The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, December 28th, 2025

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Sunday, December 28, 2025

Sunday after Nativity

On the Sunday that falls on or immediately after the twenty-sixth of this month, we make commemoration of Saints Joseph, the Betrothed of the Virgin; David, the Prophet and King; and James, the Brother of God. When there is no Sunday within this period, we celebrate this commemoration on the 26th.
Saint Joseph was the son of Jacob, and the son-in-law – and hence, as it were, the son – of Eli (who was also called Eliakim or Joachim), who was the father of Mary the Virgin. He was of the tribe of Judah, of the family of David, an inhabitant of Nazareth, a carpenter by Trade, and advanced in age when, by God’s good will, he was betrothed to the Virgin, that he might minister to the great mystery of God’s dispensation in the flesh by protecting her, providing for her, and being known as her husband so that she, being a virgin, would not suffer reproach when she was found to be with child. Joseph had been married before his betrothal to our Lady; they who are called Jesus’ “brethren and sisters” are the children of Joseph by his first marriage. From Scripture, we know that Saint Joseph lived at least until the Twelfth year after the birth of Christ according to the tradition of the Fathers, he reposed before the beginning of the public ministry of Christ.
The child of God and ancestor of God, David, the great Prophet after Moses, sprang from the tribe of Judah. He was the son of Jesse, and was born in Bethlehem, in the year 1085 before Christ. While yet a youth, at the command of God he was anointed secretly by the Prophet Samuel to be the second King of the Israelites, while Saul – who had already been deprived of divine grace – was yet living. In the thirtieth year of his life, when Saul had been slain in battle, David was raised to the dignity of King, first, by his own tribe, and then by all the Israelite people, and he reigned for forty years. Having lived seventy years, he reposed in 1015 before Christ, having proclaimed beforehand that his son Solomon was to be the successor to the throne.
The sacred history has recorded not only the grace of the Spirit that dwelt in him from his youth, his heroic exploits in war, and his great piety towards God, but also his transgressions and failings as a man. Yet his repentance was greater than his transgressions, and his love for God fervent and exemplary; so highly did God honour this man, that when his son Solomon sinned, the Lord told him that He would not rend the kingdom in his lifetime “for David thy father’s sake”. Of The Kings of Israel, Jesus the Son of Sirach testifies, “All, except David and Hezekias and Josias, were defective”. The name David means “beloved.”
His melodious Psalter is the foundation of all the services of the Church; there is not one service that is not filled with Psalms and psalmic verses. It was the means whereby old Israel praised God, and was used by the Apostles and the Lord Himself. It is so imbued with the spirit of prayer that the monastic fathers of all ages have used it as their trainer and teacher for their inner life of converse with God. Besides eloquently portraying every state and emotion of the soul before her Maker, the Psalter is filled with prophecies of the coming of Christ. It foretells His Incarnation, “He bowed the heavens and came down”, His Baptism in the Jordan, “The waters saw Thee, O God, The waters saw Thee and were afraid”, His Crucifixion in its details, “They have pierced My hands and My feet …. They have parted My garments amongst themselves, and for My vesture have they cast lots”. “For My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink”, His descent into Hades, “For Thou wilt not abandon My soul in Hades, nor wilt Thou suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption” and Resurrection, “Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered”. His Ascension, “God is gone up in jubilation” (46:5), and so forth.

Liturgical Guide

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Mode
Τὸ φαιδρὸν τῆς Ἀναστάσεως κήρυγμα…
Having learned the joyful proclamation of the Resurrection from the Angel, and having cast off the ancestral condemnation, the women disciples of the Lord spake to the Apostles exultantly: Death is despoiled and Christ God is risen, granting great mercy to the world.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by Holy Transfiguration MonasteryApolytikion for Afterfeast of the Nativity in the Fourth Mode
Ἡ γέννησίς σου Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν…
Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, hath shined the light of knowledge upon the world; for thereby they that worshipped the stars were instructed by a star to worship Thee, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know Thee, the Dayspring from on high. O Lord, glory be to Thee.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Apolytikion for Sunday after Nativity in the Second Mode
Εὐαγγελίζου Ἰωσήφ…
O Joseph, proclaim the wonders to David, the ancestor of God. Thou hast seen a Virgin great with child; thou hast given glory with the shepherds; thou hast worshipped with the Magi; and thou hast been instructed through an Angel. Entreat Christ God to 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 ὑπερούσιον τίκτει…
On this day the Virgin beareth the Transcendent in essence; * to the Unapproachable, * the earth doth offer a small cave; * Angels join in choir with shepherds * in giving glory; * with a star the Magi travel upon their journey; * for our sakes is born a young Child, * He that existed * before the ages as God.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 67.35,26.
God is wonderful among his saints.
Verse: Bless God in the congregations.

The reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians 1:11-19

Brethren, I would have you know that the gospel which was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother.

Gospel Reading

Matthew 2:13-23

When the wise men departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt have I called my son.”Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they were no more.” But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” And he rose and took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaos reigned over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”

Baby Blessing

Panos Sarris and Loukia Lagoudi present Filippos for the 40 day baby and mother blessing.

Announcements

Mercy Luncheons (Makarias)
As of December 2025 St. Demetrios Church will offer to prepare and serve a Traditional Mercy Luncheon (Makaria) in the church hall for family members who request it. For detailed information please call Diane Paxinos 954-304-5913, or Kiki Sergiou in the Church Office 954-467-1515.

🇬🇷 FT. LAUDERDALE GREEK FESTIVAL Jan 29 – Feb 1, 2026

🇬🇷 FT. LAUDERDALE GREEK FESTIVAL Jan 29 – Feb 1, 2026
One of St. Demetrios’ best fellowship ministries & fundraisers —and YOU make it a success!
💙Where Tradition & Celebration Live 🇬🇷 Be Part of the Tradition – VOLUNTEER & CELEBRATE! 🇬🇷

Online Sign-Up is LIVE https://tinyurl.com/GREEKFESTIVALVOLUNTEER Festival Volunteers are in the Narthex and will assist you with the online sign up⛪

👩‍🍳 Volunteer Areas Include: Food Prep 🍲 • Festival Setup 🎪 • Cashiers 💵 • Yia Yia’s Greek Bakery 🍰 • Gyro Booth 🌯 • Greek Market 🛍️ • Loukoumades & Café ☕ • Greek Grill 🍢 • Hot Food Line 🍽️ • Admissions 🎟️ …and more! Let’s make this year’s Fort Lauderdale Greek Festival unforgettable!✨ Sign up – Be part of the fun! 🇬🇷 Meet friends, make new ones, and share our beautiful Greek Orthodox faith & culture ⛪