St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Williamsburg, VA
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey
Williamsburg, VA

 

"Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." - Romans 15:7

St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church is dedicated to imitating the love and faithfulness of Jesus Christ by sharing the Gospel in word and deed. We worship the Holy Trinity according to the Faith and Tradition of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Our witnessing to the Faith is accomplished through the sacramental life, our values, traditions; stewardship, fellowship, service, and Christian education.


Parish News


The Exhibition will open with a Blessing Service on Sunday March 3rd at the conclusion of the 10 am Divine Liturgy. The exhibition’s panels and accompanying book feature dramatic photography taken at each of the monasteries, and narratives explaining their vast and
impressive histories. Monasteries such as Great Lavra, Vatopedi, Iveron, Zographou, Xenophontos, and Esphigmenou have histories dating back over 1,000 years.
 
Spiritually, Mount Athos is a community of persons dedicated to the uninterrupted worship of God through ascetical practice, where the daily spiritual and material life of the monks unfolds with the liturgical life at its epicenter. Writers from Byzantine times to today have
praised both the natural beauty of the location and the virtuous life of the ascetics, viewing it as the ideal place for asceticism, as an ideal realm of God on Earth.
 
The exhibit is located in the Williamsburg Hellenic Center adjacent to St Demetrios and is open to the public from March 3rd to April 30th as follows:
Sundays from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm 
Wednesdays from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm 
Fridays from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm
or by appointment: churchoffice@stdemva.com
 
HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE FOR UKRAINE

Anyone who wishes to support IOCC’s humanitarian response to the Ukraine crisis is asked to pray for all those affected and the people serving them, to share what IOCC is doing in order to spread the word, and to give as they are able financially. To make a donation toward these efforts, please visit iocc.org/ukraine22 or call 877.803.4622.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese also has a donation page on their web site. Click here for more information.

 

COMMUNIQUE OF THE HOLY EPARCHIAL SYNOD

NEW YORK – On Thursday, September 16, 2021, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America convened a regular meeting of the Holy Eparchial Synod via video conference, in order to deliberate on significant matters that affect the Archdiocese of America.
 
At the beginning of the meeting, the synodical hierarchs with joy were informed of today’s communique of our Mother Church, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, that His All-Holiness will indeed make his previously arranged visit to America, without postponement.
 
Discussing the topic of the vaccination of the faithful, the hierarchs unanimously affirmed that the Church not only permits vaccinations against diseases (e.g. polio, smallpox), but that She encourages Her Faithful, after medical tests and approbations, to be vaccinated with the approved vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).
 
In addition, although some may be exempt from the vaccination for clear medical reasons, there is no exemption in the Orthodox Church for Her faithful from any vaccination for religious reasons, including the coronavirus vaccine. For this reason, letters of exemption for the vaccination against the coronavirus for religious purposes issued by priests of the Archdiocese of America have no validity, and furthermore, no clergy are to issue such religious exemption letters for any reason.
The Holy Eparchial Synod urges the faithful to pay heed to competent medical authorities, and to avoid the false narratives utterly unfounded in science and perpetrated on the Church by those who have succumbed to the disinformation and conspiracy theories that are widely available on social media sites.

 

STEWARDSHIP

Giving our time, talent, and treasure to the Church is an opportunity – an opportunity to examine our priorities and values. It is an opportunity to express our thankfulness, to give of ourselves and to grow in grace. It is an opportunity to participate in the work of God by

  • Worshiping together in a beautiful sanctuary
  • Teaching our children our faith
  • Learning the Greek language and celebrating our culture and traditions
  • Better understanding the Word of God in weekly Bible Study
  • Practicing our faith through supporting community charities
  • Celebrating life events
  • Comforting and being comforted

We are called to apply our gifts, training, abilities, education and skills to the tasks that God places before us. If we do this humbly and prayerfully, the body of Christ will function to its full potential.

St. Demetrios is a stewardship parish. There is no minimum commitment required for anyone to be considered a member of the parish. We do ask that you prayerfully consider your annual commitment and be generous with your time, talents, and treasure. We are a small community that is deeply thankful for your donations and grateful for your willingness to volunteer.

More information is available from the stewardship page on our web site. Click here for the web site and commitment card. Commitment cards are also available in the Narthex. We ask that each family complete a commitment card each year so we can keep our membership rolls current and better plan our budget.

ORTHODOX CAMPUS FELLOWSHIP (OCF)

Fr. Gianulis is serving as spriritual advisor to the William & Mary OCF.

 

PHILIP LUDWELL III AND EARLY AMERICAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY

www.Ludwell.org offers fresh perspectives on the history of early America through the prism of the life, community, and worldview of Colonel Philip Ludwell III of Green Spring (Williamsburg), Virginia. Philip Ludwell III is the first known convert to Eastern Orthodox Christianity in the Americas. He was a prominent figure in pre-revolutionary Virginia and a relative by blood or marriage of many great early figures in American history from George Washington to Robert E. Lee. Over two hundred years later, his life and inspiring story of faith is becoming known and reshaping our view of the diversity of early America and its connections with the rest of the world. This site is regularly updated with research, breaking news, information about scholarly and religious events, archaeological findings, as well as details of ongoing projects. We invite you to subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on Facebook to stay informed about our activities.

