The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, February 26, 2023
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February 26, 2023
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.
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 First 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
The reading is from 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
Evans Gerakas (40 days) survived by his sister Ethel, and by his nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Michael Homatas (3 years) survived by his loving wife Anastasia (Stacy), his niece, nephew, and cousin.
Theodosios Bitsounis (22 years)
Trisagion Prayer
Anthony Aspras (38 years) son of Alice Aspras.
Elias Aspras (31 years) husband of Alice Aspras.
Announcements
Coffee Hour
In loving memory of Evans Gerakas, his family has sponsored the coffee hour.
Loving Stitches
Join the Loving Stitches on Tuesday, February 28 at 11:30am. Come for the camaraderie and for the creativity!
Salutations to the Theotokos
The Friday service of the Salutations will start with March 3 at 7:00pm
Flowers to decorate the icon have been donated for that date. If you wish to donate for the following Fridays, the cost is $105 each. Thank you!
Church Grounds Cleanup
Join us at 8:30am on Saturday, March 11th. We’re asking that anyone who can come and help come and lend us a hand as we prepare the church for Pascha.
Oratorical Festival (grades 7-12)
Date: Sunday, March 12th following liturgy in the church. All children should be prepared to read their essays. Parents are welcome to watch. Parent volunteers are needed to assist with preparing snacks/light lunch for the children prior to the event. If you can assist, please email Danielle Smith at Dani.n.smith10@gmail.com or text me at 954-478-3860.
Topics and guideline have been shared in Sunday School. Further information can be found on website It is https://www.goarch.org/-/oratorical-festival-2023. Bibles and resources are also available for check out if needed.
Winners will move forward to the district festival which will take place on April 1.
St. Demetrios Church Pilgrimage to Greece June 16-26
We will be visiting Athens and Meteora.
Taking a one day cruise to the islands of Poros/Hydra and Aegina where we will be visiting the monastery there. Then on to Zakynthos and the Ionian.
The journey includes private transport/knowledgeable personal guides.
All breakfasts included, as well as most dinners.
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!
Bookstore
2023 wall calendars, featuring the early Saints, are available in the bookstore.
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
Saturday 2/25 Saturday of Souls
8:00am/9:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
Sunday 2/26
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion Sunday School and Little Lambs
1:15pm Bible Study
Monday 2/27 Clean Monday-Lent Begins
4:15pm-6:00pm Greek Classes A’,B’, Γ’, Δ’ & Adult Beginner in person
6:30pm-7:30pm Intermediate Modern Greek – Google Meet
Tuesday 2/28
11:30am Loving Stitches
7:00pm Advanced Modern Greek-zoom
Thursday 3/2
7:00pm Advanced Modern Greek-zoom
Friday 3/3
7:00pm Salutations to the Theotokos
Saturday 3/4 Saturday of Souls
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
Sunday 3/5
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion Sunday School and Little Lambs
1:00pm GOYA meeting
1:15pm Bible Study
