Schedule of Divine Services
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Perfect Scores: Modern Greek Academic Excellent Award
We proudly announce that Evangelia Allea Maurakis and Ioanna Stathopoulos achieved academic excellence in the Comprehensive Examination in Modern Greek Language through St. Demetrios Greek School Afternoon Program in Williamsburg, Virginia under the direction and instruction of Mrs. Eva Zestos.
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"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
ORTHODOXY 101 RETURNS
After Pascha, we will resume our Orthodox Study Group Thursdays by Zoom from 7 - 8 p.m. Check the e-bulletin for details.
HOPE PREGNANCY CENTER COLLECTION
Thank you to all who donated diapers, baby food and formula, or other items for Hope Pregnancy Services. We are pleased to be able to help through your charitable contributions.
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
OPEN FOR IN PERSON WORSHIP
Please join us Sunday. We all should feel comfortable and safe attending worship services if you are among those who have received your vaccination for the Coronavirus. If you do not feel quite secure or if you have not been vaccinated, you are welcome to wear a mask. Masks will still be available in the narthex.
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.”
9:00 am Orthros
10:00 am Divine Liturgy
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.
WILLIAMSBURG HOUSE OF MERCY
There is a great need and the food pantry shelves are starting to empty. There are two big ways we can help:
1. Donate items. attached below is a list of nonperishable foods and toiletries that they need right now. Highest of need are canned proteins: canned tuna, canned chicken, canned beans and pork, peanut butter, and canned pasta meals. Then next on the list is canned fruits and vegetables. People can either drop off these items to Williamsburg House of Mercy from 10am to 4pm each day, or they can order them on Amazon and have them delivered. They have an outside dop-off bin. Williamsburg House of Mercy is located at:
Williamsburg House of Mercy
10 Harrison Avenue
Williamsburg, VA 23185
2. Donate financially. The easiest way to do is to go directly to their giving page on their website here:
Online Chapel
Holy Pentecost
Saints and Feasts Commemorated
Visit the Online Chapel for more daily readings, hymns, a monthly calendar of saints and feasts, and more.
