News

Jan 10: Vasilopeta Luncheon

The Ladies Philoptochos of St. Demetrios Church Presents Our Annual

Vasilopeta Luncheon

Sunday, January 10, 2016
Following Epiphany Services and the Blessing of the Waters

Donation
Adults: $15
Children (under 12): $6
Proceeds to benefit St. Basil’s Academy

Download Flier (PDF)

It is our wish to see all members of our St. Demetrios community participates as one loving family, in the traditional cutting of the Vasilopeta. All churches are also invited to participate in diving for the cross, and Luncheon. What a wonderful way to begin the New Year –- sharing the blessings and the celebration of this special day together.

Helen Suravlas
Afroula Kanellides
Eleni Mantsis
Peggy Kantor

Originally published at GoArch.org

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for the Feast of Saint Basil and the New Year


Dec 29, 2015
Protocol No. 01/16
January 1, 2016
Feast of Saint Basil and New Year

To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On this first day of the new year and the blessed Feast of our Father among the Saints, Basil the Great, we anticipate the abundant blessings and great works of God, and we continue to give Him honor and glory through our worship and faithful service to Him.

As we dedicate the year and our lives to the holy will of God, it also is fitting at the beginning of this year 2016 that we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the ministry of His All-Holiness our beloved Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. This is truly a significant event for our Holy Archdiocese and for Orthodox Christianity, as this time has included tremendous changes and challenges in our world. In the apostolic spirit of Saint Basil and many other Saints and Hierarchs, His All Holiness has provided spiritual guidance from a foundation of deep faith in God and a commitment to His will. He has offered compassionate pastoral leadership from his experience and understanding of the power of the grace of God. He has adeptly addressed critical issues using the great theological and liturgical heritage of our Orthodox Christian faith. Our Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has led and continues to lead faithful around the world in offering a true witness of the blessed life we have in Christ and of an enduring hope that rests on the promises of God.

We give glory and thanksgiving to God for the apostolic ministry of our Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. We also give thanks for all the offerings of our Hierarchs, Clergy, and Laity in addressing the needs and supporting the work of His All Holiness and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. This has been a great contribution in sharing the Gospel, advocating for religious freedom, offering spiritual guidance on environmental issues, and helping those who need urgent assistance.

The ministry and leadership of His All-Holiness reflects the compassion and faith that were exemplified by Saint Basil. This is also the witness of our beloved Saint Basil Academy. Led by our National Ladies Philoptochos Society and local chapters, it is our annual tradition on this day and during the month of January to offer prayers and support for this ministry. Each and every day of the year, the benefactors, directors, and staff of Saint Basil’s are serving the needs of children and youth who need love, guidance, and the healing power of faith. This vital ministry has been supported for over sixty years by the Ladies Philoptochos Society through the annual cutting of the Vasilopita, and I ask that you give generously together with your prayers for Saint Basil Academy.

In the cutting and sharing of the Vasilopita at the inception of this New Year, may we also offer our prayers and support for His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and wish him many more years of faithful and dedicated service to Christ and His Church. And may the blessings of our Lord be upon each of you and your families for peace, health, and opportunities to share His love and the power of faith throughout the year.

With paternal love in Christ,

†DEMETRIOS

Archbishop of America

St. Demetrios Helps Albanian Orthodox Children

Following up mission work done by President Marina Corodemus and Philoptochos President Stella Wacker in Albania in October 2014, with OCMC, the St. Demetrios community came together to help the children of Albania.

The Albanian Orthodox Church is lead by Greek Archbishop Anastasios who rebuilt the church after decades of oppression by the Communists. Orthodox Christians make up 10% of the 20% Christian population in Albania (10% Roman Catholic).

Our community, in the true meaning of Christmas, sent jackets, home knitted hats & scarves, and raised money to buy toys for orphans in Shen Vah House of Hope by Tirana, and Father Spiro’s school in Durres for special needs kids. Here are the pictures of the children smiling with their new jackets.
Special thanks goes to Ted Kaidas.

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October 26: The Holy Great Martyr Demetrius the Myrrh-streamer

demetrios_martyr Saint Demetrius was a Thessalonian, a most pious son of pious and noble parents, and a teacher of the Faith of Christ. When Maximian first came to Thessalonica in 290, he raised the Saint to the rank of Duke of Thessaly. But when it was discovered that the Saint was a Christian, he was arrested and kept bound in a bath-house. While the games were under way in the city, Maximian was a spectator there. A certain friend of his, a barbarian who was a notable wrestler, Lyaeus by name, waxing haughty because of the height and strength of his body, boasted in the stadium and challenged the citizens to a contest with him. All that fought with him were defeated. Seeing this, a certain youth named Nestor, acquaintance of Demetrius’, came to the Saint in the bath-house and asked his blessing to fight Lyaeus single-handed. Receiving this blessing and sealing himself with the sign of the precious Cross, he presented himself in the stadium, and said, “O God of Demetrius, help me!” and straightway he engaged Lyaeus in combat and smote him with a mortal blow to the heart, leaving the former boaster lifeless upon the earth. Maximian was sorely grieved over this, and when he learned who was the cause of this defeat, he commanded straightway and Demetrius was pierced with lances while he was yet in the bath-house, As for Nestor, Maximian commanded that he be slain with his own sword.

Apolytikion of Demetrius the Myrrh-streamer in the Third Tone

The world has found in you a great champion in time of peril, as you emerged the victor in routing the barbarians. For as you brought to naught the boasts of Lyaios, imparting courage to Nestor in the stadium, in like manner, holy one, great Martyr Dimitrios, invoke Christ God for us, that He may grant us His great mercy.

Kontakion of Demetrius the Myrrh-streamer in the Second Tone

God, who gave you invincible power and with care kept your city invulnerable, royally clothed the Church in purple with the streams of your blood, for you are her strength, O Demitrios.

Weekly Bulletin: Sunday October 18, 2015

On Saturday October 24. We will be celebrating “OXI” Day at 4pm. Please join us

On Sunday October 25 His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos will be honoring us by celebrating Great Vespers with us for our Patron Saint Demetrios. Please join us at 7pm for Great Vespers and Light Refreshments afterwards.

Monday October 26 we will be celebrating our Patron Saint Demetrios with Divine Liturgy at 10am, then we will enjoy a complimentary luncheon. Family and friends are invited. Please join us.

Download the Weekly Bulletin 10-18-2015