Sunday, May 24, 2026

Fathers of the 1st Council

The heresiarch Arius was a protopresbyter of the Church of Alexandria. In 315, he began to blaspheme against the Son and Word of God, saying that He is not true God, consubstantial with the Father, but is rather a work and creation, alien to the essence and glory of the Father, and that there was a time when He was not. This blasphemy shook the faithful of Alexandria. Alexander, his Archbishop, after trying in vain to correct him through admonitions, cut him off from communion and finally in a local council deposed him in the year 321. Yet neither did the blasphemer wish to be corrected, nor did he cease sowing his heretical teachings; but writing to the bishops of other cities, Arius and his followers requested that his doctrine be examined, and if it were unsound, that the correct teaching be declared to him. By this means, his heresy became universally known and won many supporters, so that the whole Church was soon in an uproar.
Therefore, the first Christian Sovereign, Saint Constantine the Great, the equal to the Apostles, summoned the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, a city of Bithynia. It was there that the shepherds and teachers of the Church of Christ gathered from all regions in the year 325. All of them, declared that the Son and Word of God is one in essence with the Father, true God of true God, and they composed the holy Symbol of Faith up to the seventh article (since the remainder, beginning with "And in the Holy Spirit," was completed by the Second Ecumenical Council). Thus they anathematized Arius and those of like mind with him, and cut them off from the whole body of the faithful.
Therefore, recognizing the divine Fathers as heralds of the Faith after the divine Apostles, the Church of Christ has appointed this present Sunday for their annual commemoration, in thanksgiving and unto the glory of God, unto their praise and honor, and unto the strengthening of the true Faith.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 20:16-18, 28-36

IN THOSE DAYS, Paul had decided to sail past Ephesos, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. And from Miletos he sent to Ephesos and called to him the elders of the church. And when they came to him, he said to them: "Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God which he obtained with the blood of his own Son. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, 'it is more blessed to give than to receive.' " And when he had spoken thus, he knelt down and prayed with them all.

Gospel Reading

John 17:1-13

At that time, Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work which you gave me to do; and now, Father, you glorify me in your own presence with the glory which I had with you before the world was made."I have manifested your name to the men whom you gave me out of the world; yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you; for I have given them the words which you gave me, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you did send me. I am praying for them; I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are mine; all mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves."

Memorial Prayer

Theodore (Ted) Romanos (40 days) Survived by his wife, two daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Trisagion Prayer

Elias Dimitrelos (4 years) Survived by his mother Anna Starfas and by his siblings.

Georgios Starfas (7 years) Survived by his wife Anna Starfas and by his children.

Baby Blessing

Katelyn Tzavelis and Alex Gerber present Dean Henry Gerber for his 40 day blessing.

Announcements

Saturday of Souls
Saturday, May 30th Orthros at 9:00am followed by Divine Liturgy at 10:00am

Loving Stitches
Meeting on Tuesday, May 26 at 11:00am

DAC Election
The Dance Advisory Committee is seeking a minimum of three dance parents to join our team. The DAC oversees the business and operational side of the St. Demetrios Dance Program, allowing our instructors to focus on teaching and supporting our dancers.
We meet at least once a month, with additional meetings held as needed. We are looking for individuals who are willing to take the lead on, or assist with, projects, events, and subcommittees.
If you are interested in becoming more involved and helping support the success of our dance program, we encourage you to join us! Kindly submit your name (first and last) and current dancers name(s) to Kiki in the church office, kiki@stdemetrios.org. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Christa Fitzgerald (christabarlow73@gmail.com) or Danielle Smith (dani.n.smith10@gmail.com).

Prosforo
Please consider baking Prosfora as an offering to the church. Include the names of your family members, both living and dead, you would like to have commemorated during the Proskomide.

Mercy Luncheons (Makarias)
As of December 2025, St. Demetrios Church will offer to prepare and serve a Traditional Mercy Luncheon (Makaria) in the church hall for family members who request it. For detailed information please call Diane Paxinos 954-304-5913, or Kiki Sergiou in the Church Office 954-467-1515.