St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-04-20
Bulletin Contents

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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








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

A WALK THROUGH HOLY WEEK

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In this week's message, I would like to walk with you through Holy Week using the path of the Synaxarion.  The Synaxarion is the list of the saints and commemorations of every day of the year as found in the liturgical books of the Church. For Holy Week, the Synaxarion reads as follows:

On Palm Sunday we celebrate the resplendent and glorious feast of the entry of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ into Jerusalem.

On Holy and Great Monday we commemorate the blessed and noble Joseph; also the cursing and withering of the fruitless fig tree.

On Holy and Great Tuesday we remember the parable of the ten virgins from the Holy Gospel.

On Holy and Great Wednesday, the Holy Fathers ordained that commemoration should be made of the anointing of the Lord with myrrh by the woman, who was a sinner; for this occurred shortly before the Passion of the Savior and He said is in preparation for His burial.

On Holy and Great Thursday we remember the Passover (Pascha) meal in the upper room shared by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with His blessed Disciples, in which He instituted the Holy Mystery of holy Communion; also commemorated is His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane and betrayal by the loathsome Judas Iscariot.

On Great Friday we observe the holy, saving and awesome Passion of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ; the spitting, the scourging, the whipping, the scorn, the mocking, the purple robe, the reed, the sponge, the vinegar, the nails, the spear, and above all, the cross and death, which He willingly suffered for us.  We also remember the confession unto salvation of the penitent thief, who was crucified with Him.

On Holy and Great Saturday we commemorate the burial of the Divine Body of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ, and His descent into Hades, through which the human race was recalled from corruption and was transplanted to eternal life.

On the holy and great Sunday of Pascha we celebrate the life-giving resurrection of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ!

To Him be glory and dominion to the ages of ages. Amen.


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Upcoming Divine Services and Holy Days

CONFESSIONS

Confessions will be heard during Holy Week Monday through Wednesday only. No confessions will be heard after Holy Wednesday. 

Monday and Tuesday, following the Bridegroom services.

Wednesday from 4 - 5:30 p.m.


HOLY WEEK AND PASCHA SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

Lazarus Saturday — April 12. Orthros, 9 a.m. Divine Liturgy, 10 a.m.

Pancake Breakfast for the children. Rehearsal for the Myrrh-Bearers and Palm folding to follow.

Palm Sunday — April 13     Orthros, 9 a.m. Divine Liturgy, 10 a.m. NO Sunday evening Bridegroom service. 

April 14, Holy Monday -- Orthros of the Bridegroom, 6 p.m. Confessions to follow.

April 15, Holy Tuesday -- Orthros of the Bridegroom, 6 p.m. Confessions to follow.

April 16, Holy Wednesday 

Confessions, 4 - 5:30 p.m.  The Sacrament of Holy Unction, 6 p.m. (Please note, this is not a long service so to be anointed, do not be late)

April 17, Holy Thursday

Divine Liturgy of St. Basil - Institution of the Last Supper, 9 a.m.

Orthros of the Passion (12 Gospels), 6 p.m.

April 18, Good Friday  

Great Vespers (Descent from the Cross), 3 p.m.

Lamentation Service, 6 p.m.

April 19, Great Saturday

Divine Liturgy of St. Basil, 9 a.m.

"Midnight" Resurrection Service, 10:30 p.m.

Paschal Proclamation, 11 p.m. followed by Orthros and the Divine Liturgy.  

April 20,  Pascha (Easter Sunday)

Agape Vespers, 11 a.m.

 

12 Απριλίου, Σάββατο του Λαζάρου. Ο Όρθρος, 9 πμ. Θεία Λειτουργία, 10 πμ.

13 Απριλίου, Κυριακὴ τῶν Βαΐων.

     Ο Όρθρος, 9 πμ.     Θεία Λειτουργία, 10 πμ.

14 Απριλίου, Μεγάλη Δευτέρα -- Ο Όρθρος του Νυμφίου, 6 μμ.

15 Απριλίου, Μεγάλη Τρίτη --  Ο Όρθρος του Νυμφίου, 6 μμ.

16 Απριλίου, Μεγάλη Τετάρτη -- Μέγα Ευχέλαιον, 6 μμ.

