Tag Archive for: Weekly Sunday Bulletin

The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, February 22nd, 2026

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We are live streaming our services.

Visit https://stdemetrios.org/ where a link to the broadcast can be found.

 

 

 

 

Sunday, February 22, 2026

 

Forgiveness Sunday

 

The Holy Fathers have appointed the commemoration of Adam’s exile from the Paradise of delight here, on the eve of the holy Forty-day Fast, demonstrating to us not by simple words, but by actual deeds, how beneficial fasting is for man, and how harmful and destructive are insatiety and the transgressing of the divine commandments.  For the first commandment that God gave to man was that of fasting, which the first-fashioned received but did not keep; and not only did they not become gods, as they had imagined, but they lost even that blessed life which they had, and they fell into corruption and death, and transmitted these and innumerable other evils to all of mankind.  The God-bearing Fathers set these things before us today, that by bringing to mind what we have fallen from, and what we have suffered because of the insatiety and disobedience of the first-fashioned, we might be diligent to return again to that ancient bliss and glory by means of fasting and obedience to all the divine commands.  Taking occasion from today’s Gospel (Matt. 6:14-21) to begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask forgiveness this day, first from God, then from one another and all creation.

Wisdom of the Fathers

 

Do we forgive our neighbors their trespasses? God also forgives us in His mercy. Do we refuse to forgive? God, too, will refuse to forgive us. As we treat our neighbors, so also does God treat us. The forgiveness, then, of your sins or unforgiveness, and hence also your salvation or destruction, depend on you yourself, man. For without forgiveness of sins there is no salvation.

St. Tikhon of Zadonsk
Unknown, 18th century

 


Liturgical Guide

 

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Mode
Τὸ φαιδρὸν τῆς Ἀναστάσεως κήρυγμα…
Having learned the joyful proclamation of the Resurrection from the Angel, and having cast off the ancestral condemnation, the women disciples of the Lord spake to the Apostles exultantly:  Death is despoiled and Christ God is risen, granting great mercy to the world.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Apolytikion of St. Demetrios in the Third Mode
Μέγαν εύρατο εv τοίς κιvδύvοις …
Greatness has been found in danger.  You are champion of the world.  A victor who could turn the nations back.  You boldly encouraged Nestor to defeat Lyaeus in the arena.  Therefore, holy great martyr Demetrios, intercede with Christ our God, to grant us His great mercy.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Second Mode
Τῆς σοφίας ὁδηγέ…
O Master, Prudence, Guide of Wisdom, Instruction to the foolish and Defender of the poor, strengthen my heart and grant it discernment.  Give me words, Word of the Father, for behold, I shall not keep my lips from crying out to You, “O Merciful One, have mercy on me who has fallen.”
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Narthex Press

Epistle Reading

 

Prokeimenon. Plagal Fourth Mode. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.

The reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4

Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand.  Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy.  But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions.  One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables.  Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him.  Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another?  It is before his own master that he stands or falls.  And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand.

 

Gospel Reading

 

Matthew 6:14-21

The Lord said, “If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men.  Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.  But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Memorial Prayer

Ethel Gerakas (40 days) Survived by her cousins, nieces, nephews, and her friends at St. Demetrios.

Trisagion

Evangelos Gerakas (3 years) Survived by his cousins, nieces, nephews, and her friends at St. Demetrios.

Elias Aspras (34 yrs) Husband of Alice Aspras.

Anthony Aspras (41 yrs) Son of Alice Aspras.

                 Announcements   

   

Saturday of Souls
February 21, February 28
Orthros at 9:00am Divine Liturgy at 10:00am.

 

  

Coffee Hour
In memory of her cousin Ethel Gerakas, Diana Faaborg has sponsored the coffee hour.

Oratorical Festival
The Oratorical Festival is scheduled to take place this Sunday February 22nd, following church service. A luncheon is to follow for participants and volunteers. Please note all positions have been filled. Thank you to our volunteers and sponsors for their time and generosity. Good luck to all the students participating!

  • Senior speaker:  Constantine Linardakis
  • Junior speaker:  Christos Cusmano

Judge leader:  Joanna Oudin
Judges:  Anna Nichols, John Xanthos, Garry Paxinos
Time Keeper: Paula Kirifides

A special thanks to Paula Kirifides who sponsored lunch.

Pap Corps
Pap Corps Chapter Meeting on Wednesday, February 25 at 3PM

Orthodox Study Class
For those who want to learn about the faith and for those baptized in the faith who want to learn more.  Wednesday, February 25 and Wednesday, March 11 at 7:00pm.  Additional dates will be announced shortly
Salutations to the Theotokos
At 7:00pm on the following Fridays:
February 27, March 6, March 13, March 20, March 27
BINGO
BINGO…SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21ST, AT 12 NOON.  Doors open at 11:30am.  Join us for Bingo.
Get 2 BINGO cards at the door for $7.00.  Many gift prizes, 50/50 raffle, plus refreshments.  Supporting Covenant House and other local charities.  Invite your neighbors and friends.  Join us for a relaxing afternoon of fun, family, friends, & food!
Sponsored by Philoptochos.
SEE YOU ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21ST, AT 11:30AM.

Movie Screening
Join the Hellenic Cultural Society for a special screening of
Routes of Greek Diaspora: Lowell, Massachusetts,
a documentary by Maya Tsokli (running time: 1 hour).

Saturday, March 7
Hall – Doors open at 6:30pm
Screening begins at 7:00pm

Members: Free
Non-members: $5

Following the documentary, we invite you to stay with us for a relaxed conversation as we share memories, stories, and reflections on life in Lowell. Concessions will be available for purchase.

For more information, please visit www.hcssfl.org or speak with Stavroula, Malvina, or Cindy at the Hall.

 

 

 

Mercy Luncheons (Makarias)
As of December 2025 St. Demetrios Church will offer to prepare and serve a Traditional Mercy Luncheon (Makaria) in the church hall for family members who request it. For detailed information please call Diane Paxinos 954-304-5913, or Kiki Sergiou in the Church Office 954-467-1515.

 

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Calendar

 

Saturday         2/21         Saturday of Souls
9:00am/10:00am              Orthros/Divine Liturgy
11:30am                               Bingo

Sunday            2/22
8:45am/9:45am               Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion           Sunday School
After Liturgy                    Parish Oratorical Festival
After Liturgy                    Dance Practice

Monday         2/23       Clean Monday
Lent begins
4:45pm-6:30pm              Greek School
7:30pm-8:30pm              Intermediate Greek-online

Tuesday        2/24
11:00am                             Loving Stitches

Wednesday   2/25
3:00pm                             PapCorps Meeting
7:00pm                             Orthodox Study Class

Thursday       2/26
7:00-9:00pm                  Advanced Greek

Friday             2/27
7:00pm                            Salutations to the Theotokos
followed by light lenten supper
7:00pm                           GOYA lambades making

Saturday        2/28      Saturday of Souls
9:00am/10:00am           Orthros/Divine Liturgy

Sunday              3/1       Sunday of Orthodoxy
8:45am/9:45am               Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion           Sunday School
After Liturgy                    Dance Practice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, February 15th, 2026

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We are live streaming our services.

Visit https://stdemetrios.org/ where a link to the broadcast can be found.

 

 

 

 

Sunday, February 15, 2026

 

Judgement Sunday 

 

The foregoing two parables — especially that of the Prodigal Son — have presented to us God’s extreme goodness and love for man.  But lest certain persons, putting their confidence in this alone, live carelessly, squandering upon sin the time given them to work out their salvation, and death suddenly snatch them away, the most divine Fathers have appointed this day’s feast commemorating Christ’s impartial Second Coming, through which we bring to mind that God is not only the Friend of man, but also the most righteous Judge, Who recompenses to each according to his deeds.
It is the aim of the holy Fathers, through bringing to mind that fearful day, to rouse us from the slumber of carelessness unto the work of virtue, and to move us to love and compassion for our brethren.  Besides this, even as on the coming Sunday of Cheese-fare we commemorate Adam’s exile from the Paradise of delight — which exile is the beginning of life as we know it now — it is clear that today’s is reckoned the last of all feasts, because on the last day of judgment, truly, everything of this world will come to an end.

