The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, August 20, 2023
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August 20, 2023
11th Sunday of Matthew
Samuel the Prophet
This most holy man, a Prophet of God from childhood, was the last judge of the Israelite people, and anointed the first two Kings of Israel. He was born in the twelfth century before Christ, in the city of Armathaim Sipha, from the tribe of Levi, the son of Elkanah and Hannah (Anna). He was the fruit of prayer, for his mother, being barren, conceived him only after she had supplicated the Lord with many tears; wherefore she called him Samuel, that is, “heard by God.” As soon as Hannah had weaned him, she brought him to the city of Silom (Shiloh), where the Ark was kept, and she consecrated him, though yet a babe, to the service of God, giving thanks to Him with the hymn found in the Third Ode of the Psalter: “My heart hath been established in the Lord . . .” Samuel remained in Silom under the protection of Eli the priest. He served in the Tabernacle of God, and through his most venerable way of life became well-pleasing to God and man (I Kings 2: 26). While yet a child, sleeping in the tabernacle near the Ark of God, he heard the voice of God calling his name, and foretelling the downfall of Eli; for although Eli’s two sons, Ophni and Phineas, were most lawless, and despisers of God, Eli did not correct them. Even after Samuel had told Eli of the divine warning, Eli did not properly chastise his sons, and afterwards, through various misfortunes, his whole house was blotted out in one day.
After these things came to pass, Samuel was chosen to be the protector of the people, and he judged them with holiness and righteousness. He became for them an example of all goodness, and their compassionate intercessor before God: “Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; yea, I will serve the Lord, and show you the good and the right way” (ibid. 12:23). When he asked them — having God as witness — if he ever wronged anyone, or took anyone’s possessions, or any gift, even so much as a sandal, they answered with one voice: “Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, nor afflicted us, neither hast thou taken anything from anyone’s hand” (ibid. 12:4). When Samuel was old, the people asked him for a king, but he was displeased with this, knowing that God Himself was their King. But when they persisted, the Lord commanded him to anoint them a king, saying, “They have not rejected thee, but they have rejected Me from reigning over them” (ibid. 8:7); so Samuel anointed Saul. But Saul transgressed the command of God repeatedly, so Samuel anointed David. Yet, since Samuel was a man of God, full of tender mercy, when the Lord told him that He had rejected Saul, Samuel wept for him the whole night long (ibid. 15:11); and later, since he continued to grieve, the Lord said to him, “How long wilt thou mourn for Saul?” (ibid. 16:1). Having lived blamelessly some ninety-eight years, and become an example to all of a God-pleasing life, he reposed in the eleventh century before Christ. Many ascribe to him the authorship of the Books of judges, and of Ruth, and of the first twenty-four chapters of the First Book of Kings (I Samuel).
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 Dormition in the First Mode
Εν τή Γεννήσει τήν παρθενίαν εφύλαξας…
In giving birth, thou didst preserve thy virginity; in thy dormition, thou didst not forsake the world, O Theotokos. Thou wast translated unto life, since thou art the Mother of Life; and by thine intercessions dost thou redeem our souls from death.
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 Second Mode
Τήν εν πρεσβείαις ακοίμητον Θεοτόκον…
Neither the grave nor death could contain the Theotokos, the unshakable hope, ever vigilant in intercession and protection. As Mother of life, He who dwelt in the ever-virginal womb transposed her to life.
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 9:2-12
Brethren, you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defense to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to our food and drink? Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a wife, as the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? Do I say this on human authority? Does not the law say the same? For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of a share in the crop. If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits? If others share this rightful claim upon you, do not we still more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.
Gospel Reading
The reading is from Matthew 18:23-35
The Lord said this parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his lord delivered him to the torturers, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
Memorial Prayer
William Zophres (40 days) and Juliete Zophres (11 years) survived by their children Areti Mary and Theo.
Hariklia Amentas (1 year) survived by her daughters Despina and Evelyn.
Maria Papastamatis (3 years) survived by her husband George, sons Michael and Alex (Maria) and granddaughter Christina.
