Saints and Feasts

March 09

Sunday of Orthodoxy

For more than one hundred years the Church of Christ was troubled by the persecution of the Iconoclasts of evil belief, beginning in the reign of Leo the Isaurian (717-741) and ending in the reign of Theophilus (829-842). After Theophilus's death, his widow the Empress Theodora (celebrated Feb. 11), together with the Patriarch Methodius (June 14), established Orthodoxy anew. This ever-memorable Queen venerated the icon of the Mother of God in the presence of the Patriarch Methodius and the other confessors and righteous men, and openly cried out these holy words: "If anyone does not offer relative worship to the holy icons, not adoring them as though they were gods, but venerating them out of love as images of the archetype, let him be anathema." Then with common prayer and fasting during the whole first week of the Forty-day Fast, she asked God's forgiveness for her husband. After this, on the first Sunday of the Fast, she and her son, Michael the Emperor, made a procession with all the clergy and people and restored the holy icons, and again adorned the Church of Christ with them. This is the holy deed that all we the Orthodox commemorate today, and we call this radiant and venerable day the Sunday of Orthodoxy, that is, the triumph of true doctrine over heresy.

March 09

The Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebastia

These holy Martyrs, who came from various lands, were all soldiers under the same general. Taken into custody for their faith in Christ, and at first interrogated by cruel means, they were then stripped of their clothing and cast onto the frozen lake which is at Sebastia of Pontus, at a time when the harsh and freezing weather was at its worst. They endured the whole night naked in such circumstances, encouraging one another to be patient until the end. He that guarded them, named Aglaius, who was commanded to receive any of them that might deny Christ, had a vision in which he saw heavenly powers distributing crowns to all of the Martyrs, except one, who soon after abandoned the contest. Seeing this, Aglaius professed himself a Christian and joined the Martyrs on the lake, and the number of forty remained complete. In the morning, when they were almost dead from the cold, they were cast into fire, after which their remains were thrown into the river. Thus they finished the good course of martyrdom in 320, during the reign of Licinius. These are their names: Acacius, Aetius, Aglaius, Alexander, Angus, Athanasius, Candidus, Chudion, Claudius, Cyril, Cyrion, Dometian, Domnus, Ecdicius, Elias, Eunoicus, Eutyches, Eutychius, Flavius, Gaius, Gorgonius, Helianus, Heraclius, Hesychius, John, Lysimachus, Meliton, Nicholas, Philoctemon, Priscus, Sacerdon, Severian, Sisinius, Smaragdus, Theodulus, Theophilus, Valens, Valerius, Vivianus, and Xanthias.

March 11

Sophronios, Patriarch of Jerusalem

This Saint was born in Damascus. As a young man he became a monk at the Monastery of Saint Theodosius the Cenobiarch in Palestine, where he met John Moschus and became his close friend. Having a common desire to search out ascetics from whom they could receive further spiritual instruction, they journeyed together through Palestine, Syria, Asia Minor, and Egypt, where they met the Patriarch of Alexandria, Saint John the Almsgiver, with whom they remained until 614, when Persians captured Jerusalem (see also Saint Anastasius the Persian, Jan. 22). Saint Sophronius and John Moschus departed Alexandria for Rome, where they remained until 619, the year of John Moschus' death. Saint Sophronius returned to the Monastery of Saint Theodosius the Cenobiarch, and there buried the body of his friend. He laboured much in defence of the Holy Fourth Council of Chalcedon, and traveled to Constantinople to remonstrate with Patriarch Sergius and the Emperor Heraclius for changing the Orthodox Faith with their Monothelite teachings. After the death of Patriarch Modestus in December of 634, Sophronius was elected Patriarch of Jerusalem. Although no longer in the hands of the Persians, the Holy Land was now besieged by the armies of the newly-appeared religion of Mohammed, which had already taken Bethlehem; in the Saint's sermon for the Nativity of our Lord in 634, he laments that he could not celebrate the feast in Bethlehem. In 637, for the sins of the people, to the uttermost grief of Saint Sophronius, the Caliph Omar captured Jerusalem. Having tended the flock of his Master for three years and three months, Saint Sophronius departed in peace unto Him Whom he loved on March 11, 638.

Saint Sophronius has left to the Church many writings, including the life of Saint Mary of Egypt. The hymn "O Joyous Light," which is wrongly ascribed to him, is more ancient than Saint Basil the Great, as the Saint himself confirms in his work "On the Holy Spirit" (ch. 29). However, it seems that this hymn, which was chanted at the lighting of the lamps and was formerly called "The Triadic Hymn," was later supplemented somewhat by Saint Sophronius, bringing it into the form in which we now have it. Hence, some have ascribed it to him.

