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Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2017-05-21
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Allsaint
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Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (242)326-0850
  • Fax:
  • (242)326-0851
  • Street Address:

  • 11 West Street

  • Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas,
  • Mailing Address:

  • 1811 NW 51st Street

  • Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309


Contact Information






Services Schedule

Sundays:

Orthros 9:00 a.m. 

Divine Liturgy 10:15 a.m.

 

 


Past Bulletins


Parish News

CHOIR MINISTRY

PARISH NEWS:

Stewardship:  A few parish members are now making

regular monthly contributions to stewardship. This helps greatly in managing the monthly expenses. 

We encourage all of our parish members, to make their
stewardship contribution monthly and in this way work with the parish council to better manage the budget. 

We thank all our dedicated parish members who each week
contribute also their time and talents to our beloved Church and its service in Christ's mission. 

 

Our Choir Ministry:  The Choir needs your time and talents. We are looking for an Assistant Choir Director and a Full Time Organist, as well as Singers for our beautiful Choir.

If you can not commit as a Full Time Organist, once or twice a month for Sunday Liturgy would be much appreciated. Anyone interested please contact Maria Wilson at 327-4760 or mariawilson1214@gmail.com. Thank you. 

 

THE LORDS KITCHEN:The lords kitchen prepares meals every Friday

 evening and on Saturday morning for distribution to the poor and hungry.

 Mission Statement: “To feed the whole person,physically (with food) and spiritually(with Holy Scripture)”

Under the Spiritual leadership and Guidance of The Reverend Irenaeus and his wife Presvetera Alexandra Cox

Please see ArtemissiaZervos at (242) 426-6127 to volunteer or donate to the mission."

 

As all of you know, we have ministries in the Church that help those in need:

1. The St. Nicholas Corner provides a food and clothing pantry for the poor or needy. This is a form of outreach that, when well stocked, is available at a moment’s notice for any who might come to us in need of those basic survival necessities.

2. We also have the Agape Fund which supports occasional acts of mercy provided that we have the proper documentation for the need. This also is an outreach ministry.

3. In addition, we have an in-reach ministry called St. Luke's Medical Fund. This Fund provides financial support to our members for their medical care. 

If anyone would like to contribute and be involved in any of these important ministries of the Church, please contact George Maillis.

 

COFFEE HOUR: Please help and sponsor coffee hour, in memory of your loved one, or celebration of a birthday, anniversary, or just by way of contribution to community fellowship. Contact Althea at the office Monday - Thursday -at Tel 326-0335 or 326-0850 to reserve the date.

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Ladies are kindly asked to make prosfora

for the Divine Liturgy services each week.

Thank you

 

 

Events:

Please help and sponsor coffee hour In memory of your loved one, or celebration of a birthday, anniversary, or just by way of contribution to community fellowship. Contact Althea at the office Monday - Thursday - at Tel 326-0335 or 326-0850 to reserve the date.

 

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Bulletin Inserts

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Saints and Feasts

Allsaint
May 21

Pachomios the Righteous New Martyr


Jcblind1
May 21

Sunday of the Blind Man

The Lord Jesus was coming from the Temple on the Sabbath, when, while walking in the way, He saw the blind man mentioned in today's Gospel. This man had been born thus from his mother's womb, that is, he had been born without eyes (see Saint John Chrysostom, Homily LVI on Matthew; Saint Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book V:15; and the second Exorcism of Saint Basil the Great). When the disciples saw this, they asked their Teacher, "Who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?" They asked this because when the Lord had healed the paralytic at the Sheep's Pool, He had told him, "Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee" (John 5:14); so they wondered, if sickness was caused by sin, what sin could have been the cause of his being born without eyes. But the Lord answered that this was for the glory of God. Then the God-man spat on the ground and made clay with the spittle. He anointed the eyes of the blind man and said to him, "Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam." Siloam (which means "sent") was a well-known spring in Jerusalem used by the inhabitants for its waters, which flowed to the eastern side of the city and collected in a large pool called "the Pool of Siloam."

Therefore, the Saviour sent the blind man to this pool that he might wash his eyes, which had been anointed with the clay-not that the pool's water had such power, but that the faith and obedience of the one sent might be made manifest, and that the miracle might become more remarkable and known to all, and leave no room for doubt. Thus, the blind man believed in Jesus' words, obeyed His command, went and washed himself, and returned, no longer blind, but having eyes and seeing. This was the greatest miracle that our Lord had yet worked; as the man healed of his blindness himself testified, "Since time began, never was it heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind," although the Lord had already healed the blind eyes of many. Because he now had eyes, some even doubted that he was the same person (John 9:8-9); and it was still lively in their remembrance when Christ came to the tomb of Lazarus, for they said, "Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have caused that even this man should not have died?" Saint John Chrysostom gives a thorough and brilliant exposition of our Lord's meeting with the woman of Samaria, the healing of the paralytic, and the miracle of the blind man in his commentaries on the Gospel of Saint John.


21_conshel
May 21

Constantine and Helen, Equal-to-the Apostles

This great and renowned sovereign of the Christians was the son of Constantius Chlorus (the ruler of the westernmost parts of the Roman empire), and of the blessed Helen. He was born in 272, in (according to some authorities) Naissus of Dardania, a city on the Hellespont. In 306, when his father died, he was proclaimed successor to his throne. In 312, on learning that Maxentius and Maximinus had joined forces against him, he marched into Italy, where, while at the head of his troops, he saw in the sky after midday, beneath the sun, a radiant pillar in the form of a cross with the words: "By this shalt thou conquer." The following night, our Lord Jesus Christ appeared to him in a dream and declared to him the power of the Cross and its significance. When he arose in the morning, he immediately ordered that a labarum be made (which is a banner or standard of victory over the enemy) in the form of a cross, and he inscribed on it the Name of Jesus Christ. On the 28th Of October, he attacked and mightily conquered Maxentius, who drowned in the Tiber River while fleeing. The following day, Constantine entered Rome in triumph and was proclaimed Emperor of the West by the Senate, while Licinius, his brother-in-law, ruled in the East. But out of malice, Licinius later persecuted the Christians. Constantine fought him once and again, and utterly destroyed him in 324, and in this manner he became monarch over the West and the East. Under him and because of him all the persecutions against the Church ceased. Christianity triumphed and idolatry was overthrown. In 325 he gathered the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, which he himself personally addressed. In 324, in the ancient city of Byzantium, he laid the foundations of the new capital of his realm, and solemnly inaugurated it on May 11, 330, naming it after himself, Constantinople. Since the throne of the imperial rule was transferred thither from Rome, it was named New Rome, the inhabitants of its domain were called Romans, and it was considered the continuation of the Roman Empire. Falling ill near Nicomedia, he requested to receive divine Baptism, according to Eusebius (The Life of Constantine. Book IV, 61-62), and also according to Socrates and Sozomen; and when he had been deemed worthy of the Holy Mysteries, he reposed in 337, on May 21 or 22, the day of Pentecost, having lived sixty-five years, of which he ruled for thirty-one years. His remains were transferred to Constantinople and were deposed in the Church of the Holy Apostles, which had been built by him (see Homily XXVI on Second Corinthians by Saint John Chrysostom).

