St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2024-11-24
Bulletin Contents
Message from Fr. Gianulis
Upcoming Divine Services and Holy Days
FROM YOUR PARISH COUNCIL
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

Church Office Michael Thompson
Parish Council

[email protected] | (757) 220-4284

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]> | 757-283-4216

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

I HOPE

We, faithful Christians, live in a perpetual state of hope. Why? Because hope entered the world in the flesh, the incarnation of the Son of God. The Prophet Isaiah foretold the birth of the Messiah, the Christ, in several passages:

“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” (7:14) And what does Immanuel mean? God is with us. God who became flesh.

Another passage of prophecy from Isaiah says, “There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.” (11:1)

In these passages, the meaning of Christmas shines through: God fulfills the promise by becoming man. In the words of St. Athanasios, “God became man, so that man might become god.” 

He does not abandon his people to live without hope. Rather, He draws near to us, to you and me; as He draws us near to Him. Thus, for a Christian, to believe gives us the certainty of being on a journey with Christ toward the Father who awaits us.

It is a journey. Hope is never still; hope is always journeying, and it invites us to journey along. This hope, which the Child of Bethlehem gives us, offers a destination, a sure, ongoing goal: theosis. Or in other words, the salvation of humankind and blessedness to those who trust in a merciful God.

Saint Paul summarizes all this with the expression: “in this hope we were saved.” (Rom 8:24) In other words, walking in this world with hope—actually, with the One who is hope, we are saved.


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Upcoming Divine Services and Holy Days

PARAKLESIS SERVICES

In the weeks leading up to the Nativity, beginning on December 4th, Presbytera Connie will sing the Paraklesis service on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. Father Milton will hear confessions following the service. No appointment necessary. If you would like to give your confession prior to the service, please contact Fr. Milton and that can be accommodated.


CHRISTMAS SERVICES

 

CHRISTMAS EVE -- THE EVE OF THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST 

Tuesday, Dec. 24th

Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great, 6:00 p.m.

 

 CHRISTMAS MORNING, THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST 

Wednesday, Dec. 25th

Orthros, 9 a.m. Divine Liturgy, 10 a.m.

 

Christmas Carols will follow both Liturgies


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FROM YOUR PARISH COUNCIL

 
General Assembly.
  
Dear Fellow Parishioners,
 
The holiday season is starting with Thanksgiving next week.  Given the holiday and potential travel of parishioners, we would like to reschedule the parish fall general assembly and parish elections to December 8th from December 1st.  This year's general assembly will have important updates on the roof repair as well as a review of the parish's financials and our proposed budget for 2025.  Below is our proposed agenda for the meeting.
 
  • Call to Order
  • Opening Prayer
  • Priest’s Report
  • President's Report
  • Treasurer's Report
  • Committee Reports
    • Roof Repair Status
    • Building and Grounds
    • Facility Safety Improvements
  • New Business
    • Approval of the 2024 Parish Budget
    • Iconography Project
    • Pavers Project
  • Closing Prayer
  • Adjournment
We wish you all a blessed Thanksgiving holiday and look forward to your participation in our fall general assembly in the weeks ahead.
 
God bless the parish of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of Williamsburg, VA.  
 
Athanasios (Tom) Jouvanis
Parish Council President
  
 
Parish Council Nominations. The elections for the 2025-2026 term on the parish council will be held as well on December 8, 2024, after the Divine Liturgy and throughout the course of the General Assembly. Please find enclosed in this e-bulletin a nomination form.  Nominations for the Parish Council close this Sunday, November 24.
 
Stewardship Update. 
 
As we are in the Nativity Fast and the last weeks of 2024, it is a good time to consider our 2024 pledge to St. Demetrios, our church, our spiritual home. We currently have 56 pledges compared to 67 last year, 2023, so are well behind. Have you made your 2024 pledge? Have you fulfilled your pledge?
 
Our pledge goal for the last two years is $167,000.00. Last year we reached $182,486 and to date we are at $145,000.00. Not good, but there is time to consider a pledge, bring your pledge current, and to make special gifts as part of our Nativity Fast. Remember, to be eligible to vote for candidates to the Parish Council, you must be current on your pledge.
 
