Weekly Sunday Bulletin 11th Sunday of Luke
December 13 ~ Herman the Wonderworker of Alaska & First Saint of America
Saint Herman (his name is a variant of Germanus) was born near Moscow in 1756. In his youth he became a monk, first at the Saint Sergius Hermitage near Saint Petersburg on the Gulf of Finland; while he dwelt there, the most holy Mother of God appeared to him, healing him of a grave malady. Afterwards he entered Valaam Monastery on Valiant Island in Lake Ladoga; he often withdrew into the wilderness to pray for days at a time. In 1794, answering a call for missionaries to preach the Gospel to the Aleuts, he came to the New World with the first Orthodox mission to Alaska. He settled on Spruce Island, which he called New Valaam, and here he persevered, even in the face of many grievous afflictions mostly at the hands of his own countrymen in the loving service of God and of his neighbour. Besides his many toils for the sake of the Aleuts, he subdued his flesh with great asceticism, wearing chains, sleeping little, fasting and praying much. He brought many people to Christ by the example of his life, his teaching, and his kindness and sanctity, and was granted the grace of working miracles and of prophetic insight. Since he was not a priest, Angels descended at Theophany to bless the waters in the bay; Saint Herman used this holy water to heal the sick. Because of his unwearying missionary labours, which were crowned by God with the salvation of countless souls, he is called the Enlightener of the Aleuts, and has likewise been renowned as a wonderworker since his repose in 1837.
We welcome Rev. Dr. Jim Katinas, our new parish priest, who for the first time celebrates, with us, the Divine Liturgy
Parish Council on duty:
John Argiropoulos, John Ioannou, Jr.,Tony Maiorana, Anna Merkel, Demetri Rapanos, Mark Zaden, Kathy Ziegler
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Mode
Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια…
Let the Heavens rejoice; let earthly things be glad; for the Lord hath wrought might with His arm, He hath trampled upon death by death. The first-born of the dead hath He become. From the belly of Hades hath He delivered us, and hath granted great mercy to the world.
Apolytikion for 11th Sun. of Luke in the Second Mode
Ἐν πίστει τοὺς Προπάτορας ἐδικαίωσας …
By faith didst Thou justify the Forefathers, when through them Thou didst betroth Thyself aforetime to the Church from among the nations. The Saints boast in glory that from their seed there is a glorious fruit, even she that bare Thee seedlessly. By their prayers, O Christ God, save our souls.
Apolytikion of St. Demetrios in the Third Mode
Μέγαν εύρατο εv τοίς κιvδύvοις…
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.
Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Mode
Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον…
On this day the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth to * God the Word ineffably, * Who was before all the ages. * Dance for joy, O earth, on hearing * the gladsome tidings; * with the Angels and the shepherds now glorify Him * Who is willing to be gazed on * as a young Child Who * before the ages is God.
Epistle Reading
The reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Colossians 3:4-11.
BRETHREN, when Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now put them all away; anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all.
Gospel Reading
11th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 14:16-24
The Lord said this parable: “A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; and at the time of the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come; for all is now ready.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I must go to examine them; I pray you, have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So the servant came and reported this to his master. Then the householder in anger said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and there is still room.’ And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet. For many are called, but few are chosen.'”
Memorial
Malama Clidas (40 days) survived by children Michael, John and Mary and 6 grandchildren.
Trisagia
Savas Kalaitzidis (2 years) survived by sister Alexandra Papadimitriou, 2 sons and 3 grandchildren.
Vasiliki (5 years) and Constandinos (5 years) Marchelos survived by children Adrianne, Spiro and Louis, grandchildren Irene, Vasiliki Victoria, Marionna and Stephanie and 4 great-grandchildren.
Flowers
Today’s flowers on the altar have been donated in loving memory of Malama Clidas
Welcome Fr. Jim and Presvytera Cori!
Biographical Sketch of the Rev. Dr. James “Jim” Katinas
Fr. Jim Katinas comes to us from Hellenic College Holy Cross in Brookline Massachusetts where he served as the Director of Institutional Advancement for four and a half years.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Texas A&M University, a Master of Divinity from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, a Master of Arts in Psychology and Religion from Andover Newton Theological School and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Fr. Jim also has five years of experience in the financial services industry where he worked as an Investment Advisor for AG Edwards and Fidelity Investments.