As for his holy mother Helen, after her son had made the Faith of Christ triumphant throughout the Roman Empire, she undertook a journey to Jerusalem and found the Holy Cross on which our Lord was crucified (see Sept. 13 and 14). After this, Saint Helen, in her zeal to glorify Christ, erected churches in Jerusalem at the sites of the Crucifixion and Resurrection, in Bethlehem at the cave where our Saviour was born, another on the Mount of Olives whence He ascended into Heaven, and many others throughout the Holy Land, Cyprus, and elsewhere. She was proclaimed Augusta, her image was stamped upon golden coins, and two cities were named Helenopolis after her in Bithynia and in Palestine. Having been thus glorified for her piety, she departed to the Lord being about eighty years of age, according to some in the year 330, according to others, in 336.


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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America News

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for Holy and Great Lent 2016

03/08/2016

The spiritual impact of this sacred time of year is tremendous if we dedicate our full being—heart, body, soul and mind—to God. This transformation in our lives and the witness of life and faith we offer others through Great Lent is affirmed in the opening of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians.

Archbishop Demetrios' 10 Suggestions for Lent

03/18/2016

Archbishop Demetrios offered ten suggestions for each Orthodox Christian to strive for during the Lenten season, during his homily at the annual Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology Clean Monday Retreat, March 14, at the Holy Cross Chapel in Brookline, Mass. Below is an edited excerpt of these ten suggestions.

Patriarchal and Synodical Encyclical on the Convocation of the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church

03/18/2016

Our holy Orthodox Church, adorned in purple and fine linen by the blood of her martyrs, the tears of her Saints, and the struggles and sacrifices of her confessors of faith, celebrates today her nameday. Following a century-long struggle, this day was appropriately identified as the Sunday of Orthodoxy, marking the day in which truth shone and triumphed over falsehood through the veneration of holy icons as the bearers of the personal presence and divine grace of the incarnate Son and Logos of God and of His saints.

Patriarchal Homily on the Occasion of Holy and Great Lent

03/10/2016

Beloved and blessed brethren and children in the Lord, Yet again this year, through the God-inspired words, the holy Psalmist ushers the Orthodox faithful into the “mystery” of Holy and Great Lent, pointing out the benevolence of the Lord and the workings thereof as he cries out, the Lord works mercy and righteousness for all the oppressed (Psalm 102,6). For the Lord satisfies our desire with good things so that our youth is renewed like that of the eagle (c.f. .5).

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for the Feast of the Annunciation and Greek Independence Day

03/24/2016

On this holy and beautiful Feast of the Annunciation we celebrate the astonishing announcement by Archangel Gabriel to our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos, about the coming of the Holy One, the Son of God, who would bring salvation and an eternal kingdom of peace. In proclaiming this message of hope and grace, Gabriel states the miraculous manner by which God will enter our humanity: The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you (Luke 1:35). And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus (Luke 1:31).

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Offers Prayers Following the Terrorist Attack in Brussels

03/23/2016

Following the most horrific, deplorable, and senseless acts of violence and terror in Brussels, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America expresses its solidarity with the people of Belgium and extends heartfelt prayers to the families of our brothers and sisters who were killed or injured as a result of the attack. Our hearts and minds are prayerfully also with the emergency responders, law enforcement agents, and security officers.

President Obama Hosts White House Annual Greek Independence Day Celebration

04/06/2016

President Barack Obama hosted yesterday April 4, 2016 at the White House, the Annual Greek Independence Day celebration and reception for the 30th consecutive year, honoring the 195th Anniversary of the start of the Greek War for Independence of March 25th, 1821.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Pope Francis and Archbishop Ieronymos to Visit the Island of Lesbos

04/07/2016

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has received the following announcement from the Ecumenical Patriarchate and forwards it to the faithful and the media.

Archbishop Demetrios Calls on the Greek-American Community to Support the Petition of the Pan-Macedonian Association for the Name of FYROM

04/07/2016

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America met with the representatives of the Executive Committee of the Pan-Macedonian Association in the United States and discussed with them issues relevant to the national concern of the name of FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia).

43rd Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress Registration Open and On-line

04/19/2016

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America announces the opening of the on-line registration process for the 43rd Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress, to be held July 3-8, 2016 at the at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

The 43rd Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress to Convene in Nashville, July 3-8

04/19/2016

The 43rd Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America will convene in Nashville, Tennessee, July 3-8, 2016, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center.

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for Holy Pascha 2016

04/27/2016

Announcement of the Holy Eparchial Synod

04/15/2016

The Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America convened for its regular spring meeting at the Synodal Chamber of the Archdiocesan headquarters in New York on April 13th and 14th 2016. His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Geron of America presided at the meeting with the participation of the Members of the Synod.

Patriarchal Encyclical for Holy Pascha 2016

04/27/2016

We wholeheartedly address you from the See of the Ecumenical Patriarchate with the joyous greeting “Christ is risen!” The resurrection of Christ is the center of our Orthodox faith. Without the resurrection, our faith is “in vain” (1 Cor. 15:14). Through His resurrection, the divine Word rendered humanity – created in the image of God but wounded and stained by sin – incorrupt and deified, granting us once again the possibility of achieving divine likeness, of which we were deprived through disobedience.