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19–21
 
Mike Thompson
Parish Council Treasurer
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Announcements

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CARD

The deadline to sign up to be included in the Community Christmas Card is fast approaching!  The deadline is December 1st.
 
Stop by the bookstore fill out the form for you and your loved ones to participate this year. Cost is $25. You can pay by cash, credit card or check. Please make your check payable to Saint Demetrios and on the memo line indicate Christmas card. Indicate on the form how you wish your name to appear. The community Christmas card will be mailed out the first week in December.

DECK THE HALLS FOR CHRISTMAS

Please join us tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 23rd at 9am.  We need both strong elves & creative elves to help deck our church and parish hall for Christmas.

ST. DEMETRIOS BOOKSTORE

Christmas decorations, Christmas cards, children's books and other items have arrived. Shop early to avoid the Christmas rush!

PHILOPTOCHOS CHRISTMAS GIFT SHOP

Please stop by the shop for some very nice items that will make thoughtful Christmas gifts!  These include exquisitely packed gold Vasilopita coins, watercolor nativity porcelain ornaments, watercolor nativity cards & banners, wooden orthodox nativity, orthodox children’s calendars, ICXC beanie, agate night lights, water color advent cards & stickers, and other beautiful items. All proceeds from these sales support the philanthropic endeavors of Philoptochos.  Please stop by the Philoptochos table in the church hall next to the Christmas tree during coffee hour to place your order by December 1.


VASILOPITA FUNDRAISER FOR SAINT BASIL ACADEMY

Philoptochos will be selling VASILOPITA from AGIA SKEPI this year!  The freshly baked 2lb loaf is not only delicious but beautifully decorated by these very talented nuns!  Each loaf is $25.  All paid orders are due by December 7th.  Please stop by the Philoptochos Christmas Shop to place your order.


ANGEL TREE

Bessie Saras has once again graciously volunteered to take over coordination of the Angel Tree. Philoptochos appreciates her continuing the effort. The Angel Tree is a project of the Salvation Army and provides clothing for Christmas to needy children and elders. The Angel Tree (located next to the narthex) will be filled with tags detailing the gifts that a child or an elder is wishing for this Christmas. Instructions and bags for the gifts will be available by the tree. Your participation in this project will make their Christmas just a little better. PLEASE RETURN YOUR BAG BY DECEMBER 1.  Thank you!
 

CHRISTMAS LUMINARIES SALE 

Let us light the path for the coming of our Lord on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with luminaries!  Names will be commemorated in the Proskomiki of Christmas and on each luminary. The cost is $10 per LUMINARY - One individual name or one family name per LUMINARY.  All orders must be received by SUNDAY, December 15th.  All proceeds support the philanthropic endeavors of Philoptochos. See the order form below to order.  Please submit the order form along with payment to the ST. DEMETRIOS PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY Place your orders in the clear Philoptochos mailbox located in the church hall or mail it to the church noting ATTN: PHILOPTOCHOS 


Help Needed. You Could Save a Life.

A former member of our Greek American community of Hampton Roads is still in need of a stem cell transplant. I have extra registration kits available for anyone who would like to join. To join the registry, all that is required is a short health survey and a cheek swab. Join the Registry | NMDP (Formerly Be The Match) Only persons between 18- 40 years old are eligible. Please contact me, Elaine Jansen at 757 810-5206 or [email protected] with any questions and to sign up. Thank you! 


