἐκφευξόμεθα τηλικαύτης ἀμελήσαντες σωτηρίας; Ἥτις, ἀρχὴν λαβοῦσα λαλεῖσθαι διὰ τοῦ κυρίου, ὑπὸ τῶν ἀκουσάντων εἰς ἡμᾶς ἐβεβαιώθη.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
The Reading is from Mark 2:1-12

At that time, Jesus entered Capernaum and it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak thus? It is a blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-he said to the paralytic-"I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home." And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 2:1-12

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, εἰσῆλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς εἰς Καπερναοὺμ δι᾿ ἡμερῶν καὶ ἠκούσθη ὅτι εἰς οἶκόν ἐστι. καὶ εὐθέως συνήχθησαν πολλοί, ὥστε μηκέτι χωρεῖν μηδὲ τὰ πρὸς τὴν θύραν· καὶ ἐλάλει αὐτοῖς τὸν λόγον. καὶ ἔρχονται πρὸς αὐτὸν παραλυτικὸν φέροντες, αἰρόμενον ὑπὸ τεσσάρων· καὶ μὴ δυνάμενοι προσεγγίσαι αὐτῷ διὰ τὸν ὄχλον, ἀπεστέγασαν τὴν στέγην ὅπου ἦν, καὶ ἐξορύξαντες χαλῶσι τὸν κράβαττον, ἐφ᾿ ᾧ ὁ παραλυτικὸς κατέκειτο. ἰδὼν δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τὴν πίστιν αὐτῶν λέγει τῷ παραλυτικῷ· τέκνον, ἀφέωνταί σοι αἱ ἁμαρτίαι σου. ἦσαν δέ τινες τῶν γραμματέων ἐκεῖ καθήμενοι καὶ διαλογιζόμενοι ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν· τί οὗτος οὕτω λαλεῖ βλασφημίας; τίς δύναται ἀφιέναι ἁμαρτίας εἰ μὴ εἷς ὁ Θεός; καὶ εὐθέως ἐπιγνοὺς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τῷ πνεύματι αὐτοῦ ὅτι οὕτως αὐτοὶ διαλογίζονται ἐν ἑαυτοῖς, εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· τί ταῦτα διαλογίζεσθε ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν; τί ἐστιν εὐκοπώτερον, εἰπεῖν τῷ παραλυτικῷ, ἀφέωνταί σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι, ἢ εἰπεῖν, ἔγειρε καὶ ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ περιπάτει; ἵνα δὲ εἰδῆτε ὅτι ἐξουσίαν ἔχει ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἀφιέναι ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἁμαρτίας - λέγει τῷ παραλυτικῷ· σοὶ λέγω, ἔγειρε καὶ ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ ὕπαγε εἰς τὸν οἶκόν σου. καὶ ἠγέρθη εὐθέως, καὶ ἄρας τὸν κράβαττον ἐξῆλθεν ἐναντίον πάντων, ὥστε ἐξίστασθαι πάντας καὶ δοξάζειν τὸν Θεὸν λέγοντας ὅτι οὐδέποτε οὕτως εἴδομεν.


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Saints and Feasts

02_palamas2
March 20

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas

This divine Father, who was from Asia Minor, was from childhood reared in the royal court of Constantinople, where he was instructed in both religious and secular wisdom. Later, while still a youth, he left the imperial court and struggled in asceticism on Mount Athos, and in the Skete at Beroea. He spent some time in Thessalonica being treated for an illness that came from his harsh manner of life. He was present in Constantinople at the Council that was convened in 1341 against Barlaam of Calabria, and at the Council of 1347 against Acindynus, who was of like mind with Barlaam; Barlaam and Acindynus claimed that the grace of God is created. At both these Councils, the Saint contended courageously for the true dogmas of the Church of Christ, teaching in particular that divine grace is not created, but is the uncreated energies of God which are poured forth throughout creation: otherwise it would be impossible, if grace were created, for man to have genuine communion with the uncreated God. In 1347 he was appointed Metropolitan of Thessalonica. He tended his flock in an apostolic manner for some twelve years, and wrote many books and treatises on the most exalted doctrines of our Faith; and having lived for a total of sixty-three years, he reposed in the Lord in 1359.