Orthodox Christians to Observe Pascha (Easter) May 1st

04/26/2016

More than 250 million Orthodox Christians worldwide will celebrate Pascha (Easter) Sunday, May 1, 2016. This year Orthodox Pascha is celebrated almost a month after the celebration of the Western Easter, while next year it will fall on the same day. The Orthodox date for Easter is based on a decree of the Council of Nicaea, Asia Minor, held in 325 A.D. According to this decree, Easter must be celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon of the vernal equinox but always after the Hebrew Passover to maintain the Biblical sequence of events of the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. The Orthodox Christian churches have adhered strictly to this formula.

Holy Week and Pascha Schedule of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios April 23- May 8, 2016

04/22/2016

Holy Week Liturgical Schedule of Bishops Andonios of Phasiane, Sevastianos of Zela and Metropolitan Philotheos of Meloa (April 23 – May 1, 2016)

04/22/2016

Public Schedule of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, April 21-23, 2016

04/20/2016

Archdiocese Expresses Sympathy and Concern upon the Fire Destruction of St. Sava Cathedral

05/03/2016

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America expresses deep sorrow, concern and sympathy to our Serbian Orthodox brethren for the massive fire that destroyed yesterday evening the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Sava in lower Manhattan.

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for AHEPA Sunday - May 15, 2016

05/10/2016

On this day we also recognize the members of our beloved AHEPA family, as they are inspired by the power of the faith that we share and their love for humankind to offer service and resources in many ways. For over ninety years the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association has promoted the ideals of philanthropy, education, civic responsibility, and family and individual excellence through many programs and special efforts, including assistance to Greek immigrants, scholarships for youth, housing for senior adults, relief funds following major tragedies, and activism on a wide range of issues.

Public Schedule of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, May 7-15, 2016

05/06/2016

Archbishop Demetrios Visits Fire Ravaged St. Sava Cathedral

05/04/2016

As an expression of the support and concern of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America visited yesterday afternoon the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Sava in lower Manhattan, which was destroyed by a catastrophic fire on the evening of Pascha Sunday, May 1, 2016.

Public Schedule of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, May 17-28, 2016

05/17/2016

Archdiocesan Council Spring Meeting Convened in Pittsburgh

05/14/2016

The Archdiocesan Council of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America convened for its regular spring meeting May 12-13 in Pittsburgh, Pa., under the chairmanship of Archbishop Demetrios of America.

Ecumenical Patriarchate Provides Resources for Holy and Great Council

05/20/2016

An historic gathering for the Orthodox Christian Churches, the first of its kind in 1200 years, is being supported with both digital communications and a multilingual team of experts.

Public Schedule of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, May 31 – June 12, 2016

05/26/2016

Contact: Stavros Papagermanos Tel.: 212-570-3530 Email: pressoffice@goarch.org

Announcement of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on the Holy and Great Synod

06/06/2016

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has received today the text of an important announcement from the Ecumenical Patriarchate about the Holy and Great Synod of the Orthodox Church, which is presented below:

Public Schedule of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, June 4 – July 8, 2016

06/03/2016

Metropolitans Ambrosios of Korea and Nathanael of Kos and Nisyros to represent Ecumenical Patriarch at the 43rd Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress

06/02/2016

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America was informed yesterday by a letter from His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew that Metropolitans Ambrosios of Korea and Nathanael of Kos and Nisyros will represent His All Holiness and the Ecumenical Patriarchate at the 43rd Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress, to be held July 3-8, 2016 at the at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

Επίσκεψη του Δημάρχου Θεσσαλονίκης Γιάννη Μπουτάρη στον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Δημήτριο

05/31/2016

Ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος δέχθηκε σήμερα στο γραφείο του στην έδρα της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής, τον Δήμαρχο Θεσσαλονίκης κ. Γιάννη Μπουτάρη και την αντιπροσωπεία του Δήμου που τον συνοδεύει στο ταξίδι του στην Αμερική.

Ecumenical Patriarch and Primates of the Orthodox Church Ready to Begin Deliberations of the Holy and Great Council in Crete

06/17/2016

The people, the island and the Church of Crete welcomed warmly His-All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew who arrived in Chania International Airport yesterday, June 15 to convene the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church, which will take place June 19-26.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Condemns the Terrorist Attack in Orlando

06/13/2016

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is saddened and appalled by the latest senseless mass shooting in Orlando, Florida, in which 49 people lost their lives and many more were injured.

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Protests the Reading of Koran in Hagia Sophia

06/10/2016

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America expresses its deepest regret for the unexpected and continuing daily reading of the Koran in Hagia Sophia.

Archbishop Demetrios of America Visits USS TRUMAN in Souda Bay Naval Base

06/23/2016

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America visited yesterday, June 22, the USS HARRY S. TRUMAN, the largest US Supercarrier of the Nimitz class, which has docked for a few days in Souda Bay Naval Base.

Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church Proceeds in the Spirit of Unity, Despite Absences

06/24/2016

The work of the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church convened June 20, 2016, the Feast of the Holy Spirit, at the Orthodox Academy of Crete after almost a thousand years and despite the decision of four Churches not to participate.

43rd Clergy-Laity Congress Officially Opens with Archbishop Demetrios' Keynote Address

07/05/2016

In a Fourth of July festive atmosphere, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America declared the official opening of the 43rd Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and delivered the Keynote Address on the theme of this year’s Congress, You are the voice of Christ in a changing world – As the Father has sent me, so I sent you (John 20:21).

Keynote Address By His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Geron of America - 43rd Clergy Laity Congress

07/04/2016

By the grace of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ we are together again as Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America at our 43rd Clergy-Laity Congress in Nashville, Tennessee.

The 43rd Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress Begins in Nashville with Divine Liturgy

07/04/2016

The Archbishop, in his homily, said that the theme of the Congress “You are the voice of Christ in a changing world” coincides perfectly with the Gospel reading of today’s Liturgy (Matthew 4:18-23) in which the Lord called his first four disciples to become “fishers of men” and apostles. Likewise, said His Eminence, we have been called to be apostles, to be on a mission for Christ and be the voice of Christ in our lives and in the world that is not simply changing but is a wounded, confused and tormented world. In closing, the Archbishop expressed the wish for “this 43rd Clergy-Laity Congress in Nashville to be an occasion to enjoy the abundant unlimited blessings of the love and grace of God.”