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

Christ the Healer (ICON) 10.25" x 6.25"

Lift up in prayer:

Peter and Beverly Daikos

Sonny Halioris

Athanasia Jouvanis

Jim Kokolis

Nancy Marakos

Chris Marker

John and Connie Pavlides

Nick Vlahakis

Nick Vlattas


HOUSE OF MERCY REQUESTS OUR SUPPORT


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FLYERS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

22nd Sunday after Pentecost
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18

Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

22nd Sunday after Pentecost
Πρὸς Γαλάτας 6:11-18

Ἀδελφοί, ἴδετε πηλίκοις ὑμῖν γράμμασιν ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί. Ὅσοι θέλουσιν εὐπροσωπῆσαι ἐν σαρκί, οὗτοι ἀναγκάζουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, μόνον ἵνα μὴ τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ Χριστοῦ διώκωνται. Οὐδὲ γὰρ οἱ περιτετμημένοι αὐτοὶ νόμον φυλάσσουσιν, ἀλλὰ θέλουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, ἵνα ἐν τῇ ὑμετέρᾳ σαρκὶ καυχήσωνται. Ἐμοὶ δὲ μὴ γένοιτο καυχᾶσθαι εἰ μὴ ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ· διʼ οὗ ἐμοὶ κόσμος ἐσταύρωται, κἀγὼ τῷ κόσμῳ. Ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ οὔτε περιτομή τι ἰσχύει, οὔτε ἀκροβυστία, ἀλλὰ καινὴ κτίσις. Καὶ ὅσοι τῷ κανόνι τούτῳ στοιχήσουσιν, εἰρήνη ἐπʼ αὐτούς, καὶ ἔλεος, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰσραὴλ τοῦ θεοῦ. Τοῦ λοιποῦ, κόπους μοι μηδεὶς παρεχέτω· ἐγὼ γὰρ τὰ στίγματα τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώματί μου βαστάζω. Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν, ἀδελφοί. Ἀμήν.

Gospel Reading

13th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 18:18-27

At that time, a ruler came to Jesus and asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.' " And he said, "All these I have observed from my youth." And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus looking at him said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" But he said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."

13th Sunday of Luke
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 18:18-27

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἄρχων λέγων· διδάσκαλε ἀγαθέ, τί ποιήσας ζωὴν αἰώνιον κληρονομήσω; εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· τί με λέγεις ἀγαθόν; οὐδεὶς ἀγαθὸς εἰ μὴ εἷς ὁ Θεός. τὰς ἐντολὰς οἶδας· μὴ μοιχεύσῃς, μὴ φονεύσῃς, μὴ κλέψῃς, μὴ ψευδομαρτυρήσῃς, τίμα τὸν πατέρα σου καὶ τὴν μητέρα σου. ὁ δὲ εἶπε· ταῦτα πάντα ἐφυλαξάμην ἐκ νεότητός μου. ἀκούσας δὲ ταῦτα ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ἔτι ἕν σοι λείπει· πάντα ὅσα ἔχεις πώλησον καὶ διάδος πτωχοῖς, καὶ ἕξεις θησαυρὸν ἐν οὐρανῷ, καὶ δεῦρο ἀκολούθει μοι. ὁ δὲ ἀκούσας ταῦτα περίλυπος ἐγένετο· ἦν γὰρ πλούσιος σφόδρα. ἰδὼν δὲ αὐτὸν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς περίλυπον γενόμενον εἶπε· πῶς δυσκόλως οἱ τὰ χρήματα ἔχοντες εἰσελεύσονται εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ! εὐκοπώτερον γάρ ἐστι κάμηλον διὰ τρυμαλιᾶς ῥαφίδος εἰσελθεῖν ἢ πλούσιον εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ εἰσελθεῖν. εἶπον δὲ οἱ ἀκούσαντες· καὶ τίς δύναται σωθῆναι; ὁ δὲ εἶπε· τὰ ἀδύνατα παρὰ ἀνθρώποις δυνατὰ παρὰ τῷ Θεῷ ἐστιν.

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Saints and Feasts

November 24

Afterfeast of the Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple

November 24

Our Holy Father Clement, Pope of Rome

Saint Clement was instructed in the Faith of Christ by the Apostle Peter. His Feast day is November 23. He was the first Apostolic Father, fourth pope from 88 to 97 or from 92 to 101, the supposed third successor of St. Peter the Apostle. According to the early Christian writer Tertullian, he was consecrated by St. Peter, and St. Irenaeus lists him as a contemporary of the Apostles and witness of their preaching. Eusebius of Caesarea dates his pontificate from 92 to 101, following that of St. Anacletus. He was succeeded by St. Evaristus. His martyrdom is legendary, and he has been hypothetically identified with the Clement mentioned in the Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians 4:3. His attribute is an anchor, to which he was tied and cast into the sea, according to spurious tales.

