The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, December 15th, 2024
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Sunday, December 15, 2024
11th Sunday of Luke
Eleutherios the Hieromartyr, Bishop of Illyricum, and his mother Anthia
This Saint had Rome as his homeland. Having been orphaned of his father from childhood, he was taken by his mother Anthia to Anicetus, the Bishop of Rome (some call him Anencletus, or Anacletus), by whom he was instructed in the sacred letters (that is, the divine Scriptures). Though still very young in years, he was made Bishop of Illyricum by reason of his surpassing virtue, and by his teachings he converted many unbelievers to Christ. However, during a most harsh persecution that was raised against the Christians under Hadrian (reigned 117-138), the Saint was arrested by the tyrants. Enduring many torments for Christ, he was finally put to death by two soldiers about the year 126. As for his Christ-loving mother Anthia, while embracing the remains of her son and kissing them with maternal affection, she was also beheaded.
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 Sunday 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 Hieromartyr Eleutherios and Anthia in the Fourth Mode
Ἱερέων ποδηρει κατακοσμούμενος…
Being comely adorned in thy sacred priestly robes and newly drenched with the streams of thy pure and sanctified blood, thou didst soar aloft to stand before thy Master, Christ; hence never cease to intercede for those honouring with faith thy mighty and blessed contest, thou overthrower of Satan, O wise and blessed Eleutherius.
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…
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.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 115.5,3 (116.15,12).
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
Verse: What shall I render to the Lord for all that he has given me?
The reading is from St. Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy 1:8-18
TIMOTHY, my son, do not be ashamed then of testifying to our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel in the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not in virtue of our works but in virtue of his own purpose and the grace which he gave us in Christ Jesus ages ago, and now has manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. For this gospel I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, and therefore I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus; guard the truth that has been entrusted to you by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, and among them Phygelos and Hermogenes. May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphoros, for he often refreshed me; he was not ashamed of my chains, but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me eagerly and found me – may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that Day and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesos.
Gospel Reading
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 Prayer
Anastasia Iliadis (40 days) survived by her daughters and by her grandchildren.
Dr. Anthony Kales (1 year) survived by his wife Dr. Joyce Kales, children Stefanos, Helen, Demetri, grandchildren Anastasia, Sophia, Theodore, Stefania, Arianna, Alexandra and Zoe.
Announcements
Memorial Luncheon
A luncheon has been donated anonymously, on behalf of the Parish, in memory of Dr. Anthony Kales for his great service and philanthropy to our community.
Directory Photos
Attention All Active Stewards:
Family and individual Stewards pictures for the Steward Directory will be taken outside of the small hall after church on Sunday, December 8th and Sunday, December 15th. Please inform your groups that unless there are requests for further dates, these will be the last dates to get your pictures. There is no charge for the pictures and a copy of the picture can be emailed to you on request. Thank you.
Philoptochos Christmas Orders
If you have ordered melomakarona or vasilopita please pick up your order on Sundays in the church hall. If you have not ordered we have plenty to sell. You can purchase what you need on Sundays.
Thank You
The Ladies of Philoptochos would like to thank all the individuals who attended our group Christmas Party last week. We hope you had fun dancing, socializing and enjoying your meal. We also want to thank those who were able to donate a gift card for Covenant House. Your generosity will allow the children living there to have a wonderful Christmas, Wishing you and ALL our supporters throughout this year a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HEALTHY AND HAPPY NEW YEAR God bless you all.
Stewardship
We thank those who have pledged to St. Demetrios Church for year 2024!
Please take a look to see if you have paid or are paying installments on your financial commitment.
You can make payments on your existing pledge here https://stdemetrios.org/make-a-donation/ by choosing “Stewardship” from the dropdown menu.
If you have not pledged for year 2024, you can still do so here https://stdemetrios.org/our-parish/stewardship/stewardship-form/
Thank you!
Prosforo
Anyone who is able to bake prosforo please do so. Don’t forget to also bring the names of your living and deceased for the proskomidi prayer.