Wisdom of the Fathers

 

“Christian love is the ‘possible impossibility’ to see Christ in another man, whoever he is…”
Alexander Schmemann
Great Lent, 20th Century


Liturgical Guide

 

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.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Apolytikion of St. Demetrios in the Third Mode
Μέγαν εύρατο εv τοίς κιvδύvοις …
Greatness has been found in danger.  You are champion of the world.  A victor who could turn the nations back.  You boldly encouraged Nestor to defeat Lyaeus in the arena.  Therefore, holy great martyr Demetrios, intercede with Christ our God, to grant us His great mercy.

Seasonal Kontakion in the First Mode
Ὅταν ἔλθῃς ὁ Θεός, ἐπὶ γῆς μετὰ δόξης…
O God, when You come upon the earth in glory, the whole world will tremble.  A river of fire will bring all before Your Judgment Seat and the books will be opened, and everything in secret will become public.  At that time, deliver me from the fire which never dies, and enable me to stand by Your right hand, O Judge most just.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Narthex Press

Epistle ReadingProkeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 146.5;134.3.
Great is our Lord, and great is his power.
Verse: Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.

The reading is from St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians 8:8-13; 9:1-2
Brethren, food will not commend us to God.  We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.  Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.  For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol’s temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols?  And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died.  Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.  Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother’s falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall.Am I not free?  Am I not an apostle?  Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?  Are not you my workmanship in the Lord?  If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Gospel Reading

 

Matthew 25:31-46

The Lord said, “When the Son of man comes in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.  Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left.  Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’  Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?  And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?  And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’  And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.’  Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’  Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’  Then he will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.’  And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Memorial Prayer

 

Marion Koliniatis (1 year) Survived by her family and by her friends at St. Demetrios.

Neophytos Demetriou (6 yrs) Survived by children Andreas, Victor, Georgia (Tony), and Costa, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Trisagion

 

Chrise Demetriou (7 yrs) Survived by children Andreas, Victor, Georgia (Tony), and Costa, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

                 Announcements   

   

Saturday of Souls
Febraury 14, February 21, February 28
Orthros at 9:00am Divine Liturgy at 10:00am.

 

  

Coffee Hour
In honor of her father Efstratios Planakis, Clare Winkel has sponsored the coffee hour

GOYA Bake Sale
Sunday, February 14 after Divine Liturgy.
Agape Luncheon
The Agape fellowship will meet at 11:30 AM on Tuesday 2/17/26 in the Kandaras Hall. The $10 entrance fee includes a sumptuous meal, refreshments, snacks, coffee and dessert. Thank you Chef Nick Manos, sous chef Bessie Manos, salad specialist Eva Planakis, Treasurer Cindy  Zitis and their assistants.
Philoptochos Meeting
The Philoptochos general meeting will be Wednesday, February 18 at 6:30pm. Please bring an appetizer to share.
Orthodox Study Class
For those who want to learn about the faith and for those baptized in the faith who want to learn more.  Wednesday, February 25 and Wednesday, March 11 at 7:00pm.  Additional dates will be announced shortly
Oratorical Festival
The Oratorical Festival is scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 22nd, following the church service.
The Sunday School is currently seeking volunteers to assist with this event. Specifically, we are looking for individuals who have previously served as judges or participants, a timekeeper, and a sponsor to provide lunch for the attendees.  If you are interested in assisting or would like further information, please contact Christina Cusmano at christinazumbacusmano@gmail.com.
Thank you for your consideration.

BINGO
BINGO…SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21ST, AT 12 NOON.  Doors open at 11:30am.  Join us for Bingo.
Get 2 BINGO cards at the door for $7.00.  Many gift prizes, 50/50 raffle, plus refreshments.  Supporting Covenant House and other local charities.  Invite your neighbors and friends.  Join us for a relaxing afternoon of fun, family, friends, & food!
Sponsored by Philoptochos.
SEE YOU ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21ST, AT 11:30AM.

 

Movie Screening
Join the Hellenic Cultural Society for a special screening of
Routes of Greek Diaspora: Lowell, Massachusetts,
a documentary by Maya Tsokli (running time: 1 hour).

Friday, March 7
Hall – Doors open at 6:30pm
Screening begins at 7:00pm

Members: Free
Non-members: $5

Following the documentary, we invite you to stay with us for a relaxed conversation as we share memories, stories, and reflections on life in Lowell. Concessions will be available for purchase.

For more information, please visit www.hcssfl.org or speak with Stavroula, Malvina, or Cindy at the Hall.

 

Mercy Luncheons (Makarias)
As of December 2025 St. Demetrios Church will offer to prepare and serve a Traditional Mercy Luncheon (Makaria) in the church hall for family members who request it. For detailed information please call Diane Paxinos 954-304-5913, or Kiki Sergiou in the Church Office 954-467-1515.

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CrossRoad 2.0 Young Adult Retreat
CrossRoad 2.0 is a 5-day young adult retreat designed for Orthodox young adults seeking to grow in their faith and experience a deeper connection in the church. This experience can provide participants with the tools needed to grow in their faith while being surrounded by like-minded Orthodox Christians.
Applications close February 14, 2026
WHEN: March 18-22, 2026
WHERE: Home 2 Suites Pompano Beach Pier (200 N. Ocean Blvd.)
COST: $299 (double occupancy) $499 (single occupancy) – travel expenses are NOT included
APPLICATION LINK: https://form.jotform.com/251764692259166
MORE INFO: https://crossroadinstitute.org/crossroad-2-0/

 

 

 

 

 

Calendar

Saturday        2/14      Saturday of Souls
9:00am/10:00am          Orthros/Divine Liturgy

Sunday            2/15
8:45am/9:45am               Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion           Sunday School
After Liturgy                    Dance Practice
GOYA Bake Sale

Monday         2/16
4:45pm-6:30pm              Greek School
7:30pm-8:30pm              Intermediate Greek-online

Tuesday         2/17
11:30am                            Agape Luncheon

Wednesday   2/18
6:30pm                             Philoptochos Meeting

Saturday        2/21      Saturday of Souls
9:00am/10:00am          Orthros/Divine Liturgy
11:30am                           Bingo

Sunday            2/22
8:45am/9:45am               Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion           Sunday School
After Liturgy                    Parish Oratorical Festival
After Liturgy                    Dance Practice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, February 8th, 2026

/in , /by

We are live streaming our services.

Visit https://stdemetrios.org/ where a link to the broadcast can be found.

 

 

 

 

Sunday, February 8, 2026

 

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

 

Through the parable of today’s Gospel, our Saviour has set forth three things for us: the condition of the sinner, the rule of repentance, and the greatness of God’s compassion.  The divine Fathers have put this reading the week after the parable of the Publican and Pharisee so that, seeing in the person of the Prodigal Son our own wretched condition — inasmuch as we are sunken in sin, far from God and His Mysteries — we might at last come to our senses and make haste to return to Him by repentance during these holy days of the Fast.
Furthermore, those who have wrought many great iniquities, and have persisted in them for a long time, oftentimes fall into despair, thinking that there can no longer be any forgiveness for them; and so being without hope, they fall every day into the same and even worse iniquities.  Therefore, the divine Fathers, that they might root out the passion of despair from the hearts of such people, and rouse them to the deeds of virtue, have set the present parable at the forecourts of the Fast, to show them the surpassing goodness of God’s compassion, and to teach them that there is no sin — no matter how great it may be — that can overcome at any time His love for man.

