St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-08-24
Bulletin Contents
Message from Fr. Gianulis
Upcoming Divine Services and Holy Days
Announcements
FLYERS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Saints and Feasts
Hymns of the Day
Wisdom of the Fathers

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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

Forgiveness in the Gospel

One of the most distinctive teachings of the Christian Faith is the concept of forgiveness. Jesus Christ compels us to forgive others any and all wrongdoing. Not just some things. All things. Not just some people. All people. Not just our friends. Even our enemies.

Based on His own example as he beautifully expressed with those immortal words from the Cross, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do,“ we who wish to follow him are to forgive one another from the heart.

The New Testament contains many inspiring passages on the theme of forgiveness. Here are some which easily come to mind:

Matthew 5:23-24: “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift the before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

Matthew 6:12:  In the Lord’s Prayer, the Lord taught us to pray: “And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

Mark 11:25: “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.”

Matthew 18:21-22—the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant. The context of this parable provides an interesting contrast between the teachings of the Old and New Testament on forgiveness. Saint Peter asked the Lord, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times? Jesus said to him, I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”

And from St. Paul:  Ephesians 4:31-32: “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”


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Upcoming Divine Services and Holy Days

Water Blessing - Αγιασμός

To commemorate the beginning of the Ecclesiastical Year and the beginning of our Church School (see below), we will celebrate a Water Blessing Service (Αγιασμός) following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, August 31st. Father Milton will also bless the classrooms following the service.


Great Vespers in honor of the Nativity of the Theotokos

We are invited to celebrate the Great Vespers in honor of the Nativity of the Theotokos on Sunday, September 7th at 6:00 p.m. followed by a reception in the social hall. This is the Patronal Saint's Day of the parish. The Church is located at 12326 Spotswood Furnace Rd, Fredericksburg, VA 22407


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Announcements

CATECHISM CLASSES FOR ADULTS

ORTHODOXY 101 will begin on Sept. 18th. We will meet on 8 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.

 


Sunday School Registration

It is time to register our children for the upcoming Sunday school 2025-2026 year. There will be a blessing of the water for Sunday School on August 31, and classes will begin on September 7. Registration forms are located in the room adjacent to the narthex. Please fill them out and leave the forms in the box provided. An important welcome letter is also provided for additional information. If you have any questions, please contact Megan Swink (910-389-5457) or Joanna Kokolis (214-335-4421).


GREEK LANGUAGE CLASSES

It is back-to-school time and our Greek language classes are resuming in September.  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)


SUPPORT FOR FISH

WHAT DOES FISH NEED MOST NOW?

Updated: 8/15/2025

  • Teenagers’ Sneakers and Clothes
  • Children's Sneakers for School (new or gently used)
  • Sheets (King & Queen sizes)
  • Blankets/Comforters (all sizes)
  • Kitchen Appliances (small)
  • Ladies' Handbags
  • Men's Jeans, Sweatpants & Jackets
  • Men's White Socks (new only)
  • Women's Socks (new only)
  • Cold Cereals (especially “kids" sweet cereals)
  • Hot Cereals (oatmeal)
  • Tomato products (diced, sauce, paste)
  • Dried Spaghetti & Other Pastas
  • Canned Spaghetti Sauce
  • Brownie Mix
  • Pancake Mix & Syrup
  • Canned Soups
  • Canned Vegetables (peas, green beans, corn, mixed veggies)
  • Canned Chicken, Tuna & Beef Stew
  • Peanut Butter & Jelly
  • Boxed Mac & Cheese
  • Applesauce & Canned Fruits
  • Laundry Detergent (42 ounces)
  • Shampoo (14-22 ounces)
  • Deodorant
  • Toothpaste
  • Tampons & pads (especially Maxi Pads)
  • Larger-sized Diapers, sizes 4, 5 & 6
  • Pull-ups, sizes 2-3T & 4-5T

Legion Men's Fellowship

Our next Legion Meeting will be Saturday September 6th at 10:00 am at the Golden Corral. Also, as we discussed at our last meeting the Legion will be selling Gyros, Fries, Salad, and drinks at the Saturday, September 13th, Craft Show. If you can help, please let Tom Jouvanis [email protected] or Mike Thompson [email protected] know. 

