The Liturgical Guide and Bulletin for Sunday, September 25, 2022
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September 25, 2022
1st Sunday of Luke
Euphrosyne of Alexandria
Our venerable Mother Euphrosynē was born at the beginning of the fifth century in the city of Alexandria. She was the only child of illustrious and wealthy parents. When she was twelve years old, her mother reposed, and so the girl was raised by her Father, Paphnutios, who was a very devout Christian. He was in the habit of visiting a certain monastery, where the Igoumen was his Spiritual Father.
When Euphrosynē turned eighteen, her father wanted her to marry. He went to the monastery to obtain the Igoumen’s blessing for his daughter’s wedding. The Igoumen talked with her and gave her his blessing, but Saint Euphrosynē longed for the monastic life. One day, she gave away her possessions to the poor, and then she snuck out of the house.
The Saint had decided to enter a monastery in order to spend her life in solitude and prayer, but she was afraid that her father was apt to find find her in a women’s monastery. Therefore, she disguised herself as a man and entered the same men’s monastery which she had visited with her father from her childhood, calling herself Smaragdos. The monks did not recognize Euphrosynē dressed in men’s clothes, and so they received her into the monastery. The monks were impressed by her spiritual struggles and by her willingness to serve everyone.
There in a solitary cell, Saint Euphrosynē spent 38 years in spiritual endeavors, fasting and prayer, thereby attaining a high level of spiritual accomplishment.
Paphnutios was deeply saddened by the loss of his beloved daughter; more than once, on the advice of his Spiritual Father, he spoke to the “monk” Smaragdos, disclosing his grief and receiving spiritual comfort. Before her death, Saint Euphrosynē revealed her secret to her grieving parent and insisted that no one but he should prepare her body for burial. After he buried his daughter, Paphnutios distributed all his wealth to the poor and to the monastery, and then he was tonsured. For ten years, until the time of his own repose, he labored in his daughter’s cell.
By her life, Saint Euphrosynē reminds us that we must renounce “worldly passions and live soberly, uprightly, and devoutly” (Titus 2:12). That is, after rejecting the desires of this vain and sinful world, we ought to live abstemiously, with justice toward our fellow human beings, and with piety toward God.
Saint Paphnutios and his daughter Saint Euphrosynē are both commemorated today, and once again on February 15.
Our Righteous Father Sergius of Radonezh
Our righteous Father Sergius was born in Rostov, north of Moscow, about the year 1314. Named Bartholomew in Baptism, he was brought up in Radonezh, and at the death of his parents he withdrew to the wilderness to become a monk. It is notable that without having been trained in a monastery, he was of such a spiritual stature as to be able to take up the perilous eremitical life from the beginning, without falling into delusion or despondency. When he had endured with courage the deprivations of the solitary life, other monks began to come to him, for whom he was made abbot against his will. On the counsel of Philotheus, Patriarch of Constantinople, he organized his monks according to the cenobitic life, appointing duties to each. While Anthony and Theodosius of Kiev, and the other righteous Fathers before Sergius, had established their monasteries near to cities, Sergius was the leader and light of those who went far into the wilderness, and after his example the untrodden forests of northern Russia were settled with monks. When Grand Duke Demetrius Donskoy was about to go to battle against the invading Tartars, he first sought the blessing of Saint Sergius, through whose prayers he was triumphant. Saint Sergius was adorned with the highest virtues of Christ-like humility and burning love for God and neighbour, and received the gift of working wonders, of casting out demons, and of discretion for leading souls to salvation. When he served the Divine Liturgy, an Angel served with him visibly; he was also vouchsafed the visitation of the most holy Theotokos with the Apostles Peter and John. He was gathered to his Fathers on September 25, 1392. At the recovery of his holy relics on July 5, 1422, his body and garments were found fragrant and incorrupt. His life was written by the monks of Epiphanius, who knew him.
Liturgical Guide
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Second Mode
Ἀγγελικαὶ Δυνάμεις ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμά σου..
Angelic powers were above Thy tomb, and they that guarded Thee became as dead. And Mary stood by the grave seeking Thine immaculate Body. Thou hast despoiled Hades and wast not tried thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst grant us life. O Thou Who didst arise from the dead, Lord, glory be to Thee.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Euphrosyne of Alexandria in the Plagal Fourth Mode
Ἐν σοὶ Μῆτερ ἀκριβῶς διεσώθη τὸ κατ’ εἰκόνα..
In thee the image was preserved with exactness, O Mother; for taking up thy cross, thou didst follow Christ, and by thy deeds thou didst teach us to overlook the flesh, for it passeth away, but to attend to the soul since it is immortal. Wherefore, O righteous Euphrosyne, thy spirit rejoiceth with the Angels.
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 Second Mode
Προστασία τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀκαταίσχυντε…
O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the creator most constant: O despise not the voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, O thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Narthex Press
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
The reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians 4:6-15
Brethren, it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.Since we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we too believe, and so we speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
Gospel Reading
The reading is from Luke 5:1-11
At that time, as Jesus was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he was astonished, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
Memorial Prayer
Chris Maounis ( 1 year) survived by his daughter Zoi (Vito) DeTuro and by his grandson Michael.
Trisagion Prayer
The victims of the Asia Minor Catastrophe (100 years)
Announcements
Philoptochos: Loukoumades today! Buy delicious, hot loukoumades in the hall today and help us send Care Boxes to every St. Demetrios college student. Or, if you like, you can sponsor a student for $40. Stop by the table after church or visit https://ladies-philoptochos-of-st-demetrios.square.site/ Show them we love them and pray for them.
Bible Study
Bible Study resumes this Sunday at 1:15pm. The focus will be the Old Testament books Ezekiel and Judges. We will meet upstairs next to the choir loft.