Wisdom of the Fathers

Thank God every day with your whole heart for having given to you life according to His image and likeness – an intelligently free and immortal life…Thank Him also for again daily bestowing life upon you, who have fallen an innumerable multitude of times, by your own free will, through sins, from life unto death, and that He does so as soon as you only say from your whole heart: ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before Thee!’ (Luke 15:18).
St. John of Kronstadt
My Life in Christ: Part 1; Holy Trinity Monastery pgs. 104-105, 19th century

 


Liturgical Guide

 

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Mode
Ὅτε κατῆλθες πρὸς τὸν θάνατον…
When Thou didst descend unto death, O Life Immortal, then didst Thou slay Hades with the lightning of Thy Divinity.  And when Thou didst also raise the dead out of the nethermost depths, all the powers in the Heavens cried out:  O Life-giver, Christ our God, glory be to Thee.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Presentation in the First Mode
Χαῖρε κεχαριτωμένη Θεοτόκε Παρθένε…
Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, O Virgin Theotokos, for from thee hath risen the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, enlightening those in darkness.  Rejoice, thou also, O righteous Elder, as thou receivest in thine arms the Redeemer of our souls, Who also granteth unto us the Resurrection.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery

 

Apolytikion of St. Demetrios in the Third Mode
Μέγαν εύρατο εv τοίς κιvδύvοις …
Greatness has been found in danger.  You are champion of the world.  A victor who could turn the nations back.  You boldly encouraged Nestor to defeat Lyaeus in the arena.  Therefore, holy great martyr Demetrios, intercede with Christ our God, to grant us His great mercy.

Seasonal Kontakion in the First Mode
Ὁ μήτραν παρθενικὴν ἁγιάσας τῶ τόκω σου…
Your birth sanctified a Virgin’s womb and properly blessed the hands of Symeon.  Having now come and saved us O Christ our God, give peace to Your commonwealth in troubled times and strengthen those in authority, whom You love, as only the loving One.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Narthex Press

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Second Mode. 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 First Letter to the Corinthians 6:12-20

Brethren, “all things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful.  “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything.  “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food” — and God will destroy both one and the other.  The body is not meant for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.  And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power.  Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?  Shall I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute?  Never!  Do you not know that he who joins himself to a prostitute becomes one body with her?  For, as it is written, “The two shall become one flesh.”  But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.  Shun immorality.  Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body.  Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God?  You are not your own; you were bought with a price.  So glorify God in your body and in your spirit which belong to God.

 

Gospel Reading

 

Luke 15:11-32

The Lord said this parable: “There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.’  And he divided his living between them.  Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living.  And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want.  So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine.  And he would gladly have filled his belly with the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything.  But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger!  I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.’  And he arose and came to his father.  But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.  And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’  But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’  And they began to make merry.  Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.  And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant.  And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.’  But he was angry and refused to go in.  His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends.  But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!’  And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.  It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'”

Memorial Prayer

Vasilios William Harokopus (40 days) Survived by his wife Xenia, and children Barbara, William Jr., and Robert.

Iosef Gagaoudakis (1 year) Brother of Yianni Gagaoudakis.

Dionysios Xenos (1 year) Brother of Vivian Xenos.

Areti Gagaoudaki (25 yrs) Mother of Yianni Gagaoudakis.

 

Trisagion

Angelo Marinos (2 years) Survived by his wife Litsa and children Stella and Dimitri.

Angela Manolatos (6 yrs) Survived by son Emanuel (Kathy) Bacolas, Katie Bacolas, Michael Bacolas, and Zitis/Velisarios families.

Gerasimos, Joan, Aglaia, John, Spero, Anastasios, Engolpia Survived by the Emanuel Bacolas family.

Efstratios Planakis (7 yrs) Survived by his children Clare, Chris, Andreas and Beth. His grandchildren Lucas, Chloe, Nikos and Alexandra.  His sisters Efstratia and Koula.

Baby Blessing

Angela and Michael Valverde present Anastasia.

Effie and Daniel O’Connor present Brian Dimitrios.

Dimitri Iliopoulos and Beatrice Gauthier present Sophia.

 Announcements       

Coffee Hour
In memory of her husband Angelo Marinos, Litsa Marinos has sponsored the coffee hour.

Agape Luncheon
The Agape fellowship will meet at 11:30 AM on Tuesday 2/17/26 in the Kandaras Hall. The $10 entrance fee includes a sumptuous meal, refreshments, snacks, coffee and dessert. Thank you Chef Nick Manos, sous chef Bessie Manos, salad specialist Eva Planakis, Treasurer Cindy  Zitis and their assistants.
Philoptochos Meeting
The Philoptochos general meeting will be Wednesday, February 18 at 6:30pm. Please bring an appetizer to share.
Orthodox Study Class
For those who want to learn about the faith and for those baptized in the faith who want to learn more.  Wednesday, February 25 and Wednesday, March 11 at 7:00pm.  Additional dates will be announced shortly
Oratorical Festival
The Oratorical Festival is scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 22nd, following the church service.
The Sunday School is currently seeking volunteers to assist with this event. Specifically, we are looking for individuals who have previously served as judges or participants, a timekeeper, and a sponsor to provide lunch for the attendees.  If you are interested in assisting or would like further information, please contact Christina Cusmano at christinazumbacusmano@gmail.com.
Thank you for your consideration.
BINGO
SAVE-THE-DATE:  BINGO resumes on Saturday, February 21st, 2026 @ 11:30am
See you in the church hall!
Mercy Luncheons (Makarias)
As of December 2025 St. Demetrios Church will offer to prepare and serve a Traditional Mercy Luncheon (Makaria) in the church hall for family members who request it. For detailed information please call Diane Paxinos 954-304-5913, or Kiki Sergiou in the Church Office 954-467-1515.
CrossRoad 2.0 Young Adult Retreat
CrossRoad 2.0 is a 5-day young adult retreat designed for Orthodox young adults seeking to grow in their faith and experience a deeper connection in the church. This experience can provide participants with the tools needed to grow in their faith while being surrounded by like-minded Orthodox Christians.
Applications close February 14, 2026
WHEN: March 18-22, 2026
WHERE: Home 2 Suites Pompano Beach Pier (200 N. Ocean Blvd.)
COST: $299 (double occupancy) $499 (single occupancy) – travel expenses are NOT included
APPLICATION LINK: https://form.jotform.com/251764692259166
MORE INFO: https://crossroadinstitute.org/crossroad-2-0/

 

 

 

 

 

Calendar

Sunday            2/8
8:45am/9:45am               Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion            Sunday School
Monday         2/9
4:45pm-6:30pm              Greek School
7:30pm-8:30pm              Intermediate Greek-online

Wednesday   2/11
6:30pm                             DOP Meeting

Thursday       2/12      
7:00pm-9:00pm             Advanced Greek-online

Saturday        2/14      Saturday of Souls
9:00am/10:00am          Orthros/Divine Liturgy

Sunday            2/15
8:45am/9:45am               Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion           Sunday School
After Liturgy                    Dance Practice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, February 1st, 2026

/in , /by

We are live streaming our services.

Visit https://stdemetrios.org/ where a link to the broadcast can be found.

 

 

Parking for Liturgy Sunday, February 1st

Please park at Holiday Park in the areas designated for the Festival. 
A complimentary shuttle will start running at 9:30am

 

 

Sunday, February 1, 2026

 

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.

