The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, August 29th, 2021
August 29, 2021
9th Sunday of Matthew
Saints and Feasts Commemorated
Beheading of the Holy and Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John
August 29
The divine Baptist, the Prophet born of a Prophet, the seal of all the Prophets and beginning of the Apostles, the mediator between the Old and New Covenants, the voice of one crying in the wilderness, the God-sent Messenger of the incarnate Messiah, the forerunner of Christ’s coming into the world (Esaias 40: 3; Mal. 3: 1); who by many miracles was both conceived and born; who was filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb; who came forth like another Elias the Zealot, whose life in the wilderness and divine zeal for God’s Law he imitated: this divine Prophet, after he had preached the baptism of repentance according to God’s command; had taught men of low rank and high how they must order their lives; had admonished those whom he baptized and had filled them with the fear of God, teaching them that no one is able to escape the wrath to come if he do not works worthy of repentance; had, through such preaching, prepared their hearts to receive the evangelical teachings of the Savior; and finally, after he had pointed out to the people the very Savior, and said, “Behold the Lamb of God, Which taketh away the sin of the world” (Luke 3:2-18; John 1: 29-36), after all this, John sealed with his own blood the truth of his words and was made a sacred victim for the divine Law at the hands of a transgressor.
This was Herod Antipas, the Tetrarch of Galilee, the son of Herod the Great. This man had a lawful wife, the daughter of Arethas (or Aretas), the King of Arabia (that is, Arabia Petraea, which had the famous Nabatean stone city of Petra as its capital. This is the Aretas mentioned by Saint Paul in II Cor. 11:32). Without any cause, and against every commandment of the Law, he put her away and took to himself Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, to whom Herodias had borne a daughter, Salome. He would not desist from this unlawful union even when John, the preacher of repentance, the bold and austere accuser of the lawless, censured him and told him, “It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife” (Mark 6: 18). Thus Herod, besides his other unholy acts, added yet this, that he apprehended John and shut him in prison; and perhaps he would have killed him straightway, had he not feared the people, who had extreme reverence for John. Certainly, in the beginning, he himself had great reverence for this just and holy man. But finally, being pierced with the sting of a mad lust for the woman Herodias, he laid his defiled hands on the teacher of purity on the very day he was celebrating his birthday. When Salome, Herodias’ daughter, had danced in order to please him and those who were supping with him, he promised her — with an oath more foolish than any foolishness — that he would give her anything she asked, even unto the half of his kingdom. And she, consulting with her mother, straightway asked for the head of John the Baptist in a charger. Hence this transgressor of the Law, preferring his lawless oath above the precepts of the Law, fulfilled this godless promise and filled his loathsome banquet with the blood of the Prophet. So it was that that all-venerable head, revered by the Angels, was given as a prize for an abominable dance, and became the plaything of the dissolute daughter of a debauched mother. As for the body of the divine Baptist, it was taken up by his disciples and placed in a tomb (Mark 6: 21 – 29).
Ecclesiastical New Year
September 1st
For the maintenance of their armed forces, the Roman emperors decreed that their subjects in every district should be taxed every year. This same decree was reissued every fifteen years, since the Roman soldiers were obliged to serve for fifteen years. At the end of each fifteen-year period, an assessment was made of what economic changes had taken place, and a new tax was decreed, which was to be paid over the span of the fifteen years. This imperial decree, which was issued before the season of winter, was named Indictio, that is, Definiton, or Order. This name was adopted by the emperors in Constantinople also. At other times, the latter also used the term Epinemisis, that is, Distribution (Dianome). It is commonly held that Saint Constantine the Great introduced the Indiction decrees in A.D. 312, after he beheld the sign of the Cross in heaven and vanquished Maxentius and was proclaimed Emperor in the West. Some, however (and this seems more likely), ascribe the institution of the Indiction to Augustus Caesar, three years before the birth of Christ. Those who hold this view offer as proof the papal bull issued in A.D. 781 which is dated thus: Anno IV, Indictionis LIII -that is, the fourth year of the fifty-third Indiction. From this, we can deduce the aforementioned year (3 B.C.) by multiplying the fifty-two complete Indictions by the number of years in each (15), and adding the three years of the fifty-third Indiction. There are three types of Indictions: 1) That which was introduced in the West, and which is called Imperial, or Caesarean, or Constantinian, and which begins on the 24th of September; 2) The so-called Papal Indiction, which begins on the 1st of January; and 3) The Constantinopolitan, which was adopted by the Patriarchs of that city after the fall of the Eastern Empire in 1453. This Indiction is indicated in their own hand on the decrees they issue, without the numeration of the fifteen years. This Indiction begins on the 1st of September and is observed with special ceremony in the Church. Since the completion of each year takes place, as it were, with the harvest and gathering of the crops into storehouses, and we begin anew from henceforth the sowing of seed in the earth for the production of future crops, September is considered the beginning of the New Year. The Church also keeps festival this day, beseeching God for fair weather, seasonable rains, and an abundance of the fruits of the earth. The Holy Scriptures (Lev. 23:24-5 and Num. 29:1-2) also testify that the people of Israel celebrated the feast of the Blowing of the Trumpets on this day, offering hymns of thanksgiving. In addition to all the aforesaid, on this feast we also commemorate our Saviour’s entry into the synagogue in Nazareth, where He was given the book of the Prophet Esaias to read, and He opened it and found the place where it is written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, for which cause He hath anointed Me…” (Luke 4:16-30).
