The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, April 14th, 2024
We are live streaming our services.
Visit https://stdemetrios.org/ where a link to the broadcast can be found.
Sunday, April 14th, 2024
Sunday of St. John Climacus
The memory of this Saint is celebrated on March 30, where his biography may be found. He is celebrated today because his book, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, is a sure guide to the ascetic life, written by a great man of prayer experienced in all forms of the monastic polity; it teaches the seeker after salvation how to lay a sound foundation for his struggles, how to detect and war against each of the passions, how to avoid the snares laid by the demons, and how to rise from the rudimental virtues to the heights of Godlike love and humility. It is held in such high esteem that it is universally read in its entirety in monasteries during the Great Fast.
Wisdom of the Fathers
Seest thou how He now proceeds to lay beforehand in them the foundation of His doctrine about fasting? … See, at any rate, how many blessings spring from them both. For he that is praying as he ought, and fasting, hath not many wants, and he that hath not many wants, cannot be covetous; …
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 57 on Matthew 17,4,5. B#54, pp.355,356., 4th Century
… he that is not covetous, will be also more disposed for almsgiving. He that fasts is light, and winged, and prays with wakefulness, and quenches his wicked lusts, and propitiates God, and humbles his soul when lifted up. Therefore even the apostles were almost always fasting.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 57 on Matthew 17,4,5. B#54, pp.355,356., 4th 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 for Sunday of St. John Climacus 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 John 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 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 Fourth Mode
Τὴ ὑπερμάχω στρατηγῶ τὰ νικητήρια…
To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: “Hail, unwedded bride!”
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Narthex Press
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 103.24,1.
O Lord, how manifold are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul.
The reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews 6:13-20
BRETHREN, when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore to himself, saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Gospel Reading
Mark 9:17-31
At that time, a man came to Jesus kneeling and saying: “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a dumb spirit; and wherever it seizes him it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” And they brought the boy to him; and when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, “How long has he had this?” And he said, “From childhood. And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “If you can! All things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again.” And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse; so that most of them said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting.” They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise.”
Memorial Prayer
Mary Kantzavelos (40 days) survived by husband Sotirios, children Chris (Jessie) and Nicole, and two grandchildren.
Evdoxia Bitsounis (10 years) mother of Dionysia (Michael) Hatzikostantis and grandmother of Theodosios.
Trisagion Prayer
Kiki Lecakes (40 days) survived by sister Mary Ciuffo, two sons, and grandchildren.
Peter Paskalis (1 year) father of Cynthia and AnnMarie, grandfather of Connor and Brian.
Announcements
Coffee Hour
In loving memory of Mary Kantzavelos, the Kantzavelos family has sponsored this Sunday’s coffee hour.
Prosforo Baking
We invite anyone who knows how to make prosforo to please do so. Thank you for your offering.
Donation Opportunities
Flowers for the icon of the Panagia
$75 Salutations service 4/12
Flowers for Sunday of the Holy Cross
$120
Palms for Palm Sunday
$480.00
If interested, please call the office (954)467-1515. Thank you!
Agape
You are invited to the Agape luncheon at 11:30 AM on Tuesday 4/16/24. Chef Nick Manos, sous chef Bessie Manos and their able crew will prepare a shrimp Lenten dish with all the trimmings. Snacks and sweets, coffee, wine and soda will complete the delectable meal. Entrance $10.00. Please come and bring a friend.
Lenten Lecture
Please join us in the hall, Friday, April 19, after the Akathist Hymn, We will enjoy a meal and listen to Dr. Dean Vafiadis who will teach us about the Bridegroom Service chanted on Palm Sunday evening, Holy Monday and Holy Tuesday.
BINGO
Saturday, April 20, at 12:00 noon. Doors open at11:30am. Many gift prizes, 50/50 raffle, plus refreshments. Join us for a relaxing afternoon of fun, family, friends, & food. Get 2 BINGO cards for $7.00 at the door. Supporting Feeding South Florida and Covenant House. Invite your neighbors and friends. Sponsored by Philoptochos. See you on Saturday, April 20, at 11:30am.
Feeding South Florida
Philoptochos will be dispensing paper bags for the annual collection for Feeding South Florida. We will be collecting donations of nonperishable food that will help provide food for the needy in Broward County. The collection dates will run from April through April 21st. Donated food can be left in a container located in the hall or with any Philoptochos member. Thank you for contributing to this wonderful foundation and our neighbors in need.
Hope & Joy News
Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday of Lazarus
Scholarship News
Applications for the Dr. Helene Tzitsikas Scholarship for students enrolled in higher education as well as applications for St. Stephen’s Summer Camp are open. More information about the Dr. Tzitsikas Scholarship can be found on the St. Demetrios website www.stdemetrios.org. Information about St. Stephen’s Camp can be found on their website St. Stephen’s Summer Camp – Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta – Atlanta, GA (atlmetropolis.org)
It’s important to note that applications for St. Stephen’s Camp open on March 28th.
