Publish-header
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2022-04-03
Bulletin Contents
Message from Fr. Gianulis
Upcoming Divine Services and Holy Days
Announcements
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Saints and Feasts
Hymns of the Day
Wisdom of the Fathers
St. Demetrios Parish Calendar
Kandilia Luminaries, and Flyer of the Music Ministry Retreat
Climicus
Organization Icon
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • 757-220-0994
  • Street Address:

  • 4900 Mooretown Road

  • Williamsburg, VA 23188

Contact Information

Church Office Tom Coghill
Parish Council

churchoffice@stdemva.com | (757) 220-4284

Presiding Priest Fr. Milton Gianulis


frmilt@stdemva.com | 757-220-0994

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

The Ladder of Divine Ascent

This Sunday, the Church commemorates St. John Klimakos (meaning, "of the ladder"). St. John was the abbot of the Monastery of St. Katherine on Mount Sinai in the seventh century. His insights are relevant now as ever. He is remembered most for his sprititual masterpiece, The Ladder of Divine Ascent. This book is read in its entirety in Orthodox monasteries throughout the world during Great Lent. It can be a useful guide for us as well and a suggested reading for all those engaged in the spiritual journey to God.

The “ladder” by which one ascends has 30 rungs that one has to climb to reach moral purity and theosis. Each rung represents a challenge or temptation we must deal with in our daily life, and at every stage there is a devil ready and willing to pull us down, especially if we are in any way complacent or proud.  

The theme of each of the thirty stages into which the book is divided are listed below:

  1. Renunciation of the world
  2. Detachment
  3. Exile
  4. Obedience
  5. Penitence
  6. Remembrance of death
  7. Mourning
  8. Placidity and meekness: dealing with anger
  9. Malice
  10. Slander
  11. Talkativeness and silence
  12. Falsehood
  13. Despondency
  14. Gluttony
  15. Chastity
  16. Avarice
  17. Poverty
  18. Insensitivity
  19. Sleep, prayer and the singing of psalms in church
  20. Alertness
  21. Unreasonable fears
  22. Vainglory
  23. Pride
  24. Meekness, simplicity, guilelessness, and wickedness
  25. Humility
  26. Discernment
  27. Stillness
  28. Prayer
  29. Dispassion (Apatheia)
  30. Faith, hope, and love

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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 every Wednesday throughout Great Lent 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 4th Salutations to the Theotokos will be sung on Friday April 1st 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.

The Akathistos will be on Friday, April 8th and dedicated as a prayer service for peace in Ukraine. The original writing of the Akathist Hymn was in gratitude to the Blessed Mother for her protection of the city of Constantinople from a seige by the Avars. For more on this history, click here.


HOLY WEEK & PASCHA

April 17, Palm Sunday – The Entry Into Jerusalem

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

      NO Sunday evening Bridegroom service. 

April 18, Holy Monday

     Orthros of the Bridegroom, 7 p.m.

April 19, Holy Tuesday

      Orthros of the Bridegroom, 7 p.m.

April 20, Holy Wednesday

     The Sacrament of Holy Unction, 7 p.m.

April 21, Holy Thursday

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

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

April 22, Good Friday

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

     Lamentation Service, 7 p.m.

April 23, Great Saturday

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

"Midnight" Resurrection Service – Paschal Proclamation, 11 p.m. followed by Orthros and the Divine Liturgy.  

April 24,  Pascha (Easter Sunday)

     Agape Vespers, 11 a.m.

__________________________________________________________________________

17 Απριλίου, Κυριακὴ τῶν Βαΐων

     Ο Όρθρος, 9 πμ.

     Θεία Λειτουργία, 10 πμ.

18 Απριλίου, Μεγάλη Δευτέρα

     Ο Όρθρος του Νυμφίου, 7 μμ.

19 Απριλίου, Μεγάλη Τρίτη

     Ο Όρθρος του Νυμφίου, 7 μμ.

20 Απριλίου, Μεγάλη Τετάρτη

     Μέγα Ευχέλαιον, 7 μμ.

21 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.

22 Απριλίου, Μεγαλη Παρασκευή

      Ο Μέγας Εσπερινός (Αποκαθήλωσης), 3 μμ.

      Ο Επιτάφιος Θρήνος, 7 μμ.

23 Απριλίου, Μέγα Σάββατο

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

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

24 Απριλίου, Κυριακή του Πάσχα
      Ο Μέγας Εσπερινός της Αγάπης,  11 πμ.    

