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St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2024-03-24
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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

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Accepting God's Will When We Question

The Annunciation is celebrated this Monday, March 25th. It is the marvelous story of God’s plan for our salvation and the participation in that plan of by a pure and virgin young girl.

In the first chapter of the Gospel according to Luke, we see an example of doubt and an example of faith. Zechariah's life-long prayer that his wife might conceive so that they could have baby had long since become but a distant memory, a vague hope, and an unanswered prayer. But then a miracle occurred, and Elizabeth conceived. Zachariah was understandably skeptical. Rather than accept God’s blessing, Zechariah doubted.

Later, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to a young woman and announced to her that she had been chosen to bear God’s Son. The words of the Virgin Mary somewhat mirrored those of Zechariah as if she too was skeptical, but she was not. Unlike Zechariah, this Blessed Virgin had not prayed for or asked for this conception from God. And she was not objecting to such a blessing, but she was confused by this heavenly announcement. Mary said to the angel, “How shall this be, since I have no husband?” (Luke 1:34)

When the archangel clarified that the child was to be conceived of the Holy Spirit, Mary acceded to God’s plan.  Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (v. 38).

Only with her voluntary participation was God’s plan for the salvation of the entire human race made possible. Her faith saved us.

Faith doesn’t preclude confusion, but it does require partnering with God in His work. And this is why the Theotokos remains the example par excellence for us. To question in prayer is perfectly acceptable, but in the end, we accept God’s will. We can thus participate in His plan for us.


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Upcoming Divine Services and Holy Days

Sunday of Orthodoxy Great Vespers

Every year, the clergy and faithful of Hampton Roads gather on the first Sunday of Great Lent for a Pan-Orthodox Vespers and Procession of icons. This year, Sunday of Orthodoxy falls on the Eve of the Feast of the Annunciation, March 24. Come join us for the Triumph of Orthodoxy and the Feastday of our sister parish in Norfolk.

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral at 5:00 p.m. The guest homilist will be Homilist: Dr. Edith M. Humphrey, William F. Orr Professor Emerita of New Testament (Pittsburgh Theological Seminary) who will speak on the theme: “Icons and Incarnation: You Can”t Have One Without the Other” 

SEE THE ENCLOSED FLYER BELOW


Ψυχοσαββατο (Saturday of the Souls)

The Commemoration of St. Theodore and the Kolliva (3rd Saturday of the Souls) will be celebrated on March 23.

Divine Liturgy, 9:30 a.m.

Memorial Service, 10:30 a.m.

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


FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION

 

Orthros, 8:45 a.m. Divine Liturgy, 9:30 a.m. on Monday, March 25th 


Salutations to the Theotokos

The Salutations to the Theotokos is sung on the first five Fridays of Great Lent.

March 22 and March 29 at 7:00 p.m.

April 5, 12 and 19 at 6:00 p.m. 


PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY DURING GREAT LENT

The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts will be read every Wednesday during Great Lent, starting next week, at 5:30 p.m. Following the liturgy we will gather in the fellowship room for a Lenten Pot Luck meal. Please bring a dish and stay.


CONFESSIONS

Confessions will be heard throughout Great Lent prior to the Presanctified Liturgies on Wednesdays from 4 p.m., and following the Salutations. Confessions will not be heard following the Presanctified Liturgies.

 


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Announcements

SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY


LADIES OF ST DEMETRIOS

The Ladies of St. Demetrios will meet this Tuesday, March 26, at 11:00 am. All the women of the parish are invited and welcome to attend at the home of Linda Jouvanis, 121 John Browning, in Kingsmill.


LENTEN POT-LUCK SUPPERS

Join us every Wednesday evening following the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts. Bring a lenten meal to share, meaning no meat, fish or dairy, and learn how many great foods can be offered while maintaining the fast.


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


FRIDAY FISH FRY

Tomorrow is our 6th Friday Fish Fry, next to the last.
As of last Friday, we have served almost 1,600 meals.
We still need volunteers to make sure everything runs smoothly as we enter the home stretch. Please plan on coming to make sure we finish strong these last two Friday Fish Fries. As always, continue to spread the word and share the flyer with family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. And at $15.00 a plate, they will not find a better deal or a tastier fried fish dinner! See you tomorrow!

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. 
 

COFFEE FELLOWSHIP

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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!


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

Sonny Halioris

Athanasia Jouvanis

John Kaminarides

Jim Kokolis

Nikki Mageris

Nancy Marakos

John and Connie Pavlides

Nick Vlattas

 


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FROM YOUR PARISH COUNCIL

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Dear Fellow Parishioners,
 
The number of completed Stewardship forms is now 38, but we are not close to last year's record of 54.
 
