Weekly Sunday Bulletin – November 22nd, 2020
November 22, 2020~ 9th Sunday of Luke
Archippus the Apostle, Philemon the Apostle & his wife, Apphia, Onesimos the Disciple of Paul
Commemorated on November 22
Philemon, who was from Colossae, a city of Phrygia, was a man both wealthy and noble; Apphia was his wife. Archippus became Bishop of the Church in Colossae. All three were disciples of the Apostle Paul. Onesimus, who was formerly an unbeliever and slave of Philemon, stole certain of his vessels and fled to Rome. However, on finding him there, the Apostle Paul guided him onto the path of virtue and the knowledge of the truth, and sent him back to his master Philemon, to whom he wrote an epistle (this is one of the fourteen epistles of Saint Paul). In this epistle, Paul commended Onesimus to his master and reconciled the two. Onesimus was later made a bishop; in Greece he is honored as the patron Saint of the imprisoned. All these Saints received their end by martyrdom, when they were stoned to death. Saint Onesimus is also commemorated on February 15.
Holy Martyr Cecilia and those with her
Commemorated on November 22
Saint Cecilia was of an illustrious Roman family. On being betrothed to Valerian, she drew him to the Faith of Christ, and he in turn drew his own brother Tiburtius to the same. They contested in martyrdom during the reign of Diocletian, in the year 288.
Liturgical Guide
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Grave Mode
Κατέλυσας τῷ Σταυρῷ σου τὸν θάνατον…
Thou didst abolish death by Thy Cross; Thou didst open Paradise to the thief; Thou didst transform the myrrh-bearers’ lamentation, and didst bid Thine Apostles to preach that Thou art risen, O Christ God, granting great mercy to the world.
Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Entry of the Theotokos in the Fourth Mode
Σήμερον τής ευδοκίας Θεού τό προοίμιον…
Today is the prelude of God’s good will and the heralding of the salvation of mankind. In the temple of God, the Virgin is presented openly, and she proclaimeth Christ unto all. To her, then, with a great voice let us cry aloud: Rejoice, O thou fulfilment of the Creator’s dispensation.
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
Ο καθαρώτατος ναός τού Σωτήρος…
Today, the most pure temple of the Savior, the precious bridal chamber and Virgin, the sacred treasure of God, enters the house of the Lord, bringing the grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God praise her. She is the heavenly tabernacle.
Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 28.11,1.
The Lord will give strength to his people.
Verse: Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory.
The reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians 2:14-22.
Brethren, Christ is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
The Reading is from Luke 12:16-21
The Lord said this parable: “The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” As he said these things, he cried out: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Memorial Prayer
Nicholas Demiris (40 days) beloved son of Kalliopi Hanlon. brother of Chris (Caroline), uncle and godfather of Angelica, uncle of Ted. brother of Harry (Eileen), uncle of Eleni, Harry III, and Angelo.
Gregory David Ganoff (40 days) survived by his wife Pamela, by his sons Demitri and Jordan, and by his sister Panagiota.
George H. Sarros (40 days) survived by his daughters Diane (Garry) Paxinos and Kathy (Gus) Leon, grandchildren Mike Leon and Stacey (Triffon) Callos, and great grandchildren Zoe and Eli Callos.
Michael Homatas (9 months) survived by his wife Anastasia (Stacy) Homatas and family.
Schedule of Church Services
- 11/22 Sunday: 9am/10am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
Also, we are live streaming our services.
Visit https://stdemetrios.org/ where a link to the broadcast will be found.
Sunday, November 22 is Stewardship Sunday
“…The greatest of these is love”
1 Cor. 13:13
Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Demetrios Church
This year has been challenging and yet the community of St. Demetrios Church has continued to express it’s love through Stewardship of Time, Talent, and Treasure. Streaming of services is set up, calls to fellow parishioners are being made, money is being donated in support of those hard hit by the pandemic, meals have been cooked and delivered, and Sunday School, GOYA and Greek School are meeting virtually. In the coming year we expect to continue our ministries regardless of any challenges.
With year 2020 coming to a close, we look forward to year 2021. We thank everyone for their commitment in 2020 and invite everyone to think about how their gifts of Time, Talent, and Treasure can honor and give thanks to God in the coming year. The pledge year runs from January 1st through December 31st.
To pledge visit https://stdemetrios.org/our-parish/stewardship/stewardship-form/ and choose “Stewardship” from the drop down menu.
Or, download this form:
If you wish to make a donation towards your pledge visit https://stdemetrios.org/make-a-donation/
Announcements
Philoptochos Holiday Bake Sale
It’s Your Last Chance to Buy. Because of the case sizes, we will have a few vasilopita, spanakopita and pastries left over. You may order the extras online only. We cannot accept any mail in orders, because we must keep an exact tabulation of what has been sold. Visit https://ladies-philoptochos-of-st-demetrios.square.site/ to see what is available.