March 12

Gregory Dialogos, Bishop of Rome

Saint Gregory was born in Rome to noble and wealthy parents about the year 540. While the Saint was still young, his father died. However, his mother, Sylvia, saw to it that her child received a good education in both secular and spiritual learning. He became Prefect of Rome and sought to please God even while in the world; later, he took up the monastic life; afterwards he was appointed Archdeacon of Rome, then, in 579, apocrisiarius (representative or Papal legate) to Constantinople, where he lived for nearly seven years. He returned to Rome in 585 and was elected Pope in 590. He is renowned especially for his writings and great almsgiving, and also because, on his initiative, missionary work began among the Anglo-Saxon people. It is also from him that Gregorian Chant takes its name; the chanting he had heard at Constantinople had deeply impressed him, and he imported many elements of it into the ecclesiastical chant of Rome. He served as Bishop of that city from 590 to 604.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Mode

Having learned the joyful proclamation of the Resurrection from the Angel, and having cast off the ancestral condemnation, the women disciples said to the Apostles triumphantly: Death is despoiled and Christ God is risen, granting great mercy unto the world.

Apolytikion for 40 Martyrs of Sebastia in the First Mode

Be Thou entreated for the sake of the sufferings of Thy Saints which they endured for Thee, O Lord, and do Thou heal all our pains, we pray, O Friend of man.

Apolytikion for Sun. of Orthodoxy in the Second Mode

We worship Thine immaculate icon, O Good One, asking the forgiveness of our failings, O Christ our God; for of Thine own will Thou wast well-pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, that Thou mightest deliver from slavery to the enemy those whom Thou hadst fashioned. Wherefore, we cry to Thee thankfully: Thou didst fill all things with joy, O our Saviour, when Thou camest to save the world.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

To you, my Champion and Commander, I, your City, saved from disasters, dedicate, O Mother of God, Hymns of victory and thanksgiving. But as you have unassailable might, from every kind of danger now deliver me, that I may cry out to you: Hail, Bride, without bridegroom!

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Fourth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:1-12

On the first day of the week at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking spices, which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." And they remembered His words and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the Apostles; but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal First Mode. Psalm 11.7,1.
You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 12:1-10.

BRETHREN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation which addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you are punished by him. For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers to discipline us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of Orthodoxy
The Reading is from John 1:43-51

At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and he said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."

Wisdom of the Fathers

For in a contest there is much labor needed--and after the contest victory falls to some, to others disgrace. Is the palm ever given or the crown granted before the course is finished? ... Therefore no one can receive a reward, unless he has striven lawfully; nor is the victory a glorious one, unless the contest also has been toilsome.

St. Ambrose of Milan

Chapter 15, Three Books on the Duties of the Clergy, 4th century

Moses... was himself saved by means of wood and water before the Law was given, when he was exposed to the Nile's currents, hidden away in an Ark (Exod. 2:3-10). And by means of wood and water he saved the people of Israel, revealing the Cross by the wood, Holy Baptism by water (Exod. 14:15-31). Paul, who had looked upon the mysteries, says openly, 'They were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud' (I Cor. 10:2). He also bears witness that, even before the events concerning the sea and his staff, Moses willingly endured Christ's Cross, 'Esteeming', he says, 'the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt' (Heb. 11:26). For the Cross is the reproach of Christ from the standpoint of foolish men. As Paul himself says of Christ, 'He endured the cross, despising the shame' (Heb. 12:2).

St. Gregory Palamas

Homilies Vol. 1, Homily Eleven para. 14; Saint Tikhon's Seminary Press pg. 123, 14th century

Fight constantly with your thoughts and call them back when they wander away. God does not demand of those under obedience that their thoughts be totally undistracted when they pray. And do not lose heart when your thoughts are stolen away. Just remain calm, and constantly call your mind back.

St. John Climacus

The Ladder of Divine Ascent, 4.101, p. 112, 6th century

Truly, O Lord, if we do not humble ourselves, you do not cease to humble us.