The craft show is being sponsored by the Philoptochos Chapter. The proceeds from the food sale will go to the roof fund.

 


ICONOGRAPHY PROJECT

We are very excited about the iconography. The donations for the icon project have been going very well. Pledges have been received for nearly all the icons. Thanks to all of you who have made a pledge. If you have an interest in participating in this lasting legacy, please contact Father Milton, Tom Jouvanis, or Mike Thompson.  More information on our iconographers and their work can be found on their website at  https://holyicon.gr/ 


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.


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


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FLYERS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

11th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 9:2-12

Brethren, you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defense to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to our food and drink? Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a wife, as the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? Do I say this on human authority? Does not the law say the same? For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of a share in the crop. If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits? If others share this rightful claim upon you, do not we still more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.

11th Sunday of Matthew
Πρὸς Κορινθίους α' 9:2-12

Ἀδελφοί, ἡ σφραγὶς τῆς ἐμῆς ἀποστολῆς ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐν κυρίῳ. Ἡ ἐμὴ ἀπολογία τοῖς ἐμὲ ἀνακρίνουσιν αὕτη ἐστίν. Μὴ οὐκ ἔχομεν ἐξουσίαν φαγεῖν καὶ πιεῖν; Μὴ οὐκ ἔχομεν ἐξουσίαν ἀδελφὴν γυναῖκα περιάγειν, ὡς καὶ οἱ λοιποὶ ἀπόστολοι, καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ τοῦ κυρίου, καὶ Κηφᾶς; Ἢ μόνος ἐγὼ καὶ Βαρνάβας οὐκ ἔχομεν ἐξουσίαν τοῦ μὴ ἐργάζεσθαι; Τίς στρατεύεται ἰδίοις ὀψωνίοις ποτέ; Τίς φυτεύει ἀμπελῶνα, καὶ ἐκ τοῦ καρποῦ αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἐσθίει; Ἢ τίς ποιμαίνει ποίμνην, καὶ ἐκ τοῦ γάλακτος τῆς ποίμνης οὐκ ἐσθίει; Μὴ κατὰ ἄνθρωπον ταῦτα λαλῶ; Ἢ οὐχὶ καὶ ὁ νόμος ταῦτα λέγει; Ἐν γὰρ τῷ Μωϋσέως νόμῳ γέγραπται, Οὐ φιμώσεις βοῦν ἀλοῶντα. Μὴ τῶν βοῶν μέλει τῷ θεῷ; Ἢ διʼ ἡμᾶς πάντως λέγει; Διʼ ἡμᾶς γὰρ ἐγράφη, ὅτι ἐπʼ ἐλπίδι ὀφείλει ὁ ἀροτριῶν ἀροτριᾷν, καὶ ὁ ἀλοῶν τῆς ἐλπίδος αὐτοῦ μετέχειν ἐπʼ ἐλπίδι. Εἰ ἡμεῖς ὑμῖν τὰ πνευματικὰ ἐσπείραμεν, μέγα εἰ ἡμεῖς ὑμῶν τὰ σαρκικὰ θερίσομεν; Εἰ ἄλλοι τῆς ἐξουσίας ὑμῶν μετέχουσιν, οὐ μᾶλλον ἡμεῖς; Ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἐχρησάμεθα τῇ ἐξουσίᾳ ταύτῃ, ἀλλὰ πάντα στέγομεν, ἵνα μὴ ἐγκοπήν τινα δῶμεν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ Χριστοῦ.

Gospel Reading

11th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 18:23-35

The Lord said this parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, 'Pay what you owe.' So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord delivered him to the torturers, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."