 


Liturgical Guide

 

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Mode
Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος ὑπὸ τῶν Ἰουδαίων…
Although the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers guarded Your most pure body, You arose on the third day, O Savior, giving life to the world. For this reason, the heavenly powers cried out to you, O Giver of Life: Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Your kingdom! Glory to Your dispensation, only Lover of Mankind!
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Apolytikion for Forefeast of the Meeting of the Lord in the First Mode
Ουράνιος χορός, ουρανίων αψίδων…
The Heavens’ choir looked down from the vaults of the Heavens, and gazing on the earth, they beheld with amazement the First-born of all creation brought forth as a suckling babe to the Temple by a pure and virginal mother; and with us, they now do sing a hymn for the Forefeast, astonished and full of awe.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

Apolytikion for Martyr Trypho in the Fourth Mode
Ο Μάρτυς σου Κύριε, έν τή αθλήσει αυτού…
Thy Martyr, O Lord, in his courageous contest for Thee received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since he possessed Thy strength, he cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons’ strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by his prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Apolytikion of St. Demetrios in the Third Mode
Μέγαν εύρατο εv τοίς κιvδύvοις …
Greatness has been found in danger.  You are champion of the world.  A victor who could turn the nations back.  You boldly encouraged Nestor to defeat Lyaeus in the arena.  Therefore, holy great martyr Demetrios, intercede with Christ our God, to grant us His great mercy.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode
῾Ως ἀγκάλας σήμερον, πιστοὶ καρδίας…
With our hearts instead of arms * today, believers, * with most pure and righteous thoughts * let us receive in our embrace * the Lord and Master who comes to us, * and let us offer our fore-festal hymns of praise.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 15.3,8.
Among the saints who are in his land, the Lord has been wondrous.
Verse: I see the Lord before me continually.

The reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans 8:28-39

Brethren, we know that everything works for good with those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.  For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren.  And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.What then shall we say to this?  If God is for us, who is against us?  He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him?  Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect?  It is God who justifies; who is to condemn?  It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  As it is written, “For thy sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Gospel Reading

 

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.”

           Announcements       

Sunday School
There will be NO SUNDAY SCHOOL on February 1st.

Oratorical Festival
The Oratorical Festival is scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 22nd, following the church service.
The Sunday School currently seeking volunteers to assist with this event. Specifically, we are looking for individuals who have previously served as judges or participants, a timekeeper, and a sponsor to provide lunch for the attendees.If you are interested in assisting or would like further information, please contact Christina Cusmano at christinazumbacusmano@gmail.com.
Thank you for your consideration.

BINGO
SAVE-THE-DATE:  BINGO resumes on Saturday, February 21st, 2026 @ 11:30am
See you in the church hall!
Mercy Luncheons (Makarias)
As of December 2025 St. Demetrios Church will offer to prepare and serve a Traditional Mercy Luncheon (Makaria) in the church hall for family members who request it. For detailed information please call Diane Paxinos 954-304-5913, or Kiki Sergiou in the Church Office 954-467-1515.
CrossRoad 2.0 Young Adult Retreat
CrossRoad 2.0 is a 5-day young adult retreat designed for Orthodox young adults seeking to grow in their faith and experience a deeper connection in the church. This experience can provide participants with the tools needed to grow in their faith while being surrounded by like-minded Orthodox Christians.
Applications close February 14, 2026
WHEN: March 18-22, 2026
WHERE: Home 2 Suites Pompano Beach Pier (200 N. Ocean Blvd.)
COST: $299 (double occupancy) $499 (single occupancy) – travel expenses are NOT included
APPLICATION LINK: https://form.jotform.com/251764692259166
MORE INFO: https://crossroadinstitute.org/crossroad-2-0/

 

🇬🇷 FT. LAUDERDALE GREEK FESTIVAL Jan 29 – Feb 1, 2026

🇬🇷 FT. LAUDERDALE GREEK FESTIVAL Jan 29 – Feb 1, 2026
One of St. Demetrios’ best fellowship ministries & fundraisers —and YOU make it a success!
💙Where Tradition & Celebration Live 🇬🇷 Be Part of the Tradition –  VOLUNTEER & CELEBRATE! 🇬🇷

Online Sign-Up is LIVE  https://tinyurl.com/GREEKFESTIVALVOLUNTEER  Festival Volunteers are in the Narthex and will assist you with the online sign up⛪

👩‍🍳 Volunteer Areas Include: Food Prep 🍲 • Festival Setup 🎪 • Cashiers 💵 • Yia Yia’s Greek Bakery 🍰 • Gyro Booth 🌯 • Greek Market 🛍️ • Loukoumades & Café ☕ • Greek Grill 🍢 • Hot Food Line 🍽️ • Admissions 🎟️ …and more!  Let’s make this year’s Fort Lauderdale Greek Festival unforgettable!✨ Sign up – Be part of the fun! 🇬🇷 Meet friends, make new ones, and share our beautiful Greek Orthodox faith & culture ⛪

 

 

 

 

 

Calendar

 

Thursday        1/29      
5:00pm-10:00pm           Festival

Friday             1/30 
12:00noon-11:00pm      Festival

Saturday        1/31 
12:00noon-11:00pm       Festival

Sunday            2/1
8:45am/9:45am               Orthros/Divine Liturgy
NO SUNDAY SCHOOL
After Liturgy -7:00pm     Festival

 

 

 

 

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, January 25th, 2026

/in , /by

We are live streaming our services.

Visit https://stdemetrios.org/ where a link to the broadcast can be found.

 

 

 

Sunday, January 25, 2026

 

Our Father among the Saints Gregory the Theologian, Archbishop of Constantinople 

 

Saint Gregory is one of only three holy Fathers whom the Church has honored with the name “the Theologian” (the others are St John the Evangelist and Theologian, and St Symeon the New Theologian).  He was born in 329 in Arianzus in Cappadocia to a pious and holy family: his father Gregory, mother Nonna, brother Caesarius and sister Gorgonia are all counted among the Saints of the Church. His father later became Bishop of Nazianzus. He studied in Palestine, then in Alexandria, then in Athens. On the way to Athens, his ship was almost sunk in a violent storm; Gregory, who had not yet been baptized, prayed to the Lord to preserve him, and promised that henceforth he would dedicate his entire life to God. Immediately the storm ceased.  In Athens, Gregory’s fellow students included St Basil the Great and the future Emperor Julian the Apostate. The friendship between Gregory and Basil blossomed into a true spiritual friendship; they were loving brothers in Christ for the rest of their lives. After completing their studies, Sts Gregory and Basil lived together as monks in hermitage at Pontus. Much against St Gregory’s will, his father ordained him a priest, and St Basil consecrated him Bishop of Sasima (in the Archdiocese of Caesarea, over which St Basil was Archbishop).  In 381 the Second Ecumenical Council condemned Macedonius, Archbishop of Constantinople, and appointed St Gregory in his place. When he arrived in the City, he found that the Arians controlled all the churches, and he was forced to “rule” from a small house chapel. From there he preached his five great sermons on the Trinity, the Triadika; these were so powerfully influential that when he left Constantinople two years later, every church in the City had been restored to the Orthodox.  St Gregory was always a theologian and a contemplative, not an administrator, and the duties of Archbishop were agonizing to him. In 382 he received permission from a council of his fellow-bishops and the Emperor to retire from the see of Constantinople. He returned to Nazianzus (for which reason he is sometimes called St Gregory of Nazianzus). There he reposed in peace in 391 at the age of sixty-two.  His writings show a theological depth and a sublimity of expression perhaps unsurpassed in the Church. His teaching on the Holy Trinity is a great bastion of Orthodox Faith; in almost every one of his published homilies he preaches the Trinity undivided and of one essence.

 


Liturgical Guide

 

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Mode
Ἐξ ὕψους κατῆλθες ὁ εὔσπλαγχνος…
From on high didst Thou descend, O Compassionate One; to burial of three days hast Thou submitted that Thou mightest free us from our passions. O our Life and Resurrection, Lord, glory be to Thee.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Apolytikion for Gregory the Theologian in the First Mode
Ὁ ποιμενικὸς αὐλὸς τῆς θεολογίας σου…
The shepherd’s pipe of thy theology conquered the trumpets of the philosophers; for since thou didst search out the depths of the Spirit, beauty of speech was added to thee. But intercede with Christ God, O Father Gregory, that our souls be saved.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Apolytikion of St. Demetrios in the Third Mode
Μέγαν εύρατο εv τοίς κιvδύvοις …
Greatness has been found in danger.  You are champion of the world.  A victor who could turn the nations back.  You boldly encouraged Nestor to defeat Lyaeus in the arena.  Therefore, holy great martyr Demetrios, intercede with Christ our God, to grant us His great mercy.

