St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-09-14
Bulletin Contents
Message from Fr. Gianulis
Upcoming Divine Services and Holy Days
Announcements
FROM YOUR PARISH COUNCIL
FLYERS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Saints and Feasts
Hymns of the Day
Wisdom of the Fathers
ARCHEPISCOPAL ENCYCLICAL

Organization Icon
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • 757-220-0994
  • Street Address:

  • 4900 Mooretown Road

  • Williamsburg, VA 23188

Contact Information

Presiding Priest Fr. Milton Gianulis
Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne

[email protected] | 757-220-0994

PARISH COUNCIL Athanasios "Tom" Jouvanis
Parish Council President

"Jouvanis" <[email protected]> | 703-283-4216

Church Office Michael Thompson
Parish Council Treasurer

[email protected] | 757-220-0994

Services Schedule

Sunday Services -- Kuriakh:

Orthros, 9:00 a.m.

Divine Liturgy, 10:00 a.m.

OrqroV, 0900 pm.

Q. Leitourgia, 1000 pm.

 

Weekday Holy Days (as scheduled):

Orthros, 8:45 a.m.

Divine Liturgy, 9:30 a.m.

KaqhmerineV EorteV:

OrqroV, 0845 pm.

Q. Leitourgia, 0930 pm.

 

Past Bulletins


Message from Fr. Gianulis

The History and Tradition of the Finding of the Sacred Cross of Jesus Chris

A tradition that had been well established by the Sixth Century says that the blessed Helen, mother of the Emperor Constantine, is the one who discovered the cross of our Lord near Golgotha along with two other crosses, believed to have been of the two thieves crucified on his right and left side. The cross of Jesus was immediately identified by Bishop Makarios because, at its touch, a dying woman was immediately healed and restored to perfect health. It is also said that the crosses were discovered on a mound covered with sweet basil plants.

Thereafter, the holy cross was taken to and preserved in the Basilica of the Resurrection in Jerusalem until May 4, 614, the infamous date on which a Persian army conquered the city of Jerusalem and burned down the Church of the Resurrection. In retaliation, the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius defeated Chosroes, King of Persia, and returned the Holy Cross to Jerusalem.

It is said that the Emperor Heraclius arrayed in precious jewels and in formal imperial vesture carried the cross in triumph. As he carried the holy cross to the place where Jesus was crucified, an invisible hand stopped him. Bishop Zachary, said to him, “Beware your Majesty! These precious vestments and priceless jewel are the marks of human pride: this does not conform with the poverty of Jesus Christ, nor with his humility in bearing the cross.”

The emperor immediately stripped himself of all his adornments, borrowed a simple cloak and walked barefoot to Golgotha where he planted the cross. The faithful bowed their heads to the ground saying, “We bow down profoundly to your Cross O Christ! And we sing a hymn of glory to your resurrection.”

A part of the wood of the holy cross was brought to Rome in the seventh century by Pope Sergius I, who was of Byzantine origin. He ordered it to be presented for the veneration of the faithful in the Church of the Savior.

The consequent Feast of the Elevation of the Precious and Life-giving Cross has a great importance in the Byzantine as well as the Latin Churches. It is, in a sense, the renewal of Holy Friday, with the difference that on Holy Friday, death of Christ by is remembered, while on this Feast, the cross is seen as a sign of victory and glory, the glory of Christ and Christianity, and our own victory over evil and sin.


BACK TO TOP

Upcoming Divine Services and Holy Days

THE ELEVATION OF THE HOLY CROSS

This year, the Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross falls on a Sunday, Sept. 14th. There will be a procession with the cross displayed on a tray of basil following the Divine Liturgy.

BASIL IS NEEDED. If you have a basil plant, please bring it by Saturday, Sept. 13th. This will be much appreciated.


1-Year Memorial

The Memorial Service for Markos Embry will be on Sunday, September 21st, following the Divine Liturgy.


BACK TO TOP

Announcements

HOLY CROSS DAY OF GIVING

The Hellenic College/Holy Cross Annual Day of Giving is Sept. 14, the Theological School's name day and the Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross. Graduating priests for the 21st century America from our fully accredited institution is vital! Your gifts support the future leaders of our faith who are mentored and educated in an environment where Orthodox Christianity and spiritual formation are valued. HC/HC is the lifeblood of the Church in America.

Among the various fundraising priorities and requests in the greater Orthodox and Hellenic community in the United States, there is nothing more important thant our theological school. A special tray will be passed this Sunday for HC/HC or you can visit and make a gift online HERE.


