This Sunday we venerate the Holy Cross, which gives us all the opportunity to reflect on the sacrifice our Lord made for us. It should also cause us to reflect: do we really understand what it means to sacrifice, to truly sacrifice? Of course, our Lord did. He gave His life for us. And perhaps for the building of the Church throughout America, our parents, grandparents, and even great grandparents did. In reflection, consider the following story.

Two wealthy Christians, a lawyer and a merchant, joined a party that was going around the world. Before they left, their priest earnestly asked them to observe and remember any unusual and interesting things that they might see in the countries through which they were to travel. The men promised (perhaps carelessly) to do so.

In Korea, one day they saw in a field by the side of the road. They noticed a young boy pulling a crude plow, while an old man held the handles and directed it. The lawyer was amused an took a snapshot of the scene.

“That is a curious picture! I suppose they are very poor,” he said to their guide. “Yes,” ws the quiet reply. “That is the family of Chi Noiu. When the Church was built, they were eager to give something to help, but they had no money, so they sold their only ox and gave the money to the Church. This spring, since they have no ox, they are pulling the plow themselves.”

The lawyer and the merchant by his side were silent for a moment. Then the merchant said, “that must have been a real sacrifice.”

“They did not call it that,” said their guide. “They thought it fortunate that they had an ox to sell.”

The lawyer and the merchant had not much to say, but when they reached home, the lawyer took the picture to his priest and told him the story. “I want to double my pledge to the Church,” he said, “and please, give me some ‘plow work’ to do. I have never known what sacrifice for the Church meant, but a converted shaman taught me. I am ashamed to say, I have never yet given anything to my Church that cost me anything.”

The Salutations to the Theotokos will be sung on the first five Fridays during Great Lent at 7:00 p.m. It is a service of praise to the Blessed Mother of God. The first of the Salutations is this Friday evening.

If you are working in the Fish Fry, you may "come as you are."

The Feast of the Annunciation

Tuesday, March 25th.

Divine Liturgy, 9:30 a.m. (no Orthros)

We are also invited to the Great Vespers at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral on 7220 Granby St, Norfolk, to celebrate their Patronal Feast Day. The service begins at 6:00 p.m. Reception to follow. See the enclosed flyer.

There will not be a Presanctified Liturgy next Wednesday, March 26th.

We will resume the following Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.  

A Lenten Pot Luck dinner and fellowship will follow in the parish hall. Please come to the service and, if you are able, and bring a lenten plate to share. Everyone will be welcome to the supper even if you were unable to bring a plate to share. Come, fellowship first with the Lord's gift of His Body and Blood, and then with His community of believers.

Please join us for a special event this Sunday, the Veneration of the Holy Cross. The Philoptochos has arranged for a special viewing of the acclaimed film, Sacred Alaska (Trikirion Films) in the Paparis Hall. Coffee Fellowship and Reception will be sponsored by Philoptochos followed by the film. (see the flyer below)

Fr. Gianulis will lead a 6-week catechism class from March 6 - April 10, every Thursday during Great Lent in the Vlahakis Educational Center from 7 - 8 p.m. This class is required for all inquirers who wish to be baptized or chrismated in the Orthodox Christian Faith. It is not too late to join in now.

As we approach Holy Week and Pascha, please consider making a contribution to our flower fund. Monies will be used for epitaphio (sebulchre) and Easter Lillies and whatever other floral decorations might be needed. Thanking you in advance, Fr. Milton

As we approach Holy Week, attendance will be more than usual for St. Demetrios as well as for Incarnation. Therefore, it would be extremely helpful for families to ride together in one vehicle. Arriving early will also be helpful. We regret this inconvenience, however, it is the only way both congregations will be able to fit in the parking lot.

Annual GOYA Lenten retreat for the state of Virginia from March 28-30, 2025. All youth from 7th-12th grade are invited to join us for a weekend of fun and fellowship at Camp Piankatank in Middlesex, VA. I have seen very many young people come back from this retreat with a new sense of closeness to God and enthusiasm for their faith. Register at this link. See flyer for more details and feel free to contact Fr. Thomas Manuel ([email protected]) with any questions.

 

Scholarship assistance is available. Speak with Fr. Milton for details.

4:00pm to 6:30 pm and every Friday throughout Great Lent. The last one will be April 11th. Drive thru or eat in. The cost is $16.00 per dinner, an 8 oz filet of fried flounder, french fries, coleslaw, and dessert. There is no better deal and the proceeds will go to the roof repair fund. Volunteers to help cook and serve are always welcome!

As we begin our Lenten journey, the bookstore has a good selection of publications to help feed our hearts and minds in our journey to Pascha. Please stop by to see what is available and we can also custom order books.

The 2025 Stewardship Pledge Cards are now available in the anteroom at church. Filling out the card helps us update our records and will be crucial in securing financing when needed from lenders. It is also and most importantly, our Christian responsibility to be stewards of God's House. Thank you.

Dear Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church:

Thank you for your in-kind donation to the Williamsburg House of Mercy.

On average we receive 18,000 pounds of in-kind donations per month and rely on these to supplement our costs in providing to the most vulnerable in our community.

Thank you for remembering the Williamsburg House of Mercy through your donation,

Liz Buckley
Executive Director

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.

Beverly Daikos

Peter Daikos

Demetria Emmanouil

Sonny Halioris -- Sentera Williamsburg

Athanasia Jouvanis

Jim Kokolis

Maria Kokolis

Nancy Marakos

Chris Marker

John and Connie Pavlides