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St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2024-02-25
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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

Me_and_athan

THE TRIODION

The Triodion is the Liturgical book that guides us in the order (rubrics), services, hymns and commemorations of the pre-Pascha season. It is called Triodion because it is divided into three parts: Pre-Lent, Great Lent, and Holy Week.

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

1. Week of Publican & Pharisee. The theme characterized in the Sunday Gospel lesson is that of humility. By contrasting the prideful pharisee with the humble tax collector, we are called to be humble before God and not boastful in front of others; to see ourselves as we truly are and compare ourselves to Christ’s teachings. There is no fasting during this week, not even on Wednesday or Friday, in preparation for the stricter 40-day fast period.

2. Week of the Prodigal Son. The theme is repentance and forgiveness. The Sunday Gospel lesson teaches us to not judge those who have done wrong but celebrate their return. We are called to come to “ourselves” as did the prodigal, so that we too may repent and return to our Father’s house. In this week, Wednesday and Friday are fast days.

3. Week of Meat Fare (or Judgment Sunday). The Sunday Gospel theme is the Last Judgment of Christ, the so-called separation of the sheep and goats. Christ will return to judge the earth. Where will we stand? What is expected of us? We are called to see Christ in every human being and serve those in need by doing for them, not simply intending to do, but by actually doing. It is “Meat Fare” day (Apokreas, meaning “from meat’), in which we eat meat for the last time until Pascha.

4. Week of Cheese Fare (or Forgiveness Sunday). The theme is forgiveness of one another, personal renewal and reconciliation with others, so as to prepare for the personal renewal with God during Great Lent. A sub-theme is that of Adam’s exile from paradise. We are to identify ourselves with Adam, lamenting our loss of the beauty, dignity, and delight of our original creation, while mourning our corruption in sin. Asking forgiveness of those whom we know we have offended and done wrong.

Clean Monday (Kathera Theftera). This is the first day of Great Lent. Food fasting is strict, no meat, fish or dairy products; oil and wine are permitted on Saturdays & Sundays. The same pattern is followed overall through Great Lent with certain exceptions based on calendar observances of major Feast Days.


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Upcoming Divine Services and Holy Days

ARCHBISHOP ELPIDOPHOROS TO CELEBRATE HIERARCHICAL DIVINE LITURGY

Please mark your calendars now and plan to join His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros for a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Saturday, March 9th (the first Saturday of the Souls).

Orthros, 9 a.m.

Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, 10 a.m.

Memorial Service 11:30 a.m.


Ψυχοσαββατο (Saturday of the Souls)

Saturday, March 9

Divine Liturgy, 10 a.m., CELEBRATED BY HIS EMINENCE ARCHBISHOP ELPIDOPHOROS

Memorial Service, 11:30 a.m.

Please submit names of departed loved ones for Father Gianulis to be commemorated. 


HOLY COMMUNION & SUNDAY SCHOOL

Sunday School classes begin just after Holy Communion. As a courtesy, please allow the children and teachers to approach the chalice first.


TRIODION BEGINS SUNDAY

The Triodion is a liturgical book of ruberics divided into three parts: pre-Lent, Great Lent, and Holy Week. Today, we enter part one, the three weeks preceding Great Lent. Note the following:

  • Week one (Publican and the Pharisee) there is no fasting on Wednesday or Friday.
  • Week two (Prodigal Son), fasting as usual on Wednesday and Friday.
  • Week three (Judgement Sunday) aka know as Meatfare, which means no meat all week, but dairy is allowed.
  • Week four (Forgiveness Sunday). The great fast begins the following day, Clean Monday. Strict Fast all week.

 


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FROM YOUR PARISH COUNCIL

Dear Fellow Parishioners
 

A friendly reminder about our 2024 stewardship. 

Last year we had a record 54 Stewardship forms completed, now only 26. Not a roaring start almost two months into 2024. Please take a few moments to complete the Stewardship form after prayerfully considering your 2024 giving. 