Congratulations to...

... Brian Johnson who was baptized on Saturday, September 6th. His godfather is Alex Coleman. May God grant him many years!


CATECHISM CLASSES FOR ADULTS

ORTHODOXY 101 will begin on Sept. 18th. We will meet on 9 consecutive Thursday evenings from 7 - 8 p.m.This is basic catechism directed primarily to those seeking to become Orthodox, our catechumens, but all are welcome! Learn the basics of the Faith.  Sign up in the anteroom, the room adjacent to the narthex.


AUTUMN SPLENDOR VENDOR FAIR

This is a reminder that we will having the Autumn Splendor Vendor Fair this Saturday at the Hellenic Center from 10am to 3pm. Over 50 vendors will be showcasing their handmade crafts, jewelry, gifts, etc. The Legion Men's Fellowship will be preparing and selling gyros, fries, salads and soft drinks in support of the event and as a fundraiser for the church. Those of you have volunteered to help with the cooking, we ask that you arrive at 9am to help with preparations in the kitchen. We can use any help we can get during the day and after the event including resetting the ballroom for Sunday.  Please come and help.  

This is a first-time event with our Ladies Philoptochos chapter in the lead with various church organizations participating.  Let's help make this a great success for our parish.  


FESTIVAL FOOD ITEMS FOR SALE

Our August 17th luncheon was a great reminder on how delicious our festival food is.  We still have some items available for purchase at a discounted price.  These are:

Gyro (16-pound case):  $60

Greek Sausage (10-pound case): $40

Pastitsio Half Pans: $30

Please approach Tom Jouvanis or Mike Thompson if you have an interest in purchasing any food items.  


GREEK LANGUAGE CLASSES

Greek classes will begin on September 15th. Registration forms are included in the e-bulletin for easy access, and flyers have been placed on each table in the Parish Hall.

We will continue with classes for both children and adults.  The tuition is a modest $175 per student.  Scholarships are available for those in need.  A flyer is included in this week's bulletin with additional details and instructions for on-line registration.  If you like to learn more, please contact our teacher Ms. Demetra Demetriou via email at [email protected] or Tom Jouvanis at [email protected].  

(SEE THE ENCLOSED FLYER BELOW)


PHILOPTOCHOS

Our chapter took a short break to get organized with the new Board and bring forth new initiatives. We're happy to share:

Partnership with St.Olaf's Food Pantry (Norge, VA). The pantry provides food and other essential needs to anyone in need and supports hundreds of families per month, no qualifying.  For more information, please visit their website here https://www.stolaf.cc/food-pantry. The program will kick off in September, please see the Flyer for more details. All contributions are deeply appreciated!

Key dates are:

09/07 - 1st St.Olafs collection day

09/13 - Autumn Splendor Vendor Fair 

09/14 - 2nd St.Olafs collection day

We will be posting more frequently on the parish e-bulletin board and the website, so please look for upcoming announcements on events, outreach opportunities, and ways you can support our ministry. Thank you!


EMAILING FR. MILTON AT THE THE CHURCH

Please, many of your computers may default to our old email address (because your computer may default to the old address). However, we lost that domain a year ago. If you wish to email Fr. Milton, make sure you use this address: [email protected]

If you want to send an email to the Parish Council president or treasurer, use this address: [email protected]

DO NOT SEND TO [email protected] That is no longer a valid account.


St. Demetrios Car Magnet

The Bookstore has magnet sticker with our St. Demetrios logo. Please pick one up for all your vehicles. We are providing this at no charge to you--free! It is an excellent outreach.


Visit us on Facebook

Updates on Orthodox Church news items can be found on our Facebook page. We thank Presbytera for monitoring and administering the page.

Also, check out our St. Demetrios website.


Support Sophia Forchas Family

 

 


Remember in Prayer for Health

Physician of Souls and Bodies – Royal Doors

Beverly Daikos

Peter Daikos

Sonny Halioris

Athanasia Jouvanis

Jim Kokolis

John Konstantinou

Nancy Marakos

Chris Marker

John and Connie Pavlides


BACK TO TOP

FROM YOUR PARISH COUNCIL

Our Iconography Installation Begins the First Week of November.
We are blessed to announce that the long-awaited completion of the Iconography for our sanctuary will begin this November 3rd with the installation of the scaffolding.  A team of 10 master iconographers from Greece will begin to adorn our church with sacred icons on November 6th and will be with us for approximately 20 days. 
 
