St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2026-10-11
Bulletin Contents
Message from Fr. Gianulis
Upcoming Divine Services and Holy Days
Announcements
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 Thomas Coghill
Parish Council President

[email protected] | 757-784-6410

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.

Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, Wednesdays during Great Lent at 6 p.m.

Salutations to the Theotokos, on the first five Saturdays of Great Lent at 6 p.m.

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

God is Trinity: A Brief Catechism

God is One. The Orthodox Christian doctrine of the Trinity states that God is one in divine essence and eternally exists as three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Three hypostases (persons); one divinity.

God the Father is the first person of the Trinity. The Father is the ‘fountain’ of the Godhead, the source of divinity, the cause or principle of origin for the other two persons. He is the bond of unity between the three: there is one God because there is one Father. “The union is the Father from whom and to whom the order of the persons runs its course.”  (St. Gregory Nazianzus)

The other two persons are each defined in terms of their relationship to the Father: the Son is ‘begotten’ by the Father, the Spirit ‘proceeds’ from the Father.

The Son of God, Jesus Christ, is the second person of the Holy Trinity. He is the ‘Word’ or ‘Logos’. It is in and through the son that the Father is revealed to us.  God became man in the person of Jesus, who said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no one comes to the Father, except through me.” (John 14:6)

He was born on earth as man, from the Virgin Mary in the city of Bethlehem. But as Word of God he is also exists before the Incarnation. It is in Christ Jesus that we are saved, that is, through his sacrificial death on the Cross and our belief in him as Lord.

The third person is the Holy Spirit, the ‘wind’ or ‘breath’ of God. We understand the Holy Spirit best from the prayer: “O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life: come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O gracious Lord.” 

Appreciating the inadequacy of neat classifications, we may say that the Spirit is God within us, the Son is God with us, and the Father God above or beyond us. Just as the Son shows us the Father, so it is the Spirit who shows us the Son, making him present to us. Yet, the relationship is mutual. The Spirit makes the Son present to us, but it is the Son who sends us the Spirit. The Spirit is sent into the world, within time, by the Son; but as regards his origin within the eternal life of the Trinity, the Spirit proceeds from the Father alone.




Upcoming Divine Services and Holy Days

St. Demetrios the Great-Martyr and Myrrh-Streamer

The Feast of our parish is on October 25/26, Sunday evening and Monday morning. The divine services will be as follows:

Sunday, Great Vespers, 6:00 p.m. with Artoklasia.      A reception will follow.

Monday, Orthros, 9:00 a.m.

Divine Liturgy, 10:00 a.m. 




Announcements

ICONOGRAPHY DONATION OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

The recent iconography project has been complete for a month, and the icons are absolutely stunning.  We have received pledges for 85% of the project costs through your generous donations.  The iconographers have provided us flexible payment terms that extend to March 2027.  If you have an interest in donating an icon or participating on the project through a general donation, please contact Father Milton, Tom Jouvanis, or any member of the iconography committee.    
 
Thank you and God bless!  
The Iconography Committee

STEWARDSHIP PLEDGE

As we approach the final quarter of 2026, we might ask if we have completed our pledge for the year. In a few months we will be asking for you to fill out your pledge for 2027. It seems reasonable that our current pledge is up to date. Pledge forms are available in the anteroom for your convenience. Thank you for your ongoing support of St. Demetrios parish.


Philoptochos News and Notes

Ladies, please come to the Philoptochos general meeting Tuesday, October 13, at 6:15 pm. If you’re not a member, that’s ok; we’d love for you to join us. It’s a most fulfilling and rewarding gathering, and our group has some very special events coming up.  

For those who don’t know what Philoptochos is, here is a brief introduction:
The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society aims to help those in need, promote the philanthropic goals of the Church, and preserve Orthodox Christian family values and traditions.
Key aims of the organization are:

  • Help the vulnerable.
  • Promote church charity.
  • Preserve faith and family.
  • Support parish life and community.

HOLY SMOKES!

A cigar night, sponsored by the Legion Men's Fellowship: Join us for an evening on our new church patio for camaraderie, theological discussion, and, if you like, a nice cigar. Bring your own cigar and drink of choice.  Friday, October 9th starting at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

Our next Legion Meeting will be this Saturday, October 10th, at 10:00 a.m. at the Golden Corral.


PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING THE TEAM

Coffee hour is a wonderful opportunity for parishioners to meet and greet one another after Sunday Divine Liturgy. We have a nice group of volunteers who rotate hosting duties each week, but could use a couple more teams.  We would welcome anyone who would like to be part of this community outreach, any and all who would like to join, add to the number of teams, and share hospitality with our parish and visitors. 
For more information or to sign up, please contact Zena Parker, 570-606-9208, coordinator.


Becomming a Godparent?

Congratulations! There are a few things you will need to have for that blessed day:

  • A cross and chain
  • One large white bath towel
  • One small white hand towel
  • One bar of soap
  • One bottle of olive oil
  • One Baptismal candle plus two other candles
  • A baby blanket is also helpful.

For an adult, much less is needed. Visit our webpage under BAPTISM for more information, visit our webpage, The bookstore is happy to help with custom candles or premade baptism set available for purchase.  

Are you interested in becoming a godparent? see Fr. Milton.


Interested in Learning Greek?

We’re excited to offer Greek classes this Fall! Whether you’re a beginner or looking to strengthen your Greek, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn from the comfort of your own home through Zoom. If you’d like to join the classes, you can register through ZoomGreekClasses or contact Demetra directly to [email protected]

This is a wonderful opportunity for children and adults to learn a new language, connect with Greek culture, and build lasting skills in a supportive environment—register now to secure your spot!


Visit us on Facebook & YouTube

Updates on Orthodox Church news items can be found on our Facebook page. We thank Presbytera for monitoring and administering the page.

Visit us on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@St.DemetriosOrthodoxChurch -- Please subscribe to our channel

Also, check out our St. Demetrios website.


YOUR PRIEST IS AS CLOSE AS YOUR TELEPHONE

Father Gianulis wants to be with you when you are hospitalized, even if you believe it is minor. However, he is not a mind reader. If you are sick and hospitalized, or have any other pastoral or sacramental need, do not hesitate to call him. And of course, he would appreciate a call if you know of someone who has passed. He can always be reached by calling the church phone number, 220-0994, or in emergencies, his mobile (757) 508-5367. 


Remember in Prayer for Health

Physician of Souls and Bodies – Royal Doors

George Canavos

Beverly Daikos

Peter Daikos

Karen Durniak

Savvas Kaminarides

Sonny Halioris

Jim Kokolis - Sentera Norfolk

Nancy Marakos

Chris Marker

Yanni Palantzas 

John and Connie Pavlides




Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to Titus 3:8-15

Titus, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.

When I send Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.

All who are with me send greeting to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council
Πρὸς Τίτον 3:8-15

Τέκνον Τίτε, πιστὸς ὁ λόγος, καὶ περὶ τούτων βούλομαί σε διαβεβαιοῦσθαι, ἵνα φροντίζωσιν καλῶν ἔργων προΐστασθαι οἱ πεπιστευκότες θεῷ. ταῦτά ἐστιν καλὰ καὶ ὠφέλιμα τοῖς ἀνθρώποις · μωρὰς δὲ ζητήσεις καὶ γενεαλογίας καὶ ἔριν καὶ μάχας νομικὰς περιΐστασο, εἰσὶν γὰρ ἀνωφελεῖς καὶ μάταιοι. αιῥετικὸν ἄνθρωπον μετὰ μίαν καὶ δευτέραν νουθεσίαν παραιτοῦ, εἰδὼς ὅτι ἐξέστραπται ὁ τοιοῦτος καὶ ἁμαρτάνει, ὢν αὐτοκατάκριτος. Ὅταν πέμψω Ἀρτεμᾶν πρὸς σὲ ἢ Τυχικόν, σπούδασον ἐλθεῖν πρός με εἰς Νικόπολιν, ἐκεῖ γὰρ κέκρικα παραχειμάσαι. Ζηνᾶν τὸν νομικὸν καὶ Ἀπολλῶν σπουδαίως πρόπεμψον, ἵνα μηδὲν αὐτοῖς λείπῃ. μανθανέτωσαν δὲ καὶ οἱ ἡμέτεροι καλῶν ἔργων προΐστασθαι εἰς τὰς ἀναγκαίας χρείας, ἵνα μὴ ὦσιν ἄκαρποι. Ἀσπάζονταί σε οἱ μετ ᾽ἐμοῦ πάντες. Ἄσπασαι τοὺς φιλοῦντας ἡμᾶς ἐν πίστει. ἡ χάρις μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council
The Reading is from Luke 8:5-15