Let's get the momentum going for 2024!

The Parish Council relies on Stewardship in making business decisions. This is even more important because of the church roof replacement project. 

The Stewardship form was mailed with the church calendar and the form is available at church.

Thank you for your continued support of St. Demetrios!

 
Thank you.
 
Michael Thompson
Stewardship Chairman                     
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Announcements

10-Year Anniversary Celebration: March 9, 2024

St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church will celebrate our 10-year Anniversary on March 9th. Hierarhical Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros on Saturday morning. Dinner Dance with music by Apolonia on Saturday evening. This promises to be a great event and a true watershed moment in the life of St. Demetrios parish.

DEADLINE TO PURCHASE TICKETS IS SUNDAY, FEB. 25th

Tickets for the 10 year anniversary dance on Saturday March 9th will also be on sale during coffee hour. Please see Christina Kokolis or Elli Williams to purchase. Tickets for adults are $100 each and $25 for children 12 and under. Or purchase tickets here: 

 


Mount Athos Exhibit

The Mount Athos Foundation of America and the Mount Athos Center of Thessaloniki exhibit Mount Athos: The Ark of Orthodoxy will be on display at St. Demetrios from March 03, 2024, through April.

PANTOKRATOROS

The exhibit features one panel for each of the twenty Athonite monasteries. Additional panels reflecting life on the Holy Mountain include narratives on its history and institutions, art, architecture, natural environment, and spiritual life.

The exhibition’s panels and accompanying book feature dramatic photography taken at each of the monasteries, and narratives explaining their vast and impressive histories. Monasteries such as Great Lavra, Vatopedi, Iveron, Zographou, Xenophontos, and Esphigmenou have histories dating back over 1,000 years. Spiritually, Mount Athos is a community of persons dedicated to the uninterrupted worship of God through ascetical practice, where the daily spiritual and material life of the monks unfolds with the liturgical life at its epicenter. Writers from Byzantine times to today have praised both the natural beauty of the location and the virtuous life of the ascetics, viewing it as the ideal place for asceticism, as an ideal realm of God on Earth.

An opening Blessing Service will be held on Sunday, March 3rd at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. 

Open Sundays from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm, March 3rd – April 28th Wednesday from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm March 6th – April 31st Friday from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm March 8th – 29th, or by appointment at churchoffice@stdemva.com

 

 


COFFEE FELLOWSHIP

Sign Up Main Image

We have updated the link to sign up for Coffee Fellowship. Click HERE to add you name as a host for an upcoming, post liturgy fellowship.

Have leftovers or extra goodies after Christmas? Bring them to Coffee Hour this Sunday and get ready for the New Year!

 

  


EIKONA CONCERT


CAMP GOOD SHEPHERD - VIRGINIA

We have a wonderful Greek Orthodox Youth Camp in the area, at Camp Piankatank in Hartfield, VA. It is growing and we are now offering two weeks. Week 1: July 7-13 (Completed 5th Grade - 8th Grade) Week 2: July 14-20 (Completed 9th Grade - 12th Grade)
 
The Registration Fee is $500 but Fr. Milton has scholarship funds available. Just speak to him.
 
Registration is now open. Please see the flyer below and follow the link REGISTER FOR CAMP. 
 

FISH COULD USE OUR HELP

Looking for a great Lenten project? FISH is looking for 4 female volunteers to help them with the folding and labeling of baby clothes. This project is for the first four Tuesdays of April 2024. The hours are from 10:00 am to noon at FISH.
It can be the same volunteers or different each week. If you are interested let Aurora Thompson know by text or call at 703-242-1971.


Help Needed. You Could Save a Life.

A member of our Greek American Community from Hampton Roads has been diagnosed with myelofibrosis, cancer of the bone marrow and is still in need of a stem cell transplant. Thousands of patients with diseases like sickle cell anemia and cancers like leukemia need a stem cell transplant to survive. Many patients don’t have a fully matched donor in their family and that’s when they turn to Be the Match® National Registry to find a “match” who is willing to donate.
 