If you are interested in making a donation towards an icon, there are a few donation opportunities left. Please speak to Father Milton, Mike Thompson or Tom Jouvanis.
  
Once the installation commences, we have a special opportunity as a parish family to support the iconographers as they perform their work. We are asking for parishioners to help by providing or sponsoring light snacks, simple lunches, and/or dinner meals for the 10 iconographers while they are working each day in the church.
 
What is needed: Simple meals (sandwiches, salads, pizzas, soups, etc.), fruit, snacks, and drinks. Nothing elaborate — just an offering of hospitality and love.
 
Why it matters: This is a wonderful way to participate in the project, show our appreciation, and be part of this historic moment in the life of our parish.
 
If you would like to host and/or sponsor a meal or have questions, please contact Elli Williams by phone (757)784-7856 or by email at [email protected] or contact Tom Jouvanis by phone at (703)283-4216 or by email at [email protected].  
 
Thank you for your generosity and for being part of this beautiful work for our church!
 
The Iconography Committee
BACK TO TOP

FLYERS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST

BACK TO TOP

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross
The Reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 1:18-24

Brethren, the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will thwart." Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross
Πρὸς Κορινθίους α' 1:18-24

Ἀδελφοί, ό λόγος γὰρ ὁ τοῦ σταυροῦ τοῖς μὲν ἀπολλυμένοις μωρία ἐστίν, τοῖς δὲ σῳζομένοις ἡμῖν δύναμις θεοῦ ἐστιν. Γέγραπται γάρ, Ἀπολῶ τὴν σοφίαν τῶν σοφῶν, καὶ τὴν σύνεσιν τῶν συνετῶν ἀθετήσω. Ποῦ σοφός; Ποῦ γραμματεύς; Ποῦ συζητητὴς τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου; Οὐχὶ ἐμὼρανεν ὁ θεὸς τὴν σοφίαν τοῦ κόσμου τούτου; Ἐπειδὴ γὰρ ἐν τῇ σοφίᾳ τοῦ θεοῦ οὐκ ἔγνω ὁ κόσμος διὰ τῆς σοφίας τὸν θεόν, εὐδόκησεν ὁ θεὸς διὰ τῆς μωρίας τοῦ κηρύγματος σῶσαι τοὺς πιστεύοντας. Ἐπειδὴ καὶ Ἰουδαῖοι σημεῖον αἰτοῦσιν, καὶ Ἕλληνες σοφίαν ζητοῦσιν· ἡμεῖς δὲ κηρύσσομεν Χριστὸν ἐσταυρωμένον, Ἰουδαίοις μὲν σκάνδαλον, Ἕλλησιν δὲ μωρίαν· αὐτοῖς δὲ τοῖς κλητοῖς, Ἰουδαίοις τε καὶ Ἕλλησιν, Χριστὸν θεοῦ δύναμιν καὶ θεοῦ σοφίαν.

Gospel Reading

The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross
The Reading is from John 19:6-11, 13-20, 25-28, 30

At that time, when the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, "Crucify him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no crime in him." The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and by that law he ought to die, because he has made himself the Son of God."

When Pilate heard these words, he was the more afraid; he entered the praetorium again and said to Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus gave no answer. Pilate therefore said to him, "You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?" Jesus answered him, "You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore he who delivered me to you has the greater sin." When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called the Pavement, and in Hebrew, Gabbatha. Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, "Behold your King!" They cried out, "Away with him, away with him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar." Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. Pilate also wrote a title and put it on the cross; it read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." Many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek.

But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold your son!" Then he said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. Then when Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, "It is finished"; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 19:6-11, 13-20, 25-28, 30

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, συμβούιον ἐποίησαν οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ οἱ ὑπηρέται, ἐκραύγασαν λέγοντες· σταύρωσον σταύρωσον αὐτόν. λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Πιλᾶτος· λάβετε αὐτὸν ὑμεῖς καὶ σταυρώσατε· ἐγὼ γὰρ οὐχ εὑρίσκω ἐν αὐτῷ αἰτίαν. ἀπεκρίθησαν αὐτῷ οἱ ᾿Ιουδαῖοι· ἡμεῖς νόμον ἔχομεν, καὶ κατὰ τὸν νόμον ἡμῶν ὀφείλει ἀποθανεῖν, ὅτι ἑαυτὸν Θεοῦ υἱὸν ἐποίησεν. 