 

Seasonal Kontakion in the First Mode
Ὁ μήτραν παρθενικὴν ἁγιάσας τῶ τόκω σου…
Your birth sanctified a Virgin’s womb and properly blessed the hands of Symeon.  Having now come and saved us O Christ our God, give peace to Your commonwealth in troubled times and strengthen those in authority, whom You love, as only the loving One.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by Narthex Press

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. First Mode. Psalm 48.3,1.
My mouth shall speak wisdom and the meditation of my heart shall bring forth understanding.
Verse: Hear this all you nations.

The reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews 7:26-28; 8:1-2.

Brethren, it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did this once for all when he offered up himself. Indeed, the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect for ever. Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent which is set up not by man but by the Lord.

 

Gospel Reading

 

The Reading is from Luke 19:1-10

At that time, Jesus was passing through Jericho. And there was a man named Zacchaios; he was a chief collector, and rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not, on account of the crowd, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaios, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” So he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it they all murmured, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaios stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost.”

 

Memorial Prayer

 

James Haidos (40 days) Beloved brother of Katherine Ziegler.

Ann Vezos (40 days) Survived by her daughters Stacy, Kathe, and Georgia, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Petros Achilleas Potaris (1 year) Survived by his wife Monika, his sons Brian (Merry) and Michael (Rosalie), his grandchildren, his sister Stavroula Christodoulou and her children Isabel and Paul, and his cousins on four continents.

Pauline Stamm (1 year) Survived by her children Anthony (Kathi) and Pamela, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Christos Hatziyannakis (32 years) Survived by his wife Despina and family.

 

Trisagion Prayer

James Barakakos (14 years) Survived by his sister Efi Barakakos.

Victor G. Vogis (25 years) Survived by his parents Margo and Victor and by his two sisters.

Antonios Bourlotos (28 years) Survived by his wife Stamatiki, his children Christina Korinthios (Michael) and Maria Papastamatis (Alex), and by his grandchildren John, Tony, and Christina.

Baby Blessing

Virginia and Georgios Tomadakis present Antonis for his 40 day blessing.

Effie and Daniel O’Connor present Brian Dimitrios for his 40 day blessing.

                         Announcements       

Coffee Hour
In loving memory of Pauline Stamm, the Stamm family has sponsored the coffee hour and refreshments.

BINGO
SAVE-THE-DATE:  BINGO resumes on Saturday, February 21st, 2026 @ 11:30am
See you in the church hall!
Mercy Luncheons (Makarias)
As of December 2025 St. Demetrios Church will offer to prepare and serve a Traditional Mercy Luncheon (Makaria) in the church hall for family members who request it. For detailed information please call Diane Paxinos 954-304-5913, or Kiki Sergiou in the Church Office 954-467-1515.

 

🇬🇷 FT. LAUDERDALE GREEK FESTIVAL Jan 29 – Feb 1, 2026

🇬🇷 FT. LAUDERDALE GREEK FESTIVAL Jan 29 – Feb 1, 2026
One of St. Demetrios’ best fellowship ministries & fundraisers —and YOU make it a success!
💙Where Tradition & Celebration Live 🇬🇷 Be Part of the Tradition –  VOLUNTEER & CELEBRATE! 🇬🇷

Online Sign-Up is LIVE  https://tinyurl.com/GREEKFESTIVALVOLUNTEER  Festival Volunteers are in the Narthex and will assist you with the online sign up⛪

👩‍🍳 Volunteer Areas Include: Food Prep 🍲 • Festival Setup 🎪 • Cashiers 💵 • Yia Yia’s Greek Bakery 🍰 • Gyro Booth 🌯 • Greek Market 🛍️ • Loukoumades & Café ☕ • Greek Grill 🍢 • Hot Food Line 🍽️ • Admissions 🎟️ …and more!  Let’s make this year’s Fort Lauderdale Greek Festival unforgettable!✨ Sign up – Be part of the fun! 🇬🇷 Meet friends, make new ones, and share our beautiful Greek Orthodox faith & culture ⛪

 

 

 

 

 

Calendar

 

Friday              1/23
9:30am                              Baking for the festival

Saturday        1/24
9:00am                              Souvlaki preparation and Festival Set up

Sunday            1/25
8:45am/9:45am                Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion            Sunday School
After Liturgy                     Dance practice

Thursday        1/29      
5:00pm-10:00pm           Festival

Friday             1/30 
12:00noon-11:00pm      Festival

Saturday        1/31 
12:00noon-11:00pm       Festival

Sunday            2/1
8:45am/9:45am               Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Liturgy -7:00pm     Festival

 

 

 

 

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, January 18th, 2026

/in , /by

We are live streaming our services.

Visit https://stdemetrios.org/ where a link to the broadcast can be found.

 

 

 

Sunday, January 18, 2026

12th Sunday of Luke

 

Athanasios and Cyril, Patriarchs of Alexandria

 

Saint Athanasios the Great was born in AD 295 to poor and virtuous parents, who could not give him a fine secular education. However, God endowed him with many spiritual gifts.
From a very young age, he showed his inclination towards the Church. At the age of 25, he was ordained a deacon by Patriarch Alexander of Alexandria, whom he accompanied to the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He was the main actor in the condemnation of the heterodoxy of Arius.

At the age of 33, he was elected Patriarch of Alexandria in AD 328. During his patriarchal ministry, he was fiercely attacked by the heretical followers of Arius. However, thanks to his spirituality and fervent faith in God, Athanasius managed to emerge victorious from all these trials even from the five exiles imposed on him, as Emperor Constantine II was a follower of Arianism. He reposed in the Lord in peace in AD 373.

Saint Cyril was born in Alexandria in AD 370 to wealthy parents of the Greek community of the city. He lived during the reign of Theodosius the Younger. Cyril, nephew Theophilus of the Archbishop of Alexandria, received theological education and became the successor of his uncle to the patriarchal throne of the Church of Alexandria.
When the Third Ecumenical Council took place in Ephesus in AD 431, Cyril was the president, and he vehemently opposed to the heterodoxy of Nestorius regarding his teaching on the face of the Virgin Mary.

He fell asleep in the Lord on June 9 in AD 444 remaining at the patriarchal throne for about 32 years. Saint Anastasios of Sinai rightly called him the “seal of the Fathers”.

The Church celebrates the two feasts on January 18: the memory of its two Great Fathers and Archbishops of Alexandria, Athanasios the Great, the pioneer against Arianism, and St. Cyril, the pioneer against Nestorianism.

 


Liturgical Guide

 

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Grave Mode
Κατέλυσας τῷ Σταυρῷ σου τὸν θάνατον…
Thou didst abolish death by Thy Cross; Thou didst open Paradise to the thief; Thou didst transform the myrrh-bearers’ lamentation, and didst bid Thine Apostles to preach that Thou art risen, O Christ God, granting great mercy to the world.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Apolytikion for Athanasios and Cyril, Patriarchs of Alexandria in the Third Mode
Ἔργοις λάμψαντες Ὀρθοδοξίας…
Shining forth with works of Orthodoxy, ye quenched every false belief and teaching and became trophy-bearers and conquerors.  And since ye made all things rich and with true piety, greatly adorning the Church with magnificence, Athanasios and wise Cyril, ye both have worthily found Christ God, Who doth grant great mercy unto all.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Apolytikion of St. Demetrios in the Third Mode
Μέγαν εύρατο εv τοίς κιvδύvοις …
Greatness has been found in danger.  You are champion of the world.  A victor who could turn the nations back.  You boldly encouraged Nestor to defeat Lyaeus in the arena.  Therefore, holy great martyr Demetrios, intercede with Christ our God, to grant us His great mercy.