The chances of finding a match are higher when looking at donors of the same ethnicity. 90% of stem cell donations are now collected through blood donations and not bone marrow donations. To join the registry, all that is required is a health survey and a cheek swab. Only persons between 18 - 40 years old are eligible to join the registry. This can be done at either an in-person event or by mail.  Please contact Elaine Jansen by phone (757) 810-5206 or email ekj30@verizon.net for more information and for help to join the registry. There is also information set out in the anteroom of the church. Donate Blood Stem Cells | Be The Match

YOUR PRIEST IS AS CLOSE AS YOUR TELEPHONE

Father Gianulis wants to be with you when you are hospitalized, even if you believe it is minor. However, 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. He 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.


Remember in Prayer for Health

George Canavos

Peter and Beverly Daikos

Carlos Gray - VCU Medical Center

Sonny Halioris

Athanasia Jouvanis

John Kaminarides

Jim Kokolis

Nikki Mageris

Nancy Marakos

John and Connie Pavlides

Nick Vlattas

 


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FLYERS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Fifth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:12-35

At that time, [Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened. That very day] two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. And He said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" and they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered Him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And He said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered Him up to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. But we had hoped that He was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find His body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that He was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see." And He said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was not it necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into this glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself. So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained Him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So He went in to stay with them. When He was at table with them, He took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road and how He was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Fifth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 24:12-35

