The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, December 12th, 2021
December 12, 2021
111thSunday of Luke
Saints and Feasts Commemorated
On the Sunday that occurs on or immediately after the eleventh of this month, we commemorate Christ’s forefathers according to the flesh, both those that came before the Law, and those that lived after the giving of the Law.
Special commemoration is made of the Patriarch Abraham, to whom the promise was first given, when God said to him, “In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed” (Gen. 22:18). This promise was given some two thousand years before Christ, when Abraham was seventy-five years of age. God called him and commanded him to forsake his country, parents, and kinsmen, and to depart to the land of the Canaanites. When he arrived there, God told him, “I will give this land to thy seed” (Gen. 12:7); for this cause, that land was called the “Promised Land,” which later became the country of the Hebrew people, and which is also called Palestine by the historians. There, after the passage of twenty-four years, Abraham received God’s law concerning circumcision. In the one hundredth year of his life, when Sarah was in her ninetieth year, they became the parents of Isaac. Having lived 175 years altogether, he reposed in peace, a venerable elder full of days.
Saints and Feasts Commemorated
Spyridon the Wonderworker of Trymithous
Commemorated on December 12
Spyridon, the God-bearing Father of the Church, the great defender of Corfu and the boast of all the Orthodox, had Cyprus as his homeland. He was simple in manner and humble of heart, and was a shepherd of sheep. When he was joined to a wife, he begat of her a daughter whom they named Irene. After his wife’s departure from this life, he was appointed Bishop of Trimythus, and thus he became also a shepherd of rational sheep. When the First Ecumenical Council was assembled in Nicaea, he also was present, and by means of his most simple words stopped the mouths of the Arians who were wise in their own conceit. By the divine grace which dwelt in him, he wrought such great wonders that he received the surname ‘Wonderworker.” So it is that, having tended his flock piously and in a manner pleasing to God, he reposed in the Lord about the year 350, leaving to his country his sacred relics as a consolation and source of healing for the faithful.
About the middle of the seventh century, because of the incursions made by the barbarians at that time, his sacred relics were taken to Constantinople, where they remained, being honoured by the emperors themselves. But before the fall of Constantinople, which took place on May 29, 1453, a certain priest named George Kalokhairetes, the parish priest of the church where the Saint’s sacred relics, as well as those of Saint Theodora the Empress, were kept, took them away on account of the impending peril. Travelling by way of Serbia, he came as far as Arta in Epirus, a region in Western Greece opposite to the isle of Corfu. From there, while the misfortunes of the Christian people were increasing with every day, he passed over to Corfu about the year 1460. The relics of Saint Theodora were given to the people of Corfu; but those of Saint Spyridon remain to this day, according to the rights of inheritance, the most precious treasure of the priest’s own descendants, and they continue to be a staff for the faithful in Orthodoxy, and a supernatural wonder for those that behold him; for even after the passage of 1,500 years, they have remained incorrupt, and even the flexibility of his flesh has been preserved. Truly wondrous is God in His Saints! (Ps. 67:3 5)
Holy New Martyr Peter the Aleut
Commemorated on December 12
The holy New Martyr Peter suffered martyrdom in San Francisco at the time that California belonged to Spain. An Aleut from Alaska, he and his companions were captured in California by the Spaniards. When he refused to abandon Orthodoxy to accept Latinism, which they wished to force upon him, the Spaniards submitted him to a martyrdom like that suffered by Saint James the Persian, cutting him apart joint by joint. He died from loss of blood in steadfast confession of the Faith in 1815.
Liturgical Guide
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Mode
Ἐξ ὕψους κατῆλθες ὁ εὔσπλαγχνος…
From on high didst Thou descend, O Compassionate One; to burial of three days hast Thou submitted that Thou mightest free us from our passions. O our Life and Resurrection, Lord, glory be to Thee.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion for 11th Sun. of Luke in the Second Mode
Ἐν πίστει τοὺς Προπάτορας ἐδικαίωσας…
By faith didst Thou justify the Forefathers, when through them Thou didst betroth Thyself aforetime to the Church from among the nations. The Saints boast in glory that from their seed there is a glorious fruit, even she that bare Thee seedlessly. By their prayers, O Christ God, save our souls.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion for Spyridon the Wonderworker in the First Mode
Τῆς Συνόδου τῆς πρώτης ἀνεδείχθης ὑπέρμαχος
Thou wast shown forth as a champion of the First Council and a wonderworker, O Spyridon, our God-bearing Father. Wherefore, thou didst speak unto one dead in the grave, and didst change a serpent to gold. And while chanting thy holy prayers, thou hadst Angels serving with thee, O most sacred one. Glory to Him that hath glorified thee. Glory to Him that hath crowned thee. Glory to Him that worketh healings for all through thee.