As of now:
1 pan 9×13 spanakopita
7 pans small square spanakopita
15 loaves small tsoureki
5 loaves Vasilopita with coin
18 boxes melomakarona
6 boxes kourabiedes
9 boxes assorted pastry with baklava
1 box baklava
Philoptochos
Remember the Virtual Cruise you donated to? With some of the proceeds we are donating $500 from St. Demetrios to Covenant House Ft. Lauderdale for Christmas gifts. Covenant House provides food, shelter, clothes, counseling and other services to homeless teens. They currently serve 75 teenagers. Thank you, St. Demetrios parish.
Philoptochos
We hope all women will become members of Philoptochos and help us do the Church’s good works. Join or pay 2021 dues online at https://ladies-philoptochos-of-st-demetrios.square.site/ or send a check payable to Ladies Philoptochos, c/o Philoptochos, St. Demetrios, 820 NE 14th St. Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33304
Daughters of Penelope
We are collecting toys for Christmas for Children. There will be a box in the Narthex.
Daughters of Penelope
The Daughters of Penelope are hosting a Christmas Virtual Bingo Game on Friday, December 11th at 7:30 pm.
Please join us!!
You don’t have to be a member to play!! Open to Everyone!!
All proceeds are donated to St. Demetrios.
GOYA
Welcome new and returning members that will be joining GOYA this year. You will need to PRINT and BRING your completed application, waiver and $15 fee to the Sunday, November 22nd GOYA meeting to participate and join GOYA 2020-2021. Information has been sent via email to all families. (If you haven’t received an email, please let us know.) Elections will also take place with a short meeting and social on November 22nd, following Liturgy, in the hall. We will then go across the street to Holiday Park for some fun socially distanced activities. Please bring a change of clothes and shoes. Lunch will be provided before the meeting.
Light a Candle & Say a Prayer at Saint Demetrios
“It is impossible to imagine an Orthodox church in which candles are not lit.”
(Blessed Simeon of Thessalonica, 15th Century)
“I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
We know that at this time it can be difficult to pray from home and not physically be in the church. One of the first things most people do upon entering an Orthodox Church is to light their candle and offer prayers for one’s personal needs or that of a family member or friend, we also light candles to pray for protection and safety so that we may live this life without fear.
If you wish to light a candle, visit https://saintdemetrios.square.site After you select the candle(s) that you would like us to light and before pressing the “Place Order” button, please submit the names of your loved ones, those who are alive and/or those who have departed this life. During these times we would be happy to light the candle for you and read the names that have been submitted during the Divine Liturgy.
Dear St. Demetrios Family,
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Ft. Lauderdale is open to the faithful. We are complying with all CDC, State, Local and Archdiocese guidelines. Here is the list of things that will be taking place on Sundays.
1) Everyone must wear a mask in order to enter the church.
2) Before entering the church, the temperature of each person will be taken by a designated person. If the person’s temperature is above 100.4 F he or she will be kindly asked to return to their home, both for their safety and the safety of others.
3) Parish Council will direct each parishioner to the designated X in the pews for each person or household to sit starting in the front of the church and working their way to back.
4) A place to accept offerings will be provided in the Narthex upon entering or leaving.
5) Parishioners are not to move around the church during the services to light candles or venerate icons.
6) Names and phone numbers of each attendee at every service will be taken in the event that a subsequent infection requires tracing.
7) If you have any symptoms of coronavirus, COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell), you must NOT attend church, and immediately seek medical attention for yourself and your household.
8) Parishioners who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 as defined by civil authorities are given dispensation not to attend services and will be asked to refrain from attending.
9) In terms of preventing the spread of this virus, we ask parishioners to follow CDC directives, which currently include: washing of hands thoroughly and frequently, covering your coughs and sneezes, avoiding sharing personal items, wearing a mask, and maintaining a social distance of six feet.
10) Honor is to be shown to Holy Icons and the Holy Cross by only doing your cross and bowing, keeping in mind not to kiss or to touch the Holy Icons and the Holy Cross.
11) No one is to enter the Holy Altar except the clergy and assigned adult helpers.
12) For Memorials, please write the names of your deceased for the clergy to pray for their souls (without Koliva).
13) Artoclasias will be celebrated as normal.
14) No service books will be left out for common use. This includes papers of any kind (bulletins etc.). Parishioners are encouraged to bring their own service books.
15) During Holy Communion – Communicants must line up row by row (with help from Parish Council) and remain six feet apart using the designated social distancing X’s that have been placed in the church. Communicants may remove their masks only momentarily to receive Holy Communion.
16) For the continued safety of those attending church services in person, parishioners should immediately leave when the service is finished. For the sake of others, please do not socialize in the Narthex or other areas of the church or its surrounding buildings or parking lots. Additionally, Sunday Coffee Fellowship hours will be suspended until further notice.
Yours In Christ,
Fr. Peter Zougras