Seasonal Kontakion in the First Mode
Ὁ μήτραν παρθενικὴν ἁγιάσας τῶ τόκω σου…
Your birth sanctified a Virgin’s womb and properly blessed the hands of Symeon.  Having now come and saved us O Christ our God, give peace to Your commonwealth in troubled times and strengthen those in authority, whom You love, as only the loving One.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by Narthex Press

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. 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 13:7-16

Brethren, remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their lives, and imitate their faith.  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.  Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings; for it is well that the heart be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited their adherents.  We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat.  For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp.  So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.  Therefore let us go forth to him outside the camp and bear the abuse he endured.  For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city which is to come.  Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.  Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

 

Gospel Reading

 

Luke 17:12-19

At that time, as Jesus entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices and said:  “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”  When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed.  Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’s feet, giving him thanks.  Now he was a Samaritan.  Then said Jesus: “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?  Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him: “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

 

Memorial Prayer

 

George Nichols (40 days) Survived by his wife Alexandra, his children Tassia (Mark) and Chris (Raffaella) and by his grandchildren Mason, Taylor, Andriana, Konstantinos, Maximos, and Natalia.

Peggy Tsalickis (40 days) Beloved grandmother of Peggy Zapantis.

Georgia Retsinas (7 years) Beloved mother of Matheo and Thalia Kountouridis.

Trisagion Prayer

 

Demetrios Kapakos (37 years) Survived by his children, grandchildren and great grandson.

Margarita Plakotarias (23 years) and Markella Kalogrias (6 years) Survived by the Kalogrias family.

               Announcements       

 

Loving Stitches
Meeting Wednesday, January 21st at 11:00 AM
Agape Fellowship
Happy New Year! The Agape fellowship will not meet during the month of January due to the preparations for the Festival. See you in February!!!

Mercy Luncheons (Makarias)
As of December 2025 St. Demetrios Church will offer to prepare and serve a Traditional Mercy Luncheon (Makaria) in the church hall for family members who request it. For detailed information please call Diane Paxinos 954-304-5913, or Kiki Sergiou in the Church Office 954-467-1515.

 

🇬🇷 FT. LAUDERDALE GREEK FESTIVAL Jan 29 – Feb 1, 2026

🇬🇷 FT. LAUDERDALE GREEK FESTIVAL Jan 29 – Feb 1, 2026
One of St. Demetrios’ best fellowship ministries & fundraisers —and YOU make it a success!
💙Where Tradition & Celebration Live 🇬🇷 Be Part of the Tradition –  VOLUNTEER & CELEBRATE! 🇬🇷

Online Sign-Up is LIVE  https://tinyurl.com/GREEKFESTIVALVOLUNTEER  Festival Volunteers are in the Narthex and will assist you with the online sign up⛪

👩‍🍳 Volunteer Areas Include: Food Prep 🍲 • Festival Setup 🎪 • Cashiers 💵 • Yia Yia’s Greek Bakery 🍰 • Gyro Booth 🌯 • Greek Market 🛍️ • Loukoumades & Café ☕ • Greek Grill 🍢 • Hot Food Line 🍽️ • Admissions 🎟️ …and more!  Let’s make this year’s Fort Lauderdale Greek Festival unforgettable!✨ Sign up – Be part of the fun! 🇬🇷 Meet friends, make new ones, and share our beautiful Greek Orthodox faith & culture ⛪

 

 

Calendar

 

Sunday             1/18
8:45am/9:45am                Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion            Sunday School
After Liturgy                     Dance practice-elementary classes only

Wednesday      1/21
11:00am                             Loving Stitches
3:00pm                              Pap Corps Meeting

Thursday         1/22 
9:30am                               Baking for the festival
12:00noon                         Philoptochos Meeting

Friday              1/23
9:30am                               Baking for the festival

Sunday            1/25
8:45am/9:45am                Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion            Sunday School
After Liturgy                     Dance practice
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, January 11th, 2026

/in , /by

We are live streaming our services.

Visit https://stdemetrios.org/ where a link to the broadcast can be found.

 

 

 

Sunday, January 11, 2026

 

Our Righteous Father Theodosius the Cenobiarch

 

This Saint had Cappadocia as his homeland.  He lived during the years of Leo of Thrace, who reigned from 457 to 474.  The Saint established in the Holy Land a great communal monastery, wherein he was the shepherd of many monks.  While Saint Sabbas was the head of the hermits of Palestine, Saint Theodosius was governor of those living the cenobitic life, for which reason he is called the Cenobiarch.  Together with Saint Sabbas, towards whom he cherished a deep brotherly love in Christ, he defended the whole land of Palestine from the heresy of the Monophysites, which was championed by the Emperor Anastasius and might very well have triumphed in the Holy Land without the opposition of these two great monastic fathers and their zealous defense of the Holy Council of Chalcedon. Having lived for 103 years, he reposed in peace.

 


Liturgical Guide

 

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Second Mode
Ἀγγελικαὶ Δυνάμεις ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμά σου…
Angelic powers were above Thy tomb, and they that guarded Thee became as dead.  And Mary stood by the grave seeking Thine immaculate Body.  Thou hast despoiled Hades and wast not tried thereby.  Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst grant us life. O Thou Who didst arise from the dead, Lord, glory be to Thee.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by Holy Transfiguration MonasteryApolytikion for Theophany Afterfeast in the First Mode
Ἐν Ἰορδάνῃ βαπτιζομένου σου Κύριε…
When Thou wast baptized in the Jordan, O Lord, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest; for the voice of the Father bare witness to Thee, calling Thee His beloved Son.  And the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the certainty of the word.  O Christ our God, Who hast appeared and hast enlightened the world, glory be to Thee.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by Holy Transfiguration MonasteryApolytikion for Theodosius the Cenobiarch in the Plagal Fourth Mode
Ταίς τών δακρύων σου ροαίς…
With the streams of thy tears, thou didst cultivate the barrenness of the desert; and by thy sighings from the depths,thou didst bear fruit a hundredfold in labours; and thou becamest a luminary, shining with miracles upon the world, O Theodosios our righteous Father.  Intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by Holy Transfiguration MonasteryApolytikion of St. Demetrios in the Third Mode
Μέγαν εύρατο εv τοίς κιvδύvοις …
Greatness has been found in danger.  You are champion of the world.  A victor who could turn the nations back.  You boldly encouraged Nestor to defeat Lyaeus in the arena.  Therefore, holy great martyr Demetrios, intercede with Christ our God, to grant us His great mercy.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode
Ἐπεφάνης σήμερον τὴ οἰκουμένη…
You appeared to the world today, and Your light, O Lord, has left its mark upon us. With fuller understanding we sing to You: “You came, You were made manifest, the unapproachable light.”
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by Narthex Press

Epistle Reading

 

Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 115.5,3 (116.15,12).
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
Verse: What shall I render to the Lord for all that he has given me?

The reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews 13:7-16
Brethren, remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their lives, and imitate their faith.  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.  Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings; for it is well that the heart be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited their adherents.  We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat.  For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp.  So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.  Therefore let us go forth to him outside the camp and bear the abuse he endured.  For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city which is to come.  Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.  Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

 

Gospel Reading

 

Matthew 4:12-17
At that time, when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.”  From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

 

 

 

Trisagion Prayer

 

Vasiliy Bondar (40 days) Father of Elena Doromina.

Dionisios Tetenes (3 years) Survived by his wife Angeliki, his daughters and their families.

Athina Sclavounos (9 years) and Spiros Sclavounos (24 years) Survived by their daughters and their families.

 

               Announcements       

 

Agape Fellowship
Happy New Year! The Agape fellowship will not meet during the month of January due to the preparations for the Festival. See you in February!!!
Mercy Luncheons (Makarias)
As of December 2025 St. Demetrios Church will offer to prepare and serve a Traditional Mercy Luncheon (Makaria) in the church hall for family members who request it. For detailed information please call Diane Paxinos 954-304-5913, or Kiki Sergiou in the Church Office 954-467-1515.