November 24

Peter, Archbishop of Alexandria

Saint Peter illustriously occupied the throne of Alexandria for twelve years, and, as Eusebius says, "was a divine example of a bishop on account of the excellence of his life and his study of the sacred Scriptures" (see Eusebius, Eccl. Hist., Book VII, 3 2; Book VIII 11, 13; and Book IX, 6). He excommunicated Arius for his sympathy with the Meletian schism. When Arius learned that Saint Peter had been imprisoned, he sent many priests and deacons to him, asking that he receive him back into the communion of the Church before his martyrdom. When the ambassadors of Arius, who had not, like Saint Peter, perceived the ruin he would engender, were astonished at the vehemence with which Saint Peter refused to receive Arius again, he revealed to them a dread vision he had seen, in which the Master Christ had appeared to him as a child wearing a garment torn from head to foot. When Saint Peter asked the Lord who rent His garment, the Lord answered that it was Arius, and that he must not be received back into communion. The holy hieromartyr Peter was beheaded during the reign of Maximinus in the year 312; he is called the "Seal of the Martyrs," because he was the last Bishop of Alexandria to suffer martyrdom under the pagan Emperors. His successors to the throne of Alexandria, Saints Alexander and Athanasius the Great, brought to final victory the battle against Arius' heresy which Saint Peter had begun.

November 24

Hermogenes, the Martyr

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal First Tone

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.

Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Fr. Seraphim Dedes


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.

Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Greek Standard Text


Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Entry of the Theotokos in the Fourth Tone

Today is the prelude of God's pleasure and the proclamation of man's salvation. The Virgin is clearly made manifest in the temple of God and foretells Christ to all. Let us also cry out to her with mighty voice, "Hail, fulfillment of the Creator's dispensation."

Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Narthex Press


Σήμερον τής ευδοκίας Θεού τό προοίμιον, καί τής τών ανθρώπων σωτηρίας η προκήρυξις, Εν Ναώ τού Θεού τρανώς η Παρθένος δείκνυται, καί τόν Χριστόν τοίς πάσι προκαταγγέλλεται, Αυτή καί ημείς μεγαλοφώνως βοήσωμεν, Χαίρε τής οικονομίας τού Κτίστου η εκπλήρωσις.

Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Greek Standard Text


Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone

Today, the most pure temple of the Savior, the precious bridal chamber and Virgin, the sacred treasure of God, enters the house of the Lord, bringing the grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God praise her. She is the heavenly tabernacle.

Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Narthex Press


Ο καθαρώτατος ναός τού Σωτήρος, η πολυτίμητος παστάς καί Παρθένος, τό Ιερόν θησαύρισμα τής δόξης τού Θεού, σήμερον εισάγεται, εν τώ οίκω Κυρίου, τήν χάριν συνεισάγουσα, τήν εν Πνευματι θείω, ήν ανυμνούσιν Άγγελοι Θεού, Αύτη υπάρχει σκηνή επουράνιος.

Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Greek Standard Text


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Wisdom of the Fathers

The meaning of life lies not, as we have grown used to thinking, in prospering, but in the development of the soul.
Alexander Solzhenitsyn

Spiritual delight is not enjoyment found in things that exists outside the soul.
St. Isaac of Syria
Unknown, 7th century

He became Flesh. He did not become God. He was God. Wherefore He became flesh, so that He Whom heaven did not contain, a manger would this day receive. He was placed in a manger, so that He, by whom all things are nourished, may receive an infant’s food from His Virgin Mother. So, the Father of all ages, as an infant at the breast, nestles in the virginal arms, that the Magi may more easily see Him as He is. Since this day the Magi too have come, and made a new beginning of withstanding tyranny; and the heavens give glory, as the Lord is revealed by a star.
St. John Chrysostom

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