☰
Sundays 8:30 a.m. Orthros and 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy
Special weekday feastday services to be announced in the bulletin.
Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 28.11,1.
The Lord will give strength to his people.
Verse: Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 2:14-22.
Brethren, Christ is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
10th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 13:10-17
At that time, Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her, "Woman, you are freed from your infirmity." And he laid his hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, said to the people, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be healed, and not on the sabbath day." Then the Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?" As he said this, all his adversaries were put to shame; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.
|
SUNDAY |
12/8 |
8:20; 9:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. |
Orthros; Divine Liturgy; Sunday School St. Nick Brunch; GOYA mtg. / basketball |
|
MONDAY |
12/9 |
10 a.m.; 11 a.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. |
Bette Nutt Visition; Funeral Boys Basketball Philoptochos meeting |
|
TUESDAY |
12/10 |
4:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m. |
Philoptochos @ St Herman’s Greek School Yassou Club Christmas Party |
|
WEDNESDAY |
12/11 |
9:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 6:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. |
Pickleball Bible Study DOP / AHEPA Holiday dinner @ Sangria Boys Basketball |
|
THURSDAY |
12/12 |
8:20; 9:30 a.m. after Liturgy 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. |
St. Spyridon Orthros; Divine Liturgy Prayer Group Greek School Choir practice |
|
FRIDAY |
12/13 |
Evening |
GOYA Caroling |
|
SATURDAY |
12/14 |
|
Philoptochos fill shut-in baskets |
6 months for John Pasalis, father of Charles, Diana, and Pamela
6 months for Nicholas Carpadis and 5 years for Anna, parents of Andrew, Lora, and Christina
3 years for Nick Apotsos, son of James & Mary Apotsos, and Nick Halepis, brother of Mary Apotsos
3 years for Georgia Georgakopoulos, friend of many at St. Demetrios
12/15: Callas, Revmatas; Tahramanis
12/22: Saviolas
12/29: Coccas/Fotinos, Stavrulakis
The Blessing of 5 Loaves offered by the Thomas family for the parish children.
Sun., Dec. 8, after Liturgy in the hall. Free and open to all. Bring your cameras as we are expecting a special holiday guest!
Please consider bringing a non-perishable food item which will be donated to St. Mary of Egypt Food Pantry.
Sun., Dec. 8, at 4:00 p.m. our parish is hosting the annual choir concert of NE Ohio Orthodox parishes singing Christmas praises in their traditions and languages. Every year, the concert concludes with everyone in attendance singing well-known carols together. Free admission; free-will donations accepted by Greater Cleveland Council of Orthodox Clergy to support local Orthodox ministries. Refreshments to follow.
Support Philoptochos by donating and being listed in the Christmas Card! Free will donations accepted by check payable to: “St Demetrios Philoptochos” OR thru online giving at www.saintdemetriosrr.org . Submit by Dec. 8th. For details, Contact Joanne ([email protected])
SERVING DINNER AT ST. HERMAN’S Volunteer to feed the homeless with your parish family:
~Philoptochos next service date: Tue., Dec. 10. Contact Joanne Harootunian (440-353-0910)
~FOCUS Friends next service date: Sat., Dec. 7. Contact Linda Glynias (216-469-2663)
Tue., Dec. 10, 5:30 p.m. in the Cultural Hall, all Parish seniors are invited for a festive dinner with live musical holiday entertainment by singer/songwriter Debbie Darling. $25/person. RSVP to Maggie Steffas (440-821-6054 / [email protected]) by Dec. 5
Tickets also on sale during November coffee hours.
Sign up during coffee hour for Christmas Eve luminaries and/or to invite carolers on Dec. 13.
Basketball practices are now underway to prepare for the 2025 basketball tournaments:
Thu., Dec. 12, St. Spyridon, 8:30 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy
Mon., Dec. 16, St Modestos Pet Blessing, 6:00 p.m. in the Zapis Activity Center
Tue., Dec. 24, Christmas Eve: Royal Hours 9:00 a.m.; Vesperal Divine Liturgy 6:00 p.m.
Wed., Dec. 25, Christmas Day, 8:30 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy
Tue., Dec. 31, St. Basil, Divine Liturgy 5:00 p.m.
We conclude the year-long film series exploring the intent, wording, and application of the Ten Commandments, based on the book The Ten Commandments: Still the Best Moral Code by Dennis Prager, with a discussion on repentance and redemption.
Shown on the big screen in the Cultural Hall. Free & open to all. Note: As the days get shorter, movies will be matinees in December.
X Commandment: You shall not covet your neighbor's house, wife, or property.
December 16, 3:00 p.m.
David & Bathsheba (1951; 1 hour & 56 minutes)
In this Oscar-nominated, Biblical epic, King David (Gregory Peck) very much covets his neighbor’s beautiful wife Bathsheba (Susan Hayward) – with tragic consequences for his family and for Israel. And yet, our Church commemorates King David each December, and our parish included his icon in our dome.