St. Isaac of Syria

Ascetical Homilies p. 162, 7th century

Parish Activities

Special Service: procession with Icons around the church

2025 STEWARDSHIP as of 3/7/2025

Goal:                                        $550,000

Pledged:                                     $478,505

Pledges Submitted:                   142

Needed to be Pledged:             $71,495

DOME ICONOGRAPHY financials as of 3/7/2025

Total Project value: $411,000

Balance in the account at the beginning of the campaign: $110,898

Pledged (including grant): $242,102

Number of pledges: 62

Needed: $58,000

TODAY, AFTER SERVICE:
- ORATORICAL FESTIVAL
- Coffee Hour – Potluck – Fast (Dairy allowed)
- The Philoptochos Membership Drive is underway. Please stop by our table in the hall to learn about Philoptochos and fill out a pledge form. Or if it’s easier for you, the pledge form is on our website: https://stjohndfw.info/parish-life/ministries/philoptochos. We look forward to meeting and greeting new and returning members.
- Philoptochos Pascha Bake Sale Forms are available
- Explore Orthodoxy Class 12:15 pm in the High School Class
- Pan Orthodox Vespers at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Dallas, tonight at 6:00 pm
- Living Word Bookstore: Come and See our Lenten collection
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- Monday, March 10, 7:00 pm: Parish Council Meeting
- Tuesday, March 11, 8:30 pm – GOYA Evening Prayers on Google Meet.
- Wednesday, March 12, 7:00 pm: BOOK & SOUP for the SOUL. Featured book: Great Lent – Journey to Pascha by Alexander Schmemann – ch. 1. Bring a Lenten dish to share.
- Friday, March 14, 11 am: Homeschool Co-op.
- Saturday, March 15, 9:00 am: Men’s Breakfast
- Sunday, March 16: SPRING GENERAL ASSEMBLY. All can participate, only stewards in good standing may vote.
- Sunday, March 16, 5:45 pm – 7:15 pm: Lenten Initiatives - Serve dinner at The Bridge homeless shelter in Dallas. Address: 1818 Corsicana St, Dallas, TX 75201. Sign up with Harriet Blake, 214-995-4290; [email protected]
- Sunday, March 16, 6:00 pm: Pan-Orthodox Vespers at St. Demetrios GOC in Fort Worth.
- Tuesday, March 18, 7:00 pm – Orthodox College Fellowship
- Friday, March 21, 7:00 pm – 2^nd Lenten Soup Supper Fundraisers. All proceeds benefit Holy Cross Seminarians. Please sign up to bring a Lenten soup, salad, drinks, or dessert with Anastasia Parsons (817) 253-8115.
- Saturday, March 22, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm: Lenten Initiatives - 6Stones - HEB area - working on home repairs. Contact Harriet Blake, 214-995-4290; [email protected]
- Sunday, March 23, 6:00 pm: Pan Orthodox Vespers at our church. Please bring a Lenten dish / dessert, bread, drinks. We are expecting around 250-300 guests
- Sunday, March 23 – GOYA Italian Lunch Fundraiser
- Friday, March 28 – Ageless Wonders Meeting

Prayers Request

Prayer Request – March 9, 2024

(Use the baptismal name when commemorating. If not available, please use the first name. Kindly let us know if anybody else should be on this list)

Members of our parish who are in hospital or rehab:

Name: Baptismal name:

Leslie Hock

Members of our parish who are in assisted living or nursing home:

Name: Baptismal name:

Leo Alexander Panteleimon
Joyce Hofland
Rada & Valentin Teodoreanu Rada & Valentin
Velva Johnson Heleni

Members of our parish who are ill / in recovery:

Name: Baptismal name:

Wes Albaugh
Chrysanthi Andromalos Chrysanthi
Adrian Antonescu Adrian
Elias Bahou Elias
Sorana Bitea Sorana
Michael Bogdos Michael
Kassandra Bogordos Kassandra
Robin Boomstra
Jason Caros Jason
Margaret Chokas Maria
Charlie Clark
Tim Cline Timothy
Edward Tex Collins Taxiarchon
Mariana Cuceu Maria
Helen Dieb Helen
David Dube
Orest & Refije Duka Anesti & Katherine
Tamara Eftimie Tamara
Timothy Elder Timothy
Michael & Kathy Fox Michael & Katherine
Awni & Maryan Haddad Rafael & Maryan
Jennifer Hock Zenobia
Steve Howton
Heather Olivia Gregoire Mary
Harry & Virginia Karegeannes Haralambos & Catherine
Filiratos & Alina Ionita Filiratos & Alina
Petar & Slavica Ivovic Petar & Slavica
Abraham Maayeh Abraham
Jude MacLead
George & Victoria Manos George & Victoria
Themis & Zoe Mavrelli Euthymia & Zoe
Catherine Macdonald Catherine
Laura & Liliana Nicolescu Laura & Liliana Gabriela
Ruby Phillips
Cristina Popa Cristina
Candice & Annette Reyes
Ted Sarros John
Robert Steffaro Rodion
Elizabeth Strong Elizabeth
Dave & Shanna Trosko
Georgia Vratinina Georgia
Gary Winfrey
Helen Yu