 

🇬🇷 FT. LAUDERDALE GREEK FESTIVAL Jan 29 – Feb 1, 2026

🇬🇷 FT. LAUDERDALE GREEK FESTIVAL Jan 29 – Feb 1, 2026
One of St. Demetrios’ best fellowship ministries & fundraisers —and YOU make it a success!
💙Where Tradition & Celebration Live 🇬🇷 Be Part of the Tradition –  VOLUNTEER & CELEBRATE! 🇬🇷

Online Sign-Up is LIVE  https://tinyurl.com/GREEKFESTIVALVOLUNTEER  Festival Volunteers are in the Narthex and will assist you with the online sign up⛪

👩‍🍳 Volunteer Areas Include: Food Prep 🍲 • Festival Setup 🎪 • Cashiers 💵 • Yia Yia’s Greek Bakery 🍰 • Gyro Booth 🌯 • Greek Market 🛍️ • Loukoumades & Café ☕ • Greek Grill 🍢 • Hot Food Line 🍽️ • Admissions 🎟️ …and more!  Let’s make this year’s Fort Lauderdale Greek Festival unforgettable!✨ Sign up – Be part of the fun! 🇬🇷 Meet friends, make new ones, and share our beautiful Greek Orthodox faith & culture ⛪

 

 

Calendar

 

Sunday           1/11
8:45am/9:45am                 Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Liturgy                        Dance practice
After Communion              Sunday School

Monday         1/12
4:45pm-6:00pm               Greek School
7:30pm-8:30pm               Intermediate Greek online

Thursday        1/15 
7:00pm-9:00pm              Advanced Greek online

Sunday            1/18
8:45am/9:45am                Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion            Sunday School
After Liturgy                     Dance practice-elementary classes only

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, January 4th, 2026

/in , /by

We are live streaming our services.

Visit https://stdemetrios.org/ where a link to the broadcast can be found.

 

We wish you a happy and healthy New Year!

 

 

Sunday, January 4, 2026

 

Synaxis of the 70 Holy Apostles

 

The Seventy Disciples and Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ are those Whom our Saviour chose in addition to the Twelve and sent forth unto the work of preaching. With the passage of time, others were added to their number by the Holy Apostles, who, with the accompaniment and assistance of the Seventy, were preaching the Gospel of Christ in various lands. Although their number eventually exceeded seventy, they were all nonetheless referred to as “of the Seventy” out of reverence for the number of Apostles which the Lord chose.
The divine Apostle and Evangelist Luke describes the calling and the sending forth of the Seventy as follows in his Holy Gospel (Luke 10:1-16): “After these things the Lord appointed another seventy disciples, and sent them two and two before His face into every city and place, whither He Himself would come. Therefore said He unto them, the harvest is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He send forth labourers into His harvest. Go then: behold, I send you forth as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry neither purse, nor bag, nor sandals: and greet no man on the way. And into whatsoever house ye enter first say, Peace be on this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it; if not, it shall turn to you again. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. And into whatsoever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you; And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The Kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveeth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding know ye this, that the Kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be brought down to hades. He that heareth you heareth Me; and he that despiseth you despiseth Me; and he that despiseth Me despiseth Him that sent Me.”
After the Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension of our Lord, and after Pentecost, on which all the Apostles and men and women disciples of Christ, together with the Most Holy Theotokos (some 120 in number), were gathered in the upper chamber, they received the grace of the All-holy Spirit and went forth throughout the ends of the world, everywhere preaching and teaching the Gospel of Christ, and leading to the true Faith the peoples who were sunk in the darkness of impiety and idolatry.

 




Liturgical Guide

 

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal First Mode
Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρὶ καὶ Πνεύματι…
Let us worship the Word, O ye faithful, praising Him that with the Father and the Spirit is co-beginningless God, Who was born of a pure Virgin that we all be saved; for He was pleased to mount the Cross in the flesh that He assumed, accepting thus to endure death.  And by His glorious rising, He also willed to resurrect the dead.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by Holy Transfiguration MonasteryApolytikion for Forefeast of Theophany in the Fourth Mode
Ἑτοιμάζου Ζαβουλῶν…
Be thou ready, Zabulon; prepare thyself, O Nephthalim.  River Jordan, stay thy course and skip for gladness to receive the Sovereign Master, Who cometh now to be baptized.  O Adam, be thou glad with our first mother, Eve; hide not as ye did of old in Paradise.  Seeing you naked, He hath appeared now to clothe you in the first robe again.  Christ hath appeared, for He truly willeth to renew all creation.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Apolytikion of St. Demetrios in the Third Mode
Μέγαν εύρατο εv τοίς κιvδύvοις …
Greatness has been found in danger.  You are champion of the world.  A victor who could turn the nations back.  You boldly encouraged Nestor to defeat Lyaeus in the arena.  Therefore, holy great martyr Demetrios, intercede with Christ our God, to grant us His great mercy.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode
Ἐν τοῖς ῥείθροις σήμερον τοῦ Ἰορδάνου…
In the running waters of the Jordan River, on this day the Lord of all crieth to John:  Be not afraid and hesitate not to baptize Me, for I am come to save Adam, the first-formed man.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Epistle Reading

 

Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.

The reading is from St. Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy 4:5-8

TIMOTHY, my son, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

 

Gospel Reading

 

Mark 1:1-8

The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophets, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare your way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’ John was baptizing in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, and had a leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

 

Memorial Prayer

 

Vasilios Papadimitriou (3 years) is survived by his wife (Alexandra), his sister (Vasilki), 3 children: Amalia (son-in-law: Chris), Vasiliki (son-in-law: Alberto), and Dimitrios and three grandchildren: Alexandra, Marco and Christian and several nieces and nephews.

 

Trisagion Prayer

Savas Kalaitzidis  (12 years) is survived by two sons (Nikos and Vasilios) and 3 grandchildren.

Vasiliki Kalaitzidis (23 years) is survived by one daughter (Alexandra) and 8 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

Vasilios Kalaitzidis  (29 years) is survived by one daughter (Alexandra) and 8 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

Baby Blessing

 

Barbara and Kostantinos Kaiafas and big sister Lydia Agapi present Aris Haralambos for the 40 day baby and mother blessing.

 

               Announcements       

 

Mercy Luncheons (Makarias)
As of December 2025 St. Demetrios Church will offer to prepare and serve a Traditional Mercy Luncheon (Makaria) in the church hall for family members who request it. For detailed information please call Diane Paxinos 954-304-5913, or Kiki Sergiou in the Church Office 954-467-1515.

 

🇬🇷 FT. LAUDERDALE GREEK FESTIVAL Jan 29 – Feb 1, 2026

🇬🇷 FT. LAUDERDALE GREEK FESTIVAL Jan 29 – Feb 1, 2026
One of St. Demetrios’ best fellowship ministries & fundraisers —and YOU make it a success!
💙Where Tradition & Celebration Live 🇬🇷 Be Part of the Tradition –  VOLUNTEER & CELEBRATE! 🇬🇷

Online Sign-Up is LIVE  https://tinyurl.com/GREEKFESTIVALVOLUNTEER  Festival Volunteers are in the Narthex and will assist you with the online sign up⛪

👩‍🍳 Volunteer Areas Include: Food Prep 🍲 • Festival Setup 🎪 • Cashiers 💵 • Yia Yia’s Greek Bakery 🍰 • Gyro Booth 🌯 • Greek Market 🛍️ • Loukoumades & Café ☕ • Greek Grill 🍢 • Hot Food Line 🍽️ • Admissions 🎟️ …and more!  Let’s make this year’s Fort Lauderdale Greek Festival unforgettable!✨ Sign up – Be part of the fun! 🇬🇷 Meet friends, make new ones, and share our beautiful Greek Orthodox faith & culture ⛪

 

 

Calendar

 

Thursday        1/1           St. Basil the Great
New Year’s Day
9:00am/10:00am             Orthros/Divine Liturgy

Sunday           1/4
8:45am/9:45am                 Orthros/Divine Liturgy
Vasilopita cutting for St. Basil’s Academy
After Liturgy                        GOYA meeting
After Liturgy                        Dance practice

Monday         1/5
4:45pm-6:00pm               Greek School

Tuesday        1/6             Holy Theophany
9am/10am                           Orthros/Divine Liturgy/Cross Diving at Lauderdale by the Sea
7:00pm                                AHEPA Meeting

Sunday           1/11
8:45am/9:45am                 Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion              Sunday School
After Liturgy                        Dance practice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, December 28th, 2025

/in , /by

We are live streaming our services.