It should be noted that to the present day, the Church has always celebrated the beginning of the New Year on September 1. This was the custom in Constantinople until its fall in 1453 and in Russia until the reign of Peter I. September 1 is still festively celebrated as the New Year at the Patriarchate of Constantinople; among the Jews also the New Year, although reckoned according to a moveable calendar, usually falls in September. The service of the Menaion for January 1 is for our Lord’s Circumcision and for the memorial of Saint Basil the Great, without any mention of its being the beginning of a new year.
Liturgical Guide
Apolytikion for 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.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
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 Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the Second Mode
Ὁ εὐσχήμων Ἰωσήφ…
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 Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the Second Mode
Ταῖς Μυροφόροις Γυναιξί…
Unto the myrrh-bearing women did the Angel cry out as he stood by the grave: Myrrh oils are meet for the dead, but Christ hath proved to be a stranger to corruption. But cry out: The Lord 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 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. 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 Acts of the Apostles 6:1-7
In those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, “it is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochoros, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaos, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Gospel Reading
Mark 15:43-47; 16:1-8
At that time, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. And he bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud, and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid. And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back; for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.” And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Memorial Prayer
Evangelos Iliakis (40 days) survived by his wife Cleopatra and by children Michael, Elizabeth, and Harriet.
Fotini Stathakis (40 days) wife of Panagiotis Stathakis, mother of Dimitrios Stathakis and Maria Stathakis, grandmother of Panagiotis and William, and Maria Paliogianni.
Mary Varvarigos (40 days) survived by her daughter, by her dear friend Loretta Vulcano, and by the St. Demetrios Visiting Angels.
Basil Pagones (1 year) Beloved husband of Carol, father of Anastasia (Selim), and Tim (Lisa), grandfather of Alex and Alara, and friend to many at St. Demetrios.
Irene Zaravinos (1 yr) beloved wife of Dr. Theodore Zaravinos and mother of Dr. John Zaravinos, and Katherine Zaravinos.
Dena Kontos (10 yrs) and George Kontos (41 yrs) survived by their children Bessie (Nick) Manos, Andrew (Debbie), and Gus (Robin).
Teddy Filosofos (12 yrs) Missed by his children, Argerous, Denise and Mike and grandchildren Mike, Sevaste & Theo.
Trisagion Prayer
George Jimokas (2 yrs) survived by his wife Judith Jimokas, his sister Anna (George) Velonis, several nieces and nephews.
Sophia Papadopoulou (2 yrs) survived by her children Maria (Costas), Sophia (Pan0s), and grandchildren Sophia, Dimitris and Manos.
Betty Kapakos (4 yrs) survived by children Chris & Mona Kapakos, Constantinos & Shelby Kapakos, Vola & Nick Ferrarese, Effie & Ted Stout, and by grandchildren James Stout and Sara Stout.
George John Simitses (5 yrs) survived by his wife Nena, children John, William (Vicki), and Alexandra (Mark), 8 grandchildren, and his sister Marina.
Maria Konstantinidis (9 yrs) survived by her husband Dimitrios, 3 children, 8 grandchildren, and her sister.
Katina Maounis (11 yrs) survived by her husband Chris, daughter Zoi (Vito) DeTuro, and grandson Michael.
Gerasimos Solos (25 yrs). Father to Stephen Solos and Emily Solos. Grandfather to Nicole Solos.