Trisagion Prayer
John (5 years) and Maria (6 years) survived by the Amentas family.
40 day Baby Blessing
Parents, Johnny Kountouridis and Marija Drakulovic, and siblings, Matheo and Thalia, present Gabriela for her 40 day blessing.
Announcements
Coffee Hour
In loving memory of his wife Maria, George Papastamatis has sponsored Sunday’s coffee hour.
Special tray
We will be passing a tray on Sunday to collect donations for the youth beach picnic on August 26.
Ministry Programs
Youth Programs begin this Sunday. If you have not done so, please register your children. Stewardship of the individual or family is mandatory. Also, the Parental Covenant, Student Code of Conduct, Release of liability, and Release form and waiver are required.
Agape
Please join the Elders of our Community for the Agape luncheon at 11:30 AM on Tuesday 8/22/23 in the Great Hall. Chef Manos and his able crew are planning a delectable souvlaki meal with all the trimmings followed by dessert and ice cream.
Loving Stitches Reminder
Please remember there is no meeting for Loving Stitches in August. We would love to see everyone on September 26.
Operation Classroom
St. Demetrios Philoptochos’ annual Support of Operation Classroom begins today and will finish on August 27th.We are again providing support to Bennett Elementary School, who provides excellent education and care to the children of our community.A list of needed supplies will be posted. Monetary donations will also be greatly appreciated. Those donations will be used to purchase additional supplies.Thank you for supporting this worthy cause and your Philoptochos Organization.
Gyro Night
Join us on Saturday, August 19 at 6:30pm for our annual Gyro night. The meal is complimentary.
Youth Programs News
Summertime BINGO
Saturday, August 26th, at 12 noon.Doors open at 11:30am. Many gift prizes, 50/50 raffle, plus refreshments. Join us for an afternoon 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 Saturday, August 26th, at 11:30am.
St. Fanourios Day
On Sunday, August 27, the Church celebrates St. Fanourios.
As our children return to school, His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios asks Philoptochos to offer a Fanouropita to raise funds for the Metropolis Youth Programs. These programs include the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival, St. Stephen’s Summer Camp, the Winter Youth Rally, the Hellenic Dance Festival, Orthodox Christian Fellowship, GOYA retreats, and Special Needs Family Camp. Please give generously as we pass a basket and enjoy a piece of Fanouropita in the hall. All donations will go directly to the Metropolis Youth Programs. If you would like to donate a Fanouropita to share with the congregation it would be greatly appreciated.. If you prefer to serve your own cake in the hall or to take it home, please be sure you claim your cake prior to it being taken to the hall. If your cake is taken to the hall, the ladies in the kitchen will gladly serve it for you to share with the community.
Tradition says that Saint Fanourios’ mother was a sinner whom he could not convert in her lifetime. As he was being tortured, he prayed, not for his own soul, but for hers, as he said, “For the sake of these my sufferings, Lord, help all those who will pray to Thee for the salvation of Fanourios’ sinful mother.”
Movie Night
Join us on Thursday, September 7 at Cinema Paradiso for a sneak preview of My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3. This is a fundraiser for the Hellenic Cultural Society of South Florida.
The theater is located at 2008 Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood, FL. The movie starts at 7:30pm. There are a limited number of tickets available so please purchase them asap! Tickets can be purchased for $20 each during coffee hour on Sundays or through our website at simplygreeksf,square.site.
We accept cash, check or credit card.
Donation Opportunities- Summertime Angels
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
Saturday 8/19
6:30pm Gyro Night
Sunday 8/20 Start of Youth Programs
8:30am/9:30am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Holy Communion Sunday School followed by Dance
1:15pm Bible Study
Tuesday 8/22
11:00am Agape Luncheon
Saturday 8/26
11:30am BINGO
12:00 noon Youth Beach Picnic
Sunday 8/27 St. Phanourios Day
8:30am/9:30am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Holy Communion Sunday School followed by Dance
12:00 noon GOYA meeting
1:15pm Bible Study
