The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, September 1st, 2024
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We welcome Fr. Christopher Metropulos who will be celebrating the Divine Liturgy.
Sunday, September 1, 2024
Ecclesiastical New Year
For the maintenance of their armed forces, the Roman emperors decreed that their subjects in every district should be taxed every year. This same decree was reissued every fifteen years, since the Roman soldiers were obliged to serve for fifteen years. At the end of each fifteen-year period, an assessment was made of what economic changes had taken place, and a new tax was decreed, which was to be paid over the span of the fifteen years. This imperial decree, which was issued before the season of winter, was named Indictio, that is, Definiton, or Order. This name was adopted by the emperors in Constantinople also. At other times, the latter also used the term Epinemisis, that is, Distribution (Dianome). It is commonly held that Saint Constantine the Great introduced the Indiction decrees in A.D. 312, after he beheld the sign of the Cross in heaven and vanquished Maxentius and was proclaimed Emperor in the West. Some, however (and this seems more likely), ascribe the institution of the Indiction to Augustus Caesar, three years before the birth of Christ. Those who hold this view offer as proof the papal bull issued in A.D. 781 which is dated thus: Anno IV, Indictionis LIII -that is, the fourth year of the fifty-third Indiction. From this, we can deduce the aforementioned year (3 B.C.) by multiplying the fifty-two complete Indictions by the number of years in each (15), and adding the three years of the fifty-third Indiction. There are three types of Indictions: 1) That which was introduced in the West, and which is called Imperial, or Caesarean, or Constantinian, and which begins on the 24th of September; 2) The so-called Papal Indiction, which begins on the 1st of January; and 3) The Constantinopolitan, which was adopted by the Patriarchs of that city after the fall of the Eastern Empire in 1453. This Indiction is indicated in their own hand on the decrees they issue, without the numeration of the fifteen years. This Indiction begins on the 1st of September and is observed with special ceremony in the Church. Since the completion of each year takes place, as it were, with the harvest and gathering of the crops into storehouses, and we begin anew from henceforth the sowing of seed in the earth for the production of future crops, September is considered the beginning of the New Year. The Church also keeps festival this day, beseeching God for fair weather, seasonable rains, and an abundance of the fruits of the earth. The Holy Scriptures (Lev. 23:24-5 and Num. 29:1-2) also testify that the people of Israel celebrated the feast of the Blowing of the Trumpets on this day, offering hymns of thanksgiving. In addition to all the aforesaid, on this feast we also commemorate our Saviour’s entry into the synagogue in Nazareth, where He was given the book of the Prophet Esaias to read, and He opened it and found the place where it is written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, for which cause He hath anointed Me…” (Luke 4:16-30).
It should be noted that to the present day, the Church has always celebrated the beginning of the New Year on September 1. This was the custom in Constantinople until its fall in 1453 and in Russia until the reign of Peter I. September 1 is still festively celebrated as the New Year at the Patriarchate of Constantinople; among the Jews also the New Year, although reckoned according to a moveable calendar, usually falls in September. The service of the Menaion for January 1 is for our Lord’s Circumcision and for the memorial of Saint Basil the Great, without any mention of its being the beginning of a new year.
Liturgical Guide
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Mode
Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος ὑπὸ τῶν Ἰουδαίων…
Although the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers guarded Your most pure body, You arose on the third day, O Savior, giving life to the world. For this reason, the heavenly powers cried out to you, O Giver of Life: Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Your kingdom! Glory to Your dispensation, only Lover of Mankind!
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Apolytikion for Beginning of the Indiction in the Second Mode
Ὁ πάσης δημιουργὸς τῆς κτίσεως…
O Maker of all Creation, Who hast established the times and the seasons in Thine own power: Bless the crown of this year with Thy goodness, O Lord, and keep our rulers and Thy flock in peace, by the intercessions of the Theotokos, and save us.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion for Synaxis of the Recovery of the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos in the Grave Mode
Χαίρε Κεχαριτωμένη, Θεοτόκε Παρθένε…
Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, O Virgin Theotokos, haven and protection of the race of man; for the Redeemer of the world became incarnate of thee; for thou alone art both mother and virgin, ever blessed and glorified. Intercede with Christ God that peace be granted unto all the world. Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion for Righteous Symeon the Stylite in the First Mode
Υπομονής στύλος γέγονας…
Thou becamest a pillar of patience and didst emulate the Forefathers, O righteous one: Job in his sufferings, Joseph in temptations, and the life of the bodiless while in the body, O Symeon, 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 Fourth Mode
Ὁ τῶν αἰώνων Ποιητὴς καὶ Δεσπότης…
O God of all, Thou Who hast made all the ages, * O Sovereign Lord, truly transcendent in essence, * bestow Thy grace and blessing on the year to come; * and, O Most Compassionate, * in Thine infinite mercy * save all them that worship Thee, * Who alone art our Master, * and that with fear, O Saviour, cry to Thee: * Grant unto all men a fruitful and godly year.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 146.5;134.3.
