The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, February 5, 2023
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February 5, 2023
Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee
Triodion Begins Today
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.
All foods are allowed the week that follows this Sunday.
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 for Afterfeast of the Presentation in the First Mode
Χαῖρε κεχαριτωμένη Θεοτόκε Παρθένε..
Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, O Virgin Theotokos, for from thee hath risen the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, enlightening those in darkness. Rejoice, thou also, O righteous Elder, as thou receivest in thine arms the Redeemer of our souls, Who also granteth unto us the Resurrection.
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
Ὁ μήτραν παρθενικὴν ἁγιάσας τῶ τόκω σου…
Your birth sanctified a Virgin’s womb and properly blessed the hands of Symeon. Having now come and saved us O Christ our God, give peace to Your commonwealth in troubled times and strengthen those in authority, whom You love, as only the loving One.
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.”
Announcements
Important
Families with children in Dance, GOYA, Greek School and Hope and Joy are reminded to complete their 2022 stewardship obligation. Families must have fulfilled their stewardship obligation for 2022 and must have registered for each program in order to have their children participate in dance at the festival next month. If you have questions, please email kiki@stdemetrios.org
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!
GOYA
Feb 12, Sunday, GOYA will be collecting for the Super Bowl for Caring for all of Southeast District GOYA.
Please bring canned good and food donations, there will be a drop off box in the narthex.
Goyans will be collecting funds for IOCC, International Orthodox Christian Charities, for their humanitarian relief efforts throughout the world. Please give generously for this worthy cause.
FESTIVAL February 2 – 5, 2023! WHERE TRADITION & CELEBRATION LIVE!
Festival preparations are well on their way.
To volunteer:
Email us at greekfestival@stdemetrios.org
Many thanks to each of you from our festival team of 30 plus leaders coordinating every detail of this event!
Book Club
Meeting on Saturday, February 11 at 12 PM
BINGO
IMPORTANT DATE CHANGE…..the next BINGO is Friday evening, February 17 at 6:00pm.
Doors open at 5:30pm. Many gift prizes, 50/50 raffle, plus refreshments. It’s an evening of fun, family, friends, & food. 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.
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
Thursday 2/2
5:00pm-10:00pm Festival
Friday 2/3
12:00pm-11:00pm Festival
Saturday 2/4
12:00pm-11:00pm Festival
Sunday 2/5
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy12:00pm-7:00pm
12:00pm-7:00pm. Festival
Monday 2/6
4:15pm-6:00pm No Greek Classes A’,B’, Γ’, Δ’ & Adult Beginner in person
6:30pm-7:30pm Intermediate Modern Greek – Google Meet
Tuesday 2/7
7:00pm Advanced Modern Greek-zoom
7:00pm AHEPA meeting
Thursday 2/9
7:00pm Advanced Modern Greek-zoom
Saturday 2/11
12:00pm Book Club
Sunday 2/12
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
GOYA Souper Bowl of Caring
After Communion Sunday School and Little Lambs
1:15pm Bible Study
