The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, July 25th 2021
July 25, 2021
5th Sunday of Matthew
Saints and Feasts Commemorated
Dormition of St. Anna, mother of the Theotokos
According to tradition, Anna, the ancestor of God, lived for sixty-nine years, and her spouse Joachim, for eighty; according to one account, Saint Joachim died two years before Saint Anna. The Theotokos had been orphaned of both her parents already when she was eleven years of age, when she was living in the Temple (see Sept. 8 and Nov. 21). Saint Anna is invoked for conceiving children, and for help in difficult childbirth.
Olympias the Deaconess
St. Olympias was born in 361 AD into a wealthy family of high ranking in the Christian Roman Empire (probably in Constantinople). Her father was the senator Anicius Secundus and through her mother, Alexandroka, she was the granddaughter of the noted eparch Eulalios.
After the death of her parents, Olympias inherited great wealth. She then began to distribute this wealth to the poor and needy, the orphaned and the widowed. She was also very generous with her donations to the churches, monasteries, hospices, and shelters for the homeless. She established a hospital and a shelter for young orphaned girls and undertook their care and education. She also established a monastery for women where she resided, as well. All of her wealth was put to work for the benefit and comfort of the poor of Constantinople.
Because of her many philanthropic activities, she was appointed a deaconess by the holy Patriarch Nektarios (381-397). She would provide great assistance to the hierarchs of Constantinople as well as the visiting bishops from many places.
She became especially close to St. John Chrysostom, who was elevated to Archbishop of Constantinople on February 26 of 398. St. Chrysostom had high regard for Olympias and showed her goodwill and spiritual love. When Chrysostom was unjustly banished in 404 AD, Olympias and the other deaconesses (Pentadia, Proklia, and Salbina) were deeply upset. Eventually, Olympias was sent to exile because of her devotion to St. Chrysostom’s innocence. St. John Chrysostom wrote to her several letters from his exile, consoling her in her sorrow.
St. John Chrysostom reposed on September 14, 407. Almost a year later, St. Olympias died in exile as well after a long illness somewhere in Nicomedia on July 25, 408. Shortly before her death, Olympias gave instructions that her remains be placed in a coffin and tossed into the sea, leaving her final resting place to divine providence. Her coffin was washed on the shores of Constantinople and she was interned in the Church of the Holy Apostle Thomas. Later her holy relics were brought to the monastery which she had established. Many miracles and healings occurred from her relics.
Liturgical Guide
Apolytikion for Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal First Mode
Χριστός ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν, θανάτῳ θάνατον πατήσας, καί τοῖς ἐν τοῖς μνήμασι ζωήν χαρισάμενος.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
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 for Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the Second Mode
Ὁ εὐσχήμων Ἰωσήφ…
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 for Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the Second Mode
Ταῖς Μυροφόροις Γυναιξί…
Unto the myrrh-bearing women did the Angel cry out as he stood by the grave: Myrrh oils are meet for the dead, but Christ hath proved to be a stranger to corruption. But cry out: The Lord 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 Fourth Mode
Εἰ καὶ ἐν τάφῳ κατῆλθες ἀθάνατε…
Though You went down into the tomb, You destroyed Hades’ power, and You rose the victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, “Hail!” and granting peace to Your disciples, You who raise up the fallen.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Narthex Press
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. Second Mode. Psalm 117.14,18.
The Lord is my strength and my song.
Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely.
The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 6:1-7
In those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, “it is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochoros, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaos, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Gospel Reading
Mark 15:43-47; 16:1-8
At that time, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. And he bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud, and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid. And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back; for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.” And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Memorial Prayer
Evangelos Iliakis (40 days) survived by his wife Cleopatra and by children Michael, Elizabeth, and Harriet.
Fotini Stathakis (40 days) wife of Panagiotis Stathakis, mother of Dimitrios Stathakis and Maria Stathakis, grandmother of Panagiotis and William, and Maria Paliogianni.
Mary Varvarigos (40 days) survived by her daughter, by her dear friend Loretta Vulcano, and by the St. Demetrios Visiting Angels.
Basil Pagones (1 year) Beloved husband of Carol, father of Anastasia (Selim), and Tim (Lisa), grandfather of Alex and Alara, and friend to many at St. Demetrios.
Irene Zaravinos (1 yr) beloved wife of Dr. Theodore Zaravinos and mother of Dr. John Zaravinos, and Katherine Zaravinos.
Dena Kontos (10 yrs) and George Kontos (41 yrs) survived by their children Bessie (Nick) Manos, Andrew (Debbie), and Gus (Robin).
Teddy Filosofos (12 yrs) Missed by his children, Argerous, Denise and Mike and grandchildren Mike, Sevaste & Theo.
Trisagion Prayer
George Jimokas (2 yrs) survived by his wife Judith Jimokas, his sister Anna (George) Velonis, several nieces and nephews.
Sophia Papadopoulou (2 yrs) survived by her children Maria (Costas), Sophia (Pan0s), and grandchildren Sophia, Dimitris and Manos.
