The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, August 4th, 2024
We are live streaming our services.
Visit https://stdemetrios.org/ where a link to the broadcast can be found.
We welcome Fr. Christopher Metropulos who will be celebrating the Divine Liturgy.
Sunday, August 4th, 2024
6th Sunday of Matthew
Seven Holy Youths of Ephesus
The Seven Youths hid themselves in a certain cave near Ephesus in the year 250, to escape the persecution of Decius. By divine grace, a sleep came upon them and they slept for 184 years, until the reign of Saint Theodosius the Younger, when the doctrine of the resurrection was being assailed by heretics. They then awoke, that is, were resurrected, confirming in the sight of all the bodily resurrection; and again after a short time, by divine command, they reposed in the Lord in the year 434.
Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
August 6
Our Lord had spoken to His disciples many times not only concerning His Passion, Cross, and Death, but also concerning the coming persecutions and afflictions that they themselves would endure. Since all these evils were near at hand, but the enjoyment of good things which they hoped to receive in their stead was yet to come, our Savior desired to give them full assurance, evidently and openly, concerning that glory which is prepared for those who endure to the end. Therefore, fulfilling that which He had promised shortly before, that “there be some standing here which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in His Kingdom” (Matt. 16:28), He took His three foremost disciples and ascended Mount Tabor, where He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as the light. Suddenly, together with this dread and marvelous effulgence of light, there appeared those pinnacles of the Prophets, Moses and Elias, who spoke with the Lord Jesus concerning His saving Passion which was about to take place. Standing before Him as reverent servants, they showed that He is the Lord of both the living and the dead, for Moses came forth from Hades, having died many centuries before, and Elias, as it were from heaven, whither he had been taken up while yet alive. After a little while a radiant cloud overshadowed them and out of the cloud they heard that same voice which had been heard at the Jordan at the Baptism of Christ, testifying to the Divinity of Jesus and saying: “This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well-pleased; hear ye Him” (Matt. 17: 5).
Such are the marvels, truly worthy of God, celebrated in this present feast, which is an image and prefiguring of the future state of the righteous, whose splendor the Lord spoke of, saying: “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun” (Matt. 13:43). It is because of this that the Kontakion of this Feast is said daily (when there is not a great feast) in the Service of the Typica in perpetual commemoration of the glory that will be the lot of the Saints. According to tradition, the Lord’s Transfiguration came to pass forty days before His Crucifixion; this is why the Transfiguration is celebrated forty days before the Exaltation of the Cross.
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 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 Grave Mode
Επί τού όρους μετεμορφώθης…
You were transfigured upon the mount, O Christ our God, and Your disciples, in so far as they could bear, beheld Your glory. Thus, when they see You crucified, they may understand Your voluntary passion, and proclaim to the world that You are truly the effulgence of the Father.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Narthex Press
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. Plagal First Mode. Psalm 11.7,1.
You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.
The reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans 12:6-14
Brethren, having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; he who teaches, in his teaching; he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who contributes, in liberality; he who gives aid, with zeal; he who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
Gospel Reading
Matthew 9:1-8
At that time, getting into a boat Jesus crossed over and came to His own city. And behold, they brought to Him a paralytic, lying on his bed; and when Jesus saw their faith He said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say ‘Rise and walk?’ But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins” He then said to the paralytic — “Rise, take up your bed and go home.” And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
Memorial Prayer
Dimitrios “Jim” Bakatselos (2 yrs) survived by his wife Tara, children Christina (John), Eleni, and Alexandra, parents Elefteria and Platon, brother Telly (Melissa), nieces Demi and Sophia, and nephew Christian.
Trisagion Prayer
Elizabeth Athanasakos (2 yrs) survived by sister Antonia Hyland, nieces Elizabeth Hyland and Rena Shahan.
Dimitrios Vlamis (11 yrs) survived by his wife Maria, children, and grandchildren.
Dimitrios Drivakos (30 yrs) and Ellie Drivakou (30 yrs) parents of Maria Vlamis.
Christos Vlamis uncle of Maria Vlamis.
40 Day blessing
Freddy and Athenea Macias and big brother Nikolai present Theodore.
David Chehata and Amanda Angelopoulos present Lena Sophia
Announcements
Coffee Hour
In his memory, the family of Jim Bakatselos has sponsored the coffee hour.
Philoptochos News
Did you know that Philoptochos is the philanthropic arm of the Greek Orthodox Church?
Did you know that Philoptochos means “friend of the poor”?
Did you know that the St Elpis chapter of St Demetrios donated over $18,000 in 2023 to those in need, with over $11,000 helping those in our community?
Did you know that the monthly BINGO games donate to Feeding South Florida and support Covenant House?
Did you know that your $10 donation will provide a Bingo gift prize to the winner of a Bingo game?
Summertime Angels
It’s time for our annual fundraiser. During the quite summer months, utilities and fixed expenses don’t take a vacation! As always, we thank you for your generosity.
Stewardship Year 2024
We are more than a quarter through the calendar year.
If you have filled out a pledge form for year 2024 but have not yet made a donation toward your pledge of treasure, please do so.
To make payments on your pledge, use https://stdemetrios.org/make-a-donation/ and at the drop down menu choose “Stewardship” . If paying by check, please note “Pledge 2024” on the memo line.
We thank our 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/.
Calendar
Sunday 8/4
8:30am/9:30am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
Tuesday 8/6
7:30pm Calendar planning meeting
Sunday 8/11
8:30am/9:30am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