11th Sunday of Matthew
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 18:23-35

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην· Ὡμοιώθη ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν ἀνθρώπῳ βασιλεῖ, ὃς ἠθέλησε συνᾶραι λόγον μετὰ τῶν δούλων αὐτοῦ. ἀρξαμένου δὲ αὐτοῦ συναίρειν προσηνέχθη αὐτῷ εἷς ὀφειλέτης μυρίων ταλάντων. μὴ ἔχοντος δὲ αὐτοῦ ἀποδοῦναι ἐκέλευσεν αὐτὸν ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ πραθῆναι καὶ τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ καὶ τὰ τέκνα καὶ πάντα ὅσα εἶχε, καὶ ἀποδοθῆναι. πεσὼν οὖν ὁ δοῦλος προσεκύνει αὐτῷ λέγων· κύριε, μακροθύμησον ἐπ᾿ ἐμοὶ καὶ πάντα σοι ἀποδώσω. σπλαγχνισθεὶς δὲ ὁ κύριος τοῦ δούλου ἐκείνου ἀπέλυσεν αὐτὸν καὶ τὸ δάνειον ἀφῆκεν αὐτῷ. ἐξελθὼν δὲ ὁ δοῦλος ἐκεῖνος εὗρεν ἕνα τῶν συνδούλων αὐτοῦ, ὃς ὤφειλεν αὐτῷ ἑκατὸν δηνάρια, καὶ κρατήσας αὐτὸν ἔπνιγε λέγων· ἀπόδος μοι εἴ τι ὀφείλεις. πεσὼν οὖν ὁ σύνδουλος αὐτοῦ εἰς τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ παρεκάλει αὐτὸν λέγων· μακροθύμησον ἐπ᾿ ἐμοὶ καὶ ἀποδώσω σοι. ὁ δὲ οὐκ ἤθελεν, ἀλλὰ ἀπελθὼν ἔβαλεν αὐτὸν εἰς φυλακὴν ἕως οὗ ἀποδῷ τὸ ὀφειλόμενον. ἰδόντες δὲ οἱ σύνδουλοι αὐτοῦ τὰ γενόμενα ἐλυπήθησαν σφόδρα, καὶ ἐλθόντες διεσάφησαν τῷ κυρίῳ ἑαυτῶν πάντα τὰ γενόμενα. τότε προσκαλεσάμενος αὐτὸν ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ λέγει αὐτῷ· δοῦλε πονηρέ, πᾶσαν τὴν ὀφειλὴν ἐκείνην ἀφῆκά σοι, ἐπεὶ παρεκάλεσάς με. οὐκ ἔδει καὶ σὲ ἐλεῆσαι τὸν σύνδουλόν σου, ὡς καὶ ἐγώ σε ἠλέησα; καὶ ὀργισθεὶς ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ παρέδωκεν αὐτὸν τοῖς βασανισταῖς ἕως οὗ ἀποδῷ πᾶν τὸ ὀφειλόμενον αὐτῷ. Οὕτω καὶ ὁ πατήρ μου ὁ ἐπουράνιος ποιήσει ὑμῖν, ἐὰν μὴ ἀφῆτε ἕκαστος τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν καρδιῶν ὑμῶν τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν.

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Saints and Feasts

August 24

Cosmas of Aetolia, Equal to the Apostles

Our holy Father Cosmas was from the town of Mega Dendron (Great Tree) of Aetolia. At the age of twenty, he went to study at the school of the Monastery of Vatopedi on the Holy Mountain. Later, he came to the Athonite Monastery of Philotheou where he was tonsured. With the blessing of his abbot, he departed for Constantinople where he learned the art of rhetoric, and thereafter, he began to preach throughout all the regions of northern Greece, the Ionian Islands, but especially in Albania, for the Christian people there were in great ignorance because of the oppression and cruelty of the Moslems. Finally, in 1776, after having greatly strengthened and enlightened the faithful, working many signs and wonders all the while, he was falsely accused by the leaders of the Jewish people and was executed by strangulation by the Moslem Turks in Albania.