Baby Blessing
Samantha Lingeman and Richard Jaimes present Jackson Nicholas Jaimes for the traditional 40 day blessing.
Stewardship
“…The Greatest Of These Is Love” 1 Cor 13:13
We ask you to support the worship, service and activities of St. Demetrios Church. Giving to His Church is a way to thank God for His grace, His generosity and His many blessings. Let’s Step Up our gifts of Time Talent and Treasure!
Thank you!
Please fill out a pledge form by either downloading the form below or by visiting https://stdemetrios.org/our-parish/stewardship/stewardship-form/
You can make contributions towards your financial pledge by visiting https://stdemetrios.org/make-a-donation/ .
Announcements
Flowers
- The flowers at the Altar are in loving memory of Maria Konstantinidis.
Coffee Hour
- In memory of his beloved wife Irene, Dr. Theodore Zaravinos has sponsored today’s coffee hour.
Youth Celebration
Join us in congratulating Fotini Anastasiou, Theo Cockrell, Xander Economou, Benjamin Martin, and George Planakis on their high school graduation. We wish them all the best!
Spring General Assembly
- The Spring General Assembly will take place in the hall on Sunday, May 23, after Divine Liturgy.
Scholarship News
- 2021 Three Hierarchs Scholarship (THS) Award Award Application forms for the THS awards of Drs. Anthony and Joyce Kales are available in the Church office. These scholarships are awarded strictly on the basis of meritorious academic achievement for college-bound seniors. The academic guidelines for consideration include: Grade Point Average of 3.5 or above; membership in the National Honor Society; a combined SAT Verbal and Math score of 1320 or greater (the combined scores must be from the same SAT exam i.e., scores cannot be combined from two separate SAT exams). ACT substitution for the SAT examination is not allowed. Deadline for submission of application is June 15.
- FAITH Scholarships for Academic Excellence Applicants must be graduating a public, private, or parochial high school in the United States and embarking to study in an undergraduate degree program in the fall of 2021 at a 4-year accredited U.S. college or university. Applicants must be of Greek Orthodox faith and member of a parish. For questions, please call (212) 803-9363 or email info@thefaithendowment.org. Follow us on Facebook to stay updated. Visit http://www.thefaithendowment.org/scholarships/
Philoptochos News
- Thank you!
Χριστός Ανέστη! Αληθώς ό Κύριος.
The Ladies of Philoptochos would like to sincerely thank all those who were able to donate to the Covenant House fundraiser. Through your generosity we were able to deliver $745 worth of gift cards!
God bless you all.
- Save the Date!
SAVE THE DATE: Afternoon BINGO PARTY is scheduled for Saturday, June 19 in the Church Hall. (Social distancing will be observed.) Doors open at 11:30am and games begin at 12:00 noon. Pizza and beverages will be for sale. Bring family and friends to this fun event with prizes and 50/50 raffle. Sponsored by Philoptochos.
- Philoptochos St. Nicholas donations
The Philoptochos of the Metropolis of Atlanta and His Eminence Alexios have asked us to help them fulfill our Metropolis commitment to the rebuilding of the St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine in New York City. This is the church which was destroyed during the 9/11 attacks. They have asked that families donate $20 or whatever they are able. Donations may be made online at https://ladies-philoptochos-of-st-demetrios.square.site/ or by check made out to St. Demetrios Ladies Philoptochos. Please put “St. Nicholas” in the memo section.
Daughters of Penelope News
- End of Year Luncheon Meeting
The Daughters of Penelope, Narcissus Chapter 289 invite you to join us for the 2021 – 2022 Installation of Officers with St. Demetrios Philoptochos and The Pap Corps End of Year Luncheon Meeting Saturday May 22, 2021 at 11:30 am. For details, please see flyer.
Mental Health Resources
Late last year, the Assembly of Bishops assembled a Mental Health Task Force to assist our Churches in this very important ministry to the faithful. I am therefore very pleased to announce that, as the result of the work of the Task Force, a National Directory of Orthodox Mental Health providers has been created. Visit https://www.assemblyofbishops.org/directories/mental-health/ .
I join my fellow Hierarchs in thanking the Steering Committee of the Mental Health Task Force, and all those Orthodox Professionals who participated in the creation of this directory, so that it might help the greatest number of individuals.
Praying for the continued health of all, both in body and soul, I remain,
Paternally yours with love in Christ,
+ A L E X I O S
Metropolitan of Atlanta