Visit https://stdemetrios.org/ where a link to the broadcast can be found.

 

 

Merry Christmas!

 

Sunday, December 28, 2025

 

Sunday after Nativity

 

On the Sunday that falls on or immediately after the twenty-sixth of this month, we make commemoration of Saints Joseph, the Betrothed of the Virgin; David, the Prophet and King; and James, the Brother of God.  When there is no Sunday within this period, we celebrate this commemoration on the 26th.
Saint Joseph was the son of Jacob, and the son-in-law – and hence, as it were, the son – of Eli (who was also called Eliakim or Joachim), who was the father of Mary the Virgin. He was of the tribe of Judah, of the family of David, an inhabitant of Nazareth, a carpenter by Trade, and advanced in age when, by God’s good will, he was betrothed to the Virgin, that he might minister to the great mystery of God’s dispensation in the flesh by protecting her, providing for her, and being known as her husband so that she, being a virgin, would not suffer reproach when she was found to be with child. Joseph had been married before his betrothal to our Lady; they who are called Jesus’ “brethren and sisters” are the children of Joseph by his first marriage. From Scripture, we know that Saint Joseph lived at least until the Twelfth year after the birth of Christ according to the tradition of the Fathers, he reposed before the beginning of the public ministry of Christ.
The child of God and ancestor of God, David, the great Prophet after Moses, sprang from the tribe of Judah. He was the son of Jesse, and was born in Bethlehem, in the year 1085 before Christ. While yet a youth, at the command of God he was anointed secretly by the Prophet Samuel to be the second King of the Israelites, while Saul – who had already been deprived of divine grace – was yet living. In the thirtieth year of his life, when Saul had been slain in battle, David was raised to the dignity of King, first, by his own tribe, and then by all the Israelite people, and he reigned for forty years. Having lived seventy years, he reposed in 1015 before Christ, having proclaimed beforehand that his son Solomon was to be the successor to the throne.
The sacred history has recorded not only the grace of the Spirit that dwelt in him from his youth, his heroic exploits in war, and his great piety towards God, but also his transgressions and failings as a man. Yet his repentance was greater than his transgressions, and his love for God fervent and exemplary; so highly did God honour this man, that when his son Solomon sinned, the Lord told him that He would not rend the kingdom in his lifetime “for David thy father’s sake”. Of The Kings of Israel, Jesus the Son of Sirach testifies, “All, except David and Hezekias and Josias, were defective”. The name David means “beloved.”
His melodious Psalter is the foundation of all the services of the Church; there is not one service that is not filled with Psalms and psalmic verses. It was the means whereby old Israel praised God, and was used by the Apostles and the Lord Himself. It is so imbued with the spirit of prayer that the monastic fathers of all ages have used it as their trainer and teacher for their inner life of converse with God. Besides eloquently portraying every state and emotion of the soul before her Maker, the Psalter is filled with prophecies of the coming of Christ. It foretells His Incarnation, “He bowed the heavens and came down”, His Baptism in the Jordan, “The waters saw Thee, O God, The waters saw Thee and were afraid”, His Crucifixion in its details, “They have pierced My hands and My feet …. They have parted My garments amongst themselves, and for My vesture have they cast lots”. “For My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink”, His descent into Hades, “For Thou wilt not abandon My soul in Hades, nor wilt Thou suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption” and Resurrection, “Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered”. His Ascension, “God is gone up in jubilation” (46:5), and so forth.

 

 




Liturgical Guide

 

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Mode
Τὸ φαιδρὸν τῆς Ἀναστάσεως κήρυγμα…
Having learned the joyful proclamation of the Resurrection from the Angel, and having cast off the ancestral condemnation, the women disciples of the Lord spake to the Apostles exultantly:  Death is despoiled and Christ God is risen, granting great mercy to the world.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by Holy Transfiguration MonasteryApolytikion for Afterfeast of the Nativity in the Fourth Mode
Ἡ γέννησίς σου Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν…
Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, hath shined the light of knowledge upon the world; for thereby they that worshipped the stars were instructed by a star to worship Thee, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know Thee, the Dayspring from on high.  O Lord, glory be to Thee.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Apolytikion for Sunday after Nativity in the Second Mode
Εὐαγγελίζου Ἰωσήφ…
O Joseph, proclaim the wonders to David, the ancestor of God.  Thou hast seen a Virgin great with child; thou hast given glory with the shepherds; thou hast worshipped with the Magi; and thou hast been instructed through an Angel.  Entreat Christ God to save our souls.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Apolytikion of St. Demetrios in the Third Mode
Μέγαν εύρατο εv τοίς κιvδύvοις …
Greatness has been found in danger.  You are champion of the world.  A victor who could turn the nations back.  You boldly encouraged Nestor to defeat Lyaeus in the arena.  Therefore, holy great martyr Demetrios, intercede with Christ our God, to grant us His great mercy.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Mode
Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον, τὸν ὑπερούσιον τίκτει…
On this day the Virgin beareth the Transcendent in essence; * to the Unapproachable, * the earth doth offer a small cave; * Angels join in choir with shepherds * in giving glory; * with a star the Magi travel upon their journey; * for our sakes is born a young Child, * He that existed * before the ages as God.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Epistle Reading

 

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 67.35,26.
God is wonderful among his saints.
Verse: Bless God in the congregations.

The reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians 1:11-19

Brethren, I would have you know that the gospel which was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother.

Gospel Reading

 

Matthew 2:13-23

When the wise men departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt have I called my son.”Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they were no more.” But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” And he rose and took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaos reigned over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”

 

Baby Blessing

Panos Sarris and Loukia Lagoudi present Filippos for the 40 day baby and mother blessing.

                        Announcements       

Mercy Luncheons (Makarias)
As of December 2025 St. Demetrios Church will offer to prepare and serve a Traditional Mercy Luncheon (Makaria) in the church hall for family members who request it. For detailed information please call Diane Paxinos 954-304-5913, or Kiki Sergiou in the Church Office 954-467-1515.

 

 

🇬🇷 FT. LAUDERDALE GREEK FESTIVAL Jan 29 – Feb 1, 2026

🇬🇷 FT. LAUDERDALE GREEK FESTIVAL Jan 29 – Feb 1, 2026
One of St. Demetrios’ best fellowship ministries & fundraisers —and YOU make it a success!
💙Where Tradition & Celebration Live 🇬🇷 Be Part of the Tradition –  VOLUNTEER & CELEBRATE! 🇬🇷

Online Sign-Up is LIVE  https://tinyurl.com/GREEKFESTIVALVOLUNTEER  Festival Volunteers are in the Narthex and will assist you with the online sign up⛪

👩‍🍳 Volunteer Areas Include: Food Prep 🍲 • Festival Setup 🎪 • Cashiers 💵 • Yia Yia’s Greek Bakery 🍰 • Gyro Booth 🌯 • Greek Market 🛍️ • Loukoumades & Café ☕ • Greek Grill 🍢 • Hot Food Line 🍽️ • Admissions 🎟️ …and more!  Let’s make this year’s Fort Lauderdale Greek Festival unforgettable!✨ Sign up – Be part of the fun! 🇬🇷 Meet friends, make new ones, and share our beautiful Greek Orthodox faith & culture ⛪

 

 

Calendar

 

Thursday       12/25         Holy Nativity

Sunday           12/28                                                       
8:45am/10:00am                Orthros/Divine Liturgy

Thursday       1/1             Basil the Great
New Year’s Day
9:00am/10:00am              Orthros/Divine Liturgy

Sunday           1/4
8:45am/9:45am                 Orthros/Divine Liturgy

Tuesday        1/6             Holy Theophany
Orthros/Divine Liturgy/Cross Diving at Lauderdale by the Sea