The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, February 23rd, 2025
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Sunday, February 23, 2025
Sunday of the Last Judgment
(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.
Liturgical Guide
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Mode
Ὅτε κατῆλθες πρὸς τὸν θάνατον…
When Thou didst descend unto death, O Life Immortal, then didst Thou slay Hades with the lightning of Thy Divinity. And when Thou didst also raise the dead out of the nethermost depths, all the powers in the Heavens cried out: O Life-giver, Christ our God, glory be to Thee.
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. Fourth 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
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
Thomas Galatis (40 days) survived by wife Barbara, daughter Jennifer, son Thomas (Marci), grandchildren Gianna and Juliet, siblings Joanne Eyler, Steve and Jon Galatis.
Pauline Stamm (40 days) Survived by children Anthony (Kathi) and Pamela, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Loukis Petrides (3 years) and Julia Petrides (16 years) Parents of Stella (Stephen) Lycouris.
Trisagion Prayer
Evans Gerakas (2 years) Survived by his sister Ethel Gerakas and his extended family.
Peter James (6 years) Brother of Sophia Thermis.
Louis Salas (5 years) Survived by wife Sandra Louise. Nephew of Sophia Thermis.
Kathryn Galatis (7 years) and James Galatis (15 years) Survived by children Joanne (Don) Eyler, Stephen and Jon, grandchildren Stefanie, Jamie, Jennifer, Thomas, and great grandchildren.
Constance Stratakes (19 years) and Christopher Stratakes (27 years) Grandparents of Joanne Eyler.
Announcements
Frappe Sunday
Please come by the bar for a frappe. The HDF team will be selling for $5 in hopes to go to New Orleans in January 2026. We appreciate your support.
Saturday of Souls Services
Saturday, March 1st and March 8th. Orthros at 9:00am/Liturgy 10:00am.
Salutations Services
At 7:00pm on Fridays, March 7th, March 14th, March 21st, March 28th, and the Akathist Hymn on April 4th.
Altar Help Wanted
Father Peter needs help in the altar on Sundays and with Sacraments. Compensation is available subject to ability and time provided. If interested and for more information, please speak with Fr. Peter or a Parish Council member.
Prosforo
Anyone who is able to bake prosforo please do so. Don’t forget to also bring the names of your living and deceased for the proskomidi prayer.
HDF Meeting
The DAC/HDF will hold a 2026 planning meeting for Parents on Sunday, March 2nd after church.
This event is for all families who want to attend in 2026 or want to learn more about the 2026 HDF event.
Annual Festival
Many thanks to all of the food area chairpersons for their contribution to a successful festival: Stacy Vezos, Jimmy Tesekeris, Emmy Louvaris, Victor Demetriou, Tony Planakis, Basil Economou, Karyl Zitis, Mona Kapakos, Lisa Pedonoou, Kalli Vlamis. They are already meeting and planning with the core festival leadership to make 2026 even better . Your feedback is very helpful.
Below is a link to our post festival survey. Please take a moment to share what you appreciate about the festival along with your recommendations, ideas on how to be even better. We continue to grow and improve every year. The success we have been blessed with was made possible thanks greatly to our dedicated volunteers! Here is the link to the festival survey: https://forms.office.com/r/U9D6xFwTQf
Philoptochos News
“STOP FALLS BEFORE THEY STOP YOU”! Losing your balance and falls are a leading cause of injury among adults, but they don’t have to be. Join us for a FREE informative talk on fall prevention, presented by Dr. Ryan Shipley, DPT, CSCS.
Dr. Shipley is a dedicated physical therapist with over 8 years of experience. He has worked with a diverse range of patients from post-operative individuals to professional athletes, focusing on functional movement and injury prevention.
Open to everyone. Thursday, February 20th promptly @ 7:00pm, doors open @ 6:30pm. Kandaras Hall. Q & A to follow with light refreshments. Bring a friend. No admission! Sponsored by Philoptochos. For questions see Athena Loucas or Juanita Antley.
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 22nd, at 11:30am.
We thank those who have pledged to St. Demetrios Church for year 2024!
Please take a look to see if you have paid your financial commitment.
You can make payments on your existing pledge here https://stdemetrios.org/make-a-donation/ by choosing “Stewardship” from the dropdown menu.We remind everyone to pledge for year 2025. Please send in the stewardship form you received in the mail or pledge here https://stdemetrios.org/our-parish/stewardship/stewardship-form/
Thank you!
Calendar
6:30pm Philoptochos “Stop Falls” Presentation. All are welcome
7:00pm-9:00pm Advanced Greek-Online
7:00pm AHEPA Comedy Night
Saturday 2/22 Saturday of Souls
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
11:30am BINGO
4:30pm Hope and Joy Movie Night
8:45am/9:45am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion Sunday School
After Liturgy Frappe fundraiser to benefit HDF
Monday 2/24
4:15pm-6:00pm Greek School
7:00pm Intermediate Greek-Online
Tuesday 2/25
11:00am Loving Stitches
Thursday 2/27
7:00pm-9:00pm Advanced Greek-Online
Saturday 3/1 Saturday of Souls
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
10:00am Pap Corps Walkathon
Sunday 3/2
8:45am/9:45am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion Sunday School
After Liturgy HDF 2026 planning meeting
