The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, May 5th, 2024
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Sunday, May 5th, 2024
Great and Holy Pascha
Mary Magdalene, and the other women who were present at the burial of our Saviour on Friday evening, returned from Golgotha to the city and prepared fragrant spices and myrrh, so that they might anoint the body of Jesus. On the morrow, because of the law which forbids work on the day of the Sabbath, they rested for the whole day. But at early dawn on the Sunday that followed, almost thirty-six hours since the death of the Life-giving Redeemer, they came to the sepulchre with the spices to anoint His body. While they were considering the difficulty of rolling away the stone from the door of the sepulchre, there was a fearful earthquake; and an Angel, whose countenance shone like lightning and whose garment was white as snow, rolled away the stone and sat upon it. The guards that were there became as dead from fear and took to flight. The women, however, went into the sepulchre, but did not find the Lord’s body. Instead, they saw two other Angels in the form of youths clothed in white, who told them that the Saviour was risen, and they sent forth the women, who ran to proclaim to the disciples these gladsome tidings. Then Peter and John arrived, having learned from Mary Magdalene what had come to pass, and when they entered the tomb, they found only the winding sheets. Therefore, they returned again to the city with joy, as heralds now of the supernatural Resurrection of Christ, Who in truth was seen alive by the disciples on this day on five occasions.
Our Lord, then, was crucified, died, and was buried on Friday, before the setting of the sun, which was the first of His “three days” in the grave; observing the mystical Sabbath, that “seventh day” in which it is said that the Lord “rested from all His works” (Gen. 2:2-3), He passed all of Saturday in the grave; and He arose “while it was yet dark, very early in the morning” on Sunday, the third day, which, according to the Hebrew reckoning, began after sunset on Saturday.
As we celebrate today this joyous Resurrection, we greet and embrace one another in Christ, thereby demonstrating our Saviour’s victory over death and corruption, and the destruction of our ancient enmity with God, and His reconciliation toward us, and our inheritance of life everlasting. The feast itself is called Pascha, which is derived from the Hebrew word which means “passover”; because Christ, Who suffered and arose, has made us to pass over from the curse of Adam and slavery to the devil and death unto our primal freedom and blessedness. In addition, this day of this particular week, which is the first of all the rest, is dedicated to the honour of the Lord; in honour and remembrance of the Resurrection, the Apostles transferred to this day the rest from labour that was formerly assigned to the Sabbath of the ancient Law.
Liturgical Guide
Apolytikion for Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal First Mode
Χριστός ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν, θανάτῳ θάνατον πατήσας, καί τοῖς ἐν τοῖς μνήμασι ζωήν χαρισάμενος.
Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Hypakoe of Great and Holy Pascha in the Fourth Mode
Προλαβοῦσαι τὸν ὄρθρον αἱ περὶ Μαριάμ…
When they who were with Mary came, anticipating the dawn, and found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre, they heard from the Angel: Why seek ye among the dead, as though He were mortal man, Him Who abideth in everlasting light? Behold the grave-clothes. Go quickly and proclaim to the world that the Lord is risen, and hath put death to death. For He is the Son of God, Who saveth the race of men.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode
Εἰ καὶ ἐν τάφῳ κατῆλθες ἀθάνατε…
Though You went down into the tomb, You destroyed Hades’ power, and You rose the victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, “Hail!” and granting peace to Your disciples, You who raise up the fallen.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Narthex Press
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. Plagal Fourth Mode. Psalm 117.24,29.
This is the day which the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Verse: Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his mercy endures for ever.
The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 1:1-8
In the first book, O Theophilos, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. To them he presented himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me, for John baptized with water, but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom of lsrael?” He said to them, “it is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.”
Gospel Reading
John 1:1-17
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light.The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not. He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. (John bore witness to him, and cried, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me.'”) And from his fullness have we all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Announcements
Sunday School and Joy & Hope News
- For a letter excusing you from school Holy Friday, please see Fr. Peter.
- Please be at church at 1:30pm on Holy Friday, May 3rd, to adorn with flowers the Children’s’ kouvouklion.
Donation Opportunities
Even partial donations towards the following items would be greatly appreciated! Please note the intention of your donation on your check’s memo line. Thank you! If you have any questions, please call the office (954)467-1515.
For Palm Sunday
2 vases spring flowers $100 remaining (of $175)
Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday
Flowers for the Icon of the Bridegroom $75 each
For Holy Friday
Flowers for the kouvouklion $1,000 remaining (of $1,400)
For Holy Saturday
3, 1 gallon bucket Bay Leaves $20 each
For the Resurrection Service
2 vases white roses $50 remaining (0f $175)
SAVE THE DATE: BINGO SATURDAY, MAY 18TH. DOORS OPEN @11:30AM..KANDARAS HALL. SPONSORED BY PHILOPTOCHOS.
General Assembly
Save the date! Sunday, May 19th after Divine Liturgy
Dance Advisory Committee Election-Change of Date
Dance Advisory Committee elections: On May 19, 2024 , the committee will hold elections for two seats. The term for the position is two years. You need to have a child/grandchild enrolled in the dance program, to be eligible to join the committee. Parishioners who meet the eligibility requirements and would like to join the committee, please contact Kiki in the church office by no later than April 22nd. You are more than welcome to speak with any of the current committee members, Christina Tsekeris, Danielle Smith, Christa Fitzgerald, Joy Catsicas, Maria Papastamatis, Ana Visvardis, and Eva Galouzis, if you would like more information about what the DAC does.
Stewardship Year 2024
We are more than a quarter through the calendar year.
If you have filled out a pledge form for year 2024 but have not yet made a donation toward your pledge of treasure, please do so.
To make payments on your pledge, use https://stdemetrios.org/make-a-donation/ and at the drop down menu choose “Stewardship” . If paying by check, please note “Pledge 2024” on the memo line.
We thank our parishioners who have pledged their gifts of time, talent and treasure for year 2024.
If you have not, please fill out a form. You can download a form, pick up a form at church, or use https://stdemetrios.org/our-parish/stewardship/stewardship-form/.
Scholarship News
Applications for the Dr. Helene Tzitsikas Scholarship for students enrolled in higher education as well as applications for St. Stephen’s Summer Camp are open. More information about the Dr. Tzitsikas Scholarship can be found on the St. Demetrios website www.stdemetrios.org. 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)
It’s important to note that applications for St. Stephen’s Camp open on March 28th.
Scholarship applications are available online at the St. Demetrios website under the heading of “Ministries” or call the Church Office 954-467-1515 Monday – Thursday. Deadlines for all applications are May 15, 2024.
AHEPA Scholarship
Calendar
Thursday 5/2 Holy Thursday
9:00am Vesperal Liturgy
11:30am Dyeing of eggs
7:00pm Passion Service (12 Gospels)
Friday 5/3 Holy Friday
9:00am Royal Hours
3:00pm Apokathelosis Service
7:00pm Lamentations
Saturday 5/4 Holy Saturday
10:00am Divine Liturgy of St. Basil
11:00pm Resurrection Service followed by the Paschal Divine Liturgy
Sunday 5/5 Sunday of Pascha
12:00 noon Agape Vespers
Monday 5/6 Bright Monday
Tuesday 5/7
7:00pm AHEPA Meeting
Thursday 5/9
7:00pm-9:00pm Advanced Modern Greek-zoom
Saturday 5/11
10:00am Hope & Joy Beach Party at Pompano Pavillion
Sunday 5/12
8:30am/9:30am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Liturgy Sunday School
