The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, February 19, 2023
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February 19, 2023
Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)
The foregoing two parables — especially that of the Prodigal Son — have presented to us God’s extreme goodness and love for man. But lest certain persons, putting their confidence in this alone, live carelessly, squandering upon sin the time given them to work out their salvation, and death suddenly snatch them away, the most divine Fathers have appointed this day’s feast commemorating Christ’s impartial Second Coming, through which we bring to mind that God is not only the Friend of man, but also the most righteous Judge, Who recompenses to each according to his deeds.
It is the aim of the holy Fathers, through bringing to mind that fearful day, to rouse us from the slumber of carelessness unto the work of virtue, and to move us to love and compassion for our brethren. Besides this, even as on the coming Sunday of Cheese-fare we commemorate Adam’s exile from the Paradise of delight — which exile is the beginning of life as we know it now — it is clear that today’s is reckoned the last of all feasts, because on the last day of judgment, truly, everything of this world will come to an end.
Philothei the Righteous Martyr of Athens
February 19
Saint Philothei was born in Athens in 1522 to an illustrious family. Against her will, she was married to a man who proved to be most cruel. When he died three years later, the Saint took up the monastic life and established a convent, in which she became a true mother to her disciples. Many women enslaved and abused by the Moslem Turks also ran to her for refuge. Because of this, the Turkish rulers became enraged and came to her convent, dragged her by force out of the church, and beat her cruelly. After a few days, she reposed, giving thanks to God for all things. This came to pass in the year 1589. She was renowned for her almsgiving, and with Saints Hierotheus and Dionysius the Areopagite is considered a patron of the city of Athens.
Liturgical Guide
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Mode
Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια…
Let the Heavens rejoice; let earthly things be glad; for the Lord hath wrought might with His arm, He hath trampled upon death by death. The first-born of the dead hath He become. From the belly of Hades hath He delivered us, and hath granted great mercy to the world.
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 First Mode
Ὅταν ἔλθῃς ὁ Θεός, ἐπὶ γῆς μετὰ δόξης..
O God, when You come upon the earth in glory, the whole world will tremble. A river of fire will bring all before Your Judgment Seat and the books will be opened, and everything in secret will become public. At that time, deliver me from the fire which never dies, and enable me to stand by Your right hand, O Judge most just.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Narthex Press
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. Second Mode. Psalm 146.5; 134.3
Great is our Lord, and great is his power.
Verse: Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.
The reading is from St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians 8:8-13; 9:1-2
Brethren, food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol’s temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother’s falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall.
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
Gospel Reading
The reading is from Matthew 25:31-46
The Lord said, “When the Son of man comes in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.’ And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Memorial Prayer
Helen Gatsonis (1 year) survived by her daughter Elizabeth Gatsonis
Theo Vagionis (1 year) survived by Richard DeChant.
Announcements
Coffee Hour
In loving memory of her mother Helen Gatsonis, Elizabeth Gatsonis has sponsored the coffee hour.
Greetings from the elders of our St. Demetrios Community
Please join us on Tuesday 2/21/23 for a delectable lunch to be graciously prepared by Chef Manos (Mr. Nicholas Manos) and his crew. Dessert and ice cream will follow. It is a time of camaraderie, mutual support, laughter and song. President Ms. Gloria Linda Stokes will welcome you.
Entrance $8.00
Pap Corps
Wednesday, February 22 – Pap Corps Chapter Meeting 3PM
Bookstore
2023 wall calendars, featuring the early Saints, are available in the bookstore.
Choir
JOIN US IF YOU CAN SING 🎶
We are looking for new members in the St. Demetrios Choir. We’d love to have you join us! Please see Chanters Alex or Athena for more information. Thank you!
BINGO
FAMILY BINGO NIGHT…..the next BINGO is Friday evening, February 17 at 6:00pm.