17 Απριλίου, Μεγάλη Πέμπτη

     Η Θεία Λειτουργία του Αγ. Βασιλείου (Ο Μυστικός Δείπνος), 9 πμ      

     Ο Όρθρος του Πάθος Χριστού (τα 12 Ευαγγέλια), 6 μμ.

18 Απριλίου, Μεγαλη Παρασκευή

      Ο Μέγας Εσπερινός (Αποκαθήλωσης), 3 μμ.

      Ο Επιτάφιος Θρήνος, 6 μμ.

19 Απριλίου, Μέγα Σάββατο

      Η Θεία Λειτουργία του Αγ. Βασιλείου (Πρώτη Ανάσταση), 9 πμ.

      Ο Όρθρος, 10:30 μμ.

Η Ανάστασis,  11 μμ.  Θεία Λειτουργία, 12:00 πμ.

20 Απριλίου, Κυριακή του Πάσχα -- Ο Μέγας Εσπερινός της Αγάπης, 11 πμ.   

 


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Announcements

READERS FOR AGAPE SERVICE

If you are able and willing to read one of the pericopes of the Gospel on the Sunday of Pascha in the AGAPE Vespers service, please let Fr. Milton, Daniel Monahan, Tim Sofis, or Mike Thompson know. So far, only Spanish, Italian, Slavonic, and Japanese are spoken for. More needed! Thank you.


Myrrhophores (Myrrh bearers)

All girls between the ages of 3 and 12 are welcome to participate as Myrrhophores on Holy Friday evening, however, attendance at the rehearsal is required. The rehearsal is this Saturday following the pancke breakfast.
On Good Friday, the girls will need to wear white or neutral colored shoes. Baskets of flowers will be provided. Please contact Amalia Boyer at [email protected] if you have further questions.

FLOWER DONATIONS

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


PASCHAL BREAKFAST

This year, following the early morning Divine Liturgy on Holy and Great Pascha, we will break the fast with a potluck meal and our Easter Eggs. Please bring a dish to share and leave it in the Church Hall prior to entering the sanctuary for the services.


PARKING

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.


NOTES FROM THE SUNDAY SCHOOL DIRECTORS

We are nearing the end of Great Lent and that means even more opportunities for the students to be involved in events at Church. We have two Saturday services and two Sunday Services coming up to be aware of.
 
Saturday, April 12 is Lazarus Saturday. There is Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. followed by a pancake breakfast.
 
Sunday, April 13 is Palm Sunday. We will not have Sunday School this day, but the students will participate by waving palm branches. Please bring your children to the teachers at the back of the church after Holy Communion. We will take care of the rest. Make sure to have your cameras ready.
 
Saturday, April 19 is Great Holy Saturday. There is Divine Liturgy at 9 a.m. followed by an Easter egg hunt for the Sunday School students. Please bring a basket for each of your children.
 
Sunday, April 20 is Pascha. We will not have Sunday School this day. There is an Agape vespers at 11 a.m.
 
 
***PLEASE continue to send offering with your children for OCMC. We will send the money that is collected after Pascha.
 
We would also appreciate it if anyone would like to donate a bag or bags of candy to help fill our eggs for the Easter egg hunt. You can bring those to either Joanna or Megan through April 13th. 
 
Thank you all for your commitment to bringing your children to Sunday School. Have a great week and good strength as we approach Holy Week and Pascha!
 
 
Sincerely,
Megan and Joanna

FRIDAY FISH FRY

Our final Fish Fry is this Friday from 4:00pm to 6:30 p.m. The cost is $16.00 per dinner, an 8 oz filet of fried flounder, french fries, coleslaw, and dessert. Volunteers to help cook and serve are always welcome! Let's make this one the best yet!


STEWARDSHIP - Our Christian Responsibility.

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.


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

Demetria Emmanouil

Sonny Halioris -- Sentera Williamsburg Rehab

Athanasia Jouvanis

Jim Kokolis

Maria Kokolis -- Sentera Williamsburg

Nancy Marakos

Chris Marker

John and Connie Pavlides


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FLYERS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST

    LUMINARIES

    LUMINARIES

    JOIN IN LIGHTING THE PATH ON GOOD FRIDAY. Please see the enclosed.


    GREEK FESTIVAL 2025

    GREEK FESTIVAL 2025

    Please see the enclosed flyer and help us get the word out. Print it and post it. And share it electronically.


