The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, December 31th, 2023
We are live streaming our services.
Visit https://stdemetrios.org/ where a link to the broadcast can be found.
We wish everyone health and happiness in the coming New Year!
December 31th, 2023
Sunday before Epiphany
Melania the Younger, Nun of Rome
Saint Melania the Younger, who was born in 388, was the grand-daughter of Saint Melania the Elder (see June 8). Her father Publicola was an Eparch of Rome. She was joined in wedlock to a husband and became the mother of two children, both of which she lost shortly thereafter. Thus, having agreed with her husband to pass the rest of their lives in abstinence and chastity, and taking her mother Albina with her, she went off to Africa. They ransomed 8,000 captives; furthermore, they built two monasteries – one for men and one for women – in the city of Tagaste, which was in the district of Tunis. After seven years they moved to Jerusalem. Thereafter Melania shut herself up in a small and narrow hermitage by the Mount of Olives, and wearing away her body with fasting and vigil, she reposed in 434.
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 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. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
The reading is from St. Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy 4:5-8
TIMOTHY, my son, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
Gospel Reading
Mark 1:1-8
The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophets, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare your way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’ John was baptizing in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, and had a leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Memorial Prayer
Eyfimia Tsatsaelopoulou (40 days) aunt of Nina (Tom) McGuirk and family.
Mary Owen (1 year) survived by her nephew Jim (Mary), her godson Jim (Mary), and all those who knew and loved her.
Trisagion Prayer
Evangelos Maounis (1 year) survived by his wife Kathleen and by his sons Sean and Mark.
Florendia Dribakou (2 years) survived by her sister Maria Vlamis.
Announcements
Holiday Blues to Holiday Cheer
It is the season to celebrate the birth of Christ and to bring in the New Year.
Yet we all have loved ones we miss and old acquaintances never to forget.
All are invited to a special workshop dedicated to supporting one another in grief
and in gratitude.
We will meet just after coffee hour on Sunday, December 31st here at the
church (hall).
Isabella Christodoulou, LCSW will facilitate this gathering in the hope and faith
that it will be a healing experience for everyone who chooses to attend and bring
our community even closer.
Stewardship
As year 2023 comes to a close, please take a moment to check if you have fulfilled your pledge of treasure to St. Demetrios Church for Stewardship 2023.
Also, we encourage everyone to fill out their stewardship form for year 2024.
Thank You!
Hellenic Cultural Society News
The Hellenic Cultural Society of South Florida under the auspices of the Consulate General of Greece in Tampa and the Festival of the Arts in Boca Raton present “Socrates Now” by Yannis Simonides at 5:30 PM on January 18, 2024 at FAU Theater 777 Glades Rd., Boca Raton, FL 33431. The event is free and open to the public, however, seat reservations are required: https://fauevenuts.uiversitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=6019
“Socrates Now” is an eighty minute solo performance-discourse which captures the essence of the socratic ethic in an accessible and engaging manner. You are invited to take a seat at the People’s Court in the Agora of Ancient Athens as Socrates goes on trial for his life being judged by a jury of 500 male citizens in 399 B.C. Hear the philosopher face his accusers with his trademark wit, incisive logic and the courage of his ideals. Consider his arguments on virtue, justice, politics, corruption, civic duty, love, life and hope in the face of death and draw your own judgement. Enjoy the post-performance opportunity to discuss with the actor the ramifications of your verdict. The actor YANNIS SIMONIDES was born in Constantinople and was raised in Athens. He is a graduate of Yale University and the Yale School of Drama. He has served as professor and chair of the undergraduate Drama Department at the New York University [NYU] Tisch School of the Arts and is a founding director of the Greek Theatre of New York. Simonides has been awarded an Emmy by the American Academy of Televisioin Arts and Sciences and has been named Ambassador of Hellenism by the City of Athens for his lifelong service to Greek Arts and Letters worldwide.
Saint Demetrios Fence Project- Fall 2023
The time has finally come to fence in our property.
Our plan at this time is to close off our property with a 6-foot-high steel fence. There will be four entry gates some or all of which will ultimately be motorized for ease of use.
As part of this project, we will have to redo the festival outdoor electrical system. The motorized fence will have to tap into this system for power. The current electrical infrastructure is approximately 20 years old and has critical salt corrosion problems. Our concern is that it may experience a critical failure during a festival that could lead to a complete festival loss.
The price tag for all this will be $350,000. Our community has already collected $227,000 for the fence. These funds have primarily come from the William and Bridget Eaton Partalis Charitable Remainder Unitrust and The Dina Hatzikostantis Estate. The Parish Council also intends to use the 2023 Partalis Family Lead Trust gift of approximately $27,000 for the fence project.
This leaves our community responsible for raising the remaining $100,000.
Please help us as we continue our endeavor to rebuild our parish. Your gift will help Saint Demetrios continue its mission of offering liturgical services, sacraments and programs that cultivate spiritual growth, strengthen families, and transform lives.
FESTIVAL Volunteers 2024…WELCOME BACK to one of ST DEMETRIOS’ BEST FELLOWSHIP MINISTRIES & FUNDRAISER!
Volunteer Today in the South Narthex…Food Prep * Setting up & Decorating * Cashiers * Bakery * Greek Coffee
Volunteer Table * Parking & Golf Carts Drivers * Food Line Server * GYRO * Loukoumades * Greek Grocery * Admissions
Bar * Greek Grill Saganaki Loukaniko * Kitchen Team *
There’s Great Joy getting to know your church family during festival time!
Festival 2024 Sponsorship Opportunities
St. Demetrios 2024 Walking Saints Pilgrimage
For information, contact:
aleka@insiderstours.com
Book here https://bookme.name/InsidersToursInc/lite/st-demetrios-2024-walking-saints-pilgrimage-deposit
Stewardship Form
Please fill out a year 2023 pledge form by clicking here https://stdemetrios.org/our-parish/stewardship/stewardship-form/ Or download this form, fill out both sides completely and return it to the office. Thank you!
Calendar
Sunday 12/31
8:30am/9:30am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Divine Liturgy Grief Workshop in the church hall 1:15pm Bible Study
Monday 1/1 St. Basil the Great
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
Tuesday 1/2
7:00pm AHEPA Meeting
Saturday 1/6 Holy Theophany
8:30am/9:30am Orthros/Divine Liturgy at Lauderdale by the Sea Pier
Sunday 1/7
8:30am/9:30am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
Parish Vasilopita
After Communion Sunday School followed by dance
12:00noon GOYA Meeting