Betty Kapakos (4 yrs) survived by children Chris & Mona Kapakos, Constantinos & Shelby Kapakos, Vola & Nick Ferrarese, Effie & Ted Stout, and by grandchildren James Stout and Sara Stout.
George John Simitses (5 yrs) survived by his wife Nena, children John, William (Vicki), and Alexandra (Mark), 8 grandchildren, and his sister Marina.
Maria Konstantinidis (9 yrs) survived by her husband Dimitrios, 3 children, 8 grandchildren, and her sister.
Katina Maounis (11 yrs) survived by her husband Chris, daughter Zoi (Vito) DeTuro, and grandson Michael.
Gerasimos Solos (25 yrs). Father to Stephen Solos and Emily Solos. Grandfather to Nicole Solos.
Baby Blessing
Samantha Lingeman and Richard Jaimes present Jackson Nicholas Jaimes for the traditional 40 day blessing.
Stewardship
“…The Greatest Of These Is Love” 1 Cor 13:13
We ask you to support the worship, service and activities of St. Demetrios Church. Giving to His Church is a way to thank God for His grace, His generosity and His many blessings. Let’s Step Up our gifts of Time Talent and Treasure!
Thank you!
Please fill out a pledge form by either downloading the form below or by visiting https://stdemetrios.org/our-parish/stewardship/stewardship-form/
You can make contributions towards your financial pledge by visiting https://stdemetrios.org/make-a-donation/ .
Announcements
Flowers
- The flowers at the Altar are in loving memory of Maria Konstantinidis.
Coffee Hour
- In memory of his beloved wife Irene, Dr. Theodore Zaravinos has sponsored today’s coffee hour.
Youth Celebration
Join us in congratulating Fotini Anastasiou, Theo Cockrell, Xander Economou, Benjamin Martin, and George Planakis on their high school graduation. We wish them all the best!
Spring General Assembly
- The Spring General Assembly will take place in the hall on Sunday, May 23, after Divine Liturgy.
Scholarship News
- 2021 Three Hierarchs Scholarship (THS) Award Award Application forms for the THS awards of Drs. Anthony and Joyce Kales are available in the Church office. These scholarships are awarded strictly on the basis of meritorious academic achievement for college-bound seniors. The academic guidelines for consideration include: Grade Point Average of 3.5 or above; membership in the National Honor Society; a combined SAT Verbal and Math score of 1320 or greater (the combined scores must be from the same SAT exam i.e., scores cannot be combined from two separate SAT exams). ACT substitution for the SAT examination is not allowed. Deadline for submission of application is June 15.
- FAITH Scholarships for Academic Excellence Applicants must be graduating a public, private, or parochial high school in the United States and embarking to study in an undergraduate degree program in the fall of 2021 at a 4-year accredited U.S. college or university. Applicants must be of Greek Orthodox faith and member of a parish. For questions, please call (212) 803-9363 or email info@thefaithendowment.org. Follow us on Facebook to stay updated. Visit http://www.thefaithendowment.org/scholarships/
Philoptochos News
- Thank you!
Χριστός Ανέστη! Αληθώς ό Κύριος.
The Ladies of Philoptochos would like to sincerely thank all those who were able to donate to the Covenant House fundraiser. Through your generosity we were able to deliver $745 worth of gift cards!
God bless you all.
- Save the Date!
SAVE THE DATE: Afternoon BINGO PARTY is scheduled for Saturday, June 19 in the Church Hall. (Social distancing will be observed.) Doors open at 11:30am and games begin at 12:00 noon. Pizza and beverages will be for sale. Bring family and friends to this fun event with prizes and 50/50 raffle. Sponsored by Philoptochos.
- Philoptochos St. Nicholas donations
The Philoptochos of the Metropolis of Atlanta and His Eminence Alexios have asked us to help them fulfill our Metropolis commitment to the rebuilding of the St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine in New York City. This is the church which was destroyed during the 9/11 attacks. They have asked that families donate $20 or whatever they are able. Donations may be made online at https://ladies-philoptochos-of-st-demetrios.square.site/ or by check made out to St. Demetrios Ladies Philoptochos. Please put “St. Nicholas” in the memo section.
Daughters of Penelope News
- End of Year Luncheon Meeting
The Daughters of Penelope, Narcissus Chapter 289 invite you to join us for the 2021 – 2022 Installation of Officers with St. Demetrios Philoptochos and The Pap Corps End of Year Luncheon Meeting Saturday May 22, 2021 at 11:30 am. For details, please see flyer.
Mental Health Resources
Late last year, the Assembly of Bishops assembled a Mental Health Task Force to assist our Churches in this very important ministry to the faithful. I am therefore very pleased to announce that, as the result of the work of the Task Force, a National Directory of Orthodox Mental Health providers has been created. Visit https://www.assemblyofbishops.org/directories/mental-health/ .
I join my fellow Hierarchs in thanking the Steering Committee of the Mental Health Task Force, and all those Orthodox Professionals who participated in the creation of this directory, so that it might help the greatest number of individuals.
Praying for the continued health of all, both in body and soul, I remain,
Paternally yours with love in Christ,
+ A L E X I O S
Metropolitan of Atlanta