Agape Luncheon
Please join us for the Agape luncheon at 11:30 AM on Tuesday 12/17/24. Chef Manos, sous chef Bessie Manos, salad specialist Eva Planakis and their able crew will prepare a delicious meal in addition to snacks, refreshments and dessert. Entrance fee $10.00. Welcome and bring a friend. Καλές γιορτές και ειρήνη στον κόσμο!!!
Grief and the Holiday Blues
Please join us in our annual workshop where we gather to find mutual support in coping with the sadness of missing loved ones who are no longer with us to celebrate Christmas and the New Year. So many of us experience grief in the midst of the joy of this special season. Come find the encouragement to express these feelings in a safe environment.
When: Sunday, December 22 after the coffee hour
Where: The Church Hall
The workshop will be facilitated by Isabella Christodoulou, LCSW
Volunteer Opportunities
FORT LAUDERDALE GREEK FESTIVAL 2025
It is much more than just another festival! You are so much more than just a volunteer!
To Dorothy Duffy, a seasonal member of our church, and the multitude of festival guests, our volunteers are the embodiment of an authentic cultural experience overflowing with hospitality and great appreciation for our guests who celebrate the Orthodox faith and Greek culture with all of us. Guests enjoy meals from the food line, Gyro, Greek Grill and bakery desserts with loukoumades too. They are entertained by beautifully costumed dancers and their intricate suite of dances. Dorothy, in particular, was greatly impacted by the splendor of her Hellenistic origins, Greek music, food and long-standing traditions thanks to the festival leadership team and the volunteers who make this event possible every year. Dorothy fell asleep in the Lord recently and ensured her gratitude to our community, especially for the rich experience she had during our festival, was expressed by gifting St. Demetrios a $10,000 donation.
Jan 30 to Feb 2, 2025, St Demetrios will host the Ft. Lauderdale GREEK FESTIVAL.
Take a few minutes before you exit the church this morning, and sign up. Give yourself the experience of making a lifelong impression on our guests, like Dorothy, and work with some of the most amazing people you will ever meet.
There are many wonderful Volunteer Opportunities and many more wonderful people to connect with! You can sign up with Karyl & The Loukoumades Queens or The Greek Coffee Group. There’s also Melissa & Faith with festival decor & table set up; and there’s a chance to learn more about our faith while supporting the church tours & lectures with Paula’s group. These ladies continue to take the lead year after year. Karyl Zitis states, “It is an honor and a pleasure to chair the Loukoumades and Coffee booths for our festival. I love working together with the most amazing and hard-working women whom I call my family. It brings us such happiness to see everyone having a great time. “ Melissa Bakatselos shared that she enjoys volunteering and talking to the guests that walk through her lines every year. She volunteers to give back because she is blessed and thankful for the opportunities that have been put in her path each day and the people she meets along the way. Paula Kirifides expressed her reason for volunteering for many years; “Giving our guests the opportunity to understand and appreciate a little of our beautiful Greek Orthodox faith is a privilege and an extension of my love for my church”. SIGN UP IS HAPPENING IN THE SOUTH NARTHEX! SEE YOU THERE!
Festival Sponsorship Opportunities
Stewardship Year 2024
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
12:00pm-4:00pm Kamaria dance practice
Sunday 12/15
8:45am/9:45am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Holy Communion Sunday School
After Sunday School Dance Practice
Monday 12/16
4:15pm-6:00pm Greek Classes A’,B’, Γ’, Δ’ & Adult Beginner
7:00pm-8:00pm Intermediate Greek -Google Meet
Tuesday 12/17
11:30am Agape Luncheon
Thursday 12/19
8:45am/9:45am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Holy Communion Sunday School
After Liturgy Parish Council Election
After Liturgy Grief Session
After Sunday School Dance Practice
Tuesday 12/24
6:30pm Orthros and Divine Liturgy of the Nativity
