The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, January 25th, 2026
We are live streaming our services.
Visit https://stdemetrios.org/ where a link to the broadcast can be found.
Sunday, January 25, 2026
Our Father among the Saints Gregory the Theologian, Archbishop of Constantinople
Saint Gregory is one of only three holy Fathers whom the Church has honored with the name “the Theologian” (the others are St John the Evangelist and Theologian, and St Symeon the New Theologian). He was born in 329 in Arianzus in Cappadocia to a pious and holy family: his father Gregory, mother Nonna, brother Caesarius and sister Gorgonia are all counted among the Saints of the Church. His father later became Bishop of Nazianzus. He studied in Palestine, then in Alexandria, then in Athens. On the way to Athens, his ship was almost sunk in a violent storm; Gregory, who had not yet been baptized, prayed to the Lord to preserve him, and promised that henceforth he would dedicate his entire life to God. Immediately the storm ceased. In Athens, Gregory’s fellow students included St Basil the Great and the future Emperor Julian the Apostate. The friendship between Gregory and Basil blossomed into a true spiritual friendship; they were loving brothers in Christ for the rest of their lives. After completing their studies, Sts Gregory and Basil lived together as monks in hermitage at Pontus. Much against St Gregory’s will, his father ordained him a priest, and St Basil consecrated him Bishop of Sasima (in the Archdiocese of Caesarea, over which St Basil was Archbishop). In 381 the Second Ecumenical Council condemned Macedonius, Archbishop of Constantinople, and appointed St Gregory in his place. When he arrived in the City, he found that the Arians controlled all the churches, and he was forced to “rule” from a small house chapel. From there he preached his five great sermons on the Trinity, the Triadika; these were so powerfully influential that when he left Constantinople two years later, every church in the City had been restored to the Orthodox. St Gregory was always a theologian and a contemplative, not an administrator, and the duties of Archbishop were agonizing to him. In 382 he received permission from a council of his fellow-bishops and the Emperor to retire from the see of Constantinople. He returned to Nazianzus (for which reason he is sometimes called St Gregory of Nazianzus). There he reposed in peace in 391 at the age of sixty-two. His writings show a theological depth and a sublimity of expression perhaps unsurpassed in the Church. His teaching on the Holy Trinity is a great bastion of Orthodox Faith; in almost every one of his published homilies he preaches the Trinity undivided and of one essence.
Liturgical Guide
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Mode
Ἐξ ὕψους κατῆλθες ὁ εὔσπλαγχνος…
From on high didst Thou descend, O Compassionate One; to burial of three days hast Thou submitted that Thou mightest free us from our passions. O our Life and Resurrection, Lord, glory be to Thee.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion for Gregory the Theologian in the First Mode
Ὁ ποιμενικὸς αὐλὸς τῆς θεολογίας σου…
The shepherd’s pipe of thy theology conquered the trumpets of the philosophers; for since thou didst search out the depths of the Spirit, beauty of speech was added to thee. But intercede with Christ God, O Father Gregory, that our souls be saved.
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 48.3,1.
My mouth shall speak wisdom and the meditation of my heart shall bring forth understanding.
Verse: Hear this all you nations.
The reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews 7:26-28; 8:1-2.
Brethren, it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did this once for all when he offered up himself. Indeed, the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect for ever. Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent which is set up not by man but by the Lord.
Gospel Reading
The Reading is from Luke 19:1-10
At that time, Jesus was passing through Jericho. And there was a man named Zacchaios; he was a chief collector, and rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not, on account of the crowd, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaios, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” So he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it they all murmured, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaios stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Memorial Prayer
James Haidos (40 days) Beloved brother of Katherine Ziegler.
Ann Vezos (40 days) Survived by her daughters Stacy, Kathe, and Georgia, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Petros Achilleas Potaris (1 year) Survived by his wife Monika, his sons Brian (Merry) and Michael (Rosalie), his grandchildren, his sister Stavroula Christodoulou and her children Isabel and Paul, and his cousins on four continents.
Pauline Stamm (1 year) Survived by her children Anthony (Kathi) and Pamela, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Christos Hatziyannakis (32 years) Survived by his wife Despina and family.
Trisagion Prayer
James Barakakos (14 years) Survived by his sister Efi Barakakos.
Victor G. Vogis (25 years) Survived by his parents Margo and Victor and by his two sisters.
Antonios Bourlotos (28 years) Survived by his wife Stamatiki, his children Christina Korinthios (Michael) and Maria Papastamatis (Alex), and by his grandchildren John, Tony, and Christina.
Baby Blessing
Virginia and Georgios Tomadakis present Antonis for his 40 day blessing.
Effie and Daniel O’Connor present Brian Dimitrios for his 40 day blessing.
Announcements
Coffee Hour
In loving memory of Pauline Stamm, the Stamm family has sponsored the coffee hour and refreshments.
SAVE-THE-DATE: BINGO resumes on Saturday, February 21st, 2026 @ 11:30am
See you in the church hall!
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.
🇬🇷 FT. LAUDERDALE GREEK FESTIVAL Jan 29 – Feb 1, 2026
One of St. Demetrios’ best fellowship ministries & fundraisers —and YOU make it a success!
💙Where Tradition & Celebration Live 🇬🇷 Be Part of the Tradition – VOLUNTEER & CELEBRATE! 🇬🇷
Online Sign-Up is LIVE https://tinyurl.com/GREEKFESTIVALVOLUNTEER Festival Volunteers are in the Narthex and will assist you with the online sign up⛪

👩🍳 Volunteer Areas Include: Food Prep 🍲 • Festival Setup 🎪 • Cashiers 💵 • Yia Yia’s Greek Bakery 🍰 • Gyro Booth 🌯 • Greek Market 🛍️ • Loukoumades & Café ☕ • Greek Grill 🍢 • Hot Food Line 🍽️ • Admissions 🎟️ …and more! Let’s make this year’s Fort Lauderdale Greek Festival unforgettable!✨ Sign up – Be part of the fun! 🇬🇷 Meet friends, make new ones, and share our beautiful Greek Orthodox faith & culture ⛪
Calendar
9:30am Baking for the festival
Saturday 1/24
9:00am Souvlaki preparation and Festival Set up
Sunday 1/25
8:45am/9:45am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion Sunday School
After Liturgy Dance practice
Thursday 1/29
5:00pm-10:00pm Festival
Friday 1/30
12:00noon-11:00pm Festival
Saturday 1/31
12:00noon-11:00pm Festival
Sunday 2/1
8:45am/9:45am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Liturgy -7:00pm Festival

