The Lord said this parable: "A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold." And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, he said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but for others they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy; but these have no root, they believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. And as for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience." As he said these things, he cried out "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 8:5-15

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην· Ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρων τοῦ σπεῖραι τὸν σπόρον αὐτοῦ. καὶ ἐν τῷ σπείρειν αὐτὸν ὃ μὲν ἔπεσε παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν, καὶ κατεπατήθη, καὶ τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ κατέφαγεν αὐτό· καὶ ἕτερον ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ τὴν πέτραν, καὶ φυὲν ἐξηράνθη διὰ τὸ μὴ ἔχειν ἰκμάδα· καὶ ἕτερον ἔπεσεν ἐν μέσῳ τῶν ἀκανθῶν, καὶ συμφυεῖσαι αἱ ἄκανθαι ἀπέπνιξαν αὐτό. καὶ ἕτερον ἔπεσεν εἰς τὴν γῆν τὴν ἀγαθήν, καὶ φυὲν ἐποίησε καρπὸν κατονταπλασίονα. ταῦτα λέγων ἐφώνει· ὁ ἔχων ὦτα ἀκούειν ἀκουέτω. ᾿Επηρώτων δὲ αὐτὸν οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ λέγοντες· τίς εἴη ἡ παραβολὴ αὕτη; ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· ὑμῖν δέδοται γνῶναι τὰ μυστήρια τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ Θεοῦ, τοῖς δὲ λοιποῖς ἐν παραβολαῖς, ἵνα βλέποντες μὴ βλέπωσι καὶ ἀκούοντες μὴ συνιῶσιν. ἔστι δὲ αὕτη ἡ παραβολή· ὁ σπόρος ἐστὶν ὁ λόγος τοῦ Θεοῦ· οἱ δὲ παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν εἰσιν οἱ ἀκούσαντες, εἶτα ἔρχεται ὁ διάβολος καὶ αἴρει τὸν λόγον ἀπὸ τῆς καρδίας αὐτῶν, ἵνα μὴ πιστεύσαντες σωθῶσιν. οἱ δὲ ἐπὶ τῆς πέτρας οἳ ὅταν ἀκούσωσι, μετὰ χαρᾶς δέχονται τὸν λόγον, καὶ οὗτοι ῥίζαν οὐκ ἔχουσιν, οἳ πρὸς καιρὸν πιστεύουσι καὶ ἐν καιρῷ πειρασμοῦ ἀφίστανται. τὸ δὲ εἰς τὰς ἀκάνθας πεσόν, οὗτοί εἰσιν οἱ ἀκούσαντες, καὶ ὑπὸ μεριμνῶν καὶ πλούτου καὶ ἡδονῶν τοῦ βίου πορευόμενοι συμπνίγονται καὶ οὐ τελεσφοροῦσι. τὸ δὲ ἐν τῇ καλῇ γῇ, οὗτοί εἰσιν οἵτινες ἐν καρδίᾳ καλῇ καὶ ἀγαθῇ ἀκούσαντες τὸν λόγον κατέχουσι καὶ καρποφοροῦσιν ἐν ὑπομονῇ. ταῦτα λέγων ἐφώνει· ὁ ἔχων ὦτα ἀκούειν ἀκουέτω.



Saints and Feasts

October 11

Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council

On the Sunday that falls on or immediately after the eleventh of this month, we chant the Service to the 350 holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council, which gathered in Nicaea in 787 under the holy Patriarch Tarasius and during the reign of the Empress Irene and her son, Constantine Porphyrogenitus, to refute the Iconoclast heresy, which had received imperial support beginning with the Edict issued in 726 by Emperor Leo the Isaurian. Many of the holy Fathers who condemned Iconoclasm at this holy Council later died as Confessors and Martyrs for the holy Icons during the second assult of Iconoclasm in the ninth century, especially during the reigns of Leo the Armenian and Theophilus.

October 11

Philip the Apostle of the 70, one of the 7 Deacons

Saint Philip, who had four daughters that prophesied, was from Caesarea of Palestine. He preached throughout Samaria; it was he also who met the eunuch of Candace, the Queen of the Ethiopians, as the eunuch was reading the Prophet Esaias, and he instructed and baptized him (Acts 8:26-39). He reposed in Tralles of Asia Minor while preaching the Gospel.