 

Worship Schedule


SUNDAY SERVICES

Orthos: 9 AM

Divine Liturgy 10 AM

FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION

Monday, March 25th. Orthros, 8:45 a.m. Divine Liturgy, 9:30 a.m.

LENTEN SERVICES -- Great Lent begins on Monday, March 18th.

Presanctified Liturgies every Wednesday throughout Great Lent at 5:30 p.m. followed by a lenten pot-luck supper

Salutations to the Theotokos will be sung on the first 5 Fridays of Great Lent at 7:00 p.m.

LAZARUS SATURDAY

Saturday, March 27th. Orthros, 9 a.m. Divine Liturgy, 10 a.m.

HOLY WEEK -- March 29th through April 4th

Orthros of the Bridegroom on Monday and Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Holy Unction (the sacrament of healing) on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Divine Liturgy of the Mystical Super on holy Thursday at 9 a.m.

Orthros of the Passion (12 gospels) on holy Thursday at 6 p.m.

Great Vespers of the Descent from the Cross (Apokathilosis) at 3 p.m. on Good Friday

The Lamentations at 6 p.m. on Good Friday

St. Basil's Divine Liturgy of the Resurection, 9 a.m. on Holy Saturday

The Resurrection service begins at 10:30 p.m. on Holy Saturday with the proclamation of Christ Risen at 11:00 p.m.

Orthros at 11:30 p.m. on Holy Saturday night followed by the midnight Divine Liturgy of Pascha.

Easter Sunday (Pascha), the AGAPE Vespers at 11 a.m.

 

CONFESSIONS ARE HEARD ON WEDNESDAYS & FRIDAYS PRIOR TO THE SERVICES OF GREAT LENT

HOLY COMMUNION 

The Orthodox believe in the actual presence of the Body and Blood of Christ. In the Divine Liturgy, we believe that the bread and wine are consecrated and are truly changed into the Body and Blood of Christ.  A communicant must prepare to receive through prayer and fasting. Only baptized and confirmed Orthodox Christians should receive Holy Communion, and only when properly prepared.

Currently, at St. Demetrios, Holy Communion is distributed using separate spoons, one per person. What is critical is not the means of receiving Christ's gift, but what we receive: His Body and Blood. This is not only consistent with the wisdom of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, but it underscores what His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros has affirmed since the beginning of the crisis: "It is not the way we receive; it is the Communion itself that saves us and gives us eternal life.”

 

 

Announcements


OFFERINGS TO THE CHURCH

A Church is always in need of certain essential items, such as oil, wine and bread. No need to ask, but feel free at anytime to bring olive oil for the eternal light that burns behind the altar; sweet red wine, like Camandaria or Mavrodaphne, for the holy communion; and the altar bread, prosforo, that is used for holy communion and antidoron.

 

YOUR PRIEST IS AS CLOSE AS YOUR TELEPHONE

...but 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. Fr. Gianulis can always be reached by calling the church phone number, 220-0994. If he is not in, leave a message and it will be delivered to his cell phone.

 

 
10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: MARCH 9, 2024

St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church will celebrate our 10-year Anniversary on March 9th. Hierarhical Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros on Saturday morning. Dinner Dance with music by Apolonia on Saturday evening. This promises to be a great event and a true watershed moment in the life of St. Demetrios parish. Everyone will want to support this!

 

WHAT DOES FISH NEED MOST NOW? 
 
Nonperishable food:
 
  • Vegetable oil (16 oz.)
  • Flavored oatmeal (boxes of individual servings)
  • Pancake mix + syrup
  • Brownie mix, cornbread, cake - all mixes
  • Cake frosting
  • Mayonnaise - small jars
  • Beef stew
  • Grape jelly
  • Canned pastas (such as ravioli)

Household items: 

  • Small appliances including coffee makers, toasters, crock pots, George Foreman-style grills
  • Pots and Pans - all sizes including non-stick skillets, frying pans, and CorningWare
  • Sheets & blankets (clean)
  • Towels (clean)

Household and personal supplies:

  • Brown grocery bags (clean)
  • Bubble wrap to protect fragile items
  • Deodorant
  • Shampoo
  • Laundry detergent
  • Toothbrushes & toothpaste
  • Feminine pads & tampons

Shoes and clothing:

  • Clothing sized 3X - 5X
  • Children's school/athletic shoes
  • Men's jeans (new or gently used)
  • Men and women's white socks

 

 

 

 

Online Chapel

First Tuesday of Lent

Visit the Online Chapel for more daily readings, hymns, a monthly calendar of saints and feasts, and more.

 

Stewardship


Make Your Donation Here

 

2022 Commitment Card

Light A Candle  

Become A Champion

 

Memorial Donations