His holy relics are kept in the Cathedral of Thessalonica. A full service was composed for his feast day by the Patriarch Philotheus in 1368, when it was established that his feast be celebrated on this day. Since works without right faith avail nothing, we set Orthodoxy of faith as the foundation of all that we accomplish during the Fast, by celebrating the Triumph of Orthodoxy the Sunday before, and the great defender of the teachings of the holy Fathers today.


March 20

Righteous Fathers slain at the Monastery of St. Savas

The Righteous Martyrs were put to death by the barbarians during the reign of Emperor Heraclius, when Saint Modestus was Patriarch of Jerusalem (632-634).


March 20

Myron the New Martyr of Crete


March 20

Photini the Samaritan Woman

Saint Photini lived in 1st century Palestine and was the woman that Christ met at Jacob's Well in Samaria as recorded in the Gospel according to John (4:4-26). After her encounter with Christ, she and her whole family were baptized by the Apostles and became evangelists of the early Church. Photini and her children eventually were summoned before the emperor Nero and instructed to renounce their faith in Christ. They refused to do so, accepting rather to suffer various tortures. After many efforts to force her to surrender to idolatry, the emperor ordered that she be thrown down a well. Photini gave up her life in the year 66.

St. Photini is commemorated on three occasions during the year: February 26 (Greek tradition), March 20 (Slavic tradition), and the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman on the 5th Sunday of Pascha.


March 20

Cuthbert the Wonderworker, Bishop of Lindisfarne

Saint Cuthbert was born in Britain about the year 635, and became a monk in his youth at the monastery of Melrose by the River Tweed. After many years of struggle as a true priest of Christ, in the service both of his own brethren and of the neglected Christians of isolated country villages, he became a solitary on Farne Island in 676. After eight years as a hermit, he was constrained to leave his quiet to become Bishop of Lindisfarne, in which office he served for almost two years. He returned to his hermitage two months before he reposed in peace in 687. Because of the miracles he wrought both during his life and at his tomb after his death, he is called the "Wonderworker of Britain." The whole English people honoured him, and kings were both benefactors to his shrine and suppliants of his prayers. Eleven years after his death, his holy relics were revealed to be incorrupt; when his body was translated from Lindisfarne to Durham Cathedral in August of 1104, his body was still found to be untouched by decay, giving off "an odour of sweetest fragrancy," and "from the flexibility of its joints representing a person asleep rather than dead." Finally, when the most impious Henry VIII desecrated his shrine, opening it to despoil it of its valuables, his body was again found incorrupt, and was buried in 1542. It is believed that after this the holy relics of Saint Cuthbert were hidden to preserve them from further desecration.


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Second Tone

When the angelic powers appeared at Your grave, the soldiers guarding it feared and became as dead. And standing by the sepulcher was Mary who was seeking Your immaculate body. You devastated Hades, not afflicted by it. You went to meet the virgin, and granted eternal life. You resurrected from the dead. O Lord, glory to You.
Ἀγγελικαὶ Δυνάμεις ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμά σου, καὶ οἱ φυλάσσοντες ἀπενεκρώθησαν, καὶ ἵστατο Μαρία ἐν τῷ τάφῳ, ζητοῦσα τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα. Ἐσκύλευσας τὸν ᾍδην, μὴ πειρασθεὶς ὑπ' αὐτοῦ, ὑπήντησας τῇ Παρθένῳ, δωρούμενος τὴν ζωήν, ὁ ἀναστὰς ἐκ των νεκρῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.

Apolytikion for Sun. of St. Gregory Palamas in the Plagal Fourth Tone

O Gregory the Miracle Worker, light of Orthodoxy, support and teacher of the Church, comeliness of Monastics, invincible defender of theologians, the pride of Thessalonica, and preacher of grace, intercede forever that our souls may be saved.
Ὀρθοδοξίας ὁ φωστὴρ, Ἐκκλησίας τὸ στήριγμα καὶ διδάσκαλε, τῶν μοναστῶν ἡ καλλονὴ, τῶν θεολόγων ὑπέρμαχος ἀπροσμάχητος· Γρηγόριε θαυματουργὲ Θεσσαλονίκης τὸ καύχημα κήρυξ τῆς χάριτος· ἱκέτευε διὰ παντός, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.