Great Lent is a wonderful time to reflect on personal stewardship. Please take a few moments to complete the Stewardship form after prayerfully considering your 2024 giving. 
 
The forms can be found in the narthex, in the room next to the narthex, and you can get one from Parish Council members.
 
The Parish Council relies on Stewardship in making business decisions.
This is even more important because of the church roof replacement project. 
Thank you for your continued support of St. Demetrios!
 
Michael Thompson
Stewardship Chairman   
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Ninth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:19-31

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in His side, I will not believe." Eight days later, His disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand, and place it in My side; do not be faithless, but believing." Thomas answered Him, "My Lord and My God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing, you may have life in His name.

Ninth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 20:19-31

Οὔσης ὀψίας τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ τῇ μιᾷ τῶν σαββάτων, καὶ τῶν θυρῶν κεκλεισμένων ὅπου ἦσαν οἱ μαθηταὶ συνηγμένοι διὰ τὸν φόβον τῶν Ἰουδαίων, ἦλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς καὶ ἔστη εἰς τὸ μέσον, καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. Καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἔδειξεν αὐτοῖς τὰς χεῖρας καὶ τὴν πλευρὰν αὐτοῦ· ἐχάρησαν οὖν οἱ μαθηταὶ ἰδόντες τὸν Κύριον. Εἶπεν οὖν αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς πάλιν· Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν, καθὼς ἀπέσταλκέ με ὁ πατήρ, κᾀγὼ πέμπω ὑμᾶς. Καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἐνεφύσησε καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Λάβετε Πνεῦμα Ἅγιον. Ἄν τινων ἀφῆτε τὰς ἁμαρτίας, ἀφιένται αὐτοῖς, ἄν τινων κρατῆτε, κεκράτηνται. Θωμᾶς δέ, εἷς ἐκ τῶν δώδεκα, ὁ λεγόμενος Δίδυμος, οὐκ ἦν μετʼ αὐτῶν ὅτε ἦλθεν Ἰησοῦς· ἔλεγον οὖν αὐτῷ οἱ ἄλλοι μαθηταί· Ἑωράκαμεν τὸν Κύριον. Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ἐὰν μὴ ἴδω ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτοῦ τὸν τύπον τῶν ἥλων, καὶ βάλω τὸν δάκτυλόν μου εἰς τὸν τύπον τῶν ἥλων, καὶ βάλω τὴν χεῖρά μου εἰς τὴν πλευρὰν αὐτοῦ, οὐ μὴ πιστεύσω. Καὶ μεθʼ ἡμέρας ὀκτὼ πάλιν ἦσαν ἔσω οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ Θωμᾶς μετʼ αὐτῶν. Ἔρχεται ὁ Ἰησοῦς τῶν θυρῶν κεκλεισμένων, καὶ ἔστη εἰς τὸ μέσον καὶ εἶπεν· Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. Εἶτα λέγει τῷ Θωμᾶ· φέρε τὸν δάκτυλόν σου ᾧδε, καὶ ἴδε τὰς χεῖράς μου. καὶ φέρε τὴν χεῖρά σου καὶ βάλε εἰς τὴν πλευράν μου, καὶ μὴ γίνου ἄπιστος ἀλλὰ πιστός. Καὶ ἀπεκρίθη ὁ Θωμᾶς, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ὁ Κύριός μου καὶ ὁ Θεός μου. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Ὅτι ἑώρακάς με πεπίστευκας, μακάριοι οἱ μὴ ἰδόντες, καὶ πιστεύσαντες. Πολλὰ μὲν οὖν καὶ ἄλλα σημεῖα ἐποίησεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐνώπιον τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ, ἃ οὐκ ἔστιν γεγραμμένα ἐν τῷ βιβλίῳ τούτῳ· ταῦτα δὲ γέγραπται ἵνα πιστεύσητε ὅτι ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐστιν ὁ Χριστὸς ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ ἵνα πιστεύοντες, ζωὴν ἔχητε ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Tone. Daniel 3.26,27.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse: For you are just in all you have done.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-40.

Brethren, by faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered abuse suffered for the Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he looked to the reward.

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets -- who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign enemies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated -- of whom the world was not worthy -- wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Προκείμενον. Fourth Tone. Δανιήλ 3.26-27.
Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Κύριε, ὁ Θεὸς τῶν Πατέρων ἡμῶν.
Στίχ. Ὅτι δίκαιος εἶ ἐπὶ πᾶσιν, οἷς ἐποίησας ἡμῖν.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 11:24-26, 32-40.

