The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, March 30th, 2025
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Sunday, March 30, 2025
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.
John Climacus the Righteous, author of The Divine Ladder of Ascent
This Saint gave himself over to the ascetical life from his early youth. Experienced both in the solitary life of the hermit and in the communal life of cenobitic monasticism, he was appointed Abbot of the Monastery at Mount Sinai and wrote a book containing thirty homilies on virtue. Each homily deals with one virtue, and progressing from those that deal with holy and righteous activity (praxis) unto those that deal with divine vision (theoria), they raise a man up as though by means of steps unto the height of Heaven. For this cause his work is called “The Ladder of Divine Ascent.” The day he was made Abbot of Sinai, the Prophet Moses was seen giving commands to those who served at table. Saint John reposed in 603, at eighty years of age. See also the Fourth Sunday of the Fast.
Liturgical Guide
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Grave Mode
Κατέλυσας τῷ Σταυρῷ σου τὸν θάνατον…
Thou didst abolish death by Thy Cross; Thou didst open Paradise to the thief; Thou didst transform the myrrh-bearers’ lamentation, and didst bid Thine Apostles to preach that Thou art risen, O Christ God, 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 St. John Climacus in the Plagal Fourth Mode
Ταίς τών δακρύων σου ροαίς, τής ερήμου τό άγονον εγεώργησας…
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. Grave Mode. Psalm 28.11,1.
The Lord will give strength to his people.
Verse: Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory.
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
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.”
Memorial Prayer
Eftihia “Effie” Vasil (40 days) Survived by her son Nicholas, extended family, and her friends at St. Demetrios.
Maria Krevatas (1 year)
Trisagion Prayer
Nikita Legakis (13 years) Survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Announcements
Coffee Hour
In loving memory of Effie Vasil, her friends at St. Demetrios Church have sponsored the Coffee Hour.
Salutations Services At 7:00pm on Friday, March 28th.
The Akathist Hymn At 6:30pm on Friday, April 4th.
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.
BINGO…SATURDAY, APRIL 26, AT 12 NOON. Doors open at 11:30am. Join us for the EASTER 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, APRIL 26TH, at 11:30am.
Get Involved – Join the Dance Advisory Committee
Do you have a child or grandchild actively participating in our dance program? Are you passionate about supporting and shaping the future of our dance community? If so, we invite you to join the Dance Advisory Committee (DAC). The DAC plays a vital role in enhancing our dance program by providing guidance and support to our instructors and dancers. This is a wonderful opportunity to get involved, connect with other dance families, and help create a positive and enriching experience for our young dancers. We meet once a month or as needed if we have an event to prepare for. If you have any questions, you can most certainly reach out to Christa Fitzgerald, 954-699-4892 or Danielle Smith, 954-478-3860. If you are interested in joining the DAC, please submit your name, dancer(s) name and contact information (cell phone # and email address) to Kiki in the church office, kiki@stdemetrios.org. This post will be open from 4/1 through 4/30.
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
Thursday 3/27
7:00pm-9:00pm Advanced Greek-Online
Friday 3/28
7:00pm Salutations
Saturday 3/29
Sunday 3/30
8:45am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion Sunday School
After Liturgy March 25, 1821 Commemoration
Monday 3/31
4:15pm-6:00pm Greek School
7:00pm Intermediate Greek-Online
Tuesday 4/1
7:00pm AHEPA Meeting
Thursday 4/3
6:00pm Philoptochos Board Meeting
Friday 4/4
6:30pm Akathist Hymn
9:30am DOP Meeting
Sunday 4/6
8:45am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion Sunday School
After Liturgy General Assembly
After Liturgy GOYA Meeting
