The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, March 26, 2023
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March 26, 2023
Sunday of St. John
Climacus
The memory of this Saint is celebrated on March 30, where his biography may be found. He is celebrated today because his book, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, is a sure guide to the ascetic life, written by a great man of prayer experienced in all forms of the monastic polity; it teaches the seeker after salvation how to lay a sound foundation for his struggles, how to detect and war against each of the passions, how to avoid the snares laid by the demons, and how to rise from the rudimental virtues to the heights of Godlike love and humility. It is held in such high esteem that it is universally read in its entirety in monasteries during the Great Fast.
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 Sunday of St. John Climacus in the Plagal Fourth Mode
Ταίς τών δακρύων σου ροαίς…
With the streams of thy tears, thou didst cultivate the barrenness of the desert; and by thy sighings from the depths,thou didst bear fruit a hundredfold in labours; and thou becamest a luminary, shining with miracles upon the world, O John our righteous Father. Intercede with Christ God 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 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 Fourth Mode. Psalm 75.11,1
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.
The reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews 6:13-20
BRETHREN, when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore to himself, saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Gospel Reading
The reading is from St. Mark 9:17-31
At that time, a man came to Jesus kneeling and saying: “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a dumb spirit; and wherever it seizes him it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” And they brought the boy to him; and when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, “How long has he had this?” And he said, “From childhood. And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “If you can! All things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again.” And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse; so that most of them said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting.” They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise.”
Trisagion Prayer
Mary Owen (3 months) remembered by her family and by all those who knew and loved her.
Robyn Pappas (6 years) survived by her loving husband Andrew Pappas, by her sister Judy, and by her nieces and nephews.
Evangelos Iliakis (2 years) survived by his wife Cleopatra and by his children Michael, Elizabeth and Harriet.
Philip, Elisabeth, Michael, Harikleia, Aristidis, Ioannis, Ioannis, George, Konstandinos, Kalliopi, Eirini remembered by the Iliakis family.
Announcements
Coffee Hour
In loving memory of his wife Robyn, Andy Pappas is sponsoring Sunday’s coffee hour.
Palm Sunday Palms
Any donations towards the $452 cost of palms would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Prosforo and Holy Communion Wine
Offerings of Prosforo and Nama Byzantino Red Wine for Holy Communion would be greatly appreciated.
Loving Stitches
Join us on Tuesday, March 28 at 11:30am. Come craft and enjoy lunch! All crafters welcomed!
Philoptochos Supporting Hellenic College/Holy Cross
Thanks to your generous donations and to Daughters of Penelope who donated their coffee hour basket, we were able to send $500 to HC/HC. Thank you for supporting young people who want to serve the church.
Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, Lenten Dinner, and Lecture
Join us on Wednesday, April 5 at 5:30pm for the Service of the Pre-sanctified Gifts.
After the service, enjoy a lenten dinner prepared by our GOYAns and listen to a lecture “Letters of Saints and Monks” presented by Dr. Dean Vafiades.
Upcoming Liturgical Services
For the Feast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos
Friday, March 24 Vespers at 7:00pm and Saturday, March 25 Orthros at 9:00am/Divine Liturgy at 10:00am
March 25th Celebration
March 25 is the Feast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos and the anniversary of the Greek War of Independence of 1821. Come join us Saturday, March 25, at 7:00pm to celebrate this joyful day.
A dinner of shrimp with sherry cream sauce over rice will be served as DJ Mike Haralambis plays Greek Tunes. Thanks to our anonymous donors, there is no admission fee.
Hellenic Cultural Society of South Florida movie night! Please join us for the screening ofKing Otto(2021),a superb soccer gala, produced and directed by Greek-American filmmaker Christopher Andre Marks. Doors open7:00pm on Saturday, April 1st.time 80min with English Subtitles. Drinks & snacks for purchase. RSVP atathena@hcs-sf.org-702-7323
St. Stephen’ s Camp
For Camper registration, Staff Applications, and donation opportunities
visit https://atlmetropolis.org/summer-2023. Application opens March 29.
Keep the Fast/ Share the Food
Help Philoptochos feed the hungry by bringing a bag of canned goods to church. Pick up a bag and list on your way out of church. Or donate online at https://ladies-philoptochos-of-st-demetrios.square.site/ Feeding South Florida provides 9 meals to people in our community for every $1 we donate.
“While fasting with the body, o brethren, let us also fast in spirit; let us loosen every connection with injustice… Let us give bread to the hungry and introduce into our house the poor who have no roof to cover them, that we may receive from Christ our God the great mercy.” From the first Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified gifts of Lent.
Philoptochos is selling tsourecki, koulourakia and melomakarona until April 2. Please support our ministries by buying your Pascha baked goods from us. We are taking orders online and in the hall, so order yours now. https://ladies-philoptochos-of-st-demetrios.square.site/
St. Demetrios Church Pilgrimage to Greece June 16-26
Save The Date – April 22 & Walk with Us for the Cure
End of year Luncheon Meeting
Tickets can be purchased via http:// https://daughters-of-penelope-narcissus-289.square.site/
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!
Stewardship
Please fill out a year 2023 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
Friday 3/24
7:00pm Vespers
Saturday 3/25 Annunciation of the Theotokos
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
7:00pm March 25 Celebration
Sunday 3/26
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion Sunday School and Little Lambs
After Liturgy Presentation by the Greek School
1:15pm Bible Study
4:00pm-6:00pm Hope/Joy family activity day at Dottie Mancini Park
Monday 3/27
4:15pm-6:00pm Greek Classes A’,B’, Γ’, Δ’ & Adult Beginner in person
6:30pm-7:30pm Intermediate Modern Greek – Google Meet
Tuesday 3/28
11:30am Loving Stitches
7:00pm Advanced Modern Greek-zoom
Thursday 3/30
7:00pm Advanced Modern Greek-zoom
Friday 3/31
7:00pm Akathist Hymn
Saturday 4/01
9:30am Oratorical Festival at Ft. Pierce
7:00pm HCS Movie night
Sunday 4/02 Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion Sunday School and Little Lambs
12:30pm GOYA meeting
1:15pm Bible Study