῞Οτε οὖν ἤκουσεν ὁ Πιλᾶτος τοῦτον τὸν λόγον, μᾶλλον ἐφοβήθη, καὶ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὸ πραιτώριον πάλιν καὶ λέγει τῷ ᾿Ιησοῦ· πόθεν εἶ σύ; ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἀπόκρισιν οὐκ ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ. λέγει οὖν αὐτῷ ὁ Πιλᾶτος· ἐμοὶ οὐ λαλεῖς; οὐκ οἶδας ὅτι ἐξουσίαν ἔχω σταυρῶσαί σε καὶ ἐξουσίαν ἔχω ἀπολῦσαί σε; ἀπεκρίθη ᾿Ιησοῦς· οὐκ εἶχες ἐξουσίαν οὐδεμίαν κατ᾽ ἐμοῦ, εἰ μὴ ἦν σοι δεδομένον ἄνωθεν· διὰ τοῦτο ὁ παραδιδούς μέ σοι μείζονα ἁμαρτίαν ἔχει. ὁ οὖν Πιλᾶτος ἀκούσας τοῦτον τὸν λόγον ἤγαγεν ἔξω τὸν ᾿Ιησοῦν, καὶ ἐκάθισεν ἐπὶ τοῦ βήματος εἰς τόπον λεγόμενον Λιθόστρωτον, ἑβραϊστὶ δὲ Γαββαθᾶ· 

ἦν δὲ παρασκευὴ τοῦ πάσχα, ὥρα δὲ ὡσεὶ ἕκτη· καὶ λέγει τοῖς ᾿Ιουδαίοις· ἴδε ὁ βασιλεὺς ὑμῶν. οἱ δὲ ἐκραύγασαν· ἆρον ἆρον, σταύρωσον αὐτόν. λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Πιλᾶτος· τὸν βασιλέα ὑμῶν σταυρώσω; ἀπεκρίθησαν οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς· οὐκ ἔχομεν βασιλέα εἰ μὴ Καίσαρα. τότε οὖν παρέδωκεν αὐτὸν αὐτοῖς ἵνα σταυρωθῇ. Παρέλαβον δὲ τὸν ᾿Ιησοῦν καὶ ἤγαγον· καὶ βαστάζων τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ ἐξῆλθεν εἰς τὸν λεγόμενον κρανίου τόπον, ὃς λέγεται ἑβραϊστὶ Γολγοθᾶ, ὅπου αὐτὸν ἐσταύρωσαν, καὶ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ ἄλλους δύο ἐντεῦθεν καὶ ἐντεῦθεν, μέσον δὲ τὸν ᾿Ιησοῦν. ἔγραψε δὲ καὶ τίτλον ὁ Πιλᾶτος καὶ ἔθηκεν ἐπὶ τοῦ σταυροῦ· ἦν δὲ γεγραμμένον· ᾿Ιησοῦς ὁ Ναζωραῖος ὁ βασιλεὺς τῶν ᾿Ιουδαίων. τοῦτον οὖν τὸν τίτλον πολλοὶ ἀνέγνωσαν τῶν ᾿Ιουδαίων, ὅτι ἐγγὺς ἦν τῆς πόλεως ὁ τόπος ὅπου ἐσταυρώθη ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· καὶ ἦν γεγραμμένον ῾Εβραϊστί, ῾Ελληνιστί, ῾Ρωμαϊστί. 

Οἱ μὲν οὖν στρατιῶται ταῦτα ἐποίησαν. εἱστήκεισαν δὲ παρὰ τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ ᾿Ιησοῦ ἡ μήτηρ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἡ ἀδελφὴ τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ, Μαρία ἡ τοῦ Κλωπᾶ καὶ Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνή. ᾿Ιησοῦς οὖν ἰδὼν τὴν μητέρα καὶ τὸν μαθητὴν παρεστῶτα ὃν ἠγάπα, λέγει τῇ μητρὶ αὐτοῦ· γύναι, ἴδε ὁ υἱός σου. εἶτα λέγει τῷ μαθητῇ· ἰδοὺ ἡ μήτηρ σου. καὶ ἀπ᾽ ἐκείνης τῆς ὥρας ἔλαβεν ὁ μαθητὴς αὐτὴν εἰς τὰ ἴδια. Μετὰ τοῦτο εἰδὼς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ὅτι πάντα ἤδη τετέλεσται, ἵνα τελειωθῇ ἡ γραφή, λέγει· διψῶ. ὅτε οὖν ἔλαβε τὸ ὄξος ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπε, τετέλεσται, καὶ κλίνας τὴν κεφαλὴν παρέδωκε τὸ πνεῦμα.

