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St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2024-03-31
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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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Zito Ellas -- Long Live Hellas!

On March 25th marks the small but proud Greek nation’s freedom from 400 years of Ottoman rule. This celebration reminds us that their hard-won independence is a treasured part of our common heritage and continues to shape our nation today. We who are born here in America sometimes forget the great sacrifices of those in foreign lands who fought against tyranny and oppression, and for many of the same principles our founding American forebears held so dear, not the least of which is freedom of religion.

On March 25th, we also celebrated the Feast of the Annunciation. The two celebrations share a common theme: liberation.

Before their independence, the brave heros of Greece, those who sacrificed so much and did not have the right to worship and teach their Faith without fear of persecution, often extreme and sometimes to death. Their struggle is our struggle. Their struggle gained their liberation. The same could be said for the faithful and brave souls who battled Communist oppression in other countries, like Russia, Romania, Albania and others. The same could be said for others who live today under the yoke of intolerant Muslim nations.

Before Christ was born into the world, we all lived under the tyranny of the devil. With the affirmative reply of the Virgin Mary to the Archangel Gabriel’s announcement that she would conceive a son by the Holy Spirit who would be the Son of the Most High, we were liberated. We gained our freedom in Christ over the oppression of the evil one.  

Orthodox Christians all over the world should remember and honor the struggles that our faithful forebears made for the preservation of the Orthodox Christian Faith. It is not merely to worship without persecution, but to worship the Holy Trinity freely. Thus, heritage and our Faith become inextricably linked. We stand proud of our great legacy, our glorious history, and our Orthodox Tradion.

The Greek Revolution may be committed to history books, but remembrance is the vehicle to securing freedom today and every day.  We pray today for our country and freedom-loving people everywhere. We pray and reach out to all people that they may come to know Christ, born of a virgin young woman, and found in fulness in the teachings of the Orthodox Christian Faith. It is by the love of God the Father, in Christ Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, in whom our ultimate freedom is won. 


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ARCHEPISCOPAL ENCYCLICAL

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FROM YOUR PARISH COUNCIL

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Dear Fellow Parishioners,
 
This year's annual Greek Festival is scheduled for Thursday, June 6th through Sunday, June 9th.  Preparations for the festival have started in support our primary fundraising event.  Here are some key dates and times.
 
1.  Festival Kick-off MeetingSunday, April 7th after Divine Liturgy.
2.  April 9th (Tuesday) at 10am.  The Ladies of St. Demetrios have organized spanakopita preparation.
3.  April 15th (Monday) after 5pm.  We need a group of men to prepare the ground meat for pastitio and moussaka assembly later in the week.
4.  April 16th & April 17th (Tuesday & Wednesday) at 10am:  Moussaka and pastitio preparation.
5.  Subsequent Tuesdays & Thursdays at 10am:  Block these out for food preparation to be determined as we progress through spring.  We will definitely take off Holy Week:  April 27th through May 5th.  
 
Last year's festival was very successful with our highest sales and net income in recent memory with over $100K in net income.  We hope to build upon last year and increase sales and net income by 15% this year.  
 
We are able to achieve this level of success because parishioners prepare nearly all of the food and many of the ingredients are donated, especially the pastries which are prepared and donated by the Ladies of St. Demetrios.  Our parishioner-made food has an added benefit.  Our food is fresh and has a homemade authentic quality to it. Our parish enjoys an excellent reputation for our cooking as witnessed by the success of our Fish Fries these past weeks.    
 
There are plenty opportunities to help your church in our festival preparations.  If you like to join the festival planning committee, please come to our April 7th meeting.  If you like to help in food preparation, please come to one or more of the sessions and learn the secrets to our signature dishes.  You don't have to be a cook.  We will put you to work.  The more hands the quicker the work gets done and it is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow parishioners.
 
Thank you for your support and God bless the parish of St. Demetrios of Williamsburg Virginia.  
 