 


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Announcements

PRAYER GATHERING FOR UKRAINE

On Saturday April 9th, at 4:30 p.m., the Orthodox priests and faithful of Hampton Roads are invited to meet in Merchants Square for a prayer gathering in support of Ukraine and for peace in the world. See the enclosed flyer below.

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.


YOUTH HAPPENINGS

All the young people of our parish are invited to a Youth Retreat on Saturday, April 16 (Lazarus Saturday).  We will start the day with a teaching Liturgy at 9:30 a.m., followed by a pancake luncheon; then a "walk through Holy Week" led by Fr. Milton; then palm folding and crafts. Reach out to Christina Kokolis for more information.
 
Also, don't forget to have them support the MISSION COIN BOX that was sent home.  The coin boxes are to be returned to the Sunday School teachers on Palm Sunday.
 
Looking Ahead: On Pascha Sunday, the Sunday School will host for all the kids an Easter Egg Hunt! Immediately following the Agape Vespers Service.
 
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

Demetra Emmanouil - VCU Medical Center

Gus Zacharopoulos

Mike Kokolis

Sonny Halioris

Peter and Beverly Daikos

John and Connie Pavlides

 


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!


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

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.


Legionnaires Men's Fellowship

This Saturday, April 2nd, at 10:00 am will be our monthly Legion Meeting. The Legion of St. Demetrios is our parish men's group. We will meet at the Capitol Pancake House. Bring a friend to join us.

Below is the proposed agenda.

Opening Prayer – Fr. Milton

Call to Order - Walid

Review and approval - 03/05/2022 Minutes

Old Business

a. Update on FISH

b. Update on bell tower – lift expense

c. Update on William & Mary Ride Program

d. Update on the Champions Campaign

New Business:

a. Volunteers for the Fish Fry on Fridays April 8th and April 15th

For the Good of the Legion:

Next Meeting Date, Time, & Location

Proposed May 7, 2022 at 10:00 am at Capitol Pancake House

Adjournment and Closing Prayer – Fr. Milton


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Eighth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:11-18

At that time, Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that He had said these things to her.

Eighth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 20:11-18

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, Μαρία δὲ εἱστήκει πρὸς τῷ μνημείῳ κλαίουσα ἔξω. ὡς οὖν ἔκλαιε, παρέκυψεν εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον καὶ θεωρεῖ δύο ἀγγέλους ἐν λευκοῖς καθεζομένους, ἕνα πρὸς τῇ κεφαλῇ καὶ ἕνα πρὸς τοῖς ποσίν, ὅπου ἔκειτο τὸ σῶμα τοῦ ᾿Ιησοῦ. καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῇ ἐκεῖνοι· γύναι, τί κλαίεις; λέγει αὐτοῖς· ὅτι ἦραν τὸν Κύριόν μου, καὶ οὐκ οἶδα ποῦ ἔθηκαν αὐτόν. καὶ ταῦτα εἰποῦσα ἐστράφη εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω, καὶ θεωρεῖ τὸν ᾿Ιησοῦν ἑστῶτα, καὶ οὐκ ᾔδει ὅτι ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐστι. λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· γύναι, τί κλαίεις; τίνα ζητεῖς; ἐκείνη δοκοῦσα ὅτι ὁ κηπουρός ἐστι, λέγει αὐτῷ· κύριε, εἰ σὺ ἐβάστασας αὐτόν, εἰπέ μοι ποῦ ἔθηκας αὐτόν, κἀγὼ αὐτὸν ἀρῶ. λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· Μαρία. στραφεῖσα ἐκείνη λέγει αὐτῷ· ῥαββουνί, ὃ λέγεται, διδάσκαλε. λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· μή μου ἅπτου· οὔπω γὰρ ἀναβέβηκα πρὸς τὸν πατέρα μου· πορεύου δὲ πρὸς τοὺς ἀδελφούς μου καὶ εἰπὲ αὐτοῖς· ἀναβαίνω πρὸς τὸν πατέρα μου καὶ πατέρα ὑμῶν, καὶ Θεόν μου καὶ Θεὸν ὑμῶν. ἔρχεται Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ ἀπαγγέλλουσα τοῖς μαθηταῖς ὅτι ἑώρακε τὸν Κύριον, καὶ ταῦτα εἶπεν αὐτῇ.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Fourth Tone. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 6:13-20.