Great is our Lord, and great is his power.
Verse: Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.
The reading is from St. Paul’s First Letter to Timothy 2:1-7
Timothy, my son, first of all, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way. This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony to which was borne at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
Gospel Reading
Luke 4:16-22
At that time, Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up; and he went to the synagogue, as his custom was, on the sabbath day. And he stood up to read; and there was given to him the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened the book and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” And he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke well of him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth.
Memorial Prayer
Maria Kantzavelos (6 months) survived by her husband Sotirios, her children Christos (Jessie) and Nicole, and her grandchildren.
Trisagion Prayer
Charlene Rhoades (40 days) Survived by husband Charles, son Jay (Stacey) Rhoades,
daughters Cindy (Josh) White, Trudy (John) Wilson, and several grandchildren.
Maria Kirilova Peneva (7 years) survived by her daughter Aneta Peneva.
Announcements
Prosforo, Oil, Wine
We ask anyone who is able to bake prosforo to please do so. Also, donations of olive oil for the vigil lamps and wine for Holy Communion (specifically “Nama Byzantino” sweet red wine) would be greatly appreciated.
Summertime Angels Thank you to all those who supported our Summertime Angels fundraiser.
Program Registration-Children and Adults
Registration for all programs will be held in the hall after the Divine Liturgy.
In order to Register any child or adult for any program(s) for the 2024-2025 term, the family or individual must be a 2024 Steward in Good Standing. This means they have submitted a 2024 Pledge, have paid (or are paying) on that pledge, and have no prior year pledge amount(s) in arrears. As with all prior years, please advise if there are any issues with regard to financial hardship. They should be brought to the attention of Father Peter.
COLLEGE CARE PACKAGES
For any Stewards of our church who may have a son or daughter attending college, please contact philoptochos@stdemetrios.org. The College Care Boxes are sent from our church twice a year to provide the students a link to their home parish and to let them know that we are thinking of them as they prepare for their future. If you would like to donate to the College Care Boxes please go to https://ladies-philoptochos-of st-demetrios.square.site/.
The Executive Board of our chapter met in March of this year and approved the following guidelines for the College Care Packages:
Each new perspective recipient will be presented to the Executive Board by the College Care Package Coordinator for consideration.
For a student to receive College Care Boxes, at least one of the two following criteria must be fulfilled: 1. The student’s parents or legal guardians are Stewards in good standing at our church. 2. The student offers stewardship by attending church regularly and participating in church programs.
Names of recipients will not be shared with the general population of the congregation.
The program will not be extended to include Graduate Programs
COLLEGE CARE PACKAGES
For any Stewards of our church who may have a son or daughter attending college, please contact philoptochos@stdemetrios.org. The College Care Boxes are sent from our church twice a year to provide the students a link to their home parish and to let them know that we are thinking of them as they prepare for their future. If you would like to donate to the College Care Boxes please go to https://ladies-philoptochos-of st-demetrios.square.site/.
The Executive Board of our chapter met in March of this year and approved the following guidelines for the College Care Packages:
Each new perspective recipient will be presented to the Executive Board by the College Care Package Coordinator for consideration.
For a student to receive College Care Boxes, at least one of the two following criteria must be fulfilled: 1. The student’s parents or legal guardians are Stewards in good standing at our church. 2. The student offers stewardship by attending church regularly and participating in church programs.
Names of recipients will not be shared with the general population of the congregation.
The program will not be extended to include Graduate Programs
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/.
Calendar
Sunday 9/1
8:30am/9:30am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Divine Liturgy Registration for all programs
Monday 9/2 Labor Day
Tuesday 9/3
7:00pm AHEPA meeting
Sunday 9/8
8:45am/9:45am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Holy Communion Sunday School
After Divine Liturgy Pastitsio Luncheon
1:00pm Bible Study (in the hall)
12:30pm GOYA meeting