Athanasios (Tom) Jouvanis
Festival Chair
Parish Council President
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Upcoming Divine Services and Holy Days

Salutations to the Theotokos

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

This Friday, March 29 at 7:00 p.m.

The final three Fridays of Great Lent, 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.

 


HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

April 27, Saturday of Lazarus

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

April 28, Palm Sunday, The Entry into Jerusalem.      

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

April 29, Holy Monday.  

Orthros of the Bridegroom, 6 p.m.

April 30, Holy Tuesday

Orthros of the Bridegroom, 6 p.m.

May 1, Holy Wednesday.  

The Sacrament of Holy Unction, 6 p.m.

May 2, Holy Thursday.  

Institution of the Last Supper, St. Basil’s Liturgy, 9 a.m.

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

May 3, Good Friday

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

       Lamentation Service, 6 p.m.

May 4, Great Saturday.    

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

Resurrection Service, 10:30 p.m.

Paschal Proclamation, 11 p.m. followed by Orthros and the Divine Liturgy.  

May 5, Pascha (Easter Sunday), Agape Vespers, 11 a.m.

 

27 Απριλίου, Σάββατο του Λαζάρου

Ο Όρθρος, 9 πμ. Θεία Λειτουργία, 10 πμ.

28 Απριλίου, Κυριακή τν Βαΐων

Ο Όρθρος, 9 πμ. Θεία Λειτουργία, 10 πμ.

29 Απριλίου, Μεγάλη Δευτέρα 

Ο Όρθρος του Νυμφίου, 6 μμ.

30 Απριλίου, Μεγάλη Τρίτη

Ο Όρθρος του Νυμφίου, 6 μμ.

1 Μαΐου, Μεγάλη Τετάρτη  

Μέγα Ευχέλαιόν, 6 μμ.

2 Μαΐου, Μεγάλη Πέμπτη  

Η Θεία Λειτουργία του Αγ. Βασιλείου (Ο Μυστικός Δείπνος), 9 πμ      

     Ο Πάθος του Χριστού (τα 12 Ευαγγέλια), 6 μμ.

3 Μαΐου, Μεγάλη Παρασκευή         

Ο Μέγας Εσπερινός (Αποκαθήλωσης), 3 μμ.

     Ο Επιτάφιος Θρήνος, 6 μμ.

4 Μαΐου, Μέγα Σάββατο

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

      Η Ανάστασήs 11 μμ. μετά Ο Όρθρος, Θεία Λειτουργία

5 Μαΐου, Κυριακή του Πάσχα

Ο Μέγας Εσπερινός της Αγάπης,  11 πμ.   


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Announcements

Congratulations to...

...Jamie and Daniel Agnew on the Baptism of their daughter, Kyriaki Eleni, on Saturday, March 23rd. The godparents were Dino and Nia Charalambides.

...to Adam Drozdowski on his Baptism on Saturday, March 16th. He took the Christian name Krzysztof. The godfather was Tony Swink.

May God grant them many years!


COULD YOU OFFER A ROOM?

Two individuals who have signed up for the George Kordis Iconography Class that will be held at the College of William & Mary, one young lady, a missionary doctor in Guatamala, and the other a young man from Cleveland are hoping for a room for the week. Both are Greek Orthodox and vetted. The dates are June 9-15. If you are able to help either of them out, please contact Fr. Gianulis.


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 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.

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 the final Friday Fish Fryof the season. Let's finish strong. We still need volunteers to make sure everything runs smoothly. 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

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!


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

Nick Vlahakis - VCU Medical Center

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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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Tenth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 21:1-14

At that time, Jesus revealed Himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and He revealed Himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas, called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach, yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any fish?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish lying on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask Him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after He was raised from the dead. .

