The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, April 23, 2023
We are live streaming our services.
Visit https://stdemetrios.org/ where a link to the broadcast can be found.
April 23, 2023
Thomas Sunday
Though the doors were shut at the dwelling where the disciples were gathered for fear of the Jews on the evening of the Sunday after the Passover, our Saviour wondrously entered and stood in their midst, and greeted them with His customary words, “Peace be unto you.” Then He showed unto them His hands and feet and side; furthermore, in their presence, He took some fish and a honeycomb and ate before them, and thus assured them of His bodily Resurrection. But Thomas, who was not then present with the others, did not believe their testimony concerning Christ’s Resurrection, but said in a decisive manner, “Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe.” Wherefore after eight days, that is, on this day, when the disciples were again gathered together and Thomas was with them, the Lord Jesus came while the doors were shut, as He did formerly. Standing in their midst, He said, “Peace be unto you”; then He said to Thomas, “Bring hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and bring hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and be not unbelieving, but believing.”
And Thomas, beholding and examining carefully the hands and side of the Master, cried out with faith, “My Lord and my God.” Thus he clearly proclaimed the two natures – human and divine – of the God-man (Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-29).
This day is called Antipascha (meaning “in the stead of Pascha,” not “in opposition to Pascha”) because with this day, the first Sunday after Pascha, the Church consecrates every Sunday of the year to the commemoration of Pascha, that is, the Resurrection.
Liturgical Guide
Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal First Mode
Χριστός ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν, θανάτῳ θάνατον πατήσας, καί τοῖς ἐν τοῖς μνήμασι ζωήν χαρισάμενος.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
Apolytikion for Thomas Sunday in the Grave Mode
Ἐσφραγισμένου τοῦ μνήματος ἡ ζωὴ ἐκ τάφου ἀνέτειλας Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός…
Whilst the tomb was sealed, Thou, O Life, didst shine forth from the grave, O Christ God; and whilst the doors were shut, Thou didst come unto Thy disciples, O Resurrection of all, renewing through them an upright Spirit in us according to Thy great mercy.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion for Great Martyr George in the Fourth Mode
Ως τών αιχμαλώτων ελευθερωτής, καί τών πτωχών υπερασπιστής, ασθενούντων ιατρός…
Liberator of captives, defender of the poor, physician of the sick, and champion of kings, O trophy-bearer, Great Martyr George, 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
Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode
Εἰ καὶ ἐν τάφῳ κατῆλθες ἀθάνατε…
Though You went down into the tomb, You destroyed Hades’ power, and You rose the victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, “Hail!” and granting peace to Your disciples, You who raise up the fallen.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Narthex Press
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 63.11,1.
The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord.
Verse: Oh God, hear my cry.
Epistle Reading:
The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 12:1-11
About that time, Herod the king laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword; and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. So Peter was kept in prison; but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the Church.The very night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison; and behold, an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Wrap your mantle around you and follow me.” And he went out and followed him; he did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened to them of its own accord, and they went out and passed on through one street; and immediately the angel left him. And Peter came to himself, and said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”
Gospel Reading
John 20:19-31
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in His side, I will not believe.” Eight days later, His disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand, and place it in My side; do not be faithless, but believing.” Thomas answered Him, “My Lord and My God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing, you may have life in His name.
Announcements
Loving Stitches
Tuesday, April 25 at 11:30am. Join us! Bring your needles (or any other craft you enjoy) and your projects.
BINGO, FRIDAY EVENING, APRIL 28TH, 2023 AT 6:00PM. Doors open at 5:30pm. Many gift prizes, 50/50 raffle, plus refreshments. Join us for an evening of fun, family, friends, & food. Get 2 BINGO cards for $7.00 at the door. Supporting Feeding South Florida and Covenant House. Sponsored by Philoptochos. Invite your neighbors and friends. See you on Friday evening, April 28th, at 5:30pm.
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)
Scholarship applications are available on line at the St. Demetrios website or call the Church Office 954-467-1515 Monday – Thursday. Deadlines for these applications are June 1, 2023.
****************************************************************************
2023 Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships
Applications for scholarships administered by the Office of the Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America are available for awards to be made for the 2023-2024 academic year. The deadline for submitting an application for any of these scholarships is May 19, 2023.
The Gioles and Malta Scholarships are available to Undergraduate Students. The Paleologos Scholarship is available to Graduate students. The Trakatellis Scholarship is available to graduates of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology who are pursuing further academic studies. The Taylor Scholarship offers financial assistance to students pursuing a post-graduate degree in the areas of theology, religious studies, or pastoral training. The Tembelis Scholarship is available to all students studying at Hellenic College-Holy Cross.
Click on the links below to download and print the scholarships instructions and applications.
- 2023 Gioles Scholarship
- 2023 Malta Scholarship
- 2023 Paleologos Scholarship
- 2023 Trakatellis Scholarship
- 2023 Taylor Scholarship
- 2023 Tembelis Scholarship
For more information about any of these scholarship opportunities, please send an email to scholarships@goarch.org or call 212-774-0283.
***************************************************************************
Faith Scholarships
Applicants must be graduating high school seniors enrolling in a 4-year accredited U.S. university this fall and a member of a Greek Orthodox parish. Application and eligibility details are available at thefaithendowment.org/scholarships. Application deadline is June 30th, 2023.
Founded in 2004 by a group of visionary Greek American leaders and philanthropists, FAITH: An Endowment for Orthodoxy and Hellenism is an independent 501(c)(3) organization that supports the development of innovative educational, cultural, and scholarship programs that promote Hellenism, an understanding of the Greek Orthodox faith, and the relationship of the two to America’s history and multicultural landscape for young people. FAITH has proudly awarded over 1,950 grants and scholarships to the best and brightest young leaders of the Hellenic-American and Greek Orthodox community.
For any questions or inquiries, please don’t hesitate to call us (212) 803-9363 or email us at info@thefaithendowment.org.
Save The Date – April 22 & Walk with Us for the Cure
End of year Luncheon Meeting
Tickets can be purchased via http:// https://daughters-of-penelope-narcissus-289.square.site/
Stewardship
Please fill out a year 2023 pledge form by clicking here https://stdemetrios.org/our-parish/stewardship/stewardship-form/ Or download this form, fill out both sides completely and return it to the office. Thank you!
Calendar
Thursday 4/20
7:00pm Advanced Modern Greek-zoom
Saturday 4/22
9:00am Pap Corps Walk
Sunday 4/23
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion Sunday School and Little Lambs
Monday 4/24
4:15pm-6:00pm Greek Classes A’,B’, Γ’, Δ’ & Adult Beginner in person
6:30pm-7:30pm Intermediate Modern Greek – Google Meet
Tuesday 4/25
11:30am Loving Stitches
7:00pm Advanced Modern Greek-zoom
Thursday 4/27
7:00pm Advanced Modern Greek-zoom
Friday 4/28
6:00pm BINGO
Sunday 4/30
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion Sunday School and Little Lambs