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for Independence Day - July 4, 2016

06/30/2016

This is the voice that must be our voice. His words must be heard and the Gospel communicated in all that we do. Now is the acceptable time for us to be the voice of Christ and to use our liberty in Him to offer truth, grace, and eternal life in a changing world.

Public Schedule of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, July 2-16, 2016

06/30/2016

Unity in Harmony and Peace, from the 43rd Biennial Clergy Laity Congress in Nashville

07/10/2016

The 43rd Biennial Clergy Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America concluded Thursday, July 7, 2016, with the plenary session and the traditional Grand Banquet at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. A total of 1,197 registered participants were in attendance including 396 delegates to the National Philoptochos Convention.

Archbishop Demetrios Delivers Invocation at the Democratic National Convention

07/28/2016

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, offered the Prayer of Invocation today, Thursday July 28, at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pa.

Public Schedule of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, July 31 – Aug. 15, 2016

07/28/2016

Archbishop Demetrios Visits Camp Saint Paul

07/27/2016

Archbishop Demetrios of America visited today July 26, 2016, Camp Saint Paul, the Direct Archdiocesan District’s youth camp in Connecticut’s scenic Berkshire Hills.

Archbishop Demetrios delivers benediction at Republican National Convention

07/21/2016

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, offered the Prayer of Benediction last night, Wednesday July 20, at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio.

Public Schedule of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, July 20-28, 2016

07/20/2016

A day in the life of Ionian Village 2016

08/02/2016

Ionian Village, the summer camp ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America in Greece, is having another very succesful year and the campers report they “are having the best summer of their life.”

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for the Feast of the Dormition - August 15, 2016

08/11/2016

The Virgin Mary knew the voice of Christ because she shared a unique relationship with Him as His mother. She heard His voice from birth throughout His life and ministry; she heard His words as He grew; she marveled at His wisdom as a youth; she listened to His teaching; she was burdened with great sorrow when He cried out from the Cross; and she was filled with great joy following His resurrection and hearing His promises.

2017 Parish Ecclesiastical Calendars Offered - Online Ordering Now Available

08/22/2016

Calendar orders can now be placed online at www.goarchprinting.org. This new online ordering system will speed up the ordering process and provide for a timely delivery of calendars. The web site provides the opportunity to customize the parish and sponsor backer information, view a proof and submit payment. All parishes were sent a packet with a username and password for the online ordering site. If this was not received please contact the Department of Communications.

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for the Ecclesiastical New Year and the Day for the Protection of our Natural Environment

08/31/2016

We give thanks to our merciful and holy God for this blessed opportunity to begin another ecclesiastical year, and we anticipate the witness of His presence and power in our lives and in our worship and work of spreading His Gospel. In addition to the observance of this day as the beginning of a new liturgical cycle, it has also been designated by our beloved Ecumenical Patriarchate as the Day for the Protection of our Natural Environment.

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross - September 14, 2016

09/13/2016

Public Schedule of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Sept. 11-30, 2016

09/09/2016

Massive Damage at Ionian Village, Archdiocese Begins Rebuilding Campaign

09/09/2016

Following the initial news of destruction at the Ionian Village Camp facilities, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America announces today with sadness, that in the early morning of Thursday, September 8th, the campus of the Ionian Village Camping Program in Vartholomio, Greece, sustained massive damage from fierce tornadoes that hit the area in and around the camp.

Ionian Village Sustains Extensive Damage from Tornados

09/08/2016

The site of Ionian Village in Vartholomio, Ilia, Greece, sustained extensive damage from fierce tornados that went through that location and the wider area of the prefecture of Ilia, earlier today. Ionian Village is the international Summer Camp ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America in Greece.

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for the Commemoration of the Asia Minor Catastrophe - September 18, 2016

09/16/2016

In recognition of this and many related tragic events of that era, I ask the parishes of our Holy Archdiocese to have special observances and memorial services on Sunday, September 18. Together, let us remember our forbearers who perished and commemorate the valor shown by those who survived. Let us honor the memory and sacrifice of those who suffered. As we are confronted by the crises in our contemporary world, let us find strength and guidance in our Orthodox faith, just as many did in those dark days, placing their hope for deliverance and salvation in Almighty God.

Republican Vice Presidential Nominee Mike Pence Visits Archbishop Demetrios

09/15/2016

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America received today in his office at the Headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Indiana Governor Mike Pence, the Vice-Presidential nominee of the Republican Party.

President Nicos Anastasiades and Archbishop Demetrios of America talk about the Cyprus issue

09/23/2016

The President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr. Nicos Anastasiades visited His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America today, September 23, 2016. President Anastasiadis is in New York participating in the United Nations General Assembly.

Ο Πρωθυπουργός της Ελλάδος κ. Αλέξης Τσίπρας επισκέφθηκε τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριο

09/22/2016

Ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος υποδέχθηκε σήμερα στην έδρα της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής στη Νέα Υόρκη τον Πρωθυπουργό της Ελλάδος κ. Αλέξη Τσίπρα ο οποίος βρίσκεται στη Νέα Υόρκη στα πλαίσια της συνόδου του Οργανισμού Ηνωμένων Εθνών.

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Donates 5 Million Dollars for the Rebuilding of Saint Nicholas at the WTC

09/21/2016

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America announces with great joy that the Stavros Niarchos Foundation fulfilled last week, its noble pledge of five million dollars to the Fund for the rebuilding of the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Nicholas National Shrine at the World Trade Center.

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for OXI Day - October 28, 2016

10/25/2016

On October 28, 1940, and in the hard days, months, and years that followed, the cry of “OXI” resonated in the hearts and minds of the people of Greece. They made a choice. They remembered their blessed heritage of freedom and the centuries of hardship when liberty was lost. They chose timeless ideals over temporal threats. They chose courage over fear, faith when the immediate future was unknown, and resolve when asked to willingly acquiesce to a stronger, ruthless power. When many others were submitting to false ideologies and regimes of tyranny, the leaders and people of Greece chose to stand and show to the world the true nature of heroism.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Mourns the Passing of George S. Coumantaros

10/24/2016

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America mourns the passing of George S. Coumantaros, an internationally renowned businessman and veteran ocean racer, an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, philanthropist and great benefactor of the Church, who passed away peacefully in Athens, Greece on October 17, 2016. He was 94 years of age.

Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine Holds "Topping Out Ceremony"

11/28/2016

Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine held a “topping out ceremony" this morning at its construction site at Greenwich and Liberty Streets in New York City.  This traditional construction ceremony, marking the raising of the highest structural element, was led by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America and attended by representatives of the Port Authority and SKANSKA, as well as the Consul General of Greece, major donors and contributors to the project and members of the original Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church community.

The 9th century Greek Manuscript of the Complete New Testament (Codex 1424) is returned during Magnificent Ceremony and Vespers Service

12/04/2016

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Geron of America returned yesterday, Saturday Dec. 3, 2016, a rare ninth century Greek manuscript of the complete New Testament known as Codex 1424, to its rightful owners: the Holy Metropolis of Drama and its Hierarch, His Eminence Metropolitan Pavlos of Drama; and the Monastery of Panagia Eikosifoinissa from which the manuscript had been stolen by the Bulgarians in 1917.

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for the Feast of the Nativity 2016

12/19/2016

Today, we know Him as the Christ child, the hope for all humanity, and the fulfillment of divine promises. He is the dayspring from on high (Luke 1:78), the Anointed One, who has come to preach the gospel to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to give sight to the blind, and to set at liberty those who are oppressed (Luke 4:18).

Patriarchal Encyclical for Christmas 2016

12/19/2016

We praise and glorify the God in Trinity, who deemed us worthy once again this year to reach the great feast of the Nativity in the flesh of the Son and Word of God the Father in “little Bethlehem.”

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese to Continue Successful Fellowships at the UN

02/07/2017

The Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is inviting graduate and recent post-graduate students to apply for its fellowships at the United Nations.

Thirty Dance Groups Expected to Participate in "Parathosi 2017" Dance Festival

02/06/2017

PARATHOSI 2017, the annual celebration of Hellenic Heritage & Dance of the Direct Archdiocesan District of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, now in its fifth year, is expected to host about 30 dance groups, Sat. Feb. 11, 2017 at Lefrak Concert Hall at Queens College.

41st Annual FDF Brings Together Faith, Culture and Philanthropy

02/13/2017

he sights and sounds of the 41st Annual Folk Dance and Choral Festival (FDF) will fill the Town and Country Resort in San Diego from February 16 – 19, 2017. His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Geron of America will once again join this celebration of faith and culture. This exceptional ministry of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco, under the leadership of His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, will bring together over 3,000 people in celebration of Faith, Dance and Fellowship...

“All for One” in the 41st Folk Dance and Choral Festival, FDF 2017

02/20/2017

he 41st Folk Dance and Choral Festival (FDF 2017) a four day celebration of Faith, Dance and Fellowship of the Metropolis of San Fransisco, culminated yesterday Feb. 19, 2017 with the Archieratical Divine Liturgy in the morning, the Finals of the Advance Senior Division and the Awards Ceremony, all taking place at Town and Country Resort Hotel here in San Diego.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 18.4,1.
Their voice has gone out into all the earth.
Verse: The heavens declare the glory of God.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 26:1, 12-20.

IN THOSE DAYS, King Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense: "I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining round me and those who journeyed with me. And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It hurts you to kick against the goads.' And I said, 'Who are you, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you to serve and bear witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from the people and from the Gentiles-to whom I send you to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' "Wherefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those at Damascus, then at Jerusalem and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God and perform deeds worthy of their repentance."

Προκείμενον. Fourth Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 18.4,1.
Εἰς πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν ἐξῆλθεν ὁ φθόγγος αὐτῶν.
Στίχ. Οἱ οὐρανοὶ διηγοῦνται δόξαν Θεοῦ.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πράξεις Ἀποστόλων 26:1, 12-20.

Ἐν ταῖς ἡμεραῖς ἐκείναις, Ἀγρίππας πρὸς τὸν Παῦλον ἔφη͵ Ἐπιτρέπεταί σοι περὶ σεαυτοῦ λέγειν. τότε ὁ Παῦλος ἐκτείνας τὴν χεῖρα ἀπελογεῖτο͵ Ἐν οἷς καὶ πορευόμενος εἰς τὴν Δαμασκὸν μετʼ ἐξουσίας καὶ ἐπιτροπῆς τῆς παρὰN τῶν ἀρχιερέων, ἡμέρας μέσης, κατὰ τὴν ὁδὸν εἶδον, βασιλεῦ, οὐρανόθεν ὑπὲρ τὴν λαμπρότητα τοῦ ἡλίου, περιλάμψαν με φῶς καὶ τοὺς σὺν ἐμοὶ πορευομένους. Πάντων δὲ καταπεσόντων ἡμῶν εἰς τὴν γῆν, ἤκουσα φωνὴν λαλοῦσαν πρός με καὶ λέγουσαν τῇ Ἑβραΐδι διαλέκτῳ, Σαούλ, Σαούλ, τί με διώκεις; Σκληρόν σοι πρὸς κέντρα λακτίζειν. Ἐγὼ δὲ εἶπον, Τίς εἶ, κύριε; Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν, Ἐγώ εἰμι Ἰησοῦς ὃν σὺ διώκεις. Ἀλλὰ ἀνάστηθι, καὶ στῆθι ἐπὶ τοὺς πόδας σου· εἰς τοῦτο γὰρ ὤφθην σοι, προχειρίσασθαί σε ὑπηρέτην καὶ μάρτυρα ὧν τε εἶδες ὧν τε ὀφθήσομαί σοι, ἐξαιρούμενός σε ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ τῶν ἐθνῶν, εἰς οὓς ἐγὼ σε ἀποστέλλω, ἀνοῖξαι ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῶν, τοῦ ὑποστρέψαι ἀπὸ σκότους εἰς φῶς καὶ τῆς ἐξουσίας τοῦ Σατανᾶ ἐπὶ τὸν θεόν, τοῦ λαβεῖν αὐτοὺς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν, καὶ κλῆρον ἐν τοῖς ἡγιασμένοις πίστει τῇ εἰς ἐμέ. Ὅθεν, βασιλεῦ Ἀγρίππα, οὐκ ἐγενόμην ἀπειθὴς τῇ οὐρανίῳ ὀπτασίᾳ· ἀλλὰ τοῖς ἐν Δαμασκῷ πρῶτον καὶN Ἱεροσολύμοις, εἰς πᾶσάν τε τὴν χώραν τῆς Ἰουδαίας, καὶ τοῖς ἔθνεσιν, ἀπαγγέλλων μετανοεῖν, καὶ ἐπιστρέφειν ἐπὶ τὸν θεόν, ἄξια τῆς μετανοίας ἔργα πράσσοντας.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Blind Man
The Reading is from John 9:1-38

At that time, as Jesus passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made manifest in him. We must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day; night comes, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." As he said this, he spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle and anointed the man's eyes with the clay, saying to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing. The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar, said, "Is not this the man who used to sit and beg?" Some said, "It is he"; others said, "No, but he is like him." He said, "I am the man." They said to him, "Then how were your eyes opened?" He answered, "The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, 'Go to Siloam and wash'; so I went and washed and received my sight." They said to him, "Where is he?" He said, "I do not know."

