The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, March 2nd, 2025
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Sunday, March 2, 2025
Forgiveness Sunday
The Holy Fathers have appointed the commemoration of Adam’s exile from the Paradise of delight here, on the eve of the holy Forty-day Fast, demonstrating to us not by simple words, but by actual deeds, how beneficial fasting is for man, and how harmful and destructive are insatiety and the transgressing of the divine commandments. For the first commandment that God gave to man was that of fasting, which the first-fashioned received but did not keep; and not only did they not become gods, as they had imagined, but they lost even that blessed life which they had, and they fell into corruption and death, and transmitted these and innumerable other evils to all of mankind. The God-bearing Fathers set these things before us today, that by bringing to mind what we have fallen from, and what we have suffered because of the insatiety and disobedience of the first-fashioned, we might be diligent to return again to that ancient bliss and glory by means of fasting and obedience to all the divine commands. Taking occasion from today’s Gospel (Matt. 6:14-21) to begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask forgiveness this day, first from God, then from one another and all creation.
Liturgical Guide
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Mode
Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια…
Let the Heavens rejoice; let earthly things be glad; for the Lord hath wrought might with His arm, He hath trampled upon death by death. The first-born of the dead hath He become. From the belly of Hades hath He delivered us, and hath granted 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 Second Mode
Τῆς σοφίας ὁδηγέ, φρονήσεως χορηγέ…
O Master, Prudence, Guide of Wisdom, Instruction to the foolish and Defender of the poor, strengthen my heart and grant it discernment. Give me words, Word of the Father, for behold, I shall not keep my lips from crying out to You, “O Merciful One, have mercy on me who has fallen.”
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 Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4
Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand.
Gospel Reading
Matthew 6:14-21
The Lord said, “If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Memorial Prayer
Mary Kantzavelos (1 year) Survived by her husband, her children, and her grandchildren.
Trisagion Prayer
Evangeline Maheras (3 months) Survived by her husband, her children, and her grandchildren.
Announcements
Saturday of Souls Services Saturday, March 1st and March 8th. Orthros at 9:00am/Liturgy 10:00am.
Salutations Services At 7:00pm on Fridays, March 7th, March 14th, March 21st, March 28th, and the Akathist Hymn on April 4th.
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.
HDF Meeting
The DAC/HDF will hold a 2026 planning meeting for Parents on Sunday, March 2nd after church.
This event is for all families who want to attend in 2026 or want to learn more about the 2026 HDF event.
The Three Hierarchs: Celebration of Greek Letters
On Sunday 3/9/25 following the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, The Greek School at St. Demetrios will celebrate the Three Hierarchs who promoted and supported the Greek Letters. Mr. Panagiotis Panopoulos, Director of the School, will present the importance of the day. This will be followed by songs and poems recited by the young students.
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!
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Saturday, March 8th. St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church will be marching to represent Greece as we celebrate March 25th Greek Independence Day. All are invited to join as we honor our Greek heritage.
Philoptochos News
BINGO…SATURDAY, MARCH 15, AT 12 NOON. Doors open at 11:30am. Join us for the WINTER BINGO Games.
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 afternoon of fun, family, friends, & food!! Sponsored by Philoptochos. See you on Saturday, MARCH 15TH, at 11:30am.
Calendar
Saturday 3/1 Saturday of Souls
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
10:00am Pap Corps Walkathon
Sunday 3/2 Forgiveness Sunday
8:45am/9:45am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion Sunday School
After Sunday School HDF 2026 planning meeting
After Sunday School Hope & Joy Lenten Retreat
Monday 3/3 Clean Monday
4:15pm-6:00pm Greek School
7:00pm Intermediate Greek-Online
Tuesday 3/4
7:00pm AHEPA Meeting
Thursday 3/6
6:00pm Philoptochos Board Meeting
7:00pm-9:00pm Advanced Greek-Online
Friday 3/7
7:00pm Salutations
8:30pm Lenten Dinner
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
Sunday 3/9
8:45am/9:45am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion Sunday School