Ἀδελφοί, πίστει Μωϋσῆς μέγας γενόμενος ἠρνήσατο λέγεσθαι υἱὸς θυγατρὸς Φαραώ, μᾶλλον ἑλόμενος συγκακουχεῖσθαι τῷ λαῷ τοῦ θεοῦ ἢ πρόσκαιρον ἔχειν ἁμαρτίας ἀπόλαυσιν· μείζονα πλοῦτον ἡγησάμενος τῶν Αἰγύπτου θησαυρῶν τὸν ὀνειδισμὸν τοῦ Χριστοῦ· ἀπέβλεπεν γὰρ εἰς τὴν μισθαποδοσίαν. Καὶ τί ἔτι λέγω; Ἐπιλείψει γὰρ με διηγούμενον ὁ χρόνος περὶ Γεδεών, Βαράκ τε καὶ Σαμψών καὶ Ἰεφθάε, Δαυίδ τε καὶ Σαμουὴλ καὶ τῶν προφητῶν· οἳ διὰ πίστεως κατηγωνίσαντο βασιλείας, εἰργάσαντο δικαιοσύνην, ἐπέτυχον ἐπαγγελιῶν, ἔφραξαν στόματα λεόντων, ἔσβεσαν δύναμιν πυρός, ἔφυγον στόματα μαχαίρας, ἐνεδυναμώθησαν ἀπὸ ἀσθενείας, ἐγενήθησαν ἰσχυροὶ ἐν πολέμῳ, παρεμβολὰς ἔκλιναν ἀλλοτρίων. Ἔλαβον γυναῖκες ἐξ ἀναστάσεως τοὺς νεκροὺς αὐτῶν· ἄλλοι δὲ ἐτυμπανίσθησαν, οὐ προσδεξάμενοι τὴν ἀπολύτρωσιν, ἵνα κρείττονος ἀναστάσεως τύχωσιν· ἕτεροι δὲ ἐμπαιγμῶν καὶ μαστίγων πεῖραν ἔλαβον, ἔτι δὲ δεσμῶν καὶ φυλακῆς· ἐλιθάσθησαν, ἐπρίσθησαν, ἐπειράσθησαν, ἐν φόνῳ μαχαίρας ἀπέθανον· περιῆλθον ἐν μηλωταῖς, ἐν αἰγείοις δέρμασιν, ὑστερούμενοι, θλιβόμενοι, κακουχούμενοι - ὧν οὐκ ἦν ἄξιος ὁ κόσμος - ἐν ἐρημίαις πλανώμενοι καὶ ὄρεσιν καὶ σπηλαίοις καὶ ταῖς ὀπαῖς τῆς γῆς. Καὶ οὗτοι πάντες, μαρτυρηθέντες διὰ τῆς πίστεως, οὐκ ἐκομίσαντο τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν, τοῦ θεοῦ περὶ ἡμῶν κρεῖττόν τι προβλεψαμένου, ἵνα μὴ χωρὶς ἡμῶν τελειωθῶσιν.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of Orthodoxy
The Reading is from John 1:43-51

At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and he said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."

Sunday of Orthodoxy
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 1:44-52

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἠθέλησεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐξελθεῖν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν· καὶ εὑρίσκει Φίλιππον καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ἀκολούθει μοι. ἦν δὲ ὁ Φίλιππος ἀπὸ Βηθσαϊδά, ἐκ τῆς πόλεως ᾿Ανδρέου καὶ Πέτρου. εὑρίσκει Φίλιππος τὸν Ναθαναὴλ καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ὃν ἔγραψε Μωϋσῆς ἐν τῷ νόμῳ καὶ οἱ προφῆται, εὑρήκαμεν, ᾿Ιησοῦν τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ᾿Ιωσὴφ τὸν ἀπὸ Ναζαρέτ. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Ναθαναήλ· ἐκ Ναζαρὲτ δύναταί τι ἀγαθὸν εἶναι; λέγει αὐτῷ Φίλιππος· ἔρχου καὶ ἴδε. εἶδεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τὸν Ναθαναὴλ ἐρχόμενον πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ λέγει περὶ αὐτοῦ· ἴδε ἀληθῶς ᾿Ισραηλίτης, ἐν ᾧ δόλος οὐκ ἔστι. λέγει αὐτῷ Ναθαναήλ· πόθεν με γινώσκεις; ἀπεκρίθη ᾿Ιησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· πρὸ τοῦ σε Φίλιππον φωνῆσαι, ὄντα ὑπὸ τὴν συκῆν εἶδόν σε. ἀπεκρίθη Ναθαναὴλ καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ῥαββί, σὺ εἶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, σὺ εἶ ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῦ ᾿Ισραήλ. ἀπεκρίθη ᾿Ιησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ὅτι εἶπόν σοι, εἶδόν σε ὑποκάτω τῆς συκῆς, πιστεύεις; μείζω τούτων ὄψει. καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἀπ᾽ ἄρτι ὄψεσθε τὸν οὐρανὸν ἀνεῳγότα, καὶ τοὺς ἀγγέλους τοῦ Θεοῦ ἀναβαίνοντας καὶ καταβαίνοντας ἐπὶ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου.