August 24

Eutyches the Hieromartyr & Disciple of St. John the Theologian

Saint Eutyches was a disciple of Saint John the Theologian and a fellow laborer of the holy Apostle Paul. He preached the Gospel in many places, pulled down the idols' temples, and suffered imprisonments and many torments at the hands of the idolaters. He finally reposed in peace in deep old age in his native city of Sebastia, near Tarsus.

August 24

The Translation of the Relics of Dionysios of Zakynthos, Bishop of Aegina

 

When Saint Dionysios died in 1622 A.D., his last wish was that he be buried in the Church of Saint George on the Strofades Islands where he lived as a monk. Three years after his interment there his body was found to be incorrupt. In 1717 his body was transferred from the Strofades Islands back to his home island of Zakynthos where it resides to this day.

August 24

The Translation of the Holy Relics of Saint Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow

On this day we also commemorate the translation of the holy relics of Saint Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow, which took place in the year 1646.

Our holy and wonderworking Father Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow, was born in Volhynia, tonsured a monk at twelve years of age, and later ordained a priest. He lived in solitude for a time in a desert place north of Lvov and founded the Holy Transfiguration Monastery; afterwards he was sent to Constantinople, where the holy Patriarch Athanasius consecrated him Metropolitan of Kiev in 1308, and he returned to Vladimir, where the Metropolitans of Kiev had their residence at that time (see Saint Jonas on June 15). In 1325, he moved to Moscow, where he founded the Dormition Cathedral, and after his repose in December 21, 1326, was buried there. He was also an iconographer, and two of his icons, the Dormition and the Petrovskaya, are found in the Dormition Cathedral (see Oct. 5).

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Tone

When You descended unto death, O Life Immortal, You rendered to Hades a mortal blow by the lightning of Your divinity, and when from the depths of darkness You also raised the dead, all the heavenly powers cried out: O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory to You.
Ὅτε κατῆλθες πρὸς τὸν θάνατον, ἡ Ζωὴ ἡ ἀθάνατος, τότε τὸν ᾅδην ἐνέκρωσας τῇ ἀστραπῇ τῆς Θεότητος, ὅτε δὲ καὶ τοὺς τεθνεῶτας ἐκ τῶν καταχθονίων ἀνέστησας, πᾶσαι αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν ἐπουρανίων ἐκραύγαζον·Ζωοδότα Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν δόξα σοι.

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

In your holy birth, Immaculate One, Joachim and Anna were rid of the shame of childlessness; Adam and Eve of the corruption of death. And so your people, free of the guilt of their sins, celebrate crying: "The barren one gives birth to the Theotokos, who nourishes our life."
Ιωακείμ καί Άννα όνειδισμού ατεκνίας, καί Αδάμ καί Εύα, εκ τής φθοράς τού θανάτου, ηλευθερώθησαν, Άχραντε, εν τή αγία γεννήσει σου, αυτήν εορτάζει καί ο λαός σου, ενοχής τών πταισμάτων, λυτρωθείς εν τώ κράζειν σοι, Η στείρα τίκτει τήν Θεοτόκον, καί τροφόν τής ζωής ημών.

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:

  • Resurrectional Apolytikion in Second Tone © Department of Religious Education
  • Resurrectional Apolytikion in Second Tone © Greek Standard Text
  • Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone © Narthex Press
  • Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone © Greek Standard Text
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    Wisdom of the Fathers

    Do we forgive our neighbors their trespasses? God also forgives us in His mercy. Do we refuse to forgive? God, too, will refuse to forgive us. As we treat our neighbors, so also does God treat us. The forgiveness, then, of your sins or unforgiveness, and hence also your salvation or destruction, depend on you yourself, man. For without forgiveness of sins there is no salvation.
    St. Tikhon of Zadonsk
    Unknown, 18th century

    Wherefore then did He not do this, nor forgive the debt before the account? Desiring to teach him, from how many obligations He is delivering him, that in this way at least he might become more mild towards his fellow servant .... He gave more than he asked, remission and forgiveness of the entire debt.
    St. John Chrysostom
    Homily 61 on Matthew 18, 4th Century

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