Scholarship applications are available online at the St. Demetrios website under the heading of “Ministries” or call the Church Office 954-467-1515 Monday – Thursday. Deadlines for all applications are May 15, 2024.
AHEPA Scholarship
Dance Advisory Committee Election-Change of Date
Dance Advisory Committee elections: On May 19, 2024 , the committee will hold elections for two seats. The term for the position is two years. You need to have a child/grandchild enrolled in the dance program, to be eligible to join the committee. Parishioners who meet the eligibility requirements and would like to join the committee, please contact Kiki in the church office by no later than April 22nd. You are more than welcome to speak with any of the current committee members, Christina Tsekeris, Danielle Smith, Christa Fitzgerald, Joy Catsicas, Maria Papastamatis, Ana Visvardis, and Eva Galouzis, if you would like more information about what the DAC does.
Palm Sunday Luncheon
Stewardship Year 2024
We thank these parishioners who have pledged their gifts of time, talent and treasure for year 2024.
If you have not, please fill out a form. You can download a form, pick up a form at church, or use https://stdemetrios.org/our-parish/stewardship/stewardship-form/. To make payments on your financial pledge, use https://stdemetrios.org/make-a-donation/ and at the drop down menu choose “Stewardship”
FESTIVAL 2024 SUCCESS THANKS TO EACH OF YOU!
A spotlight of appreciation shines on Melissa Bakatselos and her creative volunteers for their outstanding efforts in decorating the festival! From the Greek flair of the festival entrances to the cooking demo area, all of the booths, breezeway, and even the tent flags, their creative touch added a vibrant atmosphere to the event thanks to Telly Bakatselos and Tam Economou for their contributions to decorating these various areas, and to Erin Ryan and Katherine Maineri for donating tapestries that enhanced the Greek theme beautifully. Faith and Jared Becker also deserve recognition for hanging banners and preparing tables, which undoubtedly contributed to the overall festive ambiance. Kudos to Diane Paxinos for her attention to detail in creating each volunteer name tag and to Melissa for her efficient organization skills in coordinating them with crafty pins, clips, and professional-looking badges.
Let’s also bring the Office Team to the forefront of recognition for their essential contributions to the festival’s smooth operation starting with Kiki Sergiou. Kiki deserves a huge thank you despite working behind the scenes, she’s at the forefront of all activities, tirelessly managing various tasks with a welcoming smile and generous demeanor. Even during the event, Kiki finds time to volunteer alongside her family, embodying the true spirit of community involvement. Organized by Diane Paxinos, the sharp office team, made up of Cindy Zitis, Effie Kirkiles, George Kavgic, Nick Miljanic, Garry Paxinos, and Phil Vias, also deserve immense appreciation for their successful efforts in managing finances, tracking festival statistics, and ensuring adequate change availability. Their meticulous attention to detail and efficient management play a significant role in keeping everything running seamlessly.
It’s crucial to recognize the tireless efforts of the logistics team. Anne Nicholas invested numerous hours into securing permits and licensing working closely with Jared Becker as he negotiated fencing and tenting arrangements over several months to ensure we got the best. Peter Kokkinos’s generous donation of time and expertise in handling electrical layout and installation highlights the collaborative spirit of the team. Under the guidance of Bill Ypsilantis, with invaluable assistance from Kevin Ryan who secured the “Posh Potties” and waste containers as well as volunteers for most of the weekend year after year, and Dr. George Georgakakis, who is always involved in all aspects of the festival, along with Peter Synoyiannis and Tony Planakis, this team has demonstrated exceptional coordination to ensure that all logistical aspects, from permits to infrastructure, were efficiently managed, allowing attendees to enjoy the festival without a hitch, and completing these comprehensive efforts, Tim Cockrell’s coordination of security details, in collaboration with local law enforcement, provided a crucial layer of protection and peace of mind for all attendees.
It’s through the collective efforts of teams like these that the festival and all events at St Demetrios will continue to thrive and provide a memorable experience for everyone. Many thanks to these teams for their stellar contributions!
Ticket Sales
Starting Sunday, April 7, AHEPA will be selling tickets in the hall for the 4/20/2024 concert.
Calendar
Friday 4/12
6:30pm Salutations Service
7:30pm GOYA Olympics Registration
Sunday 4/14
8:30am/9:30am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion Sunday School
Monday 4/15
4:15pm-6:00pm Greek Classes A’,B’, Γ’, Δ’
& Adult Beginner
7:00pm Intermediate Greek -Google Meet
Tuesday 4/16
11:30am Agape Luncheon
Thursday 4/18
7:00pm – 9:00pm Advanced Greek-zoom
Friday 4/19
7:00pm Akathist Hymn
8:00pm Lenten meal and Lecture
Saturday 4/20
4:00pm Joy & Hope Egg Hunt at Bayview Park
8:00pm Echoes of Greece Concert