    Tsoureki Sale

    Tsoureki Sale

    The proceeds go toward the church roof repairs. Thank you from Philoptochos


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Great and Holy Pascha
The Reading is from Acts of the Apostles 1:1-8

In the first book, O Theophilos, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. To them he presented himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me, for John baptized with water, but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom of lsrael?" He said to them, "it is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth."

Great and Holy Pascha
Πράξεις Ἀποστόλων 1:1-8

Τὸν μὲν πρῶτον λόγον ἐποιησάμην περὶ πάντων, ὦ Θεόφιλε, ὧν ἤρξατο ὁ Ἰησοῦς ποιεῖν τε καὶ διδάσκειν, ἄχρι ἧς ἡμέρας, ἐντειλάμενος τοῖς ἀποστόλοις διὰ πνεύματος ἁγίου οὓς ἐξελέξατο, ἀνελήφθη· οἷς καὶ παρέστησεν ἑαυτὸν ζῶντα μετὰ τὸ παθεῖν αὐτὸν ἐν πολλοῖς τεκμηρίοις, δι᾿ ἡμερῶν τεσσαράκοντα ὀπτανόμενος αὐτοῖς, καὶ λέγων τὰ περὶ τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ θεοῦ. Καὶ συναλιζόμενος παρήγγειλεν αὐτοῖς ἀπὸ Ἱεροσολύμων μὴ χωρίζεσθαι, ἀλλὰ περιμένειν τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν τοῦ πατρός, Ἣν ἠκούσατέ μου· ὅτι Ἰωάννης μὲν ἐβάπτισεν ὕδατι, ὑμεῖς δὲ βαπτισθήσεσθε ἐν πνεύματι ἁγίῳ οὐ μετὰ πολλὰς ταύτας ἡμέρας. Οἱ μὲν οὖν συνελθόντες ἐπηρώτων αὐτὸν λέγοντες, Κύριε, εἰ ἐν τῷ χρόνῳ τούτῳ ἀποκαθιστάνεις τὴν βασιλείαν τῷ Ἰσραήλ; Εἶπεν δὲ πρὸς αὐτούς, Οὐχ ὑμῶν ἐστιν γνῶναι χρόνους ἢ καιροὺς οὓς ὁ πατὴρ ἔθετο ἐν τῇ ἰδίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ. Ἀλλὰ λήψεσθε δύναμιν, ἐπελθόντος τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος ἐφ᾿ ὑμᾶς· καὶ ἔσεσθέ μοι μάρτυρες ἔν τε Ἱερουσαλήμ, καὶ ἐν πάσῃ τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ καὶ Σαμαρείᾳ, καὶ ἕως ἐσχάτου τῆς γῆς.


Gospel Reading

Great and Holy Pascha
The Reading is from John 1:1-17

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light.

The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not. He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. (John bore witness to him, and cried, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me.'") And from his fullness have we all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Great and Holy Pascha
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 1:1-17

Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ Λόγος, καὶ ὁ Λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν Θεόν, καὶ Θεὸς ἦν ὁ Λόγος. Οὗτος ἦν ἐν ἀρχῇ πρὸς τὸν Θεόν. Πάντα δι᾽ αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο, καὶ χωρὶς αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο οὐδὲ ἓν ὃ γέγονεν. Ἐν αὐτῷ ζωὴ ἦν, καὶ ἡ ζωὴ ἦν τὸ φῶς τῶν ἀνθρώπων. Καὶ τὸ φῶς ἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ φαίνει, καὶ ἡ σκοτία αὐτὸ οὐ κατέλαβεν. 