BRETHREN, when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore to himself, saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you." And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Προκείμενον. Plagal Fourth Tone. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 75.11,1.
Εὔξασθε καὶ ἀπόδοτε Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν.
Στίχ. Γνωστὸς ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ ὁ Θεός, ἐν τῷ Ἰσραὴλ μέγα τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 6:13-20.

Ἀδελφοί, τῷ Ἀβραὰμ ἐπαγγειλάμενος ὁ θεός, ἐπεὶ κατʼ οὐδενὸς εἶχεν μείζονος ὀμόσαι, ὤμοσεν καθʼ ἑαυτοῦ, λέγων, Ἦ μὴν εὐλογῶν εὐλογήσω σε, καὶ πληθύνων πληθυνῶ σε. Καὶ οὕτως μακροθυμήσας ἐπέτυχεν τῆς ἐπαγγελίας. Ἄνθρωποι μὲν γὰρ κατὰ τοῦ μείζονος ὀμνύουσιν, καὶ πάσης αὐτοῖς ἀντιλογίας πέρας εἰς βεβαίωσιν ὁ ὅρκος. Ἐν ᾧ περισσότερον βουλόμενος ὁ θεὸς ἐπιδεῖξαι τοῖς κληρονόμοις τῆς ἐπαγγελίας τὸ ἀμετάθετον τῆς βουλῆς αὐτοῦ, ἐμεσίτευσεν ὅρκῳ, ἵνα διὰ δύο πραγμάτων ἀμεταθέτων, ἐν οἷς ἀδύνατον ψεύσασθαι θεόν, ἰσχυρὰν παράκλησιν ἔχωμεν οἱ καταφυγόντες κρατῆσαι τῆς προκειμένης ἐλπίδος· ἣν ὡς ἄγκυραν ἔχομεν τῆς ψυχῆς ἀσφαλῆ τε καὶ βεβαίαν, καὶ εἰσερχομένην εἰς τὸ ἐσώτερον τοῦ καταπετάσματος· ὅπου πρόδρομος ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν εἰσῆλθεν Ἰησοῦς, κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδὲκ ἀρχιερεὺς γενόμενος εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. John Climacus
The Reading is from Mark 9:17-31

At that time, a man came to Jesus kneeling and saying: "Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a dumb spirit; and wherever it seizes him it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able." And he answered them, "O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me." And they brought the boy to him; and when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, "How long has he had this?" And he said, "From childhood. And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us." And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again." And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse; so that most of them said, "He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" And he said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting." They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise."

Sunday of St. John Climacus
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 9:17-31