They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. The Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, "He put clay on my eyes and I washed, and I see." Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the sabbath." But others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" There was a division among them. So they again said to the blind man, "What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a prophet."

The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight, and asked them, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?" His parents answered, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age, he will speak for himself." His parents said this because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess him to be Christ he was to be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, "He is of age, ask him."

So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and said to him, "Give God the praise; we know that this man is a sinner." He answered, "Whether he is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I know, that though I was blind, now I see." They said to him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" He answered them, "I have told you already and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you too want to become his disciples?" And they reviled him, saying, "You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from." The man answered, "Why, this is a marvel! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." They answered him, "You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?" And they cast him out.

Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, "Do you believe in the Son of man?" He answered, "And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?" Jesus said to him, "You have seen him, and it is he who speaks to you." He said, "Lord, I believe": and he worshiped him.

Sunday of the Blind Man
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 9:1-38

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, παράγων εἶδεν ἄνθρωπον τυφλὸν ἐκ γενετῆς. Καὶ ἠρώτησαν αὐτὸν οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ λέγοντες· ῥαββί, τίς ἥμαρτεν, οὗτος ἢ οἱ γονεῖς αὐτοῦ, ἵνα τυφλὸς γεννηθῇ; ἀπεκρίθη ᾿Ιησοῦς· οὔτε οὗτος ἥμαρτεν οὔτε οἱ γονεῖς αὐτοῦ, ἀλλ᾽ ἵνα φανερωθῇ τὰ ἔργα τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐν αὐτῷ. ἐμὲ δεῖ ἐργάζεσθαι τὰ ἔργα τοῦ πέμψαντός με ἕως ἡμέρα ἐστίν· ἔρχεται νὺξ ὅτε οὐδεὶς δύναται ἐργάζεσθαι. ὅταν ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ ᾦ, φῶς εἰμι τοῦ κόσμου. ταῦτα εἰπὼν ἔπτυσε χαμαὶ καὶ ἐποίησε πηλὸν ἐκ τοῦ πτύσματος, καὶ ἐπέχρισε τὸν πηλὸν ἐπὶ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς τοῦ τυφλοῦ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ὕπαγε νίψαι εἰς τὴν κολυμβήθραν τοῦ Σιλωάμ, ὃ ἑρμηνεύεται ἀπεσταλμένος. ἀπῆλθεν οὖν καὶ ἐνίψατο, καὶ ἦλθε βλέπων. Οἱ οὖν γείτονες καὶ οἱ θεωροῦντες αὐτὸν τὸ πρότερον ὅτι τυφλὸς ἦν, ἔλεγον· οὐχ οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ καθήμενος καὶ προσαιτῶν; ἄλλοι ἔλεγον ὅτι οὗτός ἐστιν· ἄλλοι δὲ ὅτι ὅμοιος αὐτῷ ἐστιν. ἐκεῖνος ἔλεγεν ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι. ἔλεγον οὖν αὐτῷ· πῶς ἀνεῴχθησάν σου οἱ ὀφθαλμοί; ἀπεκρίθη ἐκεῖνος καὶ εἶπεν· ἄνθρωπος λεγόμενος ᾿Ιησοῦς πηλὸν ἐποίησε καὶ ἐπέχρισέ μου τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς καὶ εἶπέ μοι· ὕπαγε εἰς τὴν κολυμβήθραν τοῦ Σιλωὰμ καὶ νίψαι· ἀπελθὼν δὲ καὶ νιψάμενος ἀνέβλεψα. εἶπον οὖν αὐτῷ· ποῦ ἐστιν ἐκεῖνος; λέγει· οὐκ οἶδα. ῎Αγουσιν αὐτὸν πρὸς τοὺς Φαρισαίους, τόν ποτε τυφλόν. ἦν δὲ σάββατον ὅτε τὸν πηλὸν ἐποίησεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς καὶ ἀνέῳξεν αὐτοῦ τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς. πάλιν οὖν ἠρώτων αὐτὸν καὶ οἱ Φαρισαῖοι πῶς ἀνέβλεψεν. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· πηλὸν ἐπέθηκέ μου ἐπὶ τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς, καὶ ἐνιψάμην, καὶ βλέπω. ἔλεγον οὖν ἐκ τῶν Φαρισαίων τινές· οὗτος ὁ ἄνθρωπος οὐκ ἔστι παρὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ, ὅτι τὸ σάββατον οὐ τηρεῖ. ἄλλοι ἔλεγον· πῶς δύναται ἄνθρωπος ἁμαρτωλὸς τοιαῦτα σημεῖα ποιεῖν; καὶ σχίσμα ἦν ἐν αὐτοῖς. λέγουσι τῷ τυφλῷ πάλιν· σὺ τί λέγεις περὶ αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ἤνοιξέ σου τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς; ὁ δὲ εἶπεν ὅτι προφήτης ἐστίν. οὐκ ἐπίστευσαν οὖν οἱ ᾿Ιουδαῖοι περὶ αὐτοῦ ὅτι τυφλὸς ἦν καὶ ἀνέβλεψεν, ἕως ὅτου ἐφώνησαν τοὺς γονεῖς αὐτοῦ τοῦ ἀναβλέψαντος καὶ ἠρώτησαν αὐτοὺς λέγοντες· οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ υἱὸς ὑμῶν, ὃν ὑμεῖς λέγετε ὅτι τυφλὸς ἐγεννήθη; πῶς οὖν ἄρτι βλέπει; ἀπεκρίθησαν δὲ αὐτοῖς οἱ γονεῖς αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶπον· οἴδαμεν ὅτι οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ υἱὸς ἡμῶν καὶ ὅτι τυφλὸς ἐγεννήθη· πῶς δὲ νῦν βλέπει οὐκ οἴδαμεν, ἢ τίς ἤνοιξεν αὐτοῦ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς ἡμεῖς οὐκ οἴδαμεν· αὐτὸς ἡλικίαν ἔχει, αὐτὸν ἐρωτήσατε, αὐτὸς περὶ ἑαυτοῦ λαλήσει. ταῦτα εἶπον οἱ γονεῖς αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ἐφοβοῦντο τοὺς ᾿Ιουδαίους· ἤδη γὰρ συνετέθειντο οἱ ᾿Ιουδαῖοι ἵνα, ἐάν τις αὐτὸν ὁμολογήσῃ Χριστόν, ἀποσυνάγωγος γένηται. διὰ τοῦτο οἱ γονεῖς αὐτοῦ εἶπον ὅτι ἡλικίαν ἔχει, αὐτὸν ἐρωτήσατε. ἐφώνησαν οὖν ἐκ δευτέρου τὸν ἄνθρωπον ὃς ἦν τυφλός, καὶ εἶπον αὐτῷ· δὸς δόξαν τῷ Θεῷ· ἡμεῖς οἴδαμεν ὅτι ὁ ἄνθρωπος οὗτος ἁμαρτωλός ἐστιν. ἀπεκρίθη οὖν ἐκεῖνος καὶ εἶπεν· εἰ ἁμαρτωλός ἐστιν οὐκ οἶδα· ἓν οἶδα, ὅτι τυφλὸς ὢν ἄρτι βλέπω. εἶπον δὲ αὐτῷ πάλιν· τί ἐποίησέ σοι; πῶς ἤνοιξέ σου τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς; ἀπεκρίθη αὐτοῖς· εἶπον ὑμῖν ἤδη, καὶ οὐκ ἠκούσατε· τί πάλιν θέλετε ἀκούειν; μὴ καὶ ὑμεῖς θέλετε αὐτοῦ μαθηταὶ γενέσθαι; ἐλοιδόρησαν αὐτὸν καὶ εἶπον· σὺ εἶ μαθητὴς ἐκείνου· ἡμεῖς δὲ τοῦ Μωϋσέως ἐσμὲν μαθηταί. ἡμεῖς οἴδαμεν ὅτι Μωϋσεῖ λελάληκεν ὁ Θεός· τοῦτον δὲ οὐκ οἴδαμεν πόθεν ἐστίν. ἀπεκρίθη ὁ ἄνθρωπος καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· ἐν γὰρ τούτῳ θαυμαστόν ἐστιν, ὅτι ὑμεῖς οὐκ οἴδατε πόθεν ἐστί, καὶ ἀνέῳξέ μου τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς. οἴδαμεν δὲ ὅτι ἁμαρτωλῶν ὁ Θεὸς οὐκ ἀκούει, ἀλλ᾽ ἐάν τις θεοσεβὴς ᾖ καὶ τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ ποιῇ, τούτου ἀκούει. ἐκ τοῦ αἰῶνος οὐκ ἠκούσθη ὅτι ἤνοιξέ τις ὀφθαλμοὺς τυφλοῦ γεγεννημένου. εἰ μὴ ἦν οὗτος παρὰ Θεοῦ, οὐκ ἠδύνατο ποιεῖν οὐδέν.ἀπεκρίθησαν καὶ εἶπον αὐτῷ· ἐν ἁμαρτίαις σὺ ἐγεννήθης ὅλος, καὶ σὺ διδάσκεις ἡμᾶς; καὶ ἐξέβαλον αὐτὸν ἔξω.