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ὁ Πέτρος ἀναστὰς ἔδραμεν ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ παρακύψας βλέπει τὰ ὀθόνια κείμενα μόνα, καὶ ἀπῆλθε, πρὸς ἑαυτὸν θαυμάζων τὸ γεγονός. Καὶ ἰδοὺ δύο ἐξ αὐτῶν ἦσαν πορευόμενοι ἐν αὐτῇ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ εἰς κώμην ἀπέχουσαν σταδίους ἑξήκοντα ἀπὸ Ἱερουσαλήμ, ᾗ ὄνομα Ἐμμαούς, καὶ αὐτοὶ ὡμίλουν πρὸς ἀλλήλους περὶ πάντων τῶν συμβεβηκότων τούτων. Καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ ὁμιλεῖν αὐτοὺς καὶ συζητεῖν, καί αὐτὸς ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐγγίσας συνεπορεύετο αὐτοῖς· οἱ δὲ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτῶν ἐκρατοῦντο τοῦ μὴ ἐπιγνῶναι αὐτόν. Εἶπε δὲ πρὸς αὐτούς· Τίνες οἱ λόγοι οὗτοι οὓς ἀντιβάλλετε πρὸς ἀλλήλους περιπατοῦντες, καὶ ἐστὲ σκυθρωποί; Ἀποκριθείς δὲ ὁ εἷς, ᾧ ὄνομα Κλεόπας, εἶπε πρὸς αὐτόν· Σὺ μόνος παροικεῖς ἐν Ἱερουσαλήμ, καὶ οὐκ ἔγνως τὰ γενόμενα ἐν αὐτῇ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ταύταις; καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ποῖα; Οἱ δὲ εἶπον αὐτῷ· Τὰ περὶ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ Ναζωραίου, ὃς ἐγένετο ἀνὴρ προφήτης δυνατὸς ἐν ἔργῳ καὶ λόγῳ ἐναντίον τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ· ὅπως τε παρέδωκαν αὐτὸν οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντες ἡμῶν εἰς κρῖμα θανάτου, καὶ ἐσταύρωσαν αὐτόν· ἡμεῖς δὲ ἠλπίζομεν ὅτι αὐτός ἐστιν ὁ μέλλων λυτροῦσθαι τὸν Ἰσραήλ. Ἀλλά γε οὖν σὺν πᾶσι τούτοις τρίτην ταύτην ἡμέραν ἄγει σήμερον, ἀφ' οὗ ταῦτα ἐγένετο. Ἀλλὰ καὶ γυναῖκές τινες ἐξ ἡμῶν ἐξέστησαν ἡμᾶς, γενόμεναι ὂρθριαι ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ μὴ εὑροῦσαι τὸ σῶμα αὐτοῦ, ἦλθον λέγουσαι καὶ ὀπτασίαν ἀγγέλων ἑωρακέναι, οἳ λέγουσιν αὐτὸν ζῆν. Καὶ ἀπῆλθόν τινες τῶν σὺν ἡμῖν ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ εὗρον οὕτω καθὼς καὶ αἱ γυναῖκες εἶπον· αὐτὸν δὲ οὐκ εἶδον. Καὶ αὐτὸς εἶπε πρὸς αὐτούς· Ὦ ἀνόητοι καὶ βραδεῖς τῇ καρδίᾳ τοῦ πιστεύειν ἐπὶ πᾶσιν οἷς ἐλάλησαν οἱ Προφῆται. Οὐχὶ ταῦτα ἔδει παθεῖν τὸν Χριστὸν καὶ εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν δόξαν αὐτοῦ; Καὶ ἀρξάμενος ἀπὸ Μωσέως καὶ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν προφητῶν, διηρμήνευεν αὐτοῖς ἐν πάσαις ταῖς Γραφαῖς τὰ περὶ ἑαυτοῦ. Καὶ ἤγγισαν εἰς τὴν κώμην οὗ ἐπορεύοντο, καὶ αὐτὸς προσεποιεῖτο ποῤῥωτέρω πορεύεσθαι. Καὶ παρεβιάσαντο αὐτόν, λέγοντες· Μεῖνον μεθ' ἡμῶν, ὅτι πρὸς ἑσπέραν ἐστὶ καὶ κέκλικεν ἡ ἡμέρα. Καὶ εἰσῆλθε τοῦ μεῖναι σὺν αὐτοῖς. Καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ κατακλιθῆναι αὐτὸν μετ' αὐτῶν, λαβὼν τὸν ἄρτον εὐλόγησε, καὶ κλάσας ἐπεδίδου αὐτοῖς. Αὐτῶν δὲ διηνοίχθησαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί, καὶ ἐπέγνωσαν αὐτόν· καὶ αὐτὸς ἄφαντος ἐγένετο ἀπ' αὐτῶν. Καὶ εἶπον πρὸς ἀλλήλους· Οὐχὶ ἡ καρδία ἡμῶν καιομένη ἦν ἐν ἡμῖν, ὡς ἐλάλει ἡμῖν ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ, καὶ ὡς διήνοιγεν ἡμῖν τὰς Γραφάς; Καὶ ἀναστάντες αὐτῇ τῇ ὥρᾳ, ὑπέστρεψαν εἰς Ἱερουσαλήμ, καὶ εὗρον συνηθροισμένους τοὺς ἕνδεκα καὶ τοὺς σὺν αὐτοῖς, λέγοντας, ὅτι ἠγέρθη ὁ Κύριος ὄντως, καὶ ὤφθη Σίμωνι. Καὶ αὐτοὶ ἐξηγοῦντο τὰ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ, καὶ ὡς ἐγνώσθη αὐτοῖς ἐν τῇ κλάσει τοῦ ἄρτου.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal First Tone. Psalm 11.7,1.
You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15.

TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at lconion, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Προκείμενον. Plagal First Tone. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 11.7,1.
Σὺ Κύριε, φυλάξαις ἡμᾶς καὶ διατηρήσαις ἡμᾶς.
Στίχ. Σῶσον με, Κύριε, ὅτι ἐκλέλοιπεν ὅσιος.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Τιμόθεον β' 3:10-15.