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἄνθρωπός τις προσῆλθε τῷ Ἰησοῦ λέγων, διδάσκαλε, ἤνεγκα τὸν υἱόν μου πρός σε, ἔχοντα πνεῦμα ἄλαλον. καὶ ὅπου ἂν αὐτὸν καταλάβῃ, ῥήσσει αὐτόν, καὶ ἀφρίζει καὶ τρίζει τοὺς ὀδόντας αὐτοῦ, καὶ ξηραίνεται· καὶ εἶπον τοῖς μαθηταῖς σου ἵνα αὐτὸ ἐκβάλωσι, καὶ οὐκ ἴσχυσαν. ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς αὐτῷ λέγει· ὦ γενεὰ ἄπιστος, ἕως πότε πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἔσομαι; ἕως πότε ἀνέξομαι ὑμῶν; φέρετε αὐτὸν πρός με. καὶ ἤνεγκαν αὐτὸν πρὸς αὐτόν. καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὸν εὐθέως τὸ πνεῦμα ἐσπάραξεν αὐτόν, καὶ πεσὼν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἐκυλίετο ἀφρίζων. καὶ ἐπηρώτησε τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ· πόσος χρόνος ἐστὶν ὡς τοῦτο γέγονεν αὐτῷ; ὁ δὲ εἶπε· παιδιόθεν. καὶ πολλάκις αὐτὸν καὶ εἰς πῦρ ἔβαλε καὶ εἰς ὕδατα, ἵνα ἀπολέσῃ αὐτόν· ἀλλ᾿ εἴ τι δύνασαι, βοήθησον ἡμῖν σπλαγχνισθεὶς ἐφ᾿ ἡμᾶς. ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ τὸ εἰ δύνασαι πιστεῦσαι, πάντα δυνατὰ τῷ πιστεύοντι. καὶ εὐθέως κράξας ὁ πατὴρ τοῦ παιδίου μετὰ δακρύων ἔλεγε· πιστεύω, κύριε· βοήθει μου τῇ ἀπιστίᾳ. ἰδὼν δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ὅτι ἐπισυντρέχει ὄχλος, ἐπετίμησε τῷ πνεύματι τῷ ἀκαθάρτῳ λέγων αὐτῷ· τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἄλαλον καὶ κωφόν, ἐγώ σοι ἐπιτάσσω, ἔξελθε ἐξ αὐτοῦ καὶ μηκέτι εἰσέλθῃς εἰς αὐτόν. καὶ κράξαν καὶ πολλὰ σπαράξαν αὐτὸν ἐξῆλθε, καὶ ἐγένετο ὡσεὶ νεκρός, ὥστε πολλοὺς λέγειν ὅτι ἀπέθανεν. ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς κρατήσας αὐτὸν τῆς χειρὸς ἤγειρεν αὐτόν, καὶ ἀνέστη. Καὶ εἰσελθόντα αὐτὸν εἰς οἶκον οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἐπηρώτων αὐτὸν κατ᾿ ἰδίαν, ὅτι ἡμεῖς οὐκ ἠδυνήθημεν ἐκβαλεῖν αὐτό. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· τοῦτο τὸ γένος ἐν οὐδενὶ δύναται ἐξελθεῖν εἰ μὴ ἐν προσευχῇ καὶ νηστείᾳ. Καὶ ἐκεῖθεν ἐξελθόντες παρεπορεύοντο διὰ τῆς Γαλιλαίας, καὶ οὐκ ἤθελεν ἵνα τις γνῷ· ἐδίδασκε γὰρ τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς ὅτι ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται εἰς χεῖρας ἀνθρώπων, καὶ ἀποκτενοῦσιν αὐτόν, καὶ ἀποκτανθεὶς τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἀναστήσεται.

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Saints and Feasts

Climicus
April 03

Sunday of St. John Climacus

The memory of this Saint is celebrated on March 30, where his biography may be found. He is celebrated today because his book, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, is a sure guide to the ascetic life, written by a great man of prayer experienced in all forms of the monastic polity; it teaches the seeker after salvation how to lay a sound foundation for his struggles, how to detect and war against each of the passions, how to avoid the snares laid by the demons, and how to rise from the rudimental virtues to the heights of Godlike love and humility. It is held in such high esteem that it is universally read in its entirety in monasteries during the Great Fast.

April 03

Joseph the Hymnographer

Saint Joseph was from Sicily, the son of Plotinus and Agatha. Because Sicily had been subjugated by the Moslems, he departed thence and, passing from place to place, came with Saint Gregory of Decapolis (see NOV. 20) to Constantinople, where he endured bitter afflictions because of his pious zeal. Travelling to Rome, he was captured by Arab pirates and taken to Crete, whence he later returned to Constantinople. He became an excellent hymnographer and reposed in holiness shortly after 886 (according to some, it was in 883). The melismatic canons of the Menaion are primarily the work of this Joseph; they bear his name in the acrostic of the Ninth Ode. He also composed most of the sacred book known as the Paracletike, which complements the Octoechos For this reason, Joseph is called par excellence the Hymnographer.

April 03

Theodosia and Irene the Martyrs

April 03

Nicetas, Abbot of the Monastery of Medicium

Saint Nicetas lived in the eighth century and became the Abbot of the Monastery of Medicium, which was near the city of Triglia on the Sea of Marmara. For his Orthodox confession of the veneration of the holy icons, he was persecuted and exiled twice by the Iconoclast Emperor Leo the Armenian, but recalled by Michael the Stutterer, and reposed, adorned with the twofold crown of holiness and of confession of the Orthodox Faith, about the year 824.

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Tone

You descended from on high, O compassionate One, and condescended to be buried for three days, so that from the passions You might set us free. Our life and resurrection, O Lord, glory be to You.
Ἐξ ὕψους κατῆλθες ὁ εὔσπλαγχνος, ταφὴν καταδέξω τριήμερον, ἵνα ἡμᾶς ἐλευθερώσῃς τῶν παθῶν. Ἡ ζωὴ καὶ ἡ Ἀνάστασις ἡμῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.