Tenth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 21:1-14

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐφανέρωσεν ἑαυτὸν ὁ Ἰησοῦς τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ, ἐγερθεὶς ἐκ νεκρῶν, ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης τῆς Τιβεριάδος, ἐφανέρωσε δὲ οὕτως· Ἦσαν ὁμοῦ Σίμων Πέτρος, καὶ Θωμᾶς ὁ λεγόμενος Δίδυμος, καὶ Ναθαναὴλ ὁ ἀπὸ Κανᾶ τῆς Γαλιλαίας, καὶ οἱ τοῦ Ζεβεδαίου, καὶ ἄλλοι ἐκ τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ δύο. Λέγει αὐτοῖς Σίμων Πέτρος· Ὑπάγω ἁλιεύειν. Λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· Ἐρχόμεθα καὶ ἡμεῖς σὺν σοί. Ἐξῆλθον καὶ ἀνέβησαν εἰς τὸ πλοῖον εὐθύς, καὶ ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ νυκτὶ ἐπίασαν οὐδέν. Πρωΐας δὲ ἤδη γενομένης ἔστη ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς τὸν αἰγιαλόν· οὐ μέντοι ᾔδεισαν οἱ μαθηταὶ ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ἐστι. Λέγει οὖν αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Παιδία, μή τι προσφάγιον ἔχετε; ἀπεκρίθησαν αὐτῷ· Οὔ· ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Βάλετε εἰς τὰ δεξιὰ μέρη τοῦ πλοίου τὸ δίκτυον, καὶ εὑρήσετε. Ἔβαλον οὖν, καὶ οὐκέτι αὐτὸ ἑλκύσαι ἴσχυσαν ἀπὸ τοῦ πλήθους τῶν ἰχθύων. Λέγει οὖν ὁ μαθητὴς ἐκεῖνος ὃν ἠγάπα ὁ Ἰησοῦς τῷ Πέτρῳ· Ὁ Κύριός ἐστι. Σίμων οὖν Πέτρος, ἀκούσας ὅτι ὁ Κύριός ἐστι, τὸν ἐπενδύτην διεζώσατο - ἦν γὰρ γυμνὸς -, καὶ ἔβαλεν ἑαυτὸν εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν, οἱ δὲ ἄλλοι μαθηταὶ τῷ πλοιαρίῳ ἦλθον - οὐ γὰρ ἦσαν μακρὰν ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς, ἀλλ' ὡς ἀπὸ πηχῶν διακοσίων -, σύροντες τὸ δίκτυον τῶν ἰχθύων. Ὡς οὖν ἀπέβησαν εἰς τὴν γῆν, βλέπουσιν ἀνθρακιὰν κειμένην καὶ ὀψάριον ἐπικείμενον, καὶ ἄρτον. Λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Ἐνέγκατε ἀπὸ τῶν ὀψαρίων ὧν ἐπιάσατε νῦν. Ἀνέβη οὖν Σίμων Πέτρος, καὶ εἵλκυσε τὸ δίκτυον ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, μεστὸν ἰχθύων μεγάλων ἑκατὸν πεντηκοντατριῶν, καὶ τοσούτων ὄντων, οὐκ ἐσχίσθη τὸ δίκτυον. Λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Δεῦτε ἀριστήσατε. Οὐδεὶς δὲ ἐτόλμα τῶν μαθητῶν ἐξετάσαι αὐτόν. Σὺ τίς εἶ; εἰδότες ὅτι ὁ Κύριός ἐστιν. Ἔρχεται οὖν ὁ Ἰησοῦς, καὶ λαμβάνει τὸν ἄρτον, καὶ δίδωσιν αὐτοῖς, καὶ τὸ ὀψάριον ὁμοίως. Τοῦτο ἤδη τρίτον ἐφανερώθη ὁ Ἰησοῦς τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ, ἐγερθεὶς ἐκ νεκρῶν.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Second Tone. Psalm 117.14,18.
The Lord is my strength and my song.
Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely.

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. Second Tone. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 117.14,18.
Ἰσχύς μου καὶ ὕμνησίς μου ὁ Κύριος.
Στίχ. Παιδεύων ἐπαίδευσέ με ὁ Κύριος.

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 31

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.