Τέκνον Τιμόθεε, παρηκολούθηκάς μου τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ, τῇ ἀγωγῇ, τῇ προθέσει, τῇ πίστει, τῇ μακροθυμίᾳ, τῇ ἀγάπῃ, τῇ ὑπομονῇ, τοῖς διωγμοῖς, τοῖς παθήμασιν, οἷά μοι ἐγένετο ἐν Ἀντιοχείᾳ, ἐν Ἰκονίῳ, ἐν Λύστροις, οἵους διωγμοὺς ὑπήνεγκα· καὶ ἐκ πάντων με ἐρρύσατο ὁ κύριος. Καὶ πάντες δὲ οἱ θέλοντες εὐσεβῶς ζῇν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ διωχθήσονται. Πονηροὶ δὲ ἄνθρωποι καὶ γόητες προκόψουσιν ἐπὶ τὸ χεῖρον, πλανῶντες καὶ πλανώμενοι. Σὺ δὲ μένε ἐν οἷς ἔμαθες καὶ ἐπιστώθης, εἰδὼς παρὰ τίνος ἔμαθες, καὶ ὅτι ἀπὸ βρέφους τὰ ἱερὰ γράμματα οἶδας, τὰ δυνάμενά σε σοφίσαι εἰς σωτηρίαν διὰ πίστεως τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
The Reading is from Luke 18:10-14

The Lord said this parable, "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 18:10-14

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην· Ἄνθρωποι δύο ἀνέβησαν εἰς τὸ ἱερὸν προσεύξασθαι, ὁ εἷς Φαρισαῖος καὶ ὁ ἕτερος τελώνης. ὁ Φαρισαῖος σταθεὶς πρὸς ἑαυτὸν ταῦτα προσηύχετο· ὁ Θεός, εὐχαριστῶ σοι ὅτι οὐκ εἰμὶ ὥσπερ οἱ λοιποὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ἅρπαγες, ἄδικοι, μοιχοί, ἢ καὶ ὡς οὗτος ὁ τελώνης· νηστεύω δὶς τοῦ σαββάτου, ἀποδεκατῶ πάντα ὅσα κτῶμαι. καὶ ὁ τελώνης μακρόθεν ἑστὼς οὐκ ἤθελεν οὐδὲ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν ἐπᾶραι, ἀλλ᾿ ἔτυπτεν εἰς τὸ στῆθος αὐτοῦ λέγων· ὁ Θεός, ἱλάσθητί μοι τῷ ἁμαρτωλῷ. λέγω ὑμῖν, κατέβη οὗτος δεδικαιωμένος εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ ἢ γὰρ ἐκεῖνος· ὅτι πᾶς ὁ ὑψῶν ἑαυτὸν ταπεινωθήσεται, ὁ δὲ ταπεινῶν ἑαυτὸν ὑψωθήσεται.


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Saints and Feasts

Publphar
February 25

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today

The Pharisees were an ancient and outstanding sect among the Jews known for their diligent observance of the outward matters of the Law. Although, according to the word of our Lord, they "did all their works to be seen of men" (Matt. 23:5), and were hypocrites (ibid. 23: 13, 14, 15, etc.), because of the apparent holiness of their lives they were thought by all to be righteous, and separate from others, which is what the name Pharisee means. On the other hand, Publicans, collectors of the royal taxes, committed many injustices and extortions for filthy lucre's sake, and all held them to be sinners and unjust. It was therefore according to common opinion that the Lord Jesus in His parable signified a virtuous person by a Pharisee, and a sinner by a Publican, to teach His disciples the harm of pride and the profit of humble-mindedness.

Since the chief weapon for virtue is humility, and the greatest hindrance to it is pride, the divine Fathers have set these three weeks before the Forty-day Fast as a preparation for the spiritual struggles of virtue. This present week they have called Harbinger, since it declares that the Fast is approaching; and they set humility as the foundation for all our spiritual labors by appointing that the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee be read today, even before the Fast begins, to teach, through the vaunting of the Pharisee, that the foul smoke of self-esteem and the stench of boasting drives away the grace of the Spirit, strips man of all his virtue, and casts him into the pits of Hades; and, through the repentance and contrite prayer of the Publican, that humility confers upon the sinner forgiveness of all his wicked deeds and raises him up to the greatest heights.