Apolytikion for Sun. of St. John Climacus in the Plagal Fourth Tone

With the rivers of your tears, you have made the barren desert fertile. Through sighs of sorrow from deep within you, your labors have borne fruit a hundred-fold. By your miracles you have become a light, shining upon the world. O John, our Holy Father, pray to Christ our God, to save our souls.
Ταίς τών δακρύων σου ροαίς, τής ερήμου τό άγονον εγεώργησας, καί τοίς εκ βάθους στεναγμοίς, εις εκατόν τούς πόνους εκαρποφόρησας, καί γέγονας φωστήρ, τή οικουμένη λάμπων τοίς θαύμασι, Ιωάννη Πατήρ ημών, Όσιε, Πρέσβευε Χριστώ τώ Θεώ, σωθήναι τάς ψυχάς ημών.

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.

The translations of hymns are under copyright and used by permission. All rights reserved. These works may not be further reproduced, in print or on other websites or in any other form, without the prior written authorization of the copyright holder:

  • Resurrectional Apolytikion in Plagal of the Fourth Tone © Fr. Seraphim Dedes
  • Resurrectional Apolytikion in Plagal of the Fourth Tone © Greek Standard Text
  • Apolytikion for Sun. of St. John Climacus in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone © Narthex Press
  • Apolytikion for Sun. of St. John Climacus in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone © Greek Standard Text
  • Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone © Department of Religious Education
  • Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone © Greek Standard Text
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    Wisdom of the Fathers

    Humility is the only virtue that no devil can imitate. If pride made demons out of angels, there is no doubt that humility could make angels out of demons.
    St. John Klimakos

    Whoever has become a servant of the Lord fears only his Master. But whoever is without the fear of God is often afraid of his own shadow. Fearfulness is the daughter of unbelief. A proud soul is the slave of fear; hoping in itself, in comes to such a state that it is startled by a small noise, and is afraid of the dark.
    St. John Klimakos

    An angel fell from Heaven without any other passion except pride, and so we may ask whether it is possible to ascend to Heaven by humility alone, without any other of the virtues.
    St. John Klimakos

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    St. Demetrios Parish Calendar

    • St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church

      April 3 to May 1, 2022

      SUN
      MON
      TUE
      WED
      THU
      FRI
      SAT
      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 The Akathist Hymn
      9
      9:30AM CHOIR RETREAT
      4:30PM Prayer Gathering in Colonial Williamsburg
      10
      9:00AM Orthros
      10:00AM Divine Liturgy
      11:15AM Sunday School
      11
      12
      13
      7:00PM OCF (Tucker 110)
      14
      15
      16
      SATURDAY OF LAZARUS
      9:30AM Youth Retreat
      9:30AM Teaching Divine Liturgy
      17
      PALM SUNDAY
      9:00AM Orthros
      10:00AM Divine Liturgy
      11:15AM Sunday School
      18
      5:00PM Confessions
      7:00PM Orthros of the Bridegroom
      19
      5:00PM Confessions
      7:00PM Orthros of the Bridegroom
      20
      7:00PM Holy Unction
      21
      HOLY THURSDAY
      9:30AM Commemoration of the Last Supper
      7:00PM Orthros of the Passion
      22
      GOOD FRIDAY
      3:00PM Great Vespers Descent from the Cross
      7:00PM Lamentations
      23
      HOLY SATURDAY
      9:30AM Divine Liturgy
      11:00PM Resurrection Orthros
      11:45PM Divine Liturgy
      24
      PASCHA
      11:00AM Agape Vespers for Pascha
      25
      6:30PM Parish Council Mtg.
      26
      27
      7:00PM OCF (Tucker 110)
      28
      29
      30
      4:00PM Baptism—Abigail Swink
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    Kandilia Luminaries, and Flyer of the Music Ministry Retreat

      Kandilia Luminaries

      Kandilia Luminaries

      Please purchase your Good Friday Luminaries (in memory of, in honor of, and/or for the health of your loved ones) by PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 2022. YOUR LOVED ONE’S NAME WILL BE WRITTEN ON THE LUMINARY AND PLACED ALONG THE EPITAPHION’S PROCESSIONAL PATHWAY OUTSIDE THE CHURCH ON HOLY AND GREAT FRIDAY EVENING. Please see flyer for more information.

      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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