Let's walk through Holy Week using the path of the Synaxarion. The Synaxarion is the list of the saints and commemorations of every day of the year as found in the liturgical books of the Church. Each day of Holy Week has a unique commemoration that relates to the last days of the earthly ministry of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

On Palm Sunday we celebrate the final and triumphant entry of Jesus Christ, the King of Israel, into Jerusalem. He entered in humility on the colt of a donkey, as the crowd lay in his path palm branches and cloaks off their backs, singing praises of “Hosanna, praise God in the highest.”

On Holy Monday we commemorate the blessed and noble Joseph, the son of Jacob, who was betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery. After much suffering, there was a triumph for him in Egypt. Therefore, his life is understood as a prophetic prototype (typos) of Jesus Christ (see Genesis chs. 37-42). 

On Holy Tuesday we commemorate the parable of the Ten Virgins (Matt. 25:1-13) and learn to keep a vigilant watch for the coming of the Lord. We also recall the cursing and withering of the fruitless fig tree. 

On Holy Wednesday, the Holy Fathers ordained that commemoration should be made of the anointing of the Lord with myrrh by the woman, who was a sinner; for this occurred shortly before the Passion of the Savior and He said is in preparation for His burial (Matt. 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42). Because of this anointing, we also receive an anointing with the sacrament of Holy Unction. This is the sacrament of healing. Its purpose is to grant us physical and spiritual strength, health and well-being. Like all sacraments, it is a visible sign of the invisible grace of God.

On Holy and Great Thursday morning in the Divine Liturgy we remember the Passover (Pascha) meal in the upper room shared by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with His blessed Disciples, in which He instituted the mystery of Holy Communion (Matt. 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-25).

On Holy Thursday evening, we commemorate His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane and return to Jerusalem to participate in the events of our Lord’s betrayal by the loathsome Judas Iscariot, His seizure in the Garden of Gethsemane by the guards of the Temple, the trials before the Jewish Sanhedrin (ruling council) and by Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor, and the agony of the road to Golgotha; the saving and awesome Passion of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ; the spitting, the scourging, the whipping, the scorn, the mocking, the purple robe, the reed, the sponge, the vinegar, the nails, the spear, and above all, the cross and death, which He willingly suffered for us.  We also remember the confession unto salvation of the penitent thief, who was crucified with Him.

Good Friday—this is the day of our Lord’s death on the cross. It is the strictest of fast days and a day of mourning. The Descent from the Cross Vespers (Αποκατήλοσις) is sung in the afternoon. The priest re-enacts the removal of the body of Jesus from the cross, wraps it in a shroud and places it in the sanctuary, behind the altar, symbolic of the tomb of Christ. In the evening we sing the Lamentations, which are funeral dirges for the Lord.

On Holy and Great Saturday we commemorate the burial of the holy body of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ, and His descent into Hades, through which he liberated and granted eternal life to all those righteous individuals held by the bonds of death. For this reason, it is sometimes referred to as the “first resurrection” (Πρότη Ανάσταση).

On the holy and great Sunday of Pascha we celebrate the life-giving resurrection of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ! To Him be glory and dominion to the ages of ages. Amen.

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

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

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. Please note, the Pannychis service will begin at 10:30 p.m. The light, the Resurrection Gospel, and the singing of Christ is Risen will be at 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, 10:30 μμ.

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

Although the cut off for purchasing tickets in advance was last Sunday, there is still time to reserve your spot. You can purchase tickets from Linda Jouvanis on Saturday of Lazarus, or simply call Barb Short at 757-634-9839. The suggested donation is $14.

Fr. Milton will be in Church to hear confessions on Holy Monday and Holy Tuesday from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. No appointment necessary. If these times do not work for you, please call him to schedule an appropriate time.

Palm Sunday, April 17th – There will be no Sunday School, but the young people will be included in the procession of palms. The intent is to include the kids in holding and waving of Palms and branches after Divine Liturgy. 

Pacha Agape Service, April 24th at 11 a.m.  Easter Egg Hunt following the Agape Service for the kids.

Parents, please don’t forget to have your children bring their OCMC COIN BOXES to church this weekend.  Thank you!

The final Friday Fish Fry of the season will be this Friday from 4:30 - 7:00 p.m.  This is an open to the public, weekly fund raising event for St. Demetrios. 

Please pick-up your pre-orders for tsoureki and babka on Palm Sunday, April 17, after Divine Liturgy.  We thank you for your pre-purchase!

...the family and friends of Frank Kanellos, who was laid to rest on Tuesday, April 12th, at Peninsula Memorial Park.  May his memory be eternal.

...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.

Marcia Harris - Sentara Hospital

Gus Zacharopoulos

Mike Kokolis

Sonny Halioris

Peter and Beverly Daikos

John and Connie Pavlides

Jim Kokolis

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 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.

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.

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.