Apolytikion for the Church in the Third Tone

The world has found in you a great champion in time of peril, as you emerged the victor in routing the barbarians. For as you brought to naught the boasts of Lyaios, imparting courage to Nestor in the stadium, in like manner, holy one, great Martyr Demetrios, invoke Christ God for us, that He may grant us His great mercy.

Μέγαν εύρατο εv τοίς κιvδύvοις, σέ υπέρμαχοv η οικουμένη, Αθλοφόρε τά έθνη τροπούμενον. Ως ούν Λυαίου καθείλες τήν έπαρσιν, εν τώ σταδίω θαρρύvας τόν Νέστορα, ούτως Άγιε, Μεγαλομάρτυς Δημήτριε, Χριστόν τόν Θεόν ικέτευε, δωρήσασθαι ημίν τό μέγα έλεος.

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.
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Wisdom of the Fathers

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

The remission of sins...is granted alike to all through baptism: but the grace of the Spirit is proportional to the faith and previous purification. Now, indeed, we receive the firstfruits of the Holy Spirit through baptism, and the second birth is for us the beginning and seal and security and illumination of another life. It behooves us, then, with all our strength to steadfastly keep ourselves pure from filthy works, that we may not, like the dog returning to his vomit (II Pet. 2:22), make ourselves again the slaves of sin. For faith apart from works is dead, and so likewise are works apart from faith (James 2:26). For the true faith is attested by works.
St. John of Damascus
An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, Book 4: Chapter 9; Eerdmans pg.73, 8th century

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St. Demetrios Parish Calendar

  • St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church

    March 20 to April 17, 2022

    SUN
    MON
    TUE
    WED
    THU
    FRI
    SAT
    20
    9:00AM Orthros
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
    11:15AM Sunday School
    4:00PM Fr. Thomas Manuel Celebrant
    21
    7:00PM Movie Outing: Man of God
    22
    23
    5:30PM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
    6:30PM Pot Luck Lenten Supper
    7:00PM OCF (Tucker 110)
    24
    25
    Annunciation
    8:45AM Orthros
    9:30AM Divine Liturgy
    10:30AM 3rd Salutations
    4:30PM Friday Fish Fry
    26
    27
    9:00AM Orthros
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
    11:15AM Sunday School
    11:20AM 40-day Blessing: Alexandros Charalambos Cole
    28
    6:30PM Parish Council Mtg.
    29
    6:30PM Choir Rehearsal
    30
    5:30PM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
    6:30PM Pot Luck Lenten Supper
    7:00PM OCF (Tucker 110)
    31
    9:00AM Sunday School meeting
    1
    APR
    4:30PM Friday Fish Fry
    7:00PM Salutations to the Theotokos
    2
    10:00AM Legionnaires
    3
    9:00AM Orthros
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
    11:15AM Sunday School
    4
    5
    6
    5:30PM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
    6:30PM Pot Luck Lenten Supper
    7:00PM OCF (Tucker 110)
    7
    10:00AM Orthodox Clergy Meeting
    8
    7:00PM Salutations to the Theotokos
    9
    9:30AM CHOIR RETREAT
    10
    9:00AM Orthros
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
    11:15AM Sunday School
    11
    12
    6:30PM Choir Rehearsal
    13
    7:00PM OCF (Tucker 110)
    14
    15
    16
    SATURDAY OF LAZARUS
    8:30AM Orthros
    9:30AM Youth Retreat
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
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Kandilia Luminaries

    Kandilia Luminaries

    Kandilia Luminaries

    Light the path as we process around the church on Good Friday. See the enclosed form for more information.


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MUSIC MINISTRY LENTEN RETREAT

    Music Ministry Lenten Retreat

    Music Ministry Lenten Retreat

    Focus on Holy Week and Enhancing and Protecting Your Singing Voice. Saturday, April 10th at St. Demetrios. See the enclosed flyer for more information.


    Registration Form

    Registration Form

    Music Ministry Lenten Retreat


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