Members of our parish who have chronic illnesses:

Name: Baptismal name:

Gabriel, Rita & Marina Abanoub Gabriel, Rita & Marina
Tami, Olivia & Nathaniel Brugman Dymphna, Theodora & Nathaniel
John & Darrel Brugman
Andrew Lucas Burlacu
Ashley Choate Maria Magdalena
Elizabeth Cronin Elizabeth
Samiha Gayed Samiha
Michael Genovezos Michael
Mavra Grimm Mavra
Gregory Kerbow Gregory
John Koutsoufis Ioannis
Emilia Lueth Emilia
Constantinos & Marlen Pachou Constantinos & Marlen
Maria Lungu Post Maria
Emily & Michael MacLeod Emily & Michael
Maire Barachiel MacLeod Maire Barachiel
Erzsi Rafael MacLeod Erzsi Rafael
Brigid Seraphim MacLeod Brigid Seraphim
Michaela Miller Michaela
Andreas Mihalakeas Andreas
Gail Poriotis Evangelia
Georgia Souris Georgia
Ann, Jason Sullivan Ana, Jason
Madalina & Pipita Tache Madalina & Pipita
Sarah Varvaris Sara
Kristy, Ronald, Martha Warkentin Paraskeva, Ronald & Martha
George Vittas George, Reader

Members of our parish with limited mobility:

Name: Baptismal name:

Dr. Lucille Howton Lucille
Constantinos Katsikas Constantinos
Marika Shackelford Maria

Family members who fell asleep in the Lord in the last 40 days:

- Carol Dunn - Lola Caros - Anastasios, Archbishop - Tatiana, Presvytera

Church Calendar

STJB Calendar

March 9 to March 23, 2025

Sunday, March 9

8:15AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

11:00AM Philoptochos Pascha Bake Sale Forms

11:00AM NO Sunday School - Sunday of Orthodoxy (Bring your icon)

11:30AM Coffee Hour - Potluck

11:45AM Oratorical Festival

12:15PM Explore Orthodoxy Class

6:00PM Pan Orthodox Vespers at Holy Trinity GOC in Dallas

Monday, March 10

5:00PM Confessions

6:00PM Great Compline

7:00PM Parish Council Meeting

Tuesday, March 11

8:30PM GOYA Evening Prayers on Google Meet.

Wednesday, March 12

5:30PM Presanctified Liturgy

7:00PM Book and Soup for the Soul

Friday, March 14

11:00AM Homeschool Co-op

5:00PM Confessions

6:00PM Salutations to the Theotokos (2)

Saturday, March 15

9:00AM Men's Breakfast

4:00PM Confession

5:00PM Great Vespers

Sunday, March 16

8:15AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

10:45AM Sunday School

11:00AM Spring General Assembly

5:45PM Lenten Initiatives - Serve dinner at The Bridge homeless shelter in Dallas

6:00PM Pan Orthodox Vespers at St. Demetrios GOC in Fort Worth

Monday, March 17

5:00PM Confessions

6:00PM Great Compline

Tuesday, March 18

7:00PM OCF Meeting

7:00PM Philoptochos Meeting (ZOOM)

8:30PM GOYA Evening Prayers on Google Meet.

Wednesday, March 19

5:30PM Presanctified Liturgy

7:00PM Book and Soup for the Soul

Friday, March 21

11:00AM Homeschool Co-op

5:00PM Confessions

6:00PM Salutations to the Theotokos (3)

7:00PM 2nd Lenten Soup Supper

Saturday, March 22

8:00AM Lenten Initiatives - 6Stones - HEB area - working on home repairs

2:00PM Choir practice

4:00PM Confession

5:00PM Great Vespers

Sunday, March 23

8:15AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

10:45AM Sunday School

11:00AM Coffee Hour - GOYA - Italian Lunch Fundraiser

12:15PM Explore Orthodoxy Class

6:00PM Pan Orthodox Vespers at St. John GOC Euless

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins

Saints and Feasts

Sunday of Orthodoxy

The Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebastia

Sophronios, Patriarch of Jerusalem

Gregory Dialogos, Bishop of Rome

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Mode

Apolytikion for 40 Martyrs of Sebastia in the First Mode

Apolytikion for Sun. of Orthodoxy in the Second Mode

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Epistle Reading

Gospel Reading

Wisdom of the Fathers

Parish Activities

Prayers Request

Church Calendar

STJB Calendar

March 9 to March 23, 2025