BACK TO TOP

Saints and Feasts

September 14

The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross

Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was already advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a journey to Jerusalem in search of the cross, about the year 325. A temple to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha, to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had been suffered. The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite destroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was made perfectly whole. Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, "Lord have mercy." It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen, until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country (see Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian). Late, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem, where he restored it to its place.

Rest from labour. A Fast is observed today, whatever day of the week it may be.

September 15

Nikitas the Great Martyr

This Saint was of high birth among the Goths beyond the Danube River. He was taken by Athanaric, pagan ruler of the Goths, and after being tortured, was burned to death for his confession of Christ. According to some, this took place during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great; according to others, under the Emperor Gratian.

September 14

Commemoration of the 6th Ecumenical Council

BACK TO TOP

Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for Elevation of the Holy Cross in the First Tone

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth.
Σώσον Κύριε τόν λαόν σου καί ευλόγησον τήν κληρονομίαν σου, νίκας τοίς Βασιλεύσι κατά βαρβάρων δωρούμενος καί τό σόν φυλάττων διά τού Σταυρού σου πολίτευμα.

Apolytikion for the Church in the Third Tone

All the world has you, its mighty champion, fortifying us in times of danger, and defeating our foes, O Victorious One. So, as you humbled Lyaios’s arrogance by giving courage to Nestor in the stadium, thus, O holy Great-martyr Demetrius, to Christ our God pray fervently, beseeching Him to grant us His great mercy. [SD]

Μέγαν εύρατο εv τοίς κιvδύvοις, σέ υπέρμαχοv η οικουμένη, Αθλοφόρε τά έθνη τροπούμενον. Ως ούν Λυαίου καθείλες τήν έπαρσιν, εν τώ σταδίω θαρρύvας τόν Νέστορα, ούτως Άγιε, Μεγαλομάρτυς Δημήτριε, Χριστόν τόν Θεόν ικέτευε, δωρήσασθαι ημίν τό μέγα έλεος.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone

Lifted up on the Cross by Your free will, Christ God, grant mercies to the new commonwealth that bears Your name. Gladden our faithful rulers by Your power, giving them victories over their adversaries. May Your alliance be for them a weapon for peace, an invincible standard.
Ο υψωθείς εν τώ Σταυρώ εκουσίως, τή επωνύμω σου καινή πολιτεία, τούς οικτιρμούς σου δώρησαι, Χριστέ ο Θεός, Εύφρανον εν τή δυνάμει σου, τούς πιστούς Βασιλείς ημών, νίκας χορηγών αυτοίς, κατά τών πολεμίων, τήν συμμαχίαν έχοιεν τήν σήν, όπλον ειρήνης, αήττητον τρόπαιον.

The translations of hymns are under copyright and used by permission. All rights reserved. These works may not be further reproduced, in print or on other websites or in any other form, without the prior written authorization of the copyright holder:

  • Apolytikion for Elevation of the Holy Cross in the First Tone © Department of Religious Education
  • Apolytikion for Elevation of the Holy Cross in the First Tone © Greek Standard Text
  • Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone © Narthex Press
  • Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone © Greek Standard Text
    • BACK TO TOP

    Wisdom of the Fathers

    A MARVELOUS thing is longsuffering; it places the soul as in a quiet harbor, fleeing it from tossings and evil spirits. And this everywhere Christ hath taught us, but especially now, when He is judged, and dragged, and led about ....
    St. John Chrysostom
    Homily 84 on John 18 and Homily 85 on John 19, 4th Century

    Humble Service: For the Lord wishes and admonishes this when He said: ‘He who wishes to be first and great among you, let him be the last and the minister and servant of all.’ Therefore it is necessary that service before others be without a reward, nor should it bestow on the server any honor or glory, so as not to contradict Scripture by appearing ‘pleasing to men’ or ‘serving to the eyes.’ Not serving men, but the Lord alone, let him keep to the narrow path. Let him submit promptly to the single yoke of the Lord and carry it patiently in order to be brought with pleasure to his end with positive love.
    St. Makarios the Great

    BACK TO TOP

    ARCHEPISCOPAL ENCYCLICAL

    BACK TO TOP