Those who wish to take part in a White Elephant exchange can bring a gift-wrapped item from home.
Sunday, December 22nd , 11:30 a.m. in the Metallinos Cultural Hall
Presented by The Balourdas Hellenic Cultural School, St. Demetrios Sunday School and Liturgical Choir, will celebrate Christ’s Birth with English readings & Greek poetry, Hymns & Kalanta and the annual Nativity Tableaux.
Refreshments by PTO, Sunday School & Choir
Any alumni & other parishioners who wish to share their vocal or instrumental talents in the show, please contact Eleni at 440-331-2246 ext. 2 or [email protected] by Sun., Dec. 15th to be included in the program.
Mon., Dec. 30, 7-9 p.m. in the Zapis Activity Center. Boys & girls games, Friends & family welcome. Pizza and refreshments to follow.
Girls RSVP to Andrea Giavroutas (440-503-2761)
Boys RSVP to Manny Katrkazos (440-503-8128)
Meeting on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. in the Library. All welcome!
Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. in St Philothei Chapel. Contact Diakonissa Amy ([email protected] or 330-519-3100) to join, or to submit names for whom we can pray.
As the weather has cooled off, we return to playing in the Zapis Activity Center, Wednesdays 9-11 a.m.
FESTIVE FELLOWSHIP Wed, Dec. 11, Daughters of Penelope & AHEPA annual holiday gathering at Sangria’s, 27200 Detroit Road, Westlake. A gift basket will be auctioned to benefit upcoming DOP scholarships and service projects. RSVP to Maria Fotinos (216-210-8925)
NATIONAL HELLENIC MUSEUM ONLINE Free discussions, open to all. Historical seminars:
~Book Discussion: Thu., Dec. 19, 8 p.m. Psychological thriller The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
~Young Readers Book Club (ages 10-15) on Rick Riordan’s series: Thu, Dec 12 & 19 at 8 p.m..
Register for any of the above free zoom links at https://nationalhellenicmuseum.org/online
GREEK HERITAGE BASKETBALL Fri., Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m. Cavs vs. Bucks. The first 250 to register will receive an exclusive two-sided Cavs/Greek Heritage winter beanie.
https://www.rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com/group/detail/greek-heritage-night
BOUZOUKIA THROW BACK Sat., Dec. 21 at the former Kluck’s (now operating as Jalapenos) 1313 W. 117th St., Cleveland. Celebrating 60 years of bouzoukia featuring the musicians of Karizma, Stigma, and Olympus in honor of the late great singer Taki Harisis. Show starts at 9 p.m. Greek food available. For reservations, call Tommy Pappas at 216-484-3399.
NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY Tue., Dec. 31 at Annunciation Ballroom, 2187 W. 14th St., Tremont. 8:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Continuous appetizers, entrees, desserts. Cash bar. Live music by Stigma. Champagne toast, buffet, and Vasilopita at midnight. $75/adult; $50/youth (11-18); $10/child. RSVP by Dec. 27. For info call Linda Karadimas 440-665-4550.
NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY Tue., Dec. 31 at theMediterranean Party Center, 25021 Rockside Rd., Bedford Hts. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. enjoy buffet dinner, appetizers after midnight, dessert, open bar all night. Greek & American DJ music. $80/adult; $40/youth. Call Koula Kadras at 216-570-9901.
STORYTELLING SOIREE Sat., Jan. 18, 6:30-10:30 p.m. in St Demetrios Cultural Hall. Fund-raiser for the Steve G Cancer Foundation providing resources for young adults facing cancer. To be a sponsor or donate a raffle / silent auction items, contact Nick Giallourakis (440-773-9931)
BENEFIT CDs “A Song of Victory” concert CDs now on sale in the Catacomb Bookstore. $20 to benefit the St. Theodosius Cathedral Restoration Fund. A stocking stuffer with a good cause!
Scholarship awards to students who are U.S. citizens of Hellenic descent and full-time undergrads at an accredited 4-year university as of Fall 2024, with minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA. 20 Awards of $2,500 based on academic achievement and 20 Awards of $10,000 based on academic achievement and financial need. Applications at https://www.panhellenicsf.org/apply Submit electronically by Jan 31, 2025.
This Saint was from the Thebaid of Egypt and struggled many years in the wilderness. He departed for Constantinople, and having performed many miracles and healings, he reposed in peace in a mountain cave on the Gulf of Corinth, where his holy relics are found incorrupt to the present day.
Saint Menas, according to the Synaxaristes, had Athens as his homeland. He was a military officer, an educated man and skilled in speech, wherefore he was surnamed Kallikelados ("most eloquent"); Eugraphus was his scribe. Both had Christian parents. The Emperor Maximinus (he was the successor of Alexander Severus, and reigned from 235 to 238) sent Saint Menas to Alexandria to employ his eloquence to end a certain strife among the citizens. Saint Menas, having accomplished this, also employed his eloquence to strengthen the Christians in their faith, which when Maximinus heard, he sent Hermogenes, who was an eparch born to unbelievers to turn Menas away from Christ. But Hermogenes rather came to the Faith of Christ because of the miracles wrought by Saint Menas. Saints Menas, Eugraphus, and Hermogenes received the crown of martyrdom in the year 235.
