Weekly Sunday Bulletin – March 1st, 2020
Forgiveness Sunday – March 1, 2020
The Holy Fathers have appointed the commemoration of Adam’s exile from the Paradise of delight here, on the eve of the holy Forty-day Fast, demonstrating to us not by simple words, but by actual deeds, how beneficial fasting is for man, and how harmful and destructive are insatiety and the transgressing of the divine commandments. For the first commandment that God gave to man was that of fasting, which the first-fashioned received but did not keep; and not only did they not become gods, as they had imagined, but they lost even that blessed life which they had, and they fell into corruption and death, and transmitted these and innumerable other evils to all of mankind. The God-bearing Fathers set these things before us today, that by bringing to mind what we have fallen from, and what we have suffered because of the insatiety and disobedience of the first-fashioned, we might be diligent to return again to that ancient bliss and glory by means of fasting and obedience to all the divine commands. Taking occasion from today’s Gospelto begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask forgiveness this day, first from God, then from one another and all creation.
Parish Council on Duty:
George Georgakakis, Karyl Zitis, Lazarus Kirifides, Katherine Ziegler, Philip Vias
Liturgical Guide
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Mode
Τὸ φαιδρὸν τῆς Ἀναστάσεως κήρυγμα …
Having learned the joyful proclamation of the Resurrection from the Angel, and having cast off the ancestral condemnation, the women disciples of the Lord spake to the Apostles exultantly: Death is despoiled and Christ God is risen, granting great mercy to the world.
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 Second Mode
Τῆς σοφίας ὁδηγέ, φρονήσεως χορηγέ …
O Master, Prudence, Guide of Wisdom, Instruction to the foolish and Defender of the poor, strengthen my heart and grant it discernment. Give me words, Word of the Father, for behold, I shall not keep my lips from crying out to You, “O Merciful One, have mercy on me who has fallen.”
Epistle Reading ~The reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4.
Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand.
Gospel Reading ~ The Reading is from Matthew 6:14-21
The Lord said, “If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
“And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Memorial
Joakim Joanides (40 days) survived by his wife Marigo, his daughter Joanna and his grandson Constantinos.
Trisagion
Peter James (1 yr) and Autumn James (5 yrs) brother, and sister in law of Mitchel James and Sophia Thermis. Also survived by 5 generations of nieces and nephews.
Constantine Lycouris survived by his son Steve Lycouris and by his grandsons Alexander and Constantine.
Announcements
BINGO Party Night
This Saturday evening, BINGO Party Night. Doors open at 5:30pm. Many gift prizes, 50/50 raffle, plus refreshments. Bring your family & friends for a fun evening! Benefiting Feeding South Florida. See you on February 29th!!!
Glass Candles Effective immediately, the price of the red glass candles is $7 each.
In our Bookstore:
The Church offers wisdom and solace in our times of greatest need. You might be interested in the following books:
Under the Laurel Tree: Grieving Infertility; Facing Cancer Together; Lynette’s Hope; Time and Despondancy; For Those Who Hurt.
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 www.sststephenscamp.org.Scholarship applications are available at the St. Demetrios Church Office Monday – Thursday. Deadlines for all applications are May 1, 2020.
DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE will have an AHEPA FAMILY District Convention Organizational Meeting Wednesday March 4th 6:30 pm in the church hall. Anyone that is able to volunteer to help please attend. Convention Dates June 11th – 13th at Sheraton Suites Ft Lauderdale at Cypress Creek. Any questions please contact Judie Pappas, President 954 849-5859.
Limbitless solutions The Daughters of Penelope will have their annual luncheon on March 21st at the Lighthouse Point Yacht Club. More information will be coming soon. Everyone is excited to have a chance to win a beautiful raffle basket with great prizes. We are looking for new or gently used items, gift cards or any other gift certificates that you would be willing to donate to help support our cause, “Limbitless solutions”, located at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. Together with our donations and their research team we assist young and the young at heart that are in need of prosthetic limbs. Please contact Melissa Bakatselos 954-661-5707, Tara Bakatselos 954-650-1387 or email at dop.fashionshow@gmail.com for more information and drop off locations.
Women’s Retreat
Our Metropolis Philoptochos is offering its 14th Annual Spiritual Retreat for women, March 20-22 at the Diakonia Retreat Center. The registration deadline is March 1. Cost is $175 which includes 2 nights lodging and 5 meals. Go to https://atlmetropolis.org/14th-annual-spiritual-retreat1 to see the flyer and download registration materials.
Calendar of Events for the Week
Saturday 2/29
6:00pm BINGO Party Night (doors open @5:30pm)
Sunday 3/01
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
11:00am Sunday School
12:00pm GOYA meeting
Monday 3/02 Clean Monday; Great Lent begins
10:30am Philoptochos Board meeting
4:15pm-6:00pm Greek School Classes Α, Β, Γ & Adult Beginner Section 1
6:00pm-8:00pm Greek School Adult Beginner Section 2
6:00pm-8:00pm Greek School Advanced Class
Wednesday 3/04
6:30pm Daughters meeting
Friday 3/06
6:15pm COCO and Koliva
7:00pm Salutations to the Theotokos Service
Saturday 3/07
9:30am Saturday of Souls service
11:30am Coffee hour offered by Philoptochos
Sunday 3/08
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
11:00am Sunday School
5:00pm Pan-Orthodox Vespers @ St. Catherine Church
110 Southern Blvd., WPB 33405
Followed by guest speaker, reception and youth icebreaker & discussion
