Weekly Sunday Bulletin – October 25th, 2020
Dear Parishioners and friends of St. Demetrios Church,
As the New Ecclesiastical year unfolds, we would like to wish to you and your family joy, happiness and health.
We invite you to celebrate with us the Feast Day of our Patron Saint, St. Demetrios, on Sunday, October 25, 2020 at 7:00 PM. His Grace Bishop Sevastianos will be officiating, assisted by area Clergy.
On Monday morning, October 26, Orthros and the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy will be held at 9:00 AM officiated by His Grace Bishop Sevastianos.
We hope to see you and your families at our Patron Saint Celebration and welcome you to The Greek Orthodox Church of St. Demetrios. We would be honored by your presence.
In anticipation of your presence, I remain,
In Christ,
† Rev. Fr. Panagiotis Zougras
Ieratikos Proistamenos
October 25, 2020~ 6th Sunday of Luke
Saint Tabitha the Widow
Commemorated on October 25
Saint Tabitha, the widow raised from the dead by the Apostle Peter, was a virtuous and kindly woman who belonged to the Christian community in Joppa. Being grievously ill, she suddenly died. At the time, the Apostle Peter was preaching at Lydda, not far from Joppa. Messengers were sent to him with an urgent request for help. When the Apostle arrived at Joppa, Tabitha was already dead. On bended knee, Saint Peter made a fervent prayer to the Lord. Then he went to the bed and called out, “Tabitha, get up!” She arose, completely healed (Acts 9:36). Saint Tabitha is considered the patron saint of tailors and seamstresses, since she was known for sewing coats and other garments (Acts 9:39).
The Holy Martyrs Marcian and Martyrius the Notaries
Commemorated on October 25
These Martyrs were disciples of Saint Paul the Confessor (see Nov. 6). Martyrius was a subdeacon, Marcian a chanter and reader. They were beheaded by the Arians in the year 346. Miracles were wrought at their tomb, and demons were cast out; Saint John Chrysostom began the building of the church in their honour in Constantinople, and it was completed by patriarch Sisinius.
The Holy Great Martyr Demetrios the Myrrh-streamer
Commemorated on October 26
Saint Demetrios was a Thessalonian, a most pious son of pious and noble parents, and a teacher of the Faith of Christ. When Maximian first came to Thessalonica in 290, he raised the Saint to the rank of Duke of Thessaly. But when it was discovered that the Saint was a Christian, he was arrested and kept bound in a bath-house. While the games were under way in the city, Maximian was a spectator there. A certain friend of his, a barbarian who was a notable wrestler, Lyaeus by name, waxing haughty because of the height and strength of his body, boasted in the stadium and challenged the citizens to a contest with him. All that fought with him were defeated. Seeing this, a certain youth named Nestor, aquaintance of Demetrios’, came to the Saint in the bath-house and asked his blessing to fight Lyaeus single-handed. Receiving this blessing and sealing himself with the sign of the precious Cross, he presented himself in the stadium, and said, “O God of Demetrios, help me!” and straightway he engaged Lyaeus in combat and smote him with a mortal blow to the heart, leaving the former boaster lifeless upon the earth. Maximian was sorely grieved over this, and when he learned who was the cause of this defeat, he commanded straightway and Demetrios was pierced with lances while he was yet in the bath-house, As for Nestor, Maximian commanded that he be slain with his own sword.
Liturgical Guide
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Mode
Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια...
Let the Heavens rejoice; let earthly things be glad; for the Lord hath wrought might with His arm, He hath trampled upon death by death. The first-born of the dead hath He become. From the belly of Hades hath He delivered us, and hath granted great mercy to the world.
Apolytikion for Martyrs Marcian and Martyrius in the Fourth Mode
Οι Μάρτυρές σου, Κύριε…
Thy Martyrs, O Lord, in their courageous contest for Thee received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since they possessed Thy strength, they cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons’ strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by their prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.
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.
Prokeimenon. Third Mode. Psalm 46.6,1.
Sing praises to our God, sing praises.
Verse: Clap your hands, all you nations.
The reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians 1:11-19
Brethren, I would have you know that the gospel which was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother.
The Reading is from Luke 8:26-39
At that time, as Jesus arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, there met him a man from the city who had demons; for a long time he had worn no clothes and he lived not in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him, and said with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beseech you, do not torment me.” For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him; he was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters, but he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the desert.) Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss. Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside; and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave them leave. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. When the herdsmen saw what happened, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country. Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told them how he who had been possessed with demons was healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gadarenes asked him to depart from them; for they were seized with great fear; so he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but he sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.
Memorial Prayer
Danielle Kavgic (6 days) survived by her father George Kavgic.
Trisagion Prayer
Diane Jablansky (10 days) survived by her parents John and Patricia Jablansky.
Donald Kavgic (2 years) survived by his father George Kavgic.
Diamantina (Diane) Zitis (6 years) survived by her children, Charlotte, Andrea, Paul, Cynthia, and Karyl.
Bessie Kareotes (10 years) survived by her son Peter Kareotes.
Darren Kavgic (18 years) survived by his father George Kavgic.
Kostandinos (Gus) Zitis (26 years) survived by his children, Charlotte, Andrea, Paul, Cynthia, and Karyl.
Constantine Lycouris survived by his son, Stephen, and by his grandsons Alexander and Constantine.
Schedule of Church Services
- 10/25 Sunday: 9am/10am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
- 10/25 Sunday: 7pm Great Vespers on the Eve of the Feast Day of St. Demetrios
- 10/26 Monday: 9am/10am Orthros/Divine Liturgy for the Feast Day of St. Demetrios
Also, we are live streaming our services.
Visit https://stdemetrios.org/ where a link to the broadcast will be found.
Stewardship Year 2020
Thank you to our parishioners who have renewed their stewardship for pledge year 2020.
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. If you have already pledged and wish to make a donation towards your pledge visit https://stdemetrios.org/make-a-donation/
Announcements
Philoptochos service project
All citizens have the right to vote and be sure that their ballot won’t be lost or delivered too late to be counted. But voting is difficult for some of our elders who have no one to take their ballots to the ballot box if they don’t wish to mail them. Philoptochos wants to help. If you can be a driver to pick up and deliver ballots from your area of Broward County to one of the early-voting secure ballot box sites, contact Juanita Antley, 954-257-7843, as soon as possible. If you need help casting your ballot or know someone who does, call Juanita. ( Be sure to leave a message if she does not answer.)
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
Philoptochos Holiday Bake sale:
See the attached flyer to order your Christmas goodies and New Year’s Vasilopita now. Make your check payable to Ladies Philoptochos or buy online at https://ladies-philoptochos-of-st-demetrios.square.site/. Email philoptochos@st.demetrios.org with questions, or call Paula Kirifides 954-240-2896.
College student address request
Our college students are setting off on a new school year. If you have a child, grandchild or Godchild in college, please email the name and college address to philoptochos@st.demetrios.org Help us make sure they know that St. Demetrios loves them and prays for them. We’ll be sending College Care Boxes soon.
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