Ἐγένετο ἄνθρωπος ἀπεσταλμένος παρὰ Θεοῦ, ὄνομα αὐτῷ Ἰωάννης· οὗτος ἦλθεν εἰς μαρτυρίαν, ἵνα μαρτυρήσῃ περὶ τοῦ φωτός, ἵνα πάντες πιστεύσωσι δι᾽ αὐτοῦ. Οὐκ ἦν ἐκεῖνος τὸ φῶς, ἀλλ᾽ ἵνα μαρτυρήσῃ περὶ τοῦ φωτός. Ἧν τὸ φῶς τὸ ἀληθινόν, ὃ φωτίζει πάντα ἄνθρωπον ἐρχόμενον εἰς τὸν κόσμον. Ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ ἦν, καὶ ὁ κόσμος δι᾽ αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο, καὶ ὁ κόσμος αὐτὸν οὐκ ἔγνω. Εἰς τὰ ἴδια ἦλθε, καὶ οἱ ἴδιοι αὐτὸν οὐ παρέλαβον.  Ὅσοι δὲ ἔλαβον αὐτόν, ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς ἐξουσίαν τέκνα Θεοῦ γενέσθαι, τοῖς πιστεύουσιν εἰς τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ, οἳ οὐκ ἐξ αἱμάτων, οὐδὲ ἐκ θελήματος σαρκός, οὐδὲ ἐκ θελήματος ἀνδρός, ἀλλ᾽ ἐκ Θεοῦ ἐγεννήθησαν. 

Καὶ ὁ Λόγος σὰρξ ἐγένετο καὶ ἐσκήνωσεν ἐν ἡμῖν, καὶ ἐθεασάμεθα τὴν δόξαν αὐτοῦ, δόξαν ὡς μονογενοῦς παρὰ πατρός, πλήρης χάριτος καὶ ἀληθείας. Ἰωάννης μαρτυρεῖ περὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ κέκραγε λέγων· Οὗτος ἦν ὃν εἶπον, ὁ ὀπίσω μου ἐρχόμενος ἔμπροσθέν μου γέγονεν, ὅτι πρῶτός μου ἦν. Καὶ ἐκ τοῦ πληρώματος αὐτοῦ ἡμεῖς πάντες ἐλάβομεν, καὶ χάριν ἀντὶ χάριτος· ὅτι ὁ νόμος διὰ Μωϋσέως ἐδόθη, ἡ χάρις καὶ ἡ ἀλήθεια διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐγένετο.


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Saints and Feasts

April 20

Great and Holy Pascha

Mary Magdalene, and the other women who were present at the burial of our Saviour on Friday evening, returned from Golgotha to the city and prepared fragrant spices and myrrh, so that they might anoint the body of Jesus. On the morrow, because of the law which forbids work on the day of the Sabbath, they rested for the whole day. But at early dawn on the Sunday that followed, almost thirty-six hours since the death of the Life-giving Redeemer, they came to the sepulchre with the spices to anoint His body. While they were considering the difficulty of rolling away the stone from the door of the sepulchre, there was a fearful earthquake; and an Angel, whose countenance shone like lightning and whose garment was white as snow, rolled away the stone and sat upon it. The guards that were there became as dead from fear and took to flight. The women, however, went into the sepulchre, but did not find the Lord's body. Instead, they saw two other Angels in the form of youths clothed in white, who told them that the Saviour was risen, and they sent forth the women, who ran to proclaim to the disciples these gladsome tidings. Then Peter and John arrived, having learned from Mary Magdalene what had come to pass, and when they entered the tomb, they found only the winding sheets. Therefore, they returned again to the city with joy, as heralds now of the supernatural Resurrection of Christ, Who in truth was seen alive by the disciples on this day on five occasions.

Our Lord, then, was crucified, died, and was buried on Friday, before the setting of the sun, which was the first of His "three days" in the grave; observing the mystical Sabbath, that "seventh day" in which it is said that the Lord "rested from all His works" (Gen. 2:2-3), He passed all of Saturday in the grave; and He arose "while it was yet dark, very early in the morning" on Sunday, the third day, which, according to the Hebrew reckoning, began after sunset on Saturday.

As we celebrate today this joyous Resurrection, we greet and embrace one another in Christ, thereby demonstrating our Saviour's victory over death and corruption, and the destruction of our ancient enmity with God, and His reconciliation toward us, and our inheritance of life everlasting. The feast itself is called Pascha, which is derived from the Hebrew word which means "passover"; because Christ, Who suffered and arose, has made us to pass over from the curse of Adam and slavery to the devil and death unto our primal freedom and blessedness. In addition, this day of this particular week, which is the first of all the rest, is dedicated to the honour of the Lord; in honour and remembrance of the Resurrection, the Apostles transferred to this day the rest from labour that was formerly assigned to the Sabbath of the ancient Law.

All foods allowed during Renewal Week.