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 Third Mode
Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον, τὸν Προαιώνιον Λόγον…
On this day the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth to * God the Word ineffably, * Who was before all the ages. * Dance for joy, O earth, on hearing * the gladsome tidings; * with the Angels and the shepherds now glorify Him * Who is willing to be gazed on * as a young Child Who * before the ages is God.
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 149.5,1.
The saints shall rejoice in glory.
Verse: Sing to the Lord a new song.
The reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians 5:8-19
Brethren, walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is a shame even to speak of the things that they do in secret; but when anything is exposed by the light it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.” Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart.
Gospel Reading
The reading is from Luke 14:16-24
The Lord said this parable: “A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; and at the time of the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come; for all is now ready.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I must go to examine them; I pray you, have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So the servant came and reported this to his master. Then the householder in anger said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and there is still room.’ And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet. For many are called, but few are chosen.'”
Trisagion
Savvas Kalaitzidis (8 years) survived by his two sons, his two daughters in law, his three grandsons, and his sister
Artoklasia
The Artoklasia is offered for the health and wellbeing of past and present Archangel Michael recipients.
Oath of Office
The Executive Board of Philoptochos took their oath of office on Sunday, December 5. Thank you to them and all of the members of Philoptochos for the important work they do!
Let’s Celebrate!
FESTIVAL Volunteers 2022…WELCOME BACK one of ST DEMETRIOS’ BEST FELLOWSHIP MINISTRIES & FUNDRAISERS! EACH of YOU make this all possible.
Volunteers are needed to assist in Food Prep * Setting up the festival grounds * Cashiers * Bakery * Volunteer Table and so much more…Come see us in the narthex and SIGN UP TODAY!
Philoptochos News
Philoptochos is sponsoring an evening of fun entertainment! A few tickets are available for the BeeGee’s Salute Concert at The Parker (Parker Playhouse), 707N. 8th Street, St. Lauderdale on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at 8:00 pm. Price is $60 for Orchestra seats. Please make checks payable to Philoptochos or use credit cards via Square. See Athena Loucas or Paula Kirifides for any questions.
Philoptochos 2022 Memberships: Annual dues are payable now. Become a new member or renew your membership @$50 for 2022, as you support the national, metropolis and local organizations of the philanthropic arm of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in America. Please make checks payable to Philoptochos or use credit cards via Square.
St. Photios National Shrine 2021 Annual Essay contest
Stewardship
Our Church. Our Spiritual Home. Our Family
Our St. Demetrios Church is our spiritual home. It is a place of prayer, comfort, spiritual healing, and celebration. You may have been brought here on your 40th day, or it may have been the destination of your spiritual journey. For both, St. Demetrios Church is a spiritual home to which we may always return. We are brothers and sisters in Christ – a family.
We ask you to support the worship, service and activities of our vibrant community. Giving to His Church is a way to thank God for His grace, His generosity and His many blessings.
Thank you very much for your 2021 stewardship pledge. Your gift truly makes a difference by enabling us to serve those who come to seek Jesus Christ in His Church. Please consider increasing your pledge for 2022. Even a small increase will help us do that much more to strengthen and advance our parish. Please fill out a year 2022 pledge form. Fill out both sides completely so that we can update our database. Thank you!
District Epiphany Celebration
Calander
Sunday, December 12
Orthros/Divine Liturgy 9:00AM/10:00AM
Sunday School After Holy Communion
Archangel Michael Award Ceremony After Divine Liturgy
Bible Study 1:00PM – 2:00PM
Jr. Palazakia K-2nd grade 12:45PM-1:30PM
Upstairs classrooms
Palazakia 3rd-5th grade 12:45PM-1:45PM
Upstairs classrooms
Sr. Palazakia 6th-8th grade 1:00PM – 2:00PM
@ ArtServe
Kamaria 9th-12th grade 1:00PM-2:00PM
@ ArtServe
HDF 2:30PM – 3:30PM
in the church hall
Monday, December 13
Greek Classes A’,B’, Γ’, Δ’ & Adult Beginner @ church 4:15PM-6:00PM
Intermediate Modern Greek -Zoom 6:30PM-7:30PM
Tuesday, December 14
Advanced Modern Greek-Zoom 7:00PM
Thursday, December 16
Advanced Modern Greek-Zoom 7:00PM
Friday, December 17
Christmas Pageant and Parish Christmas Party 7:00PM
Saturday, December 18
HDF Practice 1:00PM
Sunday, December 19
Orthros/Divine Liturgy 9:00AM/10:00AM
Sunday School After Holy Communion
Bible Study 1:00PM – 2:00PM
Jr. Palazakia K-2nd grade 12:45PM-1:30PM
Upstairs classrooms
Palazakia 3rd-5th grade 12:45PM-1:45PM
Upstairs classrooms
Sr. Palazakia 6th-8th grade 1:00PM – 2:00PM
@ ArtServe
Kamaria 9th-12th grade 1:00PM-2:00PM
@ ArtServe
HDF 2:30PM – 3:30PM
in the church hall