Weekly Sunday Bulletin – December 23rd 2018
Sunday before the Nativity – December 23, 2018
Saint of the Day
Ten Martyrs of Crete
These Saints, who were all from Crete, contested for piety’s sake during the reign of Decius, in the year 250. Theodulus, Saturninus, Euporus, Gelasius, and Eunician were from Gortynia, the capital; Zoticus was from Knossos; Agathopus, from the port city of Panormus; Basilides, from Cydonia; Evarestus and Pompey, from Heraklion. Haled before the Governor as Christians, they were subjected to torments for thirty days, being scourged, racked, dragged upon the ground through dung heaps, stoned, spit upon. They were questioned again, but their costancy roused the Governor to greater fury. After subjecting them to torments more bitter still, he had them beheaded.
Parish Council on Duty:
George Georgakakis, Karyl Zitis, Katherine Ziegler, Basil Economou, John Clidas
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.
Apolytikion for Forefeast of the Nativity in the Fourth Mode
Ετοιμάζου Βηθλεέμ …
Be thou ready, Bethlehem, Eden hath opened unto all. Ephratha, prepare thyself, for now, behold, the Tree of life hath blossomed forth in the cave from the Holy Virgin. Her womb hath proved a true spiritual Paradise, wherein the divine and saving Tree is found, and as we eat thereof we shall all live, and shall not die as did Adam. For Christ is born now to raise the image that had fallen aforetime.
Apolytikion for the Sunday before the Nativity in the Third Mode
Μεγάλα τὰ τῆς πίστεως κατορθώματα!
Great are the achievements of faith! In the fountain of flame, as by the water of rest, the Three Holy Children rejoiced. And the Prophet Daniel proved a shepherd of lions as of sheep. By their prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.
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 Third Mode
Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον…
On this day the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth to * God the Word ineffably, * Who was before all the ages. * Dance for joy, O earth, on hearing * the gladsome tidings; * with the Angels and the shepherds now glorify Him * Who is willing to be gazed on * as a young Child Who * before the ages is God.
Epistle Reading ~ The Reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews 11:9-10; 32-40
BRETHREN, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundation, whose builder and maker is God.
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 armies 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 tempted, 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 Matthew 1:1-25
The book of the Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram, and Aram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa, and Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Salathiel, and Salathiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations. Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.
Memorial
Kostas Kokkoris (40 days) survived by his children Georgios, Alexandros and Christophoros.
Maria Planakis (40 days) survived by her husband Efstratios, children Andreas and Chariklia, and grandchildren.
Trisagion
Zacharias Haralambis (13 yrs) survived by his wife Clara, 3 sons, 1 daughter, 11 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson.
A. James Hampares (10 yrs) survived by his beloved sister Kay Hampares.
Chrysanthi, Demetrios, Panayiotis, Maria, Fotini, Eleni family of Kay Hampares.
Baby Blessing
We welcome Christine & Ryan Sarrell, Brayden, Blake and Adrianna as they present Evangelia for the traditional 40 day blessing
Stewardship
Thank you to all who have pledged their time, talent, and treasure to Saint Demetrios Church.
At this, the end of the year, please check to see if you have fulfilled your financial commitment.
If you have questions, call Kiki at (954) 467-1515 or email kiki@stdemetrios.org
As always, thank you for your generosity! And, don’t forget to write in the memo of your check the intention of your gift; i.e. Pledge 2018, Pledge 2019, etc.
Announcements
Flowers In loving memory of A. James Hampares His sister, Dr. Kay Hampares, and longtime family friends, Dr. Nelly Santos and son, have donated the Altar and Solea flowers.
Thank you Jim & Judie Pappas, John Faturos, Marion Koliniatis, Linda Stokes, Philoptochos for your donations of poinsettias.
Thank you To our major sponsor, all other donors, the cooks, bakers and decorators for making the parish family Christmas party possible. We thank the Sunday school instructors and the children for an inspiring Christmas pageant.
Doctors Without Borders We thank everyone who donated to this worthy charity. Our community raised $1,265.
Vasilopita Sale Get ready for the holidays! Buy your Vasilopita (New Year Bread with good luck coin) @ $10 each, Dec. 16, 23, and 30 in the Kandaras Hall. Sponsored by Philoptochos.
Support the Hellenic Dance Festival Team visit their table in the hall where you will find St. Demetrios Church Christmas ornaments for $10 and “Tsarouhi” Christmas stockings for $20.
Save the Date Back by popular demand, Philoptochos will again sponsor a FEATHER PARTY on Friday, January 11, 2019, in the Kandaras Hall. Doors open at 6:30pm; game time is 7pm. Tickets @ $7/person include 2 game cards. Additional cards are available for $1 each. Ticket proceeds go to FEEDING SOUTH FLORIDA! Bring your family & friends for an evening of fun, fellowship, food, and great prizes. For more information, call Marion Koliniatis @ 305-632-1415.
Bookstore News Now available at the bookstore, 2019 wall calendars featuring angels and angelic visitations. Also come and see the newest books in stock.
Home Care If anyone is looking for a bilingual home health aid, please call Father Andrew.
Scholarship News
Cross Road Application deadline is Feb 1, 2019Cross Road is a ten-day academic summer institute that prepares high school juniors and seniors to connect with the Orthodox Christian theological and spiritual tradition. Participants from all over the country come together to experience daily worship, take theology classes from some of the best professors in the country, visit local parishes, serve their neighbor and tour the city. Two sessions (6/15–25 & 7/2–12) are offered at Hellenic College Holy Cross, Boston, MA and one (7/23-8/2) at North Park University, Chicago, IL. The priority application deadline is February 1, 2019. Applications for financial aid and scholarships are available after the student has been accepted to the program. Consider this excellent program for your 16 -18 year old. Complete information about the program and the application process is available on the Cross Road website (www.crossroadinstitute.org)
We hope you join us on January 27, 2019 for our 3rd “Celebration of Learning” event. Look for flyers in the South Narthex and at the coffee hour for more information about the event. Your continued support and commitment allows us to maintain and grow scholarships for a variety of educational and spiritual programs.
Festival Volunteers 2019 this is the best fellowship ministry & fundraiser and you make this all possible. Sign up now: Admissions, Bakery, Baklava Ice Cream, Bar tenders, Cashiers, Church Narthex & Candles, Decorating, Food Line Servers, Greek Coffee, Gyro, Pre-Festival Food Prep, Loukoumades, Festival Set Up & Take down, Saganaki and more! Come see us in the narthex!
Philoptochos member drive Consider joining Philoptochos.
Calendar of Events for the Week
Sunday 12/23
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
Monday 12/24 Eve of the Nativity of Christ
Office closed
6:00pm-7:30pm Vesperal Divine Liturgy
Tuesday 12/25 Nativity of Jesus Christ
Office closed
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
Thursday 12/27
10:00am-1:00pm HDF practice in the hall
Friday 12/28
10:00am-1:00pm HDF practice in the hall
Saturday 12/29
10:00am-1:00pm HDF practice in the hall
Sunday 12/30
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