October 11

Theophanes the Confessor, Bishop of Nicaea

NOBLEMAN WHO RENOUNCED GREAT WEALTH FOR CHRIST, DEFENDER OF HOLY ICONS, WONDERWORKER, AND FAITHFUL CONFESSOR WHO SUFFERED EXILE FOR THE ORTHODOX FAITH

Saint Theophanes, the brother of Saint Theodore the Branded, was a Palestinian by race. Both were monks at the Monastery of Saint Sabbas. They were called "the Branded" because Theophilus, the last of the Iconoclast emperors, had twelve iambic verses branded by hot irons on their foreheads and then sent them into exile, where Theodore died in the year 838. After the death of Theophilus in 842, Theophanes was elected Bishop of Nicaea. Both brothers composed many canons and hymns, thereby adorning the services of the Church.

October 11

Holy Martyrs Zenais and Philonilla

October 11

Nectarios, Arsakios, Sisinios and Philotheos Kokkinos, Patriarchs of Constantinople

October 11

Ethelburga, Abbess of Barking

October 11

Our righteous Father Kenneth, Founder of the Monastery of Aghaboe in Ireland.



Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Tone

When You descended unto Death, O Lord, You who are immortal Life put Hades to death, by the lightning of Your divinity. And when You raised the dead from the netherworld, all the hosts of heaven sang aloud to You, “O Christ God, Giver of life, 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 Sun. of the 7th Ecumenical Council in the Plagal Fourth Tone

You are greatly glorified, O Christ our God, who established our Fathers as luminaries upon the earth, and through them led us all to the true Faith. O Most compassionate, glory to You.
Ὑπερδεδοξασμένος εἶ, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ὁ φωστῆρας ἐπὶ γῆς τοὺς Πατέρας ἡμῶν θεμελιώσας, καὶ δι' αὐτῶν πρὸς τὴν ἀληθινὴν πίστιν, πάντας ἡμᾶς ὁδηγήσας· πολυεύσπλαγχνε, δόξα σοι.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Tone

The protection of Christians unshameable, intercessor to our Holy Maker, unwavering, do not turn from the prayerful cries of those who are in sin; instead, come to us, for you are good; your loving help bring unto us, who are crying in faith to you: Hasten to intercession and speed now to supplication as a protection for all time, Theotokos, for those who honor you.
Προστασία τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀκαταίσχυντε, μεσιτεία πρὸς τὸν Ποιητὴν ἀμετάθετε. Μὴ παρίδῃς ἁμαρτωλῶν δεήσεων φωνάς, ἀλλὰ πρόφθασον, ὡς ἀγαθή, εἰς τὴν βοήθειαν ἡμῶν, τῶν πιστῶς κραυγαζόντων σοι· Τάχυνον εἰς πρεσβείαν, καὶ σπεῦσον εἰς ἱκεσίαν, ἡ προστατεύουσα ἀεί, Θεοτόκε, τῶν τιμώντων σε.

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 © Fr. Seraphim Dedes
  • Resurrectional Apolytikion in Second Tone © Greek Standard Text
  • Apolytikion for Sun. of the 7th Ecumenical Council in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone © Narthex Press
  • Apolytikion for Sun. of the 7th Ecumenical Council in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone © Greek Standard Text
  • Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Tone © Department of Religious Education
  • Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Tone © Greek Standard Text


    • Wisdom of the Fathers

    When you see life's pleasures, beware that they might not distract you, for they conceal death's snares. Likewise a fisherman casts not his hook to no purpose. As bait for his hook, the enemy uses the delusion of sensuality to arouse desire, that he might thereby catch men's souls and subject them to himself. A soul which has been caught to serve the enemy's will then serves as a snare for other souls, for it conceals the grief of sin with its apparent delight.
    St. Ephraim the Syrian
    A Spiritual Psalter no 43, pg. 74, 4th century

    Since there are certain people who find great fault with us for adoring and honoring both the image of the Savior and that of our Lady, as well as those of the rest of the saints and servants of Christ, let them hear how from the beginning God made man to His own image. For what reason, then, do we adore one another, except because we have been made to the image of God? As the inspired Basil, who is deeply learned in theology, says: "the honor paid to the image conveys to the original.," and the original is the thing imaged from which the copy is made.
    St. John of Damascus
    The Orthodox Faith, 4.16. Catholic University of America Press in Washington D.C. Translated by Frederic H. Chase, Jr. volume 37, page 370., 8th Century



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