῎Ηκουσεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ὅτι ἐξέβαλον αὐτὸν ἔξω, καὶ εὑρὼν αὐτὸν εἶπεν αὐτῷ· σὺ πιστεύεις εἰς τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ; ἀπεκρίθη ἐκεῖνος καὶ εἶπε· καὶ τίς ἐστι, Κύριε, ἵνα πιστεύσω εἰς αὐτόν; εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· καὶ ἑώρακας αὐτὸν καὶ ὁ λαλῶν μετὰ σοῦ ἐκεῖνός ἐστιν. ὁ δὲ ἔφη· πιστεύω, Κύριε· καὶ προσεκύνησεν αὐτῷ.


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Wisdom of the Fathers

But I assert that he even received benefit from his blindness: since he recovered the sight of the eyes within.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 56 on John 9, 4th Century

When, then, have they taken place, save when the Word of God Himself came in the body? Or when did He come, if not when lame men walked, and stammerers were made to speak plain, and deaf men heard, and men blind from birth regained their sight? For this was the very thing the Jews said who then witnessed it, because they had not heard of these things having taken place at any other time.
St. Athanasius
Incarnation of the Word 38, 4th Century

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Message from Archbishop Demetrios

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for Holy and Great Lent 2016

03/08/2016

The spiritual impact of this sacred time of year is tremendous if we dedicate our full being—heart, body, soul and mind—to God. This transformation in our lives and the witness of life and faith we offer others through Great Lent is affirmed in the opening of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians.

Patriarchal Homily on the Occasion of Holy and Great Lent

03/10/2016

Beloved and blessed brethren and children in the Lord, Yet again this year, through the God-inspired words, the holy Psalmist ushers the Orthodox faithful into the “mystery” of Holy and Great Lent, pointing out the benevolence of the Lord and the workings thereof as he cries out, the Lord works mercy and righteousness for all the oppressed (Psalm 102,6). For the Lord satisfies our desire with good things so that our youth is renewed like that of the eagle (c.f. .5).

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for the Feast of the Annunciation and Greek Independence Day

03/24/2016

On this holy and beautiful Feast of the Annunciation we celebrate the astonishing announcement by Archangel Gabriel to our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos, about the coming of the Holy One, the Son of God, who would bring salvation and an eternal kingdom of peace. In proclaiming this message of hope and grace, Gabriel states the miraculous manner by which God will enter our humanity: The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you (Luke 1:35). And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus (Luke 1:31).