Innocent-alaska_1_
March 31

Innocent, Enlightener of Siberia & Alaska

Innocent of Alaska, also known as Innocent Metropolitan of Moscow, was a Russian Orthodox missionary priest, then the first Orthodox bishop and archbishop in the Americas, and finally the Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna.


Hypatius
March 31

The Holy Hieromartyr Hypatius, Bishop of Gangra

This Saint, who was from Cilicia of Asia Minor, became Bishop of Gangra, the capital of Paphlagonia. He was present at the First Ecumenical Council. Because of his confession of the Orthodox Faith, he was put to death by the Novatians, a sect which denied that sins committed after Baptism could be forgiven.


March 31

Akakios the Confessor


March 31

Theophilos the Martyr and those with him


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Tone

When You descended unto death, O Lord who yourself are immortal Life, then did You mortify Hades by the lightning flash of Your Divinity. Also when You raised the dead from the netherworld, all the Powers of the heavens were crying out: O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory be to You.
Ὅτε κατῆλθες πρὸς τὸν θάνατον, ἡ Ζωὴ ἡ ἀθάνατος, τότε τὸν ᾅδην ἐνέκρωσας τῇ ἀστραπῇ τῆς Θεότητος, ὅτε δὲ καὶ τοὺς τεθνεῶτας ἐκ τῶν καταχθονίων ἀνέστησας, πᾶσαι αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν ἐπουρανίων ἐκραύγαζον·Ζωοδότα Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν 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.

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

Take up your bed. Carry the very mat that once carried you. Change places, so that what was the proof of your sickness may now give testimony to your soundness. Your bed of pain becomes the sign of healing, its very weight the measure of the strength that has been restored to you.
St. Peter Chrysologus
Homily 50.6. Taken from: Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. Vol. 2: Mark. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 2005, p. 27.

Love for God begins to manifest itself, and to act in us, when we begin to love our neighbor as ourselves, and not to spare ourselves or anything belonging to us for him, as he is the image of God: 'For he who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, Whom he has not seen'.
St. John of Kronstadt

A tree is known by its fruits, a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.
Saint Basil the Great

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St. Demetrios Parish Calendar

  • PARISH CALENDAR

    March 31 to April 28, 2024

    SUN
    MON
    TUE
    WED
    THU
    FRI
    SAT
    31
    9:00AM Orthros
    9:55AM 40- Blessing Kristen Rossi
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
    1
    APR
    2
    3
    10:00AM Iconography Committee
    4:00PM Confessions
    5:30PM Presanctified Liturgy
    6:30PM Lenten Pot Luck Fellowship
    7:00PM OCF
    4
    10:00AM Festival Prep
    10:00AM Festival Prep
    5
    6:00PM Salutations to the Theotokos
    7:00PM Confessions
    6
    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
    10:00AM Legion Breakfast Meeting
    14
    9:00AM Orthros
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
    15
    5:00PM Festival Prep-Mousaka and Pasitsio
    16
    10:00AM Festival Prep-Mousaka and Pasitsio
    17
    10:00AM Festival Prep-Mousaka and Pasitsio
    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
    21
    9:00AM Orthros
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
    22
    6:00PM Parish Council Mtg.
    23
    10:00AM Festival Preparation
    24
    4:00PM Confessions
    5:30PM Presanctified Liturgy
    6:30PM Lenten Pot Luck Fellowship
    7:00PM OCF
    25
    10:00AM Festival Preparation
    10:00AM Festival Prep
    26
    27
    Saturday of Lazarus
    9:00AM Orthros
    10:00AM Divine Liturgy
    11:30AM Wood Baptism & Chrismation
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FLYERS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST

    Friday Fish Fry

    Friday Fish Fry

    The final Fish Fry of this year is this Friday. Share the flyer with friends and neighbors. And come out and lend a hand.


    CAMP GOOD SHEPHERD 2024

    CAMP GOOD SHEPHERD 2024

    See Father Milton if you would like to know more about available scholarships.


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