The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, July 13th, 2025

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Sunday, July 13, 2025

Fathers of the 4th Ecumenical Council

On the Sunday that falls from the 13th to the 19th of the present month, we chant the Service to the 630 Holy and God-bearing Fathers who came together for the 4th Ecumenical Council who assembled in Chalcedon in 451, to condemn Eutyches, who taught that there was only one nature, the divine, in Christ after the Incarnation, and Dioscorus, Patriarch of Alexandria, who illegally received Eutyches back into communion and deposed Saint Flavian, Patriarch of Constantinople, who had excommunicated Eutyches. In the Slavic tradition, on this Sunday, the Fathers of the first six Ecumenical Councils are all commemorated.

Wisdom of the Fathers

The Lord says to His disciples, ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven’ (Matt. 5:16). He does not say this to urge them to show off, but to urge them to organize their lives as is pleasing to God. Just as light effortlessly attracts people’s gaze, so a way of life pleasing to God draws their minds along with their eyes. We do not praise the air which shares in the brilliance of the sunlight, but the sun which is the source of this brilliance and bestows it on us. Even if we do praise the air for its brightness, we praise the sun much more. So it is when someone makes the brilliance of the Sun of righteousness (Mal. 4:2) visible through his virtuous deeds. As soon as anyone looks at him, they are immediately led towards the glory of the Father in heaven of Christ, the Sun of righteousness.
St. Gregory Palamas
Homilies Vol. 1, Homily Ten para. 14; Saint Tikhon’s Seminary Press pgs. 110-111, 14th century

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Every work which does not have love as its beginning and root is nothing.
St. John Chrysostom
Unknown, 4th 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 for Sunday of the Holy Fathers in the Plagal Fourth Mode
Ὑπερδεδοξασμένος εἶ, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν…
Most glorified art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast established our Fathers as luminous stars upon the earth, and through them didst guide us all to the true Faith. O Most Merciful One, 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 Second Mode
Προστασία τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀκαταίσχυντε…
O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the creator most constant: O despise not the voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, O thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 31.11,1.
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous.
Verse: Blessed are they whose transgressions have been forgiven.

The reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to Titus 3:8-15

Titus, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.When I send Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.All who are with me send greeting to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Gospel Reading

Matthew 5:14-19

The Lord said to his disciples, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

Memorial Prayer

Bette Despina Peters (5 years) and Paul Epaminondas Peters (44 years) Parents of Dean Peters.

Faye Columbus (11 years) and Harry Columbus (13 years) Godparents of Dean Peters.

Trisagion Prayer

Christos Christodoulou (16 years) Survived by his wife Stavroula, children Isabel and Paul, grandchildren Eddie, Janice and Andrew, brother Nicolas, nephews, nieces and cousins.

Announcements

Oath of Office
This Sunday I will have the honor to introduce the entire congregation to the new Philoptochos 2025-2026 Board of Directors. Following their rapid introduction they will receive the Oath of Office. Please stay and help us welcome these ladies who are truly the Philanthropic Right Arm of St. Demetrios. Philoptochos ladies who are not on the board are asked to join us after the Oath of Office for a group picture. Thank you all for your support and love to our organization over the years. I have enjoyed being your president the last two years. God bless you all. Juanita Antley, Past President of Philoptochos.

Sunday School

Our youth ministries are scheduled to resume Sunday, September 7. The Sunday School program is asking for volunteers. If interested, please reach out to Fr. Peter.

Agape
Please join us at the Agape luncheon at 11:30 on Tuesday 7/15/25 in the Great Hall. Chef Nick Manos, sous chef Bessie Manos, salad specialist Eva Planakis and their crew will offer a tasty lunch, snacks, coffee, refreshments and a variety of desserts. Fee $10. Your friends are welcome.

Stewardship
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!

Prosforo
Anyone able to bake Prosforo please do so. With the prosforo, submit the names of the living and the dead for the proskomide.

Summertime Angels
Donations towards our weekly and monthly expenses would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your generosity!

NIGHT BINGO…FRIDAY, JULY 18TH, AT 6:30PM. DOORS OPEN AT 6:00PM. 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 evening of fun, family, friends, & food!! Sponsored by Philoptochos.
See you on Friday evening, July 18th at 6:00pm.