Weekly Sunday Bulletin – March 8th, 2020
Sunday of Orthodoxy – March 8, 2020
For more than one hundred years the Church of Christ was troubled by the persecution of the Iconoclasts of evil belief, beginning in the reign of Leo the Isaurian (717-741) and ending in the reign of Theophilus (829-842). After Theophilus’s death, his widow the Empress Theodora, together with the Patriarch Methodius, established Orthodoxy anew. This ever-memorable Queen venerated the icon of the Mother of God in the presence of the Patriarch Methodius and the other confessors and righteous men, and openly cried out these holy words: “If anyone does not offer relative worship to the holy icons, not adoring them as though they were gods, but venerating them out of love as images of the archetype, let him be anathema.” Then with common prayer and fasting during the whole first week of the Forty-day Fast, she asked God’s forgiveness for her husband. After this, on the first Sunday of the Fast, she and her son, Michael the Emperor, made a procession with all the clergy and people and restored the holy icons, and again adorned the Church of Christ with them. This is the holy deed that all we the Orthodox commemorate today, and we call this radiant and venerable day the Sunday of Orthodoxy, that is, the triumph of true doctrine over heresy.
Parish Council on Duty:
Harry Tangalakis, Marion Koliniatis, Mark Zaden, Bill Ypsilantis, Paul Fountas, Peter Kokkinos
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 Sun. of Orthodoxy in the Second Mode
Τὴν ἄχραντον Εἰκόνα σου προσκυνοῦμεν Ἀγαθέ…
We worship Thine immaculate icon, O Good One, asking the forgiveness of our failings, O Christ our God; for of Thine own will Thou wast well-pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, that Thou mightest deliver from slavery to the enemy those whom Thou hadst fashioned. Wherefore, we cry to Thee thankfully: Thou didst fill all things with joy, O our Saviour, when Thou camest to save 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 FourthMode
Τὴ ὑπερμάχω στρατηγῶ τὰ νικητήρια …
To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: “Hail, unwedded bride!”
Epistle Reading ~The reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-40 .
Brethren, by faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.
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 enemies 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 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 John 1:43-51
At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and he said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.”
Artoklasia
The Artoklasia is offered for the health of Spiridon & Catherine Paschalidis and their family.
Announcements
Donations for items for Lent & Holy Week Donations towards flowers needed are greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Glass Candles Effective immediately, the price of the red glass candles is $7 each.
Luncheon Please plan to attend and support the Lenten Luncheon on Sunday, March 22nd, immediately following the Divine Liturgy. Your donations will benefit the Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, MA. $10/person, $5 for children under 12.
Sponsored by Philoptochos.
In our Bookstore:
Raising children? The church offers wisdom and help. Read On the Upbringing of Children, Parenting Toward the Kingdom; Raising Them Right, Making God Real in an Orthodox Home and Drug Proof Your Kids.
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.
Support Covenant House
Philoptochos is hosting a Lenten gift card drive for Ft. Lauderdale Covenant House from March 15-April 5. They need gift cards to Walmart and Target for proper fitting clothing, Uber/Lyft cards for rides to work, and appointments, and Burger King or McDonald’s cards. $10 denominations are easiest,. Drop off your cards or cash at the Philoptochos table in Kandaras Hall.
Covenant House provides shelter, meals, clothing and services to homeless children and youth.
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.
Calendar of Events for the Week
Sunday 3/08 Sunday of Orthodoxy
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
Monday 3/09
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 3/11
6:30pm Daughters meeting
Thursday 3/12
11:00am Philoptochos meeting
Friday 3/13
7:00pm Salutations to the Theotokos Service
Sunday 3/15 Sunday of the Holy Cross
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
11:00am Sunday School