April 20

Theodore the Trichinas

Saint Theodore who was from Constantinople, was born to parents who were pious and of means. He took up the monastic life in a monastery in the imperial city, and wore nought but a rough hair shirt for all his life, from whence also he received his name. He reposed in the late fourth, or early fifth century. Saint Joseph the Hymnographer composed a canon in his honour.


April 20

Zacchaeus the Apostle of Caesaria

The conversion of the publican Zacchaeus, and our Saviour's compassion for him, is narrated in the Holy Gospel (Luke 19:1-10). Afterwards he laboured as a companion of the Holy Apostles, and became first Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine.


April 20

Gregory & Anastasios, Patriarchs of Antioch


April 20

Athanasios, Founder of the Monastery of Meteora


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Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal First Tone

Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
Χριστός ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν, θανάτῳ θάνατον πατήσας, καί τοῖς ἐν τοῖς μνήμασι ζωήν χαρισάμενος.

Hypakoe of Great and Holy Pascha in the Fourth Tone

When they who were with Mary came, anticipating the dawn, and found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre, they heard from the Angel: Why seek ye among the dead, as though He were mortal man, Him Who abideth in everlasting light? Behold the grave-clothes. Go quickly and proclaim to the world that the Lord is risen, and hath put death to death. For He is the Son of God, Who saveth the race of men.
Προλαβοῦσαι τὸν ὄρθρον αἱ περὶ Μαριάμ, καὶ εὑροῦσαι τὸν λίθον ἀποκυλισθέντα τοῦ μνήματος, ἤκουον ἐκ τοῦ Ἀγγέλου. Τὸν ἐν φωτὶ ἀϊδίῳ ὑπάρχοντα, μετὰ νεκρῶν τί ζητεῖτε ὡς ἄνθρωπον; βλέπετε τὰ ἐντάφια σπάργανα, δράμετε, καὶ τῷ κόσμῳ κηρύξατε, ὡς ἡγέρθη ὁ Κύριος, θανατώσας τὸν θάνατον· ὅτι ὑπάρχει Θεοῦ Υἱός, τοῦ σῴζοντος τὸ γένος τῶν ἀνθρώπων.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Tone

Though You went down into the tomb, You destroyed Hades' power, and You rose the victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, "Hail!" and granting peace to Your disciples, You who raise up the fallen.
Εἰ καὶ ἐν τάφῳ κατῆλθες ἀθάνατε, ἀλλὰ τοῦ ᾍδου καθεῖλες τὴν δύναμιν, καὶ ἀνέστης ὡς νικητής, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, γυναιξὶ Μυροφόροις φθεγξάμενος. Χαίρετε, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις εἰρήνην δωρούμενος ὁ τοῖς πεσοῦσι παρέχων ἀνάστασιν.
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Wisdom of the Fathers

...all knowledge, strength and virtue are the grace of God, as are all other things. And through grace He has given all men the power to become sons of God (cf. John 1:12) by keeping the divine commandments. Or, rather, these commandments keep us, and are the grace of God, since without His grace we cannot keep them. We have nothing to offer Him except our faith, our resolution and, in brief, all the true dogmas that we hold with firm faith through the teaching we have heard (cf. Rom. 10:17).
St. Peter of Damaskos
A Treasury of Divine Knowledge, Book 1: Introduction, Philokalia Vol. 3 edited by Palmer, Sherrard and Ware; Faber and Faber pg. 89, 8th century

...'the light' already 'shines in the darkness' (Jn. 1:5), both by day and by night, both within and without - within in our hearts (II Cor. 6:16), without in our minds. It shines on us without evening, without change, without alteration, without form. It speaks, works, lives, gives life, and changes into light those whom it illuminates. We bear witness that 'God is light' (I Jn. 1:5) and those to whom it has been granted to see Him have all beheld Him as light, because the light of His glory goes before Him, and it is impossible for Him to appear without light. Those who have not seen His light have not seen Him, for He is the Light, and those who have not received the Light have not yet received grace. Those who have received grace have received the Light of God and have received God, even as Christ Himself, who is the Light, has said, 'I will live in them and move among them' (II Cor. 6:16).
St. Symeon the New Theologian
Discourses: XXVIII sect. 4, Paulist Press pg. 298, 11th century

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