Spyridon, the God-bearing Father of the Church, the great defender of Corfu and the boast of all the Orthodox, had Cyprus as his homeland. He was simple in manner and humble of heart, and was a shepherd of sheep. When he was joined to a wife, he begat of her a daughter whom they named Irene. After his wife's departure from this life, he was appointed Bishop of Trimythus, and thus he became also a shepherd of rational sheep. When the First Ecumenical Council was assembled in Nicaea, he also was present, and by means of his most simple words stopped the mouths of the Arians who were wise in their own conceit. By the divine grace which dwelt in him, he wrought such great wonders that he received the surname 'Wonderworker." So it is that, having tended his flock piously and in a manner pleasing to God, he reposed in the Lord about the year 350, leaving to his country his sacred relics as a consolation and source of healing for the faithful.
About the middle of the seventh century, because of the incursions made by the barbarians at that time, his sacred relics were taken to Constantinople, where they remained, being honoured by the emperors themselves. But before the fall of Constantinople, which took place on May 29, 1453, a certain priest named George Kalokhairetes, the parish priest of the church where the Saint's sacred relics, as well as those of Saint Theodora the Empress, were kept, took them away on account of the impending peril. Travelling by way of Serbia, he came as far as Arta in Epirus, a region in Western Greece opposite to the isle of Corfu. From there, while the misfortunes of the Christian people were increasing with every day, he passed over to Corfu about the year 1460. The relics of Saint Theodora were given to the people of Corfu; but those of Saint Spyridon remain to this day, according to the rights of inheritance, the most precious treasure of the priest's own descendants, and they continue to be a staff for the faithful in Orthodoxy, and a supernatural wonder for those that behold him; for even after the passage of 1,500 years, they have remained incorrupt, and even the flexibility of his flesh has been preserved. Truly wondrous is God in His Saints! (Ps. 67:3 5)
Saint Lucia was from Syracuse in Sicily, a virgin betrothed to a certain pagan. Since her mother suffered from an issue of blood, she went with her to the shrine of Saint Agatha at Catania to seek healing (see Feb. 5). There Saint Agatha appeared to Lucia in a dream, assuring her of her mother's healing, and foretelling Lucia's martyrdom. When her mother had been healed, Lucia gladly distributed her goods to the poor, preparing herself for her coming confession of Christ. Betrayed as a Christian by her betrothed to Paschasius the Governor, she was put in a brothel to be abased, but was preserved in purity by the grace of God. Saint Lucia was beheaded in the year 304, during the reign of Diocletian.
Of these, the Martyrs who were from Asia Minor contested for piety's sake during the reign of Decius, in 250. Saint Leucius, seeing the slaughter of the Christians, reproached the Governor Cumbricius, for which he was hung up, harrowed mercilessly on his sides, then beheaded. For boldly professing himself a Christian and rebuking the Governor for worshipping stocks and stones as gods, Saint Thyrsus, after many horrible tortures, was sentenced to be sawn asunder, but the saw would not cut, and became so heavy in the executioners' hands that they could not move it; Saint Thyrsus then gave up his spirit, at Apollonia in the Hellespont. Saint Callinicus a priest of the idols, was converted through the martyrdom and miracles of Saint Thyrsus, and was beheaded.
During the reign of Diocletian (284-305), the Governor of Antinoe in the Thebaid of Upper Egypt was Arian, a fierce persecutor who had sent many Christians to a violent death, among them Saints Timothy and Maura (see May 3) and Saint Sabine (Mar. 16). When he had imprisoned Christians for their confession of faith, one of them, named Apollonius, a reader of the Church, lost his courage at the sight of the instruments of torture, and thought how he might escape torments without denying Christ. He gave money to Philemon a flute-player and a pagan, that he might put on Apollonius' clothes and offer sacrifice before Arian, so that all would think Apollonius to have done the Governor's will, and he might be released. Philemon agreed to this, but when the time came to offer sacrifice, enlightened by divine grace, he declared himself a Christian instead. He and Apollonius, who also confessed Christ when the fraud was exposed, were both beheaded. Before beheading them, Arian had commanded that they be shot with arrows, but while they remained unharmed, Arian himself was wounded by one of the arrows; Saint Philemon foretold that after his martyrdom, Arian would be healed at his tomb. When this came to pass, Arian, the persecutor who had slain so many servants of Christ, himself believed in Christ and was baptized with four of his bodyguards. Diocletian heard of this and had Arian and his body-guards brought to him. For their confession of Christ, they were cast into the sea, and received the crown of life everlasting.