Bookstore
Visit your St. Demetrios bookstore for timely spiritual reading and for a nice selection of icons. We even have St. Mammas, the patron of animals, who was celebrated this month.
Loving Stitches
Bring your handiwork-knitting, crochet, needlework- and join us for camaraderie and lunch on Tuesday, September 27 at 11:30am in Kandaras Hall.
PapCorps
Pap Corps Chapter Meeting – Wednesday, September 28th 3PM, Kandaras Hall.
Choir
JOIN US IF YOU CAN SING 🎶
The St. Demetrios choir will be returning to the choir loft on October 16, and we are looking for new members.
Please see Chanters Alex or Athena for more information.
Philoptochos
It’s not too late to donate items or money to help the students at Bennett Elementary get off to a good start. They especially need Expo dry erase markers for practicing skills on their individual white boards, earbuds so they can practice skills on tablets, and bound composition books. You can leave items in the box in the hall, donate online at https://ladies-philoptochos-of-st-demetrios.square.site/ or have items mailed directly to the school: Bennett Elementary School, 1755 NE 14th St. Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33304, attention: Danielle Smith, principal.
Visiting Angels
Help us reach out to homebound parishioners to let them know their church remembers them and prays for them. If you know of someone who would like a call, card or visit, let us know at philoptochos@stdemetrios.org, or by calling Paula Kirifides 954-240-2896 or Mary Taschioglou 954-424-1762.
Programs Registration
Program Registration for Sunday School, Little Lambs, Hope, Joy, GOYA, Greek School, and Greek Dance is still open. To register, pick up a form by the candle stand . Remember that you must be a Steward of St. Demetrios and current in your year 2022 financial commitment. Click here https://stdemetrios.org/our-parish/stewardship/stewardship-form/ to submit your year 2022 stewardship form.
Caregiver Support Group
Philoptochos: Are you caring for a loved one?• Do you wish you could talk to others who are facing the same caregiving challenges? • Would it be helpful to share your concerns, and questions about caregiving with those who understand our faith, and culture? • Are you so overwhelmed you’re not even sure what to ask or who could help?
National Philoptochos is offering an online caregiver support group. The 6 sessions begin October 18. Pre Registration is required at supportgroup@philoptochos.org. Space is limited.
Family Movie Night
Hellenic Cultural Society to present “Smyrna, my beloved”.
To commemorate the 100 years from the destruction of Smyrna, the Hellenic Cultural Society is presenting one South Florida screening of the acclaimed historical drama “SMYRNA, MY BELOVED” “ΣΜΥΡΝΗ ΜΟΥ, ΑΓΑΠΗΜΕΝΗ”. The film will be shown on Saturday, September 24, @ 3:20pm at Savor Cinema, 503 SE 6th street in Ft Lauderdale. Reception immediately after the screening at the Cinema’s outdoors garden.
“This moving historical saga follows a prominent Greek family forced to endure the burning of the vibrant cosmopolitan city of Smyrna in 1922 by the Turks and the killing of its Greek and Armenian populations”. Veteran actress Mimi Denissi is the creative force behind SMYRNA, MY BELOVED. The film is based on her play, which ran in Athens for an unprecedented three seasons and was seen by more than one million viewers. The film, the largest ever Greek movie production was a major Greek box office and international film festivals success. The film was directed by Grigoris Karantinakis. It has earned a total of 12 Hellenic Film Academy award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. The movie is in Greek and English with English subtitles. Tickets can be purchased at the Hall. Not suitable for young audiences.
“The burning of Smyrna was a seminal event in modern Greek history, seared into the consciousness of Greeks, many of whom emigrated to the US as a result of that atrocity”. Jimmy DeMetro, President of the Hellenic Film Society USA.
Oral History Project
The Hellenic Cultural Society (HCS) of South Florida is undertaking an Oral History Project which aims at creating an archive of the emigration and immigration experience of Greek Americans.
> All humans in the Americas, including Native Americans, immigrated from other continents. Greeks have been emigrating from their ancestral villages, hamlets and cities since the ancient times. As a result, they established what became the cities of Alexandria, Nice, Napoli, Messina, Odessa and Byzantium, to name but a few. In more recent times, Greeks immigrated to the United States of America. Some of them are our ancestors. The experience of these ancestors is an integral part of American History and must be recorded.
> The HCS invites you to include in the proposed archive the emigration and immigration history of your family. This may be accomplished through a live interview or by submitting written answers to a set of questions. All this primary data will be uploaded on a website and will become available to scholars embarking on a variety of topics regarding Greek Americans. In addition to the narrative you may wish to include copies of photographs and documents such as certificates of birth, baptism, marriage, divorce and death, passports etc.
> For more information please contact Malvina Protogerou Currie at malvinacurrie@gmail.com or Stavroula Christodoulou at isapaul@aol.com or at SimplyGreekSF@gmail.com
Stewardship
Please fill out a year 2022 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
Saturday 9/24
3:20pm “Smyrna my Beloved” – Showing @ Savor Cinema
Sunday 9/25
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion Sunday School
After Liturgy. Loukoumades sale – to benefit College Care Boxes Fundraiser
12:30pm Dance
1:15pm Bible Study
Monday 9/26
4:15pm-6:00pm Greek Classes A’,B’, Γ’, Δ’ & Adult Beginner in person
6:30pm-7:30pm Intermediate Modern Greek – Google Meet
Tuesday 9/27
11:30am Loving Stitches
7:00pm Advanced Modern Greek-zoom
Wednesday 9/28
3:00pm Pap Corps Meeting
Thursday 9/29
7:00pm Advanced Modern Greek-zoom
Sunday 10/02
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
After Communion Sunday School
12:00pm GOYA meeting
12:30pm Dance
1:15pm Bible Study