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Saints and Feasts

01_firstlent1cp
March 24

Sunday of Orthodoxy

For more than one hundred years the Church of Christ was troubled by the persecution of the Iconoclasts of evil belief, beginning in the reign of Leo the Isaurian (717-741) and ending in the reign of Theophilus (829-842). After Theophilus's death, his widow the Empress Theodora (celebrated Feb. 11), together with the Patriarch Methodius (June 14), established Orthodoxy anew. This ever-memorable Queen venerated the icon of the Mother of God in the presence of the Patriarch Methodius and the other confessors and righteous men, and openly cried out these holy words: "If anyone does not offer relative worship to the holy icons, not adoring them as though they were gods, but venerating them out of love as images of the archetype, let him be anathema." Then with common prayer and fasting during the whole first week of the Forty-day Fast, she asked God's forgiveness for her husband. After this, on the first Sunday of the Fast, she and her son, Michael the Emperor, made a procession with all the clergy and people and restored the holy icons, and again adorned the Church of Christ with them. This is the holy deed that all we the Orthodox commemorate today, and we call this radiant and venerable day the Sunday of Orthodoxy, that is, the triumph of true doctrine over heresy.


Theonas
March 24

Our Holy Father Theonas, Archbishop of Thessolonica


Annunciation
March 24

Forefeast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos


March 24

Righteous Artemon, Bishop of Seleucia


March 24

Zachariah the Recluse


Annuncia
March 25

Annunciation of the Theotokos

Six months after John the Forerunner's conception, the Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth, a town of Galilee, unto Mary the Virgin, who had come forth from the Temple a mature maiden (see Nov. 21). According to the tradition handed down by the Fathers, she had been betrothed to Joseph four months. On coming to Joseph's house, the Archangel declared: "Rejoice, thou Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." After some consideration, and turmoil of soul, and fear because of this greeting, the Virgin, when she had finally obtained full assurance concerning God's unsearchable condescension and the ineffable dispensation that was to take place through her, and believing that all things are possible to the Most High, answered in humility: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." And at this, the Holy Spirit came upon her, and the power of the Most High overshadowed her all-blameless womb, and the Son and Word of God, Who existed before the ages, was conceived past speech and understanding, and became flesh in her immaculate body (Luke 1:26-38).

Bearing in her womb the Uncontainable One, the blessed Virgin went with haste from Nazareth to the hill country of Judea, where Zacharias had his dwelling; for she desired to find Elizabeth her kinswoman and rejoice together with her, because, as she had learned from the Archangel, Elizabeth had conceived in her old age. Furthermore, she wished to tell her of the great things that the Mighty One had been well-pleased to bring to pass in her, and she greeted Elizabeth and drew nigh to her. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, she felt her six-month-old babe, Saint John the Baptist, prophesied of the dawning of the spiritual Sun. Immediately, the aged Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and recognized her as the Mother of her Lord, and with a great voice blessed her and the Fruit that she held within herself. The Virgin also, moved by a supernatural rejoicing in the spirit, glorified her God and Savior, saying: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour," and the rest, as the divine Luke hath recorded (1:39-55)


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Tone

The stone had been secured with a seal by the Judeans, * and a guard of soldiers was watching Your immaculate body. * You rose on the third day, O Lord * and Savior, granting life unto the world. * For this reason were the powers of heaven crying out to You, O Life-giver: * Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ; * glory to Your eternal rule; * glory to Your dispensation, only One who loves mankind.
Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος ὑπὸ τῶν Ἰουδαίων, καὶ στρατιωτῶν φυλασσόντων τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα, ἀνέστης τριήμερος Σωτήρ, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὴν ζωήν. Διὰ τοῦτο αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν οὐρανῶν ἐβόων σοι Ζωοδότα· Δόξα τῇ ἀναστάσει σου Χριστέ, δόξα τῇ Βασιλείᾳ σου, δόξα τῇ οἰκονομίᾳ σου, μόνε Φιλάνθρωπε.

