The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, December 19th, 2021
Let’s Celebrate!
December 19, 2021
Sunday before the Nativity
On the Sunday that occurs on or immediately after the eighteenth of this month, we celebrate all those who from ages past have been well-pleasing to God, beginning from Adam even unto Joseph the Betrothed of the Most Holy Theotokos, according to genealogy, as the Evangelist Luke hath recorded historically (Luke 3:23-38); we also commemorate the Prophets and Prophetesses, and especially the Prophet Daniel and the Holy Three Children.
Saints and Feasts Commemorated
Aglaia the Righteous of Rome
Saint Aglaida (Aglaia) was a rich Roman woman who had an immoral relationship with her slave St. Boniface.Tiring of their way of life, both discovered Christianity as a meaningful way. Aglaida decided to send him on an errand to collect holy relics. Finding upon arrival at Tarsus that the authorities were torturing Christians, he openly declared himself to be a Christian. His own body constituted the relics that were brought back to Aglaida, who in turn became a Christian. The Greek Orthodox Church celebrates both of them on 19 December.
Liturgical Guide
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Mode
Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος ὑπὸ τῶν Ἰουδαίων
Although the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers guarded Your most pure body, You arose on the third day, O Savior, giving life to the world. For this reason, the heavenly powers cried out to you, O Giver of Life: Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Your kingdom! Glory to Your dispensation, only Lover of Mankind!
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Apolytikion for Forefeast of the Nativity in the Fourth Mode
Ετοιμάζου Βηθλεέμ, ήνοικται πάσιν η Εδέμ…
Be thou ready, Bethlehem, Eden hath opened unto all. Ephratha, prepare thyself, for now, behold, the Tree of life hath blossomed forth in the cave from the Holy Virgin. Her womb hath proved a true spiritual Paradise, wherein the divine and saving Tree is found, and as we eat thereof we shall all live, and shall not die as did Adam. For Christ is born now to raise the image that had fallen aforetime.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion for Sunday before Nativity in the Second Mode
Μεγάλα τὰ τῆς πίστεως κατορθώματα! ἐν τῇ πηγὴ τῆς φλογός…
Great are the achievements of faith! In the fountain of flame, as by the water of rest, the Three Holy Children rejoiced. And the Prophet Daniel proved a shepherd of lions as of sheep. By their prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.
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. Fourth Mode. Daniel 3.26,27.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse: For you are just in all you have done.
The reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews 11:9-10; 32-40
BRETHREN, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundation, whose builder and maker is God.And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets – who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated – of whom the world was not worthy – wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Gospel Reading
The reading is from Matthew 1:1-25
The book of the Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram, and Aram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king.And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa, and Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Salathiel, and Salathiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.
Memorial Prayer
Catherine Kourakos (40 days) survived by daughters Stella Androutsopoulos and Venetia Kourakos, grandchildren Catherine Wagner and Peter Kourakos, and great grandchildren.
Theodore P. Mavrick (16 years) survived by sons Nick and Peter Mavrick, and by grandchildren Natasha, Peter E., and Gabriel.
Trisagion Prayer
Thomas Nicholas (40 days) of Bowie, MD. Son of the late Theodore “Ted” Nicholas. He is survived by his wife Ellen, sister Annemarie (Jim), and many other relatives and friends.
Georgia Micklas (4 years) survived by her children Robert Micklas, and Mary (Kenneth) Oxios, 4 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
Baby Blessing
Katerina Petosa and Bruce Bechtel present Joseph William Bechtel for the traditional 40 day baby blessing.
Coffee Hour
In memory of their father Theodore P. Mavrick, Nick and Peter Mavrick have sponsored the coffee hour.
Archangel Michael Award Ceremony
On Sunday, December 12, the Parish Council presented the year 2021 Archangel Michael Award to Paula Kirifides and Apostolos Mihail Velisarios.
Paula Kirifides
Paula was a high school English teacher for 40 years and has three daughters, whom she and her husband Larry raised at St. Demetrios.
From 1991 to about 2018, Paula was primarily involved with religious education. She served as a Sunday school teacher and principal of the Sunday school, organized summer Bible school programs and the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival, and was a member of the Education, Youth, and Culture Committee (EYCC).
Some years she gave church tours during the festival and occasionally facilitated teacher and youth advisor education sessions through EYCC. Also, Paula helped organize the Gari Paticopoulos Library.
In 2019, she was elected Philoptochos president and has been enjoying working with the ladies and organizing their activities.
Apostolos Mihail Velisarios
Apostolos Mihail Velisarios was born in Kalymnos, Greece.
As a young child, attending church and spending summers with his aunt, a nun at the Monastery on the beautiful island of Samos, he developed a deep love for God and His Holy Church.
Upon joining St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Apostolos was inspired by the many kindhearted and hardworking parishioners who donated their time and resources, to do the same.
He is truly grateful for all the many blessings in his life, including the opportunity to serve our beloved Church and community in any way possible.
The Archangel Michael Feast was prayerfully conceived by His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios as the annual double feast of the Metropolis family. Since 1998, the Metropolis family comes together in Atlanta on the weekend of, prior to or following the November 8th Feast day of the Archangels
Michael and Gabriel. It is to honor and celebrate our Patron Saint and Protector, and the lives of two dedicated members from each parish. The two members who are being recognized from each parish epitomize the fundamental nature of our Orthodox Christian journey to Theosis: the loving spirit and generous commitment of a Christ-centered life. Thus by honoring these individuals, we are by extension, celebrating and giving thanks for all the devout, faithful people in our Metropolis family who give their gifts and time without hesitation.
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!
In Search of…
As we are preparing for the festival, we are in need of full size disposable aluminium pans. Our food service distributor has informed us that there is a shortage. If you are out shopping and see these large pans (turkey roaster pans will also do), please buy them and submit your receipt for reimbursement. Thank you!
HDF News
SAVE THE DATE: Our Hellenic Dance Festival Team will be hosting a luncheon on Sunday, 1/2/22, to help raise funds for their upcoming competition in Orlando, during Martin Luther King weekend. They will also be performing their dance suites so please join us! The money raised will be used to help defray the cost for the families traveling to represent St. Demetrios.
Philoptochos News
Visiting Angels is a ministry of Philoptochos which calls and visits those in nursing homes, or assisted living facilities or who are confined to their homes. If you know someone who would appreciate a call or visit, please email philoptochos@stdemetrios.org or give the information to Paula Kirifides or Helen Fronimakis.
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.
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 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 2:00PM – 3:00PM
@ ArtServe
Monday, December 20
Greek Classes A’,B’, Γ’, Δ’ & Adult Beginner @ church 4:15PM-6:00PM
Intermediate Modern Greek -Zoom 6:30PM-7:30PM
Tuesday, December 21
Advanced Modern Greek-Zoom 7:00PM
Thursday, December 23
Advanced Modern Greek-Zoom 7:00PM
Friday, December 24 Eve of the Nativity of Christ
Orthros/Divine Liturgy 6:00PM/7:00PM
Saturday, December 25 Holy Nativity
Sunday, December 26
Orthros/Divine Liturgy 9:00AM/10:00AM
No Sunday School
No Dance practice
No HDF practice