All foods are allowed the week that follows this Sunday.


February 25

Tarasius, Patriarch of Constantinople

This Saint was the son of one of the foremost princes in Constantinople, and was originally a consul and first among the Emperor's private counselors. Then, in 784, he was elected Patriarch of Constantinople by the Sovereigns Irene and her son Constantine Porphyrogenitus. He convoked the Seventh Ecumenical Council that upheld the holy icons, and became the boast of the Church and a light to the clergy. He reposed in 806.


February 25

Reginos, Bishop of Skopelos


February 25

Markellos, Bishop of Apamea


February 25

Holy Martyr Alexander of Thrace


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal First Tone

Let us worship the Word who is unoriginate * with the Father and the Spirit, and from a Virgin was born * for our salvation, O believers, and let us sing His praise. * For in His goodness He was pleased * to ascend the Cross in the flesh, and to undergo death, * and to raise up those who had died, * by His glorious Resurrection.
Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρὶ καὶ Πνεύματι, τὸν ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθέντα εἰς σωτηρίαν ἡμῶν, ἀνυμνήσωμεν πιστοὶ καὶ προσκυνήσωμεν, ὅτι ηὐδόκησε σαρκί, ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ, καὶ θάνατον ὑπομεῖναι, καὶ ἐγεῖραι τοὺς τεθνεῶτας, ἐν τῇ ἐνδόξῳ Ἀναστάσει αὐτοῦ.

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 Fourth Tone

Let us flee from the boasting of the Pharisee and learn through our own sighs of sorrow the humility of the Publican. Let us cry out to the Savior, "Have mercy on us, for through You alone are we reconciled."
Φαρισαίου φύγωμεν ὑψηγορίαν, καὶ Τελώνου μάθωμεν, τὸ ταπεινὸν ἐν στεναγμοῖς, πρὸς τὸν Σωτῆρα κραυγάζοντες· Ἵλαθι μόνε ἡμῖν εὐδιάλλακτε.
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Wisdom of the Fathers

It is possible for those who have come back again after repentance to shine with much lustre, and oftentimes more than those who have never fallen at all, I have demonstrated from the divine writings. Thus at least both the publicans and the harlots inherit the kingdom of Heaven, thus many of the last are placed before the first.
St. John Chrysostom
AN EXHORTATION TO THEODORE AFTER HIS FALL, 4th Century

He who is humble in his thoughts and engaged in spiritual work, when he reads the holy Scriptures, will apply everything to himself and not to his neighbor.
St. Mark the Monk

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St. Demetrios Parish Calendar

  • St. Demetrios

    February 25 to March 24, 2024

    SUN
    MON
    TUE
    WED
    THU
    FRI
    SAT
    25
    9:00AM Orthros
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
    26
    6:00PM Parish Council Mtg.
    27
    28
    7:00PM OCF
    29
    1
    MAR
    2
    10:00AM Legion Breakfast Meeting
    3
    9:00AM Orthros
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
    11:30AM 5-Year Memorial for Areti Hazangelis
    12:00PM Mt. Athos Exhibit Opens
    4
    5
    6:00PM Metropolis Clergy Retreat
    6
    10:00AM Metropolis Clergy Retreat
    7:00PM OCF
    7
    8:00AM Hierarchical Divine Liturgy Clergy Retreat
    8
    9
    9:00AM Orthros & Hierarchical Liturgy
    11:30AM Memorial
    5:00PM Anniversary Dinner Dance
    10
    9:00AM Orthros
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
    11
    12
    13
    7:00PM OCF
    14
    15
    16
    17
    9:00AM Orthros
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
    18
    Great Lent Begins
    19
    20
    5:30PM Presanctified Liturgy
    6:30PM Lenten Pot Luck Fellowship
    7:00PM OCF
    21
    22
    7:00PM Salutations to the Theotokos
    23
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