The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, February 13th, 2022
February 13, 2022
Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee
Saints and Feasts Commemorated
The Pharisees were an ancient and outstanding sect among the Jews known for their diligent observance of the outward matters of the Law. Although, according to the word of our Lord, they “did all their works to be seen of men” (Matt. 23:5), and were hypocrites (ibid. 23: 13, 14, 15, etc.), because of the apparent holiness of their lives they were thought by all to be righteous, and separate from others, which is what the name Pharisee means. On the other hand, Publicans, collectors of the royal taxes, committed many injustices and extortions for filthy lucre’s sake, and all held them to be sinners and unjust. It was therefore according to common opinion that the Lord Jesus in His parable signified a virtuous person by a Pharisee, and a sinner by a Publican, to teach His disciples the harm of pride and the profit of humble-mindedness.
Since the chief weapon for virtue is humility, and the greatest hindrance to it is pride, the divine Fathers have set these three weeks before the Forty-day Fast as a preparation for the spiritual struggles of virtue. This present week they have called Harbinger, since it declares that the Fast is approaching; and they set humility as the foundation for all our spiritual labors by appointing that the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee be read today, even before the Fast begins, to teach, through the vaunting of the Pharisee, that the foul smoke of self-esteem and the stench of boasting drives away the grace of the Spirit, strips man of all his virtue, and casts him into the pits of Hades; and, through the repentance and contrite prayer of the Publican, that humility confers upon the sinner forgiveness of all his wicked deeds and raises him up to the greatest heights.
Saints and Feasts Commemorated
Saint Symeon (in the world, the ruler Stephen Nemanja), after capably governing Serbia in piety, wisdom, and justice for many years during the second half of the twelfth century, renounced all rule and earthly glory to become a monk, to struggle in fasting and prayer. Thereafter he went to the Holy Mountain Athos where, together with his son Saint Sabbas (see Jan. 14), he founded the Monastery of Hilandar. After his death, a fragrant and healing myrrh came forth from his holy relics. When Stephen Nemanja put on the monastic habit with the name of Symeon, his wife Anna followed his example, receiving the monastic name of Anastasia; she is commemorated as a Saint on June 21.
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 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.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode
Φαρισαίου φύγωμεν ὑψηγορίαν…
Let us flee from the boasting of the Pharisee and learn through our own sighs of sorrow the humility of the Publican. Let us cry out to the Savior, “Have mercy on us, for through You alone are we reconciled.”
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Narthex Press
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. First Mode. Psalm 32.22,1..
Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.
The reading is from St. Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15
TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at lconion, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Gospel Reading
The reading is from Luke 18:10-14
The Lord said this parable, “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Memorial Prayer
Dionisios Tetenes (40 days) survived by his wife Angeliki, his daughters Evelyn, Athena and Irene and their families.
Angela Manolatos (2 years) survived by son Emanuel (Kathy) Bacolas, Katie Bacolas, Michael Bacolas, and Zitis/Velisarios families.
Neophytos Demetriou (2 years) survived by his children Andreas Demetriou, Mary (Costas) Pieri, Georgia (Tony) Maiorana and Victor Demetriou, 14 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
Trisagion Prayer
Athena Sclavounos (5 years) and Spiridon Sclavounos (20 years) survived by their daughters Angeliki Tetenes and Victoria Vittoratos and their families.
Gerasimos, Joan, Aglaia, John, Spero, Anastasios, Engolpia survived by the Emanual Bacolas family.
Announcements
Super Bowl Party
Join us to watch the game on the big screen in the large hall.
Doors open at 5:30pm
Bring your own food. Bar will supply soda and water. Beer available for purchase.
Pap Corps
The Paps Corps Chapter meeting will be Wednesday, February 16th at 3:00pm.
Hellenic Cultural Society of South Florida Movie Night
Join us on February 26th at 7:30pm to watch a Greek film (with English subtitles).
For more information contact Malvina @ 954-993-7456, Stavroula @ (954) 899-8455 or email us at SimplyGreekSF@gmail.com
Dance Groups
Attention Dance Families: With the cancellation of the annual Greek Festival, we are working on scheduling practices for the upcoming Church Celebration/Glendi after Pascha. Please continue to check the bulletin and your email for updates. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
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. https://ladies-philoptochos-of-st-demetrios.square.site/
Celebration of Learning Luncheon
Celebration of Learning luncheon planned for January 23, 2022 has been rescheduled to March 6, 2022. You can purchase tickets in the hall during the coffee hour or download this form.
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!
Calander
Sunday 2/13
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion Sunday School
1:00pm-2:00pm Bible Study
5:30pm Super Bowl Watch Party
Monday 2/14
4:15pm-6:00pm Greek Classes A’,B’, Γ’, Δ’ & Adult Beginner @ church
6:30pm-7:30pm Intermediate Modern Greek -Zoom
Tuesday 2/15
7:00pm Adv. Modern Greek-Zoom
Wednesday 2/16
3:00pm Pap Corps Chapter Meeting
Thursday 2/17
7:00pm Adv. Modern Greek-Zoom
Sunday 2/20
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion Sunday School
1:00pm-2:00pm Bible Study
