The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, March 5, 2023
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Please note that on the Saturday of Souls of March 4, Orthros will begin at 8:00am, Divine Liturgy at 9:00am.
March 5, 2023
Sunday of Orthodoxy
For more than one hundred years the Church of Christ was troubled by the persecution of the Iconoclasts of evil belief, beginning in the reign of Leo the Isaurian (717-741) and ending in the reign of Theophilus (829-842). After Theophilus’s death, his widow the Empress Theodora (celebrated Feb. 11), together with the Patriarch Methodius (June 14), established Orthodoxy anew. This ever-memorable Queen venerated the icon of the Mother of God in the presence of the Patriarch Methodius and the other confessors and righteous men, and openly cried out these holy words: “If anyone does not offer relative worship to the holy icons, not adoring them as though they were gods, but venerating them out of love as images of the archetype, let him be anathema.” Then with common prayer and fasting during the whole first week of the Forty-day Fast, she asked God’s forgiveness for her husband. After this, on the first Sunday of the Fast, she and her son, Michael the Emperor, made a procession with all the clergy and people and restored the holy icons, and again adorned the Church of Christ with them. This is the holy deed that all we the Orthodox commemorate today, and we call this radiant and venerable day the Sunday of Orthodoxy, that is, the triumph of true doctrine over heresy.
Mark the Ascetic
Saint Mark the Ascetic lived in the fifth century and according to Nicephorus Callistus was a disciple of Saint John Chrysostom’s. Besides his blameless life of asceticism, Saint Mark was distinguished for his writings, some of which are preserved in Volume One of the Philokalia. His writings were held in such great esteem that in old times there was a saying, “Sell all that thou hast, and buy Mark.”
Liturgical Guide
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal First Mode
Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρὶ καὶ Πνεύματι…
Let us worship the Word, O ye faithful, praising Him that with the Father and the Spirit is co-beginningless God, Who was born of a pure Virgin that we all be saved; for He was pleased to mount the Cross in the flesh that He assumed, accepting thus to endure death. And by His glorious rising, He also willed to resurrect the dead.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion for Sunday of Orthodoxy in the Second Mode
Τὴν ἄχραντον Εἰκόνα σου προσκυνοῦμεν Ἀγαθέ…
We worship Thine immaculate icon, O Good One, asking the forgiveness of our failings, O Christ our God; for of Thine own will Thou wast well-pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, that Thou mightest deliver from slavery to the enemy those whom Thou hadst fashioned. Wherefore, we cry to Thee thankfully: Thou didst fill all things with joy, O our Saviour, when Thou camest to save 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
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. Fourth Mode. Daniel 3.26,27
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse: For you are just in all you have done.
The reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-40
Brethren, by faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered abuse suffered for the Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he looked to the reward.And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets — who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign enemies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated — of whom the world was not worthy — wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Gospel Reading
The reading is from John 1:43-51
At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and he said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.”
Announcements
Sunday of Orthodoxy
This Sunday, March 5 is the Sunday of Orthodoxy. Please have your child bring their icon to church. Parents and all other adults are invited to bring one too.
Flowers for the icon of the Theotokos
If you wish to donate for the decoration of the icon of the Theotokos with flowers, the cost is $105 per Friday. Thank you!
Salutations Service, Friday, March 3 –Donated
Salutations Service, Friday, March 10
Salutations Service, Friday, March 17
Vespers, Friday, March 24
Akathist Hymn, Friday, March 31- Donated
Church Grounds Cleanup
Join us at 8:30am on Saturday, March 11th. We’re asking that anyone who can come and help come and lend us a hand as we prepare the church for Pascha.
Oratorical Festival (grades 7-12)
Date: Sunday, March 12th following liturgy in the church. All children should be prepared to read their essays. Parents are welcome to watch. Parent volunteers are needed to assist with preparing snacks/light lunch for the children prior to the event. If you can assist, please email Danielle Smith at Dani.n.smith10@gmail.com or text me at 954-478-3860.
Topics and guideline have been shared in Sunday School. Further information can be found on website It is https://www.goarch.org/-/oratorical-festival-2023. Bibles and resources are also available for check out if needed.
Winners will move forward to the district festival which will take place on April 1.
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
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!
Bookstore
2023 wall calendars, featuring the early Saints, are available in the bookstore.
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 3/3
7:00pm Salutations to the Theotokos
Saturday 3/4 Saturday of Souls
8:00am/9:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
Sunday 3/5 Sunday of Orthodoxy
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion Sunday School and Little Lambs
1:00pm GOYA meeting
1:15pm Bible Study
Monday 3/6
4:15pm-6:00pm Greek Classes A’,B’, Γ’, Δ’ & Adult Beginner in person
6:30pm-7:30pm Intermediate Modern Greek – Google Meet
Tuesday 3/7
7:00pm Advanced Modern Greek-zoom
Thursday 3/9
6:00pm Philoptochos meeting
7:00pm Advanced Modern Greek-zoom
Friday 3/10
7:00pm Salutations to the Theotokos
8:00pm Lenten Supper prepared by Philoptochos
Sunday 3/12
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion Sunday School and Little Lambs
After Liturgy Oratorical Festival
1:15pm Bible Study
