The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, February 22nd, 2026
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Sunday, February 22, 2026
Forgiveness Sunday
The Holy Fathers have appointed the commemoration of Adam’s exile from the Paradise of delight here, on the eve of the holy Forty-day Fast, demonstrating to us not by simple words, but by actual deeds, how beneficial fasting is for man, and how harmful and destructive are insatiety and the transgressing of the divine commandments. For the first commandment that God gave to man was that of fasting, which the first-fashioned received but did not keep; and not only did they not become gods, as they had imagined, but they lost even that blessed life which they had, and they fell into corruption and death, and transmitted these and innumerable other evils to all of mankind. The God-bearing Fathers set these things before us today, that by bringing to mind what we have fallen from, and what we have suffered because of the insatiety and disobedience of the first-fashioned, we might be diligent to return again to that ancient bliss and glory by means of fasting and obedience to all the divine commands. Taking occasion from today’s Gospel (Matt. 6:14-21) to begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask forgiveness this day, first from God, then from one another and all creation.
Wisdom of the Fathers
Do we forgive our neighbors their trespasses? God also forgives us in His mercy. Do we refuse to forgive? God, too, will refuse to forgive us. As we treat our neighbors, so also does God treat us. The forgiveness, then, of your sins or unforgiveness, and hence also your salvation or destruction, depend on you yourself, man. For without forgiveness of sins there is no salvation.
St. Tikhon of Zadonsk
Unknown, 18th century
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 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 Plagal Second Mode
Τῆς σοφίας ὁδηγέ…
O Master, Prudence, Guide of Wisdom, Instruction to the foolish and Defender of the poor, strengthen my heart and grant it discernment. Give me words, Word of the Father, for behold, I shall not keep my lips from crying out to You, “O Merciful One, have mercy on me who has fallen.”
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Narthex Press
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. Plagal Fourth Mode. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.
The reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4
Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand.
Gospel Reading
Matthew 6:14-21
The Lord said, “If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Memorial Prayer
Ethel Gerakas (40 days) Survived by her cousins, nieces, nephews, and her friends at St. Demetrios.
Trisagion
Evangelos Gerakas (3 years) Survived by his cousins, nieces, nephews, and her friends at St. Demetrios.
Elias Aspras (34 yrs) Husband of Alice Aspras.
Anthony Aspras (41 yrs) Son of Alice Aspras.
Announcements
Saturday of Souls
February 21, February 28
Orthros at 9:00am Divine Liturgy at 10:00am.
Coffee Hour
In memory of her cousin Ethel Gerakas, Diana Faaborg has sponsored the coffee hour.
Oratorical Festival
The Oratorical Festival is scheduled to take place this Sunday February 22nd, following church service. A luncheon is to follow for participants and volunteers. Please note all positions have been filled. Thank you to our volunteers and sponsors for their time and generosity. Good luck to all the students participating!
- Senior speaker: Constantine Linardakis
- Junior speaker: Christos Cusmano
Judge leader: Joanna Oudin
Judges: Anna Nichols, John Xanthos, Garry Paxinos
Time Keeper: Paula Kirifides
A special thanks to Paula Kirifides who sponsored lunch.
Pap Corps
Pap Corps Chapter Meeting on Wednesday, February 25 at 3PM
For those who want to learn about the faith and for those baptized in the faith who want to learn more. Wednesday, February 25 and Wednesday, March 11 at 7:00pm. Additional dates will be announced shortly
At 7:00pm on the following Fridays:
February 27, March 6, March 13, March 20, March 27
BINGO…SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21ST, AT 12 NOON. Doors open at 11:30am. Join us for Bingo.
Get 2 BINGO cards at the door for $7.00. Many gift prizes, 50/50 raffle, plus refreshments. Supporting Covenant House and other local charities. Invite your neighbors and friends. Join us for a relaxing afternoon of fun, family, friends, & food!
Sponsored by Philoptochos.
SEE YOU ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21ST, AT 11:30AM.
Movie Screening
Join the Hellenic Cultural Society for a special screening of
Routes of Greek Diaspora: Lowell, Massachusetts,
a documentary by Maya Tsokli (running time: 1 hour).
Saturday, March 7
Hall – Doors open at 6:30pm
Screening begins at 7:00pm
Members: Free
Non-members: $5
Following the documentary, we invite you to stay with us for a relaxed conversation as we share memories, stories, and reflections on life in Lowell. Concessions will be available for purchase.
For more information, please visit www.hcssfl.org or speak with Stavroula, Malvina, or Cindy at the Hall.
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.
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Calendar
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
11:30am Bingo
Sunday 2/22
8:45am/9:45am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion Sunday School
After Liturgy Parish Oratorical Festival
After Liturgy Dance Practice
Lent begins
4:45pm-6:30pm Greek School
7:30pm-8:30pm Intermediate Greek-online
Tuesday 2/24
11:00am Loving Stitches
Wednesday 2/25
3:00pm PapCorps Meeting
7:00pm Orthodox Study Class
Thursday 2/26
7:00-9:00pm Advanced Greek
Friday 2/27
7:00pm Salutations to the Theotokos
followed by light lenten supper
7:00pm GOYA lambades making
Saturday 2/28 Saturday of Souls
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
Sunday 3/1 Sunday of Orthodoxy
8:45am/9:45am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion Sunday School
After Liturgy Dance Practice
