The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, March 23rd, 2025
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Sunday, March 23, 2025
Sunday of the Holy Cross
With the help of God, we have almost reached the middle of the course of the Fast, where our strength has been worn down through abstinence, and the full difficulty of the labor set before us becomes apparent. Therefore our holy Mother, the Church of Christ, now brings to our help the all-holy Cross, the joy of the world, the strength of the faithful, the staff of the just, and the hope of sinners, so that by venerating it reverently, we might receive strength and grace to complete the divine struggle of the Fast.
Liturgical Guide
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Second Mode
Ἀγγελικαὶ Δυνάμεις ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμά σου…
Angelic powers were above Thy tomb, and they that guarded Thee became as dead. And Mary stood by the grave seeking Thine immaculate Body. Thou hast despoiled Hades and wast not tried thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst grant us life. O Thou Who didst arise from the dead, Lord, glory be to Thee.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion for Sunday of the Holy Cross in the First Mode
Σώσον Κύριε τόν λαόν σου καί ευλόγησον τήν κληρονομίαν σου, νίκας τοίς Βασιλεύσι κατά βαρβάρων δωρούμενος καί τό σόν φυλάττων διά τού Σταυρού σου πολίτευμα.
Save, O Lord, Thy people and bless Thine inheritance; grant Thou unto the faithful victory over adversaries. And by the power of Thy Cross do Thou preserve Thy commonwealth.
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
Τὴ ὑπερμάχω στρατηγῶ τὰ νικητήρια…
To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: “Hail, unwedded bride!”
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by Narthex Press
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
The reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6
BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee”; as he says also in another place, “Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek.”
Gospel Reading
Mark 8:34-38; 9:1
The Lord said: “If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.”
Announcements
Salutations Services At 7:00pm on Fridays, March 21st, March 28th, and the Akathist Hymn on April 4th.
Annunciation of the Theotokos
Tuesday 3/25
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
Liturgy of the Pre-sanctified Gifts
Wednesday 3/26
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
Loving Stitches
Tuesday, March 25 after the Divine Liturgy. Approximately 11:45am.
Pap Corps
Meeting on Wednesday, March 26 at 3PM.
Church clean up
Church clean up day March 29, 2024 at 8:30am
Attention all Church Organizations
The walk in refrigerator and the walk in freezer must be cleared out be April 1. Please purge all of your expired and unwanted items.
Commemoration of March 25, 1821
NEW DATE. The Greek School at St. Demetrios will commemorate this important historical event on Sunday 3/30/25 on the Solea following the Divine liturgy.
Spring General Assembly
The Spring General Assembly will be held on Sunday, April 6 after the Divine Liturgy. To take part in any decisions, you must be a member in good ecclesiastical and financial standing for year 2025.
Altar Help Wanted
Father Peter needs help in the altar on Sundays and with Sacraments. Compensation is available subject to ability and time provided. If interested and for more information, please speak with Fr. Peter or a Parish Council member.
SCHOLARSHIP NEWS – APPLICATIONS OPEN
The Scholarship Committee manages the application, selection and award process for young people who are part of the St. Demetrios Church congregation. Funding for scholarships come from fundraising events, donations and estate endowments:
· Dr. Helene Tzitsikas Endowed Scholarship – for students enrolled in higher education. Must meet requirements established by estate.
· Three Hierarchs Scholarship – established by Drs. Anthony & Joyce Kales for graduating high school seniors enrolled in higher education and in the 10% of their class ranking. Must meet requirements established for this scholarship.
· St. Demetrios Award of Excellence – monetary awards to students enrolled in higher education as funding permits.
· Mary Kandaras Scholarship – supports tuition for 2 students to attend St. Stephen’s Summer Camp.
· Philoptochos Scholarship – The Saint Elpis Chapter of the Ladies Philoptochos supports tuition for 1 student to attend St. Stephen’s summer Camp.
.Applications for the Dr. Helene Tzitsikas Scholarship, as well as applications for St. Stephen’s Summer Camp are available on St. Demetrios website http://www.stdemetrios.org under the heading of “Ministries”. Information about St. Stephen’s Camp can be found on their website St. Stephen’s Summer Camp – Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta – Atlanta, GA (atlmetropolis.org). Applications for St. Stephen’s Camp open on March 20th.
Applications for the Three Hierarchs Scholarship will be available online. Presently, hard copies of the application are available at the Church Office 954-467-1515 Monday – Thursday. Or, download the application below.
Previous award recipients may reapply, however new applicants will be given preference.
Deadlines for all applications are May 15, 2025.
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!
KEEP THE FAST AND SHARE THE FOOD
Again this year, we will be collecting non- perishable foods for Feeding South Florida. Shopping bags will be made available for your donations on March 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th. Donations may be dropped off in the South Narthex or Kandaris hall. If you prefer you can donate cash as every dollar donated means 9 meals can be provided to those in need. Donations can also be made online at https://ladies-philoptochos-of st-demetrios.square.site/
Food item needed are:Cereal, Oatmeal, all canned meats, fruit & veggies. Peanut butter & jellies. Rice, pasta, pasta sauces and any shelf stable canned or bottled foods.
Philopochos News
SAVE-THE-DATE: Thursday evening, May 15th. Learn more about Alzheimer and Dementia! Details to follow. Kandaras Hall, Sponsored by Philoptochos. See Athena or Juanita.
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Sunday March 23rd is the Sunday of the Holy Cross. As part of our Philanthropic Mission, Philoptochos will be accepting donations for Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology Lenten Event Fund. As you know this College prepares your sons, grandsons and nephews to be educated as priests and teachers. We invite you to contribute to this most important mission.
Hellenic Cultural Society of South Florida
Movie Screening on March 30 at 2:30pm at Savor Cinema in Fort Lauderdale.
St. Demetrios Church Youth Ministries 2024-2025 School Year
Calendar
Friday 3/21
7:00pm Salutations
8:30pm Light Lenten dinner
Sunday 3/23
8:45am/9:45am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Liturgy Sunday School
Monday 3/24
4:15pm-6:00pm Greek School
7:00pm Intermediate Greek-Online
Tuesday 3/25 Annunciation of the Theotokos
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
11:45am Loving Stitches
Wednesday 3/26
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
3:00pm Pap Corps meeting
Thursday 3/27
7:00pm-9:00pm Advanced Greek-Online
Friday 3/28
7:00pm Salutations
Saturday 3/29
Sunday 3/30
8:45am/9:45am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion Sunday School
After Liturgy March 25, 1821 Commemoration