Fr. Jim was ordained in 1992 and has served Greek Orthodox parishes in Houston, Texas, Knoxville, Tennessee, Newport, New Hampshire and Kansas City, Missouri. Fr. Jim received the offikion of Protopresbyter from His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America in October 2010.
Fr. Jim and his wife Presvytera Corinna (“Cori”) have three children (who are all in college) Catherine, Nicholas and Maria.
Announcements
- Sunday School Christmas Pageant
Today after the Divine Liturgy
- Parish Council Elections
Today, the members of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church are invited to participate in the election of five “5” Parish Council members who will serve for the 3-year term 2016, 2017, 2018. Voting will begin immediately following Church services and will end at 1:30pm. According to the Uniform Parish Regulations and by-laws, in order to participate in voting a member must be in good standing. Members in good standing are those who have paid their Stewardship Pledge, through December, for 2015. A member who is in arrears in his Stewardship Pledge may take part in the election by paying such arrears. New members may exercise the right to vote if they have been members for at least 3 months. Your participation in this election will be appreciated.
- Stewardship
The St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church Stewardship Program is based on the ideal that Stewardship Pledges are able to cover the Budgeted Operating Costs of our Church. In that regard the Parish Council proposed a plan which accomplished that objective. The General Assembly of St. Demetrios Church on November 22, 2015 unanimously voted to approve this new Stewardship Program effective January 1st 2016. Thank you to all who unanimously voted to approve these measures. By now, all of our generous year 2015 stewards should have received a very important letter regarding the new program. We ask that you carefully review the information and promptly respond. If you have any questions, please call (954) 467-1515.
- The Cancer Chapter invites you to join us in the war against cancer by participating in today’s fundraising event ”Cancer Fighting Sunday”.
The event includes a bake sale with delicious homemade items, a Christmas Boutiques where you can purchase lovely holiday items and delicious pita & salad lunch. Please join us for any or all of these events. You can also purchase raffle tickets for a beautiful Holiday Gift basket. Your contributions will go toward funding important research in the fight against cancer at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
- Christmas Poinsettias
Help celebrate the Christmas season! Make a donation to adorn the sanctuary with Poinsettias. In the memo line of your check note : ”poinsettias” . Thank you for your generosity!
- FESTIVAL Volunteers 2016…BEST FESTIVAL EVER!!!
Thursday, February 11th through Sunday, February 14th Pick your spots now. Join any of the many talented teams that make our festival ONE OF THE BEST FELLOWSHIP MINISTRIES & FUNDRAISERS OFFERED.
We have a spot for everyone: Ad Book Sales, Admissions, Appetizers/Mezedes, Pre-Festival Baking, Bakery, Baklava Ice Cream, Bar Tenders, Cashiers, Church Narthex & Candles, Decorating, Food Line Servers, Greek Coffee, Gyro, Pre-Festival Food Prep, Loukoumades, Festival Set Up & Take down, Saganaki, Taverna, Volunteer Processing and more!
Come see us in the narthex today!
- Celebrate New Year’s Eve at St. Demetrios
New Year’s eve Parisian Style ~Thursday, December 31, 2015~ Cocktails at 8:00pm; Dinner at 8:30pm
Catered by Culinary Republic
Music by Sasha
Adults: $65.00; 12 & Under $25.00; Cash Bar
For Reservations: Contact Chris Kapakos@ 954-709-9651 or via email @ CKapakos@comcast.net or Purchase your tickets in the Community Center every Sunday after Liturgy through Dec. 27, 2015
Sponsored & Hosted by AHEPA #394~ Proceeds to benefit St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
- Save the Date ~Feast of the Epiphany ~ Pan Orthodox Celebration ~Saturday, January 9, 2016
At Saint Catherine Greek Orthodox Church, 110 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach
Orthros 9:00am, Archieratical Divine Liturgy 10:00am, Procession, Blessing of the Waters and Diving for the Cross 12:00 Noon
Followed by a Luncheon: Lamb Shank over Rice, Salad, Rolls, Dessert, Coffee
Adults $25, Children $10 (12 years and under)
- Save the date ~Daughters of Penelope Wine Tasting & food pairingSaturday, January 23, 2016 at 7:00pm. More details to follow.
- A Devoted Heart
Precious friends of “A Devoted Heart” , for the month of December we will be meeting to study on Dec.20th We will be continuing our biblically based, scripturally solid study of the dual nature of Jesus Christ.