Archbishop Demetrios Calls for full participation in NYC’s Greek Independence Parade, April 10, 2016

04/01/2016

On March 25th we celebrated the beautiful and holy Feast of the Annunciation and the commemoration of Greek Independence Day. In following the worship of our Lord and the honoring of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos, as well as the legacy of March 25th for the people of Greece and the world, we gather again this Sunday, April 10, in New York City for our Greek Independence Day Parade on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for Holy Pascha 2016

04/27/2016

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for AHEPA Sunday - May 15, 2016

05/10/2016

On this day we also recognize the members of our beloved AHEPA family, as they are inspired by the power of the faith that we share and their love for humankind to offer service and resources in many ways. For over ninety years the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association has promoted the ideals of philanthropy, education, civic responsibility, and family and individual excellence through many programs and special efforts, including assistance to Greek immigrants, scholarships for youth, housing for senior adults, relief funds following major tragedies, and activism on a wide range of issues.

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for Independence Day - July 4, 2016

06/30/2016

This is the voice that must be our voice. His words must be heard and the Gospel communicated in all that we do. Now is the acceptable time for us to be the voice of Christ and to use our liberty in Him to offer truth, grace, and eternal life in a changing world.

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for the Feast of the Dormition - August 15, 2016

08/11/2016

The Virgin Mary knew the voice of Christ because she shared a unique relationship with Him as His mother. She heard His voice from birth throughout His life and ministry; she heard His words as He grew; she marveled at His wisdom as a youth; she listened to His teaching; she was burdened with great sorrow when He cried out from the Cross; and she was filled with great joy following His resurrection and hearing His promises.

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for the Ecclesiastical New Year and the Day for the Protection of our Natural Environment

08/31/2016

We give thanks to our merciful and holy God for this blessed opportunity to begin another ecclesiastical year, and we anticipate the witness of His presence and power in our lives and in our worship and work of spreading His Gospel. In addition to the observance of this day as the beginning of a new liturgical cycle, it has also been designated by our beloved Ecumenical Patriarchate as the Day for the Protection of our Natural Environment.

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross - September 14, 2016

09/13/2016

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for the Commemoration of the Asia Minor Catastrophe - September 18, 2016

09/16/2016

In recognition of this and many related tragic events of that era, I ask the parishes of our Holy Archdiocese to have special observances and memorial services on Sunday, September 18. Together, let us remember our forbearers who perished and commemorate the valor shown by those who survived. Let us honor the memory and sacrifice of those who suffered. As we are confronted by the crises in our contemporary world, let us find strength and guidance in our Orthodox faith, just as many did in those dark days, placing their hope for deliverance and salvation in Almighty God.

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for OXI Day - October 28, 2016

10/25/2016

On October 28, 1940, and in the hard days, months, and years that followed, the cry of “OXI” resonated in the hearts and minds of the people of Greece. They made a choice. They remembered their blessed heritage of freedom and the centuries of hardship when liberty was lost. They chose timeless ideals over temporal threats. They chose courage over fear, faith when the immediate future was unknown, and resolve when asked to willingly acquiesce to a stronger, ruthless power. When many others were submitting to false ideologies and regimes of tyranny, the leaders and people of Greece chose to stand and show to the world the true nature of heroism.

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for the Feast of the Nativity 2016

12/19/2016

Today, we know Him as the Christ child, the hope for all humanity, and the fulfillment of divine promises. He is the dayspring from on high (Luke 1:78), the Anointed One, who has come to preach the gospel to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to give sight to the blind, and to set at liberty those who are oppressed (Luke 4:18).

Patriarchal Encyclical for Christmas 2016

12/19/2016

We praise and glorify the God in Trinity, who deemed us worthy once again this year to reach the great feast of the Nativity in the flesh of the Son and Word of God the Father in “little Bethlehem.”
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Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Fifth Mode

Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
Χριστός ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν, θανάτῳ θάνατον πατήσας, καί τοῖς ἐν τοῖς μνήμασι ζωήν χαρισάμενος.

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fifth Mode

Let us worship the Word who is unoriginate * with the Father and the Spirit, and from a Virgin was born * for our salvation, O believers, and let us sing His praise. * For in His goodness He was pleased * to ascend the Cross in the flesh, and to undergo death, * and to raise up those who had died, * by His glorious Resurrection.
Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρὶ καὶ Πνεύματι, τὸν ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθέντα εἰς σωτηρίαν ἡμῶν, ἀνυμνήσωμεν πιστοὶ καὶ προσκυνήσωμεν, ὅτι ηὐδόκησε σαρκί, ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ, καὶ θάνατον ὑπομεῖναι, καὶ ἐγεῖραι τοὺς τεθνεῶτας, ἐν τῇ ἐνδόξῳ Ἀναστάσει αὐτοῦ.

Apolytikion for Constantine and Helen in the Eighth Mode

Having seen the image of Thy Cross in Heaven, and like Paul, having received the call not from men, Thine apostle among kings entrusted the commonwealth to Thy hand, O Lord. Keep us always in peace, by the intercessions of the Theotokos, O only Friend of man.
Τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου τὸν τύπον ἐν οὐρανῷ θεασάμενος, καὶ ὡς ὁ Παῦλος τὴν κλήσιν οὐκ ἐξ ἀνθρώπων δεξάμενος, ὁ ἐν βασιλεύσιν, Ἀπόστολός σου Κύριε, Βασιλεύουσαν πόλιν τὴ χειρί σου παρέθετο ἣν περίσωζε διὰ παντὸς ἐν εἰρήνῃ, πρεσβείαις τῆς Θεοτόκου, μόνε Φιλάνθρωπε.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Eighth Mode

Though You went down into the tomb, You destroyed Hades' power, and You rose the victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, "Hail!" and granting peace to Your disciples, You who raise up the fallen.
Εἰ καὶ ἐν τάφῳ κατῆλθες ἀθάνατε, ἀλλὰ τοῦ ᾍδου καθεῖλες τὴν δύναμιν, καὶ ἀνέστης ὡς νικητής, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, γυναιξὶ Μυροφόροις φθεγξάμενος. Χαίρετε, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις εἰρήνην δωρούμενος ὁ τοῖς πεσοῦσι παρέχων ἀνάστασιν.
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