Apolytikion for Sun. of Orthodoxy in the Second Tone

O Christ our God, begging forgiveness of our sins, we venerate Your Pure Image, O Good One. Of your own will you condescended to ascend upon the Cross in the flesh and deliver those You created from the bondage of the enemy. Wherefore, thankfully, we cry out, "When You came to save the world, Your filled all things with joy, O Our Savior."
Τὴν ἄχραντον Εἰκόνα σου προσκυνοῦμεν Ἀγαθέ, αἰτούμενοι συγχώρησιν τῶν πταισμάτων ἡμῶν, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός· βουλήσει γὰρ ηὐδόκησας σαρκὶ ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ, ἵνα ῥύσῃ οὓς ἔπλασας ἐκ τῆς δουλείας τοῦ ἐχθροῦ· ὅθεν εὐχαρίστως βοῶμέν σοι· Χαρᾶς ἐπλήρωσας τὰ πάντα, ὁ Σωτὴρ ἡμῶν, παραγενόμενος εἰς τὸ σῶσαι τὸν Κόσμον.

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

...when the soul recognizes - what is indeed the truth - that all its good actions for God's sake, together with all its understanding and knowledge, are to be ascribed to God alone and that everything should be attributed to Him, then God accepts this as the greatest gift that man can make, as the offering that is most precious in His eyes.
St. Makarios the Great
Homilies, VI: The Freedom of the Intellect no. 123, The Philokalia Vol. 3 Ed. Palmer, Sherrard, Ware; Faber and Faber pgs. 339-340, 4th century

Prayer offered to God in truth is imperishable. Now and then we may forget what we have prayed about but God preserves our prayer forever.
Archimandrite Sophrony
His Life is Mine, Chapter 9; SVS Press pg. 72, 20th century

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St. Demetrios Parish Calendar

  • PARISH CALENDAR

    March 24 to April 21, 2024

    SUN
    MON
    TUE
    WED
    THU
    FRI
    SAT
    24
    9:00AM Orthros
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
    5:00PM Sunday of Orthodox Great Vespers
    25
    ANNUNCIATION
    8:45AM Orthros
    9:30AM Divine Liturgy
    26
    6:00PM Parish Council Mtg.
    27
    4:00PM Confessions
    5:30PM Presanctified Liturgy
    6:30PM Lenten Pot Luck Fellowship
    7:00PM OCF
    28
    29
    7:00PM Salutations to the Theotokos
    8:00PM Confessions
    30
    31
    9:00AM Orthros
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
    10:00AM 40- Blessing Kristen Rossi
    1
    APR
    2
    3
    4:00PM Confessions
    5:30PM Presanctified Liturgy
    6:30PM Lenten Pot Luck Fellowship
    7:00PM OCF
    4
    5
    6:00PM Salutations to the Theotokos
    7:00PM Confessions
    6
    10:00AM Legion Breakfast Meeting
    7
    9:00AM Orthros
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
    8
    9
    10
    4:00PM Confessions
    5:30PM Presanctified Liturgy
    6:30PM Lenten Pot Luck Fellowship
    7:00PM OCF
    11
    12
    6:00PM Salutations to the Theotokos
    7:00PM Confessions
    13
    14
    9:00AM Orthros
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
    15
    16
    17
    4:00PM Confessions
    5:30PM Presanctified Liturgy
    6:30PM Lenten Pot Luck Fellowship
    7:00PM OCF
    18
    19
    6:00PM Salutations to the Theotokos
    7:00PM Confessions
    20
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ARCHEPISCOPAL ENCYCLICAL

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FLYERS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST

    Sunday of Orthodoxy Great Vespers

    Sunday of Orthodoxy Great Vespers

    You are invited and encourace to attend. This year, the Great Vespers will be held at Annunciation Cathedral in Norfolk. Details in the enclosed flyer.


    Friday Fish Fry

    Friday Fish Fry

    Fridays beginning on February 16 through March 29. Helpers are always welcome and needed.


    CAMP GOOD SHEPHERD 2024

    CAMP GOOD SHEPHERD 2024

    The registration for Camp Good Shepherd has opened. Please see the attached flyer. Scholarships are available. Please see Fr. Milton.


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