Bring the family together for an evening of laughter and fun. A night filled with games, great prizes, friendly competition, and food! Doors open at 5:30pm. Many gift prizes, 50/50 raffle, plus refreshments. Get 2 Bingo cards for $7.00 at the door. Supporting Feeding South Florida. Sponsored by Philoptochos! Invite your family, friends, & neighbors. See you on February 17th at 5:30pm.
Save the Date
St. Demetrios Church Pilgrimage to Greece
June 16-26
Visiting: Athens/ Meteora /Monasteries on Aegina and Zakynthos.
Completely escorted.
Itinerary and pricing will appear in next week’s bulletin.
THANK YOU FESTIVAL VOLUNTEERS!
You are our most passionate advocates and champions of our success within the St Demetrios Community.
This success is evident in many ways. One of which is from the feedback guests expressed through the course of the festival.
Here is some of what they had to say:
Great music and dancing! Delicious food. Friendly family oriented environment! Wonderful yearly event!
Everyone was very nice and helpful ! The food was delicious and great value.
It was fabulous the food the desserts the pastries let me tell you the Greeks do it right loved it God bless all my great people
I am new to St Demetrios and this was my first time at the festival. I had such a great time and was able to make new friends also ! Thanks to everyone for being so welcoming and kind. I look forward to seeing you all again soon and … next years festival!
Hope everyone had a chance to rest after the amazing Greek festival. It was my ultimate honor and pleasure to volunteer with all of you so that together we can better serve our community.
Thank you for bringing back the festival after so many years.
Everyone is so friendly and helpful.
I’ve never seen such organization and cooperation at a festival, and we try to attend as many as we can on the East Coast.
The restrooms are the cleanest I have ever experienced.
Thank God the restrooms are air-conditioned and don’t smell!
The children had so much fun on the “playground”.
Inflatables are much safer than “the rides”.
The day workers went out of their way to be helpful, especially Derrick, Michael & Garrett.
Each year you get better and better. Can’t wait to see what you will do next year.
Great diversity of interesting activities and booths.
Your church is so beautiful. I felt like I was in heaven.
Kudos for involving the younger generation.
…and the young people took my tray after I finished eating!
The food was especially good this year.
I met so many interesting people while we were waiting in the lines. I didn’t mind waiting at all!
We are thrilled how we were embraced by every age group !
We are touched that every age group was so kind and caring towards people!
The bar crowd is so much fun!
The kids and the dancing is wonderful!
There is such unity in this community!
Movie Showing
Hellenic Cultural Society of South Florida invites you to the screening of the comedy “My friend Lefterakis” (Ο φίλος μου ο Λεφτεράκης) and the celebration of Finos Film 80th anniversary! The movie is digitalized with English subtitles. Starring Ntinos Iliopoulos, Maro Kontou, Kostas Voutsas. Movie time 91 min.
On Saturday Febraury 18, 2023 at 3:10pm join us at Savor Cinema in Downtown Ft Lauderdale. The Greek Food Truck will join the festivities too! Tickets can be purchased at the Hall.
Stewardship
if you have not already done so, please fill out a year 2022 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
Friday 2/17
6:00pm BINGO (doors open at 5:30pm)
Saturday 2/18 Saturday of Souls
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
3:10pm Movie showing at Savor Cinema
Sunday 2/19
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion Sunday School and Little Lambs
1:15pm Bible Study
Monday 2/20
4:15pm-6:00pm Greek Classes A’,B’, Γ’, Δ’ & Adult Beginner in person
6:30pm-7:30pm Intermediate Modern Greek – Google Meet
Tuesday 2/21
11:00am Agape Seniors
7:00pm Advanced Modern Greek-zoom
Wednesday 2/22
3:00pm PapCorps Chapter meeting
Thursday 2/23
7:00pm Advanced Modern Greek-zoom
Saturday 2/25 Saturday of Souls
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
Sunday 2/26
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion Sunday School and Little Lambs
1:15pm Bible Study
